Читать книгу Worship That Touches the Heart of God - Nina Gardner - Страница 26

The Most Holy Place was also known as the Holy of Holies. The only item here was the Ark of the Covenant.

The Ark of the Covenant was square, made of acacia wood and overlaid in gold, as was the Mercy Seat covering it. The mercy seat was designed with two cherubims facing each other with their wings spread and between them is where the glory of God manifested (Exodus 25:17-22; Leviticus 16:2; Hebrews 9:5). The only two people who were allowed to remove the covering of the mercy seat were Moses and Aaron the high priest, and only for the purpose of placing three items within.

The first item God instructed Moses to place inside the Ark was the Testimony, known to us as the Ten Commandments (Exodus 25:16; Deuteronomy 10:5); hence it is also called the Ark of the Testimony or Ark of the Witness. Therefore, the Ark first contained the holy laws and principles of God, showing God’s sovereignty to hold all things to the gospel of His truth.

The second item placed inside was the Pot of Manna (Exodus 16:31-34), which was the supernatural bread He fed the Israelites while in the wilderness. This was symbolic of Jesus being our spiritual, holy bread (John 6:48-51).

The third item was Aaron’s Rod that budded almonds after being only a dead stick (Numbers 17:1-10). Can a dead stick live? Only if God says. Can a man who is dead in trespasses and sin live? Yes. This is symbolic of the Holy Spirit that comes to bring spiritual life back the mortal body unto a resurrected life in Christ Jesus. What was once dead can live again (Colossians 2:13).

On the Day of Atonement, the high priest consecrated himself, put on his holy garments, and was fragranced by the holy anointing oil. A bullock sacrifice was made to atone for himself and for the sins of his own house. Then he waved sweet perfume behind the veil and went into the Most Holy Place to meet with God (Exodus 30:1, 6-10; Leviticus 16). After the high priest sprinkled the blood seven times upon the mercy seat, he pronounced the sins of the nation upon the scapegoat and released it into the wilderness. That’s when the fire of God came down, consumed the offering, and the glory of God filled the house to overflowing with His presence (Leviticus 9:24).