Key Verses: Exodus 37:1, 37:6, 37:9
Bezalel makes the ark of acacia wood overlaid inside and out with pure gold, with a molding of gold, rings, and poles for carrying it. Upon it he places the mercy seat of pure gold and hammers out two cherubim of gold at its two ends, their wings spread upward overshadowing the mercy seat, their faces turned toward it-the very place where God would meet with His people. He crafts the table of the bread of the Presence, also of acacia overlaid with gold, with its molding, rings, poles, and vessels of pure gold. He makes the golden lampstand of hammered work, with its base, shaft, cups shaped like almond blossoms, calyxes, and flowers, its seven lamps, tongs, and trays, all of a talent of pure gold. Finally he builds the altar of incense of acacia overlaid with gold, with horns, molding, rings, and poles, and he prepares the holy anointing oil and the pure, fragrant incense, blended as by a perfumer. Each furnishing is fashioned precisely according to the pattern given to Moses.
These furnishings, gathered at the heart of the sanctuary, each testify to some aspect of communion with God that finds its fulfillment in Christ. The mercy seat, where the blood of atonement would be sprinkled and God would meet His people, is the very word Paul uses of Jesus, whom God put forward as the propitiation for our sins (Romans 3:25). The bread of the Presence anticipates Christ, the true bread of life who gives His flesh for the world (John 6:35), and the golden lampstand foreshadows Him who is the light of the world (John 8:12). The altar of incense, with its rising fragrance, pictures the prayers of the saints ascending before God and the intercession of our great High Priest (Revelation 8:3-4). Every detail wrought in gold according to the heavenly pattern declares that God has graciously provided the way for sinners to draw near. What was a shadow in the tabernacle stands revealed in the person and work of Jesus.
Key Terms & Words:
- אָרוֹן (aron) - Exodus 37:1 - “Ark”; the gold-covered chest housing the testimony, the throne of God’s presence in Israel
- כַּפֹּרֶת (kapporet) - Exodus 37:6 - “Mercy seat”; the place of atonement where God meets His people, fulfilled in Christ our propitiation
- כְּרוּבִים (keruvim) - Exodus 37:7 - “Cherubim”; the golden angelic figures overshadowing the mercy seat, guarding God’s holy presence
Cross-References:
- Romans 3:25 - Christ set forth as the propitiation (mercy seat) by His blood
- Hebrews 9:4-5 - The New Testament describes the ark and mercy seat furnishings
- John 6:35 - Jesus the bread of life, fulfilling the bread of the Presence
- John 8:12 - Jesus the light of the world, fulfilling the golden lampstand
- Revelation 8:3-4 - Incense as the prayers of the saints before God’s throne
Discussion Questions:
- How do the ark and mercy seat reveal both God’s holiness and His provision for meeting sinners?
- Which furnishing of the sanctuary most deepens your understanding of communion with God?
- How does the mercy seat point to Christ as the propitiation for our sins?