VEIL…is that which is used to either cover or divide something. Webster’s would describe it as ‘a length of cloth worn by women as a covering for the head and shoulders.’ My only trip to India opened my eyes to the many colorful veils worn by the women. It is also the outer covering of a Nun’s headdress. Women’s hats and headdresses can have a veil as many are worn by the widow at a funeral. They can be any number of liturgical cloths and used to cover the chalice.
Curtains on windows are to conceal the interiors from view and can be used as partition dividers. You see these when visiting or staying in a hospital. Not very useful for sound barriers! Baby beds or cribs, tents and houses in bug-infested countries utilize veils to protect the occupants. Today, many homes have replaced window curtains with wooded shutters. Not much originality but very functional.
Moses also adorned his face after he had encountered and visited with God on Mount Sinai. He received the Ten Commandments (the Testimony) and upon returning to the people, he did not know his face shown while he spoke with God. All the people were afraid and “when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face” (Ex. 34.33). Every time he went to meet with the Lord, he was unveiled; and veiled when he came out among the people.
There were a multitude of fine linen curtains in the tabernacle as well as those of goat’s hair. Finally, at the very end of the construction we are told: “He (Moses) took the Testimony and put it into the ark, inserted the poles through the rings of the ark, and put the mercy seat on top of the ark. And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, hung up the veil of the covering, and partitioned off the ark of the Testimony, as the Lord had commanded Moses” (Ex. 40.20,21). God then started dwelling there and led the people through the desert.
Later we see that King Solomon was commissioned to build the temple and when it was completed, God was pleased. The ark containing the two tablets Moses had received was brought in and the veil was installed. The Lord was pleased and filled the temple with His glory. Hundreds of years pass and Nehemiah was commissioned to rebuild the temple which had been destroyed by Israel’s enemies due to their sinful ways, as promised by God. Amos tells us: “On that day I will raise up the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, and repair its damages; I will raise up its ruins, and rebuild it as in the days of old” (vs. 9.11).
Fast forward to 33 A.D. Jesus is hanging on a cross, declares “it is finished” and dies. At that very moment the veil in the Jewish temple is torn in two parts from top to bottom. (Mt. 27.50 51a) Coincidental; I think not! God was through with that temple and its religious system. The Romans destroyed the temple in 70 A.D. It has never been rebuilt. This was the Old Covenant. The New Covenant was established by the shed blood of Christ! We now have access to the Father through the Son. His flesh is the veil. “I am the way, the truth and the life; no man comes to the Father but by Me”(Jn.14.6). He is our High Priest. We enter the ‘holy of holies’, God’s presence, through Him. In Hebrews we see clearly what took place on the cross, nullifying the Temple worship and fulfilling the prophecies that it all pointed to. The ‘mystery’ may have been hidden behind the veil, but now it is clearly seen.
“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, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water” (vss. 10.19-22). (underlining by author for emphasis) A major history lesson that has been un-veiled for eternity! Next time you look at a veil or curtain—rejoice in your Savior! He is your veil!