They shall make an ark of acacia wood. Two cubits and a half shall be its length, a cubit and a half its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height. Exodus 25:10
Designed by God in detail, the gold covered Ark represented His Presence. Three items were to be kept inside this holy vessel: A pot of manna, the budded staff of Aaron, and the two stone tablets of the Ten Commandments. The lid was called the Mercy Seat, or the Atonement Cover – the throne where His glory rested.
In contrast to the Ark’s exquisite beauty, the objects inside could seem mistakenly common - a stick, two stones, a jar of bread – but they are put there as reminders.
The pot of manna – God showed His faithfulness by providing food in the wilderness – yet the wandering Israelites eventually rejected it.
Aaron’s Staff – When Israel rebelled from the leadership God had appointed, the Lord reaffirmed Aaron as His choice by causing his staff to bud.
Two tablets of 10 commandments – He gives them a written summary of their covenant. God had chosen to be among them but there were instructions – they often chose a different way.
All three items are reminders of shameful things in Israel’s history – rejecting God’s provision, His authority, and His ways. They are inside the ark – near to God’s presence but covered by the atonement cover, the mercy seat.
We see the Ark’s contents differently in hindsight from the Cross.
- Jesus is the Bread of Life that provides salvation.
- Jesus is the true High Priest and His resurrection is the First Fruit from death to life.
- There is fulfillment of the Law through His life and sacrifice. He brings the new Covenant.
God knows the shameful things in our lives but He has provided a way of mercy and redemption through Jesus. The picture of the atonement cover between His presence and the people’s rebellion points to His covering of our sin by the blood of Jesus. He no longer covers the sin but has actually removed it. Jesus has given us a new way, a new covenant in His blood, and delivered us into life from our shame. Let us live like it.
