Nougat 7

Tomorrow, at about 2:00/1:00 US time; which would be 21:00/20:00 Swiss/GMT, we’re expecting a total solar eclipse in North America. Although the actual span of visible total eclipse will be 4 1/2 minutes (with the longest windows being in Mexico), the entire movement will be a few hours long, with visibility shifting across the phases of the region. (Visit NASA site https://science.nasa.gov/…/fut…/eclipse-2024/where-when/

for more details)

The irony is not lost on me that for us to view this somewhat rare phenomenon – if we’re in range – us by covering our eyes, for the radiance is so bright. Needless to say, it got me thinking about Today’s Holy Nougat

“When Moses came down Mount Sinai carrying the two stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, he wasn’t aware that his face had become radiant because he had spoken to the Lord. So when Aaron and the people of Israel saw the radiance of Moses’ face, they were afraid to come near him.” ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭34‬:‭29‬-‭30‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Light of God’s Glory

I’ve been fascinated by eclipses for years, and I’ve read this Nougat several times; but I’d not made the connection in this way before. Just think – a radiance as bright as, or brighter than the eclipse; so much so that the people were afraid to approach Moses, who they knew.

After Forty days in the continuous presence of God, Moses’ face shone in the light of God’s glory. He was blindingly shiny; for even Aaron hesitated to approach him. Moses was not God – he was merely in the presence of God. The verses that follow our Nougat indicate that Moses was obliged to veil his face in order to speak with his people. That was a far cheaper option than purchasing special glasses for them to behold him after he left God’s Presence. (And glasses probably had not yet been invented).

Siblings If Moses’ face shone for days after he exited God’s Presence, and to view an eclipse – a total eclipse especially – demands wearing of filters, can we imagine what it will be like to behold God’s Glory in full on that Resurrection Day?! And remember, Moses didn’t see God face to face. God had only appeared – in a cloud, for no one sees God’s face and lives (see Exodus 33:20).

Is it any wonder that when he beheld God, ‘high and lifted up’ – so high that the train of God’s sovereignty was the entire dimension of the temple – Isaiah immediately recognized his worthlessness? He cried out ‘woe is me for I am undone; I am a sinful man living among sinful people’ (see Isaiah 6). And Saul, by merely beholding a sliver of Jesus’ Light on the Damascus road, fell blind for three days (see Acts 9). It demands a level of grace, for we cannot off our own strength be clean enough, or sinless enough to be in God’s Presence.

What then should be our response to God, whose radiance lights the sun; and whose glory Moses reflected? We then must approach our God with reverence and fear, recognizing that we in our natural selves have no hope of being totally in God’s presence.

For me, writing at this moment it goes without saying that it should truly be our approach. Yet, I am honestly admitting, like the Children of Israel, after a while, sometimes even before the last rays of radiance have faded; I’m back to the old ways. And that’s why we need to be renewed daily.

As we anticipate the Great North American Eclipse tomorrow, especially those in the path in North America, may we wear the correct protective clothing. More so, I pray that our lives permit us to eventually behold God’s total glory on that Great Resurrection Day.

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May all we seek be found in Christ