But 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:
Ver. 7. The ministration of death] That is, the law. David was the voice of the law awarding death to sin, "He shall surely die." Nathan was the voice of the gospel awarding life to repentance for sin, "Thou shalt not die."
For the glory of his countenance] Which yet reflected not upon his own eyes. He shone bright and knew not of it: he saw God's face glorious, he did not think others had so seen his. How many have excellent graces and perceive them not!