Exodus 25

17–22 Over the ark was to be placed the atonement cover (verse 17). The name “atonement cover” was very significant, because it represented God’s mercy to His people. “Atonement” is a special action taken in order to escape God’s wrath against sin. The action is usually some kind of blood sacrifice: an animal is substituted in the person’s place. The sacrificed animal receives the punishment that the person should have received for his sin.

Thus God in His mercy provided a means for the people to have their sins forgiven so that they might be reconciled to Him. For this purpose, individuals offered sacrifices throughout the year at the altar of burnt offering (see Exodus 27:1–8 and comment). In addition, there was a national day of sacrifice that took place once a year and was called the“Day of Atonement.” On that day, the high priest sacrificed a bull and a goat for his own sin and for the sins of the people, and then he sprinkled the blood on the atonement cover of the ark (Leviticus 16:11–17; 17:11; Hebrews 9:7). This was the way ordained by God in the Old Testament to provide forgiveness for sin and to reconcile the people to Himself.

But with the coming of Jesus Christ, God provided a new and better way—the offering up of His own Son for us as a sacrifice of atonement (Romans 3:23–25; Hebrews 9:11–14,24–28; 1 John 2:2). Thus the ark with its atonement cover was a pattern, a foreshadowing of the wonderful mercy of God who forgives us and reconciles us to Himself for all eternity through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The ark and its atonement cover symbolize for us this tremendous atoning work of God.

Two cherubim were to be made of one piece with the atonement cover; they were to stand at each end of the cover (verses 18–20). Cherubim were winged figures with human heads who served as God’s symbolic attendants (Genesis 3:24). In this case they served as guardians of God’s ark—God’s symbolic throne.

It was there above the cover between the two cherubim that God would periodically meet with Moses in order to give Moses further laws and instructions for the Israelites (verse 22). No longer would God need to meet Moses on a mountaintop, or in a bush; He would meet Moses above the ark, the place He had chosen to make His throne and His dwelling. The central purpose of worship is to “meet with” God. Moses could meet with God whenever God summoned him. Other than Moses, only the high priest could meet with God, and then only once a year on the Day of Atonement. But Christians, through the atoning sacrifice of Christ, are free to enter into God’s holy presence at any time and to meet with Him and fellowship with Him (Hebrews 10:19–22).

For further discussion of atonement, see Exodus 27:1–8; Leviticus 1:1–4; 16:1–34 and comments; Word List: Atonement.

The Table (25:23–30)

(Exodus 37:10–16)

23–30 A table was to be constructed which would hold twelve loaves of bread, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. This bread represented a perpetual bread offering to the Lord; it was a reminder that all sustenance—both physical and spiritual—comes only from the Lord. The bread was to be replaced each Sabbath day; the old loaves were given to Aaron and the priests (Leviticus 24:5–9). The table was to be placed in the second holiest part of the tabernacle, called the Holy Place (Exodus 26:33–35; Hebrews 9:2). The bread on the table was called the bread of the Presence (verse 30); the “Presence” was the presence of God. The bread also reminds us of Jesus, who is the bread of life (John 6:35).

The Lampstand (25:31–40)

(Exodus 37:17–24)

31–40 The next article of furniture to be placed in the tabernacle was the lampstand. The design for the lampstand was patterned after the almond tree, the first tree to flower in the Middle East. It was to hold seven lamps (verse 37); in the Bible the number seven signifies completeness. The light from the lamps represented God’s glory. The lamps were to burn continually (Leviticus 24:2) to signify that wherever God dwells there is light. The lampstand was to be placed in the Holy Place, opposite the table (Leviticus 26:35; Hebrews 9:2). The light from the lampstand reminds us of Jesus, who is the light of the world (John 8:12).

One talent (thirty-four kilograms) of gold was to be used in making the lampstand. Once again Moses was reminded by God that the lampstand (and everything else) was to be made according to the pattern which he had been shown (verse 40). Thus we also are reminded that the tabernacle and all its furnishings were only a copy, a shadow, of a heavenly reality which is yet to come (Hebrews 8:5; 9:24; 10:1).