Torah portion: Exodus 30:11-34:35.

We live in a world of words. They impact us in terms of both what is said to us directly, and what we pick up from surrounding conversations. Researchers reckon that daily we each speak around 20,000 words. That may seem a huge amount - but in a busy work or social environment, it’s probably achievable! It also means that we are hearing everyone else’s ‘quota’ of words. This explains why, coming home from working in an open plan office, my head used to be spinning - words bombarding me from every direction!

Perhaps that’s what Moses felt, sitting alone as judge over the Israelites and dealing with their complaints from morning until night (Ex 18). Until, that is, his father-in-law noticed the detrimental effect that listening to loads of voices was having on him. So Jethro advised Moses to delegate his role to avoid burning out. This shows us that hearing words is not just a physiological process - more is taking place.

Today, of course, technology brings us continuous, unlimited information and incessant conversations from myriad sources. Like Moses, the impact is not restricted to our minds, but affects us body, soul and spirit.

Speaking with the Lord

It’s in that context, referring again to Moses, that we discover a different and amazing effect of ‘words’. In Exodus 34, we read: “When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD” (Ex 34:29, emphasis mine). This clearly observable, overwhelming outcome of Moses speaking with God was not only physical, but spiritual in its effect: “…and they were afraid to come near” (verse 30). It necessitated Moses putting a veil over his face, removing it when he “went in to speak with the LORD” (verse 35).

The chapters in Exodus leading up to this experience contain details about Israel’s new covenant with God and the various practices and procedures of the Law. The passage also describes the horrendous ‘about turn’ of the Israelites in worshipping the golden calf. A striking thread running throughout these accounts is the phrase: “Then the LORD said to Moses…” It’s repeated around a dozen times - God spoke with Moses clearly and regularly.

‘The tent of meeting’ also features regularly in these verses, and we learn that this was where “The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend” (Ex 33:11). Earmarked as a special place, this was where the relationship between God and Moses was shown to be one of intimacy, evidenced through their ongoing conversation.

Intimacy Through Jesus

Centuries later, Jesus showed that such intimacy was not restricted to those with a good theological grasp or spiritual maturity. He was described as “a friend of tax collectors and sinners” and “welcomed sinners, and eats with them” (Matt 11:19; Luke 15:2). This indicates the way that each of us - however long our spiritual journey - can experience closer relationship with God, through our Messiah.

Moses’ friendship with God resulted in that huge impact: “his face was radiant.” Spending time with God makes a difference to us even though, like Moses, we may not realise it! Are you and I speaking more with God, hearing His voice? How vital it is that we experience this intimacy and let its radiance shine out from our lives to our spiritually darkened nation.

Author: Stephen Bishop