I was asked to contribute five short devotionals to the Bibeln Idag (Sweden’s Scripture Union) from the book of Exodus. This is the fifth.

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Text: Exodus 34:18–35

Moses spends 40 days and nights with the Lord on the mountain. The covenant is renewed and new tablets of stone are prepared. The experience with the Lord was transformative for Moses and his face bore witness (v.29). 

Yet the radiance of one who had been in the presence of the Lord was frightening for those who hadn’t (v.30). To be in the presence of God is to be changed, one way or another. Moses knew that it is the presence of God that made them different from all the other peoples. They were different because God was with them. 

In 2 Corinthians 3:7-18 Paul provides essential commentary to this story, reminding us that the glory of the covenant that Jesus brings is far greater than the covenant established with Moses. One exposes sin and brings death, the other brings life. Jesus removes the veil that covers our hearts and allows us to know the true freedom that the Spirit of God brings.

Yet if Moses had a reflected but fading glory then how much should the followers of Jesus Christ reflect His unfading glory? We do not need to cover who we are before people, instead our faces are unveiled revealing to those around us the God who has transformed our lives by His grace.

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Prayer

Please Lord keep transforming me into your likeness and may my life bear witness to your radiance.