Moses spoke with God. The scriptures say that when Moses came down from Mount Sinai -- after spending forty days and forty nights there -- he "was not aware that his face was radiant." People were even afraid to come near him, because of his radiant appearance. The radiance was reflective of God's glory. (Moses had just asked God, "teach me your ways" and "show me your glory." [Ex. 33:18])
Ironically, Moses would later put a veil over his face because of its appearance, but would remove the veil when he entered the Lord's presence.
Our faces, too, should shine when we encounter our Living God. We should be changed. And it should be noticeable. Others should see it.
Paul would later talk about Moses's radiance in 2 Corinthians, contrasting the old covenant with the new covenant. If the ministry that brought about death (the law) could give Moses a noticeable radiance, "will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?"
"If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!"
We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face. The law does not separate believers from God. Access to God is not obscured. Rather, when anyone turns to God, the veil is taken away. "And we, who with UNVEILED faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." 2 Corin. 2:18.
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