Exodus 34:29-35 - Homiletics

The shining of Moses' face.

This strange phenomenon, one of the distinctive marks which most closely assimilate the Jewish with the Christian lawgiver, is well worthy of our attentive consideration.

I. AS TO ITS ORIGIN . Admission to the Divine presence within the cloud had not, on the former occasion, left any such visible trace. It cannot, therefore, be ascribed simply to communion with God for a period of a certain duration. We must endeavour to see how the second sojourn in Sinai was differentiated from the first, if we would discover the real cause of the wonder. Now the difference was mainly this: that Moses in the interval had been severely tried, and had emerged from the trial better, purer, fitter for close intercourse with the Supreme. He had shown zeal, fervour, promptness, in checking the revolt against Jehovah; he had shown a spirit of extraordinary self-sacrifice in refusing to become the sole male progenitor of a people whom God would substitute for the existing Israel ( Exodus 32:10 ), and in offering himself as an atonement for the people's sins ( Exodus 32:32 ); and he had shown that persistent importunity in kindly intercession for others ( Exodus 33:12-16 ) with which God is especially pleased. Under these circumstances—thus elevated above his former self—he had been admitted, not only to a second conference of forty days' duration, but also to a special vision—never vouchsafed to any but him—of the Divine glory ( Exodus 33:8 -28; Exodus 34:5 , Exodus 34:6 ). The radiance that rested on his face is ascribed especially to his long "talk" with God ( Exodus 34:29 ); but we can scarcely doubt that a portion of it was due to the transcendent vision which passed before him prior to the forty days' conference. The brightness then shed upon his face increased from day to day during the long and close communion closer now than before, from his greater fitness; and he, "with open face beholding the glory of the Lord, was changed into the same image from glory to glory" ( 2 Corinthians 3:18 ), until his countenance was such that it could not be steadfastly beheld for long; and he, in mercy to his people, veiled it.

II. AS TO ITS EFFECT .

1 . Its immediate effect was to alarm. "Aaron and the elders were afraid to come nigh him." The unknown and unexpected is always fearful to man; and this was a novelty which might well startle. What did the sight portend? Certainly, an increase of supernatural power. Would this power be used to punish and avenge? Would the radiance burn like fire, or scathe like the thunder-bolt? They could not tell. Knowing their own sinfulness, they trembled, conscience making cowards of them, as it does of us all. And they feared to approach—nay, they drew back—perhaps fled.

2 . Its after effect was to increase Moses' authority. The glow was a perpetual credential of his Divine mission. Like the moon, it witnessed, whenever seen, to the absent sun. Always beheld, whenever Moses had any new orders to give, it was a sanction to his entire legislation, and caused the laws which were least palatable to be accepted without resistance. Though it did not prevent partial revolts, it kept the bulk of the nation faithful to their leader for forty years. Even when they did not see the brightness, the veil that hid it showed that it was there. Its presence could never be forgotten. Moses was exalted by it into a condition half-Divine, half-human; and was felt to be marked out by Heaven as the supreme chief of the nation.

III. AS TO ITS INTENT . Its intent would seem to have been—

1 . To strengthen and support Moses in his difficult position as leader of a wayward and "stiff-necked" people.

2 . To impress the people, and render them more submissive and obedient. (See the preceding section.)

3 . To symbolise the great truth, that by drawing near to God, by communion with him, we become like him—like him and ever more like; changing "from glory to glory;" reflecting his attributes, as snow-summits reflect the sunset; receiving from him a real effluence, which shows itself in our lives, in our acts, in our very features. There is in the countenances of God's most advanced servants a brightness, a gladness, a beaming radiance, which can come only of long communion with him, and which is a sensible evidence, to those who "have eyes to see," that they are indeed his friends, his favoured ones. The best artists—Perugino, Francia, Rafaelle sometimes, Fra Angelico, Fra Bartolomeo, Bellini, Luini, Basaiti—express this in their pictures. But it is not a grace that has passed away. The eye that has true spiritual vision may still see among those who walk the earth faces with such unmistakable glow of true piety upon them as marks their owners for God's friends, Christ's loved ones, souls constant in their communion with him who is "the Light of the world," and "in whose light we shall see light."