In verses 20 and 23, face and back are in reference to God’s “glory” and “goodness” (verses 18–19). In verse 11 the idiom face to face can be simply understood to mean “intimately.” Moses spoke with God familiarly, as a man speaks to a friend. The terms face, hand, and back in Exodus 33 should not be taken literally, and face to face, being idiomatic, is also metaphorical. While a Christophany is certainly possible, it is probably better to view the chapter as using figures of speech. So, when Moses spoke “face to face” with God in Exodus 33:11, there are only two possible ways to understand it: either Moses was speaking to the pre-incarnate Son of God (a Christophany) or the passage is using a figure of speech called anthropomorphism, in which human qualities are applied to God. We know from Scripture (e.g., John 4:24) that God is spirit. Does God really have a “hand,” “face,” and “back”? Why could Moses speak to God “face to face” in verse 11 but could not see God’s “face” in verse 23? What is fatal about seeing God’s “face”? “Then,” God promised, “I will remove my hand and you will see my back but my face must not be seen” (verse 23). To protect Moses, God put him “in a cleft in the rock” and covered him with His hand as He passed by (verse 22). you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live” (Exodus 33:19–20). However, later in the same chapter, Moses requests to see God’s glory, and God replies, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. Moses’ position of favor with God is evident in the fact that “the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend” (verse 11). As Moses visited this tent of meeting to intercede for the people of Israel, “the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke with Moses” (verse 9). which includes lunch and refreshments.įor an application or for more information, submit the contact form below.Before the official tabernacle was built, “Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the ‘tent of meeting.’ Anyone inquiring of the Lord would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp” (Exodus 33:7). Participants, called Pilgrims, are expected to attend all four days. The Encounters are conducted over 4 days (Friday and Saturdays in succeding weeks). Participants sit at tables and listen to talks given by lay and clergy with reflection and discussion following each talk.Įncounters will be held in a variety of churches throughout the County. We share in worship, opportunities for Christian learning as well as fun, food and fellowship with other Christ-followers while experiencing an abundance of God’s love and grace. It presents basic Christian theology and Biblical content geared to the spiritual needs of Seniors seeking fuller, richer, renewed experience of Christ. The primary theme of the program is “Living in Grace”. It is a time when you encounter Jesus, Face to Face. It is a ministry dedicated to supporting the spiritual formation and renewal of Seniors seeking to know and experience God more fully. Face to Face is a program of the Upper Room, Discipleship Ministries of the United Methodist Church.
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