Bezalel builds the THRONE of God

From Mount Sinai, God gave Moses instructions about who would build the pieces of furniture for the tabernacle and how they would be built. Bezalel was chosen and spiritually gifted to oversee the construction along with training others to help (Ex. 31:1, 2). While many people assisted in various aspects, Bezalel chose to make the ark (Heb. aw-rone’, ‘box or chest’) himself. There is no excuse for poor effort or mediocre work as all things should be done with excellence as for God Himself (Col. 3:23, 24). Unknown to him, this piece of furniture would become the most famous furniture in history! Though nothing about the ark was perfect, God honored Bezalel’s work and dwelt on his creation. God doesn’t ask for perfect work, He asks for perfect willingness. Bezalel honed his skill as a slave in Egypt as the ancient Egyptians were experts in furniture making and working in gold as is exemplified in King Tutankhamen’s tomb (c. 1323 BC; Exodus happened c. 1440 BC). Bezalel’s ark became the resting place for the Presence of the Almighty God—His literal throne on earth (2 Sam. 6:2). God uses the imperfect work of people for the perfect work of God!

God DWELLS with His people from His throne

While God’s divine presence fills the universe, the reality of His personal presence was constrained to a small area on the ark (Ex. 25:8, 9). The ark was 27x27x45 inches long, made of wood, and covered in hammered gold with a solid gold cover called the Mercy Seat. On top of the Mercy Seat were two gold cherubim from where God would accept sin offerings presented on the Day of Atonement by the priest and where God spoke with Moses (Ex. 25:22; Lev. 16:2, 30). It was carried like a throne by four priests with two poles through rings on the feet. While God’s holy presence was there, it could never be touched by human hands at the risk of death (2 Sam. 6:6, 7). By the end of Israel’s journey it held the Covenant (Ten Commandments), a jar of manna, and Aaron’s staff (Heb. 9:4). For centuries, the Ark of the Covenant would be where God manifested Himself and a symbol of His power and presence. It was probably destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon or may have been hidden beforehand (597 BC; 2 Kings 24:13, 14). Today, God dwells in the hearts of His people through Jesus (Rom. 3:21-25; Eph. 3:14-19)!