When the apostle Paul here describes us as having “unveiled faces” he is comparing the experience of our relationship with God to that of Moses. (Exodus 33:11) In Exodus 34:29-35 Moses encountered God on Mount Sinai where he received the Ten Commandments written on two stone tablets.
As Moses descended from Mount Sinai—with the two tablets of the testimony in his hands as he descended the mountain—he did not realize that the skin of his face shone as a result of his speaking with the LORD. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face shone! They were afraid to come near him. But Moses called out to them, so Aaron and all the leaders of the community returned to him, and Moses spoke to them. Afterward all the Israelites came near, and he commanded them to do everything the LORD had told him on Mount Sinai. When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. But whenever Moses went before the LORD to speak with Him, he would remove the veil until he came out. After he came out, he would tell the Israelites what he had been commanded, and the Israelites would see that Moses’ face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil over his face again until he went to speak with the LORD. (HCSB)
What caused Moses’ face to become radiant? What changes did this bring about in his life and ministry?
2 Corinthians 3:18 makes the point that because of Christ we can approach God with “unveiled faces.” When Moses entered God’s presence he removed his veil. Why is this significant?
What does it look like for us to “mirror” the glory of the Lord in our everyday lives?
In 2 Corinthians 3:18, the phrase “being transformed” is in the passive tense indicating that God is the One who brings about this transformation. Why is it important to our understanding of spiritual growth?
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