Face to Face with God | Deuteronomy 34:10
Welcome to Real Life. A phrase from Moses’ eulogy keeps running through my mind.
There has never been another prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. Deuteronomy 34:10 NLT
What did this face-to-face look like? We know that no one, not even Moses, saw God’s actual face.[1] So, how did God appear? In their first encounter, He spoke from a burning bush.[2] What form did He take on Mount Sinai?
Aside from questions, the verse stirs a deep longing, almost an ache in my soul. Lord, I want to know you like that—face to face.
This much is clear: God values relationship. He desired face time with Moses. He desires face time with me, also.
In the old covenant of Moses’ day, few conversed directly with God. He is holy. Though there were hundreds of thousands of Israelites, only Moses (with his assistant Joshua) regularly climbed Mount Sinai to meet with God. The mountain rumbled with trumpet blasts, thunder, smoke, and fire like a volcano ready to blow. The people trembled. You go, Moses. We’ll keep our distance.
Meeting God is not safe. It radically transforms people. They walk away and do crazy-impossible things, like stand up to Pharaoh, part the Red Sea, and lead a nation across the desert wilderness.
I know. Meeting God radically changed me (and continues to do so). As far as doing crazy things, I never thought I’d be spilling my guts on a blog!
“Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”
Image of Aslan from WikiNarnia
Apart from his grace, no ordinary individual approaches God and lives to tell the tale. I’d be consumed in the purifying fire of his holiness. This is why He sent his Son. At the moment of Christ’s death, the temple curtain which separated man from God’s presence ripped in half, top to bottom, opening access to the Holy One.[4] Jesus’ blood redeems and covers my sin. By accepting His sacrifice, even an ordinary sinner like me can meet with God, wrapped in Christ’s righteousness.[5]
Salvation is not sacred ritual, baptism, or signing a covenant. Salvation is knowing God. He wants to be known.
“Now this is eternal life:
that they may know you, the only true God,
and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” John 17:3 NKJV
At some point, I will die and stand before God. Though I’ve never seen His face, He won’t be a stranger. I know Him. On that remarkable day, I will see Him face to face.
“They will see his face.” Revelation 22:4a NIV
Taking it further …
- Do you know God? To investigate further, check out www.needhim.org.
- Experience his presence at “The Altar” (by Tricia Brock).
What are your thoughts on being face to face with God? I’d love to know.
[1] Exodus 33:18-23
[2] Exodus 3:2
[3] Quote from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, describing the lion, Aslan.
[4] Luke 23:45
[5] Philippians 3:9
