Do you find yourself resisting God’s message about a change of covenant, as delivered in Romans 7 and 2 Corinthians 3? Then beware of the veil! That is a warning implied by the latter part of 2 Corinthians 3. Recall that Moses covered his shining face with a veil.
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. But Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses talked with them. Afterward all the people of Israel came near, and he commanded them all that the Lord had spoken with him in Mount Sinai. And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. 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, 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. (Exodus 34:30-35)
Though startling, Moses’ radiance was not harmful. Moses proved this by remaining uncovered when he first addressed the leaders. However, after speaking with them that first time, he “put the veil over his face.” Why was that necessary? Back then, no explanation was offered. But God chose to reveal the answer in 2 Corinthians 3:13.
Moses… put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. (2 Corinthians 3:13)
Moses did not want the Israelites to see that the shine on his face was fading away. There is a sense, warns Paul, in which the veil still does its work. Figuratively, there is a covering that hides from Jewish eyes and hearts the truth of what happened to their covenant.
But [the Israelites’] minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. (2 Corinthians 3:14-16)
To come to Christ is to realize the truth about the temporary nature of the Old Covenant. Also, as we keep gazing at Him, a marvelous change takes place in us. More and more we take on His glory.
Moses’ veil has a message for us.
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 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. (2 Corinthians 3:17-18)
The shine on Moses’ face was like the two stone tablets in Moses’ hands. Just as the shine ended, so the stone covenant would end. In contrast, the glory of the New Covenant never weakens. The Spirit works powerfully, giving Christians ever-increasing glory. Theirs is not a physical brightness, but rather the spiritual splendor of becoming more and more like Christ.