Today’s Reflection:
O GOD, who walks beside me
and lets me know I am not alone,
help me to walk with both friend and stranger,
giving and receiving support and caring,
until they are sure of your presence and your promises.who talked and ate and laughed with each one he walked beside. Amen. [Alive Now, Jan/Feb 2016]
“Walking God” by Ann Freeman Price, in Alive Now, January/February 2016. Copyright © 2015 by The Upper Room. All rights reserved. Used by permission. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Pray today’s prayer. O GOD, who walks beside me
and lets me know I am not alone,
help me to walk with both friend and stranger,
giving and receiving support and caring,
until they are sure of your presence and your promises.who talked and ate and laughed with each one he walked beside. Amen.
Today’s Scripture:
Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”[Luke 9:35, NRSV]
This Week: pray for educators.---------------------
The Upper Room Daily Reflections, daily words of wisdom and faith "God, Our Dwelling Place" for Saturday, 6 February 2016
Today’s Reflection:
IN OCTOBER 2010 I was experiencing some indigestion. By midweek I was in my doctor’s office. She immediately scheduled an ultrasound for the next day. I went from ultrasound to CT scan before I left. I was later diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma.
The next week I sat in the office of a specialist at a major cancer center who said hastily, “Let’s get this thing out so you can move on with your life.” He suggested a date for surgery three weeks later. I was stunned. Things were happening so rapidly. I knew I had to walk the labyrinth to get centered in prayer. One of the words I heard was remember. …
The decision is less to cling to life than to cling to the Lord of life. I remembered God as “dwelling place” [Psalm 90], my refuge and strength. Over my lifetime God has brought healing into my life and the lives of those I love. I remembered and gained peace. I remembered that God had been shaping me all along. I could trust the Lord of life. I did not know the specialist who would perform my surgery, but I knew the Healer who had been our family’s dwelling place for many generations.
Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Help us remember that you have formed us and that you are with us, especially when we feel overwhelmed and bewildered. Amen.[Disciplines 2011]
From “Focus on Formation,” readings for October 17–23, 2011 by Juanita Campbell Rasmus, in The Upper Room Disciplines 2011: A Book of Daily Devotions. Copyright © 2010 by Upper Room Books. All rights reserved. Used by permission. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Pray the prayer at the end of today’s reading. Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Help us remember that you have formed us and that you are with us, especially when we feel overwhelmed and bewildered. Amen.
Today’s Scripture:
And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white.[Luke 9:29, NRSV]
This Week: pray for educators. ---------------------
The Upper Room Daily Reflections, daily words of wisdom and faith "Labryinth Prayer" for Friday, 5 February 2016
Today’s Reflection:
THE LABYRINTH is a wonderful walking prayer practice that encourages awareness of journey with God. As it gained popularity in the Middle Ages, the labyrinth became one way to practice pilgrimage rather than make the journey to Jerusalem. It consists of three phases of movement: (1) going into the labyrinth and letting go of all that keeps us from connecting with God; (2) arriving at the center of the labyrinth, which represents the state of union with God; and (3) then leaving the labyrinth and returning to the world in a new way, accompanied by God. …
- Find a labyrinth.
- Walking into the labyrinth is a time for shedding anything that keeps you from communion with God. You may want to silently repeat a scripture as you journey. Or use the time to notice your thoughts and feelings and consider these questions:
Is there anything I need to let go of?
Is there something blocking me from experiencing God’s love?
Am I in need of forgiveness?
Do I need to forgive?
- The center of the labyrinth is seen as the point of unity with God, the symbolic dwelling place of God When you arrive at the center, simply rest in God. Remain there as long as you like. Converse with God in whatever way seems appropriate to you.
- The walk out of the labyrinth is the process of bring God back out into the world with you. As you retrace your steps, continue your prayer and conversation with the divine. …
- When you finally leave the labyrinth, give thanks to God for your time there.[Daniel Wolpert, Leading a Life with God: The Practice of Spiritual Leadership]
Today’s Question:
Have you ever walked a prayer labyrinth? What was the experience like for you?
Today’s Scripture:
Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart.[2 Corinthians 4:1, NRSV]
This Week: pray for educators. ---------------------
The Upper Room Daily Reflections, daily words of wisdom and faith "Share God’s Love" for Thursday, 4 February 2016
Today’s Reflection:
GOD OF ALL LOVE, your love for me and for the whole creation is beyond anything I can imagine. Your thoughts are not my thoughts, and your ways are not my ways. But the immensity of your love does not frighten me; it encourages me. For if I could fully fathom your love and live in it, it would be no bigger than I am. …
I give you myself today as completely as I can, knowing that the experience of your love will create an even greater openness to you in the days to come. Choose for me the best expression of your love as I live today, and I will gladly receive it, as well as seek to find ways to share it with others.
In Jesus’ name. Amen. [Steve Harper, A Pocket Guide to Prayer, Deluxe Edition]
From pages 85-86 of A Pocket Guide to Prayer by Steve Harper. Copyright © 2010 by Steve Harper. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Pray today’s prayer. GOD OF ALL LOVE, your love for me and for the whole creation is beyond anything I can imagine. Your thoughts are not my thoughts, and your ways are not my ways. But the immensity of your love does not frighten me; it encourages me. For if I could fully fathom your love and live in it, it would be no bigger than I am. …
I give you myself today as completely as I can, knowing that the experience of your love will create an even greater openness to you in the days to come. Choose for me the best expression of your love as I live today, and I will gladly receive it, as well as seek to find ways to share it with others.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Today’s Scripture:
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.[2 Corinthians 3:17, NRSV]
This Week: pray for educators.
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The Upper Room Daily Reflections, daily words of wisdom and faith "Fearfully and Wonderfully Made" for Wednesday, 3 February 2016
Today’s Reflection:
DEAR GOD,
Help us to see that we are much more than our scars. You have made us far too complex to be defined by what is without as opposed to what is within.
Forgive us for the times we have devalued ourselves, as well as for the times we have devalued others, for as the psalmist wrote, “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.”*
In Jesus’ name. Amen. [*Psalm 139:14, Michael W. Waters, Freestyle]
From page 76 of Freestyle: Reflections on Faith, Family, Justice, and Pop Culture by Michael W. Waters. Copyright © 2014 by Michael W. Waters. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Fresh Air Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Pray today’s prayer. DEAR GOD,
Help us to see that we are much more than our scars. You have made us far too complex to be defined by what is without as opposed to what is within.
Forgive us for the times we have devalued ourselves, as well as for the times we have devalued others, for as the psalmist wrote, “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.”*
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Today’s Scripture:
Extol the LORD our God, and worship at his holy mountain; for the LORD our God is holy.[Psalm 99:9, NRSV]
This Week: pray for educators.---------------------The Upper Room Daily Reflections, daily words of wisdom and faith "Decide What to Do" for Tuesday, 2 February 2016
Today’s Reflection:
COMPASSION INCLUDES restorative action. Our cultivation of compassion is not complete when feelings of warm regard are experienced toward either ourselves or others. We must act out our compassion in ways that ease suffering and promote the flourishing of others. Such acts include consoling the grief-stricken, tending the wounded, and befriending those who feel forsaken. Yet actions that are genuinely compassionate often require careful discernment. What does compassion look like, for example, when the wound caused by another is still fresh or when an offender refuses to curb his or her violence and remains unrepentant?
Compassionate action must serve and sustain our own healing and restoration. …. Compassion yearns for the flourishing of all life, including our own. Our capacity for genuine compassion flows out of the strength and fullness of our vitality…
Compassionate action also invites the restoration of others. In the case of an offense against us, such restoration demands accountability. Compassion is not sentimental. Violent actions create wounds, and perpetrators must be held responsible….
Whenever you feel disconnected from your compassionate core: Catch your breath. Take your PULSE. Take the other’s PULSE. Then, and only then, decide what to do.[Frank Rogers Jr., Practicing Compassion]
From pages 31-33 of Practicing Compassion by Frank Rogers Jr. Copyright © 2015 by Frank Rogers Jr. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Fresh Air Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
How does the idea of restorative action resonate with your ideas about authentic compassion?
Today’s Scripture:
The LORD is king; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake![Psalm 99:1, NRSV]
This Week: pray for educators. ---------------------
The Upper Room Daily Reflections, daily words of wisdom and faith "Cultivate Compassion for Others" for Monday, 1 February 2016
Today’s Reflection:
ONCE OUR HEARTS are steady enough to be open to empathic connection with others – this may take time – we can cultivate genuine compassion for others. We do so, as we did with ourselves, by connecting with the PULSE of humanity beating within them.
P – Paying attention. Cultivate a nonjudgmental, nonreactive awareness of what the person is doing and how he or she is doing it.
U – Understanding empathically. Listen for and be moved by the suffering hidden within the cry of his or her emotions or behavior – the fear, longing, or aching wound in need of care.
L – Loving with connection. As the suffering within the other person moves you, extend care toward the need or wound that surfaces.
S – Sensing the sacredness. Recognize and savor the expanse of compassion that holds and heals every wound within him or her.
E – Embodying new life. Notice the gifts and qualities of restored humanity that are being birthed within the person and yearn for his or her flourishing. …
No matter how distorted and beaten down we may become, an abiding capacity for care and connection remains alive within us. …The people we commonly engage with are like ourselves – momentarily mired in the compulsions, fears, and sensitivities we acquire over a lifetime. Nevertheless, as long as our hearts are beating, the pulse of our humanity lives. Connecting with this pulse within others unlocks our genuine compassion, and such compassion has the power to soften even the most hardened of hearts.[Frank Rogers Jr., Practicing Compassion]
From pages 30-31 of Practicing Compassion by Frank Rogers Jr. Copyright © 2015 by Frank Rogers Jr. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Fresh Air Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Where are there opportunities to offer compassion to others?
Today’s Scripture:
Moses 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.[Exodus 34:29, NRSV]
This Week: pray for educators. ---------------------
Did You Know?
In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers, call
1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center web site.
---------------------
In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers, call
1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center web site.---------------------
Saints, Inc.:This week we remember: Aelred of Rievaulx (February 3).
Aelred of Rievaulx (ca. 1110-67), Cistercian monk, spiritual writer. Aelred was raised in a foster home, the court of King David of Scotland. There he gained popularity and success but became restless and dissatisfied. At the age of twenty-four he left the court abruptly and offered himself at the gate of Rievaulx, a Cistercian monastery, to become a monk. He quickly rose in responsibility, first as novice master and later as leader of a group of monks that started a new monastery. Later he was recalled to become abbot at Rievaulx and supervised many daughter houses as well. He had a close relationship with Bernard of Clairvaux, since Clairvaux was the mother house of Rievaulx.
Aelred is best known for Spiritual Friendship, written over a span of years, in which he reflected on Cicero's theories of friendship and went far beyond. He advocated friendship on both the natural and the supernatural planes. He wrote from the perspective of his own experiences with friendship, through which he experienced a higher and deeper relationship with Christ and with God. Friendship was a reflection of the love of God, with God being the source.
Aelred, conscious of the dangers and pitfalls of friendship in monasteries, maintained that loving one's immediate neighbors with charity and goodwill offered a foretaste of heaven. No conflict existed between love of friends and love of God. Judgment of what was right would contribute to true friendship, which required constant attention. Aelred died as he had lived, surrounded by a crowd of monks. EWF
If Aelred of Rievaulx had taken the Spiritual Types Test, he probably would have been a Lover. Aelred of Rievaulx is remembered on Febuary 3.
[Excerpted with permission from the entry on Aelred of Rievaulx by Elizabeth W. Fribance, fromThe Upper Room Dictionary of Christian Spiritual Formation, edited by Keith Beasley-Topliffe. Copyright © 2003 by Upper Room Books®. All rights reserved.]
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Lectionary Readings
Sunday, 7 February 2016
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Exodus 34:29-35
Psalm 99
2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2
Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a)
Sunday, 7 February 2016
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Exodus 34:29-35
Psalm 99
2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2
Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a)
Scripture Text:
Exodus 34:29 When Moshe came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, he didn’t realize that the skin of his face was sending out rays of light as a result of his talking with [Adonai]. 30 When Aharon and the people of Isra’el saw Moshe, the skin of his face was shining; and they were afraid to approach him. 31 But Moshe called to them; then Aharon and all the community leaders came back to him, and Moshe spoke to them. 32 Afterwards, all the people of Isra’el came near; and he passed on to them all the orders that Adonai had told him on Mount Sinai.
(Maftir) 33 Once Moshe had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. 34 But when he went in before Adonai for him to speak, he would take the veil off until he came out; then, when he came out, he would tell the people of Isra’el what he had been ordered. 35 But when the people of Isra’el saw Moshe’s face, that the skin of Moshe’s face shone, he would put the veil back over his face until he went in again to speak with [Adonai].
Psalm 99:1 Adonai is king; let the peoples tremble.
He sits enthroned on the k’ruvim; let the earth shake!
2 Adonai is great in Tziyon;
he is high above all the peoples.
3 Let them praise your great and fearsome name (he is holy):
4 “Mighty king who loves justice, you established
fairness, justice and righteousness in Ya‘akov.”
5 Exalt Adonai our God!
Prostrate yourselves at his footstool (he is holy).
6 Moshe and Aharon among his cohanim
and Sh’mu’el among those who call on his name
called on Adonai, and he answered them.
7 He spoke to them in the column of cloud;
they kept his instructions and the law that he gave them.
8 Adonai our God, you answered them.
To them you were a forgiving God,
although you took vengeance on their wrongdoings.
9 Exalt Adonai our God,
bow down toward his holy mountain,
for Adonai our God is holy!
2 Corinthians 3:12 Therefore, with a hope like this, we are very open — 13 unlike Moshe, who put a veil over his face, so that the people of Isra’el would not see the fading brightness come to an end.
14 What is more, their minds were made stonelike; for to this day the same veil remains over them when they read the Old Covenant; it has not been unveiled, because only by the Messiah is the veil taken away. 15 Yes, till today, whenever Moshe is read, a veil lies over their heart. 16 “But,” says the Torah, “whenever someone turns to Adonai, the veil is taken away.”[2 Corinthians 3:16 Exodus 34:34] 17 Now, “Adonai” in this text means the Spirit. And where the Spirit of Adonai is, there is freedom. 18 So all of us, with faces unveiled, see as in a mirror the glory of the Lord; and we are being changed into his very image, from one degree of glory to the next, by Adonai the Spirit.
4:1 God has shown us such mercy that we do not lose courage as we do the work he has given us. 2 Indeed, we refuse to make use of shameful underhanded methods, employing deception or distorting God’s message. On the contrary, by making very clear what the truth is, we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
Luke 9:28 About a week after Yeshua said these things, he took Kefa, Yochanan and Ya‘akov with him and went up to the hill country to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed; and his clothing became gleaming white. 30 Suddenly there were two men talking with him — Moshe and Eliyahu! 31 They appeared in glorious splendor and spoke of his exodus, which he was soon to accomplish in Yerushalayim. 32 Kefa and those with him had been sound asleep; but on becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Yeshua, Kefa said to him, not knowing what he was saying, “It’s good that we’re here, Rabbi! Let’s put up three shelters — one for you, one for Moshe and one for Eliyahu.” 34 As he spoke, a cloud came and enveloped them. They were frightened as they entered the cloud; 35 and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen. Listen to him!” 36 When the voice spoke, Yeshua was alone once more. They kept quiet — at that time they told no one anything of what they had seen.
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John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Exodus 34:29-35
Verse 29
[29] And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.
The skin of his face shone - This time of his being in the mount he heard only the same he had heard before. But he saw more of the glory of God, which having with open face beheld, he was in some measure changed into the same image. This was a great honour done to Moses, that the people might never again question his mission, or think or speak slightly of him. He carried his credentials in his very countenance, some think as long as he lived, he retained some remainders of this glory, which perhaps contributed to the vigour of his old age; that eye could not wax dim which had seen God, nor that face wrinkle which had shone with his glory.
Verse 30
[30] And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.
And Aaron and the children of Israel saw it, and were afraid — It not only dazzled their eyes, but struck such an awe upon them as obliged them to retire. Probably they doubted whether it was a token of God's favour, or of his displeasure.
Verse 33
[33] And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face.
And Moses put a veil upon his face — This veil signified the darkness of that dispensation; the ceremonial institutions had in them much of Christ and the gospel, but a veil was drawn over it, so that the children of Israel could not distinctly and steadfastly see those good things to come which the law had a shadow of. It was beauty veiled, gold in the mine, a pearl in the shell; but thanks be to God, by the gospel, the veil is taken away from off the old testament; yet still it remains upon the hearts of those who shut their eyes against the light.
Verse 34
[34] But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded.
When he went before the Lord, he put off the veil - Every veil must be thrown aside when we go to present ourselves unto the Lord. This signified also, as it is explained, 2 Corinthians 3:16, that when a soul turns to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away, that with open face it may behold his glory.
Psalm 99
Verse 1
[1] The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.
People — Such as are enemies to God and his people.
Sitteth — Upon the ark. He is present with his people.
Earth — The people of the earth.
Moved — With fear and trembling.
Verse 3
[3] Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.
Them — All people.
Verse 4
[4] The king's strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.
Judgment — Though his dominion be absolute, and his power irresistible, yet he manages it with righteousness. The king's strength is by a known Hebraism put for the strong, or powerful king.
Equity — In all thy proceedings.
Verse 5
[5] Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.
Foot-stool — Before the ark, which is so called, 1 Chronicles 28:2.
Holy — It is consecrated to be a pledge of God's presence.
Verse 6
[6] Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.
Moses — Moses before the institution of the priesthood executed that office, Exodus 24:6.
That call — Who used frequently and solemnly to intercede with God on the behalf of the people.
Verse 7
[7] He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.
Spake — To some of them: to Moses and Aaron, Exodus 19:24; 33:9-11; 1 Samuel 7:9, etc.
Verse 8
[8] Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.
Them — The intercessors before mentioned.
Forgavest — The people for whom they prayed, so far as not to inflict that total destruction upon them which they deserved;
2 Corinthians 3:12–4:2
Verse 12
[12] Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
Having therefore this hope — Being fully persuaded of this.
Verse 13
[13] And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
And we do not act as Moses did, who put a veil over his face - Which is to be understood with regard to his writings also. So that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly to the end of that dispensation which is now abolished - The end of this was Christ. The whole Mosaic dispensation tended to, and terminated in, him; but the Israelites had only a dim, wavering sight of him, of whom Moses spake in an obscure, covert manner.
Verse 14
[14] But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
The same veil remaineth on their understanding unremoved - Not so much as folded back, (so the word implies,) so as to admit a little, glimmering light. On the public reading of the Old Testament - The veil is not now on the face of Moses or of his writings, but on the reading of them, and on the heart of them that believe not.
Which is taken away in Christ — That is, from the heart of them that truly believe on him.
Verse 16
[16] Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
When it — Their heart.
Shall turn to the Lord — To Christ, by living faith.
The veil is taken away — That very moment; and they see, with the utmost clearness, how all the types and prophecies of the law are fully accomplished in him.
Verse 17
[17] Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
Now the Lord — Christ is that Spirit of the law whereof I speak, to which the letter was intended to lead. And where the Spirit of the Lord, Christ, is, there is liberty - Not the veil, the emblem of slavery. There is liberty from servile fear, liberty from the guilt and from the power of sin, liberty to behold with open face the glory of the Lord.
Verse 18
[18] But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
And, accordingly, all we that believe in him, beholding as in a glass - In the mirror of the gospel.
The glory of the Lord — His glorious love.
Are transformed into the same image — Into the same love. From one degree of this glory to another, in a manner worthy of his almighty Spirit. What a beautiful contrast is here! Moses saw the glory of the Lord, and it rendered his face so bright, that he covered it with a veil; Israel not being able to bear the reflected light. We behold his glory in the glass of his word, and our faces shine too; yet we veil them not, but diffuse the lustre which is continually increasing, as we fix the eye of our mind more and more steadfastly on his glory displayed in the gospel.
Verse 1
[1] Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
Therefore having this ministry — Spoken of, 2 Corinthians 3:6.
As we have received mercy — Have been mercifully supported in all our trials.
We faint not — We desist not in any degree from our glorious enterprise.
Verse 2
[2] But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
But have renounced — Set at open defiance.
The hidden things of shame — All things which men need to hide, or to be ashamed of.
Not walking in craftiness — Using no disguise, subtlety, guile. Nor privily corrupting the pure word of God - By any additions or alterations, or by attempting to accommodate it to the taste of the hearers.
Luke 9:28-36
Verse 28
[28] And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
Matthew 17:1; Mark 9:2.
Verse 31
[31] Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
In glory — Like Christ with whom they talked.
Verse 32
[32] But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
They saw his glory — The very same expression in which it is described by St. John, John 1:14; and by St. Peter, 2 Peter 1:16.
Verse 34
[34] While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
A cloud came and overshadowed them all. And they, the apostles, feared, while they (Moses and Elijah) entered into the cloud, which took them away.
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(Maftir) 33 Once Moshe had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. 34 But when he went in before Adonai for him to speak, he would take the veil off until he came out; then, when he came out, he would tell the people of Isra’el what he had been ordered. 35 But when the people of Isra’el saw Moshe’s face, that the skin of Moshe’s face shone, he would put the veil back over his face until he went in again to speak with [Adonai].
We come to remember the day Jesus took three of His disciples to a mountaintop where He met with Moses and Elijah while He was transfigured to shine really white. Yet before this, when Moses led the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage and he was on Mount Sinai having a conversation with God receving the Ten Commandments he was noticed to be shining from his presence with God. This occurs to anyone who has a transformational encounter with God. The difference with Moses shining there appeared to be a dimming of His glow over the years even though he kept a veil on because the Israelites where frightened of His shine. When Jesus was transfigured, His shine remained and still remains to allow all of His followers to shine with the glow of His presence. The amazing thing is the Israelites were frightened of Moses' glow, but the sleeping disciples were excited to be there with Jesus and see Moses and Elijah that they wanted to build three tabernacles for each of the three: Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. Yet, as they said this a cloud came down taking Moses and Elijah back to the Kingdom with God's voice saying that Jesus is His beloved Son and we are to listen and obey Him. Today, we seek His presence upon our worship services and our service in all areas of our lives. We too often seek to fulfill God's call with our own ideas, but God's presence alludes us until we remain and be in Him as we do what He ask us. Lately, there appears to be an absence of God's presence in our lives and churches which could be due to the excluding of the marginalized especially the people who are differently abled in all our activities in and outside the church. We realize that we have sinned against God in this exclusion of the people who are differently abled as active participants as either lay people or clergy. Lord, we seek your forgiveness and seek your will to do better as we come to eat the Body of Jesus and drink His Blood through the Holy Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist to receive His blessings for each of us individually and communally. As we come to receive from God His blessings and mercies, we sing the Hymn "God's Glory" by Keziah Jones:
Soothe my mind
with life story
Soothe my kind
with gods glory
gods glory
who?
say amen ra
allah akhbar
lagbara oluwa
we will see
gods glory
who?
and the Hymn "O God of light, may our light shine" by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (2005)
1. O God of light, may our light shine
In ways that serve and honor you.
May we be loving, just and kind,
Proclaiming Christ in all we do.
2. God, where your people are oppressed
And where they cry out in despair,
Make us your light—to heal, to bless—
A witness, Lord, that you are there.
3. Christ, when your way is pushed aside
By those who trust in wealth and might,
Make us your lamps that we may guide
A searching world to your love’s light.
4. O Spirit, in this world of doubt,
We often sin and drift away.
When our own faith is flickering out,
Shine on our path and light our way.
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Exodus 34:29 When Moshe came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, he didn’t realize that the skin of his face was sending out rays of light as a result of his talking with [Adonai]. 30 When Aharon and the people of Isra’el saw Moshe, the skin of his face was shining; and they were afraid to approach him. 31 But Moshe called to them; then Aharon and all the community leaders came back to him, and Moshe spoke to them. 32 Afterwards, all the people of Isra’el came near; and he passed on to them all the orders that Adonai had told him on Mount Sinai.
(Maftir) 33 Once Moshe had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. 34 But when he went in before Adonai for him to speak, he would take the veil off until he came out; then, when he came out, he would tell the people of Isra’el what he had been ordered. 35 But when the people of Isra’el saw Moshe’s face, that the skin of Moshe’s face shone, he would put the veil back over his face until he went in again to speak with [Adonai].
Psalm 99:1 Adonai is king; let the peoples tremble.
He sits enthroned on the k’ruvim; let the earth shake!
2 Adonai is great in Tziyon;
he is high above all the peoples.
3 Let them praise your great and fearsome name (he is holy):
4 “Mighty king who loves justice, you established
fairness, justice and righteousness in Ya‘akov.”
5 Exalt Adonai our God!
Prostrate yourselves at his footstool (he is holy).
6 Moshe and Aharon among his cohanim
and Sh’mu’el among those who call on his name
called on Adonai, and he answered them.
7 He spoke to them in the column of cloud;
they kept his instructions and the law that he gave them.
8 Adonai our God, you answered them.
To them you were a forgiving God,
although you took vengeance on their wrongdoings.
9 Exalt Adonai our God,
bow down toward his holy mountain,
for Adonai our God is holy!
2 Corinthians 3:12 Therefore, with a hope like this, we are very open — 13 unlike Moshe, who put a veil over his face, so that the people of Isra’el would not see the fading brightness come to an end.
14 What is more, their minds were made stonelike; for to this day the same veil remains over them when they read the Old Covenant; it has not been unveiled, because only by the Messiah is the veil taken away. 15 Yes, till today, whenever Moshe is read, a veil lies over their heart. 16 “But,” says the Torah, “whenever someone turns to Adonai, the veil is taken away.”[2 Corinthians 3:16 Exodus 34:34] 17 Now, “Adonai” in this text means the Spirit. And where the Spirit of Adonai is, there is freedom. 18 So all of us, with faces unveiled, see as in a mirror the glory of the Lord; and we are being changed into his very image, from one degree of glory to the next, by Adonai the Spirit.
4:1 God has shown us such mercy that we do not lose courage as we do the work he has given us. 2 Indeed, we refuse to make use of shameful underhanded methods, employing deception or distorting God’s message. On the contrary, by making very clear what the truth is, we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
Luke 9:28 About a week after Yeshua said these things, he took Kefa, Yochanan and Ya‘akov with him and went up to the hill country to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed; and his clothing became gleaming white. 30 Suddenly there were two men talking with him — Moshe and Eliyahu! 31 They appeared in glorious splendor and spoke of his exodus, which he was soon to accomplish in Yerushalayim. 32 Kefa and those with him had been sound asleep; but on becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Yeshua, Kefa said to him, not knowing what he was saying, “It’s good that we’re here, Rabbi! Let’s put up three shelters — one for you, one for Moshe and one for Eliyahu.” 34 As he spoke, a cloud came and enveloped them. They were frightened as they entered the cloud; 35 and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen. Listen to him!” 36 When the voice spoke, Yeshua was alone once more. They kept quiet — at that time they told no one anything of what they had seen.
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John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Exodus 34:29-35
Verse 29
[29] And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.
The skin of his face shone - This time of his being in the mount he heard only the same he had heard before. But he saw more of the glory of God, which having with open face beheld, he was in some measure changed into the same image. This was a great honour done to Moses, that the people might never again question his mission, or think or speak slightly of him. He carried his credentials in his very countenance, some think as long as he lived, he retained some remainders of this glory, which perhaps contributed to the vigour of his old age; that eye could not wax dim which had seen God, nor that face wrinkle which had shone with his glory.
Verse 30
[30] And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.
And Aaron and the children of Israel saw it, and were afraid — It not only dazzled their eyes, but struck such an awe upon them as obliged them to retire. Probably they doubted whether it was a token of God's favour, or of his displeasure.
Verse 33
[33] And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face.
And Moses put a veil upon his face — This veil signified the darkness of that dispensation; the ceremonial institutions had in them much of Christ and the gospel, but a veil was drawn over it, so that the children of Israel could not distinctly and steadfastly see those good things to come which the law had a shadow of. It was beauty veiled, gold in the mine, a pearl in the shell; but thanks be to God, by the gospel, the veil is taken away from off the old testament; yet still it remains upon the hearts of those who shut their eyes against the light.
Verse 34
[34] But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded.
When he went before the Lord, he put off the veil - Every veil must be thrown aside when we go to present ourselves unto the Lord. This signified also, as it is explained, 2 Corinthians 3:16, that when a soul turns to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away, that with open face it may behold his glory.
Psalm 99
Verse 1
[1] The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.
People — Such as are enemies to God and his people.
Sitteth — Upon the ark. He is present with his people.
Earth — The people of the earth.
Moved — With fear and trembling.
Verse 3
[3] Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.
Them — All people.
Verse 4
[4] The king's strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.
Judgment — Though his dominion be absolute, and his power irresistible, yet he manages it with righteousness. The king's strength is by a known Hebraism put for the strong, or powerful king.
Equity — In all thy proceedings.
Verse 5
[5] Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.
Foot-stool — Before the ark, which is so called, 1 Chronicles 28:2.
Holy — It is consecrated to be a pledge of God's presence.
Verse 6
[6] Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.
Moses — Moses before the institution of the priesthood executed that office, Exodus 24:6.
That call — Who used frequently and solemnly to intercede with God on the behalf of the people.
Verse 7
[7] He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.
Spake — To some of them: to Moses and Aaron, Exodus 19:24; 33:9-11; 1 Samuel 7:9, etc.
Verse 8
[8] Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.
Them — The intercessors before mentioned.
Forgavest — The people for whom they prayed, so far as not to inflict that total destruction upon them which they deserved;
2 Corinthians 3:12–4:2
Verse 12
[12] Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
Having therefore this hope — Being fully persuaded of this.
Verse 13
[13] And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
And we do not act as Moses did, who put a veil over his face - Which is to be understood with regard to his writings also. So that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly to the end of that dispensation which is now abolished - The end of this was Christ. The whole Mosaic dispensation tended to, and terminated in, him; but the Israelites had only a dim, wavering sight of him, of whom Moses spake in an obscure, covert manner.
Verse 14
[14] But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
The same veil remaineth on their understanding unremoved - Not so much as folded back, (so the word implies,) so as to admit a little, glimmering light. On the public reading of the Old Testament - The veil is not now on the face of Moses or of his writings, but on the reading of them, and on the heart of them that believe not.
Which is taken away in Christ — That is, from the heart of them that truly believe on him.
Verse 16
[16] Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
When it — Their heart.
Shall turn to the Lord — To Christ, by living faith.
The veil is taken away — That very moment; and they see, with the utmost clearness, how all the types and prophecies of the law are fully accomplished in him.
Verse 17
[17] Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
Now the Lord — Christ is that Spirit of the law whereof I speak, to which the letter was intended to lead. And where the Spirit of the Lord, Christ, is, there is liberty - Not the veil, the emblem of slavery. There is liberty from servile fear, liberty from the guilt and from the power of sin, liberty to behold with open face the glory of the Lord.
Verse 18
[18] But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
And, accordingly, all we that believe in him, beholding as in a glass - In the mirror of the gospel.
The glory of the Lord — His glorious love.
Are transformed into the same image — Into the same love. From one degree of this glory to another, in a manner worthy of his almighty Spirit. What a beautiful contrast is here! Moses saw the glory of the Lord, and it rendered his face so bright, that he covered it with a veil; Israel not being able to bear the reflected light. We behold his glory in the glass of his word, and our faces shine too; yet we veil them not, but diffuse the lustre which is continually increasing, as we fix the eye of our mind more and more steadfastly on his glory displayed in the gospel.
Verse 1
[1] Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
Therefore having this ministry — Spoken of, 2 Corinthians 3:6.
As we have received mercy — Have been mercifully supported in all our trials.
We faint not — We desist not in any degree from our glorious enterprise.
Verse 2
[2] But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
But have renounced — Set at open defiance.
The hidden things of shame — All things which men need to hide, or to be ashamed of.
Not walking in craftiness — Using no disguise, subtlety, guile. Nor privily corrupting the pure word of God - By any additions or alterations, or by attempting to accommodate it to the taste of the hearers.
Luke 9:28-36
Verse 28
[28] And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
Matthew 17:1; Mark 9:2.
Verse 31
[31] Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
In glory — Like Christ with whom they talked.
Verse 32
[32] But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
They saw his glory — The very same expression in which it is described by St. John, John 1:14; and by St. Peter, 2 Peter 1:16.
Verse 34
[34] While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
A cloud came and overshadowed them all. And they, the apostles, feared, while they (Moses and Elijah) entered into the cloud, which took them away.
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The Upper Room Ministries
PO Box 340004
Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0004, United States
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Sermon Story "Transfiguration" by Gary Lee Parker for Sunday, 7 February 2016 with Scripture: Exodus 34:29 When Moshe came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, he didn’t realize that the skin of his face was sending out rays of light as a result of his talking with [Adonai]. 30 When Aharon and the people of Isra’el saw Moshe, the skin of his face was shining; and they were afraid to approach him. 31 But Moshe called to them; then Aharon and all the community leaders came back to him, and Moshe spoke to them. 32 Afterwards, all the people of Isra’el came near; and he passed on to them all the orders that Adonai had told him on Mount Sinai.---------------------
(Maftir) 33 Once Moshe had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. 34 But when he went in before Adonai for him to speak, he would take the veil off until he came out; then, when he came out, he would tell the people of Isra’el what he had been ordered. 35 But when the people of Isra’el saw Moshe’s face, that the skin of Moshe’s face shone, he would put the veil back over his face until he went in again to speak with [Adonai].
We come to remember the day Jesus took three of His disciples to a mountaintop where He met with Moses and Elijah while He was transfigured to shine really white. Yet before this, when Moses led the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage and he was on Mount Sinai having a conversation with God receving the Ten Commandments he was noticed to be shining from his presence with God. This occurs to anyone who has a transformational encounter with God. The difference with Moses shining there appeared to be a dimming of His glow over the years even though he kept a veil on because the Israelites where frightened of His shine. When Jesus was transfigured, His shine remained and still remains to allow all of His followers to shine with the glow of His presence. The amazing thing is the Israelites were frightened of Moses' glow, but the sleeping disciples were excited to be there with Jesus and see Moses and Elijah that they wanted to build three tabernacles for each of the three: Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. Yet, as they said this a cloud came down taking Moses and Elijah back to the Kingdom with God's voice saying that Jesus is His beloved Son and we are to listen and obey Him. Today, we seek His presence upon our worship services and our service in all areas of our lives. We too often seek to fulfill God's call with our own ideas, but God's presence alludes us until we remain and be in Him as we do what He ask us. Lately, there appears to be an absence of God's presence in our lives and churches which could be due to the excluding of the marginalized especially the people who are differently abled in all our activities in and outside the church. We realize that we have sinned against God in this exclusion of the people who are differently abled as active participants as either lay people or clergy. Lord, we seek your forgiveness and seek your will to do better as we come to eat the Body of Jesus and drink His Blood through the Holy Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist to receive His blessings for each of us individually and communally. As we come to receive from God His blessings and mercies, we sing the Hymn "God's Glory" by Keziah Jones:
Soothe my mind
with life story
Soothe my kind
with gods glory
gods glory
who?
say amen ra
allah akhbar
lagbara oluwa
we will see
gods glory
who?
and the Hymn "O God of light, may our light shine" by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (2005)
1. O God of light, may our light shine
In ways that serve and honor you.
May we be loving, just and kind,
Proclaiming Christ in all we do.
2. God, where your people are oppressed
And where they cry out in despair,
Make us your light—to heal, to bless—
A witness, Lord, that you are there.
3. Christ, when your way is pushed aside
By those who trust in wealth and might,
Make us your lamps that we may guide
A searching world to your love’s light.
4. O Spirit, in this world of doubt,
We often sin and drift away.
When our own faith is flickering out,
Shine on our path and light our way.
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Gary Lee Parker
4147 Idaho Street, Apt. 1
San Diego, California 92104-1844, United States
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The Upper Room Daily Reflections, daily words of wisdom and faith "" for Saturday, 6 February 2016
Today’s Reflection:
The Upper Room Daily Reflections, daily words of wisdom and faith "" for Saturday, 6 February 2016
Today’s Reflection:
Did You Know?
In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers, call1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center web site.
---------------------
In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers, call
1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center web site.---------------------
Saints, Inc.:This week we remember: Aelred of Rievaulx (February 3).
Aelred of Rievaulx (ca. 1110-67), Cistercian monk, spiritual writer. Aelred was raised in a foster home, the court of King David of Scotland. There he gained popularity and success but became restless and dissatisfied. At the age of twenty-four he left the court abruptly and offered himself at the gate of Rievaulx, a Cistercian monastery, to become a monk. He quickly rose in responsibility, first as novice master and later as leader of a group of monks that started a new monastery. Later he was recalled to become abbot at Rievaulx and supervised many daughter houses as well. He had a close relationship with Bernard of Clairvaux, since Clairvaux was the mother house of Rievaulx.
Aelred is best known for Spiritual Friendship, written over a span of years, in which he reflected on Cicero's theories of friendship and went far beyond. He advocated friendship on both the natural and the supernatural planes. He wrote from the perspective of his own experiences with friendship, through which he experienced a higher and deeper relationship with Christ and with God. Friendship was a reflection of the love of God, with God being the source.
Aelred, conscious of the dangers and pitfalls of friendship in monasteries, maintained that loving one's immediate neighbors with charity and goodwill offered a foretaste of heaven. No conflict existed between love of friends and love of God. Judgment of what was right would contribute to true friendship, which required constant attention. Aelred died as he had lived, surrounded by a crowd of monks. EWF
If Aelred of Rievaulx had taken the Spiritual Types Test, he probably would have been a Lover. Aelred of Rievaulx is remembered on Febuary 3.
[Excerpted with permission from the entry on Aelred of Rievaulx by Elizabeth W. Fribance, fromThe Upper Room Dictionary of Christian Spiritual Formation, edited by Keith Beasley-Topliffe. Copyright © 2003 by Upper Room Books®. All rights reserved.]
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Lectionary Readings
Sunday, 7 February 2016
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Exodus 34:29-35
Psalm 99
2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2
Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a)
Sunday, 7 February 2016
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Exodus 34:29-35
Psalm 99
2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2
Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a)
Scripture Text:
Exodus 34:29 When Moshe came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, he didn’t realize that the skin of his face was sending out rays of light as a result of his talking with [Adonai]. 30 When Aharon and the people of Isra’el saw Moshe, the skin of his face was shining; and they were afraid to approach him. 31 But Moshe called to them; then Aharon and all the community leaders came back to him, and Moshe spoke to them. 32 Afterwards, all the people of Isra’el came near; and he passed on to them all the orders that Adonai had told him on Mount Sinai.
(Maftir) 33 Once Moshe had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. 34 But when he went in before Adonai for him to speak, he would take the veil off until he came out; then, when he came out, he would tell the people of Isra’el what he had been ordered. 35 But when the people of Isra’el saw Moshe’s face, that the skin of Moshe’s face shone, he would put the veil back over his face until he went in again to speak with [Adonai].
Psalm 99:1 Adonai is king; let the peoples tremble.
He sits enthroned on the k’ruvim; let the earth shake!
2 Adonai is great in Tziyon;
he is high above all the peoples.
3 Let them praise your great and fearsome name (he is holy):
4 “Mighty king who loves justice, you established
fairness, justice and righteousness in Ya‘akov.”
5 Exalt Adonai our God!
Prostrate yourselves at his footstool (he is holy).
6 Moshe and Aharon among his cohanim
and Sh’mu’el among those who call on his name
called on Adonai, and he answered them.
7 He spoke to them in the column of cloud;
they kept his instructions and the law that he gave them.
8 Adonai our God, you answered them.
To them you were a forgiving God,
although you took vengeance on their wrongdoings.
9 Exalt Adonai our God,
bow down toward his holy mountain,
for Adonai our God is holy!
2 Corinthians 3:12 Therefore, with a hope like this, we are very open — 13 unlike Moshe, who put a veil over his face, so that the people of Isra’el would not see the fading brightness come to an end.
14 What is more, their minds were made stonelike; for to this day the same veil remains over them when they read the Old Covenant; it has not been unveiled, because only by the Messiah is the veil taken away. 15 Yes, till today, whenever Moshe is read, a veil lies over their heart. 16 “But,” says the Torah, “whenever someone turns to Adonai, the veil is taken away.”[2 Corinthians 3:16 Exodus 34:34] 17 Now, “Adonai” in this text means the Spirit. And where the Spirit of Adonai is, there is freedom. 18 So all of us, with faces unveiled, see as in a mirror the glory of the Lord; and we are being changed into his very image, from one degree of glory to the next, by Adonai the Spirit.
4:1 God has shown us such mercy that we do not lose courage as we do the work he has given us. 2 Indeed, we refuse to make use of shameful underhanded methods, employing deception or distorting God’s message. On the contrary, by making very clear what the truth is, we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
Luke 9:28 About a week after Yeshua said these things, he took Kefa, Yochanan and Ya‘akov with him and went up to the hill country to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed; and his clothing became gleaming white. 30 Suddenly there were two men talking with him — Moshe and Eliyahu! 31 They appeared in glorious splendor and spoke of his exodus, which he was soon to accomplish in Yerushalayim. 32 Kefa and those with him had been sound asleep; but on becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Yeshua, Kefa said to him, not knowing what he was saying, “It’s good that we’re here, Rabbi! Let’s put up three shelters — one for you, one for Moshe and one for Eliyahu.” 34 As he spoke, a cloud came and enveloped them. They were frightened as they entered the cloud; 35 and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen. Listen to him!” 36 When the voice spoke, Yeshua was alone once more. They kept quiet — at that time they told no one anything of what they had seen.
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John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Exodus 34:29-35
Verse 29
[29] And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.
The skin of his face shone - This time of his being in the mount he heard only the same he had heard before. But he saw more of the glory of God, which having with open face beheld, he was in some measure changed into the same image. This was a great honour done to Moses, that the people might never again question his mission, or think or speak slightly of him. He carried his credentials in his very countenance, some think as long as he lived, he retained some remainders of this glory, which perhaps contributed to the vigour of his old age; that eye could not wax dim which had seen God, nor that face wrinkle which had shone with his glory.
Verse 30
[30] And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.
And Aaron and the children of Israel saw it, and were afraid — It not only dazzled their eyes, but struck such an awe upon them as obliged them to retire. Probably they doubted whether it was a token of God's favour, or of his displeasure.
Verse 33
[33] And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face.
And Moses put a veil upon his face — This veil signified the darkness of that dispensation; the ceremonial institutions had in them much of Christ and the gospel, but a veil was drawn over it, so that the children of Israel could not distinctly and steadfastly see those good things to come which the law had a shadow of. It was beauty veiled, gold in the mine, a pearl in the shell; but thanks be to God, by the gospel, the veil is taken away from off the old testament; yet still it remains upon the hearts of those who shut their eyes against the light.
Verse 34
[34] But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded.
When he went before the Lord, he put off the veil - Every veil must be thrown aside when we go to present ourselves unto the Lord. This signified also, as it is explained, 2 Corinthians 3:16, that when a soul turns to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away, that with open face it may behold his glory.
Psalm 99
Verse 1
[1] The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.
People — Such as are enemies to God and his people.
Sitteth — Upon the ark. He is present with his people.
Earth — The people of the earth.
Moved — With fear and trembling.
Verse 3
[3] Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.
Them — All people.
Verse 4
[4] The king's strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.
Judgment — Though his dominion be absolute, and his power irresistible, yet he manages it with righteousness. The king's strength is by a known Hebraism put for the strong, or powerful king.
Equity — In all thy proceedings.
Verse 5
[5] Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.
Foot-stool — Before the ark, which is so called, 1 Chronicles 28:2.
Holy — It is consecrated to be a pledge of God's presence.
Verse 6
[6] Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.
Moses — Moses before the institution of the priesthood executed that office, Exodus 24:6.
That call — Who used frequently and solemnly to intercede with God on the behalf of the people.
Verse 7
[7] He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.
Spake — To some of them: to Moses and Aaron, Exodus 19:24; 33:9-11; 1 Samuel 7:9, etc.
Verse 8
[8] Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.
Them — The intercessors before mentioned.
Forgavest — The people for whom they prayed, so far as not to inflict that total destruction upon them which they deserved;
2 Corinthians 3:12–4:2
Verse 12
[12] Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
Having therefore this hope — Being fully persuaded of this.
Verse 13
[13] And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
And we do not act as Moses did, who put a veil over his face - Which is to be understood with regard to his writings also. So that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly to the end of that dispensation which is now abolished - The end of this was Christ. The whole Mosaic dispensation tended to, and terminated in, him; but the Israelites had only a dim, wavering sight of him, of whom Moses spake in an obscure, covert manner.
Verse 14
[14] But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
The same veil remaineth on their understanding unremoved - Not so much as folded back, (so the word implies,) so as to admit a little, glimmering light. On the public reading of the Old Testament - The veil is not now on the face of Moses or of his writings, but on the reading of them, and on the heart of them that believe not.
Which is taken away in Christ — That is, from the heart of them that truly believe on him.
Verse 16
[16] Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
When it — Their heart.
Shall turn to the Lord — To Christ, by living faith.
The veil is taken away — That very moment; and they see, with the utmost clearness, how all the types and prophecies of the law are fully accomplished in him.
Verse 17
[17] Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
Now the Lord — Christ is that Spirit of the law whereof I speak, to which the letter was intended to lead. And where the Spirit of the Lord, Christ, is, there is liberty - Not the veil, the emblem of slavery. There is liberty from servile fear, liberty from the guilt and from the power of sin, liberty to behold with open face the glory of the Lord.
Verse 18
[18] But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
And, accordingly, all we that believe in him, beholding as in a glass - In the mirror of the gospel.
The glory of the Lord — His glorious love.
Are transformed into the same image — Into the same love. From one degree of this glory to another, in a manner worthy of his almighty Spirit. What a beautiful contrast is here! Moses saw the glory of the Lord, and it rendered his face so bright, that he covered it with a veil; Israel not being able to bear the reflected light. We behold his glory in the glass of his word, and our faces shine too; yet we veil them not, but diffuse the lustre which is continually increasing, as we fix the eye of our mind more and more steadfastly on his glory displayed in the gospel.
Verse 1
[1] Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
Therefore having this ministry — Spoken of, 2 Corinthians 3:6.
As we have received mercy — Have been mercifully supported in all our trials.
We faint not — We desist not in any degree from our glorious enterprise.
Verse 2
[2] But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
But have renounced — Set at open defiance.
The hidden things of shame — All things which men need to hide, or to be ashamed of.
Not walking in craftiness — Using no disguise, subtlety, guile. Nor privily corrupting the pure word of God - By any additions or alterations, or by attempting to accommodate it to the taste of the hearers.
Luke 9:28-36
Verse 28
[28] And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
Matthew 17:1; Mark 9:2.
Verse 31
[31] Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
In glory — Like Christ with whom they talked.
Verse 32
[32] But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
They saw his glory — The very same expression in which it is described by St. John, John 1:14; and by St. Peter, 2 Peter 1:16.
Verse 34
[34] While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
A cloud came and overshadowed them all. And they, the apostles, feared, while they (Moses and Elijah) entered into the cloud, which took them away.
---------------------
(Maftir) 33 Once Moshe had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. 34 But when he went in before Adonai for him to speak, he would take the veil off until he came out; then, when he came out, he would tell the people of Isra’el what he had been ordered. 35 But when the people of Isra’el saw Moshe’s face, that the skin of Moshe’s face shone, he would put the veil back over his face until he went in again to speak with [Adonai].
We come to remember the day Jesus took three of His disciples to a mountaintop where He met with Moses and Elijah while He was transfigured to shine really white. Yet before this, when Moses led the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage and he was on Mount Sinai having a conversation with God receving the Ten Commandments he was noticed to be shining from his presence with God. This occurs to anyone who has a transformational encounter with God. The difference with Moses shining there appeared to be a dimming of His glow over the years even though he kept a veil on because the Israelites where frightened of His shine. When Jesus was transfigured, His shine remained and still remains to allow all of His followers to shine with the glow of His presence. The amazing thing is the Israelites were frightened of Moses' glow, but the sleeping disciples were excited to be there with Jesus and see Moses and Elijah that they wanted to build three tabernacles for each of the three: Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. Yet, as they said this a cloud came down taking Moses and Elijah back to the Kingdom with God's voice saying that Jesus is His beloved Son and we are to listen and obey Him. Today, we seek His presence upon our worship services and our service in all areas of our lives. We too often seek to fulfill God's call with our own ideas, but God's presence alludes us until we remain and be in Him as we do what He ask us. Lately, there appears to be an absence of God's presence in our lives and churches which could be due to the excluding of the marginalized especially the people who are differently abled in all our activities in and outside the church. We realize that we have sinned against God in this exclusion of the people who are differently abled as active participants as either lay people or clergy. Lord, we seek your forgiveness and seek your will to do better as we come to eat the Body of Jesus and drink His Blood through the Holy Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist to receive His blessings for each of us individually and communally. As we come to receive from God His blessings and mercies, we sing the Hymn "God's Glory" by Keziah Jones:
Soothe my mind
with life story
Soothe my kind
with gods glory
gods glory
who?
say amen ra
allah akhbar
lagbara oluwa
we will see
gods glory
who?
and the Hymn "O God of light, may our light shine" by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (2005)
1. O God of light, may our light shine
In ways that serve and honor you.
May we be loving, just and kind,
Proclaiming Christ in all we do.
2. God, where your people are oppressed
And where they cry out in despair,
Make us your light—to heal, to bless—
A witness, Lord, that you are there.
3. Christ, when your way is pushed aside
By those who trust in wealth and might,
Make us your lamps that we may guide
A searching world to your love’s light.
4. O Spirit, in this world of doubt,
We often sin and drift away.
When our own faith is flickering out,
Shine on our path and light our way.
---------------------
Exodus 34:29 When Moshe came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, he didn’t realize that the skin of his face was sending out rays of light as a result of his talking with [Adonai]. 30 When Aharon and the people of Isra’el saw Moshe, the skin of his face was shining; and they were afraid to approach him. 31 But Moshe called to them; then Aharon and all the community leaders came back to him, and Moshe spoke to them. 32 Afterwards, all the people of Isra’el came near; and he passed on to them all the orders that Adonai had told him on Mount Sinai.
(Maftir) 33 Once Moshe had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. 34 But when he went in before Adonai for him to speak, he would take the veil off until he came out; then, when he came out, he would tell the people of Isra’el what he had been ordered. 35 But when the people of Isra’el saw Moshe’s face, that the skin of Moshe’s face shone, he would put the veil back over his face until he went in again to speak with [Adonai].
Psalm 99:1 Adonai is king; let the peoples tremble.
He sits enthroned on the k’ruvim; let the earth shake!
2 Adonai is great in Tziyon;
he is high above all the peoples.
3 Let them praise your great and fearsome name (he is holy):
4 “Mighty king who loves justice, you established
fairness, justice and righteousness in Ya‘akov.”
5 Exalt Adonai our God!
Prostrate yourselves at his footstool (he is holy).
6 Moshe and Aharon among his cohanim
and Sh’mu’el among those who call on his name
called on Adonai, and he answered them.
7 He spoke to them in the column of cloud;
they kept his instructions and the law that he gave them.
8 Adonai our God, you answered them.
To them you were a forgiving God,
although you took vengeance on their wrongdoings.
9 Exalt Adonai our God,
bow down toward his holy mountain,
for Adonai our God is holy!
2 Corinthians 3:12 Therefore, with a hope like this, we are very open — 13 unlike Moshe, who put a veil over his face, so that the people of Isra’el would not see the fading brightness come to an end.
14 What is more, their minds were made stonelike; for to this day the same veil remains over them when they read the Old Covenant; it has not been unveiled, because only by the Messiah is the veil taken away. 15 Yes, till today, whenever Moshe is read, a veil lies over their heart. 16 “But,” says the Torah, “whenever someone turns to Adonai, the veil is taken away.”[2 Corinthians 3:16 Exodus 34:34] 17 Now, “Adonai” in this text means the Spirit. And where the Spirit of Adonai is, there is freedom. 18 So all of us, with faces unveiled, see as in a mirror the glory of the Lord; and we are being changed into his very image, from one degree of glory to the next, by Adonai the Spirit.
4:1 God has shown us such mercy that we do not lose courage as we do the work he has given us. 2 Indeed, we refuse to make use of shameful underhanded methods, employing deception or distorting God’s message. On the contrary, by making very clear what the truth is, we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
Luke 9:28 About a week after Yeshua said these things, he took Kefa, Yochanan and Ya‘akov with him and went up to the hill country to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed; and his clothing became gleaming white. 30 Suddenly there were two men talking with him — Moshe and Eliyahu! 31 They appeared in glorious splendor and spoke of his exodus, which he was soon to accomplish in Yerushalayim. 32 Kefa and those with him had been sound asleep; but on becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Yeshua, Kefa said to him, not knowing what he was saying, “It’s good that we’re here, Rabbi! Let’s put up three shelters — one for you, one for Moshe and one for Eliyahu.” 34 As he spoke, a cloud came and enveloped them. They were frightened as they entered the cloud; 35 and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen. Listen to him!” 36 When the voice spoke, Yeshua was alone once more. They kept quiet — at that time they told no one anything of what they had seen.
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John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Exodus 34:29-35
Verse 29
[29] And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.
The skin of his face shone - This time of his being in the mount he heard only the same he had heard before. But he saw more of the glory of God, which having with open face beheld, he was in some measure changed into the same image. This was a great honour done to Moses, that the people might never again question his mission, or think or speak slightly of him. He carried his credentials in his very countenance, some think as long as he lived, he retained some remainders of this glory, which perhaps contributed to the vigour of his old age; that eye could not wax dim which had seen God, nor that face wrinkle which had shone with his glory.
Verse 30
[30] And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.
And Aaron and the children of Israel saw it, and were afraid — It not only dazzled their eyes, but struck such an awe upon them as obliged them to retire. Probably they doubted whether it was a token of God's favour, or of his displeasure.
Verse 33
[33] And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face.
And Moses put a veil upon his face — This veil signified the darkness of that dispensation; the ceremonial institutions had in them much of Christ and the gospel, but a veil was drawn over it, so that the children of Israel could not distinctly and steadfastly see those good things to come which the law had a shadow of. It was beauty veiled, gold in the mine, a pearl in the shell; but thanks be to God, by the gospel, the veil is taken away from off the old testament; yet still it remains upon the hearts of those who shut their eyes against the light.
Verse 34
[34] But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded.
When he went before the Lord, he put off the veil - Every veil must be thrown aside when we go to present ourselves unto the Lord. This signified also, as it is explained, 2 Corinthians 3:16, that when a soul turns to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away, that with open face it may behold his glory.
Psalm 99
Verse 1
[1] The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.
People — Such as are enemies to God and his people.
Sitteth — Upon the ark. He is present with his people.
Earth — The people of the earth.
Moved — With fear and trembling.
Verse 3
[3] Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.
Them — All people.
Verse 4
[4] The king's strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.
Judgment — Though his dominion be absolute, and his power irresistible, yet he manages it with righteousness. The king's strength is by a known Hebraism put for the strong, or powerful king.
Equity — In all thy proceedings.
Verse 5
[5] Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.
Foot-stool — Before the ark, which is so called, 1 Chronicles 28:2.
Holy — It is consecrated to be a pledge of God's presence.
Verse 6
[6] Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.
Moses — Moses before the institution of the priesthood executed that office, Exodus 24:6.
That call — Who used frequently and solemnly to intercede with God on the behalf of the people.
Verse 7
[7] He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.
Spake — To some of them: to Moses and Aaron, Exodus 19:24; 33:9-11; 1 Samuel 7:9, etc.
Verse 8
[8] Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.
Them — The intercessors before mentioned.
Forgavest — The people for whom they prayed, so far as not to inflict that total destruction upon them which they deserved;
2 Corinthians 3:12–4:2
Verse 12
[12] Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
Having therefore this hope — Being fully persuaded of this.
Verse 13
[13] And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
And we do not act as Moses did, who put a veil over his face - Which is to be understood with regard to his writings also. So that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly to the end of that dispensation which is now abolished - The end of this was Christ. The whole Mosaic dispensation tended to, and terminated in, him; but the Israelites had only a dim, wavering sight of him, of whom Moses spake in an obscure, covert manner.
Verse 14
[14] But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
The same veil remaineth on their understanding unremoved - Not so much as folded back, (so the word implies,) so as to admit a little, glimmering light. On the public reading of the Old Testament - The veil is not now on the face of Moses or of his writings, but on the reading of them, and on the heart of them that believe not.
Which is taken away in Christ — That is, from the heart of them that truly believe on him.
Verse 16
[16] Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
When it — Their heart.
Shall turn to the Lord — To Christ, by living faith.
The veil is taken away — That very moment; and they see, with the utmost clearness, how all the types and prophecies of the law are fully accomplished in him.
Verse 17
[17] Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
Now the Lord — Christ is that Spirit of the law whereof I speak, to which the letter was intended to lead. And where the Spirit of the Lord, Christ, is, there is liberty - Not the veil, the emblem of slavery. There is liberty from servile fear, liberty from the guilt and from the power of sin, liberty to behold with open face the glory of the Lord.
Verse 18
[18] But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
And, accordingly, all we that believe in him, beholding as in a glass - In the mirror of the gospel.
The glory of the Lord — His glorious love.
Are transformed into the same image — Into the same love. From one degree of this glory to another, in a manner worthy of his almighty Spirit. What a beautiful contrast is here! Moses saw the glory of the Lord, and it rendered his face so bright, that he covered it with a veil; Israel not being able to bear the reflected light. We behold his glory in the glass of his word, and our faces shine too; yet we veil them not, but diffuse the lustre which is continually increasing, as we fix the eye of our mind more and more steadfastly on his glory displayed in the gospel.
Verse 1
[1] Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
Therefore having this ministry — Spoken of, 2 Corinthians 3:6.
As we have received mercy — Have been mercifully supported in all our trials.
We faint not — We desist not in any degree from our glorious enterprise.
Verse 2
[2] But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
But have renounced — Set at open defiance.
The hidden things of shame — All things which men need to hide, or to be ashamed of.
Not walking in craftiness — Using no disguise, subtlety, guile. Nor privily corrupting the pure word of God - By any additions or alterations, or by attempting to accommodate it to the taste of the hearers.
Luke 9:28-36
Verse 28
[28] And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
Matthew 17:1; Mark 9:2.
Verse 31
[31] Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
In glory — Like Christ with whom they talked.
Verse 32
[32] But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
They saw his glory — The very same expression in which it is described by St. John, John 1:14; and by St. Peter, 2 Peter 1:16.
Verse 34
[34] While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
A cloud came and overshadowed them all. And they, the apostles, feared, while they (Moses and Elijah) entered into the cloud, which took them away.
---------------------
The Upper Room Ministries
PO Box 340004
Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0004, United States
---------------------
Sermon Story "Transfiguration" by Gary Lee Parker for Sunday, 7 February 2016 with Scripture: Exodus 34:29 When Moshe came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, he didn’t realize that the skin of his face was sending out rays of light as a result of his talking with [Adonai]. 30 When Aharon and the people of Isra’el saw Moshe, the skin of his face was shining; and they were afraid to approach him. 31 But Moshe called to them; then Aharon and all the community leaders came back to him, and Moshe spoke to them. 32 Afterwards, all the people of Isra’el came near; and he passed on to them all the orders that Adonai had told him on Mount Sinai.---------------------
(Maftir) 33 Once Moshe had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. 34 But when he went in before Adonai for him to speak, he would take the veil off until he came out; then, when he came out, he would tell the people of Isra’el what he had been ordered. 35 But when the people of Isra’el saw Moshe’s face, that the skin of Moshe’s face shone, he would put the veil back over his face until he went in again to speak with [Adonai].
We come to remember the day Jesus took three of His disciples to a mountaintop where He met with Moses and Elijah while He was transfigured to shine really white. Yet before this, when Moses led the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage and he was on Mount Sinai having a conversation with God receving the Ten Commandments he was noticed to be shining from his presence with God. This occurs to anyone who has a transformational encounter with God. The difference with Moses shining there appeared to be a dimming of His glow over the years even though he kept a veil on because the Israelites where frightened of His shine. When Jesus was transfigured, His shine remained and still remains to allow all of His followers to shine with the glow of His presence. The amazing thing is the Israelites were frightened of Moses' glow, but the sleeping disciples were excited to be there with Jesus and see Moses and Elijah that they wanted to build three tabernacles for each of the three: Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. Yet, as they said this a cloud came down taking Moses and Elijah back to the Kingdom with God's voice saying that Jesus is His beloved Son and we are to listen and obey Him. Today, we seek His presence upon our worship services and our service in all areas of our lives. We too often seek to fulfill God's call with our own ideas, but God's presence alludes us until we remain and be in Him as we do what He ask us. Lately, there appears to be an absence of God's presence in our lives and churches which could be due to the excluding of the marginalized especially the people who are differently abled in all our activities in and outside the church. We realize that we have sinned against God in this exclusion of the people who are differently abled as active participants as either lay people or clergy. Lord, we seek your forgiveness and seek your will to do better as we come to eat the Body of Jesus and drink His Blood through the Holy Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist to receive His blessings for each of us individually and communally. As we come to receive from God His blessings and mercies, we sing the Hymn "God's Glory" by Keziah Jones:
Soothe my mind
with life story
Soothe my kind
with gods glory
gods glory
who?
say amen ra
allah akhbar
lagbara oluwa
we will see
gods glory
who?
and the Hymn "O God of light, may our light shine" by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (2005)
1. O God of light, may our light shine
In ways that serve and honor you.
May we be loving, just and kind,
Proclaiming Christ in all we do.
2. God, where your people are oppressed
And where they cry out in despair,
Make us your light—to heal, to bless—
A witness, Lord, that you are there.
3. Christ, when your way is pushed aside
By those who trust in wealth and might,
Make us your lamps that we may guide
A searching world to your love’s light.
4. O Spirit, in this world of doubt,
We often sin and drift away.
When our own faith is flickering out,
Shine on our path and light our way.
---------------------
Gary Lee Parker
4147 Idaho Street, Apt. 1
San Diego, California 92104-1844, United States
----------------------
Today’s Reflection:
Find a labyrinth.
Walking into the labyrinth is a time for shedding anything that keeps you from communion with God. You may want to silently repeat a scripture as you journey. Or use the time to notice your thoughts and feelings and consider these questions:
- What is it like to be on this journey?
- Is there anything I need to let go of?
- Is there something blocking me from experiencing God’s love?
- Am I in need of forgiveness?
- Do I need to forgive?
The walk out of the labyrinth is the process of bring God back out into the world with you. As you retrace your steps, continue your prayer and conversation with the divine. …
When you finally leave the labyrinth, give thanks to God for your time there.[Daniel Wolpert, Leading a Life with God: The Practice of Spiritual Leadership]
Excerpted from Leading a Life with God: The Practice of Spiritual Leadershipby Daniel Wolpert. Copyright © 2006 by Daniel Wolpert. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Have you ever walked a prayer labyrinth? What was the experience like for you?
Today’s Scripture:
Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart.[2 Corinthians 4:1, NRSV]
This Week: pray for educators.
---------------------
Did You Know?
In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers, call1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center web site.
---------------------
In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers, call
1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center web site.---------------------
---------------------
Saints, Inc.:This week we remember: Aelred of Rievaulx (February 3).
Aelred of Rievaulx (ca. 1110-67), Cistercian monk, spiritual writer. Aelred was raised in a foster home, the court of King David of Scotland. There he gained popularity and success but became restless and dissatisfied. At the age of twenty-four he left the court abruptly and offered himself at the gate of Rievaulx, a Cistercian monastery, to become a monk. He quickly rose in responsibility, first as novice master and later as leader of a group of monks that started a new monastery. Later he was recalled to become abbot at Rievaulx and supervised many daughter houses as well. He had a close relationship with Bernard of Clairvaux, since Clairvaux was the mother house of Rievaulx.
Aelred is best known for Spiritual Friendship, written over a span of years, in which he reflected on Cicero's theories of friendship and went far beyond. He advocated friendship on both the natural and the supernatural planes. He wrote from the perspective of his own experiences with friendship, through which he experienced a higher and deeper relationship with Christ and with God. Friendship was a reflection of the love of God, with God being the source.
Aelred, conscious of the dangers and pitfalls of friendship in monasteries, maintained that loving one's immediate neighbors with charity and goodwill offered a foretaste of heaven. No conflict existed between love of friends and love of God. Judgment of what was right would contribute to true friendship, which required constant attention. Aelred died as he had lived, surrounded by a crowd of monks. EWF
If Aelred of Rievaulx had taken the Spiritual Types Test, he probably would have been a Lover. Aelred of Rievaulx is remembered on Febuary 3.
[Excerpted with permission from the entry on Aelred of Rievaulx by Elizabeth W. Fribance, fromThe Upper Room Dictionary of Christian Spiritual Formation, edited by Keith Beasley-Topliffe. Copyright © 2003 by Upper Room Books®. All rights reserved.]
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Lectionary Readings
Sunday, 7 February 2016
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Exodus 34:29-35
Psalm 99
2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2
Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a)
Sunday, 7 February 2016
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Exodus 34:29-35
Psalm 99
2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2
Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a)
Scripture Text:
Exodus 34:29 When Moshe came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, he didn’t realize that the skin of his face was sending out rays of light as a result of his talking with [Adonai]. 30 When Aharon and the people of Isra’el saw Moshe, the skin of his face was shining; and they were afraid to approach him. 31 But Moshe called to them; then Aharon and all the community leaders came back to him, and Moshe spoke to them. 32 Afterwards, all the people of Isra’el came near; and he passed on to them all the orders that Adonai had told him on Mount Sinai.
(Maftir) 33 Once Moshe had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. 34 But when he went in before Adonai for him to speak, he would take the veil off until he came out; then, when he came out, he would tell the people of Isra’el what he had been ordered. 35 But when the people of Isra’el saw Moshe’s face, that the skin of Moshe’s face shone, he would put the veil back over his face until he went in again to speak with [Adonai].
Psalm 99:1 Adonai is king; let the peoples tremble.
He sits enthroned on the k’ruvim; let the earth shake!
2 Adonai is great in Tziyon;
he is high above all the peoples.
3 Let them praise your great and fearsome name (he is holy):
4 “Mighty king who loves justice, you established
fairness, justice and righteousness in Ya‘akov.”
5 Exalt Adonai our God!
Prostrate yourselves at his footstool (he is holy).
6 Moshe and Aharon among his cohanim
and Sh’mu’el among those who call on his name
called on Adonai, and he answered them.
7 He spoke to them in the column of cloud;
they kept his instructions and the law that he gave them.
8 Adonai our God, you answered them.
To them you were a forgiving God,
although you took vengeance on their wrongdoings.
9 Exalt Adonai our God,
bow down toward his holy mountain,
for Adonai our God is holy!
2 Corinthians 3:12 Therefore, with a hope like this, we are very open — 13 unlike Moshe, who put a veil over his face, so that the people of Isra’el would not see the fading brightness come to an end.
14 What is more, their minds were made stonelike; for to this day the same veil remains over them when they read the Old Covenant; it has not been unveiled, because only by the Messiah is the veil taken away. 15 Yes, till today, whenever Moshe is read, a veil lies over their heart. 16 “But,” says the Torah, “whenever someone turns to Adonai, the veil is taken away.”[2 Corinthians 3:16 Exodus 34:34] 17 Now, “Adonai” in this text means the Spirit. And where the Spirit of Adonai is, there is freedom. 18 So all of us, with faces unveiled, see as in a mirror the glory of the Lord; and we are being changed into his very image, from one degree of glory to the next, by Adonai the Spirit.
4:1 God has shown us such mercy that we do not lose courage as we do the work he has given us. 2 Indeed, we refuse to make use of shameful underhanded methods, employing deception or distorting God’s message. On the contrary, by making very clear what the truth is, we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
Luke 9:28 About a week after Yeshua said these things, he took Kefa, Yochanan and Ya‘akov with him and went up to the hill country to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed; and his clothing became gleaming white. 30 Suddenly there were two men talking with him — Moshe and Eliyahu! 31 They appeared in glorious splendor and spoke of his exodus, which he was soon to accomplish in Yerushalayim. 32 Kefa and those with him had been sound asleep; but on becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Yeshua, Kefa said to him, not knowing what he was saying, “It’s good that we’re here, Rabbi! Let’s put up three shelters — one for you, one for Moshe and one for Eliyahu.” 34 As he spoke, a cloud came and enveloped them. They were frightened as they entered the cloud; 35 and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen. Listen to him!” 36 When the voice spoke, Yeshua was alone once more. They kept quiet — at that time they told no one anything of what they had seen.
---------------------
John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Exodus 34:29-35
Verse 29
[29] And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.
The skin of his face shone - This time of his being in the mount he heard only the same he had heard before. But he saw more of the glory of God, which having with open face beheld, he was in some measure changed into the same image. This was a great honour done to Moses, that the people might never again question his mission, or think or speak slightly of him. He carried his credentials in his very countenance, some think as long as he lived, he retained some remainders of this glory, which perhaps contributed to the vigour of his old age; that eye could not wax dim which had seen God, nor that face wrinkle which had shone with his glory.
Verse 30
[30] And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.
And Aaron and the children of Israel saw it, and were afraid — It not only dazzled their eyes, but struck such an awe upon them as obliged them to retire. Probably they doubted whether it was a token of God's favour, or of his displeasure.
Verse 33
[33] And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face.
And Moses put a veil upon his face — This veil signified the darkness of that dispensation; the ceremonial institutions had in them much of Christ and the gospel, but a veil was drawn over it, so that the children of Israel could not distinctly and steadfastly see those good things to come which the law had a shadow of. It was beauty veiled, gold in the mine, a pearl in the shell; but thanks be to God, by the gospel, the veil is taken away from off the old testament; yet still it remains upon the hearts of those who shut their eyes against the light.
Verse 34
[34] But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded.
When he went before the Lord, he put off the veil - Every veil must be thrown aside when we go to present ourselves unto the Lord. This signified also, as it is explained, 2 Corinthians 3:16, that when a soul turns to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away, that with open face it may behold his glory.
Psalm 99
Verse 1
[1] The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.
People — Such as are enemies to God and his people.
Sitteth — Upon the ark. He is present with his people.
Earth — The people of the earth.
Moved — With fear and trembling.
Verse 3
[3] Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.
Them — All people.
Verse 4
[4] The king's strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.
Judgment — Though his dominion be absolute, and his power irresistible, yet he manages it with righteousness. The king's strength is by a known Hebraism put for the strong, or powerful king.
Equity — In all thy proceedings.
Verse 5
[5] Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.
Foot-stool — Before the ark, which is so called, 1 Chronicles 28:2.
Holy — It is consecrated to be a pledge of God's presence.
Verse 6
[6] Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.
Moses — Moses before the institution of the priesthood executed that office, Exodus 24:6.
That call — Who used frequently and solemnly to intercede with God on the behalf of the people.
Verse 7
[7] He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.
Spake — To some of them: to Moses and Aaron, Exodus 19:24; 33:9-11; 1 Samuel 7:9, etc.
Verse 8
[8] Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.
Them — The intercessors before mentioned.
Forgavest — The people for whom they prayed, so far as not to inflict that total destruction upon them which they deserved;
2 Corinthians 3:12–4:2
Verse 12
[12] Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
Having therefore this hope — Being fully persuaded of this.
Verse 13
[13] And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
And we do not act as Moses did, who put a veil over his face - Which is to be understood with regard to his writings also. So that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly to the end of that dispensation which is now abolished - The end of this was Christ. The whole Mosaic dispensation tended to, and terminated in, him; but the Israelites had only a dim, wavering sight of him, of whom Moses spake in an obscure, covert manner.
Verse 14
[14] But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
The same veil remaineth on their understanding unremoved - Not so much as folded back, (so the word implies,) so as to admit a little, glimmering light. On the public reading of the Old Testament - The veil is not now on the face of Moses or of his writings, but on the reading of them, and on the heart of them that believe not.
Which is taken away in Christ — That is, from the heart of them that truly believe on him.
Verse 16
[16] Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
When it — Their heart.
Shall turn to the Lord — To Christ, by living faith.
The veil is taken away — That very moment; and they see, with the utmost clearness, how all the types and prophecies of the law are fully accomplished in him.
Verse 17
[17] Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
Now the Lord — Christ is that Spirit of the law whereof I speak, to which the letter was intended to lead. And where the Spirit of the Lord, Christ, is, there is liberty - Not the veil, the emblem of slavery. There is liberty from servile fear, liberty from the guilt and from the power of sin, liberty to behold with open face the glory of the Lord.
Verse 18
[18] But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
And, accordingly, all we that believe in him, beholding as in a glass - In the mirror of the gospel.
The glory of the Lord — His glorious love.
Are transformed into the same image — Into the same love. From one degree of this glory to another, in a manner worthy of his almighty Spirit. What a beautiful contrast is here! Moses saw the glory of the Lord, and it rendered his face so bright, that he covered it with a veil; Israel not being able to bear the reflected light. We behold his glory in the glass of his word, and our faces shine too; yet we veil them not, but diffuse the lustre which is continually increasing, as we fix the eye of our mind more and more steadfastly on his glory displayed in the gospel.
Verse 1
[1] Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
Therefore having this ministry — Spoken of, 2 Corinthians 3:6.
As we have received mercy — Have been mercifully supported in all our trials.
We faint not — We desist not in any degree from our glorious enterprise.
Verse 2
[2] But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
But have renounced — Set at open defiance.
The hidden things of shame — All things which men need to hide, or to be ashamed of.
Not walking in craftiness — Using no disguise, subtlety, guile. Nor privily corrupting the pure word of God - By any additions or alterations, or by attempting to accommodate it to the taste of the hearers.
Luke 9:28-36
Verse 28
[28] And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
Matthew 17:1; Mark 9:2.
Verse 31
[31] Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
In glory — Like Christ with whom they talked.
Verse 32
[32] But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
They saw his glory — The very same expression in which it is described by St. John, John 1:14; and by St. Peter, 2 Peter 1:16.
Verse 34
[34] While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
A cloud came and overshadowed them all. And they, the apostles, feared, while they (Moses and Elijah) entered into the cloud, which took them away.
---------------------
(Maftir) 33 Once Moshe had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. 34 But when he went in before Adonai for him to speak, he would take the veil off until he came out; then, when he came out, he would tell the people of Isra’el what he had been ordered. 35 But when the people of Isra’el saw Moshe’s face, that the skin of Moshe’s face shone, he would put the veil back over his face until he went in again to speak with [Adonai].
We come to remember the day Jesus took three of His disciples to a mountaintop where He met with Moses and Elijah while He was transfigured to shine really white. Yet before this, when Moses led the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage and he was on Mount Sinai having a conversation with God receving the Ten Commandments he was noticed to be shining from his presence with God. This occurs to anyone who has a transformational encounter with God. The difference with Moses shining there appeared to be a dimming of His glow over the years even though he kept a veil on because the Israelites where frightened of His shine. When Jesus was transfigured, His shine remained and still remains to allow all of His followers to shine with the glow of His presence. The amazing thing is the Israelites were frightened of Moses' glow, but the sleeping disciples were excited to be there with Jesus and see Moses and Elijah that they wanted to build three tabernacles for each of the three: Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. Yet, as they said this a cloud came down taking Moses and Elijah back to the Kingdom with God's voice saying that Jesus is His beloved Son and we are to listen and obey Him. Today, we seek His presence upon our worship services and our service in all areas of our lives. We too often seek to fulfill God's call with our own ideas, but God's presence alludes us until we remain and be in Him as we do what He ask us. Lately, there appears to be an absence of God's presence in our lives and churches which could be due to the excluding of the marginalized especially the people who are differently abled in all our activities in and outside the church. We realize that we have sinned against God in this exclusion of the people who are differently abled as active participants as either lay people or clergy. Lord, we seek your forgiveness and seek your will to do better as we come to eat the Body of Jesus and drink His Blood through the Holy Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist to receive His blessings for each of us individually and communally. As we come to receive from God His blessings and mercies, we sing the Hymn "God's Glory" by Keziah Jones:
Soothe my mind
with life story
Soothe my kind
with gods glory
gods glory
who?
say amen ra
allah akhbar
lagbara oluwa
we will see
gods glory
who?
and the Hymn "O God of light, may our light shine" by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (2005)
1. O God of light, may our light shine
In ways that serve and honor you.
May we be loving, just and kind,
Proclaiming Christ in all we do.
2. God, where your people are oppressed
And where they cry out in despair,
Make us your light—to heal, to bless—
A witness, Lord, that you are there.
3. Christ, when your way is pushed aside
By those who trust in wealth and might,
Make us your lamps that we may guide
A searching world to your love’s light.
4. O Spirit, in this world of doubt,
We often sin and drift away.
When our own faith is flickering out,
Shine on our path and light our way.
---------------------
Exodus 34:29 When Moshe came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, he didn’t realize that the skin of his face was sending out rays of light as a result of his talking with [Adonai]. 30 When Aharon and the people of Isra’el saw Moshe, the skin of his face was shining; and they were afraid to approach him. 31 But Moshe called to them; then Aharon and all the community leaders came back to him, and Moshe spoke to them. 32 Afterwards, all the people of Isra’el came near; and he passed on to them all the orders that Adonai had told him on Mount Sinai.
(Maftir) 33 Once Moshe had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. 34 But when he went in before Adonai for him to speak, he would take the veil off until he came out; then, when he came out, he would tell the people of Isra’el what he had been ordered. 35 But when the people of Isra’el saw Moshe’s face, that the skin of Moshe’s face shone, he would put the veil back over his face until he went in again to speak with [Adonai].
Psalm 99:1 Adonai is king; let the peoples tremble.
He sits enthroned on the k’ruvim; let the earth shake!
2 Adonai is great in Tziyon;
he is high above all the peoples.
3 Let them praise your great and fearsome name (he is holy):
4 “Mighty king who loves justice, you established
fairness, justice and righteousness in Ya‘akov.”
5 Exalt Adonai our God!
Prostrate yourselves at his footstool (he is holy).
6 Moshe and Aharon among his cohanim
and Sh’mu’el among those who call on his name
called on Adonai, and he answered them.
7 He spoke to them in the column of cloud;
they kept his instructions and the law that he gave them.
8 Adonai our God, you answered them.
To them you were a forgiving God,
although you took vengeance on their wrongdoings.
9 Exalt Adonai our God,
bow down toward his holy mountain,
for Adonai our God is holy!
2 Corinthians 3:12 Therefore, with a hope like this, we are very open — 13 unlike Moshe, who put a veil over his face, so that the people of Isra’el would not see the fading brightness come to an end.
14 What is more, their minds were made stonelike; for to this day the same veil remains over them when they read the Old Covenant; it has not been unveiled, because only by the Messiah is the veil taken away. 15 Yes, till today, whenever Moshe is read, a veil lies over their heart. 16 “But,” says the Torah, “whenever someone turns to Adonai, the veil is taken away.”[2 Corinthians 3:16 Exodus 34:34] 17 Now, “Adonai” in this text means the Spirit. And where the Spirit of Adonai is, there is freedom. 18 So all of us, with faces unveiled, see as in a mirror the glory of the Lord; and we are being changed into his very image, from one degree of glory to the next, by Adonai the Spirit.
4:1 God has shown us such mercy that we do not lose courage as we do the work he has given us. 2 Indeed, we refuse to make use of shameful underhanded methods, employing deception or distorting God’s message. On the contrary, by making very clear what the truth is, we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
Luke 9:28 About a week after Yeshua said these things, he took Kefa, Yochanan and Ya‘akov with him and went up to the hill country to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed; and his clothing became gleaming white. 30 Suddenly there were two men talking with him — Moshe and Eliyahu! 31 They appeared in glorious splendor and spoke of his exodus, which he was soon to accomplish in Yerushalayim. 32 Kefa and those with him had been sound asleep; but on becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Yeshua, Kefa said to him, not knowing what he was saying, “It’s good that we’re here, Rabbi! Let’s put up three shelters — one for you, one for Moshe and one for Eliyahu.” 34 As he spoke, a cloud came and enveloped them. They were frightened as they entered the cloud; 35 and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen. Listen to him!” 36 When the voice spoke, Yeshua was alone once more. They kept quiet — at that time they told no one anything of what they had seen.
---------------------
John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Exodus 34:29-35
Verse 29
[29] And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.
The skin of his face shone - This time of his being in the mount he heard only the same he had heard before. But he saw more of the glory of God, which having with open face beheld, he was in some measure changed into the same image. This was a great honour done to Moses, that the people might never again question his mission, or think or speak slightly of him. He carried his credentials in his very countenance, some think as long as he lived, he retained some remainders of this glory, which perhaps contributed to the vigour of his old age; that eye could not wax dim which had seen God, nor that face wrinkle which had shone with his glory.
Verse 30
[30] And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.
And Aaron and the children of Israel saw it, and were afraid — It not only dazzled their eyes, but struck such an awe upon them as obliged them to retire. Probably they doubted whether it was a token of God's favour, or of his displeasure.
Verse 33
[33] And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face.
And Moses put a veil upon his face — This veil signified the darkness of that dispensation; the ceremonial institutions had in them much of Christ and the gospel, but a veil was drawn over it, so that the children of Israel could not distinctly and steadfastly see those good things to come which the law had a shadow of. It was beauty veiled, gold in the mine, a pearl in the shell; but thanks be to God, by the gospel, the veil is taken away from off the old testament; yet still it remains upon the hearts of those who shut their eyes against the light.
Verse 34
[34] But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded.
When he went before the Lord, he put off the veil - Every veil must be thrown aside when we go to present ourselves unto the Lord. This signified also, as it is explained, 2 Corinthians 3:16, that when a soul turns to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away, that with open face it may behold his glory.
Psalm 99
Verse 1
[1] The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.
People — Such as are enemies to God and his people.
Sitteth — Upon the ark. He is present with his people.
Earth — The people of the earth.
Moved — With fear and trembling.
Verse 3
[3] Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.
Them — All people.
Verse 4
[4] The king's strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.
Judgment — Though his dominion be absolute, and his power irresistible, yet he manages it with righteousness. The king's strength is by a known Hebraism put for the strong, or powerful king.
Equity — In all thy proceedings.
Verse 5
[5] Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.
Foot-stool — Before the ark, which is so called, 1 Chronicles 28:2.
Holy — It is consecrated to be a pledge of God's presence.
Verse 6
[6] Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.
Moses — Moses before the institution of the priesthood executed that office, Exodus 24:6.
That call — Who used frequently and solemnly to intercede with God on the behalf of the people.
Verse 7
[7] He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.
Spake — To some of them: to Moses and Aaron, Exodus 19:24; 33:9-11; 1 Samuel 7:9, etc.
Verse 8
[8] Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.
Them — The intercessors before mentioned.
Forgavest — The people for whom they prayed, so far as not to inflict that total destruction upon them which they deserved;
2 Corinthians 3:12–4:2
Verse 12
[12] Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
Having therefore this hope — Being fully persuaded of this.
Verse 13
[13] And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
And we do not act as Moses did, who put a veil over his face - Which is to be understood with regard to his writings also. So that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly to the end of that dispensation which is now abolished - The end of this was Christ. The whole Mosaic dispensation tended to, and terminated in, him; but the Israelites had only a dim, wavering sight of him, of whom Moses spake in an obscure, covert manner.
Verse 14
[14] But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
The same veil remaineth on their understanding unremoved - Not so much as folded back, (so the word implies,) so as to admit a little, glimmering light. On the public reading of the Old Testament - The veil is not now on the face of Moses or of his writings, but on the reading of them, and on the heart of them that believe not.
Which is taken away in Christ — That is, from the heart of them that truly believe on him.
Verse 16
[16] Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
When it — Their heart.
Shall turn to the Lord — To Christ, by living faith.
The veil is taken away — That very moment; and they see, with the utmost clearness, how all the types and prophecies of the law are fully accomplished in him.
Verse 17
[17] Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
Now the Lord — Christ is that Spirit of the law whereof I speak, to which the letter was intended to lead. And where the Spirit of the Lord, Christ, is, there is liberty - Not the veil, the emblem of slavery. There is liberty from servile fear, liberty from the guilt and from the power of sin, liberty to behold with open face the glory of the Lord.
Verse 18
[18] But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
And, accordingly, all we that believe in him, beholding as in a glass - In the mirror of the gospel.
The glory of the Lord — His glorious love.
Are transformed into the same image — Into the same love. From one degree of this glory to another, in a manner worthy of his almighty Spirit. What a beautiful contrast is here! Moses saw the glory of the Lord, and it rendered his face so bright, that he covered it with a veil; Israel not being able to bear the reflected light. We behold his glory in the glass of his word, and our faces shine too; yet we veil them not, but diffuse the lustre which is continually increasing, as we fix the eye of our mind more and more steadfastly on his glory displayed in the gospel.
Verse 1
[1] Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
Therefore having this ministry — Spoken of, 2 Corinthians 3:6.
As we have received mercy — Have been mercifully supported in all our trials.
We faint not — We desist not in any degree from our glorious enterprise.
Verse 2
[2] But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
But have renounced — Set at open defiance.
The hidden things of shame — All things which men need to hide, or to be ashamed of.
Not walking in craftiness — Using no disguise, subtlety, guile. Nor privily corrupting the pure word of God - By any additions or alterations, or by attempting to accommodate it to the taste of the hearers.
Luke 9:28-36
Verse 28
[28] And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
Matthew 17:1; Mark 9:2.
Verse 31
[31] Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
In glory — Like Christ with whom they talked.
Verse 32
[32] But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
They saw his glory — The very same expression in which it is described by St. John, John 1:14; and by St. Peter, 2 Peter 1:16.
Verse 34
[34] While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
A cloud came and overshadowed them all. And they, the apostles, feared, while they (Moses and Elijah) entered into the cloud, which took them away.
---------------------
The Upper Room Ministries
PO Box 340004
Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0004, United States
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Sermon Story "Transfiguration" by Gary Lee Parker for Sunday, 7 February 2016 with Scripture: Exodus 34:29 When Moshe came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, he didn’t realize that the skin of his face was sending out rays of light as a result of his talking with [Adonai]. 30 When Aharon and the people of Isra’el saw Moshe, the skin of his face was shining; and they were afraid to approach him. 31 But Moshe called to them; then Aharon and all the community leaders came back to him, and Moshe spoke to them. 32 Afterwards, all the people of Isra’el came near; and he passed on to them all the orders that Adonai had told him on Mount Sinai.---------------------
(Maftir) 33 Once Moshe had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. 34 But when he went in before Adonai for him to speak, he would take the veil off until he came out; then, when he came out, he would tell the people of Isra’el what he had been ordered. 35 But when the people of Isra’el saw Moshe’s face, that the skin of Moshe’s face shone, he would put the veil back over his face until he went in again to speak with [Adonai].
We come to remember the day Jesus took three of His disciples to a mountaintop where He met with Moses and Elijah while He was transfigured to shine really white. Yet before this, when Moses led the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage and he was on Mount Sinai having a conversation with God receving the Ten Commandments he was noticed to be shining from his presence with God. This occurs to anyone who has a transformational encounter with God. The difference with Moses shining there appeared to be a dimming of His glow over the years even though he kept a veil on because the Israelites where frightened of His shine. When Jesus was transfigured, His shine remained and still remains to allow all of His followers to shine with the glow of His presence. The amazing thing is the Israelites were frightened of Moses' glow, but the sleeping disciples were excited to be there with Jesus and see Moses and Elijah that they wanted to build three tabernacles for each of the three: Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. Yet, as they said this a cloud came down taking Moses and Elijah back to the Kingdom with God's voice saying that Jesus is His beloved Son and we are to listen and obey Him. Today, we seek His presence upon our worship services and our service in all areas of our lives. We too often seek to fulfill God's call with our own ideas, but God's presence alludes us until we remain and be in Him as we do what He ask us. Lately, there appears to be an absence of God's presence in our lives and churches which could be due to the excluding of the marginalized especially the people who are differently abled in all our activities in and outside the church. We realize that we have sinned against God in this exclusion of the people who are differently abled as active participants as either lay people or clergy. Lord, we seek your forgiveness and seek your will to do better as we come to eat the Body of Jesus and drink His Blood through the Holy Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist to receive His blessings for each of us individually and communally. As we come to receive from God His blessings and mercies, we sing the Hymn "God's Glory" by Keziah Jones:
Soothe my mind
with life story
Soothe my kind
with gods glory
gods glory
who?
say amen ra
allah akhbar
lagbara oluwa
we will see
gods glory
who?
and the Hymn "O God of light, may our light shine" by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (2005)
1. O God of light, may our light shine
In ways that serve and honor you.
May we be loving, just and kind,
Proclaiming Christ in all we do.
2. God, where your people are oppressed
And where they cry out in despair,
Make us your light—to heal, to bless—
A witness, Lord, that you are there.
3. Christ, when your way is pushed aside
By those who trust in wealth and might,
Make us your lamps that we may guide
A searching world to your love’s light.
4. O Spirit, in this world of doubt,
We often sin and drift away.
When our own faith is flickering out,
Shine on our path and light our way.
---------------------
Gary Lee Parker
4147 Idaho Street, Apt. 1
San Diego, California 92104-1844, United States
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The Upper Room Daily Reflections, daily words of wisdom and faith "Share God’s Love" for Thursday, 4 February 2016
Today’s Reflection:
GOD OF ALL LOVE, your love for me and for the whole creation is beyond anything I can imagine. Your thoughts are not my thoughts, and your ways are not my ways. But the immensity of your love does not frighten me; it encourages me. For if I could fully fathom your love and live in it, it would be no bigger than I am. …
I give you myself today as completely as I can, knowing that the experience of your love will create an even greater openness to you in the days to come. Choose for me the best expression of your love as I live today, and I will gladly receive it, as well as seek to find ways to share it with others.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.[Steve Harper, A Pocket Guide to Prayer, Deluxe Edition]
From pages 85-86 of A Pocket Guide to Prayer by Steve Harper. Copyright © 2010 by Steve Harper. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Pray today’s prayer.
Today’s Scripture:
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.[2 Corinthians 3:17, NRSV]
This Week: pray for educators.
I give you myself today as completely as I can, knowing that the experience of your love will create an even greater openness to you in the days to come. Choose for me the best expression of your love as I live today, and I will gladly receive it, as well as seek to find ways to share it with others.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.[Steve Harper, A Pocket Guide to Prayer, Deluxe Edition]
From pages 85-86 of A Pocket Guide to Prayer by Steve Harper. Copyright © 2010 by Steve Harper. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Pray today’s prayer.
Today’s Scripture:
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.[2 Corinthians 3:17, NRSV]
This Week: pray for educators.
---------------------
Saints, Inc.:
This week we remember: Aelred of Rievaulx (February 3).
Aelred of Rievaulx (ca. 1110-67), Cistercian monk, spiritual writer. Aelred was raised in a foster home, the court of King David of Scotland. There he gained popularity and success but became restless and dissatisfied. At the age of twenty-four he left the court abruptly and offered himself at the gate of Rievaulx, a Cistercian monastery, to become a monk. He quickly rose in responsibility, first as novice master and later as leader of a group of monks that started a new monastery. Later he was recalled to become abbot at Rievaulx and supervised many daughter houses as well. He had a close relationship with Bernard of Clairvaux, since Clairvaux was the mother house of Rievaulx.
Aelred is best known for Spiritual Friendship, written over a span of years, in which he reflected on Cicero's theories of friendship and went far beyond. He advocated friendship on both the natural and the supernatural planes. He wrote from the perspective of his own experiences with friendship, through which he experienced a higher and deeper relationship with Christ and with God. Friendship was a reflection of the love of God, with God being the source.
Aelred, conscious of the dangers and pitfalls of friendship in monasteries, maintained that loving one's immediate neighbors with charity and goodwill offered a foretaste of heaven. No conflict existed between love of friends and love of God. Judgment of what was right would contribute to true friendship, which required constant attention. Aelred died as he had lived, surrounded by a crowd of monks. EWF
If Aelred of Rievaulx had taken the Spiritual Types Test, he probably would have been a Lover. Aelred of Rievaulx is remembered on Febuary 3.
[Excerpted with permission from the entry on Aelred of Rievaulx by Elizabeth W. Fribance, fromThe Upper Room Dictionary of Christian Spiritual Formation, edited by Keith Beasley-Topliffe. Copyright © 2003 by Upper Room Books®. All rights reserved.]
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The Upper Room Daily Reflections, daily words of wisdom and faith "Fearfully and Wonderfully Made" for Wednesday, 3 February 2016
Today’s Reflection:
DEAR GOD,
Help us to see that we are much more than our scars. You have made us far too complex to be defined by what is without as opposed to what is within.
Forgive us for the times we have devalued ourselves, as well as for the times we have devalued others, for as the psalmist wrote, “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.”* In Jesus’ name. Amen.[*Psalm 139:14][Michael W. Waters, Freestyle]
From page 76 of Freestyle: Reflections on Faith, Family, Justice, and Pop Culture by Michael W. Waters. Copyright © 2014 by Michael W. Waters. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Fresh Air Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Pray today’s prayer.
---------------------
Did You Know?
In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers, call1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center web site.
---------------------
In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers, call
1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center web site.---------------------
---------------------
Saints, Inc.:This week we remember: Aelred of Rievaulx (February 3).
Aelred of Rievaulx (ca. 1110-67), Cistercian monk, spiritual writer. Aelred was raised in a foster home, the court of King David of Scotland. There he gained popularity and success but became restless and dissatisfied. At the age of twenty-four he left the court abruptly and offered himself at the gate of Rievaulx, a Cistercian monastery, to become a monk. He quickly rose in responsibility, first as novice master and later as leader of a group of monks that started a new monastery. Later he was recalled to become abbot at Rievaulx and supervised many daughter houses as well. He had a close relationship with Bernard of Clairvaux, since Clairvaux was the mother house of Rievaulx.
Aelred is best known for Spiritual Friendship, written over a span of years, in which he reflected on Cicero's theories of friendship and went far beyond. He advocated friendship on both the natural and the supernatural planes. He wrote from the perspective of his own experiences with friendship, through which he experienced a higher and deeper relationship with Christ and with God. Friendship was a reflection of the love of God, with God being the source.
Aelred, conscious of the dangers and pitfalls of friendship in monasteries, maintained that loving one's immediate neighbors with charity and goodwill offered a foretaste of heaven. No conflict existed between love of friends and love of God. Judgment of what was right would contribute to true friendship, which required constant attention. Aelred died as he had lived, surrounded by a crowd of monks. EWF
If Aelred of Rievaulx had taken the Spiritual Types Test, he probably would have been a Lover. Aelred of Rievaulx is remembered on Febuary 3.
[Excerpted with permission from the entry on Aelred of Rievaulx by Elizabeth W. Fribance, fromThe Upper Room Dictionary of Christian Spiritual Formation, edited by Keith Beasley-Topliffe. Copyright © 2003 by Upper Room Books®. All rights reserved.]
---------------------
Lectionary Readings
Sunday, 7 February 2016
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Exodus 34:29-35
Psalm 99
2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2
Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a)
Sunday, 7 February 2016
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Exodus 34:29-35
Psalm 99
2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2
Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a)
Scripture Text:
Exodus 34:29 When Moshe came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, he didn’t realize that the skin of his face was sending out rays of light as a result of his talking with [Adonai]. 30 When Aharon and the people of Isra’el saw Moshe, the skin of his face was shining; and they were afraid to approach him. 31 But Moshe called to them; then Aharon and all the community leaders came back to him, and Moshe spoke to them. 32 Afterwards, all the people of Isra’el came near; and he passed on to them all the orders that Adonai had told him on Mount Sinai.
(Maftir) 33 Once Moshe had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. 34 But when he went in before Adonai for him to speak, he would take the veil off until he came out; then, when he came out, he would tell the people of Isra’el what he had been ordered. 35 But when the people of Isra’el saw Moshe’s face, that the skin of Moshe’s face shone, he would put the veil back over his face until he went in again to speak with [Adonai].
Psalm 99:1 Adonai is king; let the peoples tremble.
He sits enthroned on the k’ruvim; let the earth shake!
2 Adonai is great in Tziyon;
he is high above all the peoples.
3 Let them praise your great and fearsome name (he is holy):
4 “Mighty king who loves justice, you established
fairness, justice and righteousness in Ya‘akov.”
5 Exalt Adonai our God!
Prostrate yourselves at his footstool (he is holy).
6 Moshe and Aharon among his cohanim
and Sh’mu’el among those who call on his name
called on Adonai, and he answered them.
7 He spoke to them in the column of cloud;
they kept his instructions and the law that he gave them.
8 Adonai our God, you answered them.
To them you were a forgiving God,
although you took vengeance on their wrongdoings.
9 Exalt Adonai our God,
bow down toward his holy mountain,
for Adonai our God is holy!
2 Corinthians 3:12 Therefore, with a hope like this, we are very open — 13 unlike Moshe, who put a veil over his face, so that the people of Isra’el would not see the fading brightness come to an end.
14 What is more, their minds were made stonelike; for to this day the same veil remains over them when they read the Old Covenant; it has not been unveiled, because only by the Messiah is the veil taken away. 15 Yes, till today, whenever Moshe is read, a veil lies over their heart. 16 “But,” says the Torah, “whenever someone turns to Adonai, the veil is taken away.”[2 Corinthians 3:16 Exodus 34:34] 17 Now, “Adonai” in this text means the Spirit. And where the Spirit of Adonai is, there is freedom. 18 So all of us, with faces unveiled, see as in a mirror the glory of the Lord; and we are being changed into his very image, from one degree of glory to the next, by Adonai the Spirit.
4:1 God has shown us such mercy that we do not lose courage as we do the work he has given us. 2 Indeed, we refuse to make use of shameful underhanded methods, employing deception or distorting God’s message. On the contrary, by making very clear what the truth is, we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
Luke 9:28 About a week after Yeshua said these things, he took Kefa, Yochanan and Ya‘akov with him and went up to the hill country to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed; and his clothing became gleaming white. 30 Suddenly there were two men talking with him — Moshe and Eliyahu! 31 They appeared in glorious splendor and spoke of his exodus, which he was soon to accomplish in Yerushalayim. 32 Kefa and those with him had been sound asleep; but on becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Yeshua, Kefa said to him, not knowing what he was saying, “It’s good that we’re here, Rabbi! Let’s put up three shelters — one for you, one for Moshe and one for Eliyahu.” 34 As he spoke, a cloud came and enveloped them. They were frightened as they entered the cloud; 35 and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen. Listen to him!” 36 When the voice spoke, Yeshua was alone once more. They kept quiet — at that time they told no one anything of what they had seen.
---------------------
John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Exodus 34:29-35
Verse 29
[29] And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.
The skin of his face shone - This time of his being in the mount he heard only the same he had heard before. But he saw more of the glory of God, which having with open face beheld, he was in some measure changed into the same image. This was a great honour done to Moses, that the people might never again question his mission, or think or speak slightly of him. He carried his credentials in his very countenance, some think as long as he lived, he retained some remainders of this glory, which perhaps contributed to the vigour of his old age; that eye could not wax dim which had seen God, nor that face wrinkle which had shone with his glory.
Verse 30
[30] And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.
And Aaron and the children of Israel saw it, and were afraid — It not only dazzled their eyes, but struck such an awe upon them as obliged them to retire. Probably they doubted whether it was a token of God's favour, or of his displeasure.
Verse 33
[33] And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face.
And Moses put a veil upon his face — This veil signified the darkness of that dispensation; the ceremonial institutions had in them much of Christ and the gospel, but a veil was drawn over it, so that the children of Israel could not distinctly and steadfastly see those good things to come which the law had a shadow of. It was beauty veiled, gold in the mine, a pearl in the shell; but thanks be to God, by the gospel, the veil is taken away from off the old testament; yet still it remains upon the hearts of those who shut their eyes against the light.
Verse 34
[34] But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded.
When he went before the Lord, he put off the veil - Every veil must be thrown aside when we go to present ourselves unto the Lord. This signified also, as it is explained, 2 Corinthians 3:16, that when a soul turns to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away, that with open face it may behold his glory.
Psalm 99
Verse 1
[1] The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.
People — Such as are enemies to God and his people.
Sitteth — Upon the ark. He is present with his people.
Earth — The people of the earth.
Moved — With fear and trembling.
Verse 3
[3] Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.
Them — All people.
Verse 4
[4] The king's strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.
Judgment — Though his dominion be absolute, and his power irresistible, yet he manages it with righteousness. The king's strength is by a known Hebraism put for the strong, or powerful king.
Equity — In all thy proceedings.
Verse 5
[5] Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.
Foot-stool — Before the ark, which is so called, 1 Chronicles 28:2.
Holy — It is consecrated to be a pledge of God's presence.
Verse 6
[6] Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.
Moses — Moses before the institution of the priesthood executed that office, Exodus 24:6.
That call — Who used frequently and solemnly to intercede with God on the behalf of the people.
Verse 7
[7] He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.
Spake — To some of them: to Moses and Aaron, Exodus 19:24; 33:9-11; 1 Samuel 7:9, etc.
Verse 8
[8] Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.
Them — The intercessors before mentioned.
Forgavest — The people for whom they prayed, so far as not to inflict that total destruction upon them which they deserved;
2 Corinthians 3:12–4:2
Verse 12
[12] Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
Having therefore this hope — Being fully persuaded of this.
Verse 13
[13] And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
And we do not act as Moses did, who put a veil over his face - Which is to be understood with regard to his writings also. So that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly to the end of that dispensation which is now abolished - The end of this was Christ. The whole Mosaic dispensation tended to, and terminated in, him; but the Israelites had only a dim, wavering sight of him, of whom Moses spake in an obscure, covert manner.
Verse 14
[14] But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
The same veil remaineth on their understanding unremoved - Not so much as folded back, (so the word implies,) so as to admit a little, glimmering light. On the public reading of the Old Testament - The veil is not now on the face of Moses or of his writings, but on the reading of them, and on the heart of them that believe not.
Which is taken away in Christ — That is, from the heart of them that truly believe on him.
Verse 16
[16] Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
When it — Their heart.
Shall turn to the Lord — To Christ, by living faith.
The veil is taken away — That very moment; and they see, with the utmost clearness, how all the types and prophecies of the law are fully accomplished in him.
Verse 17
[17] Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
Now the Lord — Christ is that Spirit of the law whereof I speak, to which the letter was intended to lead. And where the Spirit of the Lord, Christ, is, there is liberty - Not the veil, the emblem of slavery. There is liberty from servile fear, liberty from the guilt and from the power of sin, liberty to behold with open face the glory of the Lord.
Verse 18
[18] But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
And, accordingly, all we that believe in him, beholding as in a glass - In the mirror of the gospel.
The glory of the Lord — His glorious love.
Are transformed into the same image — Into the same love. From one degree of this glory to another, in a manner worthy of his almighty Spirit. What a beautiful contrast is here! Moses saw the glory of the Lord, and it rendered his face so bright, that he covered it with a veil; Israel not being able to bear the reflected light. We behold his glory in the glass of his word, and our faces shine too; yet we veil them not, but diffuse the lustre which is continually increasing, as we fix the eye of our mind more and more steadfastly on his glory displayed in the gospel.
Verse 1
[1] Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
Therefore having this ministry — Spoken of, 2 Corinthians 3:6.
As we have received mercy — Have been mercifully supported in all our trials.
We faint not — We desist not in any degree from our glorious enterprise.
Verse 2
[2] But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
But have renounced — Set at open defiance.
The hidden things of shame — All things which men need to hide, or to be ashamed of.
Not walking in craftiness — Using no disguise, subtlety, guile. Nor privily corrupting the pure word of God - By any additions or alterations, or by attempting to accommodate it to the taste of the hearers.
Luke 9:28-36
Verse 28
[28] And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
Matthew 17:1; Mark 9:2.
Verse 31
[31] Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
In glory — Like Christ with whom they talked.
Verse 32
[32] But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
They saw his glory — The very same expression in which it is described by St. John, John 1:14; and by St. Peter, 2 Peter 1:16.
Verse 34
[34] While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
A cloud came and overshadowed them all. And they, the apostles, feared, while they (Moses and Elijah) entered into the cloud, which took them away.
---------------------
(Maftir) 33 Once Moshe had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. 34 But when he went in before Adonai for him to speak, he would take the veil off until he came out; then, when he came out, he would tell the people of Isra’el what he had been ordered. 35 But when the people of Isra’el saw Moshe’s face, that the skin of Moshe’s face shone, he would put the veil back over his face until he went in again to speak with [Adonai].
We come to remember the day Jesus took three of His disciples to a mountaintop where He met with Moses and Elijah while He was transfigured to shine really white. Yet before this, when Moses led the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage and he was on Mount Sinai having a conversation with God receving the Ten Commandments he was noticed to be shining from his presence with God. This occurs to anyone who has a transformational encounter with God. The difference with Moses shining there appeared to be a dimming of His glow over the years even though he kept a veil on because the Israelites where frightened of His shine. When Jesus was transfigured, His shine remained and still remains to allow all of His followers to shine with the glow of His presence. The amazing thing is the Israelites were frightened of Moses' glow, but the sleeping disciples were excited to be there with Jesus and see Moses and Elijah that they wanted to build three tabernacles for each of the three: Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. Yet, as they said this a cloud came down taking Moses and Elijah back to the Kingdom with God's voice saying that Jesus is His beloved Son and we are to listen and obey Him. Today, we seek His presence upon our worship services and our service in all areas of our lives. We too often seek to fulfill God's call with our own ideas, but God's presence alludes us until we remain and be in Him as we do what He ask us. Lately, there appears to be an absence of God's presence in our lives and churches which could be due to the excluding of the marginalized especially the people who are differently abled in all our activities in and outside the church. We realize that we have sinned against God in this exclusion of the people who are differently abled as active participants as either lay people or clergy. Lord, we seek your forgiveness and seek your will to do better as we come to eat the Body of Jesus and drink His Blood through the Holy Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist to receive His blessings for each of us individually and communally. As we come to receive from God His blessings and mercies, we sing the Hymn "God's Glory" by Keziah Jones:
Soothe my mind
with life story
Soothe my kind
with gods glory
gods glory
who?
say amen ra
allah akhbar
lagbara oluwa
we will see
gods glory
who?
and the Hymn "O God of light, may our light shine" by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (2005)
1. O God of light, may our light shine
In ways that serve and honor you.
May we be loving, just and kind,
Proclaiming Christ in all we do.
2. God, where your people are oppressed
And where they cry out in despair,
Make us your light—to heal, to bless—
A witness, Lord, that you are there.
3. Christ, when your way is pushed aside
By those who trust in wealth and might,
Make us your lamps that we may guide
A searching world to your love’s light.
4. O Spirit, in this world of doubt,
We often sin and drift away.
When our own faith is flickering out,
Shine on our path and light our way.
---------------------
Exodus 34:29 When Moshe came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, he didn’t realize that the skin of his face was sending out rays of light as a result of his talking with [Adonai]. 30 When Aharon and the people of Isra’el saw Moshe, the skin of his face was shining; and they were afraid to approach him. 31 But Moshe called to them; then Aharon and all the community leaders came back to him, and Moshe spoke to them. 32 Afterwards, all the people of Isra’el came near; and he passed on to them all the orders that Adonai had told him on Mount Sinai.
(Maftir) 33 Once Moshe had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. 34 But when he went in before Adonai for him to speak, he would take the veil off until he came out; then, when he came out, he would tell the people of Isra’el what he had been ordered. 35 But when the people of Isra’el saw Moshe’s face, that the skin of Moshe’s face shone, he would put the veil back over his face until he went in again to speak with [Adonai].
Psalm 99:1 Adonai is king; let the peoples tremble.
He sits enthroned on the k’ruvim; let the earth shake!
2 Adonai is great in Tziyon;
he is high above all the peoples.
3 Let them praise your great and fearsome name (he is holy):
4 “Mighty king who loves justice, you established
fairness, justice and righteousness in Ya‘akov.”
5 Exalt Adonai our God!
Prostrate yourselves at his footstool (he is holy).
6 Moshe and Aharon among his cohanim
and Sh’mu’el among those who call on his name
called on Adonai, and he answered them.
7 He spoke to them in the column of cloud;
they kept his instructions and the law that he gave them.
8 Adonai our God, you answered them.
To them you were a forgiving God,
although you took vengeance on their wrongdoings.
9 Exalt Adonai our God,
bow down toward his holy mountain,
for Adonai our God is holy!
2 Corinthians 3:12 Therefore, with a hope like this, we are very open — 13 unlike Moshe, who put a veil over his face, so that the people of Isra’el would not see the fading brightness come to an end.
14 What is more, their minds were made stonelike; for to this day the same veil remains over them when they read the Old Covenant; it has not been unveiled, because only by the Messiah is the veil taken away. 15 Yes, till today, whenever Moshe is read, a veil lies over their heart. 16 “But,” says the Torah, “whenever someone turns to Adonai, the veil is taken away.”[2 Corinthians 3:16 Exodus 34:34] 17 Now, “Adonai” in this text means the Spirit. And where the Spirit of Adonai is, there is freedom. 18 So all of us, with faces unveiled, see as in a mirror the glory of the Lord; and we are being changed into his very image, from one degree of glory to the next, by Adonai the Spirit.
4:1 God has shown us such mercy that we do not lose courage as we do the work he has given us. 2 Indeed, we refuse to make use of shameful underhanded methods, employing deception or distorting God’s message. On the contrary, by making very clear what the truth is, we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
Luke 9:28 About a week after Yeshua said these things, he took Kefa, Yochanan and Ya‘akov with him and went up to the hill country to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed; and his clothing became gleaming white. 30 Suddenly there were two men talking with him — Moshe and Eliyahu! 31 They appeared in glorious splendor and spoke of his exodus, which he was soon to accomplish in Yerushalayim. 32 Kefa and those with him had been sound asleep; but on becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Yeshua, Kefa said to him, not knowing what he was saying, “It’s good that we’re here, Rabbi! Let’s put up three shelters — one for you, one for Moshe and one for Eliyahu.” 34 As he spoke, a cloud came and enveloped them. They were frightened as they entered the cloud; 35 and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen. Listen to him!” 36 When the voice spoke, Yeshua was alone once more. They kept quiet — at that time they told no one anything of what they had seen.
---------------------
John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Exodus 34:29-35
Verse 29
[29] And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.
The skin of his face shone - This time of his being in the mount he heard only the same he had heard before. But he saw more of the glory of God, which having with open face beheld, he was in some measure changed into the same image. This was a great honour done to Moses, that the people might never again question his mission, or think or speak slightly of him. He carried his credentials in his very countenance, some think as long as he lived, he retained some remainders of this glory, which perhaps contributed to the vigour of his old age; that eye could not wax dim which had seen God, nor that face wrinkle which had shone with his glory.
Verse 30
[30] And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.
And Aaron and the children of Israel saw it, and were afraid — It not only dazzled their eyes, but struck such an awe upon them as obliged them to retire. Probably they doubted whether it was a token of God's favour, or of his displeasure.
Verse 33
[33] And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face.
And Moses put a veil upon his face — This veil signified the darkness of that dispensation; the ceremonial institutions had in them much of Christ and the gospel, but a veil was drawn over it, so that the children of Israel could not distinctly and steadfastly see those good things to come which the law had a shadow of. It was beauty veiled, gold in the mine, a pearl in the shell; but thanks be to God, by the gospel, the veil is taken away from off the old testament; yet still it remains upon the hearts of those who shut their eyes against the light.
Verse 34
[34] But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded.
When he went before the Lord, he put off the veil - Every veil must be thrown aside when we go to present ourselves unto the Lord. This signified also, as it is explained, 2 Corinthians 3:16, that when a soul turns to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away, that with open face it may behold his glory.
Psalm 99
Verse 1
[1] The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.
People — Such as are enemies to God and his people.
Sitteth — Upon the ark. He is present with his people.
Earth — The people of the earth.
Moved — With fear and trembling.
Verse 3
[3] Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.
Them — All people.
Verse 4
[4] The king's strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.
Judgment — Though his dominion be absolute, and his power irresistible, yet he manages it with righteousness. The king's strength is by a known Hebraism put for the strong, or powerful king.
Equity — In all thy proceedings.
Verse 5
[5] Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.
Foot-stool — Before the ark, which is so called, 1 Chronicles 28:2.
Holy — It is consecrated to be a pledge of God's presence.
Verse 6
[6] Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.
Moses — Moses before the institution of the priesthood executed that office, Exodus 24:6.
That call — Who used frequently and solemnly to intercede with God on the behalf of the people.
Verse 7
[7] He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.
Spake — To some of them: to Moses and Aaron, Exodus 19:24; 33:9-11; 1 Samuel 7:9, etc.
Verse 8
[8] Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.
Them — The intercessors before mentioned.
Forgavest — The people for whom they prayed, so far as not to inflict that total destruction upon them which they deserved;
2 Corinthians 3:12–4:2
Verse 12
[12] Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
Having therefore this hope — Being fully persuaded of this.
Verse 13
[13] And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
And we do not act as Moses did, who put a veil over his face - Which is to be understood with regard to his writings also. So that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly to the end of that dispensation which is now abolished - The end of this was Christ. The whole Mosaic dispensation tended to, and terminated in, him; but the Israelites had only a dim, wavering sight of him, of whom Moses spake in an obscure, covert manner.
Verse 14
[14] But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
The same veil remaineth on their understanding unremoved - Not so much as folded back, (so the word implies,) so as to admit a little, glimmering light. On the public reading of the Old Testament - The veil is not now on the face of Moses or of his writings, but on the reading of them, and on the heart of them that believe not.
Which is taken away in Christ — That is, from the heart of them that truly believe on him.
Verse 16
[16] Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
When it — Their heart.
Shall turn to the Lord — To Christ, by living faith.
The veil is taken away — That very moment; and they see, with the utmost clearness, how all the types and prophecies of the law are fully accomplished in him.
Verse 17
[17] Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
Now the Lord — Christ is that Spirit of the law whereof I speak, to which the letter was intended to lead. And where the Spirit of the Lord, Christ, is, there is liberty - Not the veil, the emblem of slavery. There is liberty from servile fear, liberty from the guilt and from the power of sin, liberty to behold with open face the glory of the Lord.
Verse 18
[18] But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
And, accordingly, all we that believe in him, beholding as in a glass - In the mirror of the gospel.
The glory of the Lord — His glorious love.
Are transformed into the same image — Into the same love. From one degree of this glory to another, in a manner worthy of his almighty Spirit. What a beautiful contrast is here! Moses saw the glory of the Lord, and it rendered his face so bright, that he covered it with a veil; Israel not being able to bear the reflected light. We behold his glory in the glass of his word, and our faces shine too; yet we veil them not, but diffuse the lustre which is continually increasing, as we fix the eye of our mind more and more steadfastly on his glory displayed in the gospel.
Verse 1
[1] Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
Therefore having this ministry — Spoken of, 2 Corinthians 3:6.
As we have received mercy — Have been mercifully supported in all our trials.
We faint not — We desist not in any degree from our glorious enterprise.
Verse 2
[2] But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
But have renounced — Set at open defiance.
The hidden things of shame — All things which men need to hide, or to be ashamed of.
Not walking in craftiness — Using no disguise, subtlety, guile. Nor privily corrupting the pure word of God - By any additions or alterations, or by attempting to accommodate it to the taste of the hearers.
Luke 9:28-36
Verse 28
[28] And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
Matthew 17:1; Mark 9:2.
Verse 31
[31] Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
In glory — Like Christ with whom they talked.
Verse 32
[32] But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
They saw his glory — The very same expression in which it is described by St. John, John 1:14; and by St. Peter, 2 Peter 1:16.
Verse 34
[34] While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
A cloud came and overshadowed them all. And they, the apostles, feared, while they (Moses and Elijah) entered into the cloud, which took them away.
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The Upper Room Ministries
PO Box 340004
Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0004, United States
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Sermon Story "Transfiguration" by Gary Lee Parker for Sunday, 7 February 2016 with Scripture: Exodus 34:29 When Moshe came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, he didn’t realize that the skin of his face was sending out rays of light as a result of his talking with [Adonai]. 30 When Aharon and the people of Isra’el saw Moshe, the skin of his face was shining; and they were afraid to approach him. 31 But Moshe called to them; then Aharon and all the community leaders came back to him, and Moshe spoke to them. 32 Afterwards, all the people of Isra’el came near; and he passed on to them all the orders that Adonai had told him on Mount Sinai.---------------------
(Maftir) 33 Once Moshe had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. 34 But when he went in before Adonai for him to speak, he would take the veil off until he came out; then, when he came out, he would tell the people of Isra’el what he had been ordered. 35 But when the people of Isra’el saw Moshe’s face, that the skin of Moshe’s face shone, he would put the veil back over his face until he went in again to speak with [Adonai].
We come to remember the day Jesus took three of His disciples to a mountaintop where He met with Moses and Elijah while He was transfigured to shine really white. Yet before this, when Moses led the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage and he was on Mount Sinai having a conversation with God receving the Ten Commandments he was noticed to be shining from his presence with God. This occurs to anyone who has a transformational encounter with God. The difference with Moses shining there appeared to be a dimming of His glow over the years even though he kept a veil on because the Israelites where frightened of His shine. When Jesus was transfigured, His shine remained and still remains to allow all of His followers to shine with the glow of His presence. The amazing thing is the Israelites were frightened of Moses' glow, but the sleeping disciples were excited to be there with Jesus and see Moses and Elijah that they wanted to build three tabernacles for each of the three: Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. Yet, as they said this a cloud came down taking Moses and Elijah back to the Kingdom with God's voice saying that Jesus is His beloved Son and we are to listen and obey Him. Today, we seek His presence upon our worship services and our service in all areas of our lives. We too often seek to fulfill God's call with our own ideas, but God's presence alludes us until we remain and be in Him as we do what He ask us. Lately, there appears to be an absence of God's presence in our lives and churches which could be due to the excluding of the marginalized especially the people who are differently abled in all our activities in and outside the church. We realize that we have sinned against God in this exclusion of the people who are differently abled as active participants as either lay people or clergy. Lord, we seek your forgiveness and seek your will to do better as we come to eat the Body of Jesus and drink His Blood through the Holy Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist to receive His blessings for each of us individually and communally. As we come to receive from God His blessings and mercies, we sing the Hymn "God's Glory" by Keziah Jones:
Soothe my mind
with life story
Soothe my kind
with gods glory
gods glory
who?
say amen ra
allah akhbar
lagbara oluwa
we will see
gods glory
who?
and the Hymn "O God of light, may our light shine" by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (2005)
1. O God of light, may our light shine
In ways that serve and honor you.
May we be loving, just and kind,
Proclaiming Christ in all we do.
2. God, where your people are oppressed
And where they cry out in despair,
Make us your light—to heal, to bless—
A witness, Lord, that you are there.
3. Christ, when your way is pushed aside
By those who trust in wealth and might,
Make us your lamps that we may guide
A searching world to your love’s light.
4. O Spirit, in this world of doubt,
We often sin and drift away.
When our own faith is flickering out,
Shine on our path and light our way.
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Gary Lee Parker
4147 Idaho Street, Apt. 1
San Diego, California 92104-1844, United States
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Today’s Reflection:
Help us to see that we are much more than our scars. You have made us far too complex to be defined by what is without as opposed to what is within.
Forgive us for the times we have devalued ourselves, as well as for the times we have devalued others, for as the psalmist wrote, “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.”* In Jesus’ name. Amen.[*Psalm 139:14][Michael W. Waters, Freestyle]
From page 76 of Freestyle: Reflections on Faith, Family, Justice, and Pop Culture by Michael W. Waters. Copyright © 2014 by Michael W. Waters. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Fresh Air Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Pray today’s prayer.
Did You Know?
In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers, call1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center web site.
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In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers, call
1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center web site.---------------------
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Saints, Inc.:This week we remember: Aelred of Rievaulx (February 3).
Aelred of Rievaulx (ca. 1110-67), Cistercian monk, spiritual writer. Aelred was raised in a foster home, the court of King David of Scotland. There he gained popularity and success but became restless and dissatisfied. At the age of twenty-four he left the court abruptly and offered himself at the gate of Rievaulx, a Cistercian monastery, to become a monk. He quickly rose in responsibility, first as novice master and later as leader of a group of monks that started a new monastery. Later he was recalled to become abbot at Rievaulx and supervised many daughter houses as well. He had a close relationship with Bernard of Clairvaux, since Clairvaux was the mother house of Rievaulx.
Aelred is best known for Spiritual Friendship, written over a span of years, in which he reflected on Cicero's theories of friendship and went far beyond. He advocated friendship on both the natural and the supernatural planes. He wrote from the perspective of his own experiences with friendship, through which he experienced a higher and deeper relationship with Christ and with God. Friendship was a reflection of the love of God, with God being the source.
Aelred, conscious of the dangers and pitfalls of friendship in monasteries, maintained that loving one's immediate neighbors with charity and goodwill offered a foretaste of heaven. No conflict existed between love of friends and love of God. Judgment of what was right would contribute to true friendship, which required constant attention. Aelred died as he had lived, surrounded by a crowd of monks. EWF
If Aelred of Rievaulx had taken the Spiritual Types Test, he probably would have been a Lover. Aelred of Rievaulx is remembered on Febuary 3.
[Excerpted with permission from the entry on Aelred of Rievaulx by Elizabeth W. Fribance, fromThe Upper Room Dictionary of Christian Spiritual Formation, edited by Keith Beasley-Topliffe. Copyright © 2003 by Upper Room Books®. All rights reserved.]
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Lectionary Readings
Sunday, 7 February 2016
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Exodus 34:29-35
Psalm 99
2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2
Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a)
Sunday, 7 February 2016
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Exodus 34:29-35
Psalm 99
2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2
Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a)
Scripture Text:
Exodus 34:29 When Moshe came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, he didn’t realize that the skin of his face was sending out rays of light as a result of his talking with [Adonai]. 30 When Aharon and the people of Isra’el saw Moshe, the skin of his face was shining; and they were afraid to approach him. 31 But Moshe called to them; then Aharon and all the community leaders came back to him, and Moshe spoke to them. 32 Afterwards, all the people of Isra’el came near; and he passed on to them all the orders that Adonai had told him on Mount Sinai.
(Maftir) 33 Once Moshe had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. 34 But when he went in before Adonai for him to speak, he would take the veil off until he came out; then, when he came out, he would tell the people of Isra’el what he had been ordered. 35 But when the people of Isra’el saw Moshe’s face, that the skin of Moshe’s face shone, he would put the veil back over his face until he went in again to speak with [Adonai].
Psalm 99:1 Adonai is king; let the peoples tremble.
He sits enthroned on the k’ruvim; let the earth shake!
2 Adonai is great in Tziyon;
he is high above all the peoples.
3 Let them praise your great and fearsome name (he is holy):
4 “Mighty king who loves justice, you established
fairness, justice and righteousness in Ya‘akov.”
5 Exalt Adonai our God!
Prostrate yourselves at his footstool (he is holy).
6 Moshe and Aharon among his cohanim
and Sh’mu’el among those who call on his name
called on Adonai, and he answered them.
7 He spoke to them in the column of cloud;
they kept his instructions and the law that he gave them.
8 Adonai our God, you answered them.
To them you were a forgiving God,
although you took vengeance on their wrongdoings.
9 Exalt Adonai our God,
bow down toward his holy mountain,
for Adonai our God is holy!
2 Corinthians 3:12 Therefore, with a hope like this, we are very open — 13 unlike Moshe, who put a veil over his face, so that the people of Isra’el would not see the fading brightness come to an end.
14 What is more, their minds were made stonelike; for to this day the same veil remains over them when they read the Old Covenant; it has not been unveiled, because only by the Messiah is the veil taken away. 15 Yes, till today, whenever Moshe is read, a veil lies over their heart. 16 “But,” says the Torah, “whenever someone turns to Adonai, the veil is taken away.”[2 Corinthians 3:16 Exodus 34:34] 17 Now, “Adonai” in this text means the Spirit. And where the Spirit of Adonai is, there is freedom. 18 So all of us, with faces unveiled, see as in a mirror the glory of the Lord; and we are being changed into his very image, from one degree of glory to the next, by Adonai the Spirit.
4:1 God has shown us such mercy that we do not lose courage as we do the work he has given us. 2 Indeed, we refuse to make use of shameful underhanded methods, employing deception or distorting God’s message. On the contrary, by making very clear what the truth is, we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
Luke 9:28 About a week after Yeshua said these things, he took Kefa, Yochanan and Ya‘akov with him and went up to the hill country to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed; and his clothing became gleaming white. 30 Suddenly there were two men talking with him — Moshe and Eliyahu! 31 They appeared in glorious splendor and spoke of his exodus, which he was soon to accomplish in Yerushalayim. 32 Kefa and those with him had been sound asleep; but on becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Yeshua, Kefa said to him, not knowing what he was saying, “It’s good that we’re here, Rabbi! Let’s put up three shelters — one for you, one for Moshe and one for Eliyahu.” 34 As he spoke, a cloud came and enveloped them. They were frightened as they entered the cloud; 35 and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen. Listen to him!” 36 When the voice spoke, Yeshua was alone once more. They kept quiet — at that time they told no one anything of what they had seen.
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John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Exodus 34:29-35
Verse 29
[29] And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.
The skin of his face shone - This time of his being in the mount he heard only the same he had heard before. But he saw more of the glory of God, which having with open face beheld, he was in some measure changed into the same image. This was a great honour done to Moses, that the people might never again question his mission, or think or speak slightly of him. He carried his credentials in his very countenance, some think as long as he lived, he retained some remainders of this glory, which perhaps contributed to the vigour of his old age; that eye could not wax dim which had seen God, nor that face wrinkle which had shone with his glory.
Verse 30
[30] And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.
And Aaron and the children of Israel saw it, and were afraid — It not only dazzled their eyes, but struck such an awe upon them as obliged them to retire. Probably they doubted whether it was a token of God's favour, or of his displeasure.
Verse 33
[33] And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face.
And Moses put a veil upon his face — This veil signified the darkness of that dispensation; the ceremonial institutions had in them much of Christ and the gospel, but a veil was drawn over it, so that the children of Israel could not distinctly and steadfastly see those good things to come which the law had a shadow of. It was beauty veiled, gold in the mine, a pearl in the shell; but thanks be to God, by the gospel, the veil is taken away from off the old testament; yet still it remains upon the hearts of those who shut their eyes against the light.
Verse 34
[34] But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded.
When he went before the Lord, he put off the veil - Every veil must be thrown aside when we go to present ourselves unto the Lord. This signified also, as it is explained, 2 Corinthians 3:16, that when a soul turns to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away, that with open face it may behold his glory.
Psalm 99
Verse 1
[1] The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.
People — Such as are enemies to God and his people.
Sitteth — Upon the ark. He is present with his people.
Earth — The people of the earth.
Moved — With fear and trembling.
Verse 3
[3] Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.
Them — All people.
Verse 4
[4] The king's strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.
Judgment — Though his dominion be absolute, and his power irresistible, yet he manages it with righteousness. The king's strength is by a known Hebraism put for the strong, or powerful king.
Equity — In all thy proceedings.
Verse 5
[5] Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.
Foot-stool — Before the ark, which is so called, 1 Chronicles 28:2.
Holy — It is consecrated to be a pledge of God's presence.
Verse 6
[6] Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.
Moses — Moses before the institution of the priesthood executed that office, Exodus 24:6.
That call — Who used frequently and solemnly to intercede with God on the behalf of the people.
Verse 7
[7] He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.
Spake — To some of them: to Moses and Aaron, Exodus 19:24; 33:9-11; 1 Samuel 7:9, etc.
Verse 8
[8] Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.
Them — The intercessors before mentioned.
Forgavest — The people for whom they prayed, so far as not to inflict that total destruction upon them which they deserved;
2 Corinthians 3:12–4:2
Verse 12
[12] Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
Having therefore this hope — Being fully persuaded of this.
Verse 13
[13] And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
And we do not act as Moses did, who put a veil over his face - Which is to be understood with regard to his writings also. So that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly to the end of that dispensation which is now abolished - The end of this was Christ. The whole Mosaic dispensation tended to, and terminated in, him; but the Israelites had only a dim, wavering sight of him, of whom Moses spake in an obscure, covert manner.
Verse 14
[14] But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
The same veil remaineth on their understanding unremoved - Not so much as folded back, (so the word implies,) so as to admit a little, glimmering light. On the public reading of the Old Testament - The veil is not now on the face of Moses or of his writings, but on the reading of them, and on the heart of them that believe not.
Which is taken away in Christ — That is, from the heart of them that truly believe on him.
Verse 16
[16] Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
When it — Their heart.
Shall turn to the Lord — To Christ, by living faith.
The veil is taken away — That very moment; and they see, with the utmost clearness, how all the types and prophecies of the law are fully accomplished in him.
Verse 17
[17] Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
Now the Lord — Christ is that Spirit of the law whereof I speak, to which the letter was intended to lead. And where the Spirit of the Lord, Christ, is, there is liberty - Not the veil, the emblem of slavery. There is liberty from servile fear, liberty from the guilt and from the power of sin, liberty to behold with open face the glory of the Lord.
Verse 18
[18] But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
And, accordingly, all we that believe in him, beholding as in a glass - In the mirror of the gospel.
The glory of the Lord — His glorious love.
Are transformed into the same image — Into the same love. From one degree of this glory to another, in a manner worthy of his almighty Spirit. What a beautiful contrast is here! Moses saw the glory of the Lord, and it rendered his face so bright, that he covered it with a veil; Israel not being able to bear the reflected light. We behold his glory in the glass of his word, and our faces shine too; yet we veil them not, but diffuse the lustre which is continually increasing, as we fix the eye of our mind more and more steadfastly on his glory displayed in the gospel.
Verse 1
[1] Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
Therefore having this ministry — Spoken of, 2 Corinthians 3:6.
As we have received mercy — Have been mercifully supported in all our trials.
We faint not — We desist not in any degree from our glorious enterprise.
Verse 2
[2] But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
But have renounced — Set at open defiance.
The hidden things of shame — All things which men need to hide, or to be ashamed of.
Not walking in craftiness — Using no disguise, subtlety, guile. Nor privily corrupting the pure word of God - By any additions or alterations, or by attempting to accommodate it to the taste of the hearers.
Luke 9:28-36
Verse 28
[28] And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
Matthew 17:1; Mark 9:2.
Verse 31
[31] Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
In glory — Like Christ with whom they talked.
Verse 32
[32] But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
They saw his glory — The very same expression in which it is described by St. John, John 1:14; and by St. Peter, 2 Peter 1:16.
Verse 34
[34] While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
A cloud came and overshadowed them all. And they, the apostles, feared, while they (Moses and Elijah) entered into the cloud, which took them away.
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(Maftir) 33 Once Moshe had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. 34 But when he went in before Adonai for him to speak, he would take the veil off until he came out; then, when he came out, he would tell the people of Isra’el what he had been ordered. 35 But when the people of Isra’el saw Moshe’s face, that the skin of Moshe’s face shone, he would put the veil back over his face until he went in again to speak with [Adonai].
We come to remember the day Jesus took three of His disciples to a mountaintop where He met with Moses and Elijah while He was transfigured to shine really white. Yet before this, when Moses led the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage and he was on Mount Sinai having a conversation with God receving the Ten Commandments he was noticed to be shining from his presence with God. This occurs to anyone who has a transformational encounter with God. The difference with Moses shining there appeared to be a dimming of His glow over the years even though he kept a veil on because the Israelites where frightened of His shine. When Jesus was transfigured, His shine remained and still remains to allow all of His followers to shine with the glow of His presence. The amazing thing is the Israelites were frightened of Moses' glow, but the sleeping disciples were excited to be there with Jesus and see Moses and Elijah that they wanted to build three tabernacles for each of the three: Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. Yet, as they said this a cloud came down taking Moses and Elijah back to the Kingdom with God's voice saying that Jesus is His beloved Son and we are to listen and obey Him. Today, we seek His presence upon our worship services and our service in all areas of our lives. We too often seek to fulfill God's call with our own ideas, but God's presence alludes us until we remain and be in Him as we do what He ask us. Lately, there appears to be an absence of God's presence in our lives and churches which could be due to the excluding of the marginalized especially the people who are differently abled in all our activities in and outside the church. We realize that we have sinned against God in this exclusion of the people who are differently abled as active participants as either lay people or clergy. Lord, we seek your forgiveness and seek your will to do better as we come to eat the Body of Jesus and drink His Blood through the Holy Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist to receive His blessings for each of us individually and communally. As we come to receive from God His blessings and mercies, we sing the Hymn "God's Glory" by Keziah Jones:
Soothe my mind
with life story
Soothe my kind
with gods glory
gods glory
who?
say amen ra
allah akhbar
lagbara oluwa
we will see
gods glory
who?
and the Hymn "O God of light, may our light shine" by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (2005)
1. O God of light, may our light shine
In ways that serve and honor you.
May we be loving, just and kind,
Proclaiming Christ in all we do.
2. God, where your people are oppressed
And where they cry out in despair,
Make us your light—to heal, to bless—
A witness, Lord, that you are there.
3. Christ, when your way is pushed aside
By those who trust in wealth and might,
Make us your lamps that we may guide
A searching world to your love’s light.
4. O Spirit, in this world of doubt,
We often sin and drift away.
When our own faith is flickering out,
Shine on our path and light our way.
---------------------
Exodus 34:29 When Moshe came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, he didn’t realize that the skin of his face was sending out rays of light as a result of his talking with [Adonai]. 30 When Aharon and the people of Isra’el saw Moshe, the skin of his face was shining; and they were afraid to approach him. 31 But Moshe called to them; then Aharon and all the community leaders came back to him, and Moshe spoke to them. 32 Afterwards, all the people of Isra’el came near; and he passed on to them all the orders that Adonai had told him on Mount Sinai.
(Maftir) 33 Once Moshe had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. 34 But when he went in before Adonai for him to speak, he would take the veil off until he came out; then, when he came out, he would tell the people of Isra’el what he had been ordered. 35 But when the people of Isra’el saw Moshe’s face, that the skin of Moshe’s face shone, he would put the veil back over his face until he went in again to speak with [Adonai].
Psalm 99:1 Adonai is king; let the peoples tremble.
He sits enthroned on the k’ruvim; let the earth shake!
2 Adonai is great in Tziyon;
he is high above all the peoples.
3 Let them praise your great and fearsome name (he is holy):
4 “Mighty king who loves justice, you established
fairness, justice and righteousness in Ya‘akov.”
5 Exalt Adonai our God!
Prostrate yourselves at his footstool (he is holy).
6 Moshe and Aharon among his cohanim
and Sh’mu’el among those who call on his name
called on Adonai, and he answered them.
7 He spoke to them in the column of cloud;
they kept his instructions and the law that he gave them.
8 Adonai our God, you answered them.
To them you were a forgiving God,
although you took vengeance on their wrongdoings.
9 Exalt Adonai our God,
bow down toward his holy mountain,
for Adonai our God is holy!
2 Corinthians 3:12 Therefore, with a hope like this, we are very open — 13 unlike Moshe, who put a veil over his face, so that the people of Isra’el would not see the fading brightness come to an end.
14 What is more, their minds were made stonelike; for to this day the same veil remains over them when they read the Old Covenant; it has not been unveiled, because only by the Messiah is the veil taken away. 15 Yes, till today, whenever Moshe is read, a veil lies over their heart. 16 “But,” says the Torah, “whenever someone turns to Adonai, the veil is taken away.”[2 Corinthians 3:16 Exodus 34:34] 17 Now, “Adonai” in this text means the Spirit. And where the Spirit of Adonai is, there is freedom. 18 So all of us, with faces unveiled, see as in a mirror the glory of the Lord; and we are being changed into his very image, from one degree of glory to the next, by Adonai the Spirit.
4:1 God has shown us such mercy that we do not lose courage as we do the work he has given us. 2 Indeed, we refuse to make use of shameful underhanded methods, employing deception or distorting God’s message. On the contrary, by making very clear what the truth is, we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
Luke 9:28 About a week after Yeshua said these things, he took Kefa, Yochanan and Ya‘akov with him and went up to the hill country to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed; and his clothing became gleaming white. 30 Suddenly there were two men talking with him — Moshe and Eliyahu! 31 They appeared in glorious splendor and spoke of his exodus, which he was soon to accomplish in Yerushalayim. 32 Kefa and those with him had been sound asleep; but on becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Yeshua, Kefa said to him, not knowing what he was saying, “It’s good that we’re here, Rabbi! Let’s put up three shelters — one for you, one for Moshe and one for Eliyahu.” 34 As he spoke, a cloud came and enveloped them. They were frightened as they entered the cloud; 35 and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen. Listen to him!” 36 When the voice spoke, Yeshua was alone once more. They kept quiet — at that time they told no one anything of what they had seen.
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John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Exodus 34:29-35
Verse 29
[29] And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.
The skin of his face shone - This time of his being in the mount he heard only the same he had heard before. But he saw more of the glory of God, which having with open face beheld, he was in some measure changed into the same image. This was a great honour done to Moses, that the people might never again question his mission, or think or speak slightly of him. He carried his credentials in his very countenance, some think as long as he lived, he retained some remainders of this glory, which perhaps contributed to the vigour of his old age; that eye could not wax dim which had seen God, nor that face wrinkle which had shone with his glory.
Verse 30
[30] And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.
And Aaron and the children of Israel saw it, and were afraid — It not only dazzled their eyes, but struck such an awe upon them as obliged them to retire. Probably they doubted whether it was a token of God's favour, or of his displeasure.
Verse 33
[33] And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face.
And Moses put a veil upon his face — This veil signified the darkness of that dispensation; the ceremonial institutions had in them much of Christ and the gospel, but a veil was drawn over it, so that the children of Israel could not distinctly and steadfastly see those good things to come which the law had a shadow of. It was beauty veiled, gold in the mine, a pearl in the shell; but thanks be to God, by the gospel, the veil is taken away from off the old testament; yet still it remains upon the hearts of those who shut their eyes against the light.
Verse 34
[34] But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded.
When he went before the Lord, he put off the veil - Every veil must be thrown aside when we go to present ourselves unto the Lord. This signified also, as it is explained, 2 Corinthians 3:16, that when a soul turns to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away, that with open face it may behold his glory.
Psalm 99
Verse 1
[1] The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.
People — Such as are enemies to God and his people.
Sitteth — Upon the ark. He is present with his people.
Earth — The people of the earth.
Moved — With fear and trembling.
Verse 3
[3] Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.
Them — All people.
Verse 4
[4] The king's strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.
Judgment — Though his dominion be absolute, and his power irresistible, yet he manages it with righteousness. The king's strength is by a known Hebraism put for the strong, or powerful king.
Equity — In all thy proceedings.
Verse 5
[5] Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.
Foot-stool — Before the ark, which is so called, 1 Chronicles 28:2.
Holy — It is consecrated to be a pledge of God's presence.
Verse 6
[6] Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.
Moses — Moses before the institution of the priesthood executed that office, Exodus 24:6.
That call — Who used frequently and solemnly to intercede with God on the behalf of the people.
Verse 7
[7] He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.
Spake — To some of them: to Moses and Aaron, Exodus 19:24; 33:9-11; 1 Samuel 7:9, etc.
Verse 8
[8] Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.
Them — The intercessors before mentioned.
Forgavest — The people for whom they prayed, so far as not to inflict that total destruction upon them which they deserved;
2 Corinthians 3:12–4:2
Verse 12
[12] Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
Having therefore this hope — Being fully persuaded of this.
Verse 13
[13] And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
And we do not act as Moses did, who put a veil over his face - Which is to be understood with regard to his writings also. So that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly to the end of that dispensation which is now abolished - The end of this was Christ. The whole Mosaic dispensation tended to, and terminated in, him; but the Israelites had only a dim, wavering sight of him, of whom Moses spake in an obscure, covert manner.
Verse 14
[14] But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
The same veil remaineth on their understanding unremoved - Not so much as folded back, (so the word implies,) so as to admit a little, glimmering light. On the public reading of the Old Testament - The veil is not now on the face of Moses or of his writings, but on the reading of them, and on the heart of them that believe not.
Which is taken away in Christ — That is, from the heart of them that truly believe on him.
Verse 16
[16] Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
When it — Their heart.
Shall turn to the Lord — To Christ, by living faith.
The veil is taken away — That very moment; and they see, with the utmost clearness, how all the types and prophecies of the law are fully accomplished in him.
Verse 17
[17] Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
Now the Lord — Christ is that Spirit of the law whereof I speak, to which the letter was intended to lead. And where the Spirit of the Lord, Christ, is, there is liberty - Not the veil, the emblem of slavery. There is liberty from servile fear, liberty from the guilt and from the power of sin, liberty to behold with open face the glory of the Lord.
Verse 18
[18] But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
And, accordingly, all we that believe in him, beholding as in a glass - In the mirror of the gospel.
The glory of the Lord — His glorious love.
Are transformed into the same image — Into the same love. From one degree of this glory to another, in a manner worthy of his almighty Spirit. What a beautiful contrast is here! Moses saw the glory of the Lord, and it rendered his face so bright, that he covered it with a veil; Israel not being able to bear the reflected light. We behold his glory in the glass of his word, and our faces shine too; yet we veil them not, but diffuse the lustre which is continually increasing, as we fix the eye of our mind more and more steadfastly on his glory displayed in the gospel.
Verse 1
[1] Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
Therefore having this ministry — Spoken of, 2 Corinthians 3:6.
As we have received mercy — Have been mercifully supported in all our trials.
We faint not — We desist not in any degree from our glorious enterprise.
Verse 2
[2] But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
But have renounced — Set at open defiance.
The hidden things of shame — All things which men need to hide, or to be ashamed of.
Not walking in craftiness — Using no disguise, subtlety, guile. Nor privily corrupting the pure word of God - By any additions or alterations, or by attempting to accommodate it to the taste of the hearers.
Luke 9:28-36
Verse 28
[28] And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
Matthew 17:1; Mark 9:2.
Verse 31
[31] Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
In glory — Like Christ with whom they talked.
Verse 32
[32] But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
They saw his glory — The very same expression in which it is described by St. John, John 1:14; and by St. Peter, 2 Peter 1:16.
Verse 34
[34] While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
A cloud came and overshadowed them all. And they, the apostles, feared, while they (Moses and Elijah) entered into the cloud, which took them away.
---------------------
The Upper Room Ministries
PO Box 340004
Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0004, United States
---------------------
Sermon Story "Transfiguration" by Gary Lee Parker for Sunday, 7 February 2016 with Scripture: Exodus 34:29 When Moshe came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, he didn’t realize that the skin of his face was sending out rays of light as a result of his talking with [Adonai]. 30 When Aharon and the people of Isra’el saw Moshe, the skin of his face was shining; and they were afraid to approach him. 31 But Moshe called to them; then Aharon and all the community leaders came back to him, and Moshe spoke to them. 32 Afterwards, all the people of Isra’el came near; and he passed on to them all the orders that Adonai had told him on Mount Sinai.---------------------
(Maftir) 33 Once Moshe had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. 34 But when he went in before Adonai for him to speak, he would take the veil off until he came out; then, when he came out, he would tell the people of Isra’el what he had been ordered. 35 But when the people of Isra’el saw Moshe’s face, that the skin of Moshe’s face shone, he would put the veil back over his face until he went in again to speak with [Adonai].
We come to remember the day Jesus took three of His disciples to a mountaintop where He met with Moses and Elijah while He was transfigured to shine really white. Yet before this, when Moses led the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage and he was on Mount Sinai having a conversation with God receving the Ten Commandments he was noticed to be shining from his presence with God. This occurs to anyone who has a transformational encounter with God. The difference with Moses shining there appeared to be a dimming of His glow over the years even though he kept a veil on because the Israelites where frightened of His shine. When Jesus was transfigured, His shine remained and still remains to allow all of His followers to shine with the glow of His presence. The amazing thing is the Israelites were frightened of Moses' glow, but the sleeping disciples were excited to be there with Jesus and see Moses and Elijah that they wanted to build three tabernacles for each of the three: Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. Yet, as they said this a cloud came down taking Moses and Elijah back to the Kingdom with God's voice saying that Jesus is His beloved Son and we are to listen and obey Him. Today, we seek His presence upon our worship services and our service in all areas of our lives. We too often seek to fulfill God's call with our own ideas, but God's presence alludes us until we remain and be in Him as we do what He ask us. Lately, there appears to be an absence of God's presence in our lives and churches which could be due to the excluding of the marginalized especially the people who are differently abled in all our activities in and outside the church. We realize that we have sinned against God in this exclusion of the people who are differently abled as active participants as either lay people or clergy. Lord, we seek your forgiveness and seek your will to do better as we come to eat the Body of Jesus and drink His Blood through the Holy Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist to receive His blessings for each of us individually and communally. As we come to receive from God His blessings and mercies, we sing the Hymn "God's Glory" by Keziah Jones:
Soothe my mind
with life story
Soothe my kind
with gods glory
gods glory
who?
say amen ra
allah akhbar
lagbara oluwa
we will see
gods glory
who?
and the Hymn "O God of light, may our light shine" by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (2005)
1. O God of light, may our light shine
In ways that serve and honor you.
May we be loving, just and kind,
Proclaiming Christ in all we do.
2. God, where your people are oppressed
And where they cry out in despair,
Make us your light—to heal, to bless—
A witness, Lord, that you are there.
3. Christ, when your way is pushed aside
By those who trust in wealth and might,
Make us your lamps that we may guide
A searching world to your love’s light.
4. O Spirit, in this world of doubt,
We often sin and drift away.
When our own faith is flickering out,
Shine on our path and light our way.
---------------------
Gary Lee Parker
4147 Idaho Street, Apt. 1
San Diego, California 92104-1844, United States
----------------------
The Upper Room Daily Reflections, daily words of wisdom and faith "Decide What to Do" for Tuesday, 2 February 2016
Today’s Reflection:
COMPASSION INCLUDES restorative action. Our cultivation of compassion is not complete when feelings of warm regard are experienced toward either ourselves or others. We must act out our compassion in ways that ease suffering and promote the flourishing of others. Such acts include consoling the grief-stricken, tending the wounded, and befriending those who feel forsaken. Yet actions that are genuinely compassionate often require careful discernment. What does compassion look like, for example, when the wound caused by another is still fresh or when an offender refuses to curb his or her violence and remains unrepentant?
Compassionate action must serve and sustain our own healing and restoration. …. Compassion yearns for the flourishing of all life, including our own. Our capacity for genuine compassion flows out of the strength and fullness of our vitality…
Compassionate action also invites the restoration of others. In the case of an offense against us, such restoration demands accountability. Compassion is not sentimental. Violent actions create wounds, and perpetrators must be held responsible….
Whenever you feel disconnected from your compassionate core: Catch your breath. Take your PULSE. Take the other’s PULSE. Then, and only then, decide what to do.[Frank Rogers Jr., Practicing Compassion]
From pages 31-33 of Practicing Compassion by Frank Rogers Jr. Copyright © 2015 by Frank Rogers Jr. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Fresh Air Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
How does the idea of restorative action resonate with your ideas about authentic compassion?
Today’s Scripture:
The LORD is king; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake![Psalm 99:1, NRSV]
This Week: pray for educators.
Today’s Reflection:
Compassionate action must serve and sustain our own healing and restoration. …. Compassion yearns for the flourishing of all life, including our own. Our capacity for genuine compassion flows out of the strength and fullness of our vitality…
Compassionate action also invites the restoration of others. In the case of an offense against us, such restoration demands accountability. Compassion is not sentimental. Violent actions create wounds, and perpetrators must be held responsible….
Whenever you feel disconnected from your compassionate core: Catch your breath. Take your PULSE. Take the other’s PULSE. Then, and only then, decide what to do.[Frank Rogers Jr., Practicing Compassion]
From pages 31-33 of Practicing Compassion by Frank Rogers Jr. Copyright © 2015 by Frank Rogers Jr. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Fresh Air Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
How does the idea of restorative action resonate with your ideas about authentic compassion?
Today’s Scripture:
The LORD is king; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake![Psalm 99:1, NRSV]
This Week: pray for educators.
---------------------
Saints, Inc.:
This week we remember: Aelred of Rievaulx (February 3).
Aelred of Rievaulx (ca. 1110-67), Cistercian monk, spiritual writer. Aelred was raised in a foster home, the court of King David of Scotland. There he gained popularity and success but became restless and dissatisfied. At the age of twenty-four he left the court abruptly and offered himself at the gate of Rievaulx, a Cistercian monastery, to become a monk. He quickly rose in responsibility, first as novice master and later as leader of a group of monks that started a new monastery. Later he was recalled to become abbot at Rievaulx and supervised many daughter houses as well. He had a close relationship with Bernard of Clairvaux, since Clairvaux was the mother house of Rievaulx.
Aelred is best known for Spiritual Friendship, written over a span of years, in which he reflected on Cicero's theories of friendship and went far beyond. He advocated friendship on both the natural and the supernatural planes. He wrote from the perspective of his own experiences with friendship, through which he experienced a higher and deeper relationship with Christ and with God. Friendship was a reflection of the love of God, with God being the source.
Aelred, conscious of the dangers and pitfalls of friendship in monasteries, maintained that loving one's immediate neighbors with charity and goodwill offered a foretaste of heaven. No conflict existed between love of friends and love of God. Judgment of what was right would contribute to true friendship, which required constant attention. Aelred died as he had lived, surrounded by a crowd of monks. EWF
If Aelred of Rievaulx had taken the Spiritual Types Test, he probably would have been a Lover. Aelred of Rievaulx is remembered on Febuary 3.
[Excerpted with permission from the entry on Aelred of Rievaulx by Elizabeth W. Fribance, fromThe Upper Room Dictionary of Christian Spiritual Formation, edited by Keith Beasley-Topliffe. Copyright © 2003 by Upper Room Books®. All rights reserved.]
---------------------
Today’s Reflection:
ONCE OUR HEARTS are steady enough to be open to empathic connection with others – this may take time – we can cultivate genuine compassion for others. We do so, as we did with ourselves, by connecting with the PULSE of humanity beating within them.
P – Paying attention. Cultivate a nonjudgmental, nonreactive awareness of what the person is doing and how he or she is doing it.
U – Understanding empathically. Listen for and be moved by the suffering hidden within the cry of his or her emotions or behavior – the fear, longing, or aching wound in need of care.
L – Loving with connection. As the suffering within the other person moves you, extend care toward the need or wound that surfaces.
S – Sensing the sacredness. Recognize and savor the expanse of compassion that holds and heals every wound within him or her.
E – Embodying new life. Notice the gifts and qualities of restored humanity that are being birthed within the person and yearn for his or her flourishing. …
No matter how distorted and beaten down we may become, an abiding capacity for care and connection remains alive within us. …The people we commonly engage with are like ourselves – momentarily mired in the compulsions, fears, and sensitivities we acquire over a lifetime. Nevertheless, as long as our hearts are beating, the pulse of our humanity lives. Connecting with this pulse within others unlocks our genuine compassion, and such compassion has the power to soften even the most hardened of hearts.[Frank Rogers Jr., Practicing Compassion]
From pages 30-31 of Practicing Compassion by Frank Rogers Jr. Copyright © 2015 by Frank Rogers Jr. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Fresh Air Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Where are there opportunities to offer compassion to others?
Today’s Scripture:
Moses 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.[Exodus 34:29, NRSV]
This Week: pray for educators.
Did You Know?
In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers, call1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center web site.
---------------------
In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers, call
1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center web site.---------------------
Saints, Inc.:This week we remember: Aelred of Rievaulx (February 3).
Aelred of Rievaulx (ca. 1110-67), Cistercian monk, spiritual writer. Aelred was raised in a foster home, the court of King David of Scotland. There he gained popularity and success but became restless and dissatisfied. At the age of twenty-four he left the court abruptly and offered himself at the gate of Rievaulx, a Cistercian monastery, to become a monk. He quickly rose in responsibility, first as novice master and later as leader of a group of monks that started a new monastery. Later he was recalled to become abbot at Rievaulx and supervised many daughter houses as well. He had a close relationship with Bernard of Clairvaux, since Clairvaux was the mother house of Rievaulx.
Aelred is best known for Spiritual Friendship, written over a span of years, in which he reflected on Cicero's theories of friendship and went far beyond. He advocated friendship on both the natural and the supernatural planes. He wrote from the perspective of his own experiences with friendship, through which he experienced a higher and deeper relationship with Christ and with God. Friendship was a reflection of the love of God, with God being the source.
Aelred, conscious of the dangers and pitfalls of friendship in monasteries, maintained that loving one's immediate neighbors with charity and goodwill offered a foretaste of heaven. No conflict existed between love of friends and love of God. Judgment of what was right would contribute to true friendship, which required constant attention. Aelred died as he had lived, surrounded by a crowd of monks. EWF
If Aelred of Rievaulx had taken the Spiritual Types Test, he probably would have been a Lover. Aelred of Rievaulx is remembered on Febuary 3.
[Excerpted with permission from the entry on Aelred of Rievaulx by Elizabeth W. Fribance, fromThe Upper Room Dictionary of Christian Spiritual Formation, edited by Keith Beasley-Topliffe. Copyright © 2003 by Upper Room Books®. All rights reserved.]
---------------------
Lectionary Readings
Sunday, 7 February 2016
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Exodus 34:29-35
Psalm 99
2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2
Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a)
Sunday, 7 February 2016
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Exodus 34:29-35
Psalm 99
2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2
Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a)
Scripture Text:
Exodus 34:29 When Moshe came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, he didn’t realize that the skin of his face was sending out rays of light as a result of his talking with [Adonai]. 30 When Aharon and the people of Isra’el saw Moshe, the skin of his face was shining; and they were afraid to approach him. 31 But Moshe called to them; then Aharon and all the community leaders came back to him, and Moshe spoke to them. 32 Afterwards, all the people of Isra’el came near; and he passed on to them all the orders that Adonai had told him on Mount Sinai.
(Maftir) 33 Once Moshe had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. 34 But when he went in before Adonai for him to speak, he would take the veil off until he came out; then, when he came out, he would tell the people of Isra’el what he had been ordered. 35 But when the people of Isra’el saw Moshe’s face, that the skin of Moshe’s face shone, he would put the veil back over his face until he went in again to speak with [Adonai].
Psalm 99:1 Adonai is king; let the peoples tremble.
He sits enthroned on the k’ruvim; let the earth shake!
2 Adonai is great in Tziyon;
he is high above all the peoples.
3 Let them praise your great and fearsome name (he is holy):
4 “Mighty king who loves justice, you established
fairness, justice and righteousness in Ya‘akov.”
5 Exalt Adonai our God!
Prostrate yourselves at his footstool (he is holy).
6 Moshe and Aharon among his cohanim
and Sh’mu’el among those who call on his name
called on Adonai, and he answered them.
7 He spoke to them in the column of cloud;
they kept his instructions and the law that he gave them.
8 Adonai our God, you answered them.
To them you were a forgiving God,
although you took vengeance on their wrongdoings.
9 Exalt Adonai our God,
bow down toward his holy mountain,
for Adonai our God is holy!
2 Corinthians 3:12 Therefore, with a hope like this, we are very open — 13 unlike Moshe, who put a veil over his face, so that the people of Isra’el would not see the fading brightness come to an end.
14 What is more, their minds were made stonelike; for to this day the same veil remains over them when they read the Old Covenant; it has not been unveiled, because only by the Messiah is the veil taken away. 15 Yes, till today, whenever Moshe is read, a veil lies over their heart. 16 “But,” says the Torah, “whenever someone turns to Adonai, the veil is taken away.”[2 Corinthians 3:16 Exodus 34:34] 17 Now, “Adonai” in this text means the Spirit. And where the Spirit of Adonai is, there is freedom. 18 So all of us, with faces unveiled, see as in a mirror the glory of the Lord; and we are being changed into his very image, from one degree of glory to the next, by Adonai the Spirit.
4:1 God has shown us such mercy that we do not lose courage as we do the work he has given us. 2 Indeed, we refuse to make use of shameful underhanded methods, employing deception or distorting God’s message. On the contrary, by making very clear what the truth is, we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
Luke 9:28 About a week after Yeshua said these things, he took Kefa, Yochanan and Ya‘akov with him and went up to the hill country to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed; and his clothing became gleaming white. 30 Suddenly there were two men talking with him — Moshe and Eliyahu! 31 They appeared in glorious splendor and spoke of his exodus, which he was soon to accomplish in Yerushalayim. 32 Kefa and those with him had been sound asleep; but on becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Yeshua, Kefa said to him, not knowing what he was saying, “It’s good that we’re here, Rabbi! Let’s put up three shelters — one for you, one for Moshe and one for Eliyahu.” 34 As he spoke, a cloud came and enveloped them. They were frightened as they entered the cloud; 35 and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen. Listen to him!” 36 When the voice spoke, Yeshua was alone once more. They kept quiet — at that time they told no one anything of what they had seen.
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John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Exodus 34:29-35
Verse 29
[29] And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.
The skin of his face shone - This time of his being in the mount he heard only the same he had heard before. But he saw more of the glory of God, which having with open face beheld, he was in some measure changed into the same image. This was a great honour done to Moses, that the people might never again question his mission, or think or speak slightly of him. He carried his credentials in his very countenance, some think as long as he lived, he retained some remainders of this glory, which perhaps contributed to the vigour of his old age; that eye could not wax dim which had seen God, nor that face wrinkle which had shone with his glory.
Verse 30
[30] And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.
And Aaron and the children of Israel saw it, and were afraid — It not only dazzled their eyes, but struck such an awe upon them as obliged them to retire. Probably they doubted whether it was a token of God's favour, or of his displeasure.
Verse 33
[33] And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face.
And Moses put a veil upon his face — This veil signified the darkness of that dispensation; the ceremonial institutions had in them much of Christ and the gospel, but a veil was drawn over it, so that the children of Israel could not distinctly and steadfastly see those good things to come which the law had a shadow of. It was beauty veiled, gold in the mine, a pearl in the shell; but thanks be to God, by the gospel, the veil is taken away from off the old testament; yet still it remains upon the hearts of those who shut their eyes against the light.
Verse 34
[34] But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded.
When he went before the Lord, he put off the veil - Every veil must be thrown aside when we go to present ourselves unto the Lord. This signified also, as it is explained, 2 Corinthians 3:16, that when a soul turns to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away, that with open face it may behold his glory.
Psalm 99
Verse 1
[1] The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.
People — Such as are enemies to God and his people.
Sitteth — Upon the ark. He is present with his people.
Earth — The people of the earth.
Moved — With fear and trembling.
Verse 3
[3] Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.
Them — All people.
Verse 4
[4] The king's strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.
Judgment — Though his dominion be absolute, and his power irresistible, yet he manages it with righteousness. The king's strength is by a known Hebraism put for the strong, or powerful king.
Equity — In all thy proceedings.
Verse 5
[5] Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.
Foot-stool — Before the ark, which is so called, 1 Chronicles 28:2.
Holy — It is consecrated to be a pledge of God's presence.
Verse 6
[6] Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.
Moses — Moses before the institution of the priesthood executed that office, Exodus 24:6.
That call — Who used frequently and solemnly to intercede with God on the behalf of the people.
Verse 7
[7] He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.
Spake — To some of them: to Moses and Aaron, Exodus 19:24; 33:9-11; 1 Samuel 7:9, etc.
Verse 8
[8] Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.
Them — The intercessors before mentioned.
Forgavest — The people for whom they prayed, so far as not to inflict that total destruction upon them which they deserved;
2 Corinthians 3:12–4:2
Verse 12
[12] Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
Having therefore this hope — Being fully persuaded of this.
Verse 13
[13] And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
And we do not act as Moses did, who put a veil over his face - Which is to be understood with regard to his writings also. So that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly to the end of that dispensation which is now abolished - The end of this was Christ. The whole Mosaic dispensation tended to, and terminated in, him; but the Israelites had only a dim, wavering sight of him, of whom Moses spake in an obscure, covert manner.
Verse 14
[14] But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
The same veil remaineth on their understanding unremoved - Not so much as folded back, (so the word implies,) so as to admit a little, glimmering light. On the public reading of the Old Testament - The veil is not now on the face of Moses or of his writings, but on the reading of them, and on the heart of them that believe not.
Which is taken away in Christ — That is, from the heart of them that truly believe on him.
Verse 16
[16] Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
When it — Their heart.
Shall turn to the Lord — To Christ, by living faith.
The veil is taken away — That very moment; and they see, with the utmost clearness, how all the types and prophecies of the law are fully accomplished in him.
Verse 17
[17] Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
Now the Lord — Christ is that Spirit of the law whereof I speak, to which the letter was intended to lead. And where the Spirit of the Lord, Christ, is, there is liberty - Not the veil, the emblem of slavery. There is liberty from servile fear, liberty from the guilt and from the power of sin, liberty to behold with open face the glory of the Lord.
Verse 18
[18] But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
And, accordingly, all we that believe in him, beholding as in a glass - In the mirror of the gospel.
The glory of the Lord — His glorious love.
Are transformed into the same image — Into the same love. From one degree of this glory to another, in a manner worthy of his almighty Spirit. What a beautiful contrast is here! Moses saw the glory of the Lord, and it rendered his face so bright, that he covered it with a veil; Israel not being able to bear the reflected light. We behold his glory in the glass of his word, and our faces shine too; yet we veil them not, but diffuse the lustre which is continually increasing, as we fix the eye of our mind more and more steadfastly on his glory displayed in the gospel.
Verse 1
[1] Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
Therefore having this ministry — Spoken of, 2 Corinthians 3:6.
As we have received mercy — Have been mercifully supported in all our trials.
We faint not — We desist not in any degree from our glorious enterprise.
Verse 2
[2] But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
But have renounced — Set at open defiance.
The hidden things of shame — All things which men need to hide, or to be ashamed of.
Not walking in craftiness — Using no disguise, subtlety, guile. Nor privily corrupting the pure word of God - By any additions or alterations, or by attempting to accommodate it to the taste of the hearers.
Luke 9:28-36
Verse 28
[28] And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
Matthew 17:1; Mark 9:2.
Verse 31
[31] Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
In glory — Like Christ with whom they talked.
Verse 32
[32] But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
They saw his glory — The very same expression in which it is described by St. John, John 1:14; and by St. Peter, 2 Peter 1:16.
Verse 34
[34] While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
A cloud came and overshadowed them all. And they, the apostles, feared, while they (Moses and Elijah) entered into the cloud, which took them away.
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(Maftir) 33 Once Moshe had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. 34 But when he went in before Adonai for him to speak, he would take the veil off until he came out; then, when he came out, he would tell the people of Isra’el what he had been ordered. 35 But when the people of Isra’el saw Moshe’s face, that the skin of Moshe’s face shone, he would put the veil back over his face until he went in again to speak with [Adonai].
We come to remember the day Jesus took three of His disciples to a mountaintop where He met with Moses and Elijah while He was transfigured to shine really white. Yet before this, when Moses led the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage and he was on Mount Sinai having a conversation with God receving the Ten Commandments he was noticed to be shining from his presence with God. This occurs to anyone who has a transformational encounter with God. The difference with Moses shining there appeared to be a dimming of His glow over the years even though he kept a veil on because the Israelites where frightened of His shine. When Jesus was transfigured, His shine remained and still remains to allow all of His followers to shine with the glow of His presence. The amazing thing is the Israelites were frightened of Moses' glow, but the sleeping disciples were excited to be there with Jesus and see Moses and Elijah that they wanted to build three tabernacles for each of the three: Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. Yet, as they said this a cloud came down taking Moses and Elijah back to the Kingdom with God's voice saying that Jesus is His beloved Son and we are to listen and obey Him. Today, we seek His presence upon our worship services and our service in all areas of our lives. We too often seek to fulfill God's call with our own ideas, but God's presence alludes us until we remain and be in Him as we do what He ask us. Lately, there appears to be an absence of God's presence in our lives and churches which could be due to the excluding of the marginalized especially the people who are differently abled in all our activities in and outside the church. We realize that we have sinned against God in this exclusion of the people who are differently abled as active participants as either lay people or clergy. Lord, we seek your forgiveness and seek your will to do better as we come to eat the Body of Jesus and drink His Blood through the Holy Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist to receive His blessings for each of us individually and communally. As we come to receive from God His blessings and mercies, we sing the Hymn "God's Glory" by Keziah Jones:
Soothe my mind
with life story
Soothe my kind
with gods glory
gods glory
who?
say amen ra
allah akhbar
lagbara oluwa
we will see
gods glory
who?
and the Hymn "O God of light, may our light shine" by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (2005)
1. O God of light, may our light shine
In ways that serve and honor you.
May we be loving, just and kind,
Proclaiming Christ in all we do.
2. God, where your people are oppressed
And where they cry out in despair,
Make us your light—to heal, to bless—
A witness, Lord, that you are there.
3. Christ, when your way is pushed aside
By those who trust in wealth and might,
Make us your lamps that we may guide
A searching world to your love’s light.
4. O Spirit, in this world of doubt,
We often sin and drift away.
When our own faith is flickering out,
Shine on our path and light our way.
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Exodus 34:29 When Moshe came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, he didn’t realize that the skin of his face was sending out rays of light as a result of his talking with [Adonai]. 30 When Aharon and the people of Isra’el saw Moshe, the skin of his face was shining; and they were afraid to approach him. 31 But Moshe called to them; then Aharon and all the community leaders came back to him, and Moshe spoke to them. 32 Afterwards, all the people of Isra’el came near; and he passed on to them all the orders that Adonai had told him on Mount Sinai.
(Maftir) 33 Once Moshe had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. 34 But when he went in before Adonai for him to speak, he would take the veil off until he came out; then, when he came out, he would tell the people of Isra’el what he had been ordered. 35 But when the people of Isra’el saw Moshe’s face, that the skin of Moshe’s face shone, he would put the veil back over his face until he went in again to speak with [Adonai].
Psalm 99:1 Adonai is king; let the peoples tremble.
He sits enthroned on the k’ruvim; let the earth shake!
2 Adonai is great in Tziyon;
he is high above all the peoples.
3 Let them praise your great and fearsome name (he is holy):
4 “Mighty king who loves justice, you established
fairness, justice and righteousness in Ya‘akov.”
5 Exalt Adonai our God!
Prostrate yourselves at his footstool (he is holy).
6 Moshe and Aharon among his cohanim
and Sh’mu’el among those who call on his name
called on Adonai, and he answered them.
7 He spoke to them in the column of cloud;
they kept his instructions and the law that he gave them.
8 Adonai our God, you answered them.
To them you were a forgiving God,
although you took vengeance on their wrongdoings.
9 Exalt Adonai our God,
bow down toward his holy mountain,
for Adonai our God is holy!
2 Corinthians 3:12 Therefore, with a hope like this, we are very open — 13 unlike Moshe, who put a veil over his face, so that the people of Isra’el would not see the fading brightness come to an end.
14 What is more, their minds were made stonelike; for to this day the same veil remains over them when they read the Old Covenant; it has not been unveiled, because only by the Messiah is the veil taken away. 15 Yes, till today, whenever Moshe is read, a veil lies over their heart. 16 “But,” says the Torah, “whenever someone turns to Adonai, the veil is taken away.”[2 Corinthians 3:16 Exodus 34:34] 17 Now, “Adonai” in this text means the Spirit. And where the Spirit of Adonai is, there is freedom. 18 So all of us, with faces unveiled, see as in a mirror the glory of the Lord; and we are being changed into his very image, from one degree of glory to the next, by Adonai the Spirit.
4:1 God has shown us such mercy that we do not lose courage as we do the work he has given us. 2 Indeed, we refuse to make use of shameful underhanded methods, employing deception or distorting God’s message. On the contrary, by making very clear what the truth is, we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
Luke 9:28 About a week after Yeshua said these things, he took Kefa, Yochanan and Ya‘akov with him and went up to the hill country to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed; and his clothing became gleaming white. 30 Suddenly there were two men talking with him — Moshe and Eliyahu! 31 They appeared in glorious splendor and spoke of his exodus, which he was soon to accomplish in Yerushalayim. 32 Kefa and those with him had been sound asleep; but on becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Yeshua, Kefa said to him, not knowing what he was saying, “It’s good that we’re here, Rabbi! Let’s put up three shelters — one for you, one for Moshe and one for Eliyahu.” 34 As he spoke, a cloud came and enveloped them. They were frightened as they entered the cloud; 35 and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen. Listen to him!” 36 When the voice spoke, Yeshua was alone once more. They kept quiet — at that time they told no one anything of what they had seen.
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John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Exodus 34:29-35
Verse 29
[29] And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.
The skin of his face shone - This time of his being in the mount he heard only the same he had heard before. But he saw more of the glory of God, which having with open face beheld, he was in some measure changed into the same image. This was a great honour done to Moses, that the people might never again question his mission, or think or speak slightly of him. He carried his credentials in his very countenance, some think as long as he lived, he retained some remainders of this glory, which perhaps contributed to the vigour of his old age; that eye could not wax dim which had seen God, nor that face wrinkle which had shone with his glory.
Verse 30
[30] And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.
And Aaron and the children of Israel saw it, and were afraid — It not only dazzled their eyes, but struck such an awe upon them as obliged them to retire. Probably they doubted whether it was a token of God's favour, or of his displeasure.
Verse 33
[33] And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face.
And Moses put a veil upon his face — This veil signified the darkness of that dispensation; the ceremonial institutions had in them much of Christ and the gospel, but a veil was drawn over it, so that the children of Israel could not distinctly and steadfastly see those good things to come which the law had a shadow of. It was beauty veiled, gold in the mine, a pearl in the shell; but thanks be to God, by the gospel, the veil is taken away from off the old testament; yet still it remains upon the hearts of those who shut their eyes against the light.
Verse 34
[34] But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded.
When he went before the Lord, he put off the veil - Every veil must be thrown aside when we go to present ourselves unto the Lord. This signified also, as it is explained, 2 Corinthians 3:16, that when a soul turns to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away, that with open face it may behold his glory.
Psalm 99
Verse 1
[1] The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.
People — Such as are enemies to God and his people.
Sitteth — Upon the ark. He is present with his people.
Earth — The people of the earth.
Moved — With fear and trembling.
Verse 3
[3] Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.
Them — All people.
Verse 4
[4] The king's strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.
Judgment — Though his dominion be absolute, and his power irresistible, yet he manages it with righteousness. The king's strength is by a known Hebraism put for the strong, or powerful king.
Equity — In all thy proceedings.
Verse 5
[5] Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.
Foot-stool — Before the ark, which is so called, 1 Chronicles 28:2.
Holy — It is consecrated to be a pledge of God's presence.
Verse 6
[6] Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.
Moses — Moses before the institution of the priesthood executed that office, Exodus 24:6.
That call — Who used frequently and solemnly to intercede with God on the behalf of the people.
Verse 7
[7] He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.
Spake — To some of them: to Moses and Aaron, Exodus 19:24; 33:9-11; 1 Samuel 7:9, etc.
Verse 8
[8] Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.
Them — The intercessors before mentioned.
Forgavest — The people for whom they prayed, so far as not to inflict that total destruction upon them which they deserved;
2 Corinthians 3:12–4:2
Verse 12
[12] Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
Having therefore this hope — Being fully persuaded of this.
Verse 13
[13] And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
And we do not act as Moses did, who put a veil over his face - Which is to be understood with regard to his writings also. So that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly to the end of that dispensation which is now abolished - The end of this was Christ. The whole Mosaic dispensation tended to, and terminated in, him; but the Israelites had only a dim, wavering sight of him, of whom Moses spake in an obscure, covert manner.
Verse 14
[14] But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
The same veil remaineth on their understanding unremoved - Not so much as folded back, (so the word implies,) so as to admit a little, glimmering light. On the public reading of the Old Testament - The veil is not now on the face of Moses or of his writings, but on the reading of them, and on the heart of them that believe not.
Which is taken away in Christ — That is, from the heart of them that truly believe on him.
Verse 16
[16] Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
When it — Their heart.
Shall turn to the Lord — To Christ, by living faith.
The veil is taken away — That very moment; and they see, with the utmost clearness, how all the types and prophecies of the law are fully accomplished in him.
Verse 17
[17] Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
Now the Lord — Christ is that Spirit of the law whereof I speak, to which the letter was intended to lead. And where the Spirit of the Lord, Christ, is, there is liberty - Not the veil, the emblem of slavery. There is liberty from servile fear, liberty from the guilt and from the power of sin, liberty to behold with open face the glory of the Lord.
Verse 18
[18] But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
And, accordingly, all we that believe in him, beholding as in a glass - In the mirror of the gospel.
The glory of the Lord — His glorious love.
Are transformed into the same image — Into the same love. From one degree of this glory to another, in a manner worthy of his almighty Spirit. What a beautiful contrast is here! Moses saw the glory of the Lord, and it rendered his face so bright, that he covered it with a veil; Israel not being able to bear the reflected light. We behold his glory in the glass of his word, and our faces shine too; yet we veil them not, but diffuse the lustre which is continually increasing, as we fix the eye of our mind more and more steadfastly on his glory displayed in the gospel.
Verse 1
[1] Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
Therefore having this ministry — Spoken of, 2 Corinthians 3:6.
As we have received mercy — Have been mercifully supported in all our trials.
We faint not — We desist not in any degree from our glorious enterprise.
Verse 2
[2] But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
But have renounced — Set at open defiance.
The hidden things of shame — All things which men need to hide, or to be ashamed of.
Not walking in craftiness — Using no disguise, subtlety, guile. Nor privily corrupting the pure word of God - By any additions or alterations, or by attempting to accommodate it to the taste of the hearers.
Luke 9:28-36
Verse 28
[28] And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
Matthew 17:1; Mark 9:2.
Verse 31
[31] Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
In glory — Like Christ with whom they talked.
Verse 32
[32] But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
They saw his glory — The very same expression in which it is described by St. John, John 1:14; and by St. Peter, 2 Peter 1:16.
Verse 34
[34] While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
A cloud came and overshadowed them all. And they, the apostles, feared, while they (Moses and Elijah) entered into the cloud, which took them away.
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The Upper Room Ministries
PO Box 340004
Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0004, United States
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Sermon Story "Transfiguration" by Gary Lee Parker for Sunday, 7 February 2016 with Scripture: Exodus 34:29 When Moshe came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, he didn’t realize that the skin of his face was sending out rays of light as a result of his talking with [Adonai]. 30 When Aharon and the people of Isra’el saw Moshe, the skin of his face was shining; and they were afraid to approach him. 31 But Moshe called to them; then Aharon and all the community leaders came back to him, and Moshe spoke to them. 32 Afterwards, all the people of Isra’el came near; and he passed on to them all the orders that Adonai had told him on Mount Sinai.---------------------
(Maftir) 33 Once Moshe had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. 34 But when he went in before Adonai for him to speak, he would take the veil off until he came out; then, when he came out, he would tell the people of Isra’el what he had been ordered. 35 But when the people of Isra’el saw Moshe’s face, that the skin of Moshe’s face shone, he would put the veil back over his face until he went in again to speak with [Adonai].
We come to remember the day Jesus took three of His disciples to a mountaintop where He met with Moses and Elijah while He was transfigured to shine really white. Yet before this, when Moses led the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage and he was on Mount Sinai having a conversation with God receving the Ten Commandments he was noticed to be shining from his presence with God. This occurs to anyone who has a transformational encounter with God. The difference with Moses shining there appeared to be a dimming of His glow over the years even though he kept a veil on because the Israelites where frightened of His shine. When Jesus was transfigured, His shine remained and still remains to allow all of His followers to shine with the glow of His presence. The amazing thing is the Israelites were frightened of Moses' glow, but the sleeping disciples were excited to be there with Jesus and see Moses and Elijah that they wanted to build three tabernacles for each of the three: Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. Yet, as they said this a cloud came down taking Moses and Elijah back to the Kingdom with God's voice saying that Jesus is His beloved Son and we are to listen and obey Him. Today, we seek His presence upon our worship services and our service in all areas of our lives. We too often seek to fulfill God's call with our own ideas, but God's presence alludes us until we remain and be in Him as we do what He ask us. Lately, there appears to be an absence of God's presence in our lives and churches which could be due to the excluding of the marginalized especially the people who are differently abled in all our activities in and outside the church. We realize that we have sinned against God in this exclusion of the people who are differently abled as active participants as either lay people or clergy. Lord, we seek your forgiveness and seek your will to do better as we come to eat the Body of Jesus and drink His Blood through the Holy Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist to receive His blessings for each of us individually and communally. As we come to receive from God His blessings and mercies, we sing the Hymn "God's Glory" by Keziah Jones:
Soothe my mind
with life story
Soothe my kind
with gods glory
gods glory
who?
say amen ra
allah akhbar
lagbara oluwa
we will see
gods glory
who?
and the Hymn "O God of light, may our light shine" by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (2005)
1. O God of light, may our light shine
In ways that serve and honor you.
May we be loving, just and kind,
Proclaiming Christ in all we do.
2. God, where your people are oppressed
And where they cry out in despair,
Make us your light—to heal, to bless—
A witness, Lord, that you are there.
3. Christ, when your way is pushed aside
By those who trust in wealth and might,
Make us your lamps that we may guide
A searching world to your love’s light.
4. O Spirit, in this world of doubt,
We often sin and drift away.
When our own faith is flickering out,
Shine on our path and light our way.
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Gary Lee Parker
4147 Idaho Street, Apt. 1
San Diego, California 92104-1844, United States
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The Upper Room Daily Reflections, daily words of wisdom and faith "Cultivate Compassion for Others" for Monday, 1 February 2016Today’s Reflection:
P – Paying attention. Cultivate a nonjudgmental, nonreactive awareness of what the person is doing and how he or she is doing it.
U – Understanding empathically. Listen for and be moved by the suffering hidden within the cry of his or her emotions or behavior – the fear, longing, or aching wound in need of care.
L – Loving with connection. As the suffering within the other person moves you, extend care toward the need or wound that surfaces.
S – Sensing the sacredness. Recognize and savor the expanse of compassion that holds and heals every wound within him or her.
E – Embodying new life. Notice the gifts and qualities of restored humanity that are being birthed within the person and yearn for his or her flourishing. …
No matter how distorted and beaten down we may become, an abiding capacity for care and connection remains alive within us. …The people we commonly engage with are like ourselves – momentarily mired in the compulsions, fears, and sensitivities we acquire over a lifetime. Nevertheless, as long as our hearts are beating, the pulse of our humanity lives. Connecting with this pulse within others unlocks our genuine compassion, and such compassion has the power to soften even the most hardened of hearts.[Frank Rogers Jr., Practicing Compassion]
From pages 30-31 of Practicing Compassion by Frank Rogers Jr. Copyright © 2015 by Frank Rogers Jr. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Fresh Air Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
Where are there opportunities to offer compassion to others?
Today’s Scripture:
Moses 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.[Exodus 34:29, NRSV]
This Week: pray for educators.
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Saints, Inc.:
This week we remember: Aelred of Rievaulx (February 3).
Aelred of Rievaulx (ca. 1110-67), Cistercian monk, spiritual writer. Aelred was raised in a foster home, the court of King David of Scotland. There he gained popularity and success but became restless and dissatisfied. At the age of twenty-four he left the court abruptly and offered himself at the gate of Rievaulx, a Cistercian monastery, to become a monk. He quickly rose in responsibility, first as novice master and later as leader of a group of monks that started a new monastery. Later he was recalled to become abbot at Rievaulx and supervised many daughter houses as well. He had a close relationship with Bernard of Clairvaux, since Clairvaux was the mother house of Rievaulx.
Aelred is best known for Spiritual Friendship, written over a span of years, in which he reflected on Cicero's theories of friendship and went far beyond. He advocated friendship on both the natural and the supernatural planes. He wrote from the perspective of his own experiences with friendship, through which he experienced a higher and deeper relationship with Christ and with God. Friendship was a reflection of the love of God, with God being the source.
Aelred, conscious of the dangers and pitfalls of friendship in monasteries, maintained that loving one's immediate neighbors with charity and goodwill offered a foretaste of heaven. No conflict existed between love of friends and love of God. Judgment of what was right would contribute to true friendship, which required constant attention. Aelred died as he had lived, surrounded by a crowd of monks. EWF
If Aelred of Rievaulx had taken the Spiritual Types Test, he probably would have been a Lover. Aelred of Rievaulx is remembered on Febuary 3.
[Excerpted with permission from the entry on Aelred of Rievaulx by Elizabeth W. Fribance, fromThe Upper Room Dictionary of Christian Spiritual Formation, edited by Keith Beasley-Topliffe. Copyright © 2003 by Upper Room Books®. All rights reserved.]
---------------------
Did You Know?
In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers, call1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center web site.
---------------------
In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers, call
1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center web site.---------------------
Saints, Inc.:This week we remember: Aelred of Rievaulx (February 3).
Aelred of Rievaulx (ca. 1110-67), Cistercian monk, spiritual writer. Aelred was raised in a foster home, the court of King David of Scotland. There he gained popularity and success but became restless and dissatisfied. At the age of twenty-four he left the court abruptly and offered himself at the gate of Rievaulx, a Cistercian monastery, to become a monk. He quickly rose in responsibility, first as novice master and later as leader of a group of monks that started a new monastery. Later he was recalled to become abbot at Rievaulx and supervised many daughter houses as well. He had a close relationship with Bernard of Clairvaux, since Clairvaux was the mother house of Rievaulx.
Aelred is best known for Spiritual Friendship, written over a span of years, in which he reflected on Cicero's theories of friendship and went far beyond. He advocated friendship on both the natural and the supernatural planes. He wrote from the perspective of his own experiences with friendship, through which he experienced a higher and deeper relationship with Christ and with God. Friendship was a reflection of the love of God, with God being the source.
Aelred, conscious of the dangers and pitfalls of friendship in monasteries, maintained that loving one's immediate neighbors with charity and goodwill offered a foretaste of heaven. No conflict existed between love of friends and love of God. Judgment of what was right would contribute to true friendship, which required constant attention. Aelred died as he had lived, surrounded by a crowd of monks. EWF
If Aelred of Rievaulx had taken the Spiritual Types Test, he probably would have been a Lover. Aelred of Rievaulx is remembered on Febuary 3.
[Excerpted with permission from the entry on Aelred of Rievaulx by Elizabeth W. Fribance, fromThe Upper Room Dictionary of Christian Spiritual Formation, edited by Keith Beasley-Topliffe. Copyright © 2003 by Upper Room Books®. All rights reserved.]
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Lectionary Readings
Sunday, 7 February 2016
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Exodus 34:29-35
Psalm 99
2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2
Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a)
Sunday, 7 February 2016
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Exodus 34:29-35
Psalm 99
2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2
Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a)
Scripture Text:
Exodus 34:29 When Moshe came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, he didn’t realize that the skin of his face was sending out rays of light as a result of his talking with [Adonai]. 30 When Aharon and the people of Isra’el saw Moshe, the skin of his face was shining; and they were afraid to approach him. 31 But Moshe called to them; then Aharon and all the community leaders came back to him, and Moshe spoke to them. 32 Afterwards, all the people of Isra’el came near; and he passed on to them all the orders that Adonai had told him on Mount Sinai.
(Maftir) 33 Once Moshe had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. 34 But when he went in before Adonai for him to speak, he would take the veil off until he came out; then, when he came out, he would tell the people of Isra’el what he had been ordered. 35 But when the people of Isra’el saw Moshe’s face, that the skin of Moshe’s face shone, he would put the veil back over his face until he went in again to speak with [Adonai].
Psalm 99:1 Adonai is king; let the peoples tremble.
He sits enthroned on the k’ruvim; let the earth shake!
2 Adonai is great in Tziyon;
he is high above all the peoples.
3 Let them praise your great and fearsome name (he is holy):
4 “Mighty king who loves justice, you established
fairness, justice and righteousness in Ya‘akov.”
5 Exalt Adonai our God!
Prostrate yourselves at his footstool (he is holy).
6 Moshe and Aharon among his cohanim
and Sh’mu’el among those who call on his name
called on Adonai, and he answered them.
7 He spoke to them in the column of cloud;
they kept his instructions and the law that he gave them.
8 Adonai our God, you answered them.
To them you were a forgiving God,
although you took vengeance on their wrongdoings.
9 Exalt Adonai our God,
bow down toward his holy mountain,
for Adonai our God is holy!
2 Corinthians 3:12 Therefore, with a hope like this, we are very open — 13 unlike Moshe, who put a veil over his face, so that the people of Isra’el would not see the fading brightness come to an end.
14 What is more, their minds were made stonelike; for to this day the same veil remains over them when they read the Old Covenant; it has not been unveiled, because only by the Messiah is the veil taken away. 15 Yes, till today, whenever Moshe is read, a veil lies over their heart. 16 “But,” says the Torah, “whenever someone turns to Adonai, the veil is taken away.”[2 Corinthians 3:16 Exodus 34:34] 17 Now, “Adonai” in this text means the Spirit. And where the Spirit of Adonai is, there is freedom. 18 So all of us, with faces unveiled, see as in a mirror the glory of the Lord; and we are being changed into his very image, from one degree of glory to the next, by Adonai the Spirit.
4:1 God has shown us such mercy that we do not lose courage as we do the work he has given us. 2 Indeed, we refuse to make use of shameful underhanded methods, employing deception or distorting God’s message. On the contrary, by making very clear what the truth is, we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
Luke 9:28 About a week after Yeshua said these things, he took Kefa, Yochanan and Ya‘akov with him and went up to the hill country to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed; and his clothing became gleaming white. 30 Suddenly there were two men talking with him — Moshe and Eliyahu! 31 They appeared in glorious splendor and spoke of his exodus, which he was soon to accomplish in Yerushalayim. 32 Kefa and those with him had been sound asleep; but on becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Yeshua, Kefa said to him, not knowing what he was saying, “It’s good that we’re here, Rabbi! Let’s put up three shelters — one for you, one for Moshe and one for Eliyahu.” 34 As he spoke, a cloud came and enveloped them. They were frightened as they entered the cloud; 35 and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen. Listen to him!” 36 When the voice spoke, Yeshua was alone once more. They kept quiet — at that time they told no one anything of what they had seen.
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John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Exodus 34:29-35
Verse 29
[29] And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.
The skin of his face shone - This time of his being in the mount he heard only the same he had heard before. But he saw more of the glory of God, which having with open face beheld, he was in some measure changed into the same image. This was a great honour done to Moses, that the people might never again question his mission, or think or speak slightly of him. He carried his credentials in his very countenance, some think as long as he lived, he retained some remainders of this glory, which perhaps contributed to the vigour of his old age; that eye could not wax dim which had seen God, nor that face wrinkle which had shone with his glory.
Verse 30
[30] And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.
And Aaron and the children of Israel saw it, and were afraid — It not only dazzled their eyes, but struck such an awe upon them as obliged them to retire. Probably they doubted whether it was a token of God's favour, or of his displeasure.
Verse 33
[33] And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face.
And Moses put a veil upon his face — This veil signified the darkness of that dispensation; the ceremonial institutions had in them much of Christ and the gospel, but a veil was drawn over it, so that the children of Israel could not distinctly and steadfastly see those good things to come which the law had a shadow of. It was beauty veiled, gold in the mine, a pearl in the shell; but thanks be to God, by the gospel, the veil is taken away from off the old testament; yet still it remains upon the hearts of those who shut their eyes against the light.
Verse 34
[34] But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded.
When he went before the Lord, he put off the veil - Every veil must be thrown aside when we go to present ourselves unto the Lord. This signified also, as it is explained, 2 Corinthians 3:16, that when a soul turns to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away, that with open face it may behold his glory.
Psalm 99
Verse 1
[1] The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.
People — Such as are enemies to God and his people.
Sitteth — Upon the ark. He is present with his people.
Earth — The people of the earth.
Moved — With fear and trembling.
Verse 3
[3] Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.
Them — All people.
Verse 4
[4] The king's strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.
Judgment — Though his dominion be absolute, and his power irresistible, yet he manages it with righteousness. The king's strength is by a known Hebraism put for the strong, or powerful king.
Equity — In all thy proceedings.
Verse 5
[5] Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.
Foot-stool — Before the ark, which is so called, 1 Chronicles 28:2.
Holy — It is consecrated to be a pledge of God's presence.
Verse 6
[6] Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.
Moses — Moses before the institution of the priesthood executed that office, Exodus 24:6.
That call — Who used frequently and solemnly to intercede with God on the behalf of the people.
Verse 7
[7] He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.
Spake — To some of them: to Moses and Aaron, Exodus 19:24; 33:9-11; 1 Samuel 7:9, etc.
Verse 8
[8] Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.
Them — The intercessors before mentioned.
Forgavest — The people for whom they prayed, so far as not to inflict that total destruction upon them which they deserved;
2 Corinthians 3:12–4:2
Verse 12
[12] Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
Having therefore this hope — Being fully persuaded of this.
Verse 13
[13] And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
And we do not act as Moses did, who put a veil over his face - Which is to be understood with regard to his writings also. So that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly to the end of that dispensation which is now abolished - The end of this was Christ. The whole Mosaic dispensation tended to, and terminated in, him; but the Israelites had only a dim, wavering sight of him, of whom Moses spake in an obscure, covert manner.
Verse 14
[14] But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
The same veil remaineth on their understanding unremoved - Not so much as folded back, (so the word implies,) so as to admit a little, glimmering light. On the public reading of the Old Testament - The veil is not now on the face of Moses or of his writings, but on the reading of them, and on the heart of them that believe not.
Which is taken away in Christ — That is, from the heart of them that truly believe on him.
Verse 16
[16] Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
When it — Their heart.
Shall turn to the Lord — To Christ, by living faith.
The veil is taken away — That very moment; and they see, with the utmost clearness, how all the types and prophecies of the law are fully accomplished in him.
Verse 17
[17] Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
Now the Lord — Christ is that Spirit of the law whereof I speak, to which the letter was intended to lead. And where the Spirit of the Lord, Christ, is, there is liberty - Not the veil, the emblem of slavery. There is liberty from servile fear, liberty from the guilt and from the power of sin, liberty to behold with open face the glory of the Lord.
Verse 18
[18] But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
And, accordingly, all we that believe in him, beholding as in a glass - In the mirror of the gospel.
The glory of the Lord — His glorious love.
Are transformed into the same image — Into the same love. From one degree of this glory to another, in a manner worthy of his almighty Spirit. What a beautiful contrast is here! Moses saw the glory of the Lord, and it rendered his face so bright, that he covered it with a veil; Israel not being able to bear the reflected light. We behold his glory in the glass of his word, and our faces shine too; yet we veil them not, but diffuse the lustre which is continually increasing, as we fix the eye of our mind more and more steadfastly on his glory displayed in the gospel.
Verse 1
[1] Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
Therefore having this ministry — Spoken of, 2 Corinthians 3:6.
As we have received mercy — Have been mercifully supported in all our trials.
We faint not — We desist not in any degree from our glorious enterprise.
Verse 2
[2] But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
But have renounced — Set at open defiance.
The hidden things of shame — All things which men need to hide, or to be ashamed of.
Not walking in craftiness — Using no disguise, subtlety, guile. Nor privily corrupting the pure word of God - By any additions or alterations, or by attempting to accommodate it to the taste of the hearers.
Luke 9:28-36
Verse 28
[28] And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
Matthew 17:1; Mark 9:2.
Verse 31
[31] Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
In glory — Like Christ with whom they talked.
Verse 32
[32] But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
They saw his glory — The very same expression in which it is described by St. John, John 1:14; and by St. Peter, 2 Peter 1:16.
Verse 34
[34] While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
A cloud came and overshadowed them all. And they, the apostles, feared, while they (Moses and Elijah) entered into the cloud, which took them away.
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(Maftir) 33 Once Moshe had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. 34 But when he went in before Adonai for him to speak, he would take the veil off until he came out; then, when he came out, he would tell the people of Isra’el what he had been ordered. 35 But when the people of Isra’el saw Moshe’s face, that the skin of Moshe’s face shone, he would put the veil back over his face until he went in again to speak with [Adonai].
We come to remember the day Jesus took three of His disciples to a mountaintop where He met with Moses and Elijah while He was transfigured to shine really white. Yet before this, when Moses led the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage and he was on Mount Sinai having a conversation with God receving the Ten Commandments he was noticed to be shining from his presence with God. This occurs to anyone who has a transformational encounter with God. The difference with Moses shining there appeared to be a dimming of His glow over the years even though he kept a veil on because the Israelites where frightened of His shine. When Jesus was transfigured, His shine remained and still remains to allow all of His followers to shine with the glow of His presence. The amazing thing is the Israelites were frightened of Moses' glow, but the sleeping disciples were excited to be there with Jesus and see Moses and Elijah that they wanted to build three tabernacles for each of the three: Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. Yet, as they said this a cloud came down taking Moses and Elijah back to the Kingdom with God's voice saying that Jesus is His beloved Son and we are to listen and obey Him. Today, we seek His presence upon our worship services and our service in all areas of our lives. We too often seek to fulfill God's call with our own ideas, but God's presence alludes us until we remain and be in Him as we do what He ask us. Lately, there appears to be an absence of God's presence in our lives and churches which could be due to the excluding of the marginalized especially the people who are differently abled in all our activities in and outside the church. We realize that we have sinned against God in this exclusion of the people who are differently abled as active participants as either lay people or clergy. Lord, we seek your forgiveness and seek your will to do better as we come to eat the Body of Jesus and drink His Blood through the Holy Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist to receive His blessings for each of us individually and communally. As we come to receive from God His blessings and mercies, we sing the Hymn "God's Glory" by Keziah Jones:
Soothe my mind
with life story
Soothe my kind
with gods glory
gods glory
who?
say amen ra
allah akhbar
lagbara oluwa
we will see
gods glory
who?
and the Hymn "O God of light, may our light shine" by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (2005)
1. O God of light, may our light shine
In ways that serve and honor you.
May we be loving, just and kind,
Proclaiming Christ in all we do.
2. God, where your people are oppressed
And where they cry out in despair,
Make us your light—to heal, to bless—
A witness, Lord, that you are there.
3. Christ, when your way is pushed aside
By those who trust in wealth and might,
Make us your lamps that we may guide
A searching world to your love’s light.
4. O Spirit, in this world of doubt,
We often sin and drift away.
When our own faith is flickering out,
Shine on our path and light our way.
---------------------
Exodus 34:29 When Moshe came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, he didn’t realize that the skin of his face was sending out rays of light as a result of his talking with [Adonai]. 30 When Aharon and the people of Isra’el saw Moshe, the skin of his face was shining; and they were afraid to approach him. 31 But Moshe called to them; then Aharon and all the community leaders came back to him, and Moshe spoke to them. 32 Afterwards, all the people of Isra’el came near; and he passed on to them all the orders that Adonai had told him on Mount Sinai.
(Maftir) 33 Once Moshe had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. 34 But when he went in before Adonai for him to speak, he would take the veil off until he came out; then, when he came out, he would tell the people of Isra’el what he had been ordered. 35 But when the people of Isra’el saw Moshe’s face, that the skin of Moshe’s face shone, he would put the veil back over his face until he went in again to speak with [Adonai].
Psalm 99:1 Adonai is king; let the peoples tremble.
He sits enthroned on the k’ruvim; let the earth shake!
2 Adonai is great in Tziyon;
he is high above all the peoples.
3 Let them praise your great and fearsome name (he is holy):
4 “Mighty king who loves justice, you established
fairness, justice and righteousness in Ya‘akov.”
5 Exalt Adonai our God!
Prostrate yourselves at his footstool (he is holy).
6 Moshe and Aharon among his cohanim
and Sh’mu’el among those who call on his name
called on Adonai, and he answered them.
7 He spoke to them in the column of cloud;
they kept his instructions and the law that he gave them.
8 Adonai our God, you answered them.
To them you were a forgiving God,
although you took vengeance on their wrongdoings.
9 Exalt Adonai our God,
bow down toward his holy mountain,
for Adonai our God is holy!
2 Corinthians 3:12 Therefore, with a hope like this, we are very open — 13 unlike Moshe, who put a veil over his face, so that the people of Isra’el would not see the fading brightness come to an end.
14 What is more, their minds were made stonelike; for to this day the same veil remains over them when they read the Old Covenant; it has not been unveiled, because only by the Messiah is the veil taken away. 15 Yes, till today, whenever Moshe is read, a veil lies over their heart. 16 “But,” says the Torah, “whenever someone turns to Adonai, the veil is taken away.”[2 Corinthians 3:16 Exodus 34:34] 17 Now, “Adonai” in this text means the Spirit. And where the Spirit of Adonai is, there is freedom. 18 So all of us, with faces unveiled, see as in a mirror the glory of the Lord; and we are being changed into his very image, from one degree of glory to the next, by Adonai the Spirit.
4:1 God has shown us such mercy that we do not lose courage as we do the work he has given us. 2 Indeed, we refuse to make use of shameful underhanded methods, employing deception or distorting God’s message. On the contrary, by making very clear what the truth is, we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
Luke 9:28 About a week after Yeshua said these things, he took Kefa, Yochanan and Ya‘akov with him and went up to the hill country to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed; and his clothing became gleaming white. 30 Suddenly there were two men talking with him — Moshe and Eliyahu! 31 They appeared in glorious splendor and spoke of his exodus, which he was soon to accomplish in Yerushalayim. 32 Kefa and those with him had been sound asleep; but on becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Yeshua, Kefa said to him, not knowing what he was saying, “It’s good that we’re here, Rabbi! Let’s put up three shelters — one for you, one for Moshe and one for Eliyahu.” 34 As he spoke, a cloud came and enveloped them. They were frightened as they entered the cloud; 35 and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen. Listen to him!” 36 When the voice spoke, Yeshua was alone once more. They kept quiet — at that time they told no one anything of what they had seen.
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John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Exodus 34:29-35
Verse 29
[29] And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.
The skin of his face shone - This time of his being in the mount he heard only the same he had heard before. But he saw more of the glory of God, which having with open face beheld, he was in some measure changed into the same image. This was a great honour done to Moses, that the people might never again question his mission, or think or speak slightly of him. He carried his credentials in his very countenance, some think as long as he lived, he retained some remainders of this glory, which perhaps contributed to the vigour of his old age; that eye could not wax dim which had seen God, nor that face wrinkle which had shone with his glory.
Verse 30
[30] And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.
And Aaron and the children of Israel saw it, and were afraid — It not only dazzled their eyes, but struck such an awe upon them as obliged them to retire. Probably they doubted whether it was a token of God's favour, or of his displeasure.
Verse 33
[33] And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face.
And Moses put a veil upon his face — This veil signified the darkness of that dispensation; the ceremonial institutions had in them much of Christ and the gospel, but a veil was drawn over it, so that the children of Israel could not distinctly and steadfastly see those good things to come which the law had a shadow of. It was beauty veiled, gold in the mine, a pearl in the shell; but thanks be to God, by the gospel, the veil is taken away from off the old testament; yet still it remains upon the hearts of those who shut their eyes against the light.
Verse 34
[34] But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded.
When he went before the Lord, he put off the veil - Every veil must be thrown aside when we go to present ourselves unto the Lord. This signified also, as it is explained, 2 Corinthians 3:16, that when a soul turns to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away, that with open face it may behold his glory.
Psalm 99
Verse 1
[1] The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.
People — Such as are enemies to God and his people.
Sitteth — Upon the ark. He is present with his people.
Earth — The people of the earth.
Moved — With fear and trembling.
Verse 3
[3] Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.
Them — All people.
Verse 4
[4] The king's strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.
Judgment — Though his dominion be absolute, and his power irresistible, yet he manages it with righteousness. The king's strength is by a known Hebraism put for the strong, or powerful king.
Equity — In all thy proceedings.
Verse 5
[5] Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.
Foot-stool — Before the ark, which is so called, 1 Chronicles 28:2.
Holy — It is consecrated to be a pledge of God's presence.
Verse 6
[6] Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.
Moses — Moses before the institution of the priesthood executed that office, Exodus 24:6.
That call — Who used frequently and solemnly to intercede with God on the behalf of the people.
Verse 7
[7] He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.
Spake — To some of them: to Moses and Aaron, Exodus 19:24; 33:9-11; 1 Samuel 7:9, etc.
Verse 8
[8] Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.
Them — The intercessors before mentioned.
Forgavest — The people for whom they prayed, so far as not to inflict that total destruction upon them which they deserved;
2 Corinthians 3:12–4:2
Verse 12
[12] Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
Having therefore this hope — Being fully persuaded of this.
Verse 13
[13] And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
And we do not act as Moses did, who put a veil over his face - Which is to be understood with regard to his writings also. So that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly to the end of that dispensation which is now abolished - The end of this was Christ. The whole Mosaic dispensation tended to, and terminated in, him; but the Israelites had only a dim, wavering sight of him, of whom Moses spake in an obscure, covert manner.
Verse 14
[14] But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
The same veil remaineth on their understanding unremoved - Not so much as folded back, (so the word implies,) so as to admit a little, glimmering light. On the public reading of the Old Testament - The veil is not now on the face of Moses or of his writings, but on the reading of them, and on the heart of them that believe not.
Which is taken away in Christ — That is, from the heart of them that truly believe on him.
Verse 16
[16] Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
When it — Their heart.
Shall turn to the Lord — To Christ, by living faith.
The veil is taken away — That very moment; and they see, with the utmost clearness, how all the types and prophecies of the law are fully accomplished in him.
Verse 17
[17] Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
Now the Lord — Christ is that Spirit of the law whereof I speak, to which the letter was intended to lead. And where the Spirit of the Lord, Christ, is, there is liberty - Not the veil, the emblem of slavery. There is liberty from servile fear, liberty from the guilt and from the power of sin, liberty to behold with open face the glory of the Lord.
Verse 18
[18] But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
And, accordingly, all we that believe in him, beholding as in a glass - In the mirror of the gospel.
The glory of the Lord — His glorious love.
Are transformed into the same image — Into the same love. From one degree of this glory to another, in a manner worthy of his almighty Spirit. What a beautiful contrast is here! Moses saw the glory of the Lord, and it rendered his face so bright, that he covered it with a veil; Israel not being able to bear the reflected light. We behold his glory in the glass of his word, and our faces shine too; yet we veil them not, but diffuse the lustre which is continually increasing, as we fix the eye of our mind more and more steadfastly on his glory displayed in the gospel.
Verse 1
[1] Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
Therefore having this ministry — Spoken of, 2 Corinthians 3:6.
As we have received mercy — Have been mercifully supported in all our trials.
We faint not — We desist not in any degree from our glorious enterprise.
Verse 2
[2] But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
But have renounced — Set at open defiance.
The hidden things of shame — All things which men need to hide, or to be ashamed of.
Not walking in craftiness — Using no disguise, subtlety, guile. Nor privily corrupting the pure word of God - By any additions or alterations, or by attempting to accommodate it to the taste of the hearers.
Luke 9:28-36
Verse 28
[28] And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
Matthew 17:1; Mark 9:2.
Verse 31
[31] Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
In glory — Like Christ with whom they talked.
Verse 32
[32] But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
They saw his glory — The very same expression in which it is described by St. John, John 1:14; and by St. Peter, 2 Peter 1:16.
Verse 34
[34] While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
A cloud came and overshadowed them all. And they, the apostles, feared, while they (Moses and Elijah) entered into the cloud, which took them away.
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The Upper Room Ministries
PO Box 340004
Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0004, United States
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Sermon Story "Transfiguration" by Gary Lee Parker for Sunday, 7 February 2016 with Scripture: Exodus 34:29 When Moshe came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, he didn’t realize that the skin of his face was sending out rays of light as a result of his talking with [Adonai]. 30 When Aharon and the people of Isra’el saw Moshe, the skin of his face was shining; and they were afraid to approach him. 31 But Moshe called to them; then Aharon and all the community leaders came back to him, and Moshe spoke to them. 32 Afterwards, all the people of Isra’el came near; and he passed on to them all the orders that Adonai had told him on Mount Sinai.(Maftir) 33 Once Moshe had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. 34 But when he went in before Adonai for him to speak, he would take the veil off until he came out; then, when he came out, he would tell the people of Isra’el what he had been ordered. 35 But when the people of Isra’el saw Moshe’s face, that the skin of Moshe’s face shone, he would put the veil back over his face until he went in again to speak with [Adonai].
We come to remember the day Jesus took three of His disciples to a mountaintop where He met with Moses and Elijah while He was transfigured to shine really white. Yet before this, when Moses led the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage and he was on Mount Sinai having a conversation with God receving the Ten Commandments he was noticed to be shining from his presence with God. This occurs to anyone who has a transformational encounter with God. The difference with Moses shining there appeared to be a dimming of His glow over the years even though he kept a veil on because the Israelites where frightened of His shine. When Jesus was transfigured, His shine remained and still remains to allow all of His followers to shine with the glow of His presence. The amazing thing is the Israelites were frightened of Moses' glow, but the sleeping disciples were excited to be there with Jesus and see Moses and Elijah that they wanted to build three tabernacles for each of the three: Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. Yet, as they said this a cloud came down taking Moses and Elijah back to the Kingdom with God's voice saying that Jesus is His beloved Son and we are to listen and obey Him. Today, we seek His presence upon our worship services and our service in all areas of our lives. We too often seek to fulfill God's call with our own ideas, but God's presence alludes us until we remain and be in Him as we do what He ask us. Lately, there appears to be an absence of God's presence in our lives and churches which could be due to the excluding of the marginalized especially the people who are differently abled in all our activities in and outside the church. We realize that we have sinned against God in this exclusion of the people who are differently abled as active participants as either lay people or clergy. Lord, we seek your forgiveness and seek your will to do better as we come to eat the Body of Jesus and drink His Blood through the Holy Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist to receive His blessings for each of us individually and communally. As we come to receive from God His blessings and mercies, we sing the Hymn "God's Glory" by Keziah Jones:
Soothe my mind
with life story
Soothe my kind
with gods glory
gods glory
who?
say amen ra
allah akhbar
lagbara oluwa
we will see
gods glory
who?
and the Hymn "O God of light, may our light shine" by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (2005)
1. O God of light, may our light shine
In ways that serve and honor you.
May we be loving, just and kind,
Proclaiming Christ in all we do.
2. God, where your people are oppressed
And where they cry out in despair,
Make us your light—to heal, to bless—
A witness, Lord, that you are there.
3. Christ, when your way is pushed aside
By those who trust in wealth and might,
Make us your lamps that we may guide
A searching world to your love’s light.
4. O Spirit, in this world of doubt,
We often sin and drift away.
When our own faith is flickering out,
Shine on our path and light our way.
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Gary Lee Parker
4147 Idaho Street, Apt. 1
San Diego, California 92104-1844, United States
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