The Radiance of Moses' Face
"When Moses came down Mount Sinai carrying the two stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, he wasn’t aware that his face had become radiant because he had spoken to the LORD. So when Aaron and the people of Israel saw the radiance of Moses’ face, they were afraid to come near him." - Exodus 34:29-30
When Moses was called by God to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt, he was reluctant saying that he was "slow of speech". God allowed Moses to have Aaron come along to speak for him, but over time we see that Moses really did have the courage and ability to speak on his own. One of these times was in Exodus 34. Moses had asked the Lord to see his glory, so God came down to visit him and reveal Himself to him.
Before this, God had told Moses that nobody could see his face and live. But, He did say that He would pass by and speak His name to him. So, as Moses stands on the top of Mt. Sinai the Lord appears and says "The Lord, The Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in loving-kindness, and truth, who keeps loving-kindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generation." (Ex 34:5-7)
It was after a lengthy stay on the mountaintop that the covenant that God had with his people was renewed. As Moses came down from Mt.Sinai it says his face shone because God had been speaking to him. (Ex 34:29) In fact, when Aaron and others saw his face they were afraid to come near him, so much so, that Moses would have to wear a veil over his face after that.
The shine on Moses' face was a glow from the glory of God that he had been exposed to. I have always imagined that this glow was like the light of Christ that as Christians we are asked to be for the world. If I am a light it is only because I know that light. My hope is, that I have spent enough time working on my relationship with God that there is some difference in who I am, so much so that others can realize that I know God because I am different, radiant, glowing.
I hope that at my best, I am a reflection of Christ, a light to a dark world. Are you reflecting God's glory? Are you a light to a broken and hurting world? If not, tomorrow begins Lent, and there is no better time to begin to know Christ this intimately, and to be changed this completely!
Pray that God will show you small evidences of his glory every day of Lent.