Heb 9:1 Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. 2 For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary; 3 and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, 4 which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; 5 and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat...
Ever wonder why God covered up these three things (the golden pot of manna, Aaron's rod and the ten commandments) in the ark of the covenant? It is because they are the rebellions (sin) of men and God does not want to see them anymore but only the blood of His Son that cleansed away all the sin of men on the mercy seat.
1) The golden pot of manna placed in the ark indicated men's rebellion against God's provision.
Exo 16:1 The whole Israelite community set out from Elim and came to the Desert of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had come out of Egypt. 2 In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. 3 The Israelites said to them, "If only we had died by the LORD's hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death." 4 Then the LORD said to Moses, "I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.
By works or by faith
Here what do you see? Do you see men's rebellion against God's provision? Do you see men's trust in their own works to provide for themselves? Or do you see the Bread of heaven and believe that He shall continue to provide for tomorrow? Are you of works in yourself or of faith in God? At a time like the Israelites in the desert, do you still believe that He shall continue to provide for you? Or do you feel that you must do something to solve the problem? That's the test of God... by works or by faith? The answer is "The just shall live by faith" (Rom 1:17) and without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb 11:6).
2) Aaron's rod that budded placed in the ark indicated men's rebellion against God's choice.
Num 16:1 Now Korah the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men; 2 and they rose up before Moses with some of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, representatives of the congregation, men of renown. 3 They gathered together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, "You take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?" 4 So when Moses heard it, he fell on his face; 5 and he spoke to Korah and all his company, saying, "Tomorrow morning the LORD will show who is His and who is holy, and will cause him to come near to Him. That one whom He chooses He will cause to come near to Him.
By works or by faith
Here what do you see? Do you see men's rebellion against God's choice? Do you see men's trust in their own way to direct themselves? Or do you see the God's way to delivery them into the promise land. Do you see Salvation by works in men or by faith in the One whom He chooses? The answer again is "The just shall live by faith" (Rom 1:17) and without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb 11:6).
3) The two tablets of the covenant placed in the ark indicated men's rebellion against God's word.
Exo 19:1 In the third month after the children of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on the same day, they came to the Wilderness of Sinai. 2 For they had departed from Rephidim, had come to the Wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness. So Israel camped there before the mountain. 3 And Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: 4 'You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to Myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. 6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel." 7 So Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before them all these words which the LORD commanded him. 8 Then all the people answered together and said, "All that the LORD has spoken we will do." So Moses brought back the words of the people to the LORD.
Exo 32:1 Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, "Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him."
By works or by faith
Here what do you see? Do you see men's rebellion against God's Word? Do you see men's pride saying "All that the LORD has spoken we will do"? Do you see God's voice as His law of the ten commandments that you boast you can obey just like the children of Israel in the wilderness or do you see God's voice as His Word (John 1:14) whom He sent to bring us into the promised land. Do you see God's covenant as the covenant of law or the covenant of Grace that He made with Abraham (Gen 15:18)? In Exo 19, the law has not been given yet. The answer again is "The just shall live by faith" (Rom 1:17) and without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb 11:6).
John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. And in Mat 26:28 Jesus said: For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Now you know why God locked up these three items and covered it by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Christ we are completed! Hear Him only!
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