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#8.
The Ark of the Tabernacle (Exod. 25: 10-22).
pp. 147, 148
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. 40: 8; Heb. 10: 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 37: 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