THE ARK OF THE COVENANT
Exo. 25:9-22
Morning Meditation 6/5/2013
As we continue to look at THE ARK OF THE COVENANT, let's look at--
THE CONTENTS OF THE ARK, OR THE OBEDIENCE OF CHRIST
Exodus 40:20, "And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon the ark:"
"And he put the testimony (Law) into the Ark . . . And put the mercy-seat above" (Exo. 40:20. The broken law, which could only minister death, was here covered in the presence of God. And covered with the Mercy Seat.. What a blessing. Man could not keep the broken commandments but the Ark could. Christ alone could say, "Thy law is within my heart (Psa. 40:8).
In Him, as our Ark, the broken law is shut up, covered with mercy. By His Cross He took it "out of the way" (Col 2:14). Looking up into His Father's face, He could say without fear, "I have finished the work Thou gavest me to do" (Jon 17:4). The righteous demands of God are all fully met in Him. Here God rests as He did of old, on the mercy-seat between the cherubim, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Matt. 3:17).
Here God rests as He did of old, on the mercy-seat between the cherubim, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in Him I am well pleased." Next let's look at--
THE PURPOSE OF THE ARK OR THE ATONEMENT OF CHRIST
"There I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from between the two cherubim, which are upon the Ark" (Exo. 25:22). The Ark was the place of communion. This is what Christ, through His atoning death, becomes, to all who believe. In Him we meet with God in mercy; through Him we have fellowship and communion. Christ, as the mercy-seat between God and a broken law, is the only way of acceptance before God. John 6:44 says, "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day."
There can be no communion without propitiation. So God has provided through grace the full payment for sin, if he will only receive Christ as Saviour. Next--
THE POSITION OF THE ARK, OR THE INTERCESSION OF CHRIST
Exodus 26:34, "And thou shalt put the mercy seat upon the ark of the testimony in the most holy place." The Ark stood continually in the immediate presence of God on Israel's behalf. The mercy seat made continual intercession for them. Although unseen within the veil, Christ, our Ark, has sat down on high. In the Holy of Holies Jesus ever lives to make intercession for us.
There is nothing that has changed about God's plan of salvation for man. The Ark was the place of worship and communion. What a comfort to know that the law which was against us is completely covered for us in the Holy of Holies, and that on this mercy-seat God delights to dwell and give gifts to men.
The high priest could only enter the holy of holies once a year. What about New Testament saints? The Lord invites us into the holy of holies as often as the need arises in our lives. This entrance into the holy of holies is the place of answered prayer, strength to carry on, and grace to give to get the gospel out to all nations. Hebrews 10:19-20, "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;"
Did you know that every time you pray you go into the holy of holies to obtain what you ask for. Also when we worship, we enter the holiest to pay our tribute the Lord Jesus. Next let's look at--
THE SPRINKLING OF THE ARK, OR THE APPROPRIATION OF CHRIST
Leviticus 16:14, "And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward; and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times."
The blood of the sin-offering was put upon the lid of the Ark, thus connecting mercy with the Sacrifice for sin.
The God did not only give the law to manifest our weakness, i.e., He crowned His Son as the one person worthy to redeem mankind.
May the Lord bless these words to our hearts.
In Christ
Bro. White
