The Pulpit Commentary — Exodus — Volume 2 — Section 351

transfiguration (Matt,. xvii. 1-8). (4) Partly a consequence of inward mental ex:ilta- tion (d. Acts vi. 15). Communion with God, vision of ,JeMus, the joy of sRlvation, fulness of spiritual life, make both face and character to shine (cf. 2 Cor. iii. 18). II. THE FEAR OF THE PEOPLE (ver. 30). The beauty of the glory hlld ROmethin"0 of terror in it. Symbol of the dispens&tion-" a ministration of death" (2 Cor. iii. 7). See sermon by Dr. John Ker on Moses and Stephen-" The Old Testament and the New" (" Sermons," p. 170). III. THE VEIL (vers. 81-33). The notable fact is that Moses did not veil his face during the time when veiling might seem to be most required, viz., while speaking t,:, the people. The commandments were delivered with the face unveiled. When he had" done" speaking, Moses put this screen before it. The act, therefore, must be taken as symbolic. A symbol-I. Of the veiled character of the dispens<1twn-types, came.I ordinances, "broken lights," etc. Its "end" wa.s not manifest. 2. Of the veiled hearts of the people. This kept them from perceiving even what might have been seen (cf. 2 Cor. iii. 12-18). The Gospel, in contrast with the law, is an unveiled system (2 Cor. iii. 14). Preachers of the gospel, bearing this in mind, should use" great plain- ness of speech" (vers. 11, 12). The later system provides further for the removal of the veil from the bee.rt (vers. 16, 17). It ministers "the Spirit." IV. THE VEIL TAKEN OFF ON ENTEBIN'G TBE SANCTUARY (vers. 34, 36). " When Moses went in before the Lord," etc. Again symbolic-I. Of wl,at is necessary for the removal of the veil from the heart. It must "turn to the Lord" (2 Cor. iii. Hi). The instant it does so the veil will be ta.ken a.way (ver. 16). 2. Of the privi1ege of Christian believers. '£hey are admitted to gaze "with unveiled face " on the " glory of the Lord " (ver. 18). V. RESEMBLANCES AND CONTRASTS. Compare and contrast the privilege of Moses with that now enjoyed by believers in Christ (2 Cor. iii. 18). 1. Resemblances. (1) Both have a vision of the divine glory. (2) Both are admitted to gaze upon it with face "unveiled." (3) On both the vision exercises a transforming influence. (4) Both must" go in" to the divine presence in order to obtain it. 2. Contrasts. (1) It is a higher glory which is revealed in Christ. (2) That, the privilege of one man ; this, the privilege of all-" we all." (3) That, an external transfiguration ; this, spiritual. (4) That, a transitory glory; this, permanent and progressive. "From glory to glory,"-J. 0. Vers. 29-35.-Tlte shining of Moses' face. I. Tm: PHENOMENON ITSELF. The skin of Moses' face shone. As to the precise manner of this shining, it is of course vain to speculate; but we may be tolerably certain it was not anything in the way of a mere reflection from e. mirror. It must surely have been the shining out for a little while of some glorious gift which had entered, if one may say so, into the bodily constitution of Moses. There may be some connection of this glory with the miraculous sustaining of his life without the eating of bread, or the drinking of water. Thus we are led to consider what wondrous capabilities there may be in matter, capabilities beyond our present knowledge to conceive. Even with unorganised matter, man himself has been able to do much. And the God of the physical universe haB shown us how many wonders, beauties, and enjoyments rise out of matter under the power of vital action. Think of all that is exquisite in form, colour, and fm,,,CTfBilce in plant-life. Think. of the refinement which distinguishes the face of a cultivated man from that of some em bruted savage. Think of that best of all charms visible in the face of one who is truly goo<l... Then think, on the other side, of the degradations of matter. Think of the physical results of sottishness e.nd sensuality. Think of the putrescence and corruption which seem to dominate e. body when its principle of life has passed away. We shall then feel how, beyond anything we ce.n e.t present conceive, there may be on the one hand an exaltation of matter, e.nd on the other e. degradation of it. II. THE UNCONSCIOUSNESS OF MosES. He wist not the.t the skin of his face shone in this way. Of some change within him during the time when he was with God in the mount, he was doubtless conscious. He may have felt himself getting a clearer view o. Jehovah's purposes, e.nd e. heartier follow-feeling with respect to them. He m11y have felt himself conscious of a remarkable approach to inward holiness aud purity ; but ol this outward and visible expression of it he knew nothing at all. That whi~h W:U  :-li6 THE BOOK OF EXODUS. [cR. XXXIV. 29-35.