Exodus 33:9 As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke with Moses.
The first part of verse 11 jumps out at me in today’s reading: “The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.” I love the idea of the Lord as a valued, trusted friend, of a deep friendship and connection. It speaks of relationship, which I think is important to Jesus.
Exodus 33:10 Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to their tent.
It also, to me, speaks of the nature of prayer. If the Lord is my friend, I can pray to Him in many different ways–formal prayers like The Lord’s Prayer or scripture-based prayers, informal prayers (Jesus, please), breath prayers (where every breath, in and out, is a prayer in itself). God knows us. He hears us and understands our prayers. Always.
Exodus 33:11 The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.
Precious Savior, Thank You for the reminder of the intimate friendship that You want with each of us, to sit with us, to talk with us “as one speaks to a friend,” not because You need it but because we need it. Your friendship is the single most important friendship in my life, and it is mine by Your grace alone. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.
Exodus 33:12 Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’
Have a blessed day.