UNVEILED FACE
7 BUT IF THE MINISTRY OF DEATH, WRITTEN AND ENGRAVED ON STONES, WAS GLORIOUS, SO THAT THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL COULD NOT LOOK STEADILY AT THE FACE OF MOSES BECAUSE OF THE GLORY OF HIS COUNTENANCE, WHICH GLORY WAS PASSING AWAY,
8 HOW WILL THE MINISTRY OF THE SPIRIT NOT BE MORE GLORIOUS?
9 For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory.
10 For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels.
11 For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious.
13 unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away.
14 BUT THEIR MINDS WERE BLINDED. FOR UNTIL THIS DAY THE SAME VEIL REMAINS UNLIFTED IN THE READING OF THE OLD TESTAMENT, BECAUSE the VEIL IS TAKEN AWAY IN CHRIST.
15 BUT EVEN TO THIS DAY, WHEN MOSES IS READ, A VEIL LIES ON THEIR HEART.
16 NEVERTHELESS WHEN ONE TURNS TO THE LORD, THE VEIL IS TAKEN AWAY.
17 NOW THE LORD IS THE SPIRIT; AND WHERE THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS , THERE IS LIBERTY.
18 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."
2 Corinthians 3:7-11,13-18 (NKJV)
The glory on Moses' face could not be beheld when he came back from his summit or meeting with God. A veil had to be put on his face for the glory not to be seen by the congregants, because they were scared of it (2 Corinthians 3:13).
Apostle Paul's argument in the above passage is, If what was passing away was that glorious, what remains is much more glorious (2 Corinthians 3:11).
The fact that the Israelites of old could not steadily look at the glory on Moses' face that was passing away, they as a result could not have the opportunity of having a sound rapport or relationship or fellowship with God as it were to be. The assertion is, the veil put on Moses' face then is still preventing the Israelites from seeing the glory of God or having a sound relationship and communion with Him.
The veil that blinded the mind or visualization of the people, prevented them from seeing the glory they ought or are meant to see, could only be removed by turning to Christ Jesus—accepting Him as personal Lord and Saviour (2 Corinthians 3:16).
As long as the veil remains on someone's or people's face, It would be difficult for them to see God's glory. The glory could only be seen through Jesus' Christ—when you turned to Him (2 Corinthians 3:16).
What are the things that could be referred to as a veil covering the sight or mind of the people from seeing the glory of God:
a. Tradition
b. Belief system
c. Misplaced priority
d. Sin
a. Tradition says this is the way we have been doing it, thus It cannot be changed. But since you have been doing it that way, what result have you gotten, If I may ask? What are the changes you have experienced in your life? Thus, If you held on to tradition seeing the glory of God might be a mirage.
b. Belief system which is the configuration of beliefs that exists in a particular society or culture, that is, the knowledge and beliefs within a society. It is also described as the patterns of religious beliefs and values, and the central principles which give distinctiveness and coherence to the modes of thought within a society or culture.
This belief system inhibits the thought of people about the glory of God. Since they could only see things in the view of what they have believed it is, any new thing being spoken or said to them would look strange, especially If what is being presented is not in consonant or agreement with what they had already believed.
c. Misplaced priority. When spirituality or the enhancement of spiritual life is not given any recognition or credibility, the desire to see God's glory would not be there. That would be put at the back stage of the person's life. The person would see it, seeking the glory, as none issue. They would want to believe it cannot add value to their life.
d. Sin. When sin is prevalent in someone's life, the person tends to trivialize whatever is spiritual that could ultimately lead him or her to see God's glory.
What is this God's glory being talked about? It is God's aura, ambience, feeling or mood, which surrounded or accompanied someone. The feeling of God's presence that abides or accompanies with someone who has consciously and protractedly stay with Him for communion or fellowship. This glory or aura might not be physically tangible, but it is perceptible and could be sensed, in which the effect of it is seen and felt. It might be physically intangible but the effect of it cannot be ignored.
This glory is gotten through an extended stay or the tarrying of Moses in the presence of God on the mountain.
• Albeit, the glory in this dispensation is primarily or first of all gotten, according to the passage, by turning to Christ Jesus, accepting Him as your personal Lord and Saviour (Romans 10:9,10; 2 Corinthians 6:1,2).
• It is also gotten through followership, your consistent following, acknowledging God in all you do, and having an unceasing communion with God, that is, being constantly in tune with Him (Proverbs 3:5,6; 1 Corinthians 14:2).
When you follow Him with unveiled face, you will be transformed to His image: "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" (2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV).
Being changed or transformed to His image takes place by beholding Him. And you behold God's glory by consistently reading, studying, and pondering on His Word—if this was done consistently enough you cannot but be changed to His image. Remember, the transformation is done by the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, as you continue beholding Him through His Word—the Bible and the teaching of proven servants of God.
Peace.