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The
Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:10-22; Hebrews 9:4)
The
Ark is one of the clearest types of the Lord Jesus and
his work of salvation in the entire Bible.
The
Command for the Ark (verse 10)
It
was the first item mentioned. It was there that God
would meet with His people (verse 22). It was called by
various names (1 Samuel 3:3; exodus 25:22; Numbers
10:33; 1 Kings 2:26; Psalm 132:8; 2 Chronicles 35:3).
The
Construction of the Ark (verses 10&11)
It
was a chest made of wood overlaid with gold, which
typifies the union of Christ’s divine and human
natures.
The
Contents of the Ark (verse 16; Hebrews 9:4)
1)
The Pot of Manna
Christ
is the true spiritual manna (John 6:35) Who is
sufficient to meet his peoples needs (Philemon 4:19). He
is the PROPHET.
2)
Aaron’s rod that budded (Numbers 16&17)
Christ
rose from the dead to be our Great High PRIEST.
3)
The Tables of the Law
Christ
kept the law perfectly. He is the KING.
God
has given us all we need in Christ.
Carrying
of the Ark (verses 12&15)
The
symbol of the presence of God in Christ went with them
in the their journeys. It was carried by the Levites.
Only priests could touch it (Numbers 4:5,6,15).
Coverings
of the Ark (Numbers 4:5,6)
When
carried among the people it was to be covered. The outer
covering was of blue signifying the heavenly nature of
the Ark.
Career
of the Ark
Numbers
10:33-36. The ark leads the people.
Numbers
14:44,45. They are defeated without the Ark.
Joshua
3:14-17. The Ark parts the river Jordan.
Joshua
6. The Ark is carried around Jericho.
Joshua
8:33. They gather to be blest at the Ark.
Judges
20:27,28. They come to the Ark for guidance.
1
Samuel 4:3,22. The Ark is captured
1
Samuel 5. The Philistines are cursed
1
Samuel 6:7,8. The Ark is returned.
1
Samuel 6:19. Men of Bethshemesh are killed after looking
into the Ark.
2
Samuel 6;1 Chronicles 13-16 Uzziah was killed for
touching the Ark. David later brings the Ark back in the
proper manner and blessing results.
The
staves were only taken out when it was placed in the
temple (2 Chronicles 5:9,10)
The
Saviour will go with us all the way to the Heavenly
temple (Revelation 11:19)
The
Cover on the Ark (verses 17-22)
The
Mercy Seat was a solid gold lid with cherubim upon it.
It was here the presence of the Lord dwelt (verse 22;
Psalm 99:1; Revelation 4&5)
It
illustrates the security of the Lord’s people.
1)
The Mercy Seat covered the law. Christ is our mercy seat
(Hebrews 9:5, 2:7; Romans 3:22-26; 1 John 4:10).
2)
The High Priest sprinkled the blood before and upon it
on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16).
The
Reason for it (verse 30; Hebrews 9:22,23)
The
Repetition of it (verse 2; Exodus 23:27; Hebrews
9:7,8,25,26)
The
Right to do it (verse 17; Hebrews 5:1,4,5)
The
Requirement to do it (Hebrews 9:7,12)
The
Rules for it
The
blood was sprinkled on and before the mercy seat (verses
14&15).
Incense
was offered (verses 12,13; Hebrews 9:4, 7:25). The live
goat was sent into the wilderness (verses 21&22;
Hebrews 10:17). The robes were put on again (verses
23&24; Hebrews 2:9). The tabernacle and people were
cleansed (verses 5&7; Hebrews 9:21-23)
When
you have doubts look to the mercy seat
Communion
at the Ark (Exodus 25:22)
God
met with sinful man at the blood sprinkled mercy seat.
How
do we get there?
Though
the veil (Exodus 26:31-34).
The
Description of the veil
The
material of it (verse 31). The marks on it (verse 31).
The means of hanging it (verses 33&34).
The
Division by the veil
It
divided the Holiest from the Holy place (verse 33;
Hebrews 9:8)
The
Division in the veil (Matthew 27:50-53)
After
Christ cried ‘It is finished’ and gave up the spirit
the veil was rent:
Divinely
(verse 51)
Deliberately
(verse 50)
Dramatically
(verses 51-53)
Christ
our Great High Priest opened heaven (Hebrews 9:11,12),
cleansed heaven (Hebrews 9:20-23), intercedes in heaven
(Hebrews 9:24) and has secured access for us into heaven
(Hebrew 10:19,20; 4:16)
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