God's People: Moses' Glow

Moses came down from Mount Sinai. 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 with God. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke with them. Afterward all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the Lord had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face; but whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would take the veil off, until he came out; and when he came out, and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face was shining; and Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him. ~ Exodus 34:29-35
By the second time Moses comes down the mountain with the tablets, a lot has happened. He has spent 40 days with God; the people have sinned with Aaron's golden calf; Moses has seen God's backside; God has given the Law; and God has treated Moses as a friend.

 The scene of Moses and the veil over this shining face is intriguing. The glow in his face is the representation of the glory of God, and his face stays shiny until it fades. 

 God's glory is just too powerful for the people to see up close and personal!

 There are similar images that this "shiny" glow of God conjures up for me: halos on angels and saints in Renaissance paintings and the glory of the Lord shining round the angels to the shepherds, heralding Jesus' birth.

 But mostly when I think of God's glory, I think of others less shiny visual examples where that glory is no less evident.

 Sitting at the side of the dying.

 Taking youth to a homeless shelter to feed those in need.

 Standing up for the outcast, the wronged, and the voiceless.

 Members of AA sharing with each other.

 Singing songs of praise together.

 Peacemakers whose actions help bring about the Kingdom of God Jesus called for.

 Our faces may not shine when we encounter the living God. But when God works through us, what is seen is just as startling. The love of God changes lives. It molds, shapes, and recreates.

 And no veil can hide it.
Prayer: God of glory, move us to be living images of your love. Lead us to shine in the lives of those we meet every day. Amen.

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