The Light of His Glory

BY Jennifer Redmond

Scripture Reading: Exodus 33:12-23, Exodus 34:5-9, Exodus 34:29-35, Daniel 12:3, Matthew 17:1-7, 2 Corinthians 3:7-18

Section 1: The Light of the World

One thing I never realized about parenthood is that once your kids start walking you have tiny shadows following you around all of the time. Having three daughters, this “shadow effect” is strongest on the rare occasion that I attempt to do my makeup. 

With a mascara wand poised in my right hand, I’ll glance down to see two tiny hands clutching the sink edge next to me, two big eyes gazing back up at me. My tiny mini-me voices a bold request for one so young: “Can I have some?” 

This scene repeats regularly. Now, with the girls who are old enough to have mastered the more detailed motions that actual make-up application requires, I set them up with a smaller mirror next to me, and side by side (with some pale, shimmery eye shadow for them) we do our makeup. While I’ve grown more comfortable with the constant shadowing, it’s humbling to see them watch me so closely in the mirror, memorizing my every movement and always asking questions: “Can I have that too? What’s this for? Why did you do that?” And they always utter the one phrase that guarantees to give me pause: “I want to look just like you.” 

Maybe it seems strange that this scene is what came to mind while reading about Moses and his encounter with God in Exodus 33. But he also asks a lot of questions, rephrasing them frequently with a relentless approach similar to that of children; at the foundation, his inquiries really center on being close to the Lord. He says, “Now if I have indeed found favor with you, please teach me your ways, and I will know you, so that I may find favor with you” (Exodus 33:13). 

The Lord honors his requests, and as a result Moses is changed. Proximity to our Father and His glory will have that effect. Outwardly, Moses also bore evidence of this encounter, to the extent that others took notice (Exodus 34:30). 

What’s remarkable about this scene is that through Christ we enjoy the privilege of unencumbered proximity to the Father. Like Moses and the disciples who fell facedown at the sight of God’s glory, we too have such a hope: we are transformed, and can act with great boldness in response (Matthew 17:6, 2 Corinthians 3:12). 

I think of my daughters, how comfortably they install themselves right by my side and how easily they make their requests. This type of intimacy is a gift we have in Jesus—to stay by His side, experience His glory, and be changed as a result. 

Written by Jennifer Redmond