LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
The Ark
The first thing in the tabernacle to be mentioned by God is the ark (Ex. 25:10-22). God had expressed His desire that they should build Him a house to dwell in; He had said that they should gather the materials and, most especially, that everything should be made according to the pattern that would be shown to Moses on the mount.
The instructions now begin, and the first thing to be mentioned is the ark. Does the order in which the furnishings of the tabernacle are mentioned and described matter? Undoubtedly, because the ark typifies Christ. The tabernacle as a whole represents the church (composed of ex-Jews and ex-Gentiles), and within it the most important thing is the Lord Jesus Christ. The center of God's attention is Jesus Christ.
We know that the ark was to be located in the Most Holy Place, and this, in turn, was the most important place in the entire tabernacle. Indeed: The tabernacle was the central point of the wilderness camp. Within the tabernacle, the main place was the Most Holy Place, and within this Place, the center of all attention was the ark of the testimony. Everything was part of the ark; if the ark was in its place, everything else was fine.
The foundation in all of God's building is Jesus Christ. The Lord said to Peter: "Upon this rock (the revelation of Christ) I will build my church" (Matt. 16:18). Paul said: "For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 3:11). Peter said, quoting the prophet: "The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner" (1 Pet. 2:7), and that stone is Jesus Christ.
The ark was of acacia wood, overlaid entirely with gold, inside and out; which represents the perfect humanity (wood) of the Lord Jesus Christ, and also His perfect divinity (the gold). The ark had four rings, through which two poles passed, to transport it. This means that the ark moved. It is the presence of God who goes in the midst of his people, in their daily walk. In the same way, Christ is carried by his priests, on their shoulders, as in that episode of the crossing of the Jordan River. Christ does not accept to be carried on a vehicle, like that cart that David used, and which God reproved, but on the shoulders and in the hearts of those who love him.
When the ark was carried, the veil of the tent and the covering of badgers' skins were placed upon it, but over it all was a cloth of blue (Num. 4:5-6). It was the only piece of furniture in the tabernacle that was blue on the outside, typifying the resurrected character of the Lord Jesus Christ, unlike everything else, which had the blue cloth on the inside, because the divine life is still hidden in believers.
Inside the ark were three things, by way of testimony: the tables of the law, an ark with manna, and Aaron's rod that budded. They show us three precious aspects of Christ: Christ as the expression of God's character; as the bread of life; and as the resurrection. Those who have Christ have God in fullness.