The Shining Face of Moses (Exodus 34:29-34)

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. [Did it remind them of the fire on Sinai?] 31 But Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses talked with them [speaking the words of God while reflecting his image in some way]. 32 Afterward all the people of Israel came near, and he commanded them all that the Lord had spoken with him in Mount Sinai. 33 And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face [because of the fear of the people, not as protection].

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.

[Why does Moses go into such detail about his shining face? First, it reestablished and confirmed his leadership and role as intermediary. He really did meet with God, whose glory was so awesome that it left an effect on Moses. Second, it confirmed the presence of the Lord, the thing Moses and the people were so worried about. Third, it confirmed God’s greatness. No pagan worshippers were glowing after encounters with their idols. Fourth, it confirms that people can actually have a close encounter with God. Fifth, it is a foretaste of the greater glory of Jesus that we read about in 2 Corinthians 3:7-18:

7 Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses' face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? 9 For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory. 10 Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it. 11 For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory.

12 Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, 13 not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. 14 But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. 15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. 16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

All who know Christ as Savior and live for him reflect his glory—even more powerfully than Moses did—because of the Spirit, God’s very presence in our lives.]