Testimony
“And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.” Hebrews 9.3-5
“And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.” Hebrews 9.3-5
From the very beginning of history, God has offered to humanity His testimony of truth. In the Garden of Eden He walked and communed with the first couple. In the early sacrifices, He made plain His expectations concerning what sacrifice would be accepted and which would not. As humanity became altogether rebellious, He offered Enoch (a preacher of righteousness) with a message of impending judgment and a call to repentance. (Jude 1.14, 15) Following the catastrophic Flood that destroyed all things breathing, He called a people unto Himself to lead the world into righteousness. (Exodus 19.6)
Failing at the first opportunity following the Flood, humanity slumped into a dismal existence of sporadic worship and failure as their allegiance to God waned and faltered. Their ups were high and their lows scraped the bottom of the spiritual barrel.
God offered to them a testimony – a personal manifestation of His promise to be with them. Within the Holy of Holies (the most holy place within the Tabernacle) God had Moses place a golden box – the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark within the Most Holy Place visualized more than the Presence of God, it contained emblems of the relationship God offered to His people. On top of the Ark of the Covenant were stationed two golden cherubim as witnesses to the relationship between what was above (the fiery pillar) and what was below (Aaron’s rod that budded, the golden bowl of manna, and the tables of the Law). The seat itself was called the “Mercy Seat” (“hilastḗrios” – the place where God’s judgment for sin is appeased).
Within the Ark of the Covenant were the emblems of God’s offer of relationship – those things that represented and guaranteed a righteous walk. There were three items which made up the “Testimony.” It is always used in connection with the testimony of God and most frequently in association with the Tabernacle. By it God testified of His sovereign authority over Israel as His people, His selection of them as the guardians of His will and worship, and His displeasure in the event of their transgressing His laws. On the part of His people, by receiving and depositing this law in its appointed place, they testified their acknowledgment of God’s right to rule over them, and their submission to the authority of His law.
There was, also within the Ark of the Covenant, a golden bowl filled with Manna which had been harvested along the way as a reminder that God’s provision never ran dry. The reaction that the Israelites had to the substance that the Lord gave them to eat (Exodus 16.15) was to question, “What is it?” which translates into “mān.” This substance is described as wafers made with honey and like white coriander seeds in shape (Exodus 16.31). The taste never became bland and the supply never diminished. Within the Ark of the Covenant it represented God’s unending provision for those rightly related to Him.
The third item within the Ark of the Covenant was Aaron’s rod that had budded. This was the rod that conquered the rods of Pharaoh’s magicians. (Exodus 7.12) It was the rod that was identified with the priestly tribe of Levi. (Numbers 17.3) It was the rod that testified against the rebels within the nation of Israel. (Numbers 17.10) And, it was the rod that set Aaron apart by God’s miraculous intervention by budding and naming him as the spiritual leader of his people. (Hebrews 9.4) This rod represented the separation God expects from His people as we live and serve Him.
Our approach to God includes our declaration of God’s authority, our dependence upon His supply and our deepening commitment to separate ourselves unto Him. As we do so, we realize a relationship rather than a religion. We recognize a God who receives us by His grace and mercy.
Failing at the first opportunity following the Flood, humanity slumped into a dismal existence of sporadic worship and failure as their allegiance to God waned and faltered. Their ups were high and their lows scraped the bottom of the spiritual barrel.
God offered to them a testimony – a personal manifestation of His promise to be with them. Within the Holy of Holies (the most holy place within the Tabernacle) God had Moses place a golden box – the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark within the Most Holy Place visualized more than the Presence of God, it contained emblems of the relationship God offered to His people. On top of the Ark of the Covenant were stationed two golden cherubim as witnesses to the relationship between what was above (the fiery pillar) and what was below (Aaron’s rod that budded, the golden bowl of manna, and the tables of the Law). The seat itself was called the “Mercy Seat” (“hilastḗrios” – the place where God’s judgment for sin is appeased).
Within the Ark of the Covenant were the emblems of God’s offer of relationship – those things that represented and guaranteed a righteous walk. There were three items which made up the “Testimony.” It is always used in connection with the testimony of God and most frequently in association with the Tabernacle. By it God testified of His sovereign authority over Israel as His people, His selection of them as the guardians of His will and worship, and His displeasure in the event of their transgressing His laws. On the part of His people, by receiving and depositing this law in its appointed place, they testified their acknowledgment of God’s right to rule over them, and their submission to the authority of His law.
There was, also within the Ark of the Covenant, a golden bowl filled with Manna which had been harvested along the way as a reminder that God’s provision never ran dry. The reaction that the Israelites had to the substance that the Lord gave them to eat (Exodus 16.15) was to question, “What is it?” which translates into “mān.” This substance is described as wafers made with honey and like white coriander seeds in shape (Exodus 16.31). The taste never became bland and the supply never diminished. Within the Ark of the Covenant it represented God’s unending provision for those rightly related to Him.
The third item within the Ark of the Covenant was Aaron’s rod that had budded. This was the rod that conquered the rods of Pharaoh’s magicians. (Exodus 7.12) It was the rod that was identified with the priestly tribe of Levi. (Numbers 17.3) It was the rod that testified against the rebels within the nation of Israel. (Numbers 17.10) And, it was the rod that set Aaron apart by God’s miraculous intervention by budding and naming him as the spiritual leader of his people. (Hebrews 9.4) This rod represented the separation God expects from His people as we live and serve Him.
Our approach to God includes our declaration of God’s authority, our dependence upon His supply and our deepening commitment to separate ourselves unto Him. As we do so, we realize a relationship rather than a religion. We recognize a God who receives us by His grace and mercy.
On a personal note, I would appreciate your prayers. Since January 5, 2021, we have been working to heal a would in my lower leg that was created as a result of treatment for my heart attack. I understand that fewer than one percent of the people who have my type of heart attack (a “widow maker”) at home survive. And, only about three percent who have them while in the hospital survive. I’ve had two of that type of heart attack. God has blessed me with more miracles than I can number. But, back to the leg – the doctor’s have found a chronic infection inside my right tibia (lower leg) that is preventing the wound from healing. I’m not yet sure of the date, but I’ll be having surgery to clean up the infection within a week or two.I’ll be in the hospital for at least three day. (Hospital these days don’t comfort my spirit.) Thank you for your prayer support.
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