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[ Sadly, like the Hebrews couldn't bear to look at Moses directly, some Christians today avoid the Light in the same way. We must not be that way. ]

What is most precious a diamond, ruby, topaz, amethist?..
Precious stones is a wonderful metaphorical image given in scripture.. The shining light-(from faces) can have wonderful characteristics.. all shining just the same with light only differently as through a precious stone.. What stone are YOU? , ME?.. Well whatever we are, we are.. and thats good enough.. We all need to shine.. release the light within us.. as a stone would.. Not all stones are the same.. but are wonderfully different.. Comparing them as to which is better is a mistake, I think..

I infer that with people the precious stone metaphor only cracks the surface of the reality of it all.. For we are precious stones in dynamic spiritual process.. the stone quality of what we are today may be much better tomorrow..

Even so, what we are is what we are.. and are becoming a better what we are, daily.. I never saw the light on Moses face in this way before.. THANKS... But it is a good example of precious stones.. The light shineing from Moses was no doubt different than the light shineing from, say, Aaron.. or Peter or Paul or John..or you and I..

When we get to where ever the end is could be that we will experience this precious stone allusion first hand.. from all(the people) we know and others.. What a image of the radiance of the light source this is.. People in "heaven" shineing in multiple ways.. ways we cannot even understand NOW... (I Cor 2;9)

Thank you so much for bringing the gemstone metaphor to the discussion and thank you for all your insights, dear brother in Christ!

Indeed. I find it particularly illuminating that each layer of the foundation of the New Jerusalem is named for an Apostle and consists of a unique gemstone. Unique colors, altogether beautiful.

And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. – Revelation 21:14

And the foundations of the wall of the city [were] garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation [was] jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. – Revelation 21:19-20

God is like a master artist, His creation - heaven and earth - a living masterpiece of radiant colors.

To God be the glory!