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Exodus 34:29-35 – Unveiling the Light

by Gary Sims
02/16/04
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The Scriptures
Exodus 34:29-35 – Unveiling the Light


Key Verses: (NRSV)
  • 29: “As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking to God.” – Spending time with God brought out a radiating, life-transforming appearance in Moses.

  • 30: “When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him.” – The Israelites had a fearful respect for God’s power and were hesitant to approach anything that revealed His presence.

  • 33: “When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face.” – This could have been a symbolic gesture of veiling or hiding parts of their lives from God because the Israelites were not ready for a constant reminder of God’s presence. On the other hand, the veiling could have continued to remind them of Moses’ face, now hidden, in order to keep the image in their minds even if should fade.

  • 34: “But whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with Him, he would take the veil off, until he came out…and told the Israelites what he had been commanded.” – The veil was always remove when Moses returned to Mount Sinai to talk with God and remained off until he had communicated God’s message.
Points to Contemplate:
  • Do you shine? Moses was physically changed by his time with God; his skin glowed. When God enters our lives, when we dedicate everything to Jesus Christ, are we physically changed by that experience? Have you ever seen people on fire or glowing in their love of Christ? When people look at you are they able to see a difference? Have you been changed or transformed by Christ? Do you shine?

  • Should you shine? In our society today, what attracts people to Christ? Is it religion – a set of rules and regulations by which to live your life? Is it ceremony and tradition – a collection of motions, sayings, and artifacts that point to some mysterious message? Did Jesus create Christian denominations – with all our beliefs, creeds, and mottos? Or are people looking for evidence that Christ can really make a difference in their lives? Are they seeking a “visual demonstration of God’s power?”1 Should you shine?

  • Are you hiding from God? Are there parts of your life you hold back or cover up, keeping God at arms length? Are you resisting giving up control and handing everything over to God? Do you veil your Christianity in ways others will not see that you are a Christian? Do you temper your feelings and limit God’s impact on your life? What would change if you unveiled your entire life for Him? What are you hiding from God?

  • Does your light grow dim? Are there times when you feel that you have no light to share to the world? That your spark and excitement has dissipated? What should you do? Do you look continuously for times to commune with God? Do you study His Word daily? Do you meditate? Are your prayers one-sided or conversational? Do you listen for His ‘still small voice’ and His inspirational Spirit? Do you worship by opening your heart to His love, setting aside feelings of self-consciousness? Moses would return to the mountain and come back recharged. Are you taking steps to have your battery recharged by God on a regular basis?
Promises of the Gospel:

Moses’ face shone brightly from his time with God. He did not know it but everyone who looked upon him could see it. It caught their attention. With Jesus Christ, we do not need to climb mountains to be with God. He lives within. Our light is a reflection of His love living inside each of us. It should be a very noticeable light. The world should easily recognize it. However, we have become very adept with veils – a shroud of professionalism for the office, a mask masculinity for the ballpark, or an essence of sophistication for the socialite party. People are naturally attracted to His Light because they are seeking truth and visual demonstration that God can make a difference in their lives. We, as Christians, are most effective in sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ when we rip off our veils and allow His reflection to show the world how His love has transformed us.

1“unLearning Church” by Michael Slaughter with Warren Bird, Group Publishing, copyright 2002, pp108.

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