"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. 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. But Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses talked with them. Afterward all the people of Israel came near, and he commanded them all that the Lord had spoken with him in Mount Sinai. And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. Whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would remove the veil, until he came out. And when he came out and told the people of Israel what he was commanded, the people of Israel would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face was shining. And Moses would put the veil over his face again, until he went in to speak with him."
In thinking through several aspects of Exodus 34, I have stumbled upon this lesson of modesty and humility in Moses' life.
Even though Moses' face was shining with true grace, he didn't know it or take comfort in it. He was unaware others could see a noticeable change in his appearance after he had spoken with the Lord.
Likewise, I can see God at work in the life of a dear friend - in huge ways, but they themselves quickly discount their ability to speak or influence others -admitting they have no grace before God.
We must find the balance - Moses did.
"Whenever Moses went in before the LORD to speak with Him, he would remove the veil, until he came out." v34
I must be content to have those excellent moments in my life obscured, a veil put over them, and not seek the flash and flare of what this world would love to applaud and acknowledge.
Here's the balance...
- When our heart's desire is to be owned and accepted of God, we will likewise desire no applause or notice - except by God alone.
- Whatever beauty God puts upon us, we should still be filled with a humble sense of our own unworthiness.
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
“Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
