“…Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him (God).” Exodus 34:29
Dear Ones:
Light is a form of energy which cannot naturally be “seen.” However, if light would be perceived, “visible” to us, there must be an object that light shines upon. We see the effects of the light as we see the lighted object. As in the physical world, so in the spiritual, except that what is seen there is the nature of God, the image of Christ. When Moses climbed Mt. Sinai to meet the Lord, and receive from Him the ten commandments, he communed with God. He beheld the glory of God in the measure that he was able to receive it. It was in that act and attitude of worshiping God, communing with Him, that God revealed Himself to Moses. The “Light” of God’s countenance shined upon Moses. Though Moses did not realize what had happened to his skin which shined, reflecting something of God’s light, the people did. Moses, in addressing them, would have to put a veil over his face, as the brightness of his face made the people afraid. What is the great lesson of this narrative? It is that the invisible has a very marked effect on that which is visible. It was as Moses worshiped, “…seeing Him (God) who is invisible,” that he was changed, transformed.
This principle of transformation is consistently revealed to us also in the New Testament. In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he wrote: “But we ALL, with open (…or unveiled) face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, ARE CHANGED into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Cor. 3:18) It is as the Christian worships the Lord Jesus Christ, in truth, led and enabled by the Spirit of God, that the “Light” of the knowledge of Christ’s person transforms the believer. The transformation does not come by the Christian “trying” to imitate Christ by his own efforts and means. The change occurs by an act of God, by the Spirit, as he or she “sees” Christ with their hearts, according to the revealed truth of His nature and Person, in the Word of God.
Though the context of Moses’ experience is that of receiving the Ten Commandments from God, there are several very important principles that are revealed to us concerning communion with the Lord, and transformation which follows. The first is what we see in the Lord’s words: “….Be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning unto mount Sinai.” (Exodus 34:2) We are called upon to “be ready” in the morning, the best moment of the day, to worship the Lord. Secondly, the Lord told Moses, “…no man shall come up with you.” (v.3) We see this same principle when the Lord Jesus was teaching on the matter of prayer. “Enter into your room, and when you have shut the door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place.” (Matt. 6:6) There is a wonderful promise associated with this commandment: “…and your Father who sees in secret, WILL REWARD you openly.” Thirdly, we find that the Lord revealed Himself to Moses in truth, declaring His name, and making all His goodness pass before him. The knowledge of the truth of God is essential if we would behold Christ aright. Lastly, we must behold “…by the Spirit.” (2 Cor. 3:18) It is as we are submitted to the Lord by the Spirit, depending upon this Spirit of “wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,” that the truth of Christ makes Him to become the greatest reality of our lives, and we are changed.
Dear Father, one day we will see the Lord Jesus AS HE IS, and will be changed forever and completely. Until then, teach us how to worship, believing in the power of Your light and power. We praise and thank Thee, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad