Numbers 12:8 a. With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in riddles, and he beholds the form of the Lord
Moses was not the Lord but rather can be seen as a form of the Lord. We call that a tupos.
Strong’s Definitions [?]
(Strong’s Definitions Legend)
תְּמוּנָה tᵉmûwnâh, tem-oo-naw’; or תְּמֻנָה tᵉmunâh; from H4327; something portioned (i.e. fashioned) out, as a shape, i.e. (indefinitely) phantom, or (specifically) embodiment, or (figuratively) manifestation (of favor):—image, likeness, similitude.
We often create words that are used to express complex ideas. It is important in the Hebrew word translated as form to see that form is something portioned, a part and not all that the original is in existence.
As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.
The same word is used in this psalm translated likeness. The important thing in this verse is the often overlooked issue of waking up. Often we wake up in the morning and wash our faces, looking in the mirror.
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
The reason we use tupos to try and identify complex issues is in part because of one word in Psalm 17:15 which is satisfaction. Satisfaction is the achievement of ambition and if our goal is self-satisfaction then our understanding of our Lord is extremely important if we strive to imitate His character. If we have a poor understanding, satisfaction will kill our drive for perfection.
Seeing our Lord in the morning when we wake is not a matter of putting on a Jesus mask but rather taking off our mask and being seen for what God has made us and not we ourselves in selfish ambition like the phantom stated in Strong’s definition above.
We were meant to be the embodiment of our Lord. A type of Christ. Tupos.