Shadowland: Redemption: Week 24

Exodus 25: The Ark, the Table, and the Lampstand

• 25:2-6 Where did all these expensive things come from? From Egypt! Exodus 11:2 Later, the amounts collected will be detailed. About 1¼ ton of pure gold was collected, valued at $50 million today. There are 15 materials. The dimensions of the ark, table and tabernacle repeat the ratio 5:3 (e.g. 2½ x 1½ for the ark). Five is a number used of grace, and 3 is a number used of manifestation. Each material is a type, in this chapter we will see gold as divinity and wood as humanity.
• 25:8 "I will dwell among them" - "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us" John 1:14, "Destroy this temple, and in 3 days I will raise it up." John 2:19
• 25:10-11 As Christ was both human and divine, so the ark (and table) were made of both wood and pure gold. "acacia wood" is translated "incorruptible" wood (ασηπτων, from which we get "aseptic") in the Septuagint. The humanity of Christ was perfect, incorruptible humanity. Touching a leper did not make Him unclean - but made the leper clean.
• 25:17 "mercy seat" - literally "atonement" or cover. The Hebrew "kopher" sounds like the English "cover", and with a similar meaning. Noah's ark was covered with "atonement". The cover was in a 5:3 ratio, grace manifested.
• 25:20 The cherubim guard the way to the tree of life as in Genesis 3:24, and are angelic witnesses (two in number) of Divine grace, a spectacle to angels 1 Corinthians 4:9, that the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to rulers in the heavenly realms Ephesians 3:10, something the angels long to look into. 1 Peter 1:12.
• 25:22 As Adam and his descendents brought the blood of lambs to meet with God between the Cherubim at the entrance to the Garden, so the High Priest will bring the blood of a lamb to sprinkle on the mercy seat.
• 25:24 The table is also of acacia and gold.
• 25:25 The rim kept the bread securely on the table, as it must remain there even while the Israelites were moving. (Later we will see that there is a cover to keep dust out while traveling - with it's own significance.)
• 25:29,30 Cups to pour out drink offerings of wine, and the bread of the Presence to remain at all times before the ark where God dwells among His people between the cherubim.
• 25:31 "beaten gold" - the lampstand was not cast, but painstakingly hammered into its shape blow by blow. It speaks of the Holy Spirit which will be given by Christ. Revelation 4:5 It can be removed. Revelation 2:5