The Ark of the New Covenant

God delivered the Ten Commandments twice.  The manner in which God dispensed His law each time was dramatically different, and the difference illuminates God’s entire plan of salvation through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

God first pronounced His Ten Commandments aloud from Mt. Sinai in the hearing of the entire congregation of Israel before calling Moses up to the mountain to receive the two tablets engraved by God Himself (Exodus 19:9; 20:1; Deuteronomy 5:4, 23).  Although the people promised obedience to all that the LORD had said (Exodus 19:8; 24:3, 7; Deuteronomy 5:27), the sound of the LORD’s voice pronouncing the Ten Commandments, accompanied by thunder, lightning, and loud trumpet sounds, terrified them into requesting that Moses convey the LORD’s words to them and that the LORD no longer speak the them directly, “lest we die” (Exodus 20:19; Deuteronomy 5:23-27; compare Hebrews 12:18-21). 

Then Moses went up high into Mt. Sinai (also called Horeb) to receive the tablets, tablets sculpted by God and engraved by God.  But before Moses could return with these sacred tablets, the people had already spurned God’s spoken words, giving themselves over to idolatrous revelry in worship of a golden calf!  God sent Moses back down to witness and deal with their apostasy, and when Moses saw and heard what was happening, he smashed the tablets at the foot of the mountain!  The Law of God was given to Israel, the Israelites vowed to obey it, the Israelites promptly broke it.  This dramatically pictures the inability of fallen humans to keep God’s law through fleshly effort, regardless of good intentions.  The Law of God was shattered – totally!  The physical destruction of the tablets dramatized the fact.  Undoubtedly the Israelites violated several of the Ten Commandments in the course of their revelry, but it was only necessary to break one to be guilty of all: the Law of God is an organic whole.  As James would explain many centuries later: “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10).   And they certainly broke the most important commandment: “You shall have no other gods before Me.”

Israel’s failure in keeping God’s Ten Commandments set the stage for the second giving of the Law. God’s second giving of the Ten Commandments foreshadowed the covenant of grace.  This time there was no thunderous pronouncement from the mountain.  God agreed that the people had spoken well when they asked that God not speak to them directly (Deuteronomy 5:28), so he gave his Law and all His ordinances through Moses from then on.  The beauty of the second administration of the Law is in the details.

First, there had to be new tablets, and this time God would not supply them.  Moses was instructed to “cut out for yourself two stone tablets like the former ones.”  Upon them God would “write on the tablets the words that were on the former tablets which you shattered.” (Exodus 34:1, 4)  Why did Moses have to cut out the tablets?  The obvious implication is that since Moses shattered them, Moses must restore them.  But isn't there more to it than that?  Moses was not rebuked by the LORD for shattering the tablets; the act was the suitable consequence of the people’s apostasy.  They no longer deserved God’s Law.  And God was still working through Moses and honoring him, even granting him a reflected glory that caused fear even in Aaron (Exodus 34:29-30).  John Gill observes that the new tables hewn by Moses but written on by God would establish Moses as the mediator of the covenant, and as mediator, he was a type of the Messiah.  (Compare Deuteronomy 18:15)  The Book of Hebrews, the best commentary on the spiritual meaning of the Torah (the first five books of the Old Testament), states that Jesus is “the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises,” a “new covenant” through Christ’s shed blood. (Hebrews 8:6; 9:15; 12:24). 

As mediator of the Old Covenant, Moses was also the intercessor for the people.  After smashing the tablets, dramatizing the enormity of their sin, Moses interceded with God on their behalf when the LORD threatened to destroy them and make a great nation of Moses (thus testing and demonstrating Moses’ humility and love for the people).  (See Exodus 32:7-14; Deuteronomy 9:12-29)  Moses was even willing for God to blot him out of His book and let Israel live (Exodus 32:32)  That which Moses pictured, Jesus Christ fulfilled perfectly.  Jesus is now our Intercessor with the Father, interceding on our behalf on the basis of his own sacrifice for our sins. (Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1-2)  Jesus Christ, the Son of God, could and did die for our sins and rise again for our justification (Romans 4:25), and he “always lives to make intercession” for us. (Hebrews 7:25)

The second and most important feature of this second giving of the Ten Commandments was its disposition:

At that time the LORD said to me, “Cut out for yourself two tablets of stone like the former ones, and come up to Me on the mountain, and make an ark of wood for yourself.  I will write on the tablets the words that were on the former tablets which you shattered, and you shall put them in the ark.” (Deuteronomy 10:1-2, italics added; compare Exodus 40:20)

The Ark of the Covenant represented Christ.  Its wooden construction pictured his humanity, its gilding pictured his deity, and the mercy seat represented His redemptive mission.  The cherubim with their wings arched over the mercy seat pictured the angelic beings who worship Him continually.  (Exodus 37:1-9)  Meditate on this: the new tablets of the Law were placed inside the Ark! Only Jesus Christ could and did fulfill God’s holy Law, and then He took our sins upon Himself, paying the full penalty for all who believe.  In Christ, we have a right standing before God; we are both forgiven and declared righteous in Him!  What’s more, we are given new life and the power of the Holy Spirit in order that we might fulfill God’s righteousness.  

For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.  (Rom 8:3-4)

When Jesus died on the cross, the veil in the temple that separated the Most Holy Place and the Ark of the Covenant from all but the high priest, was torn from top to bottom.  (Matthew 27:51) God’s message is clear to all who have spiritual eyes: the way to Christ – the “Ark of the New Covenant” – is open to all.  His mercy is extended to all who receive Him!

And as for the mountain, there’s Good News about that too!

For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest, and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore. (For they could not endure what was commanded: "And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or shot with an arrow." And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, "I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.")  But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.  (Hebrews 12:18-24 NKJV)

(For further study of the symbolism of the tabernacle and the Old Testament sacrifices, see the following commentaries:Lectures on the Tabernacle by Samuel Ridout and A Commentary on The Book of Leviticus by Andrew Bonar.

WHERE IS THE GLORY?

Joseph Parker, a popular 19^th-century London pastor, once admonished his congregation that if there ever was a pastor of that church who did not preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, “let Ichabod (The glory has departed) be written across its portal.”  As it turned out, the pastor who followed Parker was a modernist who didn’t preach the truth of the gospel, and some brave soul dared to paint “Ichabod” across the portal!

Sadly, I have to ask, where is the glory of God in most churches today?

Exodus 40 reveals two keys to a church that pleases God, a church through whom the glory of God will shine. That chapter records the finishing of the Tabernacle in the wilderness, the place of worship where God would meet with His people through the intermediary of God’s anointed priests.  Recognizing that with the coming of Christ – His death, resurrection and ascension – and the coming of the Holy Spirit upon all believers, worship is significantly different from what it was for Israel in the desert.  But two things strike me as very pertinent to every local church today.

First, Exodus 40 records that every detail of the Tabernacle was completed: “just as the lord had commanded Moses.”  Moses and the God-anointed craftsmen who performed the work followed meticulously God’s directions for the design and construction of the Tabernacle.  The great missionary to China, J. Hudson Taylor said, “God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supplies.”  Moses and his craftsmen certainly learned that truth: they had to restrain the people from giving materials, including precious metals and gemstones, for the construction of the Tabernacle and the high priest’s garments because they had more than enough! (Exodus 36:4-7)  The key was obedience to God’s explicit instructions.  It seems today, though, that most churches look to every source except the Bible for directions in building their congregations and conducting their services. 

The second key is the anointing of the Tabernacle and the priests.  God had commanded Moses to make a fragrant anointing oil of myrrh, cinnamon, fragrant cane, cassia, and olive oil (Ex. 30:23-25).  With the anointing oil, Moses anointed the Tabernacle and everything that was in it (Ex. 40:9).  Then he anointed Aaron, the High Priest, and Aaron’s sons who would serve the Lord and His people (Ex. 40:12-15).  The holy oil was a symbol of the Holy Spirit (See 1 John 2:20, 27).  When the God’s servants, from pastor to every member of the congregation are filled with the Holy Spirit, the church has a sweet fragrance that pleases God and attracts others.

Once the Tabernacle was assembled and anointed, “just as the Lord had commanded Moses,” and the priests were anointed, “the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle” (Ex. 40:34). 

Do you want the glory of the Lord to fill your church?  Here are the keys: (1) Submit all that you do to the Word of God, seeking His guidance in every detail, and (2) submit yourselves to God for the filling of His Holy Spirit. 

When the glory of the Lord filled that Tabernacle in the wilderness, “Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting” because of its intensity.  Wouldn’t it be great if the Lord’s presence was so strong in our services that we could hardly stand it? 

THE GAMBLER'S SHARE . . . OR GOD'S?

Many years ago, when the issue of legalizing casino gambling was tormenting the administration of Detroit’s capable and honest mayor, Dennis Archer, an anti-gambling group posted a huge billboard on I-75 depicting Jesus on the cross with his head slumped down, and at the foot of the cross Roman soldiers were casting lots for Jesus’ robe.  The caption read: “Some very important people have looked down on gambling.”  Casino gambling, of course, was approved.  The arguments in its favor were that it would provide desperately needed employment, tax revenue, and tourism that would result in an economic revival of the troubled city.  Detroit’s recent bankruptcy reveals the folly of that view!  And let’s not imagine that one recent criminal mayor brought down the city single-handedly.

What troubles me is not that the non-Christian world loves gambling, but that some who claim to be Christians excuse it as a harmless form of entertainment.  Since I live in an area surrounded by casinos, an area that depends on gambling resorts for much of its economic security, taking a stand against gambling will not make me popular.  But I’m bound by God’s Word and I have a duty as Christ’s minister to reprove, correct, and instruct God’s flock in the ways of righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Peter 5:2-3).

The first principle against gambling should be enough to convince any true Christian to shun the practice.  Digest this principle and you need not read further:  All that the Christian does must glorify God! 

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1Cor. 10:31)

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17)

Can anyone who claims to be a disciple of Jesus Christ seriously say, as they stand at a slot machine or sit at a black jack table in the midst of intoxicating drinks and godless entertainment, “I am doing this in the name of the Lord Jesus and to the glory of God”?  Colossians 3:17 says we should be able to give thanks for whatever we do.  Picture a Christian praying this: “Lord, I thank you for this slot machine, and I now play this money that you have so graciously given me in the name of Jesus Christ.”  When we remind ourselves that we belong to God and our purpose in life is to bring honor and glory to Him, all worldly folly evaporates.  

The second principle is the Christian’s recognition that all he has belongs to God, that he is a steward of the wealth and possessions entrusted to him.  After King David had received voluntary offerings for the building of the temple in Jerusalem, he offered this prayer:

Therefore David blessed the LORD in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: "Blessed are you, O LORD, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name. "But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding. O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own.  (1Chronicles 29:10-16, Emphasis added!)

Shall the Christian say, “It’s my money!  I’ll do with it as I please!”? 

The third principle is the danger of seeking riches.  Let’s face it: winning a golf game (a demonstration of skill and practice) is not the same as “winning” at the roulette wheel or the slot machine.  Without the enticement of winning money by “chance” or “luck,” there is no attraction to gambling.  (I’ll deal with the illusion of “chance” or “luck” shortly.)  There’s also the allure of “quick” riches – winning the lottery.  Here are some Scriptures to ponder:

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. But as for you, O man of God, flee these things.  Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.  (1Timothy 6:9-11 Emphasis added.)

But godliness with contentment is great gain . . . (1Timothy 6:6)

Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.  (Proverbs 11:4)

Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.  (Proverbs 11:28)

And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.  (Mark 4:18-19 Emphasis added.)

And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" (Mark 10:23)

Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain; it takes away the life of its possessors.  (Proverbs 1:19)

The fourth and final principle is the presumption of luck or chance.  If gamblers considered the actual laws of probability, gambling would likely lose its appeal.  It’s like the e-Trade™ baby’s comment to the man scratching a lottery ticket: “Uh, Frank . . . You do know that your chances of winning are the same as being mauled by a polar bear and a regular bear in the same day?” But gamblers think they can hit a lucky streak!  The Christian must also consider the fact that even the law of probability is God’s law, and He can and does control it or suspend it as He pleases.  God addresses this in His Word:

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. (Proverbs 16:33)

God is sovereign over His creation.  The above verse tells us that even when we try to decide between two choices by flipping a coin, so to speak, or to choose a person by drawing straws, God is in control of the results.  There is, therefore, no such thing as luck or chance.  And in light of the first three principles, let’s not dishonor God by praying that He will see to it we win!

One last point I need to address: I occasionally hear people compare the stock market to gambling.  The fundamental difference is that when you buy shares of a company, you both have the same goal:  to succeed.  Stock holders are part owners of the company, so the management and the stockholders have a common interest.  Obviously that is not the relationship between the gambler and the house!  Yet some people do gamble on the stock market.  They “play the market,” rather than invest in companies.  These are the folks who are in and out of the market based on their guesses as to whether it will rise or fall.  I address this in my blog article Wall Street and the Word of God: Is It Wrong to Invest in the Stock Market? 

Gambling has destroyed countless lives, encouraged crime and corruption, and blighted city neighborhoods.  Christians have the responsibility to honor and glorify God in all we do, and gambling mocks that lofty goal.

SOME GREAT READING FOR 2014!

Looking for some good books to curl up with on the couch during those cold winter evenings?  Maybe you like adventure stories.  Or is it history you like?  How about drama or romance?  Maybe philosophy, psychology, or inspirational writings appeal to you.

Whatever your preferences, let me recommend one volume that has it all:  The Bible. 

The Bible has been called God’s “Unfolding Drama of Redemption,” and that it is.  The Bible reveals the nature of God and his plan for mankind progressively through the ages.  The remarkable thing is that God used a broad variety of literary forms and authors to accomplish that task.  Here are some of the literary forms and subjects represented in the Bible:

Drama :           Job, Song of Solomon, Jonah

Romance:        Song of Solomon, Ruth

History:           Joshua, Judges, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, portions of                                 Isaiah and Jeremiah, Acts

Narrative:       Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Ruth, Esther, the Gospels, Acts

Poetry:            Psalms, selected passages from the Song of Solomon and the prophets

Prophecy:        The major and minor prophets, portions of the Gospels and Epistles, Revelation

Letters:           Epistles to churches, General Epistles, personal letters of Paul and John

Journals:         Ezra, Nehemiah, parts of Acts

Philosophy:     Ecclesiastes, Proverbs

Psychology:    Proverbs

Inspirational:  Psalms

Fiction:           (Yes, fiction, used to illustrate spiritual lessons) The Parables of Jesus and of                         some Old Testament prophets. 

 

In the Bible you will find literature that will keep you on the edge of your seat, stir up your indignation, or move you to tears.  I always get a lump in my throat when I read of Jacob’s reunion with his brother Esau (Genesis 33:1-4).  Ruth’s deep, unwavering devotion to her mother-in-law Naomi, and Boaz’s love for Ruth make that book an incomparable classic. 

When I want to reflect on life, to be challenged concerning my values, Solomon always comes through in his philosophical work, Ecclesiastes, and in his book of wisdom, Proverbs.  David and other psalmists give my heart and spirit a voice of prayer and praise, and Job helps me understand God and the reasons for suffering.

The Old Testament prophets inveigh against the same evils that plague our society today, and they offer hope of a new kingdom of righteousness through Messiah. That new hope is unveiled in the Gospels that tell of Messiah Jesus, and in the Epistles that illuminate the deep spiritual meaning of new life in Christ.  God’s plan is consummated in the Book of Revelation, which concludes with a stunning and highly symbolic description of the New Heaven and the New Earth.

It’s safe to say that you won’t find more compelling reading between two covers than you’ll find in the Bible.  I suggest that you read through it in 2014.  Get a translation that is “essentially literal,” that is, one that seeks to be faithful to the original words of Scripture.  Some essentially literal translations are the following:  The New American Standard Bible, the English Standard Version, the New King James Version, and (for those who can handle 17^th century English) the King James Version (still considered the most literary translation ever made).  I must also mention that the Geneva Bible is still in print, and it predates the King James Version.

I would also recommend that you read a few chapters in the Old Testament and one in the New every day.  That way you get a breath of grace to relieve some of the heaviness of the Old Covenant and the people’s constant waywardness and sin.

Let’s get into the adventure!  Start today!