EHP Day 22-In the Tent of Meeting Part 2
Exodus 33:9-11
When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the LORD would speak with Moses. And when all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would rise up and worship, each at his tent door. Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.
Friendship, C.S. Lewis observed, is one of the four loves (also affection, eros, and charity, cf. The Four Loves).
“[It]…arises when two or more companions discover that they have in common some insight or interest or even taste which the others do not share… it is when two such persons discover one another, when, whether with immense difficulties and semi-articulate fumblings, or with what would seem to us amazing and elliptical speed, they share their vision. It is then that Friendship is born” (pp.96-97).
Do you find it amazing that God seeks friends among human beings? Enoch walked with God, no doubt in friendship. Abraham came to be God’s friend through trusting and obeying God (James 2:23b), even when it was challenging, difficult, faith-stretching. Jesus told his disciples, “Not only servants, I call you friends” (John 15:15). Let it sink in—God desires a true friendship with you.
Moses and God had a common vision, to bring God’s people into the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. A good land, one “flowing with milk and honey.” To provide that leadership, Moses needed God’s coaching and God’s ear. They unpacked as true friends. Interestingly, nearby, young Joshua was learning from his mentor how to nurture a personal, daily relationship with God himself.
Journal Notes