Exodus 37
BBCExodus 37:1
- The Ark of the Covenant (37:1-5)The ark was a chest made of acacia wood . . . overlaid . . . with pure gold. It pointed to the humanity and deity of our Lord. It contained the tablets of the Law, a golden jar of manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded. If applied to Christ, these things speak of Him as the One who said, “Your law is within my heart” (Psa_40:8 b); as the bread of God come down from heaven (Joh_6:33); and as the Priest of God’s choosing, risen from the dead (Heb_7:24-26). If applied to the people of Israel, they were all memorials of failure and rebellion.
Exodus 37:6
- The Mercy Seat (37:6-9)The mercy seat was God’s throne, the place of His dwelling on earth. As the golden cherubim looked down upon it, they did not see the Law (which Israel had broken) or the jar of manna and Aaron’s rod, both of which were associated with rebellions by Israel. Rather, they saw the sprinkled blood, which enabled God to be merciful to rebellious sinners. The mercy seat typifies Christ as the One “whom God set forth as a mercy seat” (Rom_3:25, lit.). . . . The mercy seat was the lid of the ark.
Exodus 37:10
- The Table of Showbread (37:10-16)The table of showbread held twelve loaves, “typical of Israel’s place before God in the acceptability of Christ, who as the true Aaron maintains them even now before God.” The loaves may also speak of God’s provision for each of the twelve tribes.
Exodus 37:17
- The Golden Lampstand and Its Accessories (37:17-24)Some see the lampstand of pure gold as a type of Christ, the true Light of the world (Joh_8:12). Others prefer to view it as picturing the Holy Spirit, whose mission is to glorify Christ, since it illuminates all that speaks of Christ in the holy place. Still others see it as typifying Christ in union with believers. The middle shaft is unique because the other six branches come out of it, three branches on each side; yet they are all made of one piece of gold.
Exodus 37:25
- The Altar of Incense (37:25-28)The altar of incense speaks of Christ being a perpetual sweet aroma of God. It also suggests the present ministry of the Lord Jesus, interceding for us in heaven.
Exodus 37:29
- The Anointing Oil and the Incense (37:29)Oil typifies the Holy Spirit, and the incense speaks of the ever-fragrant perfections of our Lord, bringing delight to His Father.