“And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.”
Context:In Exodus 34, we find the account of Moses’ second time ascending Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments from God after the Israelites had sinned with the golden calf. God called Moses to come up the mountain, and there, He revealed His name and character to Moses, proclaiming His mercy, grace, and compassion.
Moses’ Encounter with God:In the preceding verses (Exodus 34:29), we learn that as Moses descended from the mountain, he was unaware of the transformation that had taken place on his face. It happened after he had spent time in the presence of God, where the Lord’s glory and radiance had somehow imprinted themselves on his countenance.
The Radiant Face:The verse states that the skin of Moses’ face shone. This shining of his face symbolises the divine glory of God’s presence. It’s an extraordinary phenomenon that occurred due to the proximity of Moses to God’s holiness. It signifies the intimacy Moses had with the Almighty, as he was chosen to communicate directly with God and act as the mediator between the Lord and the people of Israel.
Fear of the People:Upon seeing Moses with his radiant face, the children of Israel were afraid to come near him. The brilliance of God’s glory reflected on Moses’ face was awe-inspiring and, at the same time, overwhelming to the people. This reaction is understandable as they recognised the sacredness and majesty of the divine presence that Moses had experienced.
Symbolic Meaning:The shining of Moses’ face carries symbolic significance. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul makes reference to this event in 2 Corinthians 3:7-18, where he draws a parallel between the glory of the old covenant (reflected on Moses’ face) and the glory of the new covenant in Christ.
- In the old covenant, the glory on Moses’ face was temporary and fading, covered with a veil (2 Corinthians 3:13). This symbolised that the law, though glorious, could not bring permanent transformation or salvation.
- In contrast, the new covenant in Christ is described as far more glorious and permanent. The Holy Spirit transforms believers’ hearts, and as they behold Christ, they are continually changed into His image (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Application:This passage prompts us to reflect on our own experiences with God’s presence. While we may not experience a literal shining face, spending time in God’s presence through prayer, worship, and studying His Word should have a transforming effect on our lives. We should seek to draw near to God in intimacy and humility, allowing His glory to shine through us in our words and actions.
The Veil Removed:As Paul also explains in 2 Corinthians 3:16-18, the veil that Moses used to cover his face is symbolic of spiritual blindness. In Christ, this veil is removed, and we can now see and understand the glory of God fully revealed in Jesus.
In conclusion, Exodus 34:30 showcases Moses’ unique encounter with God’s glory, resulting in his face shining brightly. It also carries spiritual symbolism and reminds us of the new covenant in Christ, where believers are transformed from glory to glory as they behold the Lord’s face with unveiled hearts. It encourages us to seek intimacy with God and reflect His glory in our lives as we spend time in His presence.
