2025-11-02 Moses 05 (shared slides).pptx

Lesson 5 of 13
Moses: Face to Face with God

Heritage Bible Master Class is a non-denominational group of senior adults who love the Lord and His word.

We meet at Heritage Palms Country Club, South of Fred Waring, East of Jefferson, Indio, 10:15 Sunday morning.

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1. Lesson 5 Tent and Cleft: Alone with God Exodus 33:7–23 November 2, 2025

2. Exodus 33:7-23

3. Exodus 33:7-23 (NIV) Now 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. 8 And whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent.

4. 9 As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the LORD spoke with Moses. 10 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 their tent.

5. 11 The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.

6. 12 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.' 13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people."

7. 14 The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

8. 15 Then Moses said to him, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?"

9. 17 And the LORD said to Moses, "I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name."

10. 18 Then Moses said, "Now show me your glory."

11. 19 And the LORD said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 20 But," he said, "you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live."

12. 21 Then the LORD said, "There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. 22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen."

13. Question 1 Moses had a “tent of meeting” outside the camp to meet with God. Why is it important to have a special place and time outside of normal routines to connect with God? (33:7-8)

14. Outside of the Camp Provides distance for focused prayer, meditation & divine guidance Creates sacred space for encountering divine holiness

15. Tent of Meeting Location for divine-human encounter Follows divine initiative & timing rather than human convenience or demand

16. “And whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent.” Exodus 33:8, NIV Moses' private devotion created public inspiration rather than spiritual isolation.

17. Question 2 2. What provisions have you made in your schedule for spending time “inquiring” of the Lord? (33:7)

18. “… Anyone inquiring of the LORD would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp.” Exodus 33:7b, NIV

19. “Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the ‘tent of meeting.’ …” Exodus 33:7a, NIV

20. How do we “Inquire of the LORD”?

21. Question 3 3. What would happen when Moses went into the tent? Why did the visible pillar of cloud descend to the entrance of the tent? (33:9-10)

22. As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the LORD spoke with Moses. 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 their tent. Exodus 33:9-10, NIV

23. When leaders maintain a genuine relationship with God, their communities benefit through increased faith, worship, and a recognition of God’s presence among them.

24. Question 4 4. How does Moses’ time with God at the tent of meeting affect the people? What experiences draw you to worship God? (33:7–10)

25. Spiritual Principles Involved Spiritual leadership inspires rather than intimidates others to a divine encounter Divine presence through leaders encourages others to faith and worship Private spiritual discipline creates public spiritual blessing Spiritual authenticity is recognizable and inspiring to others

26. The key principle from Moses' example is that an authentic encounter with God in private produces a public spiritual blessing that inspires others toward their own relationship with God rather than creating spiritual dependency or intimidation.

27. Question 5 5. How would God speak to Moses? What has your experience been regarding spiritual connectedness with God? (33:11)

28. The LORD would speak to Moses face to face , as one speaks to a friend. … Exodus 33:11a, NIV

29. The LORD would speak to Moses face to face , as one speaks to a friend. … Exodus 33:11a, NIV

30. The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend . … Exodus 33:11a, NIV

31. The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. … Exodus 33:11a, NIV

32. Connecting with God Prayer Bible study Holy Spirit’s presence Meditation & fasting Worship & fellowship Nature, music & art

33. The key principle involves cultivating spiritual sensitivity through regular spiritual practices that enable recognition of divine presence and voice in daily life.

34. Question 6 6. How did Moses express his frustration to the Lord? When have you expressed frustration with God? (33:12–13)

35. 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.' If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people. Exodus 33:12-13, NIV

36. 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.' If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people. Exodus 33:12-13, NIV

37. 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.' If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people. Exodus 33:12-13, NIV

38. 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.' If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people. Exodus 33:12-13, NIV

39. Principles for Expressing Frustration with God Direct questioning and emotional expression while maintaining respect for divine authority. Requests for greater divine revelation and support rather than accusation. Appeals to divine character, promises, and reputation rather than personal comfort.

40. Divine relationship can accommodate human frustration when expressed respectfully and channeled toward deeper divine understanding rather than accusation or rebellion.

41. Question 7 7. In what way was the Lord’s presence critical to Moses’ plea? How can you be sure the Lord’s presence is with you? (33:14-16)

42. The LORD replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.” Exodus 33:14, NLT

43. “If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place. How will anyone know that you look favorably on me—on me and on your people—if you don’t go with us? For your presence among us sets your people and me apart from all other people on the earth.” Exodus 33:15-16, NLT

44. God’s Personal Presence Ensures divine guidance Validates divine calling Demonstrates divine faithfulness Provides supernatural resources

45. “And I will give you rest” Exodus 33:14

46. Question 8 8. What incredible request did Moses make of God? How is Moses’ time with God on the rock different from Moses’ meetings with God at the tent? (33:18)

47. Differences Between the Rock and the Tent Change of location Dialogue replaced by proclamation Divine protective measures for human survival Visual element becomes more prominent Revelation replaces situational guidance

48. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation." Exodus 34:6-7, NIV

49. Question 9 9. Verse 11 says that God and Moses had a “face-to-face” friendship. In light of verse 20, what do you think a “face-to-face” friendship looked like for God and Moses?

50. “Face-to-face” (v. 11) describes the quality and intimacy of divine communication rather than the literal visual perception of divine essence. The prohibition against seeing the divine “face” (v. 20) addresses the impossibility of finite beings directly perceiving infinite divine essence. Moses’ “face-to-face” friendship operated within creaturely limitations while achieving maximum possible intimacy between God and man.

51. Moses’ “Face-to-Face” Relationship Communication without dreams, visions, etc. Regular, predictable divine access Mutual affection and trust Honest dialogue Divine accommodation

52. Question 10 God's goodness passes by Moses, and God proclaims his name, but Moses does not see God's face. How are God's goodness, name, and presence enough for Moses? (33:19-20)

53. And the LORD said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence.” Exodus 33:19a, NIV

54. And the LORD said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD , in your presence.” Exodus 33:19a, NIV

55. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. ..." Exodus 34:6-7a, NIV

56. The combination of divine goodness, name, and presence addresses human spiritual, emotional, relational, and practical needs more completely than any visual experience could accomplish.

57. Moses discovered that divine goodness, name, and presence provided everything necessary for effective leadership and personal fulfillment.

58. Lesson 5 Tent and Cleft: Alone with God Exodus 33:7–23 November 2, 2025

59. Lesson 6 Fire and Incense: The Cost of Serving God Leviticus 10:1–20 November 9, 2025