Exodus 34:33
And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vaile on his face. Exodus 34:33 (KJV)
In this chapter Moses spent time with the Lord on Mount Sinai, where he received the Ten Commandments for the second time after breaking the first tablets because of the golden calf. During this encounter his face radiated with the glory of the Lord.
After he had finished speaking to the people, Moses put a veil on his face. The veil prevented the Israelites from being frightened or overwhelmed by the intense glory of God reflected on Moses’ face, a glory that gradually faded.
The veiling of Moses’ face holds symbolic significance. The Apostle Paul references this event in 2 Corinthians 3:13‑16 as a metaphor for the difference between the Old and New Covenants, explaining that just as Moses veiled his face to conceal the fading glory of the law, the minds of the Israelites were spiritually veiled.
The veil highlights the limited revelation and understanding of God’s plan during the Old Testament era. The people of Israel had a restricted knowledge of God’s redemptive plan and were unable to comprehend the fullness of His grace and mercy until the coming of Jesus Christ.
In 2 Corinthians 3:16‑18 Paul contrasts the veiling with the freedom brought by Christ, teaching that when people turn to the Lord the veil is taken away, allowing believers to see and understand God’s glory clearly. Through Christ and the Holy Spirit believers have direct access to God and can experience the transformative power of His presence.
Application: By prayer, meditation, and studying God’s Word we can encounter His presence and experience spiritual transformation that reflects His glory in our lives.
Moses’ act of veiling his face demonstrates humility before the greatness of God. We too should approach God with a humble heart, recognizing His infinite majesty and our own limitations, and rely on His grace to grow in faith and understanding.
Through Jesus Christ we have access to God without veils or barriers. The New Covenant offers a deeper relationship, and the Holy Spirit enables us to grasp the fullness of God’s love, mercy, and grace.
Exodus 34:33 therefore marks a significant moment in the relationship between Moses, the people of Israel, and God. It reminds us of the limited understanding of God’s glory in the Old Testament and points forward to the greater revelation and access to God through Christ, encouraging us to seek Him with humility and embrace the transformative power of His presence.
