November 27

"And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy-seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel."—Exodus 25:22.

It is highly interesting to trace the analogy between the Old and New Testaments. The prophets and priests under the law had, as it were, the light of the moon; thus they were distinguished from the surrounding heathen nations, with whom it was the darkness of night: age after age passed on, and the light increased, till at length John, the forerunner of Christ, appeared like the morning star, melting into the light of day, when the Sun of righteousness was seen irradiating the horizon of Judea; and thus was fulfilled the prophetic declaration, "The people that sat in darkness have seen a great light." Let us notice some other points in which the ark was typical of Christ.

There was a blessing wherever it went. God blessed the house of Obed Edom, because he lodged the ark. Did you ever hear of any who were real losers by religion? "Godliness is profitable unto all things;" wisdom is better than rubies; in her right hand is length of days, and in her left hand are riches and honor. Do you speak of dignity?

"A Christian is the highest style of man."

Do you speak of wealth? He has the unsearchable riches of Christ. Do you speak of comforts? He has everlasting consolation. Do you speak of joy? He is filled with joy and peace in believing. "Look at him in danger; "God is my refuge," he exclaims. Look at him in affliction; with a smile of composure he says, "Thy will be done." Look at him under temporal losses; he is resigned. Look at him in death; "I will fear no evil, for thou art with me." And when the world shall pass away, he shall be able to stand on its ruins, and say, "I have lost nothing; the Lord is my portion, saith my soul."

The wonderful victories it achieved. It overturned the walls of Jericho, being carried round them for seven days. It overthrew Dagon, the Philistines' god, so that that idol was broken in pieces. It opened a passage for Israel to pass through the river Jordan. If ever the strongholds of Satan are brought down, it must be by Christ; if ever we pass safely through the swellings of Jordan to the heavenly Canaan, it must be by Christ. If Christ is in the heart, every idol must come down. A missionary in a foreign land was traveling with a young convert, and as they went to see the various idol temples in which heathen gods were worshipped, the young man wished to pull them down and destroy them; "No," said the missionary, "let us preach Christ, and they will pull them down themselves." If Christ is preached and received, our language will be—

"The dearest idol I have known, Whatever that idol be, Help me to tear it from thy throne, And worship only thee."

We have in the text

A GRACIOUS PROMISE. "And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy-seat." In Christ, God meets the sinner to be reconciled to him, to distribute his favors, to hold fellowship with him, and to show him his glory. Remember, if God is found, it must be in Christ. We cannot meet or commune with him through any other medium.

"There is a place where Jesus sheds The oil of gladness on our heads — A place of all on earth most sweet; It is the blood-bought mercy-seat."