The Radiant Face of Moses

The second time God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, Moses' face was radiant when he came down from Mount Sinai. Now, if it weren't so (oh, so very) early in the morning as I write this, I'd possibly share the idea that all our faces should radiate after meeting with God - that people should see us and know we were in His presence.

But today is not that day.

I just want to stick to what happened to Moses. Once he realized his face was radiant,he shared the Ten Commandments with the people and then covered his face, only uncovering it when he entered the Temple. As I am wont to do, I mused over this one, wondering why he covered his face. Because the people couldn't handle seeing even that much of God (after all, even Moses himself was only allowed to see His back)? Maybe because Moses himself, having been changed, didn't want the people to mistakenly begin to worship him instead of God? Perhaps because Moses knew he'd been given a great privilege and did not want to exploit or misuse it?

What do you think? Perhaps your Bible offers commentary on the matter? Why did Moses cover up his physical proof of having seen the glory of God up there on that mountain?