The Tabernacle (Part IV) (The Most Holy Place)

Lesson Content

The Most Holy Place was separated from the holy place by a veil. Its dimensions were 10 X 10 X 10 cubits. Only the high priest could enter it, one day in a year with blood in his hands, which he offered for himself and his household and for all the congregation of Israel to make atonement for sins (Lev.16:17). The instruments in it were the ark of the covenant, the mercy seat, and the cherubim.

1. The Ark of the Covenant (Exo.37:1-5): The dimensions of the ark were 2 ½ X 1½ X 1½ cubits. It was made of shittim wood and overlaid with pure gold. Gold shows the most holy faith (I Pet.1:7; Jude 20). The ark signifies every Spirit -baptized person and also the New Testament Church as a whole. It speaks of those who have made a covenant with the Lord. It had a crown round about. This shows that the work to be done in it is over and that there is nothing more to be done. This crown signifies t he crown of righteousness which those who fight the good fight, finish their course, keep the faith and ardently wait for the coming of the Lord will receive. (II Tim.4:7,8). The crown was made of pure gold. This shows one being a witness to the faith by going through temptations and persecutions. The ark had no lid and was covered with the mercy seat. Three things were kept inside the ark (Heb.9:4).

(i) The golden pot with manna: Manna shows Jesus, the Bread of Life or the revelation of Christ which renews the mind of man (Rom.12:2) and makes it like a golden pot. Besides, it shows the laws being written in the mind. (ii) The two tables of stone: This shows the ten commandments simplified by Jesus in the New Testament into the two laws of love, namely, love towards God and love towards man. In the New Testament, the laws are written in the fleshy tables of our heart by the Spirit (II Cor.3:3). (iii) Aaron’s rod that budded (Num.17:8). The dry rod of Aaron which was kept in the presence of God budded, blossomed and brought forth almonds. Similarly, each one in the Church must be quickened in the body by the power of resurrection and yield the fruit of the Spirit. It also shows the redemption of our body at the coming of the Lord (Rom.8:11,23).

2. The Mercy Seat (Exo.37:6): The mercy seat is 2 ½ cubits in length and 1 ½ cubits in breadth. This signifies the Lord Jesus Christ Who as the High Priest can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities and to Whom therefore we can boldly go (Heb.4:15,16). It wa s made of pure gold — This speaks of the precious divine nature and faith of Jesus. Though in the Old Testament, it has been referred to as the ‘mercy seat’, in the New Testament, it is seen as grace. Grace does not come alone, it comes with faith. Even so, Jesus came as the fulness of grace and He was also manifested as One rich in faith.

3. The Two Cherubims on the Mercy Seat (Exo.37:7-9):

These show the servants of God of the New Testament, standing on grace, who are workers together with Christ (II Cor.6:1) and are His ambassadors (II Cor. 5:20). The cherubims were made of gold of beaten work, with no wood and were hollow inside. This shows that the servants of God of the New Testament should empty themselves like Jesus and do the ministry (Phil.2:5-8). The faces of the cherubims looking towards the mercy seat shows the servants of God looking to Jesus, putting all their trust and faith in Christ alone. Their faces looking one to another shows that the ministry should be done in unity. God spoke from between the cherubims (Exo.25:22). This shows that God speaks to the Church through the servants of God who are His ambassdors. They stretch forth their wings on high. This signifies that they hate the world and the flesh and live above them, and do the ministry, being filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit.

Moral

We should have a life of intimate fellowship with God and learn to live in His presence continually.