Reflecting God’s Glory

Exodus, A Book Of Prophecy

When I first began studying for the study on Exodus, I read the book contained more prophecy than all the other Old Testament prophetical books combined. I did not know if this was true, but kept it in the back of my mind as I read. Wow! I had read Exodus several times, but never truly understood all the symbolism within it.

As our group has gone through every aspect of the tabernacle, we have been in awe of how everything points us to Jesus. The prophecy has not been in just the words, but in the symbolism. We read of Moses sitting with God for forty days and forty nights as God shared His vision of the tabernacle and all it would include. He spent those days completely sustained by God and encapsulated by His presence. Can you imagine getting to just be with God like that?

When the forty days had passed, Moses headed down the mountain, with the tablets containing the ten commandments, to find the Israelites making a new god for themselves, a golden calf. In his frustration, Moses threw the tablets down and shattered them.

Moses Face Shines

God invited Moses up on the mountain again to remake the tablets. While Moses was there, the Lord made Himself even more known to Moses. He walked by covering Moses’ face until He passed by, so Moses could only see God’s back. Why? Because God warned Moses in Exodus 33:20, “You cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live” (NIV).

After this, God had Moses remake the tablets and sent Moses back down the mountain. But this time, when Moses came down the mountain and approached the people, he was unaware that his face was glowing. The scripture says they backed away from him because they were afraid.

“When Moses came down Mount Sinai carrying the two stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, he wasn’t aware that his face had become radiant because he had spoken to the Lord.”

Exodus 34:29 NLT

Jesus’ Face Shone Like The Sun

The Bible gives multiple descriptions of Jesus, and that His face shines like the sun. In Matthew, we read of the transfiguration. Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up on the mountain and Jesus transforms before them.

“As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light.”

Matthew 17:2 NLT

In Revelation, we have a couple more examples of this

“He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance.”

Revelation 1:16 NLT

“Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, surrounded by a cloud, with a rainbow over his head. His face shone like the sun, and his feet were like pillars of fire.”

Revelation 10:1 NLT

Moses Reflected God’s Glory

Moses had been close enough to God that he, too, radiated this light. Moses reflected God’s glory. He shone so brightly that he had to wear a veil to cover his face. When he would go be with God, he would remove the veil.

The people were afraid when they saw Moses because his face shone so brightly. Just like a mirror, Moses reflected he had been in the presence of God. My question to myself and all of us who call ourselves Christians is, do we reflect God’s glory?

Do We Reflect God’s Glory?

Can others tell when we have been in the presence of God? I know when I have been in the Word, spent time in prayer, or been to a worship service, I often feel different. I respond to people in the way God would want me to. My decision making is more focused on Him. All around my day is different when I have spent time with God.

When we do this daily, we will look different. Our actions, the way we love others, and every aspect of our being will look more like Jesus. God consumed every part of Moses as he sat in God’s presence. The more time we offer God, the more consumed we will be by Him.

Here are some practical suggestions of how you can spend more time with God.

1. Be in the Word

“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”

Psalm 119:105 NLT

Reading our Bible regularly draws us closer to Him. Through His Word, He guides our path and speaks to us. The days I get up a little earlier and read, I feel more hopeful and focused on Him throughout the day.

If you don’t feel you have time to read, you can download the Bible and listen to it each time you are in the car or while you are getting ready in the morning.

There are several Bible apps that allow you to listen to the Bible. I like Audible because there are a couple Bibles that are done dramatically. I like to listen while I read to help me stay more focused and it keeps my mind from wandering.

I have also put together a four-part series on igniting your faith and the first class is all on getting more out of reading your Bible.

I also love writing the word. I love these journals because you write the scripture and then journal what God revealed to you through His word.

2. Be In Prayer

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7 NLT

Prayer should be a two-way conversation. It is a time to praise Him, thank Him, offer Him what’s on your heart, but also a time to listen and hear what He wants to share with you.

Do you also feel like there is not enough time in the day? Pray in everything. When you wash dishes, praise Him for who He is. When you vacuum, thank Him for your blessings. If you go on a walk, spend the first part of it in prayer and listen for what He may want to say. I used to feel guilty because I would pray at the end of the day and fall asleep during the prayers. Then one day, a woman who radiates God’s glory shared with me that falling asleep in prayer is like falling asleep in the Father’s arms. I love that.

Need help getting started? I have the “30 Day Prayer Journey” that will do just that.

3. Be With Other Believers

“Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.”

Colossians 3:16 NLT

God created us for community. We need each other. Even the most introverted person needs to share time with others. When we come together and share testimonies of God’s goodness, share about what He said in prayer, or share a scripture that spoke to us, we build each other up.

If you are looking for this kind of fellowship I invite you to join our online community. You can learn more about it here.

If you have other suggestions or ways you incorporated more time with God into your life, please share it below in the comments.

The more we are in His word, and spend time in prayer, and the more we invite Him into our day to do life, and encourage one another, the more we too will radiate His glory. I pray we grow so close to God that together we will light the earth with His glory.