Can you talk with God face to face as Moses did?

Answer 1

One viewNo, you cannot actually speak to God face to face. However, you can speak to Jesus Christ face to face. Some people may disagree with this, however, with God anything is possible. Actually, I have heard people say they have seen Jesus Christ, the Son of God before, and then was sent a message. Please note: If a person ever says this, please do not laugh, instead believe them. "Believe not what you see, but what you hear"; it's in the Bible. (Matthew).

It is possible for you to speak with God, you can hear his voice, but, not see his face.

Another View

The privilege given to Moses to talk face to face with God is like all other recorded God to man, man to God, relationships in the Old Testament. They are types and shadows of what was to come. As it was pointed out by Jesus Christ, the Elijah that was to come before the Messiah was performed in the ministry of John the Baptist. Believers today also walk in ministry before the LORD according to the "types and shadows" of the Old Testament. The prophets ministries are typed and shadowed by those who walk in that anointing today. In Joel 2 and Acts 2 we are told that the miracles that are associated with Moses in the release of Israel from the hand of Pharaoh are to be seen again to some extent. There will be those who move in the anointing of miracles that Moses did. Even Moses's relationship with the LORD grew. He talked to the LORD face to face but was not allowed to see His glory, but only His back side, to keep from perishing. The LORD will repeat this in a type and shadow arena. Through their ministry you will see the delivery of the remnant. There are those who have seen the LORD today but not in His full glory. We could not stand it. You can know the voice of the LORD and hear it at different levels according to how He would reveal Himself to you. He chose Moses. He must choose you.

Joel 2 (Old Testament)

28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.

31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the LORD come.

32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.

Acts 2 (New Testament)

15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.

16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:

20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come:

21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

1 Corinthians 13 (New Testament)

12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Acts 9 records the confrontation of Saul who became the Apostle Paul on the road to Damascus. This is record of an interaction with the LORD where He is seen and heard by men after the LORD's resurrection.

4And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

5And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

6And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

7And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

8And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

9And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

10And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.

11And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,

12And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

13Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

14And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

15But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

16For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

17And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

Answer 2

The Book of Exodus contains passages that show Moses could talk to God face to face, but others in which this was forbidden, reflecting the different authors who contributed to the book as we now know it. For example:

Exodus 33:11 And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend.
Exodus 33:20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.
Exodus 33:23 And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.

The story of the burning bush implies that the author of this passage believed that Moses could not even look on God at all. On the other hand, Moses was able to enter the tabernacle, where he would have seen God and probably speak to him face to face, as in Exodus 33:11.

Not only is it unclear whether The Bible says Moses could talk to God, it is unclear whether he ever existed. The strong consensus of scholars is that there was no Exodus from Egypt as described in the Bible, and with no Exodus it is unlikely that the man, principally known for leading the Exodus, ever existed. The Bible makes no statement of any man after the time of Moses ever talking to God face to face, so it is unlikely that we could.

For more information on Moses, please see: http://christianity.answers.com/theology/moses-in-history-and-tradition

Answer 3

According to Judaism, you can and should pray to God, who hears people's prayers. The difference between us and Moses is that he could expect an answer too, while we are answered only indirectly.