Moses’ face shone after meeting with God as a visible reflection of God’s glory, demons/”>demonstrating the transformative effect of being in His presence. When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the second set of tablets, his face radiated light because he had been in intimate communion/”>communion with the Lord.
Exodus 34:29–30 describes this:
“Now it was so, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai… that the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him.”
The shining face symbolized God’s glory and confirmed Moses’ unique role as mediator of the covenant. It was a visible testimony that he had received God’s word and carried His authority. However, the radiance faded over time, showing that the old covenant, though glorious, was temporary and pointed to something greater.
Paul interprets this event in 2 Corinthians 3:7–8:
“But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious… how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious?”
Unlike the fading glory on Moses’ face, the glory of the new covenant in Christ is permanent and surpassing. Believers now experience transformation as they behold Christ through faith:
“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)
Moses’ shining face teaches that true encounter with God changes us. It foreshadows the greater glory revealed in Christ and the ongoing work of the Spirit to conform believers to His image.
