The Shining Face of Moses

 

The Shining Face of Moses

Exodus 34:29–35

There are moments in Scripture where the glory of God breaks through human weakness and becomes visible. One of the most striking examples is in Exodus 34, when Moses descends from Mount Sinai with the new tablets of the covenant. His face is shining—radiant with the glory of God. The people of Israel could not even look at him directly because of this light.

This story is not just about Moses; it is about what happens when human beings come into the presence of God and allow Him to work in their lives.

The Cause of Moses’ Radiant Face
Exodus 34:29 tells us plainly: “Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him.” The radiance came directly from being in the presence of God. Moses had just spoken with the Lord face to face, receiving not only the tablets of stone but also God’s promises and commandments. The glory that filled Moses’ face was a reflection, not his own light, but God’s light shining through him.

This shows us that true transformation does not come from human effort but from being with God. Just as the moon reflects the light of the sun, Moses reflected the light of God’s glory.

Why Moses Might Not Have Known His Face Was Radiant
It is striking that Moses himself was unaware of his shining face. Why? Because genuine encounters with God humble us rather than puff us up. When we truly surrender to God, we are not focused on our own image but on His majesty. The radiance was not for Moses to boast in but as evidence to the people that he had been in God’s presence.

In the same way, when we spend time with God—whether in prayer, in Scripture, or in worship—others may notice the change in us before we do. The peace, joy, and love of Christ become visible even if we ourselves are unaware.

Proof of God’s Presence
The Israelites feared Moses’ shining face because it was proof he had been with the Lord. This radiance was not something Moses could create or imitate; it was supernatural evidence of divine presence.

For us, God’s presence may not make our physical face glow, but it certainly transforms our hearts and minds. People will see patience where there was once anger, hope where there was once despair, forgiveness where there was once bitterness. That change itself is evidence that God is real and active in our lives.

Our Transformation Through Surrender
Just as Moses’ face shone because of God’s glory, our inner lives can shine when we surrender fully to the Lord. When we allow God to be the King of our hearts, He changes the way we think, feel, and live.

Romans 6:4 tells us: “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Newness of life is the evidence that Christ lives in us.

When we surrender pride, fear, and selfishness, God fills us with His Spirit. And just as He wrote His covenant on stone tablets for Israel, He now writes His law of love on our hearts.

Transformed Into His Image
The apostle Paul makes the connection between Moses and believers today in 2 Corinthians 3:18: “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

Transformation into the image of Christ is a gradual, Spirit-led process. Just as Moses’ face shone after being with God, we begin to shine spiritually as we behold Christ daily. Our thoughts are renewed, our desires purified, and our actions aligned with His will. Over time, we begin to reflect His character more and more.

Surrender and Shine
The shining face of Moses was a visible testimony of what happens when a man spends time in God’s presence. He did not know it, but the people could see it clearly. In the same way, when we walk with Jesus, He transforms us—often in ways we cannot even perceive.

When you surrender your life to Christ, you walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4). When you continue to behold Him, He transforms you day by day into His image (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Let us, then, seek His presence earnestly, so that our lives shine—not with our own light, but with the glory of the One who lives within us.

More on: Lesson 12 - "Please, Show Me Your Glory" Sabbath School

Next Quarter: Lessons of Faith from Joshua