I Will Dwell Among Them: Ark · God begins the instructions by describing a chest called the ark of the Testimony (v. 22, or “covenant”). In Exodus the ark was important because it contained the “Testimony” of the Ten Commandments on tablets of stone (v. 16). Secondly, the cover on top of the ark, under the protection of the cherubim, was the place where God would meet Moses and, through him, Israel (v. 22). Leviticus 16 more fully describes the atoning function of this meeting place. From this place, God would make known and demonstrate to Israel the forgiveness of sin, year after year. This means of grace would continue to make it possible for the people to live with the Lord in their midst.

The ark was a chest of acacia wood. “Chest” (ʾaron) is a generic word for any box. It refers to a “…