Ark Of The Covenant
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Exodus, chapter 25 describes the Ark of the Covenant in detail. God gave to Moses explicit directives on how to build the vessel and all of the other furnishings for the Tabernacle in the Wilderness. Cunning Hebrew craftsmen were called upon to meticulously replicate the Ark according to Moses' description. Measuring 2 1/2 cubits by 1 1/2 cubit, the vessel was constructed of shittim wood and overlaid with pure gold. Atop the rectangular structure was a type of lid, called the mercy seat, with a crown of gold and two winged cherubim at opposite sides of the seat. The cherubim faced one another with outstretched wings nearly meeting above the center of the seat. Between the tips of the outstretched wings, the presence of God would commune with the high priest each year at the Atonement, when he stood before the presence of the Lord to pour out a blood sacrifice for the sins of the people. "And thou shall put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee. And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel" (Exodus 25:21-22).
Inside the Ark of the Covenant, God directed Moses to place three items of spiritual importance: the testimony, a bowl of manna, and Aaron's rod that budded. The tables of testimony were the inscribed stone tablets upon which the finger of God had written the Ten Commandments. The bowl of manna was a sample of the angelic food God fed the children of Israel in the wilderness when they begged for bread. Lastly, Aaron's rod was preserved as a memento of the struggle the children of Israel endured and yet overcame by the authoritative power of Almighty God. The reason why God instructed Moses to save these particular items in the Ark of the Covenant is not explicit. However, we can surmise that God did not want the children of Israel to forget the miracles that were performed on their behalf as they journeyed from bondage in Egypt through the wilderness of Sin and onward to the Promised Land. Nor should modern men forget when the Lord delivers them from the bondage of sin and writes His laws upon the tables of the heart to govern their new walk in Christ Jesus. Similarly, born again believers in Jesus Christ require daily bread, a fresh Word from God, to sustain them along the salvation journey. Lastly, just as Aaron's rod budded, a symbol of spiritual guidance, so is God's grace renewed day by day to gently lead believers into all truth.
Since the day Adam and Eve were first formed, God has sought to commune with man. The Tabernacle in the Wilderness was constructed as a place of worship and communion between the children of Israel and God. Because the Hebrews were a nomadic people, the Tabernacle was a portable tent made of wooden planks joined together with rings and staves. To keep out curious onlookers, walls of shittim wood overlaid with gold were covered by a thick layer of curtains made of fine twined linen in blue, scarlet and purple. The Tabernacle roof was made from rams skins dyed red and a second covering of badgers skins, as a waterproof shield. The description of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness is rich with spiritual types. Planks of shittim wood speak of man's humanity, overlaid with gold, which depicts deity. Therefore, whenever scripture references Tabernacle furnishings made of wood overlaid with gold, it is spiritual representation of God's communion with man, as God is his Supreme covering. The fine twined linen of the Tabernacle curtains represents righteousness; and each color has a spiritual significance. Blue typically represents spiritual authority, red represents the Blood of Jesus, and purple signifies the royalty of the Godhead.
The Tabernacle in the wilderness was set up in the midst of the camp surrounded by an ordered assemblage of all twelve Hebrew tribes. In the outer court, was a brazen laver where the priests would wash before attending to the service of the Lord. Just past the laver, the brazen altar was kept burning to offer animal sacrifices for the sins of the people. Separating the outer court from the Holy Place was a thick veil of fine twined linen curtains in blue, scarlet and purple. And beyond the Holy Place, another thick veil separated the Most Holy Place from the rest of the Tabernacle sacrificial and worship areas. Within the Most Holy Place rested the Ark of the Covenant. Only the high priest was allowed to enter into the Most Holy Place once a year to offer atonement for the sins of the people. The high priest would prayerfully come before the presence of the Lord which hovered over the mercy seat between the wings of the cheribum. As the high priest ministered before the Lord, he poured out the sacrificial blood of a lamb of the first year without spot, wrinkle or blemish. God would then forgive Israel of her corporate sin for one more year so that they might have restored communion. While the Old Testament sacrificial lamb's blood only rolled back sin; the true Lamb of God, which is Christ Jesus, shed sacrificial blood at Calvary's Cross over 2,000 years ago. His blood had the power to forever wash and cleanse man from sin -- not just for one year -- but once and for all. Because of the ultimate sinless sacrifice of Jesus Christ, men no longer need to construct tents of worship nor offer animal sacrifices. As born again believers, those who name the Name of Christ can come boldly to the throne of God, which continually resides in the heart, to obtain mercy and forgiveness of sin.
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