Well, let's begin with the end in mind.
We know that Moses went up Mt. Sinai to get the Word of God. After 8 trips he finally presented the 10 Commandments written by the finger of God on stone. When he came down the mountain he was manifesting the glory of God on his face and he didn't even know it. After he finished speaking to the people he placed a veil over his face to cover the glory.
Exodus 34:29-31 ESV When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. (30) Aaron and all the people of Israel saw Moses, and behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. (31) But Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses talked with them.
Moses would separate himself and go in before the Lord. Each time he returned to the congregation they would see his facing shining.
Exodus 34:33-35 ESV And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. (34) Whenever Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he would remove the veil, until he came out. And when he came out and told the people of Israel what he was commanded, (35) the people of Israel would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face was shining. And Moses would put the veil over his face again, until he went in to speak with him.
Now we move to the rest of the story.
The Apostle Paul says that with an unveiled face we behold the glory of God. He also said that we will move from one place or degree of glory to another.
2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
The people saw a cloud and with thunder and lightening on the mount when Moses was p there. The glory to them was dark and terrifying. Yet we as believes don't see the glory in the dark thunder and lightening and clouds. We see the glory in a glass more clearly. More on this later.
Paul moved right into chapter 4 with a "therefore", meaning that he started chapter four with the idea of continuing the thought from chapter 3.
2 Corinthians 4:1 ESV Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.
What ministry Paul? He said that the ministry he had in the Apostolic was that of carrying and manifesting God's glory.
That is what we are, carries of God's glory...
Still much too say. Next study.