While being directed to a verse in 2 Corinthians 3 this morning, I ended up all over the chapter. As He always does, God showed me something fresh and new about this chapter that I just had to share . It involves Veils (both literal and figurative), the Glory of God’s Covenants, and the Freedom that we must never take for granted.
Within the span of five verses, Paul (the author of Corinthians) repeats a phrase four times. When anyone (think – your Mom telling you to brush your teeth) repeats something several (or hundreds of) times, it must be important. In the Hebrew language there are no exclamation points, so phrases or words are often repeated for emphasis. Remember the King James translation of Jesus using the phrase “Verily, verily, I say unto you…”? The use of the word twice or more denotes that it is TRUTH and you had best listen. In the Complete Jewish Bible (CJB) that same phrase is translated as “Yes, Indeed!”
The thought Paul repeats is this:
“Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, transitory though it was, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?” 2 Corinthians 3:7-8 (NIV)
“If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!” 2 Corinthians 3:9 (NIV)
VEILS and GLORY
Here is the Cheryl paraphrase:
The Ten Commandments, which God Himself gave to Moses (twice), were not designed to bring life to the people. They were given to reveal how sinful we really are and how Holy God is. Yet, they were given in such a Glorious manner that Moses had to wear a Veil over his face! If the Israelites looked at his face it would burn their eyes!
How. Much. More. GLORIOUS is the New Covenant given through the Spirit of God. The New Testament Covenant bought and sealed with the blood of Jesus Christ. It is the Covenant (ministry) that brings hope, forgiveness and LIFE!
FREEDOM
Moses wore a Veil over his face because looking on his face was like looking at the Sun for too long. It was truly too much splendor for them to handle. As the glory began to fade, it is believed that Moses continued to wear the veil to prevent the Israelites from observing the fading of the Old Covenant glory.
Then comes the best part…
When Moses went into the tent to hear from God, he removed his Veil. He was able to be totally present and transparent when he was in the presence of God. He had Freedom to be in God’s presence. We have that same Freedom! Just like the veil that was torn in the temple at Jesus’s death, there is no veil between us and the presence of God today. No veil necessary…we can come boldly before the throne of God. (Hebrews 4:16)
“Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone 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 FREEDOM . And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:15-18 (NIV)
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Believers in Jesus Christ are to walk in FREEDOM. Free to live for Him, Free from condemnation because our sins are forgiven and erased, Free to love and forgive as He has loved and forgiven us and Free to bask in the GLORY of His provision for us through Yeshua, Messiah.
Here’s hoping you will think about His great GLORY today, thankful that a VEIL no longer prevents you from the FREEDOM to come before God’s presence every day.
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