“Moses Masked Up”
“When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face.” Exodus 34:33
Recently, we have been encouraged to wear a mask when out in public. Did you know that Moses masked up? Exodus chapter 34 tells us that Moses received the second set of Tablets containing the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai. He broke the first set after coming down the mountain and seeing the people of Israel bowing down before the golden calf that Aaron had made. When he returned the second time, with the second set, his face was glowing having been with God. The Scripture says, “When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord.” (Ex. 34:29)
Because of this glory radiating from Moses’ face, Aaron and all of Israel were afraid to come near him. Therefore, Moses masked up. Whenever Moses spoke to the people, he would remove the veil. But when he finished speaking, he would put the veil back over his face.
Today, to wear a mask or not to wear a mask, that seems to be the question. Over the last month, there have been conflicting directives and uncertain reasons why we should wear masks. The first message to the nation directed healthy people not to wear masks and save them for the health workers. One reason for not wearing masks was that it might actually leave the wearer more vulnerable to the virus. A normal person wearing a mask might relax social distancing directives while also increased hand exposure to eyes, nose and mouth.
Now, the message and some scientific evidence seem to point to the value of ALL people wearing masks in public. As the virus can remain airborne for 3 hours or more, and many people are asymptomatic, evidence seems clear that wearing a mask can help prevent the spread and infection to others. So, the message has changed but the evidence points to this positive step; when you are in public – Mask Up!
Interestingly enough, in Moses’ case, the reason, and implications for wearing a mask changed over time as well. In the beginning, Moses wore a mask to quell the fear of the people of Israel. After disobeying God and seeing the glory of God so evident on Moses’ face, they had grave concerns. They did not want to face the thought that the power and wrath of God could explode any minute. So, Moses, representing God, put on a mask to calm their fears.
But after some time, the reason for Moses to mask up changed. The evidence was clear that the glory of God was no longer glowing upon Moses’ face. God’s mighty radiance was fading and now Moses was hiding behind the mask so that no one would know. St. Paul speaks about this shift in masking in 2 Corinthians chapter 3. He says, Moses put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away.” (2 Cor. 3:13)
But Paul uses this issue of wearing a mask to show that we are not to be like Moses. The question is not about whether we should wear a physical mask to protect others – the answer is: we should. Rather, Paul is addressing a deeper, spiritual issue with the Corinthian Christians regarding masks. Paul declares that they are not like Moses. He says that the glory that faded with the Law and the stone tablets, is now much more glorious with the ministry of the Spirit. He unmasks the truth, “If the ministry that condemns men (The Law) is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness (The Spirit)!” Then he says, “Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses who put a veil over his face…” Paul acknowledges in 2 Cor. 3:15, “Even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts.” The Jews had trouble seeing beyond the mask of the Law. They could not see Jesus for who he was, that he fulfilled the Law, and the freedom that was available to them in the Spirit.
Most of us are willing to wear a mask today. But the deeper question is; “Are we wearing a mask that keeps us from Christ?” Are you hiding behind a mask? Have you idolized something or someone as a higher priority masking Christ? Paul declares, “But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil (mask) is taken away.” Paul then reveals the ultimate truth, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with “unveiled” faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
Let’s not haggle about wearing a mask in Costco. Rather, let us rip off the masks that keep us hiding from and keeping us away from Jesus Christ. Let us turn to Him, and with “unmasked” faces reveal the glory of God to the world that desperately needs it. And let us go on to be transformed into Jesus’ likeness with ever-increasing glory!
In two days, on Good Friday, we will hear another expression of the truth being unveiled. While Jesus is crucified, in the Temple in Jerusalem, the veil separating the “Most Holy Place” will be torn in two, from top to bottom. Soon afterward, the world will be confronted with the glory of the resurrection. Let us turn to God. Let us live unmasked in ever-increasing glory. And reveal him to anyone who will listen.
In Christ,
Pastor Mark