Teaching Notes

Friend of God

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 his tent. The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent. 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.'- Exodus 33:10-12

Moses was called by God to lead the people out of Egypt to a land that God had promises their forefathers. In this scripture God has told Moses that he would no go with the people because they were complainers and stiff-necked. Moses goes into the tent that he put outside of the camp so that the people could go seek the Lord.

Moses went into the tent to speak to God about the people. When he entered, the presence of God met him there. The Lord spoke to Moses as a friend. It was because of this relationship, that God told Moses he would go with the people because he knew Moses and Moses knew his name.

This is so important for us to understand this relationship and the benefits. God calls Moses his friend. That means God share important things with Moses. God took time to listen and speak to Moses. And Moses knew God by name. When someone is your friend, you know their name. You know some of the details about that friend.

We know that God already knows all about us because he created us, but how wonderful to say that we know someting about God. We know God in several ways. We know him through his word and through his spirit. His Holy Spirit helps us to understand God's word. We cannot really understand it without the help of the Lord. God's Spirit also helps us to under God's direction and his will.

As we allow ourselves to seek the presence of God as Moses did, we can find ourselves being blessed with a close relationship with God and benefit from a friendship. Don't you want to be able to talk to God and know that he wants to stand with you, help you and direct you? Don't you want God to think of you as his friend?

Prayer: Lord today we seek to have a face-to-face relationship with you. We want to know you more intimately as you know a true friend. We want to be able to tell you our secrets, those things that are special to us. We want to hear those hidden things about you that are only revealed to those that are your friend, those that walk with you, talk with you and grow to know you more intimately. Help us Lord, we pray. Amen.