Radiance: Moses, a Groom and Joy

“It came about when Moses was coming down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the testimony were in Moses’ hand as he was coming down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because of his speaking with Him.”  Exodus 34:29 NASB

 

Last weekend, the daughter of one of my dearest friends got hitched.  She was a beautiful bride and the ceremony was lovely.  It put me in mind of my own wedding ceremony.

 

On the afternoon of January 16, 1999 I waited nervously at the back of the church with my father for my cue.  All the bridesmaids had processed down the aisle.  The music swelled, the doors opened, and there I was looking to the front of the sanctuary at the face of my soon-to-be-husband.

 

I will never forget that moment as long as I live.  It was so dramatic that I think I might have fallen and rolled down the aisle had my dad not been there to support me.

 

As I started my descent, my husband glowed.  His eyes danced and his smile beamed.  I felt like the most beautiful girl in the word as he mouthed the word “Wow” in admiration.  I smiled and cried all the way to the altar.

 

After the ceremony, a guest approached me with a mouth full of wedding cake.  He commented that my husband looked so nervous before I stepped into the room.  He said that my presence in the sanctuary immediately transformed Chuck’s face and gave him an expression of joy.  What a compliment!

 

The Radiance Connection

 

If a mere girl in a wedding dress can cause such a drastic transformation, I cannot  imagine what happened to Moses on Mount Sinai.  He came into the direct presence of God.  The NASB translation (the one quoted above) says “his face shone”.  The New International Version calls him “radiant” after this encounter.

 

Even though I like to think my husband still finds joy in me, his reaction on our wedding day was a temporary expression.

 

Moses was unaware of his appearance as he came down the mountain, but others noticed the change in him immediately.  My prayer is that you will strive to wear your joy so that it can be seen by those around you.  Then those you minister to – in turn – will come into the presence of God.

 

And now for this week’s featured post from the link up!

 

Karen Girl Friday challenged me to rethink the way I journal and encouraged my soul by sharing some entries from hers!  Read 20 Encouraging Entries from My Journal.

 

1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.

2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.

3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).

We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.

MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
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LAUREN SPARKS
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LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
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TAMMY KENNINGTON – Restoring hope. Pursuing peace.
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