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Bible Pathways 01/31/2002


January 31

Read Exodus 40

In Today's Reading:

Time seems to fly quickly. It is the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month and the Tabernacle was reared up (40:17). But that's not the greatest thrill. You'll read how Heaven came down! What a blessing for people when the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle (40:35).

Verses for Today:

Set up the Tabernacle. . . . And you shall put therein the Ark of the Testimony (Covenant) (Exodus 40:2-3).

Highlights:

Tabernacle completed; furnishings arranged; consecration of Aaron and his sons; the Glory of the Lord filling the Tabernacle.

The Ark of the Testimony was about four feet long, two feet wide, and two feet high (Exodus 25:10; 37:1-5). It was made of shittim (acacia) wood and overlaid with pure gold, within and without (25:11), so that nothing but the gold was seen.

The Ark typified the Lord Jesus Christ. The wood and the gold represented the two Natures of our Lord -- the Human and the Divine. The two Tables of Stone preserved inside the Ark typified Christ, Who is the living Word (25:21-22; 31:18; Deuteronomy 10:1-2; compare John 1:1-2).

Also within the Ark was a golden pot of manna which was the daily food that the Lord gave to Israel during their wilderness journey. It foreshadowed Christ as the Bread of Life, Who provided His Word as food for His faithful people. Jesus said: Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4).

In addition, the Ark held Aaron's rod that had budded (Numbers 17:1-9). This was a symbol of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and His authority as High Priest.

After leaving Mount Sinai, the Ark of the Testimony was carried by the priests upon their shoulders and they went before the Israelites (10:33). This illustrated Christ as the Leader of His pilgrim people. But all the adult people above the age of 20 who left Egypt, except Caleb and Joshua, died in the wilderness because of their continual complaining. Their children, who were now adults, continued to follow Moses. When they reached the Jordan River, the priests who carried the Ark of the Covenant, by faith, began to walk into the water, and it parted so that all the Israelites passed over on dry ground (Joshua 3:17). This symbolizes our Lord Jesus making possible the impossible, Who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20).

Later, the Ark of the Testimony led the way as Israel marched around the walls of Jericho before the walls fell. This confirms that the powerful influences of Satan will fall when the people of God are faithful to His Word.

He that has My Commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loves Me: and he that loves Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him (John 14:21).

A Thought from Proverbs: Whoever finds Me finds Life, and shall obtain favor of the Lord. But he that sins against Me wrongs his own soul: all they that hate Me love death (8:35-36).

Christ Revealed:

By Aaron as the high priest (Exodus 40:13). Christ became our High Priest . . . and appears in the presence of God for us (Hebrews 9:7-24).

Word Studies:

40:3 cover the ark = install the veil as a partition; 40:7 laver = basin, bowl used for washing; 40:8 hanging = curtains; 40:9 hallow = set apart, consecrate, sanctify; 40:10 sanctify = set apart for God; 40:11 his foot = its stand.

Prayer Needs:

Government Official: Rep. Richard Gephardt (MO) · Pray for the missionary ministires · Country: Rwanda (8 million) in central Africa · Major languages: Kinyarwanda and French · Religious freedom · 40% Roman Catholic; 21% Protestant; 14% belief in false gods, ancestor worship, and spirit-possession cults; 9% Muslim · Prayer Suggestion: Praise God in prayer and with singing, for His Word is pure and His works are done in truth (Psalms 33:2-4).

Optional Reading: Mark 3

Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 5:6



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