When Moses was originally enlisted by God to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt, he was reluctant saying that he was "slow of speech". God allowed Moses to enlist his relative Aaron to speak for him. But, time and again we see that Moses really did have the courage and ability to speak on his own. One of these times was in Exodus 34. Moses had asked the Lord to see his glory, so God comes down to visit him and reveal himself to him.
God specifically told Moses that nobody could see his face and live. But, he did say that he would pass by and speak his name to him. So, as Moses stands on the top of Mt.Sinai the Lord appears and says "The Lord, The Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness, and truth, who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives inquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the inquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generation." Ex 34:5-7
It was after a lengthy stay on the mountain top when the covenant that God had with his people was renewed. As Moses came down from Mt.Sinai it says his face shone because God had been speaking to him (Ex 34:29). In fact, when Aaron and others saw this they were afraid to come near to him. So much so, that Moses would have to wear a veil over his face after that. The shine on Moses face was a glow from the glory of God that he had been exposed to.
I've always said that I think that is the kind of light that we are in Christ. I think our light is a reflective light. If I am a light it is only because I know that light. My hope is, that I have spent enough time working on my relationship with God that there is some actual difference in who I am. That others can realize that I know God because I am different than the world.
I think often times, whether it is because of peer pressure or a lack of knowledge or understanding of who we are in Christ, many who call themselves believers don't act any different than the world. We worry, fuss and argue just like the world does. We sometimes don't do a very good job of reflecting his glory. Yet, God doesn't give up on us, he continues to try and mold us into something that he can use. The Bible calls it pruning.
"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit."
The Bible tells us that God is good and that God does not bring evil into our hearts or lives. But, this world that we live in is a difficult place sometimes. Life can change in a millisecond. While I don't believe God causes that, I think that God can bring something good out of it. I think that this is one way that he prunes us so that we can bear more fruit for him.
"we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulations brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within us." Romans 5:3-5
"Consider it all joy; my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1:2-4
"even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:7
God specifically told Moses that nobody could see his face and live. But, he did say that he would pass by and speak his name to him. So, as Moses stands on the top of Mt.Sinai the Lord appears and says "The Lord, The Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness, and truth, who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives inquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the inquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generation." Ex 34:5-7
It was after a lengthy stay on the mountain top when the covenant that God had with his people was renewed. As Moses came down from Mt.Sinai it says his face shone because God had been speaking to him (Ex 34:29). In fact, when Aaron and others saw this they were afraid to come near to him. So much so, that Moses would have to wear a veil over his face after that. The shine on Moses face was a glow from the glory of God that he had been exposed to.
I've always said that I think that is the kind of light that we are in Christ. I think our light is a reflective light. If I am a light it is only because I know that light. My hope is, that I have spent enough time working on my relationship with God that there is some actual difference in who I am. That others can realize that I know God because I am different than the world.
I think often times, whether it is because of peer pressure or a lack of knowledge or understanding of who we are in Christ, many who call themselves believers don't act any different than the world. We worry, fuss and argue just like the world does. We sometimes don't do a very good job of reflecting his glory. Yet, God doesn't give up on us, he continues to try and mold us into something that he can use. The Bible calls it pruning.
"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit."
The Bible tells us that God is good and that God does not bring evil into our hearts or lives. But, this world that we live in is a difficult place sometimes. Life can change in a millisecond. While I don't believe God causes that, I think that God can bring something good out of it. I think that this is one way that he prunes us so that we can bear more fruit for him.
"we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulations brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within us." Romans 5:3-5
"Consider it all joy; my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1:2-4
"even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:7
