Paul Kretzmann Commentary - Exodus 34:29 - 34:35

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Paul Kretzmann Commentary - Exodus 34:29 - 34:35


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The Shining Face of Moses

v. 29. And it came to pass, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist
(knew) not that the skin of his face shone while He (God) talked with him. This wonderful brilliancy was caused by the vision of God on Mount Sinai. A reflection of the divine glory lingered in the face of Moses for some time after his return from the mountain.

v. 30. And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.
Even the reflection of the glory of the Lord is too much for sinners.

v. 31. And Moses called unto them,
encouraged first the leaders of the people to hear the precepts of the Lord; and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned unto him. And Moses talked with them.

v. 32. And afterward all the children of Israel came nigh,
having been inspired with some measure of courage by the action of the rulers; and he gave them in commandment all that the Lord had spoken with him in Mount Sinai, all the people thus hearing Jehovah's precepts, with which He had again established the covenant.

v. 33. And till Moses had done speaking with them,
while he was laying the ordinances of the Lord before them, he put a veil on his face.

v. 34. But when Moses went in before the Lord to speak with Him,
in the tent and afterwards in the Tabernacle, he took the veil off until he came out. And he came out and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded; he transmitted to them the Lord's commandments.

v. 35. And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone,
the splendor being renewed whenever Moses appeared before the Lord. And Moses put the veil upon his face again, until he went in to speak with Him. This splendor of Moses' face symbolized the glory of the Mosaic office, 2Co_3:5 if. Since the Law was the Word of God, it also had a glory. But the glory of the New Testament office, that of the Gospel, exceeds it in beauty. For the Law is the letter that killeth, but the Gospel is the spirit that maketh alive. And the glory of the Old Testament passed away, while the glory of the Gospel remains forever. All fear and terror is driven out of the heart by the comforting assurances of the Gospel, by its promises of life and salvation.