Having confidence in revealing the mystery of the New Covenant --Paul and all of us have hope, which emboldens his and our message.
The difference? The light that shone on Moses' face was superficial, skin deep; ours as reflected in Christ is internal, penetrating to into the very heart. Moses' light was transient, temporary; ours in Christ is permanent, eternal.
The Israelites were unable to gaze at the glory of God reflected in the face of Moses b/c of their guilty consciences. Their sin made it impossible to stare at the glory that represented God Himself.
How could they withstand the blazing radiance of a perfectly holy God who cannot tolerate sin in His presence when they knew that if they would ever see God face-to-face they would die.
Jacob was pleasantly surprised at Peniel when he said, “I have seen God face-to-face, yet my life has been preserved” (Gen. 32:30). God warned Moses in Ex. 33:20, “You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!”
When God spoke to the Israelites either directly from Mt. Sinai or indirectly through Moses, He revealed His glory. Hence, God's glory and His Word go forth together.
Whenever Moses went before the LORD to hear Him speak the veil came off (Ex. 34:34); and when he spoke God's Words to the people the veil remained lifted so all the people could behold God's glory.
We have been given both the Word of God and beheld His glory in the Man Jesus Christ. Now love has come in the face of Jesus and those who love Him have no fear in the face of His glory.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. I Jn 4:18
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