Riddles that Provoke Us to Intimacy

Posted on by Jennifer Arimborgo

riddles

“Yet that old system of law that led to death began with such glory that people could not bear to look at Moses’ face. For… his face shone out with the very glory of God-though the brightness was already fading away. Shall we not expect far greater glory in these days when the Holy Spirit is giving life?” (2 Cor. 3:7-9, TLB).

Yesterday we talked about how God was not in the dramatics, when He came to meet with Elijah. We have also established that He prefers to speak softly: it delights His heart to know that He doesn’t have to get louder to get our attention. This means that we are listening closely for His communication, ever leaning in closer to His heart to hear Him whisper. He treasures this far beyond anything we could ever do for Him.

After all, how do lovers speak to each other? They certainly don’t yell into each other’s ears. Much of their exchange is soft, loving murmurs. We can conclude from this that His gentle whisper is far superior when it comes to establishing intimacy, than dramatics would be. The intimate is found in the quiet and the still.

Probably most of us, at some point or another, though, have wished that He would speak up, speak more clearly, or speak in a more obvious way. Even His disciples asked Him, “Why do You speak… in parables?”, and seemed relieved in their observation, “Ah, now You are speaking plainly to us and not in parables (veiled language and figures of speech)!” (Matt. 13:10, NKJV; John 16:29, AMPC).

There’s something more to learn here. As I meditate on this subject, a passage comes to mind about Moses. God testified of him, “When a prophet is among you, I, the Lord, will show myself to him in visions; I will speak to him in dreams. But this is not true with my servant Moses. I trust him… I speak face to face with him — clearly, not with hidden meanings. He has even seen the form of the Lord” (Num. 12:6-8, NCV).

There was something extra special about Daddy’s relationship with this man. God went out of His way to say, “I speak even to most mighty prophets via indirect communication, but with this son of Mine, it’s different. It’s face to face.” No parables. No riddles. No symbolic hints. No hidden meanings. Face to face!

What was it about Moses that won him this special place? God’s favoritism? He doesn’t have any. Rather, Moses took the initiative to hunger ravenously for God and to seek Him out. His request, “Show me Your glory!” came up out of the very depths of his spirit (Ex. 33:18). God’s presence was everything to him. And he received exactly what he sought. That’s a thing, you know. Everyone who seeks, finds (Matt. 7:8).

I conclude, then, that the longer we seek hard after God, the clearer His communication with us grows. As the years pass and we continue to relentlessly run after His heart, the intimacy grows deeper and deeper.

When we are young in the Lord, most of His communication will be in “veiled language and figures of speech.” Why? Because He is drawing us after Him. He is inviting us deeper. He is lovingly provoking us to go after Him. He is inviting us to dig in and search out His treasures. He is providing a catalyst for overwhelmingly abundant growth in our connection with Him… only available if we respond to His enticing.

Tragically, many Christians never move past this immature spiritual stage. For this reason, Paul wrote letters to large groups of his spiritual kids, admonishing them for still being “infants in Christ” (1 Cor. 3:1). Our flesh protests loudly against the discipline required to wholeheartedly seek the Lord for who He is, instead of just for His blessings. How profoundly sad it is for a believer to be contented with just spiritual milk for years on end, when indescribable riches are available in Him!

If we will respond to His drawing, a life-long journey will begin, of coming to know His voice more intimately. If we continually cry out for more of Him, longing for Him more than anything on this earth, the unfathomable is possible. What He has made available to us in the new covenant is “even more glorious” than Moses’ experience! (2 Cor. 3:8, NIV). The longer and the deeper we walk with Him, the more it will happen to us, too. We will speak with Him face to face. We will see His form. We will behold His glory.

This, dear one, is what we were created for!

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Aren’t God’s treasure hunts fun? He gives you a clue, a hint, and you keep looking deeper, and then you find what He hid for you! What kinds of treasures have you discovered recently as you seek for more of Him?

 

 

 

 

20 thoughts on “Riddles that Provoke Us to Intimacy”

  1. For me, the most recent discovery has been a deeper realization of how dependence on Him fits into the writing I do, particularly the newspaper column, which is in its fifth year.

    Based on the response I’ve gotten from Catholic and Protestant alike, God has made it clear that I need to continue to do it. It is, though, harder to find an original idea after that much time has passed. This leads to the truth that I write better (with rare exception) when I am calmer of mind and spirit. And where does that peace of mind come from? Only one source :)!
    So it all fits together, if I stay conscious of submitting to the force within me! — Mike

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    1. That’s a most wonderful discovery, my friend. What a wonderfully rich lesson to keep learning deeper and deeper each day that He give us! The richest of blessings on your continued obedience in that area! 🙂

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  2. Jennifer, I would like to share a Treasure from many years ago that is as fresh as it is this morning. I awake early one morning, went to our kitchen with my bible and asked God, what would You have me do now ? I need to grow closer to You ! He planted a word in my spirit – TITHE? I thought I knew what this meant-I searched scripture and there was silence. Again and again I called out- this is a mystery to me Lord. Then, He asked, what is most valuable to you, son ? I thought, then He said, YOUR TIME. Tithe to me 10% each day, in the early morning hours, yes 2.4 hours, starting tomorrow! I said Lord, I am not a morning person, He said you are now! I awoke at 430 am, refreshed, awake and alert with a hunger as never before for the Word of God. What a treasure I have been given and continue to get to this day. No clocks, no alarms just open eyes and spirit, ready to seek and meditate and pray. Amen. Len Wisniewski

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  3. I too am blessed to read Len’s testimony. Love the sharing on this intimacy research. Christ in us….the Hope of Glory. Cols 3.l This helps explain something of the aching spiritual hunger for intimacy all human beings have. It must be for God first. Thank you.

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  4. Thank you Faye, you and Jennifer are such friends in Christ Jesus. Our God provides such special confirmation in our Spirit when we are obedient to His leading. Sharing what our loving Father has done in our lives is a treasure without measure. Many blessings your way. Len Wisniewski

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  5. Hello Jennifer I read your lovely post and wanted to share with you a verse but it’s not from the bible it is from the Quran, many messengers of Allah (the Lord Almighty) are mentioned in the Quran, and this one is about Moses & Jesus ( peace upon them)😊

    ( 1:87 )   And We did certainly give Moses the Torah and followed up after him with messengers. And We gave Jesus, the son of Mary, clear proofs and supported him with the Pure Spirit. But is it [not] that every time a messenger came to you, [O Children of Israel], with what your souls did not desire, you were arrogant? And a party [of messengers] you denied and another party you killed.”
    And in Al Aaraf (7:142 )   And We made an appointment with Moses for thirty nights and perfected them by [the addition of] ten; so the term of his Lord was completed as forty nights. And Moses said to his brother Aaron, “Take my place among my people, do right [by them], and do not follow the way of the corrupters.”
    

    ( 138 )   And We took the Children of Israel across the sea; then they came upon a people intent in devotion to [some] idols of theirs. They said, “O Moses, make for us a god just as they have gods.” He said, “Indeed, you are a people behaving ignorantly.

    ( 139 )   Indeed, those [worshippers] – destroyed is that in which they are [engaged], and worthless is whatever they were doing.”

    ( 140 )   He said, “Is it other than Allah I should desire for you as a god while He has preferred you over the worlds?”

    ( 141 )   And [recall, O Children of Israel], when We saved you from the people of Pharaoh, [who were] afflicting you with the worst torment – killing your sons and keeping your women alive. And in that was a great trial from your Lord.

    ( 142 )   And We made an appointment with Moses for thirty nights and perfected them by [the addition of] ten; so the term of his Lord was completed as forty nights. And Moses said to his brother Aaron, “Take my place among my people, do right [by them], and do not follow the way of the corrupters.”

    ( 143 )   And when Moses arrived at Our appointed time and his Lord spoke to him, he said, “My Lord, show me [Yourself] that I may look at You.” [Allah] said, “You will not see Me, but look at the mountain; if it should remain in place, then you will see Me.” But when his Lord appeared to the mountain, He rendered it level, and Moses fell unconscious. And when he awoke, he said, “Exalted are You! I have repented to You, and I am the first of the believers.”

    Peace upon you & have a nice day Jennifer😊

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    1. My dear Nassima, I am so truly glad to have you here! You are always welcome, and I say that with all my heart. I read the passage, and I found it fascinating. I had no idea that the Quran mentions Moses, Aaron, Mary, and Jesus. I am glad to know this 🙂 I also wish you great peace, and rich blessings on your day.
      With much love,
      Jennifer

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      1. You’re so kind Jennifer ☺ indeed Quran mentions almost all the messengers and prophets, I will be following your blog and if you don’t mind, I can send you, depending on your posts, passages from the Quran😊🌷 have a blissful day and thanks again for being so kind💫

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