And God Heard [Part 4]

Numbers 12:8

New International Version

With [Moses] 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?

For Encouragement

In this final episode of the confrontation between God and Moses’ two siblings, Aaron and Miriam, God sets the record straight. He is the One who determines how He relates to every person and the level He communicates with each one.

To all other prophets, God revealed Himself in visions and spoke to them in dreams. However, He had a unique relationship and level of communication with Moses. It was an intimate relationship like no other. They spoke face to face, without mediation or riddles. Besides, Moses saw God’s form—as He is — though not in His transcendent nature, which no one has ever seen (Jn. 1:18) or can see and live (Exod 33:18-23; 34:5-8; 1 Tim 6:16).

Moses alone received direct revelation from God in the same way the future Messianic Prophet, Jesus Christ, would engage God in daily direct communication (Deut 18:15-16) without visions or dreams, unlike other prophets. Moses alone had that close relationship and most intimate encounters with Yahweh (Deut 34:12). That relationship was extraordinary, and Aaron and Miriam should have feared speaking the way they did to God’s servant, Moses.

Through Jesus, believers have received direct access to God. His indwelling Spirit has made God intimate with us, allowing us to approach His throne of grace confidently, with no human mediator, to receive mercy and grace to help meet our needs (Heb. 4:16).

God speaks to us directly through His word, and we can talk directly to and with Him in prayer anytime (Eph 6:18; 1 Thess 5:17). God has highly privileged us in Christ, the Prophet like Moses (Deut 18:15), and we do well listening to Him and obeying without reservation. 

It’s important to remember that we don’t need to compare ourselves to others. God has given each of us unique gifts and anointing for specific tasks. The Spirit determines these gifts and their proportions, and they are all for the common good (1 Cor. 12:7, 11).

Each person’s responsibility is to use their gift(s) faithfully and thank God for the privilege, giving glory to the Father through Christ Jesus. Mutual appreciation of God this way edifies the church and glorifies God. Comparisons and competition grieve the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:30) and bring problems in the church. It is beneficial to remember that the way God relates to one person is not the same as how He relates to another.

So, let’s appreciate God and remain content with His dealings with us. That way, and filled with His love, we can maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (2-3).

Pray with Me

Father, thank you for calling and gifting me in Christ, for blessing your church, and for being blessed by others. May I be content and appreciate the gifts and responsibilities you have given to each of us for the edification of the body, in Jesus’ gracious name, amen.

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