Exodus 34:29-35 (NRSV)
Read Exodus 34:29-35 on biblegateway.com
Verse 29Moses came down from Mount Sinai. As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. Verse 30When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. Verse 31But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke with them. Verse 32Afterward all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the Lord had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. Verse 33When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face; Verse 34but whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would take the veil off, until he came out; and when he came out, and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, Verse 35the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face was shining; and Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him.
Devotion
Our youth group was volunteering in the local thrift store when it found me. It was a Jewish shabbat candle holder featuring Moses with the Ten Commandments. Arising from Moses’ head are beams of light. I was not looking for this treasure; it found me. In the same way, Moses was not looking for God. God found him, tending his father-in-law’s sheep. God appeared in the burning bush and Moses went to see this strange sight. Moses encountered God; and Moses was forever changed by that meeting.
Often God finds us when we are not looking for God. Moses did what God commanded and returned to the mountain with his people. He went up on the mountain to receive God’s word. Moses’ encounter with God changed him and he reflected God’s glory. It was God’s glory that helped Moses share God’s word with his people.
Prayer
Dear Lord, find us, come to us, shine on us and speak to us that we might carry out your work. Amen.
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