Religion Dies Relationship Lives

What if you could have an Moses-like experience with God?

Exodus 34:29–33 (ESV) When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. 30 Aaron and all the people of Israel saw Moses, and behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. 31 But Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses talked with them. 32 Afterward all the people of Israel came near, and he commanded them all that the LORD had spoken with him in Mount Sinai. 33 And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face.

This is a powerful scripture. It helps us read the Old Testament through the lens of the New Testament. Moses meets with God, comes down with God's word - face shining. The people see that shine on his face and though they fear at first, they eventually come to listen at the behest of Moses.

Do not make the familiar mistake with this passage many Christians make. Moses did not put a veil over his face to hide the shining glory of God radiating from him as he spoke with the Israelites. No, it clearly tells us Moses put the veil over his face AFTER he spoke with them. Why would he do that? Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians. 

2 Corinthians 3:12–16 (ESV) Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, 13 not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. 14 But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. 15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. 16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.

First, what Paul is saying is the reason Moses veiled his face AFTER speaking with the Israelites was because that glory would fade as he spoke. The veil hid the fact that the Old Covenant was NOT eternal, it was passing away, fading into the backstory of it's fullest reality in Christ.

The law it was a tutor to lead us to Christ - the fullest reality of God's plan from before the foundation of the world. Paul says in Galatians 3:24 (ESV) So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.

Secondly, Moses veils his face, according to Paul, "so that the Israelites might not GAZE at Moses' face because of the glory." (2 Corinthians 3:7). The word for "gaze" means to have one's eyes fixed upon. The only person meeting with God personally and glowing in his face afterward under the Old Covenant was Moses. Israel would see that as a reminder every day that they could not meet with God because of their sin, only Moses could. Therefore he veiled his face in humility, knowing that not all God's people could experience this glory.

BUT NOW... in the New Covenant of Christ have the Spirit of God dwelling in us to lead us into the glory God wants all of His people to experience.


Paul tells us the glory of the New Covenant is far greater and unfading.

First, it is far greater because ALL of us can now behold the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV) 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.

Second, it is unfading. The Spirit of God in us is transforming us from one degree of glory to another! How? It's the Lord's doing! Christian, your transformation is God's project in the power of the Holy Spirit. You and I have something Moses and the prophets did not have - the resident Third Person of the Trinity living inside of us!

We can gaze upon His glory through the Spirit within us, reading His word, in relationships with other believers, worship, prayer, meditation, talking to Him wherever we are. This is how religion dies and relationship with God lives!