“And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail.”
Context:Exodus 40 records the completion and consecration of the Tabernacle, which was the portable sanctuary that the Israelites built in the wilderness under the instructions of God. The Tabernacle served as a place of worship and symbolized God’s dwelling among His people. In the previous chapters, God gave detailed instructions to Moses on how to construct the Tabernacle, including the various elements and furnishings to be placed inside it.
Meaning and Significance:
- The Ark of the Testimony:The verse mentions the “ark of the testimony,” which refers to the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark was a sacred chest made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold. It was the most important piece of furniture in the Tabernacle, representing the very presence of God among His people. Inside the Ark were the stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments, Aaron’s rod that budded, and a jar of manna (Hebrews 9:4). It was called the “Ark of the Testimony” because it bore witness to the covenant between God and the Israelites, represented by the Ten Commandments.
- Covering with the Veil:The verse instructs that the Ark is to be covered with a veil (also called a “vail” in the KJV). The veil was a large and thick curtain made of fine linen, coloured blue, purple, and scarlet, and embroidered with cherubim (Exodus 26:31-33). It served as a barrier between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place, where the Ark was located. Only the high priest, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement, was allowed to enter beyond the veil and stand before the Ark to make atonement for the sins of the people (Leviticus 16:2-15; Hebrews 9:7).
Spiritual Lessons:
- The Holiness of God:The Ark of the Covenant represented God’s presence, and the veil symbolised the separation between a holy God and sinful humanity. It highlights the concept of God’s holiness, which means His absolute purity and moral perfection. The Ark’s placement behind the veil emphasises the seriousness of sin and the need for atonement to approach a holy God.
- The Mediator:The veil being a barrier between the people and the presence of God points to the need for a mediator. In the Old Testament, the high priest acted as the mediator between God and the people, entering the Most Holy Place to make atonement for their sins. This foreshadows Jesus Christ, the ultimate Mediator between God and humanity, who through His sacrificial death on the cross, tore down the barrier of sin, and grants believers direct access to God (Hebrews 9:11-14; 1 Timothy 2:5).
- The Covenant Relationship:The Ark contained the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, which symbolised the covenant between God and the Israelites. It serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and the importance of obeying His commandments. As Christians, we are also in a covenant relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We should seek to honour and obey God’s Word, allowing it to guide our lives.
- God’s Dwelling Among His People:The Tabernacle, with the Ark as its focal point, showed God’s desire to dwell among His people and have a close relationship with them. Today, as believers, we are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16). God desires to live within us and have an intimate relationship with each believer through His Spirit.
Application:
The study of Exodus 40:3 should remind us of the holiness of God and our need for a Mediator to approach Him. Through Jesus Christ, we can now have direct access to God and enjoy an intimate relationship with Him. As we read the Bible and meditate on God’s Word, we must seek to obey and honour Him, just as the Ark of the Covenant contained the tablets of the Ten Commandments.
Additionally, understanding that we are now the dwelling place of God’s Spirit, we should strive to live in a way that reflects God’s presence in our lives. We can pray and seek His guidance, remembering that we are temples of the Holy Spirit and should treat our bodies with reverence and holiness (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
