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Following the latter quotation we find the seven angels with the vials of wrath spoken of
as a sign "great and marvelous" (Rev. 15: 1).
This is the covenant of marvels, which God made upon the restatement of the
covenant with Israel:--
"Behold, I make a covenant: before all thy people I will do marvels, such as have not
been done in all the earth, nor in any nation" (Exod. 34: 10).
Thus it is that the plagues which fell upon
equaling about three pecks) instead of the ark; a lid made of lead, instead of the mercy
seat made of gold. Wickedness within instead of righteousness, and two women with
wings like those of an unclean bird to serve as cherubim, finally taking it back to its own
resting place, Babylon. A remarkable statement in Jeremiah leads us to understand still
further the typical character of the ark:--
"In those days (of Israel's restoration) saith the Lord, they shall say no more, The ark
of the covenant of the Lord; neither shall it come to mind; neither shall they remember it;
neither shall they visit it; neither shall it be made again" (Jer. 3: 16),
the reason being, according to verse 17, that the throne of the Lord will then be at
Jerusalem, and therefore the type will no longer be necessary.
Priesthood and provision.
Beside the two tables of the covenant, there were placed in the ark Aaron's rod that
budded, and the golden pot of manna. The rebellion of Korah and Dathan, that
foreshadows the great revolt against the Lord Himself, was followed by the command to
lay up in the tabernacle, before the testimony, the rods of the leaders of Israel, among
them Aaron's. On the morrow it was discovered that Aaron's rod had budded, bloomed
blossoms, and yielded almonds. This symbol of life, while it confirmed Aaron in his
office, pointed on to Him Who by means of resurrection hath an unchangeable
priesthood. The golden pot of manna was a constant memorial of the faithfulness of God
in supplying all pilgrim needs until the land of promise was reached, and is a very real
type of Christ. Is it no comfort to us in our wilderness journey to know that beside the
unbroken law, there is the reminder of that Priest Who ever liveth to make intercession
for us, and of that faithfulness that has said no good thing will He withhold while we
walk the pilgrim pathway?
The golden ark with its crown, its unbroken covenant, its pledge of the ever living
Priest, and its memorial of ever faithful care, was incomplete without the mercy seat that
rested upon it. Righteousness without mercy would not bring salvation to sinners:--
"Though justice be thy plea, consider this, that in the course of justice, none of us
should see salvation."