The Veil

Text: Exodus 34:31–35

“And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. But when Moses went in before the Lord to speak with Him, he took the veil off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded. And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone: and Moses put the veil upon his face again until he went in to speak with Him” (Exodus 34:33–35).

The Veil of Moses

The narrative of Moses’ shining face and the veil he wore reveals  truths about the nature of God’s glory and human interaction with the divine. After spending time in God’s presence on Mount Sinai, Moses’ face radiated a divine brilliance that the Israelites found overwhelming. To shield them from the intensity of God’s reflected glory, Moses wore a veil when addressing them. However, when Moses returned to the presence of God, he removed the veil, signifying the direct and unmediated communion he enjoyed with the Lord. This act of veiling and unveiling underscores the distinction between God’s holiness and human frailty.

Paul draws on this imagery in 2 Corinthians 3:13, where he explains that the veil Moses wore prevented the Israelites from seeing the full glory and understanding the temporary nature of the old covenant. The veil symbolizes the limitations and barriers in human understanding and perception of God’s complete glory. As Charles H. Spurgeon noted, “The veil that Moses put on his face was a token of the darkness of that dispensation which he ministered under.” This context provides a powerful framework for understanding how God’s glory, while awe-inspiring and transformative, necessitated a mediator like Moses under the old covenant.

The Veil of Christ’s Flesh

In Hebrews 10:19-20, the writer introduces another veil, the veil of Christ’s flesh. This veil symbolizes the human nature that Jesus assumed, which temporarily concealed His divine glory. The incarnation was an act of humility and divine condescension, where Jesus, though fully God, took on human flesh to dwell among us. During His earthly ministry, this inner glory was mostly hidden, except for the moment on the Mount of Transfiguration where His divine nature was momentarily revealed (Matthew 17:2).

The tearing of the veil in the temple at the moment of Jesus’ death (Matthew 27:51) signifies the removal of the barrier between God and humanity. Through His sacrifice, Jesus opened a new and living way into the presence of God, rendering the old barriers obsolete. John Calvin reflected on this  truth, stating, “The rending of the veil at Christ’s death was a sign that the way into the heavenly sanctuary was now open to all believers.” This act of tearing the veil from top to bottom signifies divine intervention, emphasizing that salvation and access to God’s presence come solely through Christ’s atoning work, not human effort.

The Veil of National Blindness

Isaiah 25:7-9 speaks of a veil that covers all nations, representing ignorance and spiritual blindness. This prophetic vision promises a future where God will destroy this covering, allowing people to see Him clearly and recognize His salvation. The imagery of the veil here is universal, pointing to the widespread inability to perceive God’s truth and glory fully. This blindness is not limited to Israel but extends to all humanity, reflecting a collective spiritual condition.

In the eschatological vision, the removal of this veil signifies a time when God will be universally acknowledged as Savior and Lord. The passage resonates with the hope of ultimate redemption and the restoration of clear spiritual sight. As theologian Walter Brueggemann noted, “Isaiah’s prophecy anticipates a time when divine truth will be universally recognized, and all forms of blindness will be healed.” This prophetic promise gives hope to believers, affirming that God’s redemptive plan includes the restoration of spiritual sight to all who seek Him.

The Veil of Unbelief

In 2 Corinthians 3:13-16, Paul discusses the veil of unbelief that blinds people from understanding the fullness of the gospel. He explains that just as Moses’ veil prevented the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away, a similar veil covers the hearts of those who do not accept Christ. This veil represents the spiritual blindness and hardness of heart that prevent people from perceiving the truth of the new covenant in Christ.

Paul emphasizes that this veil is removed in Christ, allowing believers to see with unveiled faces the glory of the Lord and be transformed into His likeness (2 Corinthians 3:18). This transformation is a process of sanctification, where believers grow in their understanding and reflection of God’s glory. John Stott comments, “The veil over our minds is only removed when we turn to Christ; in Him, the full glory of God’s revelation is seen and experienced.” This underscores the necessity of faith in Christ for true spiritual enlightenment and transformation.

The Veil of the Temple

The veil of the temple, described in 2 Chronicles 3:14, was a physical barrier separating the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple. This veil signified the separation between a holy God and sinful humanity. Only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies, and only once a year, to make atonement for the sins of the people. This stringent regulation highlighted the inaccessibility of God’s direct presence under the old covenant.

The tearing of this veil at Jesus’ death (Matthew 27:51) symbolizes the end of this separation. Through Christ’s sacrifice, believers now have direct access to God, a revolutionary shift from the old covenant’s restrictions. Theologian R.C. Sproul explains, “The tearing of the temple veil symbolizes the direct access to God now available through Jesus Christ. No longer is a human priest required to mediate between God and man; Christ Himself is our mediator.” This  change underscores the completeness of Christ’s redemptive work and the new relationship believers enjoy with God.

As we consider the significance of these veils, we see a powerful narrative of God removing barriers and drawing humanity closer to Himself. The veil of Moses highlights the limitations of the old covenant, while the veil of Christ’s flesh reveals the accessibility of God’s glory through Jesus. The veil of national blindness speaks to the universal need for divine revelation, and the veil of unbelief underscores the necessity of faith in Christ. Finally, the tearing of the temple veil signifies the new and direct access to God made possible by Christ’s sacrifice.

In Christ, we see veils removed, barriers broken, and a new way opened to the presence of God. As we reflect on these truths, let us embrace the access we have to God through Jesus, and live in the light of His revealed glory.