Ark of the Covenant

Ark of the Covenant

In the sanctuary that was given to Moses, God's presence was made manifest to the people.

As we pull back the curtain we see the Ark of the Covenant in the Most Holy Place. About 3 1/2 ft long and a little over 2 ft wide, this chest of acacia wood covered with gold was the most important facet of God's plan for His people. In this Ark was God's Holy law, His Ten Commandments, written in stone, as well as a pot of manna and Aaron's rod which budded. God's shekinah glory, God's presence with Israel, resided just above the ark between the angels. The top piece of the Ark was called the mercy seat because God's mercy covers his law. King David said, "Mercy and truth are met together."

How can God uphold His law and yet at the same time be merciful? King Solomon truthfully wrote that all have sinned, broken God's law. So we all deserve to die. How then can God allow anyone into heaven? The answer is found in God's Sanctuary in the feast of Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, or the Day of Judgment. This was the only day of the whole year when the High Priest was allowed to enter into the Most Holy Place. He would sprinkle blood from a goat upon the mercy seat, while praying for God to accept this blood for the sinners, and for God to grant forgiveness. Everyone who came to the sanctuary on that day, willing to count all their past mistakes, sins, wrong attitudes, and bad habits as dead, killed with the goat, could accept, by faith, God's forgiveness. These people also needed to determine that with God's power they were not going to do them again, that they were going to allow God to change their desires, actions and character. Thus God was able to accept the blood of the goat as a substitute because the goat slain represented the work of the Messiah dying for our sins.

Just as the High Priest brought the blood of the goat before God at the mercy seat, the Messiah is presenting His own blood before the Father in the heavenly sanctuary for the forgiveness of our sins.

Picture originally found here

Related Articles

More From Articles

Torah-Eve

I would say most people who have read the Torah probably know that Eve was the first person to…
Torah-Eve

You Number My Wanderings

“You number my wanderings; put my tears into your bottle; are they not in your book?” Psalm…
You Number My Wanderings

Melchizadek

At a time when Abraham's nephew lot was living in the city of Sodom a war took place among the…
Melchizadek

Abraham's Seed

God made a promise to Abraham that from His seed all the nations of the earth would be blessed.…
Abraham's Seed
Holiness from head to toe, a High Priest's colorful vestments.

Cohen Gadol Garment Colors

In the old sanctuary service the High Priest had a very colorful uniform that he was supposed…
Cohen Gadol Garment Colors

Levi

Jacob, whom God later renamed Israel, had 12 children. These 12 children and their descendants…
Levi

Restitution

“If a person causes a field or vineyard to be grazed over or lets his animal loose to graze in…
Restitution

The Number Seven

The number 7 is the most used number throughout the Holy Scriptures.
The Number Seven

Sinning Animals

Many people may be under the impression that only humans were held accountable for their…
Sinning Animals

Jonah

God sent Jonah to the city of Nineveh with the commission to cry out against it, because of its…
Jonah

Ichabod

During a war between the Philistines and Israel the Ark of God, with the 10 Commandments in it,…
Ichabod
Illustration: Job, covered with boils, sits listening to his friends.

What Does it Cost to be Faithful?

The ancient story of Job in the Bible has encouraged many men and women throughout the ages.…
What Does it Cost to be Faithful?

Jehoshaphat

King Jehoshaphat was the 5th King after King David.
Jehoshaphat

Building God's Temple

When Israel returned from exile they rebuilt the temple, but there were mixed feeling about it…
Building God's Temple

Torah Lessons

It is sad to see that people seem to be increasingly considering it inappropriate for anyone to…
Torah Lessons

The Servant

The prophet Isaiah wrote, "Behold, My servant shall prosper, He shall be exalted and lifted up,…
The Servant

Publish the Menu module to "offcanvas" position. Here you can publish other modules as well.
Learn More.


donation