Thursday: The Shining Face of Moses
Daily Lesson for Thursday 18th of September 2025
Read Exodus 34:29-35. What was the cause of Moses’ radiant face?
After God revealed His character of love to Moses, Moses descended to Israel’s camp with a radiant face. Did Moses know at first that his face was radiant? Not at all. The closer one is to the Lord, the more keenly aware the person is of his or her imperfections compared to God’s holiness.
Image © Lars Justinen at Goodsalt.com
What was the cause for Moses’ transformation that resulted in his face becoming radiant? The reason was not in the simple fact that he was in God’s presence, because several times previously he had been with the Lord and his face did not become radiant after those encounters. However, if he had never been in the Lord’s presence, his face would never have shone. It was only when he understood God’s goodness and kindness, and he completely opened himself to God because of the beauty of His character, that Moses was transformed, and his face shone. Our hearts and minds can experience a change when we surrender to God and allow Him to be the Lord and King of our lives.
Read 2 Corinthians 3:18. How can Jesus gradually transform you into His image?
Paul compares Moses’ shining face with Jesus Christ and that the glory of Jesus (in whom God’s law and grace were personified) surpasses the glory of the law with Moses. Christ, together with His law, can be engraved in our characters only when we fix our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 3:1, Hebrews 12:2) and only by the power of the Spirit of God (2 Corinthians 3:12-18).
Moses is a model for us, demonstrating what God can do for us when we allow Him to change our characters and to mold us into His divine image. This is what Paul means when he talks about walking in the “newness of life” (Romans 6:4).
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What areas of your character need to reflect the character of God better? Probably every area, right? However, how can focusing on the Cross, and what it means, give you encouragement and assurance of salvation? |
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Have you ever embarrassed yourself in public and your face has gone “red as beetroot”? I should have a story to tell you, but the trouble is, I have so many that it is too hard and embarrassing to choose. The point that I want to make is that your “face glow” was something you had no control over. It happened as a consequence of what you had done.
Moses' face shone, not from embarrassment, but from his interaction with God. It wasn’t a visual effect he had any control over. It was evidence for the people of who he had been talking to.
In about the third or fourth century BCE, artists started depicting saints with halos or a nimbus above their heads. The glowing halo became an icon of Christian sainthood. But artefacts such as halos are a human invention that detracts from the true meaning of sainthood.
In our modern Christianity, we are sometimes guilty of substituting the paint job for the real thing. A fine church, a good tithe income, a successful TV program, instead of a personal relationship with God. If we want to “glow for God”, we, like Moses, need to spend time with him. Then our glow will not be a paint job, daubed on by an artist, but the real glow over which we will have no control.
Jesus said:
That's the God-glow that says we have been in contact with him.
I believe Elder Kohler wants to move past the ABCs of attendance, buildings, and cash. He wants to focus on D discipleship.
I felt impressed to tell you of the answer to my our local church members' prayers. My PSA was elevated a not to scarce finding of men our age. My urologist sent me for an MRI, and there was a nodule in my prostrate. He then did a biopsy. PTL(praise the Lord) biopsies all negative. Reason for face shining. Like Moses when the Lord pardoned Israel with His request. Yes of course Moses face also shone because the Lord let him get to know the Lord better. 😃 🙏
Hi John, I am very familiar with PSA tests - every 6 months. May you continue to shine.
During our church service, there's a 15-minute segment for a Children's sermon/story, where all the kids are invited to come to the front. After the teacher finishes their story, the children respond with a hearty chorus of appreciation.
Moses shines in Exodus 34:29-35 and here are some important lessons for us today:
A LIFE CHANGING SPIRIT
1. : Moses yearned to know God and by calling God into his heart; and he was soaked into God's character that his face illuminated. Moses' shining face represents the life-changing power of God meeting a yearning heart. Through committed prayer, worship, and Bible study we deepen their relationship with God. Like Daniel by a purposed heart(Daniel 1:8) or like Ezra' set heart (Ezra 7:10) we too can feel the presence of God and shine.
2. : Just as Moses' face shone, our ways and our lives can reflect God's character and tell His glorious story
HUMILITY AND TOTAL DEPENDENCE
1. : Moses' unawareness of his glowing face teaches humility, acknowledging that God's work is not ours but His. God's presences humbles us and works on us to be God's gems.
2. : Moses in order not to look intimidating covered his face with a veil. He served as a servant and suurendered to the sovereignity of God.
BEING A WITNESS IN THE COMMUNITY
1.: Moses' glowing face drew people to God, illustrating the importance of living a life that points others to Christ; by sharing our faith and living out for Christ in our communities.
2.: Moses' communion with God moulded him, and his life became a witness to God's power. We too can be living stories of God's goodness and love.
GROW IN SPIRIT
1. : Moses' consistent meeting with God shows the importance of seeking God's presence and guidance. We can always have God in our hearts and thought longing God's presence through prayer, meditation and Bible study.
2. : Moses' transformation illustrates the potential for spiritual growth and a life-change when we are touched by God's glory. We can seek transformation by God's glory, becoming more Christ-like.
When Jesus is in our heart's vicinity, he makes us shine 'our little lights'.
The more Moses stayed in the presence of God the more he reflected the nature (character) of God. Why are many people not able to reflect the character of Jesus (Matthew 15:8–9) in spite of many years practicing Christianity? Christianity is not simply an outward show (going to church, partaking rituals, and observing moral rules), it is a heart transformation. “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”(John 3:3). Moses had a true quest to know God intimately and passionately. If we want to shine like Moses, we must abide in the source of light. “Whoever abides in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”(John 15:5). If we need total transformation, we must consistently be in fellowship with Holy Spirit. Our spiritual growth can only be invigorated by the indwelling of the divine power and not simply by human effort. “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”(Galatians 5:16).
It is not how long we have known about God that brings transformation but how close we walk with Him.
“So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image”(2 Cor.3:18, NLT).
Moses did not return from Sinai shining because of forty days of fasting. A long fast might leave a man weak, gaunt, and weary, but Moses came down radiant. Scripture tells us, “When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord” (Exodus 34:29, NIV). It was not hunger that changed him, but communion with the living God. His face bore the imprint of God’s presence, a visible testimony that no one meets the Lord and remains the same (Exodus 34:30–33).
Paul says, “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18). Fasting, prayer, and spiritual disciplines have value, but they cannot produce transformation apart from God’s presence. Moses’ shining face is a pointer to Christ, in whom the Spirit makes us new. The mark of a true encounter with God is a changed life one that reflects His light for the world to see.
Many years ago when I was first "born again," I had a similar experience. My countenance changed so much it couldn't be hidden. You could have lit a candle off my face. People were wondering what's up with me. Did I have a new girlfriend? Did I win the lottery? They asked me all kinds of questions as to why I appeared "radiant." I would reply that it wasn't because I was pregnant. That usually evoked a chuckle. Then while their guard was down from laughing, I would tell them that "it's better than all of that. I met the Lord!" Of course the responses were varied, from the eye roll, to the, "oh really?" Invariably, I would tell them that they would never understand unless they have experienced it for themselves.
One of my first experiences while visiting an Adventist Church, following the Revelation Seminar I had attended, I overheard a couple men talking among themselves. One asked the other, "What's up with him?" Referring to my upbeat, positivity, and happy face. The other one replied, "He's new, give him some time, and he will cool off." Implying that after a while I would be just another John Q. Public churchgoer, instead of the newbie with the radiant face. I remember thinking to myself, I hope not, and wish that I would have said it out loud to them.
Several decades have passed since that experience and sadly that overheard conversation seems almost like it was prophetic.
However, the "glow" comes back whenever I spend both quantity and quality time with the Lord and the Word. It shows when I do, and conversely when I don't. My wife can tell and will ask me if I'm spending time with the Lord. My friends, we tell on ourselves. It can't be hidden, or faked.
In this rat race world we can't live on the mountain top, but we can make daily visits, to receive both our faith lift as well as our face lift.
"Turn your eyes upon Jesus.
Look full in His wonderful face,
and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of his glory and grace."
If you're happy and you know it, tell your face! 🤔😉😊
Indeed. There is always joy and glow in the presence of GOD.
Tim, what a beautiful testimony! Your story shows how the joy of knowing the Lord naturally shines through us. Jesus is like the Sun, and we are the moon—our light only reflects His. Without ongoing time with Him, our glow can fade. Thank you for this powerful reminder to stay close to Jesus daily so His light can shine through us.
I think the sheer joy of new converts is somewhat akin to the newlyweed experience couples have. It doesn't last, but I think many of those married would say that the deep abiding love that develops is actually stronger. That doesn't mean as a Christian we shouldn't be happy. There are believers who have a perpetual scowl. There's something wrong with that.
But believers who are super positive and happy have limitations too. When I go through a tough time, they are the last people I tend to go to. I don't trust them to be compassionate and understanding. They tend to be glib. Maybe that's not true of everyone, but that's my experience.
Reflecting the glory of God will look different for each one as we have different personalities and experiences. There's a place for all types.
I just want to note that when Moses left the mountain he didn't know that his face was glowing, even when the Israelites ran away from him he didn't know why they were running away from him. Something to reflect and comment on....
On my side I think when you've attained true godliness we don't see it for or by ourselves, it is seen by others and they glorify God after seeing the great change He'd have made on you. Let's not practice self righteousness but may our righteousness be seen by other people for the sake of them glorifying God's name and acknowledging His power. I don't know if I'm correct or have correctly interpreted that observation. Thank you
However, how can focusing on the Cross, and what it means, give you encouragement and assurance of salvation?
I am going to have to hang on to the Holy Spirit to be assured of salvation, thus be adopted as a son of God. My spirit + the Holy Spirit gives me the assurance of salvation. Romans 8:16. How do I attain the blessings of the Holy Spirit, by asking Him to, and voiding the flesh by letting Him cleanse my heart. 1 John 1:9. And Him keeping it there, because I choose Him to, thus not grieving the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:9-17. I keep the law because I do love Him who gave the law out of love for my wellbeing. Thus, I can claim the promise that Jesus said. For God so loved the world that He gave us His only Son that who so ever believeth in Him shall not parish but have everlasting life. John 3:16.
As for our charactor we need to let God put in us a new heart reflecting His charactor, His goodness, kindness, and tender love. Exodus 33:19.
Moses’ shining face reflected the inward transformation that came from fully surrendering to God and embracing His goodness. His outer appearance revealed the work of God’s Spirit in his heart and mind. Likewise, when we focus on the Cross, our character is shaped to reflect God, and we find encouragement and assurance of salvation. But if we focus only on our problems, we risk discouragement. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, and let His grace shine through us.
Perfect Beverly, well said. May the joy of Jesus' Spirit rest in you today and flow out to others in streams of living water.
When I surrender to Love, it is impossible not to show; Love will permeate all my actions!
Today's lesson study reminded me of the deacon Stephen's face shining like the face of an angel
when certain groups of the synagogue disputed with him and arrested him. Acts 6:15 says And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
Near the end of Stephen's trial, Acts 7:55-56, Stephen, being FULL of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God. And said, Behold, I see the heavens open, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
As we read this, to "see" and understand the glory of God, and to "see" Jesus, we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit!
Lord, we ask for the Holy Spirit to come into in our lives so that we can appreciate your goodness and mercy.
Thomas - thank you for pointing out the Holy Spirit as the Light of man.