Intimacy of Biblical Proportions
The Old Testament reveals how deep intimacy with God shaped the lives of Abraham, Moses, and David, leading to world-changing miracles and divine encounters that unveiled God's heart. Their journeys were marked by radical obedience, seasons of wilderness, and humility, all of which positioned them for leadership and prophetic participation in God’s redemptive plan. Just as they chose God over blessings, we are invited into the fullness of intimacy with Him, where knowing Him deeply transforms us, strengthens our faith, and allows us to witness His miraculous work in and through our lives.
Intimacy that shaped History
The Old Testament is filled with individuals whose extraordinary relationships with God not only defined their lives but also transformed the world around them. Their stories invite us to yearn for a deeper intimacy with the Lord—an intimacy that we, as Jesus Lovers, have full access to. Through their encounters, we see that knowing God on an intimate and personal level is not just about the miraculous acts He performs but about how those acts reveal His heart and His nature to those who seek Him.
These men—Abraham, Moses, and David—did not just accomplish great things; they were profoundly changed by their walk with God. Each had a story marked by God encounters, seasons of preparation, radical obedience, and an unshakable humility that positioned them to be vessels of God’s glory, used for His redemptive story in unveiling Himself to mankind.
Magnificent miracles
Throughout the Old Testament, we see how a deep relationship with God produced miracles of staggering magnitude. Abraham, for instance, became the father of nations despite his advanced age and barrenness (Genesis 17:4-6). Moses parted the Red Sea, leading an entire nation out of slavery (Exodus 14:21-22) despite being a runaway convict. David, a shepherd boy, was chosen to establish a kingship that would ultimately bring forth the Messiah (2 Samuel 7:12-16). These miracles were not random acts of power; they flowed from intimacy with God, a connection so profound that it changed the course of history.
If such extraordinary acts were possible under the Old Covenant, how much more is available to those who are in Christ? Hebrews 8:6 tells us that Jesus has given us a better covenant, one founded on better promises. The stories of Abraham, Moses, and David remind us that God’s desire has always been for relationship—a relationship that defines and empowers His people.
A people defined by their relationship with God
There are a few people in the Old Testament that were defined and remembered by their relationship they had with the Lord.
Abraham was called God’s friend (Jam 2:23)
Moses met with God face to face (Ex 33:11)
David was chosen because he had a heart after God, to do all His will (Acts 13:22)
The incredible feats that flowed from their relationship with God are truly amazing, but the most awe-inspiring aspect is that they spoke with God face-to-face and in some cases, encountered Him in heaven (e.g., Isaiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, Paul, John)
The common traits that led to a more intimate walk with God
The common threads in each of their lives that fostered this deeper intimacy are:
Radical encounters that engraced them with the endurance for history making trials and victories of biblical proportion.
The most exciting thing about each of their journeys was a God encounter that forever changed the trajectory of their life in such a way that caused them to endure extensive wilderness seasons and change the nations history.
Abraham met God and spoke to Him personally on several occasions (Gen 12,13,15,17,22)
Moses met with God initially in a burning bush (Ex 33) but also on Mt Sinai where he was given the 10 commandments and quite possibly the entire torah (first 5 books) (Ex 19-20)
The Bible doesn’t record any direct encounters with God for David. However, David is responsible for most of the psalms, which give us a look into the depth of the intimacy he had with God in a somewhat more profound and easily relatable way. Particularly for most of us who have not had these supernatural experiences. He also relied on the prophet’s for guidance (Samuel, Nathan & Gad). Most notably God delivered David on many occasions, supernaturally, from His enemies or would help him win great victories.
Extended periods in the wilderness that became a secret place for them to go deeper with God, fostering a very raw and real faith as a by-product.
Abraham’s wilderness experience was a barrenness experience. His heart yearned to have a child and heir. This longing caused Abraham to trust God unwaveringly. God had to ensure He was the number one thing in Abraham’s life. This was ultimately tested and proven on Mt Moriah when He requested Isaac’s life as a sacrifice (Gen 22). Although the Lord stopped Abraham, Abraham did it in his heart. This scene in Abraham’s life was prophetic of what God would do with His own son Jesus at Calvary many years later.
Moses had perhaps the longest wilderness experience (40 years), yet saw arguably the greatest miracle of the old testament and ultimately helped the most people, most radically. Freeing the Israelites from Egyptian slavery and delivering them to the Promised Land God had sworn to their forefathers (Abraham). This time of preparation in the wilderness prepared Moses with the faith that would be needed to lead Gods people.
David’s wilderness period perhaps started as a shepherd boy but mostly happened in the 13 years between when being anointed as king, until crowned king. It was during this time that he gathered and led the 600 men through many victories. This season prepared him for the ruling and reigning of the nation
A radical obedience and faith that often personally cost them greatly.
Abraham’s radical obedience was ultimately displayed through the test of his faith, with Isaac. He would not withhold from God even his own son.
Moses obedience was exemplified by responding to Gods call and confronting a tyrant and then leading Gods people through one of the toughest times of Israels History.
David’s life was defined by his obedience, to do all Gods will.
A humility and brokenness that became a tabernacle for God with man.
Abraham could have taken the best land but he got it to his nephew lot. It was on the backend of this act of humility that God promised him the land as far as his eyes could see, for his descendants.
It was said of Moses that he was the humblest man on earth. He didn’t even talk for himself; he got his brother Aaron to do the talking for him.
David had humility whereby even though his enemies were delivered into his hands numerous times, he would not touch them. He was 100% dependent upon the Lord to establish him as King, by grace.
The early intimacy prepared them for their leadership
It was the years in the secret place and during the wilderness seasons of their lives where they were prepared for their future leadership roles. We particularly see this in the lives of Moses and David because they stepped into a place of leadership of Gods people when the numbers where in the millions. Abraham also was prepared through His relationship but because His story is at the very beginning his leadership was over hundreds. However, he is set as an example of faith to every believer today.
They entered into God’s prophetic story of the Messiah
A lot of what the forefathers of the faith experienced was not just for their own faith purification, but because through their own story of suffering they were allowed to enter into the story of the Messiah Jesus many years later. For Abraham the long-awaited son of promise, Isaac, spoke of Gods own Son of Promise. This also prophesied the covenant that Christians would enter into (Galatians 3-5), a faith based relationship with God because of His Promise, not because of our works. Abraham’s test of faith on Mt Moriah through the sacrifice of Isaac also allowed him to enter into the Jesus story of Calvary (being Gods only Son).
For Moses, his suffering through being cut off from His own people would later reveal and reflect Christs suffering of being rejected by His Own and suffering outside the camp. However mostly God used Moses life and the journey of freeing the Israelites from slavery and taking them into the promised land as what Jesus did for us at Calvary, freeing us from sin and bringing us into the promised land of heaven and being found in Christ.
For David his rejection by his family and usurp attempts by his own children, where what Jesus would suffer from the Jews. Also, Davids victory over Goliath would reflect Christs victory over sin and therefore our own victories. But overall, David’s journey of being a lowly shepherd boy that was chosen by God and established as King over His people is what the Christian walk also is. We are chosen by God and taken from an ordinary life and setup in His Kingdom to rule and reign in life.
In many ways Christians are aware of the parallels of our walk with Abraham’s life as we are justified by faith. We are also familiar with the Mosaic imagery, from slavery to the promised land, as being delivered from sin into the Kingdom of His Beloved Son. However very few live out the revelation of the Davidic imagery; becoming Kings whilst still on the earth. The Bible says, “the weakest among them will be as mighty as King David” (Zech 12:8). The more time we spend in the secret place with Jesus the more real the faith of this picture will become in us so that we can walk out that revelation.
Their relationship with God transformed the world around them
They cultivated an intimacy with God that precedented their leadership. This fruit from their intimacy is undeniable. We mentioned some of the miracles that took place and what forges them, however the depth of their intimacy with God not only saw the miraculous transpire but literally transformed the world around them.
Abraham: The Father of the Nation
Abraham’s role was foundational. Abraham established a relationship with God that shaped Israel’s identity as God’s chosen people and set the stage for their future inheritance.
Moses: The Deliverer and Lawgiver
Moses was raised up by God to lead Israel out of bondage in Egypt and into freedom, forging a new chapter in their history as a liberated nation (Exodus 3:10-12). He guided them through the wilderness, teaching them to trust in God’s provision and protection. As their leader, Moses transformed the Israelites from a group of enslaved tribes into a people united under God’s laws and promises.
David: The King Who Unified the Nation
David’s leadership ushered in a new era for Israel as a unified and powerful kingdom. As king, he united the tribes of Israel, established Jerusalem as the nation’s political and spiritual capital, and brought the Ark of the Covenant to the city (2 Samuel 5:1-5; 6:12-19).
A deeper intimacy birthed a deeper revelation
Although each story of the Bible is a progression of God revealing Himself to man, particularly in and through Jesus, Each of these three (along with others) had a deeper revelation of God that was not previously known
Abraham experienced God as the promise maker and knew Him as El Shaddai (Almighty)
Moses experienced God as the promise fulfiller and knew Him as Yahweh, YHWH, יהוה
David experienced God as the Lord of Hosts, Yahweh Tzeboath, (David v Goliath – 1 Sam 17)
Ultimately Jesus revealed Him as Abba (daddy) and He was the Father, and we ultimately became the Bride of Christ. The Bride is the most intimate expression of a relationship a human can have with another being, divine or human.
They may have loved God, but they were flawed men
It is important to note that although these men walked with God closely, they were not perfect and still had their faults
Abraham, the father of faith, doubted Gods promise and tried to bring it about through taking into himself Sarah’s concubine, and hence the birth of Ishmael.
Moses the deliverer of Israel from slavery, got angry with Gods people and was therefore not allowed to enter the promised land
David slept with one of his own soldier’s wife, and impregnated her, and when the coverup attempt failed, had him murdered.
These failings give the rest of us hope, that God can use us, but also show that it was not their intimacy or holiness that achieved monumental feats and changed Israels history. It was God’s grace alone that did that, their intimacy flowed from unconditional love.
God or nothing…
Each of these men were given a choice at some point to get the blessing or the promise but without God, they each chose God over the blessing.
David would not sleep until God had found a resting place. He put God to bed first before going to bed. As amusing at that may seem it certainly has a modern application. Would you prioritize Gods plan over your own sleep. Smith Wigglesworth would not go to bed unless he had led someone to the Lord that day. If you went to lie down and had not shared the gospel, would you get up and go share the gospel? There are days where I have failed to do this, but I know that my heart wants to be on fire like these men were.
Moses would not go into the Promised Land without God (see section on “Seek My Face”).
Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.
Abraham was tested to choose to either obey God and give His son up, or to keep His son. Whereas loosing some land or some sleep might be one thing to sacrifice for God, to sacrifice his only promised son was way beyond what any since have been required to do. However, by doing this he stepped into a part of Gods heart and the prophetic story of what God would do with Jesus on the cross
These men knew God and because they knew God they knew everything.
Follow Jesus
The only way will have the grace and strength to enter into fullness and experience God using you to do mammoth things for His Kingdom is in that place of deep intimacy. This is what see demonstrated by three of the greatest fore runners of the Bible. This deep intimacy and close walk with God (despite their flaws as humans) will provide perseverance and witness extraordinary miracles but will take you into the place of watching the Lord do it – entering the rest of faith (Heb 3-4)
The fullness of God
It’s important to understand that from the very beginning, you have the fullness of God with you. He is your protector, provider, Savior, and deliverer. He will guide you, sanctify you, and reveal things to come. You don’t receive more of God because you already have all of Him. However, as you pursue Him, you gain a deeper understanding of who He is and His ways, as He reveals Himself to you through each encounter. This deepens your faith and trust, enabling you to know and experience Him more fully.