Lesson Four

Study Series

Lesson Four- The Ark Of The Covenant-Part One-The Construction

Exodus 25:10-22 - And they shall make an ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof. [11] And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, within and without shalt thou overlay it, and shalt make upon it a crown of gold round about. [12] And thou shalt cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in the four corners thereof; and two rings shall be in the one side of it, and two rings in the other side of it. [13] And thou shalt make staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold. [14] And thou shalt put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, that the ark may be borne with them. [15] The staves shall be in the rings of the ark: they shall not be taken from it. [16] And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee. [17] And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof. [18] And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat. [19] And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof. [20] And the cherubim shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be. [21] And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee. [22] And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.

The Ark in General

The Tabernacle of Moses was the very special place - the very special place - where God's people came to meet Him, seeking His presence, forgiveness, guidance, help, strength and power. The Ark was the most important of all the furniture that went into this "tabernacle" or dwelling place for God. It was the first dwelling place for God since Adam fell because of sin and broke man's ability to approach God without sacrifice. The Ark of God represented the presence of God, His Glory and His mercy. The Tabernacle drew people to approach God for help. More importantly, the fact people knew the ARK OF GOD, God's holy presence, sat in the midst of the Tabernacle, caused many to seek the Lord here.

This is the subject of this important lesson.

The Ark or Chest of God: Symbol Of The Very Throne of God

In the Old Testament God has set forth revelation of Divine truth in three distinct Arks. Each of these Arks carries with it the thought of preservation. The first Ark mentioned in the Scripture is the ARK OF NOAH (Genesis 6:13-9:18). This Ark was made of gopher wood, pitched within and without and speaks emphatically to all of us of preservation; for in it the animals and eight souls were preserved from the water of judgment and death.

1 Peter 3:20 - Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

The second Ark mentioned in the Old Testament is the Ark prepared for the BABY MOSES, which we will call the ARK OF MOSES (Exodus 2:3-6). This Ark was made of reeds and pitched within and without just as Noah's Ark. Here, too, we see that the Ark was a means of PRESERVATION for the baby Moses from the waters of death. It is interesting to note that the Hebrew word "tebah" is used in reference to both the Ark of Noah and the Ark of Moses. The literal meaning of this word is 'box, chest, vessel, or ARK.'

The third Ark referred to in the Bible is the ARK OF THE COVENANT. An altogether different Hebrew word is used when this Ark is referred to. The word used in reference to the Ark of the Covenant is "arown." This word means "ark" or "chest", but it also carries with it a couple of other connotations. In Genesis 50:26, this same word is used in regard to the coffin (mummy-case) of Joseph. In another reference in 2 Kings 12:10-11 we find this word used in reference to a money chest. However, this word is used most often in regard to the Ark of the Covenant. This Ark is referred to by many different titles or names in the Old Testament. We will discuss those in detail later.

The Ark of the Covenant was made of shittim wood, overlaid with pure gold without and within. This Ark also carries with it the thought of preservation. We see this particularly when the children of Israel were crossing the Jordan (Joshua 3-4). As the Ark led the way, the children of Israel were preserved from the waters of the Jordan (death). In addition to this, the thought of preservation is seen in regard to the Tables of the Law, the Golden Pot of Manna and Aaron's rod that budded which were preserved in the Ark of the Covenant.

And They Shall Make An Ark

Exodus 25:10a - And they shall make an ark of shittim wood...

In Exodus 25:8 God expresses His desire to live among His called or chosen people as He instructs Moses to build Him a Sanctuary that He might dwell among them. He instructs Moses to follow the pattern that He reveals to him to the letter. In it all, in the very order, materials, dimensions and colors, God has hidden the eternal purpose of the ages in this complex that would house His presence for nearly 1500 years. The fact is that it is the only piece of furniture to inhabit THREE DIFFERENT TABERNACLES or SANCTUARIES:

§ In the Tabernacle of DAVID: 1 Chron. 16:1 - So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before God.

§ In the Temple of SOLOMON: 1 Kings 8:9 - There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb, when the Lord made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.

There are nearly 200 references made in Scripture to the Ark of God. The reference here in Exodus is the first mention of the Ark. The last mention of it in the Old Testament is found in Jeremiah 3:14-16, and the FINAL mention of the Ark in the Bible is in Revelation 11:19 where the TRUE ARK of His Testament is seen in heaven.

Jeremiah 3:14-16 - Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion: [15] And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. [16] And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, saith the Lord, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the Lord: neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit it; neither shall that be done any more. (In other words, Israel will not need to remember the fact that the ark is no more among them - the LORD WILL BE THERE IN THE MIDST!)

Rev. 11:19 - And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

The Revelation of God's Plan of Redemption Begins With the Ark

God begins here in His instructions to Moses with the Ark, overlaid with gold, made within and without with Shittim Wood. It is so important to realize that the Ark was more than just a mere chest. It represented several things:

§ The Ark represented the THRONE OF GOD in the earth

§ The Ark represented the PRESENCE OF GOD in Christ, by the SPIRIT in the midst of His redeemed people

§ The Ark represented the GLORY OF GOD revealed in Divine order and worship

§ The Ark represented the FULLNESS OF THE GODHEAD BODILY revealed in the LORD JESUS CHRIST - Colossians 1:19 and 2:9. All that the Ark was to Israel in the Old Covenant, the Lord Jesus is the New Testament CHURCH today! That Church is comprised of both JEW and GENTILE. We have not replaced Israel in the Covenant, but we are partakers of Her blessings under the New Covenant because of the BLOOD!

Col. 1:19 - For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell;

Col. 2:9 - For in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.

Ephes. 2:12-17 - That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: [13] But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. [14] For he is our peace, who hath made THE TWO (JEW AND GENTILE) one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; [15] Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; [16] And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: [17] And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

God's plan of redemption begins with Himself, where it must begin. ALL THINGS BEGIN WITH GOD. The scripture says “IN THE BEGINNING GOD.” Notice Moses put a PERIOD after the word “GOD.” God begins in the Holiest of all or the Most Holy Place, in His own Throne ROOM, with the ARK OF THE COVENANT. It was upon this piece of furniture that the High Priest sprinkled the Blood of atonement once a year (Lev. 16 and Hebrews 9:7). It was from this piece of furniture that God's audible voice was heard speaking to Moses the Lawgiver and Aaron the High Priest (Lev. 1:1).

Every other article in the Tabernacle took a secondary seat to the ARK OF THE COVENANT. If the Ark of God's presence were to be removed from the Tabernacle (as it was when the Tabernacle of David was established), all that would remain would be an empty form. For without the Presence of the Lord, as upon that Ark and Mercy Seat, all our ritual is meaningless and powerless. All of Israel's worship was directed to JEHOVAH who dwelt upon that Blood-stained Mercy Seat. (Psalms 80:1)

Psalm 80:1 - To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim-Eduth, A Psalm of Asaph. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You who led Joseph like a flock; You who dwell between the cherubims, shine forth.

Hebrews 9:7 - But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:

Leviticus 1:1 - And the Lord called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,

God begins with HIMSELF, where He must begin. For He alone is God, who from everlasting to everlasting. This is a picture of the grace of God. God dwelling in eternity becomes flesh and Tabernacled among us.. God begins first with His Throne, the Ark of the Covenant, and proceeds in GRACE to man and the place of sacrifice - the Brazen Altar. This is the opposite of man's approach to God, which must begin at the BRAZEN ALTAR. Man must experience the CROSS and the BLOOD before he can approach the ARK OF THE COVENANT or the presence of a HOLY GOD.

This is indeed a true picture of Grace. For unless God first comes out to man, man has no access whatsoever to God. Any man that tried to come straight into the presence of God without approaching the prescribed way through the Blood was SLAIN. Violation of God's order means death. The Ark and all it contains are representative of the holiness of God. The Brazen Altar is necessary because of man's sinfulness. But because of the provision of God in the Brazen Altar, there is a DAY when the High Priest can enter beyond the veil to the very THRONE OF GOD (Hebrews 9)

The Construction of the Ark

The Ark of God was the most important piece of furniture to the Israelites. Its significance is emphasized in that is in mentioned over 200 times in the Bible. The Ark is called different names throughout scripture, which we will deal with later. The instructions for constructing the Ark were given in great detail and were precise and exact:

§ The Ark was to be made of ACACIA WOOD: a hard, durable wood, resistant to weather and insects

§ The Ark was to be a BOX-LIKE or CHEST-LIKE structure: 4' long by 2 1/4' wide by 2 1/4' high (1.1 meters by .07 meters by .07 meters)

§ The Ark was to be OVERLAID WITH PURE GOLD WITHIN AND WITHOUT, and it was to have a gold molding around the rim

§ The Ark was to have FOUR GOLD RINGS attached to its four lower corners at the base of the ark.

§ The Ark was to have TWO STRONG POLES MADE OF ACACIA WOOD OVERLAID WITH GOLD

§ The poles were to be slid into the gold rings on the Ark for the purpose of carrying it. And note: once inserted, THE POLES WERE NEVER TO BE REMOVED. THEY WERE A PERMANENT PART OF THE ARK OF GOD

§ The TESTIMONY OF GOD, the stone tablets of God's covenant (the Ten Commandments), WAS TO BE PLACED INSIDE THE ARK

The Ark Was Made Of Shittim Wood

Exodus 25:10 - And they shall make an ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.

Shittim wood most likely comes from the Acacia trees, which are still common in the Sinai desert region. The Acacia tree grows in the desert in arid conditions, and a medicinal gum comes from it. It is a hard, orange-brown wood that is extremely durable. In fact, the Septuagint version of the Old Testament translates the word as "incorruptible" or "non-decaying" wood.

This wood is a beautiful type of or symbol of the sinless, incorruptible humanity of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was a "root out of dry ground" and "hath no comeliness...no beauty that we should desire him." (Isaiah 53:2). In the midst of desert conditions of evil and corruption, He remained uncorrupted, incorruptible and unstained in His nature and character (Psalms 16:10; Luke 1:35; 1 Peter 1:23 and 1 John 3:5). This wood also speaks to us of Christ as "the branch" revealed throughout the Old Testament. God continually promised to raise up a righteous "branch" to rule over His people (Isaiah 4:2; 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5; Zechariah 3:8 and 6:12)

Isaiah 53:2 - For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

Psalm 16:10 - For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Luke 1:35 - And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

1 Peter 1:23 - Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides for ever.

1 John 3:5 - And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

As the Branch:

Isaiah 4:2 - In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.

Jeremiah 23:5 - Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

Zech. 3:8 - Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.

Zech. 6:12 - And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord:

This acacia wood also speaks of the human element of the incarnation. Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, dwells within human tabernacles. That acacia wood speaks of the indwelling of HEAVEN (GOLD) in human vessels. We have this treasure in HUMAN VESSELS. Glory to God. We'll talk more about this when we deal with the overlay of Gold. Acacia wood speaks of humanity. It speaks of the humanity of Jesus and the fact we as Deity can touch humans.

Two Cubits And A Half The Length, A Cubit And A Half The Height

The measurements of the Ark of the Covenant suggest spiritual significance in the numbers:

The ark measured 2 1/2 cubits in length, by 1 1/2 cubits wide, 1 1/2 cubits high, or 2 1/2 x 1 1/2 x 1 1/2. The Mercy Seat fitted as a perfect lid on the top of the box-like Ark. Thus:

§ 2 x 1 1/2 = THREE - the NUMBER OF THE GODHEAD

§ 2 x 2 1/2 = FIVE - the NUMBER OF GRACE (Five-fold ministry gifts, etc.) AND ATONEMENT

§ The Circumference of the end , 1 1/2 + 1 1/2 + 1 1/2 + 1 1/2 = SIX, the NUMBER OF MAN

§ The Circumference of the top, 2 1/2 + 1 1/2 + 2 1/2 + 1 1/2 = EIGHT, the NUMBER OF RESURRECTION

§ The top and bottom of the Ark, 4 x 2 1/2 = 10, the NUMBER OF LAW, ORDER and JUDGMENT

§ The two ends together, 8 x 1 1/2 = 12, the NUMBER OF PERFECT GOVERNMENT, THE ORDER OF ISRAEL

§ The Height of the Ark was 1 1/2 cubits; the same height as the Table of Shewbread, and the Grate of the Brazen Altar in the Outer Court.

The connection of these items are this: the three articles in the Outer Court, the Holy Place, and the Holiest of All are connected in the same height; the same TRUTH. It is only as we come to the Blood sacrifice (Brazen altar grate, 1 1/2 cubits), that we may come to the Mercy Seat (Ark of the Covenant, 1 1/2 cubits) and then may have the Communion as in the Shewbread (Table, 1 1/2 cubits).

In the numbers 3,5,6,8,10 and 12 we understand the combined significance of truth as fulfilled in the Lord Jesus:

Jesus Christ is GOD (No. 3), and the GRACE OF GOD personified (No. 5). He became MAN, the UNION in ONE PERSON, the God-Man. (No. 6) He alone perfectly kept and fulfilled the Law, God's Order and was judged for OUR SIN, in our breaking of the Law (No. 10). In Him, God's perfect and eternal Order of Israel, perfect Government, will be manifested. He chose 12 APOSTLES (No. 12).

And You Will Overlay It With Pure Gold

Exodus 25:11 - And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, within and without shalt thou overlay it, and shalt make upon it a crown of gold round about.

In addition to the shittim wood, the Ark of the Covenant was composed of PURE GOLD. In Bible typology, GOLD is always typical of DIETY or the DIVINE NATURE. Wood, on the other hand, speaks to us of Humanity or Human nature coming from the natural growth in the earth. Hence, we have a blending of the two materials in the Ark. We have TWO MATERIALS in one ARK. The gold is always gold, and the wood is always wood. This is a picture of the TWO NATURES in ONE PERSON as seen in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ - "God manifest in the flesh."

1 Tim. 3:15-16 - But if I tarry long, that you may know how you ought to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. [16] And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

The GOLD symbolized His Divine NATURE (Hebrews 1), and the wood symbolizes His Human nature (Hebrews 2). These two natures remain separate though brought together in one PERSON. God and Man are united in ONE PERSON, the NEW CREATURE, the FIRSTBORN of every NEW CREATION, IMMANUEL (God with us), the WORD made flesh, the God-man, the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 7:14; 9:6 and John 1:14)

Matthew 1:22-23 - Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, [23] Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Isaiah 7:14 - Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Isaiah 9:6 - For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

John 1:14 - And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Within and Without Will You Overlay It

Exodus 25:11 - And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, within and without shalt thou overlay it, and shalt make upon it a crown of gold round about.

A second picture that we see here is that of the Fullness of the Godhead Bodily (Colossians 1:19, 2:9). When the wood was overlaid with gold within and without it produced a THREE LAYERED ARK - Gold, Wood (central) and Gold, this is symbolic of the Three Persons of the Godhead - The Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit. The gold without it typical of the Father God who created the entire universe. The gold within is typical of the Holy Spirit who dwells within. And the central material or the wood represents the central figure of the Godhead who was crucified on a Cross of wood "in the midst" (John 19:18) the Son.

All of these together united in one ARK speak of the FULLNESS OF THE GODHEAD BODILY - the LORD JESUS CHRIST." Peter proclaimed the marvelous truth on the great day of Pentecost that God had made this "same Jesus...both Lord and Christ." (Acts 2:36); John 14:7-10 and John 3:33-34.

§ Gold Without - Type of the Father God

§ Wood Central - Type of the Son (The Cross)

§ Gold Within - Type of the Holy Spirit

ALL THREE POINT TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, the FULLNESS OF THE GODHEAD BODILY.

Acts 2:36 - Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

John 14:7-10 - If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. [8] Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it suffices us. [9] Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father? [10] Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwells in me, he doeth the works.

John 3:33-34 - He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. [34] For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God gives not the Spirit by measure unto him.

John 19:18 - Where they crucified him, and two others with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.

Col. 1:19 - For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell;

Col. 2:9 - For in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.

And Make Upon It A Crown of Gold Round About

Exodus 25:11 - And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, within and without shalt thou overlay it, and shalt make upon it a crown of gold round about.

Hebrews 2:9 - But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

Three pieces of furniture in the Tabernacle receive Crowns - the Golden Altar of Incense, the Table of Shewbread and the Ark of the Lord. The Crown of gold tells us what the Father thinks of His Son. When the Son of God became flesh, man CROWNED HIM with thorns (Mark 15:17), but God CROWNED Him with GLORY AND HONOR.

A crown speaks of Kingship. It is only natural then that we should see a CROWN in connection with God's THRONE ROOM in the earth relative to Israel.

§ The Holiest of All was the Throne Room for the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords

§ The Crown signifies the KINGSHIP of the Lord Jesus Christ

§ He was born KING OF THE JEWS (Matthew 2:2)

§ He was revealed as the KING in the GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, the Gospel of the Kingdom

§ He was crucified as KING (John 19:14)

§ He is the King-Priest forever sitting at the right hand of God (Psalms 110:1)

§ He is King in Zion (Psalms 2:6), the Church (Hebrews 12:22-23)

§ We notice that it is the Lord Jesus Christ in His ministry as the King-Priest after the ORDER OF MELCHISEDEK who positions the MERCY OF GOD, even as the CROWN OF GOLD positioned the MERCY SEAT ABOVE THE ARK. Ultimately, when Jesus comes again, He will be CROWNED with many CROWNS, and we will lay our CROWNS at His feet in worship (Proverbs 4:9, Isaiah 28:5-6; 1 Peter 5:4; Revelation 3:11 and 5:5-10)

Four Gold Rings On The Ark In the Four Corners;

Two Rings on One Side, Two on the Other

Exodus 25:12 - And thou shalt cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in the four corners thereof; and two rings shall be in the one side of it, and two rings in the other side of it.

These four rings were built for the staves, which we will look at next. There were a total of FOUR RINGS. The number four is usually symbolic of the creation of the world. It speaks to us of the four corners of the earth, with a world-wide or a universal appeal. The number FOUR resonates throughout the gospel:

The Gospel was go the FOUR CORNERS of the earth (Acts 1:6)

1. Jerusalem

2. Judea

3. Samaria

4. Uttermost part of the earth

This speaks that Christ has all power in ALL THE EARTH. The four rings were absolutely necessary to give the Ark BALANCE. We must have balance in our spiritual lives. Let ALL things be done in moderation. When we go into extremes the cause of the gospel is hurt and our witness for the Lord Jesus weakened.

We see a similar pattern in the four Gospel’s portrayal of Christ:

1. Gospel of Matthew - Christ as the KING, the Son of David

2. Gospel of Mark, Christ as the SERVANT, the Son of Man

3. Gospel of Luke, Christ as the PERFECT MAN, the Son of Adam

4. Gospel of John, Christ as GOD, the Son, the Son of God

Such balance is seen in the FOUR Gospels of the New Testament. In Matthew we see Him as the King. In Mark, we see Him as the SERVANT. There are no genealogies of Christ's royal lineage mentioned at all. Luke portrays Him as the Son of Man, and John clearly points to Him being the SON OF GOD.

The Four Descriptions of God in the Bible

Balance is also seen in connection with the number four in regard to the description of God in the Bible. In John 4:24 we are told "God is a Spirit." In another place, 1 John 1:5, we are told, "that God is LIGHT, and in Him is no darkness at all." In 1 John 4:16, we see a third description of God, "God is LOVE." In Hebrews 12:29, we are told God is a CONSUMING FIRE. When all these descriptions of God are seen, we have a balance in the presentation of God. He is all of these things in equal. We cannot stress one above the other.

1. God is Light - 1 John 1:5

2. God is Spirit - John 4:24

3. God is Love - 1 John 4:16

4. God is a Consuming Fire - Hebrews 12:29

The Four Moral Attributes of God Relative to His Creation

1. God DWELLS In Perfect Holiness

2. God MANIFESTS Perfect Righteousness

3. God HAVES Perfect Love

4. God OPERATES In Perfect Faithfulness

First, God DWELLS in perfect holiness. God is sinless perfection in the strictest sense. He has an absolute hatred for sin. Second, God manifests perfect RIGHTEOUSNESS or justice. Righteousness is holiness in action. It is holiness dealing with sin. Third, God is seen having PERFECT LOVE. The goodness, mercy, grace and kindness of God to the Creation is related to His love for them. Finally, God manifests perfect FAITHFULNESS. He is absolutely trustworthy. He always keeps His Word. All four of these attributes come together in JESUS, who is the expression of God's dealings with man.

That is the balance of the Messiah. He is Holy, Righteous, Loving and Faithful. You cannot wink at sin and not deal with it and say you are of God. Yet you cannot deal with sin in anger and malice either. Everything that is done hinges on the faithfulness of God. As the Gospel message goes forth, THESE FOUR THEMES must be maintained. You cannot swing or over-emphasize one or the other. That is what the rings of the Ark represent. They represent the BALANCE of the Gospel and the Word of God. Four rings of gold - Balanced TRUTH relative to the things of God.

Staves Shittim Wood, Overlay Them with Gold; Put the Staves in the Rings for the Ark to Be Carried With

Exodus 25:13-15 - And thou shalt make staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold. [14] And thou shalt put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, that the ark may be borne with them. [15] The staves shall be in the rings of the ark: they shall not be taken from it.

God instructs Moses to make staves of shittim wood, overlaid with gold. Again this is the picture of the blending of two natures, the Divine and the Human or earthly. The staves were to be put through the rings so that the Ark could be carried upon the shoulders of the priests without actually touching the Ark itself.

1 Chron. 15:15 - And the children of the Levites bare the ark of God upon their shoulders with the staves thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of the Lord.

The staves were to remain in the rings of the Ark significant of an earthly pilgrimage or an unsettled Ark. The staves remain in the Ark until we come to Solomon's TEMPLE where the Ark was finally set (1 Kings 8:8).

This was significant for Israel that the wilderness wanderings and their journey were over. It speaks to us of the fact we are but PILGRIMS and STRANGERS in a foreign land (Matthew 8:20; John 15:19; 1 Peter 2:11 and 1 John 3:1) This world is not our home, we're just passing through like Abraham who was "looking for a city."

Matthew 8:20 - And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

John 15:19 - If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

1 Peter 2:11 - Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

1 John 3:1 - Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.