2 Corinthians 3:7; A Sanctified Vessel

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2 Corinthians 3:7But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:
 (2 Cor. 3:7 KJV)

The people were afraid to come near Moses perhaps because the glory of his face show forth the holiness of God. Indeed, the people has just been delivered from the fierce bout of idolatry. There is a sense of awe even though they have repented of their sins.

We are reminded of the scene of the giving of the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20 and the fear of the people in the awful sight of thunderings and lightnings that caused them to be afraid. Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was. There is a sense of a fearsome power emanated from the presence of God.

18And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. 19And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. 20And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not. 21And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was. 22And the LORD said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven. (Exod. 20:18-22 KJV)

31And Moses called unto them; and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned unto him: and Moses talked with them. 32And afterward all the children of Israel came nigh: and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him in mount Sinai. 33And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face.

Only when we have spent time in fellowship with God that we have something good to offer our fellow men. If we were to speak our own words and share our own wisdom, tainted with sin, it offers no true help to the human soul.

Moses was wont to declare the whole counsel of God to the people. He gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him at mount Sinai. This is a true servant of God. He will not withhold anything from the LORD so that the people may be helped.

I am reminded of the hymn by Frances R. Havergal “Lord, Speak to Me”:

  1. Lord, speak to me, that I may speak
    In living echoes of Thy tone;
    As Thou has sought, so let me seek
    Thine erring children lost and lone.
  2. Oh, lead me, Lord, that I may lead
    The wand’ring and the wav’ring feet;
    Oh, feed me, Lord, that I may feed
    Thy hung’ring ones with manna sweet.
  3. Oh, strengthen me, that while I stand
    Firm on the rock, and strong in Thee,
    I may stretch out a loving hand
    To wrestlers with the troubled sea.
  4. Oh, teach me, Lord, that I may teach
    The precious things Thou dost impart;
    And wing my words, that they may reach
    The hidden depths of many a heart.

The giving of the law to the people is a reminder of the words of Solomon to his son, an exhortation to obedience and faith. In fact, this is the first time, God has spoken with such detail His law to any people. What privilege for Moses and what privilege for Israel. Amen.