VEIL
VEIL
This month in our ladies’ devotional, a dear friend of mine, talked about the veil that was between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place in the temple. Such a great lesson, Paige, and caused me to do some thinking and researching afterwards. She talked about when Jesus died on the cross, that this veil was torn from TOP to BOTTOM and of the significance of from TOP to BOTTOM. So, I am going to mingle some of my thoughts together with hers in this blog.
Let’s first figure out what a veil is and why it was used and is used today. In the Old Testament, in Exodus 34:29-35, we are told that when Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the tablets of the ten commandments, “…the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him.” He shone the glory of God after being in His presence. He then wore a veil over his face, when he came before the Israelites. God had just told the Israelites in the chapter before, in chapter 33:20, “…You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.” No wonder they were afraid!I see in these verses that Moses had to use this veil, when with the people, not in the presence of God. It was only after he had been in God’s presence, that his face shone so brightly that it scared the Israelites.
In 2 Corinthians 3:7-18, Paul talks about the veil that Moses had to wear because of the glory of the Lord. This represented when the Old Law was in affect; then, in Corinthians, Paul contrasts to after Christ came. We can come boldly, without fear, without veil before Christ in the New Law. Paul could be frank and courageous to God, instead of being fearful or reluctant, like the Israelites were. As Moses veil concealed the fading glory of his ministry, the New Law became a ministry of freedom to be able to come to God at any time, ourselves, without fear. Whenever Moses turned to the Lord, he took off the veil. Likewise, we find freedom in Christ by looking without veiled face, to Him. Verse 16-18 in the 2 Corinthians passage says, “Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the spirit of the Lord.” We behold the glory of God today, through unveiled faces. We can come boldly to Him!
It was the custom in the old covenant, for a young woman, who was coming into the presence of a man, to cover her face with a veil. (Look at Rebekah when she saw Isaac coming towards her. Genesis 24:65) This symbolized modesty, respect and cultural customs of the ancient East. We have no idea what the veil’s material was made of, but it had to have been something that could be seen through. Paige pointed out that, in Genesis 29, Laban, Leah’s father, veiled Leah’s face to conceal her identity from Jacob and tricked him into marrying her instead of Rachel. Paige talked about her father teaching her how to visualize the Bible teachings and how they become a part of her memory and heart. (It is hard for me to visualize the fact that Jacob could have been so fooled by a veil on the wrong woman; on his wedding night, non-the-less!)
Brides today wear veils either cascading behind them or as a covering over their faces. Meaning of the modern veil is: something that covers, conceals, separates, disguises-symbolizes purity and modesty-to honor tradition-unveiling can symbolize the transition from single to married life-some just like to wear one because they like the look and feel of it because it adds elegance.
Paige focuses on the veil in the Old Testament tabernacle and later temple, that was between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. She referred to what Jewish lore tells us that it was 60 feet high, 30 feet wide and 4 inches thick. Can you imagine making such a huge, thick covering? I can’t even imaging, being an artisan and using a bone or rock needle to do that, can you? They had no sewing machines then or special sewing equipment. Read Exodus 26:31-33, and read of how God gave instructions for the type and color of the veil. God even instructed them what the hooks and clasps were to be hung and made of. It had to have been magnificent to see in person.
Then she talked about how this magnificent veil, tore from TOP to BOTTOM, when Jesus died on the cross. Matthew 27:50-51 reads “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom…” There is no way that any human would have been able to go to the height of that 60-foot veil and torn it from top to bottom! So, what is the significance of this? Let me quote from Paige’s words. She said: ‘Hebrews 10:19-20 says, “therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus by a new and living way which He consecrated for us through the veil that is His flesh.” Jesus, by offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice, removed the physical, symbolical and spiritual barrier of sin that separates us from God. Formerly, the veil stood as a symbol separation of, not only between God and His people, but between priests and people, between Jew and Gentile. Its removal signifies an inclusion that wasn’t previously available; that anyone who has belief and love for Christ, confesses and has a repentant heart, now has FULL access to God. Ephesians 2:14 tells us that Christ has broken the wall of separation and verse 18 says that through Him we all have access by one spirit to the Father.’ In verse 14 Paul says, “For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation.” Verse 18 says “For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.” Praise God!
The tearing of the veil gives each and every one of us direct, personal and bold access to God! We have the ability to talk to God directly and from our hearts! God is our Father and just like a good earthly father does, God always has His arms wide open for us to reach out to and run to! We don’t need a priest to go before God for us. Because of Christ dying on the cross, with His arms wide open, and the veil being torn, top to bottom, WE can go to Him directly! Go to Him 24/7! Anytime, anywhere! This concept should pierce our hearts in thanksgiving!
Now, I want to leave you with this paragraph from what Paige said that Saturday, about how we separate ourselves from God. ‘Sometimes we can fall into the trap of living as though the veil still exists, putting our own barriers between us and God. Sometimes the veil can masquerade as guilt or shame, allowing us to believe that we are not worth enough to approach God. Perhaps the veil presents itself as grief or anger from suffering and we block ourselves from Him. Maybe our veil is disguised as comfort; we become too comfortable and contented with our lives and the fullness of the world’s offerings that we simply “forget” that we have a direct line to the ultimate blessing Giver. Or maybe some have exchanged the veil for idols of today! Love of self. Love of money. Love of technology.’
And this is the prayer she prayed at the end. I want you to think on the words she said. I want you to say your own prayer in thanksgiving and sincerity of heart, for what God has done for you. I want you to think about your own life and see how you can have a closer relationship with our blessed God and Father.
‘Dearest and almighty Father, today I come before You asking for forgiveness for the times, I have taken Your presence for granted. I confess my casual attitude, distracted mind and my neglect of the sacred gift You have given me through Your Son. Thank You for tearing the veil and inviting me into an intimate fellowship with You. Please restore me to a sense of awe and gratitude. Help me to approach Your throne daily, not out of duty or obligation, but from a heart overflowing with praise and love. Teach me to treasure Your word, to seek You in prayer and to walk in Your Holiness. May I never lose sight of the precious access You paid so dearly to give! In Jesus perfect and Holy name, I offer my prayer. Amen’
I think we can all say amen to that!
I know this blog was lengthy. Sorry about that but there is so much more that could be said about the veil in the temple showing separation and how we can separate, veil ourselves, from Him. Remember this direct access we have to our Father God and use that access several times daily. Thank you to Paige for such an amazing love for the Lord and understanding of His Word. (Maybe a collaboration on a book someday?)
Till next time!
Keela
(My blogs will be sporadic through the rest of this year. My book, “Deep-Press-On: A Caregivers Story” is now in the Christian publishers’ hands and there is much to do to finalize all that has to be done. Projected date when done and published by January 2026. I will try to keep you informed. And “shoot-out” a blog here and there! Keep this book, that I give all the glory to God for, in your prayers. The purpose of the book is; speaking about God, “…who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. I would have you to pray that it will touch someone’s life, to help them on their journey on this earth, thru the testimony of mine.)