THE ARK OF THE COVENANT, AND THE MERCY SEAT
(Exodus 25:10-22; 37:1-9)
The Outer Court...The Holy Place...THE HOLY OF HOLIES!!! We should STOP and REMEMBER as we STEP BEHIND THE VEIL to look upon the ARK that this one thing the Old Testament saints were NEVER PERMITTED to do. Only on ONE DAY in the year, THE DAY OF ATONEMENT (Lev. 16: 11,34) did the High Priest enter into the Holy of Ho lies, and then, ONLY with the BLOOD of propitiation, and a cloud of incense to dim the vision of sinful man in the presence of God.
I. THE ARK OF THE COVENANT -
The most important piece of furniture in the Tabernacle, for it is the most complete type and figure of Christ found in the Old Testament. The Tabernacle was built around the Ark; the Tabernacle without the Ark is like a body without a soul, or a Church without Christ; (Herod's Temple in Jesus' day had no true Ark, thus they crucified Christ).
A. THE ARK OF THE COVENANT - "Chest, coffer, for keeping safe" SAFETY IN CHRIST.
Several Arks mentioned in Scripture:
[1]. Noah's (Gen. 6:13,14).
[2]. Moses' (Ex. 2,3).
[3]. Ark of the Covenant (Ex. 25:10).
B. SIZE AND DESCRIPTION -
[1]. WOOD and GOLD, the blending of two natures, human and divine.
[2]. OBLONG-SHAPED CHEST, 2 1/2 cubits long 1 1/2 cubits high and wide.
[3]. CROWN OF GOLD - Crowns are for kings to wear, thus the crown is a symbol of His sovereignty and power (Lord and Master).
[4]. 4 RINGS OF GOLD, 2 STAVES - For the ARK when carried by priests (only). (4)= Justice and Holiness, Grace and Truth, Propitiation (in middle, between).
II. THE MERCY SEAT -
"Covering (propitiation)" CHRIST'S BLOOD COVERING OUR SINS.
Here is CHRIST in His mediatorial redemptive work (in Heaven before God).
A. IT WAS SOLID GOLD - 2 1/2 cubits long, 1 1/2 cubits wide.
[1]. There was NO SEAT in the Holy of Holies, no need for one; the priestly work was never finished, constantly and daily they brought sacrifices in the Outer Court: NO END OF SERVICE.
[2]. Only ONCE (Heb. 10: 11,12) is it mentioned that Christ could SIT DOWN, and only after His work is finished, and nothing to add to His work.
B. TWO CHERUBIMS - "Guardians"
[1]. A sinner (or a believer) is never called on to GUARD THE BLOOD, for he ever stands in need of the blood to protect and guard him.
[2]. CHERUBIMS last seen in Eden (Gen. 3:24) to guard the way to the Tree of Life; at EDEN it was JUDGMENT; at the ARK it is MERCY, blood makes the difference.
[3]. NOTE: The two are facing but not looking at each other, but toward the Mercy Seat and the Blood; men deny the power of the blood, but the WORD OF GOD COVERS IT, guards it, protects it.
C. BLOOD - "Blood of bulls and goats"
[1]. Were only types and figures, for these could not pay the price of sin: this was only done by the LAMB OF GOD (Heb. 10:1-4:12). In (Heb. 9:12) Christ sprinkled His blood upon the mercy seat before the throne of God, and forever settled the sin question.
[2]. The difference in "Touch Me Not" (Jn. 20:17) and "Handle Me and See" (Lk. 24:39) is sometime during the Resurrection Day He went to Heaven, fulfilled the TYPE of presenting His blood, and thus could say that night, before His apostles, "Handle Me and See".
III. INSIDE THE ARK - "Thou shalt put into the ark" (Ex. 25:16).
[1]. TWO TABLES OF STONE (The Law) (Ex. 20).
[2]. GOLDEN POT OF MANNA (Ex. 16:11-33; Num. 11:19).
[3]. AARON'S ROD THAT BUDDED (Num. 16: 17: 1-13).
A. THE LAW -
[1]. The LAW which man could not keep, was deposited within the Ark, beneath the Mercy Seat, the type of the ONLY ONE WHO did keep the Law perfectly.
B. THE GOLDEN POT OF MANNA - "Manna" has three meanings:
[1]. Hebrew - "What is it" (Ex. 16:15)
[2]. Chaldean - "A portion"
[3]. English - "Bread" (Ex. 16:4)
(a). Food for the Israelites, and Christ is the food for saints (Bread of Life). The world looks and asks: "What is it?" and we can say: "A portion" sent from God.
(b). The MANNA came: every morning, daily; around the camp, within reach of all: with the dew, keeping it fresh and clean (Holy Spirit).
(c). Instructions (Ex. 16) - One day's portion at a time: none were to have surplus: none are to lack anything: the sun cleansed the earth after gathering.
[1]. All used it (Ex. 16:2,3; Num. 11:8).
C. AARON'S ROD - (Num. 16, 17)
The story of these two chapters tells of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram who gathered 250 men of Israel in rebellion against Moses and Aaron: the false accusation was that Moses had overstepped his mark, usurped authority, and was full of pride in making his brother High Priest - GOD VINDICATED - AARON'S ROD BUDDED.
[1]. THE ROD TEACHES Compare (Heb. 9:4 to Num. 17:8):
(a). BUD - symbol of life - The resurrection of Christ.
(b). BLOSSOMS - Token of beauty - The Resurrection of Saints (in His image).
(c). FRUIT - Usefulness - Raising of Israel to fill the earth with fruit.
IV. ALONE WITH GOD -
[1]. Three rooms in the Tabernacle; OUTER COURT (place of sacrifice); HOLY PLACE (place of worship); HOLY OF HOLIES (place of communion adoration).
[2]. When God made ADAM, He made him as a three room dwelling - BODY, SOUL, SPIRIT (I Thess. 5:23) - This was the IMAGE OF GOD in man.
[3]. THE SECOND ADAM, Christ, was three rooms - BODY, SOUL, SPIRIT.
[4]. THE SAVED TODAY ARE THE TABERNACLE OF GOD - (2 Cor. 5:1).
THREE ROOMS:
(a). BODY- Court (Kitchen)
(b).SOUL - Holy Place (living room, fellowship)
(c). SPIRIT - Holy of Holies (secret place)
[5]. ONLY ONE PERSON was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies,the High Priest - ALONE - ALONE WITH GOD!!!
HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU SPEND ALONE WITH GOD?
(a).To much time spent in the kitchen ministering to the body?
(b). So busy in the living room, fellowshipping with each other?
(c). So busy teaching, serving, preaching, we neglect the secret place - ALONE WITH GOD?
(d). Spirituality is not measured in how long you have been saved, member of the church, or even how busy you are in church work.
(e). Service and worship will be acceptable only as we spend time ALONE WITH GOD!
BEHIND THE VEIL - ALONE WITH GOD!! (Heb. 4:16)
Note: This lesson from the Old Testament is on the Jewish Tabernacle during the time of Moses. Taught by Dr. James Modlish.
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