And they shall make an ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
Exodus 25:10
One point shared by Matthew, Mark, and Luke was that at the time of the death of Jesus the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom. God had opened access into the most holy place. In doing so, He also shared with us a secret message. Actually, it was a message that was there for mankind to see the whole time as it is clearly recorded in the scripture above. Paul, himself, may even have alluded to it in this scripture, "That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God." So how do we comprehend this veiled message? We take a look at the Ark of the Covenant which sat behind the veil.
It seems unusual that God suddenly changed the dimensions of the Ark to half units when all of the other furniture was measured in whole units with a detectable message in their measurements. For instance, the brazen altar measured 5 cubits x 5 cubits x 4 cubits. 5 is commonly known to symbolize grace while 4 stands for the world or creation. Therefore, the message of the brazen alter by measurements is: grace upon grace for the world through an atoning sacrifice. This sacrifice is Christ. Doesn't John 3:16 clearly give this message? So then, why the change beyond that curtain? It was a veiled message, of course!
Let's look at those measurements closely-- 1 1/2 cubits x 1 1/12 cubits x 2 1/2 cubits (1.5 x 1.5 x 2.5 cubits). How many half cubits is one and a half cubits? It would be 3 half cubits and 3 is a number with a clear meaning. Three means what is real or complete. It is also a number that relates to God--specifically the Trinity--one God eternally coexisting in three persons. Two and a half cubits is 5 half cubits. As mentioned above, five relates to grace. So there is a message about God's grace hidden in the ark. That makes sense since it was on the ark that the atoning blood was sprinkled and accepted. God gives grace.
However, there is much more to the message. The ark's shape is basically that of a rectangular prism like the one shown here.
Let's look at those measurements closely-- 1 1/2 cubits x 1 1/12 cubits x 2 1/2 cubits (1.5 x 1.5 x 2.5 cubits). How many half cubits is one and a half cubits? It would be 3 half cubits and 3 is a number with a clear meaning. Three means what is real or complete. It is also a number that relates to God--specifically the Trinity--one God eternally coexisting in three persons. Two and a half cubits is 5 half cubits. As mentioned above, five relates to grace. So there is a message about God's grace hidden in the ark. That makes sense since it was on the ark that the atoning blood was sprinkled and accepted. God gives grace.
However, there is much more to the message. The ark's shape is basically that of a rectangular prism like the one shown here.
In the diagram (S2) and (S3) would be the depth and height. Both of these dimensions were given as one and a half cubits in Exodus 25:10. That means the ends of the ark were in a square shape. It also means that the perimeter of each end could be found by multiplying 4 x 1 1/2. The perimeter of each end was 6 cubits, and 6 is the number for man. Again, in the diagram (S1) would be the length measurement and Exodus informs us that it was two and one half cubits. This would mean that to find the perimeter of the front we would add 1 1/2 + 2 1/2 + 1 1/2 + 2 1/2. The front's perimeter is 8 and that is the biblical number symbolizing a new beginning.
Now, lets put those four number's together in the order we found them-- 3, 5, 6, 8. These numbers in this order would mean: "The Trinity by grace gives man new beginnings." What a secret message! Actually, it is not a secret. It is the master theme of scripture. Christ's atoning death at the cross gives us new beginnings if we will confess our sin and call on Him. What grace!
The mercy seat, which was the lid to the ark, did not have a means for the six to be figured in and this is also a clear message. Salvation is the work of God and His grace. Man has nothing to do with it.
One last note, the instrument of grace was the cross on which Jesus Christ our Lord suffered and died. What do you get when you unfold a rectangular prism?
Now, lets put those four number's together in the order we found them-- 3, 5, 6, 8. These numbers in this order would mean: "The Trinity by grace gives man new beginnings." What a secret message! Actually, it is not a secret. It is the master theme of scripture. Christ's atoning death at the cross gives us new beginnings if we will confess our sin and call on Him. What grace!
The mercy seat, which was the lid to the ark, did not have a means for the six to be figured in and this is also a clear message. Salvation is the work of God and His grace. Man has nothing to do with it.
One last note, the instrument of grace was the cross on which Jesus Christ our Lord suffered and died. What do you get when you unfold a rectangular prism?
You get a cross! My friend, it is no secret. God loves you and wishes to extend His grace to you so that you, too, may have new beginnings. Won't you call on Him today? Please pray! He is Soon2Come!!
Here is an old post with similar information. Blessings!!
How interesting, and very thought-provoking, John! Thanks for sharing this with us!!
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Michali
Beautiful, John! God has given you great insight!
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