Exodus 37 “The Making of The Ark”

“And Bezaleel made the ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half was the length of it, and a cubit and a half the breadth of it, and a cubit and a half the height of it…” (v.1)

The ark, with its glorious workmanship, the mercy-seat and the cherubim, was the principal part of the furniture of the tabernacle. It was placed in the most sacred position of the house, and was the great symbol of the divine presence and protection. “It represented,” says Matthew Henry, “the glory of a holy God, the sincerity of a holy heart, and the communion that is between them by a Mediator.

It is a notion of some Jewish writers that the ark was made by Bezaleel, without the help of others. One could make a good case for this based on Exodus 31:1-5. Also, the particular maker of the various parts and contents of the tabernacle, is not mentioned elsewhere. Thus, this mentioning of Bezaleel is emphatic, and seems intended to mark the employment of the highest artistic skill on that which was the most precious of all objects connected with the new construction.

However, more importantly for us, it is the exactness of the workmanship, no matter who completed it. We too should be seeking to follow exactly, the influences of God’s direction in our lives through His Holy Spirit. Only then we may rejoice in and glorify God while in this world.

The Truth: “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.” (Ephesians 1:17-19)