Exodus 25:16
And place inside the ark the Testimony, which I will give you.
And place inside the ark
The phrase "place inside the ark" refers to the specific instruction given by God to Moses regarding the Ark of the Covenant. The Hebrew word for "ark" is "אֲרוֹן" (aron), which signifies a chest or box. This ark was not merely a container but a sacred vessel designed to hold the most holy items of the Israelite faith. The Ark of the Covenant was central to the worship and religious life of Israel, symbolizing God's presence among His people. Archaeologically, the Ark is described as being made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold, signifying its divine purpose and the holiness of God. The act of placing something inside the ark indicates the importance and sanctity of what is being stored.

the Testimony
The term "the Testimony" refers to the tablets of the Ten Commandments, which were inscribed by the finger of God and given to Moses on Mount Sinai. In Hebrew, the word for "testimony" is "עֵדוּת" (edut), which can also mean "witness." These tablets served as a perpetual witness to the covenant between God and Israel. They were a tangible representation of God's law and His expectations for His people. The Testimony was not just a set of rules but a divine revelation of God's character and His desire for a holy and just society. Historically, the Testimony was central to the identity of Israel as a nation chosen by God to be a light to the nations.

which I will give you
The phrase "which I will give you" emphasizes the divine origin of the Testimony. It was not something that Moses or the Israelites could create or alter; it was a gift from God Himself. The Hebrew verb "נָתַן" (natan) means "to give," highlighting the gracious and sovereign act of God in providing His law to His people. This underscores the concept of divine revelation, where God chooses to reveal His will and purpose to humanity. The giving of the Testimony signifies God's initiative in establishing a covenant relationship with Israel, where He sets the terms and conditions for His people to follow. This divine gift was meant to guide, instruct, and lead the Israelites in their journey of faith and obedience.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His people from Egypt and to receive the Law on Mount Sinai.

2. The Ark of the Covenant
A sacred chest built by the Israelites according to God's instructions, meant to house the Testimony (the tablets of the Law).

3. The Testimony
Refers to the tablets of the Ten Commandments, which are the covenantal laws given by God to the Israelites.

4. Mount Sinai
The mountain where Moses received the Law from God, including the instructions for building the Ark.

5. The Israelites
The chosen people of God, who were to follow the laws and commandments given to them as part of their covenant with God.
Teaching Points
The Centrality of God's Word
The placement of the Testimony inside the Ark signifies the central role of God's Word in the life of His people. Just as the Ark was central to Israel's worship, God's Word should be central in our lives.

The Permanence of God's Covenant
The Testimony represents God's unchanging covenant with His people. We are reminded of the faithfulness of God and the enduring nature of His promises.

Reverence for the Sacred
The careful instructions for the Ark and the placement of the Testimony within it teach us to approach God with reverence and respect for His holiness.

Obedience to God's Commands
The Testimony was a constant reminder to the Israelites of their obligation to obey God's laws. Similarly, we are called to live in obedience to God's Word.

God's Presence Among His People
The Ark symbolized God's presence with the Israelites. Today, we are assured of God's presence through the Holy Spirit dwelling within us.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the placement of the Testimony inside the Ark teach us about the importance of God's Word in our daily lives?

2. How does the concept of the Ark of the Covenant in the Old Testament connect to the New Testament understanding of God's presence with His people?

3. In what ways can we demonstrate reverence for God's Word in our personal and communal worship?

4. How does the permanence of God's covenant, as symbolized by the Testimony, provide comfort and assurance in our faith journey?

5. Reflect on a time when obedience to God's commands brought about a positive change in your life. How can this experience encourage others in their walk with God?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 10:1-5
This passage recounts the making of the second set of tablets and the construction of the Ark, emphasizing the importance of the Testimony.

Hebrews 9:4
Describes the contents of the Ark, including the tablets of the covenant, highlighting the Ark's significance in the New Testament.

Revelation 11:19
Mentions the Ark of the Covenant in the heavenly temple, symbolizing God's enduring covenant with His people.
The ArkR. Newton, D. D.Exodus 25:10-16
The ArkE. E. Atwater.Exodus 25:10-16
The ArkR . E. Sears.Exodus 25:10-16
The Ark of the TestimonyJ. Parker, D. D.Exodus 25:10-16
The Ark of the TestimonyD. Young Exodus 25:10-16
The Crowns of Gold Around the Holy Vessels of the TabernacleH. Macmillan, D. D.Exodus 25:10-16
The Ark, the Table, and the CandlestickJ. Orr Exodus 25:10-40
What Must be Found with Every Soul that is God's Dwelling-PlaceJ. Urquhart Exodus 25:10-40
People
Israelites, Moses, Shoham
Places
Mount Sinai
Topics
Ark, Hast, Inside, Record, Testimony
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 25:1-16

     4528   trees

Exodus 25:10-22

     4303   metals
     7306   ark of the covenant

Library
The Bread of the Presence
'Thou shalt set upon the table shew-bread before Me alway.'--EXODUS xxv. 30. I suspect that to many readers the term 'shew-bread' conveys little more meaning than if the Hebrew words had been lifted over into our version. The original expression, literally rendered, is 'bread of the face'; or, as the Revised Version has it in the margin, 'presence bread,' and the meaning of that singular designation is paraphrased and explained in my text: 'Thou shalt set upon the table, bread of the presence before
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Golden Lampstand
'Thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold....' --EXODUS xxv. 31. If we could have followed the Jewish priest as he passed in his daily ministrations into the Inner Court, we should have seen that he first piled the incense on the altar which stood in its centre, and then turned to trim the lamps of the golden candlestick which flanked it on one side. Of course it was not a candlestick, as our versions misleadingly render the word. That was an article of furniture unknown in those days. It was a
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Eighth Day. Holiness and Indwelling.
And let them make me a holy place, that I may dwell among them.'--Ex. xxv. 8. 'And the tent shall be sanctified by my glory, and I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.'--Ex. xxix. 43, 45. The Presence of God makes holy, even when it descends but for a little while, as at Horeb, in the burning bush. How much more must that Presence make holy the place where it dwells, where it fixes its permanent abode! So much is this the case, that the place where God dwells
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

April the Thirteenth Pure Gold
"Thou shalt overlay it with pure gold.... And there I will meet with thee." --EXODUS xxv. 10-22. I must put my best into my preparations, and then the Lord will honour my work. My part is to be of "pure gold" if my God is to dwell within it. I must not satisfy myself with cheap flimsy and then assume that the Lord will be satisfied with it. He demands my very best as a condition of His enriching Presence. My prayers must be of "pure gold" if He is to meet me there. There must be nothing vulgar
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

Concerning Jonathan, one of the Sicarii, that Stirred up a Sedition in Cyrene, and was a False Accuser [Of the Innocent].
1. And now did the madness of the Sicarii, like a disease, reach as far as the cities of Cyrene; for one Jonathan, a vile person, and by trade a weaver, came thither and prevailed with no small number of the poorer sort to give ear to him; he also led them into the desert, upon promising them that he would show them signs and apparitions. And as for the other Jews of Cyrene, he concealed his knavery from them, and put tricks upon them; but those of the greatest dignity among them informed Catullus,
Flavius Josephus—The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem

How Intent the Ruler Ought to be on Meditations in the Sacred Law.
But all this is duly executed by a ruler, if, inspired by the spirit of heavenly fear and love, he meditate daily on the precepts of Sacred Writ, that the words of Divine admonition may restore in him the power of solicitude and of provident circumspection with regard to the celestial life, which familiar intercourse with men continually destroys; and that one who is drawn to oldness of life by secular society may by the aspiration of compunction be ever renewed to love of the spiritual country.
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
or, Gospel Light Fetched out of the Temple at Jerusalem, to Let us More Easily into the Glory of New Testament Truths. 'Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Isreal;--shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out hereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof.'--Ezekiel 43:10, 11 London: Printed for, and sold by George Larkin, at the Two Swans without Bishopgate,
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Work of the Holy Spirit in Prophets and Apostles.
The work of the Holy Spirit in apostles and prophets is an entirely distinctive work. He imparts to apostles and prophets an especial gift for an especial purpose. We read in 1 Cor. xii. 4, 8-11, 28, 29, R. V., "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.... For to one is given through the Spirit wisdom; and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; to another faith, in the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, in the one Spirit; and to another workings
R. A. Torrey—The Person and Work of The Holy Spirit

The Kingdom Forming
Exodus Page Leviticus Page Deuteronomy Page EXODUS I. Pictorial Device. Originate one, or omit. II. III. IV. V. 1706 B.C. to 1490 B.C., making 216 years. VI. 1. 1 to 18. Israel Delivered. 2. 19 to 34. Israel Taught at Mount Sinai. 3. 35 to 40. Israel Prepared for Worship. VII. Chapter 20.2. VIII. God Delivering a Nation. IX. 12:13: "And when I see the blood I will pass over you." 15:11. X. 1. Bondage. 2. 3. Burning Bush. 7-11. 12. 14. Red Sea. 15. 16. Manna. 20. 25 and 35. The
Frank Nelson Palmer—A Bird's-Eye View of the Bible

The Word
The third way to escape the wrath and curse of God, and obtain the benefit of redemption by Christ, is the diligent use of ordinances, in particular, the word, sacraments, and prayer.' I begin with the best of these ordinances. The word . . . which effectually worketh in you that believe.' 1 Thess 2:13. What is meant by the word's working effectually? The word of God is said to work effectually when it has the good effect upon us for which it was appointed by God; when it works powerful illumination
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Man's Chief End
Q-I: WHAT IS THE CHIEF END OF MAN? A: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever. Here are two ends of life specified. 1: The glorifying of God. 2: The enjoying of God. I. The glorifying of God, I Pet 4:4: That God in all things may be glorified.' The glory of God is a silver thread which must run through all our actions. I Cor 10:01. Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.' Everything works to some end in things natural and artificial;
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

An Advance Step in the Royal Programme
(Revelation, Chapters iv. and v.) "We are watching, we are waiting, For the bright prophetic day; When the shadows, weary shadows, From the world shall roll away. "We are watching, we are waiting, For the star that brings the day; When the night of sin shall vanish, And the shadows melt away. "We are watching, we are waiting, For the beauteous King of day; For the chiefest of ten thousand, For the Light, the Truth, the Way. "We are waiting for the morning, When the beauteous day is dawning, We are
by S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on the Crowned Christ of Revelation

Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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