The conclusion of Exodus is rapidly approaching, and I'd like to make sure I mention, before I'm through, how I've been made aware what a special place Moses holds among the Old Testament prophets. I knew, of course, that Moses is one of the most dominant figures of the Old Testament, but until I really closely read the Chapters dealing with his communications with God atop Mount Sinai, I didn't quite grasp the gravity of it. In Exodus 33 we see Moses and God in intimate conversation. It is written in Exodus 33:11, "And the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man is wont to speak to his friend." Amazing! What a privilege was granted to Moses! The next few verses seem to deal with this theme of "the face of God." It's an interesting subject to ponder. My commentary makes sure to mention that Moses didn't actually see the true face of God, as it is written in Exodus 33:20, "Thou canst not see my face: for man shall not see me, and live." And St. Paul tells us "that eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, what things God hath prepared for them that love him" (1 Corinthians 2:9). And we know that in heaven God has prepared for us the beatific vision, and so it is not something a man here on earth can experience. But in saying that God spoke to Moses "face to face," it is supposed that He spoke familiarly with him, in a more personal way than He has ever spoken with a mere man.
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