Exodus 37 (KJV With Strong's) - Bible Truth Library

• Into the ark was put “the testimony,” or two tables of the law, and in addition also, as we learn from Heb. 9:4, “the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded.” (“The Ark” by S. Ridout)

• May not these half cubits remind us...that the knowledge of Christ given to us now is but partial; “we know in part” (1 Cor. 13:9). None but the Father can fully know the Son (Matt. 11:27). Those who have the deepest knowledge of Him are the first to say, in the language of the Queen of Sheba, “It was a true report that I heard… and, behold, the half was not told me” (1 Kings 10:6, 7). (“The Ark” by S. Ridout)

• The ark was the same in breadth and height; so there was divine equality in our Lord in the perfect manifestation of all that God is. Every attribute was fully and consistently exhibited-justice and love; holiness and grace; wisdom and power. (“The Ark” by S. Ridout)

• The one thing Moses would remind them of was the need for a coffer for the law’s safety and of a special guard to bear this coffer (Deut. 10:8). All this would bring home to them the sanctity of the law and the absolute need of obedience to it—may we not say, of their guilt too, and helplessness? God had to provide a shrine for that which should have been enshrined in their hearts. (“The Ark” by S. Ridout)

• (Ps. 40:7, 8). Man may, from habit, example, self-interest, or even from some inclination, outwardly keep some of the commandments, but no unregenerate man could ever say he delighted to do the will of God. As soon as his own will is opposed it rebels against God. “The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be” (Rom. 8:7). There was no shrine therefore for the law of God except in the Ark of God—in Him who could say: “I came down from heaven, not to do Mine own will but the will of Him that sent Me” (John 6:38); “My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me” (John 4:34) (“The Ark” by S. Ridout)

• Beside the tables of the law within the ark, was also the golden pot of manna. The manna was the daily food for the people throughout their wilderness journey.. In John 6:32, 33, our Lord declares Himself to be the true manna: The bread of God is He which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.” Christ come down into the world, and giving Himself unto death, is life for the believer and the sustenance of that life, through the agency of the Holy Spirit, whose one work is to glorify Christ. (“The Ark” by S. Ridout)

• {Aaron’s rod that budded} The rod is the emblem of rule and authority, which has its source in God, to be exercised in the power of life. All possible claimants may present their rods-lifeless things, upon which already the sentence of death has passed. Along with these is His rod who also takes His place with the rest in death-”cut off out of the land of the living” (Isa. 53:8); in His case, however, not under penalty for Himself, but in grace, as the representative of His people. Who among the sons of men has received back his rod with marks of life? Who among all those in death has been “raised from the dead by the glory” of God? None save Him in whom alone was life, in whom alone there was no sin, therefore death had no claim upon Him; “It was not possible that He should be holden of it” (Acts 2:24). He alone then has competence to be the Priest before God. (“The Ark” by S. Ridout)

J. N. Darby Translation

And Bezaleel made the ark of acacia-wood; two cubits and a half the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.

W. Kelly Translation

And Bezaleel made the ark of acacia-wood; two cubits and a half the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.

WK Verse Note

(Note: Words in italics have been inserted from the J. N. Darby translation where the W. Kelly translation doesn’t exist.)