Life of Moses
Moses: The Paradox of Seeing God's Face
Moses, one of the most iconic figures in biblical history, had unique encounters with God that continue to be a topic of theological exploration. The Bible contains passages that suggest Moses saw God "face-to-face," while others imply that seeing God's face would be impossible and deadly. Let's delve into these scriptures and explore this intriguing paradox.
Face-to-Face Encounters
Exodus 33:11 (NIV) "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."
In this passage, we see the intimate relationship between God and Moses, described as "face-to-face," suggesting a deep level of communication and friendship.
Numbers 12:7-8 (NIV) "But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house. With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?"
Here, God Himself distinguishes Moses from other prophets, emphasizing the direct and clear communication they share.
The Paradox: Seeing God's Face and Living
Exodus 33:20 (NIV) "But," he said, "you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live."
Just a few verses after describing their face-to-face communication, God tells Moses that seeing His face is impossible for mortals.
Exodus 33:21-23 (NIV) "Then the Lord said, 'There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.'"
In this passage, God makes a provision for Moses to experience His presence without directly seeing His face, highlighting the incomprehensible glory and holiness of God.
Understanding the Paradox
To reconcile these seemingly contradictory scriptures, theologians have offered several interpretations:
Figurative Language: The phrase "face-to-face" may be understood figuratively, describing the closeness and clarity of God's communication with Moses rather than a literal visual encounter.
Different Aspects of God's Presence: The distinction might be between God's immediate presence (His "face") and a mediated form of His presence that humans can experience without peril.
Divine Accommodation: God accommodates human limitations by revealing Himself in ways that we can perceive and understand, without fully exposing His overwhelming glory.
Moses is often thought to have struggled with a speech impediment, although the specific nature of his difficulties remains uncertain. He himself described his challenges in communication, leading God to appoint his brother Aaron as his spokesperson (Exodus 4:14–16; 7:1–6). During the encounter at the burning bush, Moses expressed his fears to the Lord, saying, “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue” (Exodus 4:10, NIV). While some scholars interpret Moses' statements as excuses to evade his divine mission, it is indeed plausible that he experienced some form of speech disfluency, potentially a stutter, though definitive conclusions cannot be drawn.
When Moses refers to himself as “slow” of speech, the Hebrew term implies meanings such as “heavy,” “oppressive,” “difficult,” or “thick” (Logos Bible Word Study). This description could suggest that he found verbal communication burdensome or that he had an actual speech pathology. Repeatedly in Exodus 6, he tells the Lord, “I speak with faltering lips” (Exodus 6:12, 30). The phrase “faltering lips” (literally translated as “uncircumcised lips”) might indeed hint at stuttering, but it could also refer to other speech disorders, such as articulation issues or speech apraxia. Alternatively, Moses may have felt a lack of confidence stemming from what he perceived as inadequacies in formal speech.
Some scholars contend that Moses may have been downplaying his abilities. In the New Testament, Stephen remarks that Moses “was powerful in speech and action” (Acts 7:22, NIV), which suggests that Moses might have underestimated his own capabilities. Others highlight that Moses’ feelings of inadequacy were likely significant factors in his reluctance to accept his mission. While the possibility that Moses sought to avoid his appointed task cannot be dismissed, God remained resolute in His plans for Moses. In fact, the scripture notes, “the LORD's anger burned against Moses” for his ongoing hesitance (Exodus 4:14, NIV).
Regardless of the specifics of Moses' speech difficulties, God utilized him in extraordinary ways, demonstrating His sovereignty over all aspects of life, including communication challenges. As the Lord states in Exodus 4:11–12 (NIV), “Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” If Moses had been a naturally gifted orator, the fullness of God's glory might not have been as evident. Instead, “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong” (1 Corinthians 1:27, NIV). This principle underscores the truth that God can use our limitations, disabilities, and setbacks to fulfill His divine purpose and bring glory to His name.
Parting of the Red Sea
The significance of the parting of the Red Sea lies in its role as the climactic act of God’s deliverance of His people from slavery in Egypt. This miraculous event marked the birth of a nation, signifying the Israelites' transition from oppression to freedom.
On the night of the tenth plague, as the Israelites prepared to leave Egypt, “God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea” (Exodus 13:18, NIV). He instructed them where to camp by the sea (Exodus 14:2) and revealed that Pharaoh would pursue them. However, God assured them of a decisive victory: “I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord” (Exodus 14:4, NIV).
True to God's word, “The Egyptians—all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, horsemen and troops—pursued the Israelites and overtook them as they camped by the sea” (Exodus 14:9, NIV). The Israelites were filled with fear and cried out to the Lord (Exodus 14:10). They even turned against Moses, accusing him of leading them into a trap (verses 11–12). In response, Moses encouraged them, saying, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still” (Exodus 14:13–14, NIV).
The miraculous event unfolded when “Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left” (Exodus 14:21–22, NIV). As the Egyptian forces attempted to follow, God disabled their chariots (Exodus 14:25), and “at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the Lord swept them into the sea. The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived” (Exodus 14:27–28, NIV).
The crossing of the Red Sea was celebrated with vibrant songs and dances, exalting God as the mighty deliverer who saves His people (Exodus 15:1–21). This event stands as the pinnacle of salvation in the Old Testament, consistently recalled as a testament to God's saving power. The miraculous exodus and parting of the Red Sea are immortalized in the Psalms, where Israel remembers God's mighty acts in worship (e.g., Psalm 66:6; Psalm 78:13; Psalm 106:9; Psalm 136:13).
God had foretold to Abraham that his descendants would endure 400 years in a foreign land, ultimately facing enslavement, yet He promised deliverance: “I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions” (Genesis 15:14, ESV). This prophecy was fulfilled when Jacob, Abraham's grandson, moved his family to Egypt during a famine. After many years, a Pharaoh arose who oppressed the Israelites and enslaved them (Exodus 1:8–11). Upon the birth of Moses, God “heard” the cries of His people and prepared to deliver them (Exodus 2:23–25).
Moses was chosen by God to lead His people to freedom. He stood before Pharaoh, demanding the release of the Israelites for worship, but Pharaoh hardened his heart and intensified their oppression (Exodus 8:15). This set off a series of ten plagues, each time Moses petitioning Pharaoh for their release, only for Pharaoh to relent momentarily before hardening his heart again. After the final plague—the death of the firstborn—Pharaoh agreed to let the Israelites go, but soon pursued them to the Red Sea, setting the stage for God's miraculous deliverance.
While it's tempting to view the parting of the Red Sea merely as an awe-inspiring display of divine power, it is crucial to understand its broader implications within the story of redemption. The Old Testament lays the groundwork for the New Testament, wherein all of God's promises find their fulfillment in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20). The exodus from Egypt was a historical event that also foreshadows the ultimate salvation offered through Jesus. Just as God, through Moses, provided a physical deliverance from Egyptian slavery, Christ offers spiritual liberation from the bondage of sin. As Jesus proclaimed, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin... So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:34, 36, NIV).
The parting of the Red Sea also serves as a potent symbol of the believer's identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul explains, “I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:1–4, NIV). In this passage, Paul draws a parallel between the Israelites’ exodus and the salvation found in Christ, illustrating how believers are initiated into Christ, just as the Israelites were dedicated to Moses for their freedom. Romans 6:4 further elaborates, “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life” (NIV).
Thus, the parting of the Red Sea not only finalized God's deliverance of His people from slavery in Egypt, but it also prefigured the greater spiritual reality of redemption from sin through the work of Christ. It serves as a profound reminder of God's sovereignty and His unyielding commitment to save His people, both in ancient times and today.
Moses is revered as the leader of the Exodus, the instrument through whom God delivered His people from slavery in Egypt. He was entrusted with the Law, serving as a pivotal figure in the establishment of Israel as a nation. Jesus Himself indicated that Moses foreshadowed His own redemptive work as the Messiah, as seen in John 3:14–15, where He refers to Moses lifting up the serpent in the wilderness, paralleling His own crucifixion. Additionally, Moses is celebrated in Hebrews 11 as a paragon of faith, exemplifying unwavering trust in God. In Deuteronomy 34, we learn that God personally buried Moses, highlighting the deep relationship they shared. The scripture states, “Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face... For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel” (Deuteronomy 34:10, 12, NIV). Yet, despite these blessings, Moses was not permitted to enter the Promised Land. Why was this the case?
In Deuteronomy 32:51–52, God explains the reason for Moses' exclusion: “This is because you broke faith with me in the presence of the Israelites at the waters of Meribah Kadesh in the Desert of Zin and because you did not uphold my holiness among the Israelites. Therefore, you will see the land only from a distance; you will not enter the land I am giving to the people of Israel” (NIV). God remained true to His promise by allowing Moses to see the Promised Land, but he was not allowed to enter it.
The incident at the waters of Meribah Kadesh is detailed in Numbers 20. As the Israelites neared the end of their forty years of wandering, they arrived in the Desert of Zin, where they found no water. The community turned against Moses and Aaron, prompting the leaders to seek God’s guidance. They fell prostrate before the Lord, who instructed them to gather the assembly and speak to the rock, promising that water would flow forth (Numbers 20:7–8). However, in a moment of frustration, Moses addressed the people, saying, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” (Numbers 20:10, NIV). Instead of speaking to the rock as commanded, Moses struck it twice with his staff (Numbers 20:11). Although water gushed forth, God immediately informed Moses and Aaron that their failure to trust Him and honor His holiness would prevent them from leading the Israelites into the Promised Land (Numbers 20:12).
While this punishment may seem severe, a closer examination of Moses' actions reveals several critical mistakes. Most notably, Moses disobeyed a direct command from God. Previously, God had instructed him to strike a rock to bring forth water (Exodus 17:6), but in this instance, God wanted Moses to speak to the rock, demonstrating trust in His word. Moses’ choice to strike the rock instead of obeying God's command reflected a lack of faith, especially after their long relationship.
Moreover, Moses appeared to take credit for the miracle, asking the people, “Must we bring you water out of this rock?” (Numbers 20:10, emphasis added). By doing so, he shifted the focus from God’s power to his own, undermining the divine source of the miracle. This public misrepresentation of God’s holiness could not go unpunished, as it would mislead the Israelites about the nature of their God.
Moses’ punishment for his disobedience and misrepresentation of God’s holiness was significant; he was barred from entering the Promised Land (Numbers 20:12). Yet, remarkably, Moses did not complain about this punishment. Instead, he continued to lead the Israelites faithfully and honor God.
In His holiness, God also demonstrated compassion. He invited Moses to Mount Nebo, where He allowed His beloved prophet to see the Promised Land before his death. Deuteronomy 34:4–5 records, “Then the Lord said to him, ‘This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when I said, “I will give it to your descendants.” I have let you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross over into it.’ And Moses the servant of the Lord died there in Moab, as the Lord had said” (NIV). Moses’ failure at the rock did not sever his relationship with God; rather, God continued to use and love him tenderly.
Ultimately, Moses’ story serves as a profound reminder of the importance of obedience, humility, and the recognition of God’s holiness. His life exemplifies the journey of faith, illustrating that even the greatest leaders can falter, yet God’s grace and purpose remain steadfast.
In our journey through life, we often seek guidance and wisdom beyond our own understanding. St. Mykul’s prayer is a beautiful expression of this desire, a heartfelt plea for divine intervention and alignment with Jehovah’s will. It serves as a reminder of the profound connection we can cultivate with the divine, allowing us to become vessels of His wisdom and love.
St. Mykul’s prayer:
“I pray for Jehovah to speak through me all the time, and I pray for Jehovah to remove all my thoughts, and implant His thoughts all the time, as I do not even want my thoughts.”
Comments