“And thou shalt make staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold.”
Context:The book of Exodus records the account of the Israelites’ deliverance from slavery in Egypt and their journey toward the Promised Land. In this specific verse, God is giving instructions to Moses regarding the construction of the Ark of the Covenant, which was to be the sacred container for the tablets of the Ten Commandments.
Shittim Wood:The Ark of the Covenant was to be made from shittim wood, also known as acacia wood. Shittim wood is a durable and long-lasting type of wood found in the wilderness areas around Sinai. It was suitable for building because of its strength and resistance to decay. Symbolically, shittim wood can represent the humanity of Jesus Christ, who is strong and durable, yet humble and approachable.
Overlaying with Gold:In addition to making the Ark from shittim wood, God instructed that it should be overlaid with gold. Gold was a precious metal associated with purity, value, and divine glory. The gold overlay on the Ark symbolized the holiness and majesty of God’s presence among His people. It also foreshadowed the glory of Christ, who is both fully human and fully divine. The gold represents His deity, while the Ark’s wooden structure represents His humanity.
Symbolic Significance:The Ark of the Covenant served as a physical representation of God’s presence and His covenant relationship with the Israelites. It was a sacred object that was placed in the Most Holy Place within the Tabernacle. The overlay of gold on the Ark emphasized God’s holiness and His desire for His people to approach Him with reverence and awe.
Spiritual Application:As believers today, we can draw some spiritual lessons from Exodus 25:13. First, just as the Ark was made from durable wood, we are called to build our lives on a firm foundation-the teachings of Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:24-25). Second, the gold overlay reminds us of the preciousness of God’s presence in our lives. We are called to honour Him and acknowledge His holiness in all we do (1 Peter 1:15-16). Lastly, the Ark points us to the ultimate fulfilment in Jesus Christ, who is the perfect mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5).
In conclusion, Exodus 25:13 highlights the materials and construction of the Ark of the Covenant. This verse symbolizes the strength and durability of Jesus (represented by shittim wood) and the divine glory and holiness of God’s presence (represented by the overlay of gold). It reminds us to build our lives on the foundation of Christ, honour God’s holiness, and recognise Jesus as the ultimate mediator between God and humanity.
