Why reading the Old Testament is vital

"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

We mentioned in passing this verse in our post on How to find yourself, today, let us dwell a little longer in this bible verse, and see what living waters we can draw from it.

Old Testament vs New Testament: Is there still a need to read the Old Testament?

The context of this verse is as such: Paul is in the midst of explaining the differences between the covenant which Moses represented, and the new covenant that Jesus represents. While the the face of Moses shone with the Glory of God, it was still passing away, temporal and fleeting (v 13); but the Glory of Christ is much more glorious (vv 7-11)! And he mentions that Moses covered his face with a veil so that the people could not see the passing away of this glory, and in that, he saw it as a typology of the truth of his day: that there laid a veil on the Jews when they read the words the came from Moses (vv 14-15).

For the believer, however, we have unveiled faces. Jesus has removed the veil that was upon the Old Testament (v 14), and that is why "the old is revealed in the new".

So what does the verse of the day mean in this context?

Paul was saying that the Jews had a veil around their minds when they read their bible (our Old Testament), and he said the story of Moses covering his face with a veil was a typology of this predicament. Such a masterful piece of argument. Actually, no wonder, this must God-breathed. For at once, he was explaining the situation of the Christian, on the other, he was making a practical example of how the Old Testament is now read without the veil: because the veil-remover has done it:

"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." 2 Corinthians 3:14

How does this apply to us? Paul did a remarkable example of application in the story of Moses. In the Exodus 34:33-35, we will see Paul's reference. This literally happened in the old testament. Moses literally placed a veil across his face when he talked to the people. And this, Paul took as a picture of reality. That under the covenant of Moses, the Law, God's glory has always been veiled before the people. And Paul saw in his spirit, that now, the Glory of God is revealed in Christ, and Christ has removed the veil.

And just as the Glory of God left Glory onto Moses' face, we have a better situation: believers who behold His Glory are "being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.".

Finally, friends, how do we behold that Glory as in a mirror? Where and how can we look into the Glory of God and be transformed by Him? In 2 Corinthians 3:14 (shown above), we see that the veil was on the "reading of the old testament". And now that the veil has been removed on what? I submit to you, we can now behold that Glory in Exodus, in the reading of the old testament, and only through the eyes of Christ.

Beloved, Paul was expounding on an approach to bible study that would produce life and transformation. We fear the term "bible study" may mislead some, for it really not a study, but a drawing of living water from a well of Life. This is why God had the Old Testament written. For His word is eternal, and in His eternal wisdom, He has hidden in the Old what the New has revealed. As we go about reading the word, look for His glory in the old. Look at the perfect example of our Lord on the Emmaus Road:

"And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself." Luke 24:27

Friends! Christ, the Glory of God, the Darling of heaven, the Prized Possession! He has been hidden in the Word. Even John saw this and said, "The Word became flesh."(John 1:14). As we read the Old Testament today, let us find this treasure hidden in the Old!