The Ark is one of the clearest types of the Lord
Jesus and his work of salvation I 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)
