What does Moses' radiant face teach us about spending time with God? Radiant on the Mountain “the Israelites would see that the face of Moses was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the LORD.” – Exodus 34:35 What the Glow Reveals • God’s presence is not abstract; it leaves a visible mark (Exodus 34:29). • The glory came from intimate, prolonged communion: forty days and nights on the mountain (Exodus 34:28). • The radiance was borrowed light—Moses reflected, he did not generate, God’s glory. • The veil shows that even reflected holiness is overwhelming to sin-scarred people (Exodus 34:33). Radiance Then—Radiance Now Scripture echoes the same pattern: • Psalm 34:5 – “Those who look to Him are radiant with joy…” • Matthew 17:2 – Christ’s face “shone like the sun” during the Transfiguration. • 2 Corinthians 3:7-18 – The old covenant brought fading glory; the new covenant brings an ever-increasing one. • Acts 4:13 – Observers “took note that these men had been with Jesus.” Time in His presence still shows. From Encounter to Everyday Life Spending time with God… • Transforms character first, appearance second; inner change produces outward evidence. • Reorients priorities—Moses came down carrying commandments, not souvenirs. • Generates boldness to serve; the shining face preceded leadership of a stiff-necked nation. • Provides a witness without words; Israel saw glory before hearing explanation. Practical Habits That Invite the Glow • Set apart unhurried, undistracted blocks for Scripture and prayer (Psalm 119:147-148). • Linger until communion becomes conversation; Moses “spoke with the LORD face to face” (Exodus 33:11). • Let obedience follow immediately—share, serve, or change whatever God highlights (James 1:22-25). • Guard the heart throughout the day: short pauses to acknowledge His nearness keep the “shine” from fading (1 Thessalonians 5:17). • Fellowship with other “shining” believers; light multiplies in community (Ephesians 5:8-14). Unveiled Faces in a Veiled World “we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory” (2 Colossians 3:18). Because the veil is removed in Christ, believers carry His brightness into workplaces, homes, and neighborhoods. Like Moses descending Sinai, each moment spent gazing on God equips us to walk back into ordinary life unusually, visibly changed—living proof that meeting with the Lord still makes faces shine. |
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