God made the First Move. Exodus 25:10-22 God took the first step in His revelation to Israel through Moses. The construction of the Tabernacle began with the description of God's ark. Instead of being a false idol meant to represent or manipulate a deity, the boxlike ark served as a reminder of God’s gracious acts of redemption and provision for His people. It also symbolized their promise to dedicate themselves to God. Being the first piece of furniture listed shows that God reached out to humanity rather than waiting for them to come to Him. The presence of God was the final thing a person would encounter when approaching Him.
The ark symbolizes the Lord Jesus Christ, the First and the Last, and the Alpha and Omega. It is called the ark of testimony, of God, of the Lord's covenant, of the Lord—the Lord of all the earth—and of the Lord God. It is also known as the holy ark, of Thy strength, and of the God of Israel. In other words, every aspect of God's people's lives mattered to God. He was involved in everything that happened to them. The gold covering the wood inside and out shows that the One it represents is God. The acacia wood that shaped the ark but was hidden beneath the gold symbolizes Christ's humanity. He was not from God in a human sense, but He was God—"God was manifest in the flesh." The One who created man became man so He could save mankind.
The gold-covered box summed up the entire covenant God made with Israel. It served as a symbol of the holiness and importance of fellowship with God. This was the most sacred piece of furniture in the Tabernacle because of what it represented: God's holiness. It was placed in the Holy of Holies, accessible only by the high priest, who carried the blood of atonement to sprinkle before the ark for himself. Then, the high priest would approach again to sprinkle blood on the mercy seat for the people. The priest also burned incense, so the aroma of incense and blood testified to the character and work of Christ, the God-Man. "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself." This is what we have today. Israelites and "whosoever believeth in Him" have everlasting life.
Inside that gold-covered box were the two tablets on which the Ten Commandments were written, often called the Testimony. Also, at least for a time, a pot of manna and Aaron's rod that budded were placed in the ark. Even though people could not see them, they would know that God does not take His Word lightly, and neither should we. The provision of God (the manna) and His dealings (the rod) are not forgotten by God and should not be forgotten by us.
On top of that gold-covered ark was the solid gold mercy seat, encircled by a crown of gold. A crown also surrounded the gold altar, symbolizing the perfect work of God's Perfect Servant. The mercy seat covered the demands of the law. The blood on the mercy seat testified that the law had been satisfied through the sacrifice of an innocent, sinless substitute. While the sins of the people and their broken promises condemned them, the blood made atonement for their guilt.
A crown encircling the table of shewbread symbolizes the Lord Jesus' perfect manhood. This crown around the mercy seat signifies His perfect deity. At the table, He is the Prophet; at the golden altar, He is the Priest; and at the ark, He is the King. The grate of the brazen altar, the table of shewbread, and the mercy seat were all the same height. God's heart provided the sacrifice needed at the altar. It sustains the believer in the light and fellowship of God's dwelling place—the sanctuary (the table)—and God's heart draws the believer from distance, allowing them to shift from sinner to saint in close fellowship and communion with Him.
Over that lid, called the "mercy seat" and formed from the same piece of gold skillfully hammered out, were two cherubim with wings that covered or formed a screen over the lid sprinkled with the blood of atonement. The mercy seat teaches us that propitiation has been made for sin. The publican prayed, "God be merciful (propitious) to me, the sinner." Judgment for sin has been carried out. Blood has been shed and applied in the proper way. Mercy can be shown, and the righteous government of the Holy God has been satisfied. Two witnesses to the righteousness of God being legally satisfied now make the presence of God with His people possible. The substitutionary work of Christ was effective then and is effective now. Sin has not been overlooked; it had to be righteously dealt with.
There were four gold rings and two staves covered with gold used to carry the ark of testimony. The ark never came to rest until it was placed in the temple, and the staves were eventually removed. Christ was a pilgrim during His time on earth. He had a borrowed manger, a borrowed coin, a borrowed donkey, and a borrowed tomb. He was on a journey, and His followers traveled with Him. We are strangers and pilgrims, and just as the priests carried the ark with staves, we are identified with our Lord in testimony as we journey to heaven. The four round rings teach us that from the earth's four corners, God has His people whom He loves and who identify themselves with Him as pilgrims.
Whenever people saw that ark covered with blue moving through the midst of the millions of Israelites on their journey, they would recognize that God was with them. When curious, self-centered men tried to handle the ark in their own way, death was the consequence. To dishonor God in any way today and in the past has unavoidable consequences. A Holy God, dwelling among holy people, must be approached in "the beauty of holiness" and worshipped "in Spirit and truth."