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
Valentine’s Day is approaching. This year it converges with Transfiguration Sunday. I love this time used by God to give our relationships extreme makeovers!
Moses carried two tablets of laws down the mountain, bringing two-fold expectations for the God-gifted love in our hearts: Love God! Love neighbor! These are laws for loving. His face shines as he descends from the heights, changed in its complexion.
Loving God and loving our neighbor is our best hope for a changed complexion in our relationships with God and others. The covenant laws were a call to re-create Israel and to make over our lives, as well.
Martin Luther’s Catechism call is found in the commandments: fear and love God, so that our lives will be changed as we love God and love our neighbor!
Prayer
Change my life and my relationships, O Lord. Re-create your love in me! Amen.