Just a Glimpse

Merry Christmas! Moses held a special position between God and Israel. He didn't always realize the effect God had on his face though.

Now it was so, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the Testimony were in Moses’ hand when he came down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him. So when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. (Exodus 34:29-30 NKJV)

Moses was allowed just a glimpse of God's glory. You will recall the story in the preceding chapter where God passed His goodness before Moses while hiding the man in a cleft of the rock until Moses was allowed to see only the train or back side of God's goodness. "You cannot see My face, For no man may see Me, and live." Would we, I wonder, have sufficient fear in our hearts to be obedient to the Lord with just a glimpse of His glory?

Probably not, the Israelites went on to much disobedience and unfaithfulness before God. Fear, it seems, only works briefly to bring us into line, so deep is the bent toward sin within our hearts. God sent His Son instead to begin the healing from a rebirth in the Spirit. Did God's glory show in that baby as he lay in the manger? The shepherds in the field saw the glory of the Lord and trembled. What did the angel of the Lord tell them? "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people." (Luke 2:10)

We couldn't face God and live, and fear didn't work to keep us obedient. So, God sent us a son, His Son, to do what even Moses could not. In Christ, we can see God and live. In Christ, we don't flee away in fear, but run to Him like children. In Christ, we are given the Spirit to change our hearts to obedience and love. In Christ, we celebrate Christmas!

Rejoice in the season of His birth!
Bucky