Face-To-Face Friendship (panim el panim)
As water reflects the face, so one heart of man reflects another.
Proverbs 27:19 (OJB)
Read that verse above…slowly…because you probably didn’t read it but auto-recalled it from memory and repetition. This time, take in each word: “…so one heart of man reflects another.”
Hmm…so what this is saying is that my heart reflects the different people in my life?
In the previous post, we meditated on how friends are mirrors to our souls (i.e., our hearts influence one another). Let’s continue that thought as we take a look at the Hebrew concept of “panim el panim”—or “face-to-face”. It embodies a meaning far deeper than two people standing in front of each other; it is an idiom of how I influence you, you influence me, and those that we choose to fellowship with are the ones who have a part in forming our personality.
(For a little more background, I wrote a devotional on the topic of “panim el panim“. Read it here.)
The idea of panim el panim (or face-to-face) involves an intimacy between two people such that we begin to reflect each other. It also carries the connotation of deliberately being in each other’s presence.
In the sense of being face-to-face with Yahweh—in His Presence—we begin to reflect the personality and heart of our Father. It starts to make sense why God encourages us to seek His face. He is telling us that we are transformed, have peace, and become like Him when we intentionally and deliberately spend time in His company.
The fact that the Creator of the Universe, God Almighty, the Ancient of Days, invites us to have such intimacy with Him as to stand face-to-face with Him is a concept and a love I can not fathom.
ANAMCARA LAURA
It is frightening to know that, according to Scripture, when God turns His face away from something or someone, darkness enters. Light comes from Him. When He turns His face or His back, it gives a place for darkness to occupy. Creation began as God’s face hovered over the expanse and His Light illuminated the darkness and void of the earth. Imagine what happened the instant God said, “Light Be!” and darkness fled!
In the garden, Adam & Eve lived panim el panim with the Father. We all know how they then lost the ability to be panim el panim after they ate from the Tree of Knowledge of Good & Evil. They gained knowledge but lost the connection with the Light and Life of men! (In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. – John the Apostle). They died because they exchanged the face of God for a lie, opening up their soul to darkness.
Since that moment, the hope of the nations has been for mankind to be face-to-face with God again; to regain the Light and Life that dispels darkness. Because when we are panim el panim, there is no darkness, only peace. The Blood of Jesus is what has restored our ability to be panim el panim! But what does that mean?
To be face-to-face (panim el panim) in any relationship is to live life in their presence.
With the Father, when we live our lives in His presence, face-to-face, we embody God’s friendship and what friendship between people should be: being present in someone’s company in a way that our souls mirror and reflect each other.
As we live in the Presence of Adonai—panim el panim—we have shalom (peace)! Chaos and darkness flee! Our face begins to reflect His!
When we leave the intimacy of Yahweh, when He turns His head, or when we walk away, we leave the intimacy and light of His face. (“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory…”) We leave the influence of peace and life, choosing instead to become panim el panim with something or someone else.
Who we are is a reflection of who or what we have chosen to be panim el panim with! The fruit of the Spirit mentioned in first Corinthians is a direct result of the influence of the Presence of Adonai!
This is something to think about!
What is our life reflecting? The presence of Yahweh or the influence of others? And what kind of influence?
We gain Yahweh’s influence when we seek His face. But we are also influenced by the intimacy we share with those we spend time with. The company we keep matters more than we realize.
The godly are cautious in friendship; -Proverbs 27:17
So the Lord spoke to Moses face-to-face (panim el panim), as a man speaks to his friend. -Exodus 33:11
FOR REFLECTION
JOURNAL PROMPTS
- Panim el panim can be translated as “face-to-face,” “In His Presence,” or “seek His Face.” Take some time to search your Bible for verses that use these terms of seeking God’s face or being in His Presence.
- Ask Holy Spirit to give you a revelation of what it would look like for you to be panim el panim with God.
- Consider your current close friendships. They influence your heart and mold your personality. Are there any changes you need to make in your friendships?
- In the same manner, ask Holy Spirit how you are influencing the heart and personality of your friends. Ask Him to help you remain face-to-face with the Father so that you can carry His glory into your friendships.
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