We should ask, not only, What must we do? but, What may we do for God? Whatever they gave,
they must give it cheerfully, not grudgingly, for God loves a cheerful giver, 2Co 9:7. What is laid
out in the service of God, we must reckon well bestowed; and whatsoever is done in God's service,
must be done by his direction. (Ex 25:10-22)
Verses 10–22
The ark was a chest, overlaid with gold, in which the two tables of the law were to be kept.
These tables are called the testimony; God in them testified his will. This law was a testimony to
the Israelites, to direct them in their duty, and would be a testimony against them, if they transgressed.
This ark was placed in the holy of holies; the blood of the sacrifices was sprinkled, and the incense
burned, before it, by the high priest; and above it appeared the visible glory, which was the symbol
of the Divine presence. This was a type of Christ in his sinless nature, which saw no corruption, in
personal union with his Divine nature, atoning for our sins against it, by his death. The cherubim
of gold looked one towards another, and both looked downward toward the ark. It denotes the
angels' attendance on the Redeemer, their readiness to do his will, their presence in the assemblies
of saints, and their desire to look into the mysteries of the gospel. It was covered with a covering
of gold, called the mercy-seat. God is said to dwell, or sit between the cherubim, on the mercy-seat.
There he would give his law, and hear supplicants, as a prince on his throne.
Verses 23–30
A table was to be made of wood, overlaid with gold, to stand in the outer tabernacle, to be
always furnished with the shew-bread. This table, with the articles on it, and its use, seems to typify
the communion which the Lord holds with his redeemed people in his ordinances, the provisions
of his house, the feasts they are favoured with. Also the food for their souls, which they always
find when they hunger after it; and the delight he takes in their persons and services, as presented
before him in Christ.
Verses 31–40
The candlestick represents the light of God's word and Spirit, in and through Christ Jesus,
afforded in this dark world to his believing people, to direct their worship and obedience, and to
afford them consolations. The church is still dark, as the tabernacle was, in comparison with what
it will be in heaven; but the word of God is a light shining in a dark place, 2Pe 1:19, and a dark
place indeed the world would be without it. In ver. #(40) is an express caution to Moses. Nothing
was left to his own fancy, or to that of the workmen, or the people; but the will of God must be
observed in every particular. Christ's instruction to his disciples, Mt 28:20, is like this, Observe all
things whatsoever I have commanded you. Let us remember that we are the temples of the Holy
Ghost, that we have the law of God in our hearts, that we are to live a life of communion with God,
feast on his ordinances, and are the light of the world, if indeed we are followers of Christ. May
the Lord help us to try ourselves by this view of religion, and to walk according thereto.