Because a veil of blindness remains over Jewish minds whenever the Law is read, preventing them from seeing that the Law has been abolished in Christ.
According to Scripture, the veil Moses put over his face prevented Israel from looking to the end of what was being abolished—the Law itself. That same veil remains over Jewish minds today whenever the Old Testament is read, so they cannot see that the Law has been done away in Christ. Les Feldick explains that this blindness, not a lack of sincerity, is why many Jews still practice the Law.
2 Corinthians 3:14 — This verse directly states that a veil remains over Jewish minds when the Old Testament is read, and it is only done away in Christ—precisely why Jews still adhere to the Law.
The apostle Paul contrasts the old covenant with the new: "And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of that which is abolished" (2 Corinthians 3:13). He then explains the lasting result: "But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ" (2 Corinthians 3:14). And in verse 15: "But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart." Paul states the outcome in Romans 11:7: "What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded."
Les teaches that the primary reason Jews still keep the Law is spiritual blindness. The veil on Moses' face was not about the brightness of his complexion; it was so Israel could not see that the whole system of Law was going to be abolished. That same veil remains over Jewish hearts today, especially when the Old Testament is read. Because of this blindness, Jewish people can be sincerely religious in Old Testament Judaism and still miss the central truth that the Law has been abolished by Christ's finished work and replaced by the revelation of God's grace. Les also shows that Israel as a whole deeply longed for the King, the Messiah, and the Redeemer. A few recognized Jesus as the Christ, but the majority rejected Him and were blinded. This blindness has lasted to this very day, even among those who seem religious in their practice of Judaism. Additionally, Les points out that the Judaism of Paul's day was not even the pure Law of Moses. It had been expanded by rabbinic tradition into more than six hundred man-made rules and regulations. Paul approached those who were under the Law, while never forsaking the morality of God's Law, but the Law itself has no power to save anyone—it only condemns.
In Les's teaching, the veil was not placed over Moses' face because Israel could not stand the brightness of his complexion. It was so the children of Israel could not look to the end of that which was abolished—the entire system of Law. The same veil remains untaken away in the reading of the Old Testament.
Yes. Les says Israel has spent the last 1,900-plus years in spiritual blindness that lasts to this very day. Even when Jewish people seem religious in practicing Old Testament Judaism, they are blind to much spiritual truth, especially the truth concerning their Messiah, the Christ.
Les points out that the Law of Judaism at the time of Christ and Paul was not the pure Law of Moses. It had been watered down with man-made ideas until it became a set of six hundred and some rules and regulations. This is the system the Orthodox Jewish community was wrapped up in, and Paul became under the law to reach them, while never forsaking the morality of the Law of God.
Les says every Jew, even before Christ's first advent, longed deep down for the King, the Messiah, the Redeemer. A few recognized Him and became the elect, but the majority rejected Him and were blinded. The Book says the rest were blinded.
No. Les teaches that the Law does nothing but condemn and brings the knowledge of sin. There is no power in the Law to save anybody. The Law was a burden and a yoke of bondage that Israel could not bear.
The Veil on Moses' Face
Les explains that the real purpose of Moses' veil was to keep Israel from seeing that the Law would be abolished; the same veil remains today when the Old Testament is read.
The Religious Element of Judaism
Les identifies the 'under the law' group in Paul's day as the religious element of Judaism—especially Orthodox Jews who are wrapped up in Judaism.
The Law as a Yoke of Bondage
Les emphasizes that the Law was severe, a burden, and a yoke of bondage Israel could not bear, showing why it could never be the means of salvation.
The Law Only Condemns
Les teaches that the Law has no power to save anyone; it only gives knowledge of sin and condemns.
Israel's Longing and Rejection of the Messiah
Les says every Jew longed for the King and Redeemer, but the majority rejected Christ and were blinded; only a few were the elect who recognized Him.
Israel's Blindness Continues Today
Les states that even religious Jewish people are blind to the spiritual truth about their Messiah, and this blindness has lasted to the present day.
The Good Jew Under the Law
Les shows that a Jew who broke the Law had to turn to the second part of the Law for forgiveness, illustrating the impossible burden of law-keeping.
The Man-Made Law of Paul's Day
Les notes that the Law in Paul's day had become a set of over 600 man-made rules, not the pure Law of Moses, while Paul still held to the morality of God's Law.
2 Corinthians 3:13: And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
Moses' veil prevented Israel from looking to the end of the Law—the very system that was being abolished.
2 Corinthians 3:14: But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
The same veil remains over Jewish minds when the Old Testament is read, and it is only done away in Christ.
2 Corinthians 3:15: But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
Even today, whenever Moses is read, the veil is on the hearts of Israel.
Romans 11:7: What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.
Israel as a nation did not obtain what it sought by law; a remnant obtained it and the rest were blinded.
When Moses is read, a veil is on their hearts (2 Corinthians 3:14–15). Les explains that this is the same veil that prevented Israel from seeing that the Law was fading away, and it still prevents them from seeing that Christ has abolished it.
They can be sincerely religious without seeing the truth. Les says even though they may seem religious in Old Testament Judaism, they are basically blind to spiritual truth, especially concerning their Messiah.
No. Les teaches that the Law does nothing but condemn and has no power to save. It only gives knowledge of sin.
They wanted the King, the Messiah, and the Redeemer. A few recognized Him when He came, but the majority rejected Him and were blinded.
Watch the Teaching: What the Veil on Moses' Face Really Meant (Most Miss This)