The article "Inside the Ark" by Don Fortner delves into the typology of the Ark of the Covenant as a foreshadowing of Christ and the fulfillment of God's plan of salvation. Fortner argues that the components within the Ark—the two tables of the law, Aaron's rod, and the golden pot of manna—serve to illustrate key Reformed doctrines such as total depravity, the satisfaction of divine justice through Christ, and God's provision for believers. Scriptural references, particularly from Hebrews 9:4-5 and Exodus 25, support these points by emphasizing the significance of the mercy seat and the law, underscoring both humanity's sinfulness and the grace extended through Jesus Christ. Ultimately, the article conveys that Christ as the Ark encompasses all that is needed for salvation, inviting believers to approach Him for their spiritual sustenance and redemption.
Key Quotes
“Come into the Holiest of all by the golden censer of our Savior's merits asking God to show you Christ our Ark as he was portrayed in that Old Testament type.”
“The broken law our sins is under the mercy-seat under the blood God's Purpose.”
“All God's provision for sinners is in Christ Jesus His name is Jehovah-jireh the Lord will provide.”
“The way is open. All who come to God by Christ are forever saved.”
What does the Bible say about the Ark of the Covenant?
The Bible reveals that the Ark of the Covenant symbolizes Christ, containing elements representing God's law, power, and provision.
Moreover, the elements within the Ark—Aaron's budded rod and the pot of manna—exemplify God's power and provision. The rod signifies the power of God that brings life and the gospel of Christ, while the manna represents Christ, the Bread of Life, signaling that all spiritual sustenance comes from Him. This image invites believers to see that all that we need for salvation is contained in Christ, who is our true Ark of safety and provision.
Hebrews 9:4-5, Exodus 25:16-21, Romans 8:28-31, Romans 1:16-17, Exodus 16:33-34, Ephesians 1:3
How do we know Christ fulfills the law of God?
Christ fulfills the law of God through His perfect obedience and sacrifice, meeting all its demands on behalf of believers.
Thus, the broken tablets in the Ark, representing our sins and the curse of the law, are kept under the mercy-seat—indicative of the atonement made by Christ's blood. His obedience allows us to be seen as righteous before God, fulfilling the role of the law while also being our Savior. This is why the law now speaks to us in the language of grace, calling forth our salvation with assurances rather than demands.
Romans 8:28-31, Galatians 3:13-14, Matthew 5:17
Why is the mercy-seat significant for Christians?
The mercy-seat represents Christ's atoning work, providing believers assurance of salvation and reconciliation with God.
Furthermore, the mercy-seat is essential for understanding how God interacts with His people. Under the old covenant, it signified the dwelling presence of God among His people, and today, through Christ, we experience that presence in a new covenant relationship. This encourages believers to approach God with confidence and expectancy, knowing that Christ's atoning sacrifice has secured a permanent way for us to find grace in our times of need.
Hebrews 9:4-5, Romans 3:25, Ephesians 2:13-18
Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. - Hebrews 9:4-5Inside The Ark
Come into “the Holiest of all”, by the “golden censer” of our Savior’s merits, asking God to show you Christ our Ark as he was portrayed in that Old Testament type. What can be found in the ark? Let’s do by faith what no mortal man could ever do in those days of types and shadows. Let’s lift up the mercy-seat and look inside the ark. Remember, the ark was but a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ. What do we see in the ark? We see the two tables of the law of God, which we have broken. The broken law, our sins, is under the mercy-seat, under the blood.
God’s Purpose
Those broken tables of the law, under the blood, represent God’s purpose of grace. The law was written upon tables of stone, representing both the hardness of our hearts and the inflexibility of God’s law. The law represents our curse and condemnation by reason of sin. The tables of God’s broken law were always kept in the ark, under the mercy-seat (Ex. 25:16, 21), representing perfect redemption by Christ. That perfect redemption of his elect is the purpose of God (Rom. 8:28-31). The law of God, being perfectly satisfied by Christ, cries as strongly for our salvation as the grace of God. We are, in Christ, free from the law, because the law’s demands have been fully met for us by Christ’s obedience and blood.
God’s Power
Look again, there is something else inside the ark. There is Aaron’s rod that budded. That rod represents God’s power. Aaron’s rod that budded portrayed the gospel of Christ, the Man whom God has chosen (Num. 17:10). Christ, the Rock of our salvation, was smitten by Moses’ rod, which represented God’s holy law. The water of life flows out to sinners by Aaron’s rod, the gospel, which is the power of God before which Dagon must fall, the power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16-17).
God’s Provision
There is one more thing inside the ark, the golden pot that had manna. That is a picture of Christ, God’s Provision (Ex. 16:33-34). It was a golden pot, portraying the richness of God’s free grace in Christ. It was a big pot, holding an omer of manna; and Christ is a great Savior, a bounteous store of mercy and grace! This golden pot had manna, the bread of heaven, portraying Christ, the Bread of Life. All God’s provision for sinners is in Christ Jesus. His name is Jehovah-jireh, the Lord will provide (Eph. 1:3). All the provisions of grace, of providence, and of eternity are in Christ! Come to the Ark Christ Jesus. The way is open. All who come to God by Christ are forever saved. All we need, all God requires, all that heaven can bestow is in Christ, the Ark. Come to the Ark!
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