Exodus 25:11
Overlay it with pure gold both inside and out, and make a gold molding around it.
Overlay it with pure gold
The Hebrew word for "overlay" is "tsaphah," which means to cover or plate. This instruction signifies the importance of purity and holiness in the construction of the Ark of the Covenant. Gold, a symbol of divinity and kingship, reflects God's glory and majesty. The use of "pure gold" emphasizes the perfection and incorruptibility required in the worship of God. In a spiritual sense, this can inspire believers to strive for purity in their own lives, seeking to be vessels of honor for God's use.

both inside and out
This phrase underscores the comprehensive nature of God's holiness and the integrity He desires from His people. The Ark, being overlaid with gold inside and out, symbolizes the need for internal and external righteousness. In the New Testament, Jesus emphasizes this principle when He speaks of the importance of inner purity, not just outward appearances (Matthew 23:25-28). For believers, this calls for a life of authenticity, where one's inner character matches their outward actions.

and make a gold molding around it
The "molding" or "crown" (Hebrew: "zer") around the Ark serves both a decorative and functional purpose, preventing the cover from slipping. This detail highlights the beauty and order inherent in God's design. The molding can be seen as a symbol of God's protective and encompassing presence. Historically, the intricate craftsmanship required for such work reflects the skill and dedication of the artisans, who were filled with the Spirit of God for this task (Exodus 31:1-5). Spiritually, it reminds believers of the importance of surrounding their lives with God's truth and grace, ensuring that their faith remains steadfast and secure.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites who received the instructions for the construction of the Ark of the Covenant from God on Mount Sinai.

2. The Ark of the Covenant
A sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments, representing God's covenant with Israel.

3. Mount Sinai
The mountain where Moses received the Law and the instructions for the Tabernacle, including the Ark.

4. The Israelites
The chosen people of God, who were to construct the Ark as part of their worship and covenant relationship with Him.

5. The Tabernacle
The portable earthly dwelling place of God among the Israelites, where the Ark was to be housed.
Teaching Points
Symbolism of Gold
Gold represents purity, holiness, and the divine nature of God. In our lives, we are called to reflect God's holiness and purity in our actions and thoughts.

Obedience to God's Instructions
Just as the Israelites were to follow God's detailed instructions for the Ark, we are called to obey God's Word in our daily lives.

God's Presence
The Ark symbolized God's presence among His people. Today, believers have the Holy Spirit dwelling within them, signifying God's continual presence.

Covenant Relationship
The Ark was central to the covenant between God and Israel. As Christians, we are part of the New Covenant through Jesus Christ, which calls us to live in faithful relationship with God.

Attention to Detail in Worship
The detailed instructions for the Ark remind us that our worship should be intentional and reverent, reflecting the glory and majesty of God.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the use of gold in the construction of the Ark of the Covenant reflect the nature of God, and how can we apply this understanding to our personal lives?

2. In what ways does the Ark of the Covenant foreshadow the coming of Christ and the New Covenant?

3. How can we ensure that our worship and daily lives reflect the obedience and reverence that God desires, as seen in the construction of the Ark?

4. What are some practical ways we can cultivate an awareness of God's presence in our lives, similar to how the Ark symbolized God's presence among the Israelites?

5. How does understanding the covenant relationship between God and Israel through the Ark help us appreciate our relationship with God through Jesus Christ?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 37:2
This verse describes the actual construction of the Ark, following the instructions given in Exodus 25:11, emphasizing obedience to God's commands.

Hebrews 9:4
This New Testament reference highlights the significance of the Ark and its contents, connecting the Old Covenant with the New Covenant through Christ.

1 Kings 6:20-22
Solomon's Temple also used gold extensively, showing continuity in the use of gold as a symbol of purity and divine presence.

Revelation 21:18
The New Jerusalem is described with gold, symbolizing the ultimate dwelling place of God with His people, reflecting the holiness and glory of God.
The ArkR. Newton, D. D.Exodus 25:10-16
The ArkE. E. Atwater.Exodus 25:10-16
The ArkR . E. Sears.Exodus 25:10-16
The Ark of the TestimonyJ. Parker, D. D.Exodus 25:10-16
The Ark of the TestimonyD. Young Exodus 25:10-16
The Crowns of Gold Around the Holy Vessels of the TabernacleH. Macmillan, D. D.Exodus 25:10-16
The Ark, the Table, and the CandlestickJ. Orr Exodus 25:10-40
What Must be Found with Every Soul that is God's Dwelling-PlaceJ. Urquhart Exodus 25:10-40
People
Israelites, Moses, Shoham
Places
Mount Sinai
Topics
Best, Border, Crown, Edge, Gold, Hast, Inside, Molding, Outside, Overlaid, Overlay, Plated, Pure, Ring, Round, Within
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 25:1-16

     4528   trees

Exodus 25:10-13

     4552   wood

Exodus 25:10-22

     4303   metals
     7306   ark of the covenant

Exodus 25:11-13

     4333   gold

Library
The Bread of the Presence
'Thou shalt set upon the table shew-bread before Me alway.'--EXODUS xxv. 30. I suspect that to many readers the term 'shew-bread' conveys little more meaning than if the Hebrew words had been lifted over into our version. The original expression, literally rendered, is 'bread of the face'; or, as the Revised Version has it in the margin, 'presence bread,' and the meaning of that singular designation is paraphrased and explained in my text: 'Thou shalt set upon the table, bread of the presence before
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Golden Lampstand
'Thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold....' --EXODUS xxv. 31. If we could have followed the Jewish priest as he passed in his daily ministrations into the Inner Court, we should have seen that he first piled the incense on the altar which stood in its centre, and then turned to trim the lamps of the golden candlestick which flanked it on one side. Of course it was not a candlestick, as our versions misleadingly render the word. That was an article of furniture unknown in those days. It was a
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Eighth Day. Holiness and Indwelling.
And let them make me a holy place, that I may dwell among them.'--Ex. xxv. 8. 'And the tent shall be sanctified by my glory, and I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.'--Ex. xxix. 43, 45. The Presence of God makes holy, even when it descends but for a little while, as at Horeb, in the burning bush. How much more must that Presence make holy the place where it dwells, where it fixes its permanent abode! So much is this the case, that the place where God dwells
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

April the Thirteenth Pure Gold
"Thou shalt overlay it with pure gold.... And there I will meet with thee." --EXODUS xxv. 10-22. I must put my best into my preparations, and then the Lord will honour my work. My part is to be of "pure gold" if my God is to dwell within it. I must not satisfy myself with cheap flimsy and then assume that the Lord will be satisfied with it. He demands my very best as a condition of His enriching Presence. My prayers must be of "pure gold" if He is to meet me there. There must be nothing vulgar
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

Concerning Jonathan, one of the Sicarii, that Stirred up a Sedition in Cyrene, and was a False Accuser [Of the Innocent].
1. And now did the madness of the Sicarii, like a disease, reach as far as the cities of Cyrene; for one Jonathan, a vile person, and by trade a weaver, came thither and prevailed with no small number of the poorer sort to give ear to him; he also led them into the desert, upon promising them that he would show them signs and apparitions. And as for the other Jews of Cyrene, he concealed his knavery from them, and put tricks upon them; but those of the greatest dignity among them informed Catullus,
Flavius Josephus—The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem

How Intent the Ruler Ought to be on Meditations in the Sacred Law.
But all this is duly executed by a ruler, if, inspired by the spirit of heavenly fear and love, he meditate daily on the precepts of Sacred Writ, that the words of Divine admonition may restore in him the power of solicitude and of provident circumspection with regard to the celestial life, which familiar intercourse with men continually destroys; and that one who is drawn to oldness of life by secular society may by the aspiration of compunction be ever renewed to love of the spiritual country.
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
or, Gospel Light Fetched out of the Temple at Jerusalem, to Let us More Easily into the Glory of New Testament Truths. 'Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Isreal;--shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out hereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof.'--Ezekiel 43:10, 11 London: Printed for, and sold by George Larkin, at the Two Swans without Bishopgate,
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Work of the Holy Spirit in Prophets and Apostles.
The work of the Holy Spirit in apostles and prophets is an entirely distinctive work. He imparts to apostles and prophets an especial gift for an especial purpose. We read in 1 Cor. xii. 4, 8-11, 28, 29, R. V., "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.... For to one is given through the Spirit wisdom; and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; to another faith, in the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, in the one Spirit; and to another workings
R. A. Torrey—The Person and Work of The Holy Spirit

The Kingdom Forming
Exodus Page Leviticus Page Deuteronomy Page EXODUS I. Pictorial Device. Originate one, or omit. II. III. IV. V. 1706 B.C. to 1490 B.C., making 216 years. VI. 1. 1 to 18. Israel Delivered. 2. 19 to 34. Israel Taught at Mount Sinai. 3. 35 to 40. Israel Prepared for Worship. VII. Chapter 20.2. VIII. God Delivering a Nation. IX. 12:13: "And when I see the blood I will pass over you." 15:11. X. 1. Bondage. 2. 3. Burning Bush. 7-11. 12. 14. Red Sea. 15. 16. Manna. 20. 25 and 35. The
Frank Nelson Palmer—A Bird's-Eye View of the Bible

The Word
The third way to escape the wrath and curse of God, and obtain the benefit of redemption by Christ, is the diligent use of ordinances, in particular, the word, sacraments, and prayer.' I begin with the best of these ordinances. The word . . . which effectually worketh in you that believe.' 1 Thess 2:13. What is meant by the word's working effectually? The word of God is said to work effectually when it has the good effect upon us for which it was appointed by God; when it works powerful illumination
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Man's Chief End
Q-I: WHAT IS THE CHIEF END OF MAN? A: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever. Here are two ends of life specified. 1: The glorifying of God. 2: The enjoying of God. I. The glorifying of God, I Pet 4:4: That God in all things may be glorified.' The glory of God is a silver thread which must run through all our actions. I Cor 10:01. Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.' Everything works to some end in things natural and artificial;
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

An Advance Step in the Royal Programme
(Revelation, Chapters iv. and v.) "We are watching, we are waiting, For the bright prophetic day; When the shadows, weary shadows, From the world shall roll away. "We are watching, we are waiting, For the star that brings the day; When the night of sin shall vanish, And the shadows melt away. "We are watching, we are waiting, For the beauteous King of day; For the chiefest of ten thousand, For the Light, the Truth, the Way. "We are waiting for the morning, When the beauteous day is dawning, We are
by S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on the Crowned Christ of Revelation

Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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