Exodus 40:20
And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon the ark:
Exodus 40:20 (KJV)
Context
Exodus 40 is the closing chapter of the book of Exodus. It tells how Moses finished setting up the tabernacle, the portable sanctuary that God had designed for Israel. This verse records Moses placing the testimony inside the ark, putting the poles in place, and covering the ark with the mercy seat. Each action followed the exact instructions God had given earlier, especially in Exodus 25:21.
The tabernacle was built while Israel camped at Mount Sinai. It was the place where God would dwell among His people as they traveled. The Ark of the Covenant was the most sacred object within it. Made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold, the ark represented God’s throne and His presence with Israel.
Meaning
The “testimony” refers to the two stone tablets of the Ten Commandments. These tablets were the foundation of Israel’s covenant with God. They showed His moral will and His standards for holy living. Placing them inside the ark kept the law safe and central to Israel’s worship.
The staves, or poles, were long rods inserted into rings on the ark’s sides. The Levites carried the ark by these poles on their shoulders whenever the camp moved. This design showed that God’s presence was not tied to one place. He would journey with His people through the wilderness.
The mercy seat was a solid gold cover with two cherubim facing each other. It rested above the ark and the law inside it. The space between the cherubim was where God’s presence was said to dwell. Once a year, the high priest sprinkled blood on this cover to make atonement for the sins of the people (Leviticus 16:14–15).
The order of these items carries deep meaning. The law inside the ark showed God’s justice and His demand for holiness. The mercy seat above it showed that His mercy covers the law. This arrangement teaches that God’s forgiveness never ignores His righteousness. Mercy and justice meet at the ark.
Biblical connections
The mercy seat points forward to Jesus Christ. In the New Testament, Paul calls Jesus the propitiation for our sins (Romans 3:25). The Greek word for propitiation is the same word used for the mercy seat in the Greek Old Testament. Just as the mercy seat covered the law, Christ’s sacrifice covers our sin and satisfies God’s justice.
Moses’ careful obedience here also connects to the wider story of the tabernacle. God had given precise instructions, and Moses followed them exactly. This obedience prepared the way for God’s glory to fill the tabernacle, as the next verses describe. Faithful obedience to God’s Word leads to His presence and blessing.
Application
This verse calls us to treat God’s Word with reverence. The law was preserved inside the ark, not treated carelessly. Today, the Bible is our guide for faith and life. We honor God when we read it, obey it, and let it shape our decisions (2 Timothy 3:16–17).
The mercy seat reminds us that we need atonement. We cannot approach a holy God on our own merit. In Christ, we have a perfect sacrifice that covers our sins. Because of Him, we can come boldly to God’s throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16).
The portable ark also speaks to us about God’s presence. He is not confined to a building. He dwells with His people wherever they go. We can take comfort that God is always near, and He has promised never to leave us (Hebrews 13:5).
Reflection
Moses did exactly what God commanded, down to the smallest detail. His example challenges us to examine our own obedience. Do we follow God’s instructions fully, or do we pick and choose what seems convenient? Faithful obedience brings God’s presence and blessing into our lives.
The ark also teaches us about the order of worship. The law was hidden inside, while the mercy seat was visible above. This shows that God’s mercy is the way we approach Him. We come not through our own goodness, but through His mercy in Christ. Let us live with gratitude for that mercy and with reverence for His holiness.
