Why did Moses cover his face, and how can we apply this today? Setting the scene Exodus 34:35: “the Israelites would see the face of Moses shining. Then Moses would replace the veil over his face until he went in to speak with the LORD.” Why Moses covered his face • The radiance was overwhelming. Exodus 34:30 says the people “were afraid to come near him.” The veil spared them terror in the presence of reflected holiness. • It marked the fading nature of Old-Covenant glory. 2 Corinthians 3:13: “Moses put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at the end of what was fading away.” • It underscored Moses’ role as mediator. Only when he went back in to speak with the LORD did he remove it (Exodus 34:34), signaling that direct access to God required a go-between. • It modeled humble restraint. The veil kept attention on God’s message, not on Moses’ appearance. The veil and the New Covenant • 2 Corinthians 3:16-18: “But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is removed… we all, with unveiled faces, contemplate the Lord’s glory, and are being transformed into His image.” • Hebrews 10:19-20: through Christ’s blood “we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place… through the veil, that is, His flesh.” • Unlike the fading brilliance on Moses, the glory granted in Christ grows ever brighter. Living the principle today Reflect His glory • Spend time in His presence through Scripture and prayer; His character imprints on ours (2 Corinthians 4:6). • Let that radiance be visible in everyday conduct—kindness, integrity, holiness—so others “see your good works” (Matthew 5:16). Approach God freely • Because Jesus is the perfect Mediator, come “with confidence” (Hebrews 4:16). No physical veil, no earthly priest, only faith in His finished work. Walk in humility • Moses covered what drew attention to himself; we, too, guard against self-promotion, directing praise back to the Lord (Proverbs 27:2). Guard the heart • Sin still dulls spiritual luminosity. Quick confession (1 John 1:9) keeps the glow bright. Encourage one another • Remind fellow believers that the glory they bear is real and lasting. Celebrate growth you see in them; it spurs more transformation (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Bringing it all together Moses’ veil highlighted holiness, protected the people, and previewed a glory that would one day be fully unveiled in Christ. Today we remove the veil by trusting the Savior, reflect His light by obedient living, and, like Moses, keep returning to the presence that makes faces—and lives—shine. |
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