The Pulpit Commentary — Hebrews — Section 252

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 4, 5.-171e ark ef the covenant, a symbol of redemptive truth. "The ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein . . . were the tables of the covenant; and over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercy-seat." Jewish solemnities were types of Christian truths and relations. The furniture of their sacred courts possessed symbolical significance. Their religious institutions were parables of spiritual and saving truths. Deep i;ignificance of this kind attached to the ark of the covenant. We shall regard it as setting forth certain facts and features of God's Tedemptive relations with men. In it we discover- 1 THE RECOGNITION OF LAW IN GOD'S REDEMPTIVE Rll:LATIONS WITH MEN. "The ark of the coven.ant ... wherein were the tables of the covenant." The two tables containing the ten commandments, in accordance with Divine directions, were deposited in the ark (E:x:od. :a::v. 16, 21; xL 20). Thus Law was recognized and honoured there: l. As a sacred thing. The tables were in the most holy place and in the most vene- rated receptacle which that place contained. Law is a benevolent thing, a holy thing. It is at the very centre of all things. In the material universe, in human history, and in Divine redemption, law is present everywhere, and operative everywhere. It is of a religious nature, of a Divine nature. 2. As a permanent thing. Ceremonial laws pass away; moral laws are abiding. The "ten words" given on Sinai in their essential characteristics are as binding now as they were under the earlier dispensation. Our Lord endorsed and enforced them. He said, " Thou she.It love the Lord thy God," etc. (Matt. :a::ii. 37-40). 'l'he everlasting continuance of law is essential to the order and well-being of the universe of God. 'l'he redemption which is by Christ Jesus aims at the establishment of the Law of God in blessed and perpetual supremacy, and the inspiration and confirmation in man of the spirit and habit of cheerful conformity to that Law. There is law in heaven. The arlt of the covenant is there. "And there WIU! opened the temple of God that is is heaven; and there was seen in his temple the ark of his covenant" (Hev. :x:i. 19). 3. As a witness against man. Man bad broken this holy Law. In his fallen and sinful condition he could not thoroughly keep it. Hence it bore witneilS against him. 'l'he tables of the covenant were also called "the two tables of testimony," and they testified to the transgressions and failures of men. u By the Law is the knuwlt:dge of sin." And in this way the Law witnessed to man's need of mercy and forgivenes~ and spiritual power. lL T.liE :HANIFEBTATlOllT 0.11' GRACE IN Goo's REDEMPTIVE RELATIONS WITH MEN. The ark of the covenant was covered, and the covering was called "the mercy-seat." The word which is here rendered "mercy-seat" is applied to our Saviour: "Whom God bath set forth to be a Propitiation," etc. (Rom. iii. 26). There was a manifestation of grace : 1. In the mercy-seat itself. It was the lid of the chest which contained th& tables of the Law. Those tables testifie<l against man, and th(l mercy-seat hid, as it were, their testimony from the eyes of the Holy One who dwelt between th(l cherubim.  011. n. 1-28.] THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS.