Full
Size Replica of the
Ark
of the Covenant
"Behold,
the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth"; so
the ark is called in the Holy Scriptures (Joshua 3:11). This most holy
object was made of acacia wood, completely covered with fine gold, and
decorated with a golden wreath.
The Ark of the Covenant was an
ark or chest of shittim (acacia) wood two and one-half cubits long, and one
and one-half cubits high (5 feet by 3 by 3) overlaid with gold, and
embellished with a crown of gold extending around the chest upon the top edge.
Four rings of pure gold were set in the four corners, two on one side and two
on the other, through which were passed the wooden staves overlaid with gold
used in carrying the sacred chest. Exodus 25: 10; 37: 1-10.
The Ark of the Covenant,
thus fittingly enshrined, was the only piece
of furniture in the Most Holy Place. It was visited but once each year
by the High Priest, on the Day of Atonement, to make "atonement for the
sins of the people." This was the most solemn ceremony of the Hebrew
worship.
Looking
into the Ark of the Covenant one can see it contents: The Golden Pot of
Manna, the Ten Commandments, and Aaron's Rod that Budded.
The lid, or covering was the
Mercy Seat, and was one piece of of pure gold, two and one-half cubits long
and one and one-half cubits broad (5 feet by 3). Upon each end of this Mercy
Seat were Cherubim, made of pure "beaten" gold. These cherubim
stretched forth their wings on high, so as to cover the Mercy Seat, their
faces being inward toward the Mercy Seat. In this Ark, or Chest, and directly
under the Mercy Seat, were the most sacred religious items of Judaism which
included the Testimony or Ten Commandments upon two tables of stone, Manna
from Heaven and Arron's Rod.
The
Mercy Seat, Cherubim, and Shekinah Glory
The mercy seat
and cherubim consisted of one integral unit made from solid beaten gold.
Perhaps this speaks of His glory and deity being one. The only other
article within the tabernacle similarly constructed was the candlestick.
Shekinah glory represents the very presence of God, and the cloud
veiled His presence. This cloud led His people to Israel, and the Holy
Spirit similarly leads His people today.
"I
will commune with thee from above the mercy-seat, from between the two
cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony."
(Exodus 25:22)
A
special "Thanks" to Artist and Lecturer - Rev. David Hamilton of
Mishkan Ministries for allowing us to photograph and display his beautiful Ark
in our museum. David has a website of his own where you can see other
reproductions of Temple artifacts like the Golden Candlestick, Table of
Shewbread and Altar of Incence. David travels the United States giving
lectures on these sacred objects. You can visit his website by clicking
on the link below:
http://mishkanministries.org
