Exodus 25: 10 – 22

This is the first of 5 sessions concerning the “Ark” of Israel. No, it is not Noah’s Ark. This is the one made famous in the movie “Raiders of The Lost Ark”, in which the adventurous Indiana Jones sought to keep the Ark out of the hands of the Nazi’s. Yes, I know it came out before you were born…

I was pleased with the movie’s depiction of the Ark physically. It looked pretty much the way the original one looked as described in these verses. As a Jew, the director Steven Spielberg was probably very attentive to this.

I was also pleased with how it was depicted spiritually. There was truly something special about the ark. That’s why all of the attention to it in the movie from many people seeking it. Even today it is an item of controversy.

But there was nothing special or “magical” about the ark’s physical being. (more about that in a later session…) It was more about what it stood for. And somewhat because of what was inside of it. No it wasn’t filled with killer angels (the movie…).

In vs. 16 and 21, we see that the first thing that went into the ark were the 10 Commandments. Perhaps the Bible you are reading calls them “the Testimony”. They are a testimony (witness) of God’s desire to care for and protect us. By observing these 10 laws of life, we can live in peace with our self and others. Like putting them in such a special place as the ark, we are also to put them in our hearts (Deuteronomy 11: 18) and obey them.

This testimony is also a covenant, or promise. In vs. 22, God says that he will meet the people between the 2 angels on the top of the ark. This is where God became present to them. In vs. 17, the top, or lid, of the ark was to be called the “atonement cover” or “mercy seat”. God promises to be merciful to his people. And this is how and where God promises to meet us today, in his mercy through Jesus Christ.

As God’s mercy covered the law in the ark, God’s mercy through Jesus covers our inability to obey the law perfectly. His mercy covers our sinfulness and comes between us and the punishment that we deserve.

Thank God for his mercy. And thank him for his promise to meet us with mercy, and not as we deserve to be dealt with. Strive to keep his commandments in your heart. – Richard M.