Furniture of Gold Exodus 37
THE furniture of the Tabernacle was not like any other. For the inner room, called the Holy of Holies, there was a large chest, called the Ark. This was made of wood, overlaid with gold both inside and outside, and having a crown of gold. In it were kept the stone tablets on which the. Ten Commandments had been graven. On the corners were gold rings, through which were placed staves, covered with gold, by which it was carried. And later, a golden dish with manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, were also kept in it,
The top for the Ark, called, the Mercy-seat was made of pure gold, with a figure of gold at each end. These are called cherubim, and we cannot describe, only that they had wings reaching upward and over the base, and their faces were toward each other. These were not to be worshiped, but rather to show worship to God. It was here the blood to atone for sin was sprinkled, and here the cloud of the glory of God rested, a most holy place.
In the outer room was a table, all overlaid with gold, which we learn the use of later; an altar, overlaid with gold, on which incense was burned; and a lamp-stand, all of gold, ornamented in the gold like the buds, flowers, and nuts of the almond tree. There were seven lamps in which olive oil was burned for the lights. The size is not given, but one talent of gold (over 100 pounds) was used to make it, so was very costly, and must have been very beautiful. All dishes and tools used in this room were also of gold.
ML 06/20/1937