In the OT, we read of God’s glory appearing in the mountain top, thunders roaring, lights blazing and earth shaking. What exactly is the glory of God? John Piper said it’s impossible to define glory. So he tried doing it by way of holiness. God is holy (separate) being in a class by himself in infinite perfection, greatness and worth. God alone is holy. Glory is the manifest beauty of His holiness – how and what we behold and see of Him: for all He is, His attributes and character.
In the Bible, there is one bold person who asked God to show him His glory. In Exodus 33, God told the Israelites to leave Sinai and enter the promised land without him as his anger might consume them because of their hard-headed disobedience. Moses pled with God to go with them as He promised his favor upon Moses knowing his name. He prayed “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people?” To which God said yes. In response, Moses asked: Please show me your glory. God said: “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The LORD.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.” And God said no man shall see his face and live. So he told Moses: “Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen.”
God in His grace and mercy granted Moses his desire while keeping him safe. God allows us to see a glimpse of Himself to assure us of His presence. He points us to the Rock where we can stand firm. As He passes, He puts us in the place where we are secure. He covers us with His hand until it is safe. When he takes away his hand, we are sure to see him, his back, a glimpse of his glory. In His glorious goodness, He proclaims: ‘The LORD.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.” O what bliss for Moses to behold God’s glory. How then did he proclaim God’s glory?
Exodus 34
29 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. 30 Aaron and all the people of Israel saw Moses, and behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. 31 But Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses talked with them. 32 Afterward all the people of Israel came near, and he commanded them all that the LORD had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. 33 And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face.
34 Whenever Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he would remove the veil, until he came out. And when he came out and told the people of Israel what he was commanded, 35 the people of Israel would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face was shining. And Moses would put the veil over his face again, until he went in to speak with him.
Facts:
1) Moses’ face shone because of his speaking with God v. 29b
2) Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone v. 29a
3) People who saw Moses were afraid to be near him. v. 30
4) Moses called to them to command them to do everything the Lord told him on the mountain (while the people beheld his radiant face). Then he would cover his face. vv.31-33
5) Each time Moses went before the Lord, he would take his veil off and speak with the Lord face to face. Consistently, the people would see that his face shone after each meeting. v. 34-35
A radiant face comes from constant conversation with the LORD, basking in His presence, absorbing all that He is: love, grace, mercy, goodness, justice. It’s God-awareness beyond self-awareness: much more than skin-deep.
To reflect:
1) Do I spend time with God? What happens in my time with God? Is my time with God one-way talking only? Is it only me speaking – telling him what I want, how I feel, what I need? Do I hear God as well? Do I listen attentively?
2) What happens in the time spent with God is manifested and proven by what happens after speaking with God. Moses’ face shone after his time with God. The glory of God was reflected on his face like a mirror. Does my life reflect God’s glory, His grace and mercy? God is just. Do I live according to His standard of justice? God is slow to anger and merciful. What is my response when people are unkind? Am I kind only to the needy, the helpless and voiceless? God is righteous. Does my life reflect His goodness?
3) Moses did not know his face shone. He did not need to be aware of it. It was just so apparent and visible to all who saw him. Self-awareness and self-sufficiency… Self-awareness is knowing myself in my heart and my mind for self-evaluation. Self-sufficiency is being so full of myself there is no room for anyone or anything – no room for improvement hence no need for self-evaluation.
4) People see what’s reflected outside. No matter how I think and what I say, what I do speaks more loudly. Does my daily living mirror God’s beauty and holiness? When I clean the toilet or wash a plate, or hang the laundry, how is the posture of my heart? A song comes to mind: Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness
O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness,
bow down before him, his glory proclaim;
with gold of obedience and incense of lowliness,
kneel and adore him the Lord is his name.
Let me cover my skin-deep shine. Let me come bare before God because with him, and in him, I can come as I am. May the Holy Spirit fill me with His glory that my life will be reflection of His love, grace and mercy. Amen.
