The Ark of the Testimony Ex. 25:10-22 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO
The passage for this sermon is dealing with the instruction that God gave to Moses concerning how to build the Tabernacle and its furnishings. From the above verses we see the details of the Ark of Testimony which is also called the Ark of the Covenant. In this sermon we will look at some of the typology of the Ark, how it is connected with sacrifice and the items that were placed inside of the ark. From the items in the ark we will make some spiritual application for our own lives in regards to the testimony that we have of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Some types from the Ark:
1) It was make of wood and covered with Gold – This points to both the deity Jesus Christ (gold) and the humanity of Jesus Christ (wood).
2) Mercy Seat covered the ark and was made of pure gold – This points to the fact that mercy comes from God. Note there is no wood pure gold.
3) God communed with Israel from above the mercy seat – This points to the fact that God is above the mercy and therefore all mercy comes from God.
The last point is also interesting because the whole point of building the tabernacle was so that God could dwell among his people (Exodus 25:8). Then one day he became flesh and dwelt among man as his son Jesus Christ (John 1:1, 14). He was sacrificed on Calvary and three days later he arose from the dead and went into the Holy Place in the heavens and obtained eternal redemption for us (Hebrews 9:11-15). As a result of his death, burial, and resurrection we can be saved and have Jesus Christ dwell in us. Also we have access to the throne of God where we can obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:14-16).
Ark connected to sacrifice:
When you study the Old Testament Tabernacle and the Law it is not hard to see how that the ark was literally connected with sacrifice because the blood from the sacrifice on the day of atonement was placed upon it once a year to atone for the sins of the children of Israel.
In Hebrews 9:2-4 we learn that there were three items placed into the Ark; the golden pot of manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant. All of these items can be connected with sacrifice. The tables of the covenant represent the law not only required a sacrifice but it is a sacrifice to do the law as well. The golden pot with manna represents the provision of God given to his people. This was a sacrifice because it was the true bread from heaven that gives us life (John 6:32-33). Aaron’s rod that budded was also a sacrifice because it was alive then cut down and made into a rod. Then it was brought back to life by God.
With this and the name “Ark of the Testimony” we see that one of the key things to having a good testimony for the Lord Jesus Christ will be sacrifice. This is also probably the biggest reason why the testimony for the Lord Jesus Christ has suffered so much over the last couple of decades. We are not as willing to sacrifice as the people of God 30 and 40 years ago.
In the word of God Enoch is the only type of the saved person who is alive and goes up at the rapture of the church. Enoch was taken of the earth just before the flood. Saved church age saints will be taken off the earth at the rapture which is right before the tribulation. Someone will say what about Elijah he was caught up to heaven. That is true but he will return during the tribulation and be killed as one of the two witnesses in Revelation chapter 11. Enoch was translated that he should not see death. This makes Enoch a type of the church age saint who is alive at the Rapture.
In Hebrews 11:5 we see that he had a testimony of pleasing God before he was translated. I wonder if we are pleasing to God. One might ask how can we know what pleases God. One preacher will says this pleases God and another will says something else pleases God. That why we have the bible and it plainly tells us what is pleasing unto God.
1) Must have faith (Hebrews 11:6)
2) Give praise to God and do good and communicate (Hebrews 13:15-16)
3) Walk in a way that pleases God (1 Thessalonians 4:1)
4) Not being in the flesh (Romans 8:8) {this is explained in the context of the passage}
5) Escaping the evil woman (Ecclesiastes 7:26)
What is on the inside of the ark?
For the spiritual application to us having a testimony for the Lord Jesus Christ we will look at the items found in the Ark in a different order than what they appeared in the verse from Hebrews.
1) Tables of the covenant – These point to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
- The Law required a perfect sacrifice and Jesus Christ was that sacrifice (Hebrews 9:12-15)
- It is important to note also that the Ark of the Testimony was 1.5 cubits high (Exodus 25:10). The Brazen Altar where all the animals were sacrificed was 3 cubits high, but in the middle of it there was a gratework of brass hung where the animals were actually placed for burning (Exodus 27:1,5). If you look at the Tabernacle from the entrance on a level plane this places the sacrificed animals on the exact same plane as the mercy seat.
- Notice also when God tells Moses to put the tables of the covenant into the mercy seat notice he call them the” testimony that I will give you” (Exodus 25:21).
- This shows us two things. One that he gave us the ultimate sacrifice in Jesus Christ. This is shown to us by the ark being wood covered with gold. The Ark holds up the mercy seat. Therefore mercy and getting to God rest upon Jesus Christ.
- The second thing is that it is not really our testimony for Jesus Christ but it is that God gives the testimony of Jesus Christ by him being in us (1 Corinthians 1:6). And if we would focus more on giving him the glory and honoring that testimony instead of what we do trying to be a good testimony, then it would be easier for other to see the glory of God in us and by default we would be a much better testimony.
- Remember the key to a good testimony is sacrifice we must not focus on ourselves but on pleasing God as Enoch.
2) The golden pot with manna – This points to God’s provision for his people.
- Philippians 4:19 tells us that God will supply all our need. Note the need is singular because everything we need is in Jesus Christ.
- In Exodus 25:14 the Ark was borne by the staves that were placed in the rings. This points to the fact that we bear the testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ everywhere we go.
- The sacrifice here is one of faith, remember without faith it is impossible to please him.
- We want to know how, when, and where God is going to deliver us or supply our need. But the manna was put up to show the next generation that had never seen the manna.
- What our generation and the next needs to see are some saved people who will walk by faith and not by sight, but this takes great sacrifice.
3) Aaron’s rod that Budded – This points to self discipline.
- The rod was used as protection and discipline for the sheep. In Hebrews 12:11 we see that the chastening of the Lord yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness.
- One of the main reasons that we don’t bring honor and glory to God as we should is a lack of self discipline.
- Self discipline is a sacrifice and it is lacking heavily in this modern generation. Nobody is responsible for their actions anymore. And in return very few are responsible.
- In his book of Spiritual Leadership Dennis Corle made this statement, “The less character you have the more governing you require. The more governing you require the less capable you are of handling leadership.”
May we put ourselves aside and be will to sacrifice to be a good testimony for the Lord Jesus Christ.