During that long time spent in communion with God, the face of Moses had reflected the glory of the divine Presence; unknown to himself his face shown with a dazzling light when he descended from the mountain. Such a light illumined the countenance of Stephen when brought before his judges; "and all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel." Acts 6:15. Aaron as well as the people shrank away from Moses, and "they were afraid to come nigh him." Seeing their confusion and terror, but ignorant of the cause, he urged them to come near. He held out to them the pledge of God's reconciliation, and assured them of His restored favor. They perceived in his voice nothing but love and entreaty, and at last one ventured to approach him. Too awed to speak, he silently pointed to the countenance of Moses, and then toward 330 heaven. The great leader understood his meaning. In their conscious guilt, feeling themselves still under the divine displeasure, they could not endure the heavenly light, which, had they been obedient to God, would have filled them with joy. There is fear in guilt. The soul that is free from sin will not wish to hide from the light of heaven.

I den lange tid, Moses tilbragte sammen med Gud, genspejlede hans ansigt herligheden fra Gud. Uden at han selv vidste det, strålede hans ansigt med et blændende lys, da han steg ned fra bjerget. Et lignende lys skinnede fra Stefanus ansigt, da han blev ført frem for sine dommere. "Og alle de, som sad i rådet, stirrede på ham, og hans ansigt var, for dem at se, som en engels ansigt." ApG. 6, 15. Både Aron og folket veg tilbage for Moses, og "de turde ikke komme ham nær". Da han så deres forvirring og rædsel, men ikke vidste, hvad årsagen var, bød han dem komme nærmere. Han forelagde dem Guds tilbud om forsoning og forsikrede dem om, at de atter kunne nyde hans gunst. Hans stemme var kærlig og venlig og til sidst vovede en af dem sig nærmere. Han var alt for betaget til at kunne sige noget og pegede tavs på Moses ansigt og derefter op mod himmelen. Den store leder forstod, hvad han mente. Skyldbevidstheden og følelsen af Guds mishag bevirkede, at de ikke kunne tåle det himmelske lys, som ville have fyldt dem med glæde, hvis de havde været lydige. Skyldfølelse skaber frygt. Den sjæl, der er fri for synd, nærer ikke noget ønske om at skjule sig for det himmelske lys.