Christ Church of Central Arkansas Chris Perry

Why does Moses' face shine?

INTERPRETATION 1: Moses has been in God’s presence for forty days.
According to Exodus 34:29, Moses’ face was shining “because of his speaking with Him.” Moses is taking on the characteristics of God. See Exodus 24:18.

INTERPRETATION 2: Moses has fully repented and is now 100% living by faith.

INTERPRETATION 3: Moses experienced a supernatural fast (e.g., no food and water for forty days). This changed the constitution of his heart and he was now fully receptive to God.

INTERPRETATION 4: Moses has been writing out God’s Words for forty days.

INTERPRETATION 5: Humans have a genetic property that allows the diffuse reflecting of light on their skin. See Genesis 3:1-7.

INTERPRETATION 1: There is nothing theologically significant about the phrase pass by. It is just a supporting comment for the larger theological story.

INTERPRETATION 2: The phrase pass by refers to the ontological difference between God and His creation. Moses (disciples) is incapable of a face-to-face encounter with God.

INTERPRETATION 3: God (Jesus) is intentionally passing by as a means of revealing His character to Moses (disciples).

INTERPRETATION 4: The phrase “passing by” is a heurism God (Jesus) uses to teach Moses (disciples) not only Who He is but why and how he (they) should respond to Him.

NOTES
Exodus 33:1-6
What started out as Egyptian tribute became the material for a calf cast in gold. God makes Israel responsible for jewelry. See 1 Cor 5:6-8; Gal 5:9, 24.

Exodus 32:19 - 34:1
God makes Moses responsible for “shattering to pieces” the two tablets made by His own hands.

Exodus 33:7-11
Worship is granted to the repentant. One day worship will be face to face.

Exodus 33:12-23
God allows Moses to see His back as He passes by. This embodies the core idea of what it means to follow God.