Exodus 34:29-35 - The Light of Glory

Exodus 34:29-35 - 29 It came about when Moses was coming down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the testimony were in Moses’ hand as he was coming down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because of his speaking with Him. 30 So when Aaron and all the sons of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. 31 Then Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the rulers in the congregation returned to him; and Moses spoke to them. 32 Afterward all the sons of Israel came near, and he commanded them to do everything that the Lord had spoken to him on Mount Sinai. 33 When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. 34 But whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with Him, he would take off the veil until he came out; and whenever he came out and spoke to the sons of Israel what he had been commanded, 35 the sons of Israel would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone. So Moses would replace the veil over his face until he went in to speak with Him.

Message: The Light of Glory

Time: Moses is the most likely author of this book. His education and early tradition make him the likely author and it says in Exodus 24:4 that he wrote what the Lord said. The title Exodus means departure of Israel from Egypt by the hand of God. The book covers 80 years, from 1526 to 1446 with the events at Mount Sinai. God fulfilling promises and his story of redemption are the central ideas. 

What the Lord is Saying: What is most important? For God's glory to be revealed throughout creation. So we should make it our highest goal to exalt the glory of God. 

I notice that Glory is not a word that I use a lot, except in relation to giving God all the Glory. It is interesting to put "Glory" in a search engine and when I do the first 2 items that come up are: it's definition:

a. : praise, honor, or distinction extended by common consent : renown. b. : worshipful praise, honor, and thanksgiving. giving glory to God

And the next is a movie called "Glory" from 1989 with Denzel Washington about the Civil War. This is not a word that is mentioned in society. 

In the Bible, what is God's Glory then. Today's passage does not mention the word "glory" but it gives the idea that Moses upon seeing God was hit with a bright, refulgent ('shining brightly') light. After speaking with God his face shone. It is interesting because bright lights or lights often is the way God is portrayed even in movies. And if it isn't light, it is whiteness. 

Psalm 43:3 - O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your dwelling places.

Psalm 57:5 - Be exalted above the heavens, O God; Let Your glory be above all the earth.

Light is purity and it is fulness. So it points us toward this idea of completeness and reverence. 

Summary: One of the central aspects of divine glory is bright, shining brightly, light.  

Promise: God's glory is not full comprehensible to creatures. We won't ever be able to comprehend God entirely. 

Prayer: God, you are Holy and Your glory is set apart and distinct and bright and full. Give me greater understanding of You.  You are set apart from everything else in creation and your light lets me know. Continue to shine brightly and I pray that You would shine bright in people's lives, opening their eyes to You.