The Ark of The Covenant
August 11, 2019
Commentary
There were seven pieces of furniture found in the Tabernacle and the first two pieces that the Holy Spirit describes are the Ark and the Mercy-seat; the mercy-seat being the cover or lid of the Ark. The ark was called “the Ark of the covenant.” The Lord told Moses to tell the people to build this Ark out of acacia wood (v. 10). It was to be forty-five inches long, twenty-seven inches wide and twenty-seven inches high. It was to be covered inside and out with pure gold (v. 17) and have a pure gold edging around the lid (v. 11). They were to make four gold rings and fasten them to each of the four legs of the chest (v. 12). Then they were to make two poles of acacia wood, cover them with gold and put them through the rings, so the chest could be carried by the poles (vv. 13-14). These poles were to never be removed from the rings (v. 15).
The Ten Commandments that were written on two flat stones were to be put inside the chest (v. 16). Two winged angelic figures (cherubims), made of solid gold, were to be placed on the ends of this lid called the mercy seat (vv. 18-19). These cherubims were to face each other with their wings spread over the chest (v. 20). The Lord said He would meet the people here and tell them what they must do (vv. 21-22). A number of passages speak of God being enthroned between the cherubim (I Sam. 4:4; II Sam 6:2; Psa. 80:1; Psa. 99:1). We know very little about these cherubims and why God chose them to represent such an important and holy purpose. Perhaps it is because they represented angelic, heavenly beings who live in God’s presence and were the best Israel could make as an image closest to Him. This Ark was the center of God’s presence with His people.
Application
This Ark was God’s meeting place with His people but today God meets me as I seek him in His Word and He tells me what He wants me to do though the voice of the Holy Spirit.
Exodus 25:10– 22 (NET)
10 “They are to make an ark of acacia wood—its length is to be 45 inches, its width 27 inches, and its height 27 inches. 11 You are to overlay it with pure gold—both inside and outside you must overlay it, and you are to make a surrounding border of gold over it. 12 You are to cast four gold rings for it and put them on its four feet, with two rings on one side and two rings on the other side. 13 You are to make poles of acacia wood, overlay them with gold, 14 and put the poles into the rings at the sides of the ark in order to carry the ark with them. 15 The poles must remain in the rings of the ark; they must not be removed from it. 16 You are to put into the ark the testimony that I will give to you.
17 “You are to make an atonement lid of pure gold; its length is to be 45 inches, and its width is to be 27 inches. 18 You are to make two cherubim of gold; you are to make them of hammered metal on the two ends of the atonement lid. 19 Make one cherub on one end and one cherub on the other end; from the atonement lid you are to make the cherubim on the two ends. 20 The cherubim are to be spreading their wings upward, overshadowing the atonement lid with their wings, and the cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the atonement lid. 21 You are to put the atonement lid on top of the ark, and in the ark you are to put the testimony I am giving you. 22 I will meet with you there, and from above the atonement lid, from between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the testimony, I will speak with you about all that I will command you for the Israelites.