Exodus 25

Exodus 25:1

These, and other ceremonial institutes, are minutely described, because they flowed from the mere will of God. They were significant of great and important things; and were to be strictly observed in the adoration of a God, jealous with respect to his own worship

Exodus 25:8

While this tabernacle was a sign of God’s presence with, and protection of, his people, it was a type (1) of Christ’s person; Heb. viii. 2; (2) of the gospel-church, the habitation of God by the Spirit; 2 Cor. vi. 16; (3) of every Christian in whose heart God dwells; 1 Cor. iii. 16. and vi. 19; (4) of the new covenant and heavenly state; Is. lxvi. 1: and according to these different significations may the furniture thereof be understood in different views

Exodus 25:10

The ark was the chief of all the sacred furniture which peculiarly sanctified the tabernacle, and for which it was principally made

Exodus 25:16

The two tables of stone upon which the law was written are called the Testimony, because they witnessed the covenant between God and the people; testified what God required of them; and testified against them if they observed it not

Exodus 25:17

The lid, or mercy-sent, placed between the tables of the law, and the shechinah, or cloudy symbol of the divine presence, denoted Jesus’ atonement; which answers to all the demands of the law, and interposes between it and Jehovah, that he may deal mercifully with us in Christ

Exodus 25:18

The cherubims signified angels, as prying into the mysteries of redemption, and ministering to Christ and his people; or ministers, as founded on Christ, admiring his work, and attending on God and his service

Exodus 25:23

This table typified Christ, as having all fulness in him, and supporting and presenting before God all his people; and also the gospel-church and the ordinances of it

Exodus 25:31

This candlestick typified Christ himself, or his gospel-church and ordinances thereof

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XXV.—Since, in deep compassion to human JOHN, JENOVAN hath freely taken upon himself the whole expense of the word of redemption; the infinite expense of raising up a Saviour, erecting a church, and preparing a new covenant and an heavenly state, as means of his residence, amongst us;—since he has made Jesus an ARK for holding and fulfilling his own a propitiatory or MERCY-SEAT, whence, to the everlasting astonishment of angels and men, and by their ministration, he may declare his oracles, promises, and laws;—a TABLE, to feed his people, and on which the tribes of the redeemed are, in their successive generations, safely and honourably presented before God;—and a LIGHT to his church, by his word and Spirit:—may I, may thousands more, be the willing members of his church! Let us surrender ourselves, and all that we have, whether more or less valuable, to the service of Christ! Following with care the prescriptions of heaven, let us come boldly to the throne of his grace, and commune with our God! Let us feast from day to day, especially from one sabbath to another, upon Jesus, the bread indeed.—Jesus, the finest of the wheat; that we may be to God a sweet savour of Christ! And, even in this earthly tabernacle and militant church, let us walk in the light of the Lord; so shall we shine as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life! 3