Face to Face

God told them to go up to the land he promised, and he would send an angel before them. But he said, I will not go up among you, for you are a stiff-necked people. When the people heard this sad news, they mourned. No one put on their jewelry.

Moses set up a tent outside the camp and called it the Tent of Meeting. When Moses went in, the pillar of cloud came down and stood at the door. All the people stood and worshiped at their tent doors. God spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Moses' young helper Joshua stayed at the tent.

Moses said, If your presence doesn't go with me, don't carry us up from here. God said, My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. God said he knew Moses by name. Moses said, Please show me your glory. God said, I will make all my goodness pass before you. But Moses could not see God's face and live. God would put Moses in a cleft of the rock and cover him with his hand. Then Moses would see God's back.