Exodus 33:11 “Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses returned to the camp, his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.”
There are several people in scripture who had special relationships with God. It seems that Adam did. God walked to Adam in the cool of the day. This has the feeling of regularity. I’m not sure if they walked with one another, but atleast it was a meeting, maybe more. This also has the feel of the way it was supposed to be. As if there wasn’t a fall, all of us might have had such meetings. Because God is omnipresent, it would be possible with a large population.
Enoch was another person that had a special relationship with God. Genesis 5:24 says, “Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.” This is incredible. I’m not sure if Enoch was especially chosen for this relationship or if he had a heart that sought God, thus making it possible. I get the feeling that these were two old friends who take a daily walk. Yet one day, he never came back. God took him.
David was another person that had a special relationship with God. Acts 13:22 says, “After He had removed him, He raised up David to be their king, concerning whom He also testified and said, ‘I HAVE FOUND DAVID the son of Jesse, A MAN AFTER MY HEART, who will do all My will.’ The psalms illustrate this all throughout. David becomes a model as to how our thought life can be full of God. This isn’t a rigid, religious person. His relationship is alive and dynamic.
The apostle John also had a special relationship with Jesus. John 13:33 says, “There was reclining on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.” John wrote the gospel, 1,2 and 3 John and he also wrote Revelations. This is a cool image. John is reclining, resting against Jesus’ chest. I’ll often walk down the hallway at school (carpeted) and I’ll see kids leaning against friends. It looks very innocent and sweet. It’s even better because it’s Jesus. I would like to spiritually rest against Jesus.
God gives us the Bible and these examples for us to follow. James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” This is what He wants us to desire. These people were probably unique, but the Bible says in James 4 that He is jealous for us.
Lord, thank You for these examples. Help their example to spark a desire in us to want a closer relationship with You.