God's Glory

The concept of God's glory is central to the biblical narrative, representing His divine presence, majesty, and holiness. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for glory, "kavod," often signifies weightiness or honor, reflecting the profound and overwhelming nature of God's presence. God's glory is both a revelation of His character and an expression of His power and authority.

Throughout Scripture, God's glory is depicted as a consuming fire, a brilliant light, or a cloud, symbolizing His unapproachable holiness and the awe-inspiring nature of His presence. In Exodus 24:16-17 , the glory of the LORD is described as a consuming fire on the top of Mount Sinai, visible to the Israelites: "And the glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered the mountain, and on the seventh day the LORD called to Moses from within the cloud. And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the mountaintop in the eyes of the Israelites."

God's glory is also associated with His covenantal relationship with His people. In the tabernacle and later in the temple, God's glory dwelt among the Israelites, signifying His presence and favor. Exodus 40:34-35 recounts the moment when the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle: "Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Moses was unable to enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle."

Moses' Radiant Face

The account of Moses' radiant face is a profound illustration of the transformative power of encountering God's glory. After Moses spent forty days and nights on Mount Sinai receiving the Law, his face shone with the reflected glory of God. This event is recorded in Exodus 34:29-35 : "When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was unaware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD. Aaron and all the Israelites looked at Moses, and behold, his face was radiant. And they were afraid to approach him."

The radiance of Moses' face served as a visible sign of his intimate communion with God and the authority of the message he delivered. The Israelites' fear and awe at Moses' appearance underscore the holiness of God and the seriousness of His commandments. To accommodate the people's fear, Moses wore a veil over his face, removing it only when he went to speak with the LORD.

The Apostle Paul later reflects on this event in 2 Corinthians 3:7-18, contrasting the fading glory of the old covenant with the surpassing and enduring glory of the new covenant in Christ. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 3:13 , "We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at the end of what was fading away." Through Christ, believers have direct access to God's glory, which transforms them into His likeness with ever-increasing glory.

Moses' radiant face is a testament to the profound impact of God's glory on those who seek Him. It serves as a reminder of the transformative power of divine encounters and the call to reflect God's glory in the world.