(1) 25:10a “They are to make an ark of acacia wood...v.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
(NET) 25:21 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.
The purpose of the ark was for God to meet and speak to the mediator about His command for His people.
Observation: Among all the things in the sanctuary the first item that the LORD described to Moses is the ark. Including the ark, the rings, the poles, the lid and the 2 cherubim above that. They were all made of wood covering with gold or just gold. From the list of materials in v.3 (gold, silver, bronze) the ark was made with the most precious materials. In other words this is the center piece/the focal point of the worship place.
v.10 “They are to make an ark of acacia wood—its length is to be three feet nine inches, its width two feet three inches, and its height two feet three inches.
No matter in the original text or in English, the measurement of the ark is not in whole numbers e.g. 3' x2' x2'. Instead it is 3'9"x2'3"x2'3". God's demand is very precise and no explanation is given, but He let us know what He requires.
No matter in the original text or in English, the measurement of the ark is not in whole numbers e.g. 3' x2' x2'. Instead it is 3'9"x2'3"x2'3". God's demand is very precise and no explanation is given, but He let us know what He requires.
Principle we can draw: In worship, God is the center. God has set up the precise requirement of worship and we have to be obedient in worship.
(2) Observation: The ark was surrounded by a golden border v.11 and was meant to be carried with the poles v.14-15.
Principle: God was both artistic and practical.
[border] (NET) The word זֵר (zer) [border] is used only in Exodus and seems to describe something on the order of a crown molding, an ornamental border running at the top of the chest on all four sides. There is no indication of its appearance or function.
25:14 and put the poles into the rings at the sides of the ark in order to carry the ark with them. 25:15 The poles must remain in the rings of the ark; they must not be removed from it.
This explained why God striked David's servant, Uzzah, when David tried to use the ox cart to carry the ark back to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:7).
This explained why God striked David's servant, Uzzah, when David tried to use the ox cart to carry the ark back to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:7).
Reflection: God's requirement was not hard and they are meant to be followed.
(3) 25:16 You are to put into the ark the testimony that I will give to you.
25:21 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.
(NET) The “testimony” is the Decalogue (Exod 24:12; 31:18; Deut 4:13; 9:9; 1 Kgs 8:9); the word identifies it as the witness or affirmation of God’s commandments belonging to his covenant with Israel. It expressed God’s will and man’s duty.
Reflection: What do we mean when we say God is the center of worship? When we worship we can reflect on our relationship with God. We can remember His solemn promise, and the abiding effect.
(4) The lid in Hebrews means propitiatory (BDB), wrath satisfying sacrifices.
(BDB) When the high priest entered the Holy of Holies on the day of atonement it was necessary that this highest place of atonement should be enveloped in a cloud of incense. The blood of the sin-offering of the atonement was then sprinkled on the face of and seven times before it.
The cherubim (NET) They serve to guard the holy places and to bear the throne of God. Here they were to be beaten out as part of the lid...by their overshadowing and guarding they signify this as the place of atonement where people must find propitiation to commune with God. Until then they are barred from his presence.
Reflection: For us, Jesus is our propitiation to satisfying God's wrath. He is our way to commune with God. Without Him we are barred from His presence. Salvation makes our worship possible.
(5) 25:22 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.
Reflection: For us, Jesus is our propitiation to satisfying God's wrath. He is our way to commune with God. Without Him we are barred from His presence. Salvation makes our worship possible.
(5) 25:22 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.
(NET) The text makes it clear that here God would meet with Moses (“you” is singular) and then he would speak to the people—he is the mediator of the covenant.
Reflection: God's presence and God's words were sacred. They are worth all the effort and dedication to build the ark and the sanctuary. Do you spend time drawing near to God?
Audrey
Audrey
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