Moses pleaded with God to allow him to enter into the Promised Land, but God would not budge. The reason is recorded for us in verse 26 of chapter 3: “The Lord was angry with me.”

Maxwell suggests that the word “angry” can be more accurately translated “furious.” He goes on to observe, “Is it not true that many times our strongest emotions, whether positive or negative, are directed toward those we love most? Is there not an intimacy in our circle of loved ones that allows us to be more open and honest?”

When I have a falling out with a loved one the depth of the disappointment and anger is in direct proportion of the depth of the relationship. Say what you will about Moses, He was truly intimate with God. The ones we love most give us the greatest joys in our lives, but our relationships with them can also give us the greatest pain. It’s interesting that it’s Moses, and only Moses, of all mankind, who “spoke face to face with God.” Also, it was Abraham who was called “A friend of God.”

But, Romans 5:11 has a remarkable verse for us to consider. It says, “So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.” James 4:8 tells us to “draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”