The Three Arks

The Ark and the Mercy Seat

Here is the last piece of furniture found in the Tabernacle, but the ark is the most important and valuable of all the items studied thus far. This ark fully represents the salvation of Jesus Christ given to mankind by grace (mercy).

Here we see Jesus "In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Col 2:3 I). The Ark: Exodus 25:10-22; 37:1-9

A). 3 Arks in the Bible

*Ark defined: from Latin- arcere, meaning to hold off, defend. Something that affords protection and safety.

1). Noah’s Ark Gen 6:13,14

2). Moses’ Ark Exodus 2:3

3). The Ark of the Covenant Exodus 25:10

B). Size and Description: Exodus 25:10-16

1). Made of Shittim wood overlain with gold. As studied before the imperishable shittim wood representing the perfect humanity of Jesus and the gold representing the Deity of Jesus.

2). The dimentions are 2½ cubits long x 1½ cu. wide x 1½ cu tall. (3¾’x2¼’x2¼’)

3). The ark had a crown of gold around the top edge which speaks of our Savior "crowned with glory and honour" (Hebrews 2:9). A crown is a symbol of sovereignty and power.

4). The ark had 4 rings of gold with which 2 gold covered staves of shittim wood were used to carry the ark. The priests were to carry the ark with these staves.

C). The contents of the ark (Ex. 25:16; Hebrews 9:4)

1). The 2 tables of stone (the law) Exodus 20:1-17.

2). A golden pot of manna Ex. 16:11-33, Num 11:1-9

3). Aaron’s rod that budded. Num 16-17:13.

D). The meaning of the contents

1). The law was placed in the ark which symbolizes Jesus Christ who was the only man who could keep the law without breaking it. *However, in the New Testament God said: "I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts:" Heb 8:10. We are supposed to keep God’s word close to our heart (Ps. 1:1-3; 119:11)

2). The golden pot of manna. Manna in Hebrew means: "what is it?". To the unsaved world looking at Christianity from without says: "what is it?", but to the believer we know Jesus as "the bread of life" (Jn 6:48-51). A golden pot speaks of deity and our bread or provision comes from God. As the Lord’s Prayer says: "Give us this day our daily bread." Matt 6:11.

*The Israelites learned a lesson in trusting God in that the manna was to be gathered daily and would not last until the next day except for the 7th day. (Ex. 16:22-30)

*Daily we must meet with Jesus. He cannot be stored up.

3). Aaron’s rod. Korah, Dathan & Abiram led a revolt with 250 men against Moses & Aaron saying that Moses had usurped authority in making Aaron (his brother) the High Priest. (Ex 16). After these died by God’s wrath, God instructed the princes to choose a rod for each of the 12 tribes and put them in the tabernacle and God would cause one to blossom whom He had chosen to be the High Priest.

"…the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds." Num. 17:8

*remember the almond is the "hastener" the first to bloom just as Jesus was the first to rise from the dead (like on the lampstand).

"But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept." 1 Cor 15:20

II). The Mercy Seat. Exodus 25:17-22

A). Size and Materials:

1). It was solid gold with 2 cherubims facing toward each other looking down with their wings overspread touching in the center.

2). It was the same size as the top of the ark fitting like a cover.

3). The cherubims were faced together, but looking down on the mercy seat. Cherubims are guardians in the Bible (Gen 3:24). There is power in the blood and so God has it covered and protected by His cherubims.

4). 1 Peter 1:12 says of the salvation of God: "which things the angels desire to look into". The cherubims looked upon the mercy seat which was only offered to men. (2 Peter 2:4, Jude 6, Isa. 14).

B). Use of the Mercy Seat.

1). It was the place where the Priest placed the blood of the sacrifices for sin once a year on the day of Atonement. (Lev 16).

However, this blood was not good enough (Heb. 10:4) and was only a symbol of the blood shed at Calvary. Jesus after shedding His own blood acted as the High Priest and placed the blood on the mercy seat of God in heaven (Heb 9:11-15, Rev. 11:19).

For this reason, Jesus would not let Mary touch Him in the garden (Jn 20:16-17) as He had not yet placed the blood on the mercy seat.

2). God spoke to Moses from the mercy seat:

"And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims: and he spake unto him." Num 7:89 (see also Ex 25:21-22).

*In the New Testament we are told that we can "…come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Heb 4:16

III). Important Points concerning the Ark.

A) The ark was a holy and sacred thing and was not to be touched except as prescribed.

1). The Philistines learned this lesson when they confiscated the ark from Israel and sent it back after only 7 months! (1 Sam 5-6).

2). David learned this lesson when Uzzah died trying to steady the ark from falling from an ox cart. (It was not carried properly). 2 Sam 6

3). The ark was to be carried by the Kohathites and it was to be covered by the veil, the badger skins & then a cloth of blue (Num 3-4:6)

B). Where the ark was carried properly God blessed people working miracles.

1). God parted the Jordan (Josh 3-4)

2). Jericho defeated (Josh 6)

3). The house of Abinadab blessed (1 Sam 7)

4). The house of Obed-Edom (2 Sam 6:12-19).

*God has offered grace and mercy through His Son Jesus Christ, but one cannot do anyway he pleases and expect that God will continue to bless.