The Ark of the Covenant

I know this isn't as all-inclusive as it could be, since I haven't really studied the whole symbolism of the Ark of the Covenant and the Tabernacle in depth. But, I hope it still serves its purpose as giving at least one way of looking at it all. If anyone has anything else to add, that would be great! Just let me know. :) Enjoy!

The Ark of the Covenant

Inside the Ark of the Covenant was a gold jar containing some manna, Aaron’s staff that sprouted and produced almonds, and the stone tablets of the covenant upon which were written the Ten Commandments.

~ The gold jar containing manna represents the provision of God and His Providence.

~ Aaron’s staff that sprouted and produced almonds is a warning to the rebellious to not grumble against the Lord, lest they die.

~ The stone tablets of the covenant upon which were written the Ten Commandments are the law of God.

~ The ark was wooden, and it was laden with gold on all sides. It represents God’s throne.

~ On top of the Ark were two cherubim, facing each other, with their wings stretched out over the cover of the Ark.

~ The cover of the Ark was called the mercy seat. It was the place of atonement, where the high priest sprinkled blood to atone for the sins of the people.

Manna was sent from heaven to the Israelites when they grumbled against Moses and Aaron because the Israelites didn’t have food. So, this is a representation of the Lord’s provision. It is also a representation of God’s :City w:st="on">Providence in how He gave them instructions about collecting the manna to see if they would be obedient to Him.

Aaron’s staff was chosen, by God, out of the twelve staffs representing the twelve tribes of Israel. He chose Aaron’s staff, which represented the tribe of Levi, to be put in the Ark as a warning to the rebellious, so that they would not grumble against God.

The stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments are God’s law to His people. They did not change with Jesus. They remained the same, and they are still to be followed.

The cherubim represent constant worship to God, both by angels and men.

God’s presence was inside the Holy of Holies. He sat on the mercy seat of the Ark, between the cherubim.

The mercy seat was where the blood of animals was sprinkled to atone for the sins of the people. Blood was required for the forgiveness of sins. The entire tabernacle, everything in it, God’s laws, and all the people were sprinkled with blood after the people were given all of God’s laws. The blood was sprinkled using hyssop branches and scarlet wool.

The Ark of the Covenant is the throne of God. The throne of God characterizes God just as a king’s throne says something about the king who occupies it. Just as the Ark of the Covenant encased God’s provision, God’s warning, and God’s laws, so the throne of God symbolizes these things. God rules in provision, warning, and law-giving.

The constant worship represented by the cherubim shows the constant worship that God requires.

Just as the Ark held the law and was also covered by the mercy seat, so does God sit on a throne of judgment, as well as mercy.

There is blood required in order to atone for our sins. This blood was brought by Christ, His own blood the sacrifice. He is our High Priest who gave His life once and for all for our sins. His blood must be sprinkled on the mercy seat, for mercy requires sacrifice. His blood must be sprinkled on us, the living temple of the Holy Spirit, to be sanctified. His blood must be sprinkled on the laws of God, for the law requires sacrifice, too. The sacrifice does not make the law null and void.

The hyssop with which the blood of Jesus is to be sprinkled over everything is bitter and pungent smelling. It is said to be used for relief of respiratory problems and as a remedy for bruises. There is bitterness to receiving the salvation that Jesus’ blood offers us. It requires that we die to ourselves. It also requires that we remain faithful to the covenant we make with Him and that we strive to be holy. That is very unpleasant to our flesh. It takes us aback when we realize the sacrifice WE must make of dying to ourselves and picking up our cross and following Jesus. When we apply the blood of Jesus over our sins and lives, we may sense something bitter and pungent, but it is that very bitterness and breath-taking aroma that allows us to breathe again and heals the afflictions in our lives.

The scarlet wool that was also used in sprinkling everything with blood represents the flagrant offensiveness and the obstinate stain of our sins. When our sins our sprinkled with Jesus’ blood, we are reminded of the grossness and deep stain of our sins. They can ONLY be removed and washed out by Jesus’ blood. The scarlet wool reminds us of the unfathomable amount of mercy God that has on us when we deserve punishment.

The covenant God has made with His people embodies the law. It embodies His warning to the rebellious. It embodies His ultimate provision. The covenant requires our obedience to His laws AND Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins. It requires our worship to God. His covenant is defined by both mercy and judgment.

We must want to be sprinkled with the blood of Jesus. This means we must withstand the bitterness and pungent aroma it gives to our flesh. It also means we must face and admit the awfulness of our sins. These are required in order to be forgiven.

Let us not break the covenant we have made with an Almighty God.