• Home
  • About This Blog
  • Contact Me
  • Subscribe
  • Comment Policy

Attempts at Honesty

Reflections on the interplay of the Bible and Culture

  • Westminster Shorter Catechism Series
  • Sermon on the Mount Series
Home Bible Reflection On shining faces

On shining faces

Posted on September 16, 2016 Written by Mark McIntyre Leave a Comment


ex34_29In Exodus 34 we find that as a result of being in close relationship with God, Moses’ face shone to the point where the people were afraid of him. As a result, Moses went around with a veil over his face so that the people could bear his presence.

This was an anomaly, this is something that doesn’t normally happen. There is no other instance in Scripture that I can think of where someone’s face shone after spending time with God.

But should that be an anomaly? Should we not, in some measure, all reflect the glory of God after spending time with him? While it is unlikely that we will need to wear veils to avoid freaking people out, we can indeed reflect God’s glory as a result of our relationship with him.

We reflect God’s glory when we live in the freedom that the Gospel brings to our lives. We are redeemed and forgiven and the closer we are in our relationship with God, the deeper the knowledge of that forgiveness. The deeper knowledge should result in a deeper the impact on our behavior.

We reflect God’s glory when we walk in humble obedience to him. In a sense, using the term humble obedience is a redundancy, because any attempt at obedience without humility would be disobedience.

Historically, Christians have lead the charge with regard to humanitarian effort. Christians have often been a shining example of those who live in community and act for the benefit of others. Christians have faced death rather than compromise their relationships with God.

We reflect God’s glory when we gather to worship him in our local fellowship.

We reflect God’s glory when we respond to the people and situations in which we find ourselves in the same way that Jesus would respond. John tells us that Jesus was “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). When we respond to our circumstances with both of these traits, we reflect God’s glory.

We should all have shining faces after spending time with God.


Filed Under: Bible Reflection

About Mark McIntyre

A follower of Jesus Christ who shares observations about how Scripture should impact the church and the world. Mark is the original author and editor of Attempts at Honesty.

I have the opportunity to go to Istanbul, Turkey this summer to minister to Syrian refugees. If you would like more details about this trip, please use this link Mark McIntyre - Istanbul, Turkey Please note that this trip is fully funded, but I would appreciate your continued prayer. The trip will take place June 27 - July 6, 2025.

Follow Attempts at Honesty

Honesty in your Inbox

A leadership lesson from Moses

Moses asked God for help in leading the people of Israel.  70 men were assigned to provide that help, as told in Numbers 11:24-30. The newly recruited helpers were to appear before the tent of meeting and receive a portion of the spirit that was upon Moses. The sign that they received this spirit was […]

Salt Shaker

You are the salt of the earth

Jesus tells us that believers are the salt of the earth. What does it mean to be salt and what should it look like in 2012?

He will deliver

These verses are on my mind as I write this post: “In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.” Psalm 120:1–2, ESV The psalmist starts with the understanding that his prayer is heard. What is his prayer? His prayer is […]

Every Good Endeavor

Every good endeavor

“If the God of the Bible exists, and there is a True Reality beneath and behind this one, and this life is not the only life, then every good endeavor, even the simplest ones, pursued in response to God’s calling, can matter forever. That is what the Christian faith promises.” Tim Keller in Every Good […]

George MacDonald

The Winter of our Discontent – George MacDonald Quote

While reading George MacDonald’s Adela Cathcart, I ran across this quote and thought I’d share it: “It is not the high summer alone that is God’s. The winter also is His. And into His winter He came to visit us. And all man’s winters are His – the winter of our poverty, the winter of […]

Post Series

  • Westminster Shorter Catechism Series
  • Sermon on the Mount Series
May 2025
SMTWTFS
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031
« Apr    

Categories

Archives

Blogger Grid
Follow me on Blogarama

Copyright © 2025 · Focus Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in