THE ARK OF THE COVENANT

It was the most significant object in Old Covenant worship ... an ornate box overlaid with gold that contained the urn of 'manna', Aaron's rod that budded, and the stone tablets upon which the Ten Commandments were written. On the lid, two cherubim faced each other with wings spread over the 'mercy seat'.

The Ark of the Covenant was a picture of the coming Messiah ... 

1. The Manna 

This was the bread that the Lord provided for the children of Israel in the wilderness. Jesus referred to it when He told the assembled crowd, "Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. I am the bread of life." (John 6:32-35) 

2. Aaron's Rod That Budded

Certain jealous men challenged Aaron's priesthood. When they laid their rods down, the Lord HImself miraculously confirmed it. In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” And he says in another place, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek." (Hebrews 5:5-6)

3. The Ten Commandments 

The Moral Law forever stands as the standard of righteousness. God is holy and therefore He cannot abide with man's sinful nature. Eternal judgment was ours until Christ came to earth in order to obey the law on our behalf. Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. (Matthew 5:17)

4. The Mercy Seat 

When the Priest went into the Holy of Holies, he sprinkled the blood of an unblemished sacrifice on the mercy seat for the forgiveness of sin. The blood of Christ differs in that it cleanses believers once and for all. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace. (Ephesians 1:7) 

Study the Old Testament with enthusiasm and a sense of anticipation; for it prefigures, anticipates, and announces beforehand the redemption that's found in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Plumb the depths of God's Word and you'll find the Gospel in every book ... from Genesis to Revelation.