Insight into God’s Self-revelation from the Ark of the Covenant.
4 having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. Hebrews 9:4
We are pursuing the ways of God in matters related to Him making Himself Known.
In a previous message we investigated the role personal longing in God’s self-revelation.
“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13
God makes Himself known to people with core level longing for God.
It is fair to say the Ark of the Covenant is the most holy item to ever grace the earth. The Ark of the Covenant is the centerpiece of God’s self-revelation.
From the perspective of the Ark of the Covenant, to whom does God make Himself known?
The items in the Ark of the Covenant are hugely instructive on the ways God determines to self-reveal. There are three things inside the Ark of the Covenant.
- The tablets of the Ten Commandments.
- An omer of manna.
- Aaron’s staff.
First, God makes Himself known in relationship to His revealed will.
Second, God makes Himself known upon and through His provision.
Third, God makes Himself known upon and through His selected, appointed and anointed leadership.
However, we learn the antithesis is equally important in God’s decisions to self-reveal.
Above the Ark of the Covenant or the Ark’s lid and cover, is the Mercy Seat. The High Priest applied an animal’s blood to the mercy seat as a sacrifice covering the sins of Israel.
What are the three most important sins to be covered?
First, as Moses returned down the mountain with the Law (revealed will of God), he found the people in great violation and in anger, he broke the two tablets.
We learn that God’s self-revelation is not given upon violation of His revealed will. The broken law must be covered with a mercy seat and the blood of the sacrifice. Then God is willing to manifest His glory.
Second, God provided for Israel’s food needs by the giving of manna. The giving of manna is one of the most remarkable provisions of God in history. However, the people began to complain and begrudge God’s provision.
We learn that God’s self-revelation is not given upon grumbling, complaining and begrudging people. Grumbling, complaining and begrudging against God must be covered by the blood of the sacrifice placed upon the seat of God’s mercy.
Third, God makes Himself known through His selected, appointed and anointed leadership. Rebelling against, resisting and undervaluing God’s selected, appointed and anointed leadership must be placed under God’s Mercy Seat and covered by the blood of the sacrifice.