#8. The Ark of the Tabernacle (Exod. xxv. 10-22).


Israel, delivered from Egypt by the blood of the Passover, separated by the waters of the Red Sea, and alone with God in the desert, are to be taught the nature of God’s holiness, man’s sin, and God’s salvation. Already they have failed, the tables of stone having been broken. The ark therefore is made, wherein the law, unbroken, may be placed. The Lord does not come a second time to Israel with the law, for one sin places a man irrevocably outside the possibility of probation or the making of his own righteousness. Inasmuch as redemption from Egypt had to be by blood, so approach to God, and acceptance with Him had to be by blood also.

The first article of furniture to be made for the Tabernacle was the ark, which was formed of wood and gold—a picture of the humanity and deity of Christ. In it was placed the Tables of Stone (16), and it is noteworthy that when Christ came into the world He said “Thy law is within my heart” (Ps. xl. 8; Heb. x. 5-9). The law demanded perfect obedience, and if this claim was disregarded salvation could not be effected without setting aside the law of God which was perfect, holy, just and good. Hence the ark and the law within comes first.

Upon this ark, typical of the spotless life and perfect obedience of the Lord Jesus, upon this ark, with its unbroken tables of the law, is placed the mercy seat (17). This mercy seat was sprinkled with blood, and there God met with Moses and Aaron on behalf of His people. Herein is set forth the one great work of Christ in life and death, viz., the making of a mercy seat (or “propitiation”, as the word is rendered in the New Testament) for the sins of His people,—where the penitent sinner could go and cry “God be merciful (i.e. be propitious) to me the sinner”. But further wonders arise out of this. Not only are sinners saved, justified and blessed here, but already they are united to the risen Saviour, and will be finally glorified with Him. No marvel that John was led to cry “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God”.

Two cherubim were made (18, 19), made out of the mercy seat, as chapter xxxvii. 7, 8 more clearly shows.

As the cherubim looked toward the mercy seat, they looked to one another (20), and as Christians look to Him Who is dwelling above the blood sprinkled mercy seat, unity will be promoted. The divisions of to-day are but proofs that the person and work of Christ are disregarded.

“There I will meet thee, and I will commune with thee” (22). Fellowship with the Lord and with His people is found in the holiest of all, because of the blood of the atonement, and by virtue of the divine unity made by grace between the Saviour and His people. Oh that we may know this communion more. Numb. vii. 89 should be pondered and prayed over:

“And When Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with Him, then he heard the voice of One speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubims: and He spake unto him.”

Grace is such that those far off have been and still will be made nigh through that precious blood. The mercy seat, Christ Jesus, is God’s only appointed way of salvation from sin, and approach to Him, for

“Without shedding of blood, there does not become a sending away of sin” Heb. ix. 22).

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(From The Berean Expositor, vol. 31, page 121).

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