Episode Transcript
God instructs Moses to instruct Israel to build an Ark which will carry the tablets of the Law and serve as God’s mercy seat—the seat from which He will instruct Moses during the years they use the Tabernacle. The Ark of the Covenant represents the presence of God before the people so that the people have something tangible to remind them that God is with them.
This part of the story takes me to modern-day conversations about Second Commandment violations with regard to icons, rendered images of Jesus, and even Christian symbolism like cross jewelry, stars, and chi rhos as graven imagery. In one place, God instructs Israel not to cast any idols or worship any graven images. In another place, God has Israel craft an object that represents His own presence to symbolize His own testimony and mercy. Here, we see that an icon, though it can become an idol for some, is not inherently idolatrous. If an object is endowed with meaning such that it causes people to remember God, it is not an idol or the type of graven image that is condemned in the Second Commandment. If, however, the image itself becomes the center of an individual’s attention and it distracts from the worship of the only God, it is an idol and a Second Commandment violation. So, a television show that depicts a representation of Jesus and causes us to return to Scripture to learn about who Jesus really is, is not an idol. If we begin to take the representation of Jesus and assume that is how Jesus really is rather than know Jesus Himself, that representation is an idol for us. It is more the motivation of our hearts and the target of our affection that makes an object, image, or icon (amoral things) either an idol or not.
The Ark is to house the testimony God will give to the people. The “testimony” is a Hebrew word that literally means “testimony.” It refers here to the Law. I find it interesting that God refers to the Law not as a rule, here, but a testimony. What is the Law a testimony about? I believe it is a testimony about God’s own character and work. Such is the primary purpose of the Law, to test the people and produce a fear of God in them—not to earn anyone a place in heaven (cf. Exodus 20:20).
This is why a mercy seat is depicted on top of the chamber that houses the Law, or testimony. The mercy seat signifies God’s mercy and forgiving nature. He is for His people, not against them. It is because of the Law that God’s people are established, learning to fear God. It is because of mercy that they will be justified before God. We will see more about this as we get into the sacrificial system in that portion of the Law. Be encouraged. The Law is not meant to make you righteous. When you are not able to keep it, fix your eyes on the mercy seat and be justified by grace through faith in the God who saves His people from their sins.
