The Bible presents a complex picture of Moses and his encounters with God. Here's a breakdown:
* Exodus 33:11 states that the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. This suggests a very intimate and direct form of communication.
* Exodus 33:20 However, immediately after the above verse, God tells Moses, "you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live."
* Exodus 33:21-23 God then tells Moses to stand on a rock, and as God's glory passes by, God will cover Moses with his hand and let him see his back, but not his face.
* Numbers 12:8 God says of Moses, "With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the Lord." This seems to contradict Exodus 33:20.
Interpretations:
* Some interpret "face to face" as not literal, but as a metaphor for clear and direct communication.
* Some argue that Moses saw a representation of God's glory, but not God's full essence, which is too overwhelming for a mortal to behold.
* Some believe that Numbers 12:8 refers to a spiritual or prophetic vision, not a literal seeing.
* Others reconcile the passages by suggesting that while Moses experienced a profound and unique closeness to God, he did not see God's face in its entirety in a way that would allow him to fully comprehend the divine nature.
In summary:
The Bible does say that Moses spoke to God face to face, and in one instance, it states that he saw the form of the Lord. However, it also says that no one can see God's face and live. The exact nature of Moses's encounters with God is a matter of interpretation and theological debate.