Scripture
By Sister Pamela Jones
In Exodus 34:1-10, it speaks of the instructions the Lord gave to Moses in preparation to meet again. He was told to “be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning unto mount Sinai, and present thyself there to me in the top of the mount.” Moses was to prepare himself by bringing another set of tablets, upon which God would use His finger to write the 10 commandments again. No doubt, Moses was also preparing his humble heart and mind, to be in reverence and expectation of being awed in the presence of God once again. And God did not disappoint, He descended in the cloud, stood with Moses, proclaimed His name, and passed by before him!
Our scripture lesson text, Exodus 34:27-35, teaches us that Moses was again, 40 days and nights on Mount Sinai. There is no way to be in God’s presence and not be powerfully impacted or affected by Him. When we become changed from the inside out, we feel the inward transformation, while others see the outward manifestation of it. What the Israelites saw, as confirmation that Moses had indeed been in the awesome presence of God, was a face that shone, so much so, that he had to put on a veil to hide the glory that altered him. Not only was Moses’ physical appearance changed, but his character undoubtedly did so as well, as he took on the characteristics of the One and Only True God!
In 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 we learn that the veil is taken away, and we can see the glory of the Lord clearly, as in a glass. With this being done, we are no longer blind and hard-hearted. We are set free, because where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty. Thank God that we are being changed daily, to become more and more in His likeness. We see in( vs. 18), “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
Synopsis
By Brother Marsal Arnwine
The Lord commanded Moses to write down words on behalf of the Lord. These words were a covenant from the Lord to Moses and the Israelites. The recording of the covenant made it clear what God expected of His people, as Moses met with the Lord for 40 days and 40 nights. In Moses’ time spent with the Lord, he did not eat or drink. While spending time with the Lord he wrote the ten commandments and the words of the covenant on the tables.
When Moses transitioned from mount Sinai, he left with two tables of testimony in his hands. The engraved tablets represented the covenant the Lord had entered into with Israel. As Moses descended from the mountain he was unaware that there was a glow on his face as a result of speaking with the Lord. By having seen God’s glory in this unique way as nobody else had, Moses now physically reflected that glory in his face. Undoubtedly, his appearance confirmed to the people that Moses was God’s chosen mediator and leader for them.
Because of Moses’ appearance, the Israelites were afraid to come near him, but Moses called out to them and commanded them to do everything the Lord had told him on mount Sinai. When Moses finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. Perhaps this was a reminder of their covenant with a holy God who demanded holiness in His people that would set them apart from other nations. Moses spoke to the Israelites unveiled when he had a message from the Lord, but otherwise covered his face when in their presence. Moses was an example of when one spends time with God, it will become evident to others.
Practical Application
By Elder Janice Hall
This week’s lesson shows us how Moses was commanded to write God’s instructions and covenant terms for Israel. The close communion with God physically affected Moses. The radiance of Moses’ face was seen by the leaders and the people of Israel. Moses experienced transforming communion with God on mount Sinai.
Everything we need is in the presence of God! When we worship, praise, meditate on the word of God and become silent to hear, God’s presence changes the quality nature of our whole being. In Psalms 16, David said he could do nothing without God. He found refuge, security, instruction, and fullness of joy and pleasures forever more. When we have true fellowship with God, our reflection of our character is revealed.
We as Christians, have the presence of God within us, by the virtue of His indwelling Holy Spirit. That indwelling presence comes only through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We look forward to coming into God’s presence, which will be the ultimate blessing for believers, to see Him face to face. It is with this anticipation of His presence that should motivate us to faithful service in this present age. “For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when He comes? Is it not you?” (I Thessalonians 2:19 NIV)
