Moses came down from Sinai mountain. He carried the two stones of the covenant in his hands. As he came down the mountain, he did not know that his face was shining. His face was shining because he had spoken with the Lord.
Exodus 34:29 EASY
Have you ever wondered why Moses’ face was radiant when he descended from Mount Sinai? What was the secret behind his glowing appearance? It was as a result of his communion with God. Communion with God is a unique privilege for every child of God. It is in this sacred space that God corrects, rebukes, imparts His instructions, and, most importantly, reveals Himself to us. No one becomes a vessel of use in God’s hands without consistent and continuous communion, a principle that holds true even in our time.
Moses, one of history’s greatest leaders, led the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery, received the Ten Commandments from God, and guided them through the wilderness for 40 years. What set him apart was his intimate relationship with God; he spoke to God face to face, as a friend speaks to a friend (Exodus 33:11).
How did Moses cultivate such a close communion with God? Let’s examine the conditions he fulfilled before ascending the holy mountain to meet with God.
Be Ready: God instructed Moses, “Be ready in the morning, and then come up on Mount Sinai. Present yourself to me there on top of the mountain” (Exodus 34:2 NIV). Readiness for Moses primarily involved purifying himself from sin and consecrated to God. He had to offer a sacrifice for his own sins and the sins of the people. He had to wash his clothes and abstain from any sexual relations. Also, he had to prepare his heart and mind to receive God’s revelation.
Be Alone: God emphasized to Moses, “No one is to come with you or be seen anywhere on the mountain; not even the flocks and herds may graze in front of the mountain” (Exodus 34:3 NIV). Solitude demanded Moses to forsake all distractions and hindrances. He had to separate himself from the crowd at the bottom of the mountain and climb up without any companions. Likewise, he had to focus his attention and devotion on God alone.
Be Obedient: God gave Moses specific instructions on how to make the two stone tablets for the Ten Commandments. He also gave him various laws and regulations for the Israelites to follow. Moses had to listen carefully and obey everything that God told him. He had to respect God’s authority and submit to His will.
As a result of meeting these conditions, Moses experienced God’s glory and presence in a powerful way. He spent 40 days and 40 nights on the mountain, without eating or drinking. He spoke with God and received His wisdom and guidance. Ultimately, he saw God’s glory, as well as His goodness and mercy. Indeed, God transformed him by His grace and power.
The Bible records, “His face was shining because he had spoken with the Lord” (Exodus 34:29 NIV). Moses’ face reflected God’s glory revealed in communion. His radiance was so intense that people feared to approach him, leading him to veil his face when speaking to them.
What lessons can we derive from Moses’ example, and how can we apply them to our lives?
In our journey of faith, we, too, must be ready. Like Moses, we must consecrate ourselves to meet with God. We need to confess our sins and repent of them. We need to believe in Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and rose again. Furthermore, we must accept His forgiveness and cleansing and dedicate our lives to Him and follow His commands. By doing these, we prepare our hearts and minds, making them receptive to God’s revelation.
Additionally, like Moses, we must seek moments of solitude with God. In our bustling lives, finding time and space for prayer and reading God’s Word becomes crucial. We need to shut out the noise and distractions of the world so that we can spend time with God. By shutting out worldly distractions, we create an environment to seek His face, listen to His voice, and experience His presence. Also, we must worship Him and love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Furthermore, obedience to God’s commands is paramount. As Moses followed God’s specific directions, we, too, must align our thoughts and actions with His purposes, respecting His authority and submitting to His will.
By doing these things, we can experience God’s glory and presence. We will also be transformed by His grace and power and radiate His light and love to the world.
In conclusion, communion with God was the secret behind Moses’ shining face and is the key to a successful Christian life. It is an exclusive privilege and responsibility, a source of divine revelation and manifestation, and the way to glorify and enjoy God forever. Let us follow Moses’ example, seeking God with all our heart—being ready, alone, and obedient. May we speak with Him, listen to Him, see Him, be changed by Him, shine for Him, and share Him with others.
