After the Mosaic Covenant had been given by God and confirmed by the Israelites (Exodus 24:1-11), they were placed under the leadership of God and became a theocracy. The laws of God would now govern this young nation and help them maintain a proper relationship with God as well as each other. Following the giving of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-21) and the civil/religious ordinances (Exodus 20:22-24:11), Moses was called to Mount Sinai to meet with God, who would give him the laws written on tablets of stone so Moses could teach the people (24:12). Moses took Joshua with him to the mountain and left Aaron and Hur to watch over the people (24:13-14). ”So Moses went into the midst of the cloud and went up into the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights” (24:13-18). During that forty days, God communicated to Moses that the tabernacle would become the central place of worship and all the details of it’s construction are found in Exodus 25:1-31:18. The tabernacle would be constructed from the voluntary offerings of the Israelites who would be provided with a list of materials needed to build the worship center (25:1-8). The tabernacle would become the sanctuary where God would dwell with His people (25:8). God then provided Moses the details concerning the furnishings of the tabernacle (25:9): the ark of the testimony (25:10-22), the table of showbread (25:23-30), and the gold lampstand (25:31-40).
The Ark of the Testimony (25:10-22). Also known as the ark of the covenant, this rectangular chest was to be constructed with one piece of acacia wood and overlaid inside and out with gold (25:10-11). A ring would also be attached to each corner of the ark so it could be carried by golden poles, which were never to be taken out (25:12-15). Moses would soon place the two stone tablets with the Law written on them into the ark of the testimony (25:16, 21; see also Exodus 31:18). The chest was to be covered by a golden mercy seat (lid) with a cherub at each end whose wings stretched to cover the seat (25:17-20). The ark of the covenant was designed to be the place where God would meet and speak with His people (25:22). On the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:1-20) the high priest would sprinkle blood on the mercy seat and the blood symbolized Israel’s sin being covered. The blood of the sacrifice bridged the gap between the presence of God and the broken law of God. This blood atonement made for the sins of Israel would later take on new meaning when Jesus Christ shed His blood to atone for the sins of the world (Hebrews 9:11-15).
The Table of Showbread (25:23-30). The table of showbread was to be constructed with one piece of acacia and overlaid with gold all around (25:23-24). This table was to be carried in the same manner as the ark of the testimony (25:25-28). The dishes, pans, pitchers, and bowls were to be made of pure gold (25:29). Bread was always to be set out on this table before God (25:30). Leviticus 24:5-9 reveals that 12 loaves of bread were to be set in two piles of six and replaced on each Sabbath. The bread was referred to as the bread of presence and symbolized God’s personal fellowship with His people.
The Gold Lampstand (25:31-40). This furnishing was to be placed opposite the table of showbread and looked similar to a flowering almond tree (25:31-40). The lampstand (menorah) gave light for the priests who were performing their duties in the Holy Place and symbolized Jesus Christ, the One who brought light to the world (John 1:6-9; 8:12).
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Dear God, thank You for Your ever abiding presence.
