40 Years with a Friend of God?

I’ve been thinking a lot about Moses lately…. I know, he seems rather ‘old school’, old testament, old news, right?  You all remember the story of the exodus of the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt; they spend 40 years ‘wandering’ in the desert ….following Moses.  We get the impression that this is a fruitless time. Perhaps truly frustrating for those escaping slavery– looking for home.  A hard, difficult time.

 

But think about this, really… This thought hit me the other day —

 

Wouldn’t you willingly spend 40 years following a man who saw God ‘face to face’?

 

A 40 year pilgrimage- a lifetime with a prophet; one who brings truth to the people.  Wouldn’t this ultimately be a fruitful 40 years? Certainly, being led through the wilderness by a pillar of fire by night, and a column of smoke by day, finding manna each day in sustenance, were some of the many proofs of God’s care for the Hebrew people.  But most of all, God spoke to Moses, their leader, their liberator, with the intimacy and truth, as friend speaks to friend.

 

And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend.  [Exodus 33:11]

With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD. [Numbers 12:8]

Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face,.. [Deuteronomy 34:10]

They saw that his face was radiant.  [Exodus 34:35]

 

I don’t always take the time, or presence, to speak with God in this way. Do you?   My face doesn’t shine like that – for sure.  (Once in while, there’s maybe a little glow.)  Daily life enters in.  There seems to be a promised land to find.  But right there, right now Truth Is.  And, God is always calling you in….in to His Life.

At my coffee shop early this morning a group of young pastors bows their heads in prayer to speak to Jesus.  They bring themselves into the circle of prayer.  They humble themselves to hear what Spirit says back.

40 years – in the company of one who has that daily intimacy?  Well, worth a lifetime’s worth– if we also respond to that call, listen to the Truth around us.  Even in the coffee shop!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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