YT Lesson 9 Joshua part 4 chapter 3:3-4; Exodus 25

The Book of Joshua

Recapping:

Victory is the LORD’S

Once back in Shittim the spies declare the glory of the LORD telling Joshua the
LORD has delivered into Israel’s hands all the land.

“All the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us!” The victory is the
LORD’S victory.

Thus, the two verses ~ 1 and 2 of chapter 3 takes the reader back to verse 10 of
chapter 1.

For forty years, the wilderness has been Israel’s home ~ with the Glory cloud
their Divine GPS (Global Positioning System). When the cloud was taken up from over
the Tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys: But if the cloud
was not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.

For the cloud of the LORD was upon the Tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by
night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys (see Exodus
36-38).

The last recorded appearance of the Glory cloud is in Deuteronomy 31:15 where
Moses and Joshua presented themselves in the tabernacle of the congregation.

From this point in Israel’s history their journeys are over ~ they are going into the
land of promise and the Glory cloud is not mentioned in the book of Joshua nor is the
Tabernacle until the conquering was accomplished and the tribes allotted their portions.
Then the tabernacle was set up in Shiloh.

Instead of the Tabernacle being the prominent symbolic figure in the book of
Joshua, for Israel, now it is the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark of the Covenant was the
article of furniture kept in the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle.

The Tabernacle has three sections ~ the Holy of Holies, the Holy Place and the
outer court. The details of the design, structure, construction and service for the
Tabernacle were given to Moses in the pattern from the LORD and occupy 13 chapters
in Exodus 25-38.

As we have understood from the blueprint of the Eternal Covenant in the

heavenly revelation order is everything. God is a God of order and not confusion. So it
is with the blueprint of the Tabernacle.

1
YT Lesson 9 Joshua part 4 chapter 3:3-4; Exodus 25

The Tabernacle with all of its articles of furniture is in figure symbolic of God,
the Covenant Son in His first coming ~ God come in the flesh dwelling among His
people.

As the Tabernacle is a pictorial of God come in the flesh, the blueprint begins
where the blueprint always begins ~ where God dwells ~ in the Holy of Holies.

The design of the Tabernacle begins with the first piece of furniture ~ the Ark of
the Covenant and proceeds to work “outward” to the outer court. The pattern is always
the same. Order is everything ~ “in the beginning God” (Genesis 1:1).

Jeremiah 10:12 says, “He hath made the earth by His power, He hath
established the world by His wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by His
discretion [His will – pleasure].”
God designed, placed in sequence, gave color and named the covenant star
signs in the heavens to prophesy His covenant message.

The pictorial of the luminaries declares the binding and unbreakable legal
contract made in eternity, sanctioned in time with the shed blood of the Covenant Son
and the kingdom of sons of God fulfilled at the end of the age. This legal contract is
made between the persons of the God head.

Likewise, the Tabernacle with its articles follows the order set in the heavenly
revelation. The heavenly revelation begins in Eternity Past, you might say in the Holy of
Holies. Picturing for us, there is One Covenant ~ The Eternal Covenant. There is One
Blueprint for the Household of Sons of God.

The Blueprint displayed in the luminaries of the twelve Zodiac stars with their
signs declare the majesty, power and wisdom of God in the glory of the Person of the
Son of the Covenant ~ God come in the flesh.

Thus, the Pattern of the Tabernacle follows the Blueprint of the Eternal Covenant
declared in the heavens. God the Covenant Son is the pattern ~ the design, the form ~
the expressed image of God. Then, we have the word of God with the details of how it
all fits together.

The Ark ~ Figurative of the Eternal God

Joshua 3:3, 4:

“And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the Ark of the Covenant
of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from
your place, and go after it. Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two
thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it that ye may know the way by which
ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore.”
2
YT Lesson 9 Joshua part 4 chapter 3:3-4; Exodus 25

Israel is about to embark on a brand new journey. As we look at the Ark we need
to remember to think eastern and Israel and not western and Christianity. The Ark was
given specifically to Israel.

The Ark is figurative of the Eternal God. When we think of God, we tend to think
Jesus. The Ark is figurative of the Eternal God – One God. Seen within the figurative
language of the separate but combined elements of the Ark of the Covenant is the
pictorial of the fullness of the Godhead dwelling bodily in the Covenant.

First and foremost, the Ark is a pictorial of God ~ the Spirit Being of Deity among
His people ~ the ruling authority over the nations on the earth in the kingdom age. Israel
going in to possess the land is a picture of the kingdom age.

Second ~ The Ark was located within the Holy of Holies ~ figuring the pattern
given in the eternal Covenant of the heavenly revelation ~ Libra. The stars with their
figurative message in the signs of Libra is figurative of eternity where the plan of God
began and works outward ~ Time.

Hence is the pictorial of the remainder of the Tabernacle with its articles of
furniture expressing God the Son come in the flesh following the pattern in the heavenly
revelation with the sign Virgo.

Lastly ~ the “leading” of the Ark of the Covenant in figure is a pictorial of God ~
the Holy Spirit leading and guiding Israel in the way she is to go. “When you see the Ark
go after it ~ that you may know the way by which you must go.”

The Ark is referred to by name as: the Ark of the Testimony, the Ark of the
Covenant and the Ark of God, but it is never referred to as the throne of God.

The Acacia Wood ~ Figurative of God the Son ~ Seed of Flesh

Exodus 25:9, 10:

“According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the
pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it. And they shall make an
Ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a
half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.”

God begins with the wood for a box. The acacia ~ Shittim tree was a tree of the
desert. A tree that can survive in very dry soil. Isaiah 53:2 tells us that God’s Servant,
His Covenant Son was to grow up like a root out of dry ground.

The translation of the Old Testament Hebrew, speaking of the Shittim wood in
the Septuagint version (the translation of the Hebrew into Greek) speaks of the wood
as incorruptible wood.
3
YT Lesson 9 Joshua part 4 chapter 3:3-4; Exodus 25

The Acacia wood was a wood that never rotted. There was nothing in the wood
to cause it to rot. In figure ~ we see in the wood ~ the outward visible image of God
come in the flesh ~ the Covenant Son’s humanity. The humanity of the Son of the
Covenant was his seed coat of flesh.

The Boards ~ Figurative of His Form

The boards made of the acacia wood gave form and dimension to the Ark of the
Covenant. God never does anything without design or purpose. Thus, the “form” God
begins with, as a pictorial of the Godhead is a box.

Can you put God in a box? No! Should we try to put God in a box? No! And yet
that is the very thing we do. We put limits on God. We form mental concepts of God.
God wouldn’t do this and that, so we say.

It is in moments like that, we need to remember that God is other than His
creation. God is much greater than any image the mind can conceive or imagine.

That is why throughout the Scripture, beginning with the book of beginnings, no
attempt is made to offer any arguments for the proof of the existence of God. God is
not an argument for debate. “In the beginning God” ~ period!

God is not a metaphysical concept for questioning or discussion. He is a

Supreme reality ~ the Foundation and Source of every created life.

“Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in

the flesh…” (1 Timothy 3:16, Colossians 1:19; 2:9). Thus, the purpose of the design of
the box was to point to the fact one cannot put God in a box. He won’t fit. He is other.

Thorns of the Tree ~ Figurative of the Crown of Thorns

The acacia tree has long sharp thorns. The thorns on the plants and trees of the
creation are the result of the earth being cursed through the disobedience of Adam
(Genesis 3:18).

In the figurative language of the Scriptures thorns are symbolic of aborted life.
Through no disobedience of His own the Son of the Covenant was made to wear a
crown of thorns.

His life cut off in death~ they crowned Him with a crown of thorns (Matthew
27:29) then hung Him on a tree. According to the book of the law, if a man had
committed a sin worthy of death, he was to be put to death, then hung on a tree ~ he
who is hanged on a tree is accursed by God (Deuteronomy 21:22,23).

4
YT Lesson 9 Joshua part 4 chapter 3:3-4; Exodus 25

The Covenant Son was not put to death and then hung on the tree, He was hung
alive and then six hours later died. He was “made a curse for us: for it is written Cursed
is everyone that hangeth on a tree” (Galatians 3:13).

The Arabic Gum ~ Figurative of His Blood

Not only is the wood and the thorns pictured but also from this desert tree is
obtained a gum Arabic that is used for medicinal purposes. When the tree is pierced ~
the gum oozes out. In the darkness of the night of man’s sin ~ wicked hands crucified
Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God (Acts 2:20, 23), and denied the Holy One,
the Just and killed the Prince of Life (Acts 3:14, 15).

But! When the sword pierced His side ~ forthwith came the healing balm from the
Transaction of Propitiation ~ the blood which cleanses from all unrighteousness.

Overlaid with Gold ~ Figurative of His Deity

Exodus 25:11a:

“And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, within and without shalt thou overlay it…”

The gold is overlaid within and without. Thus, while the wood is figurative of His
humanity, the gold is figurative of His Deity. The Covenant Son ~ Eternal Spirit being of
Deity is the Righteousness of God made flesh.

In Him is no sin ~ 1 John 3:5

He did no sin ~ 1 Peter 2:22

He knew no sin ~ 2 Corinthians 5:21

He was “holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners…” (Hebrews 7:26).
He is other than His creation. Jesus, the Covenant Son being in the form of God thought
it not a thing to be held onto to be equal with God, but emptied Himself and took upon
Him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of man (Philippians 2:6,7).

“Form” is “morphe” ~ meaning the external appearance by which a person or

thing strikes the vision. Jesus the Son of the Covenant came in the likeness of sinful
flesh, but ~ sin apart. That body prepared for Jesus ~ made of the woman’s seed ~
made of the virgin’s seed ~ made of her seed flesh body, came not from the seed of
sinful man.

When God, in the Covenant Son, took upon Himself the form of a servant ~ in the
likeness of man, He did not empty Himself of His Deity but only the right to act of
Himself. Truly He was unlike any other man.

5
YT Lesson 9 Joshua part 4 chapter 3:3-4; Exodus 25

God ~ Eternal spirit being of Deity cannot be anything other than He is, but as the
servant of God He did nothing of Himself. God may change form ~ clothe Himself with a
seed coat of flesh, but He cannot cease to be God.

The Rim of Gold ~ Figurative of His Crown ~ Seed of Eternal life

Exodus 25:11b:

“…and shalt make upon it a crown of gold round about.”

This gold crown rim spoke of the Authority of God as the Sovereign,
Independent, Self-governing, Supreme, Superior Potentate to hold fast the seat of
mercy which was fitted as a lid to the ark.

Rings of the Ark ~ Figurative of the Uniting of the Realms

Exodus 25:12:

“And thou shalt cast four rings of gold for it, and put in the four corners thereof;
and two rings in the one side of it, and two rings in the other side of it.”

The ordinal four − speaks of the four corners of the earth. The number four is three
and one. It denotes and marks that which follows God, His creative works ~ the setting
up of the kingdom on earth.

The rings figuratively express the Eternal One ~ without beginning and without end.
The rings placed at the four corners enabled the Ark to be carried ~ by the two staves
figuratively expressing the witness of the uniting of the two realms ~ heaven and earth.

God ~ the ark has “come down to the earth” ~ figuratively expressing the Eternal
One ~ without beginning and without end ~ the Authority of rule in the kingdom of God
in heaven and on to the four corners of the earth.

The Staves ~ Figurative of His Truth to be Borne

Exodus 25:13-15:

“And thou shalt make staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold. And thou
shalt put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark that the ark may be borne with
them. The staves shall be in the rings of the ark: they shall not be taken from it.”

While Israel is possessing the land, the staves stay in the Ark for carrying. The
staves are figurative of His Truth to be borne. The Truth is ~ He is the Eternal One
without beginning and end. He is the One come down to earth ~ He is the One who has
united the two realms ~ He is the Sovereign ~ but there is more….

6
YT Lesson 9 Joshua part 4 chapter 3:3-4; Exodus 25

Once again, we see the two elements of the wood ~ His humanity and the gold ~ His
Deity. The Ark was to be borne with Israel through her wilderness journey and obviously
into the Promised Land. The staves were never to be taken from the Ark.

His Truth was always to be borne by his messengers ~ the priests, the Levites, the
guardians and protectors upholding the truth of the good news of the Eternal Covenant
on their shoulders to be carried wherever the Spirit leads.

The Articles within the Ark ~ A Witness Against Israel and Figurative of the
Grounds of Fellowship

Exodus 25:16:

“And thou shalt put into the Ark the testimony which I shall give thee.”

In the Ark was His testimony ~ the law of God’s word, the golden pot that had
manna and Aarons rod that budded, blossomed and bore fruit.

Each one was a witness and not a judgement against Israel (Deuteronomy
31:26). Judgment carries the idea of complete destruction ~ a wiping out of those
judged.

A witness is a visible reminder of their rebellion as a nation to the word of God

and a figure of the Covenant Son who was obedient to the God of Israel.

The book of the law ~ an expression of His will! By the law is the knowledge of
sin and was witnessed to them and confirmed as a testimony by the obedience of the
Covenant Son. His testimony was the works of God ~ saying only what the Father said
and doing what the Father commanded.

The manna ~ the bread come from heaven was supplied daily and yet the people
complained saying “we loathe this bread.” The pot of manna was for Israel, a witness of
her rebellion and a reminder she must eat of the heavenly bread for Eternal life and
continue to eat of the bread for substance of living.

The Bread of Life come from heaven is a figurative of the Covenant Son as the
Bread of Life as the only way to the Father. A man must eat of His flesh and drink his
blood ~ eat and swallow that the Son of the Covenant is the Bread of Life for Eternal
life.

Aaron’s rod was a witness against Israel that God is the One who has the
authority and His authority is not open for debate. Due to rebellion within the camp there
was a crisis regarding authority.

7
YT Lesson 9 Joshua part 4 chapter 3:3-4; Exodus 25

There were certain ones within the camp that resented Moses and Aaron as the
only ones making decisions. They resented the leadership God had appointed. God
instructed Moses to have the elders bring their staffs to the Tabernacle.

The staff ~ a dead piece of wood was the symbol of tribal authority. One staff for
each tribe was laid up in the Tabernacle overnight. Aaron’s rod was as dead as any
other rod.

The LORD’S purpose was to show who are His, who are Holy and who can
approach unto Him.

The next morning Aaron’s rod had budded (a symbol of life), blossomed (a
promise of fruit), and bore almonds (fruit). The word almond comes from a root
signifying to be wakeful ~ to have spiritual insight.

Aaron’s rod settled once for all who God’s anointed, appointed person for office
of High Priest was ~ the Covenant Son. The high priest figured Jesus, God’s Covenant
Son.

The Mercy Seat ~ Figurative of the Mercy of God’s Holiness

Exodus 25:17:

“And thou shalt make a mercy seat pure gold: two cubit and a half the length
thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof.”

As said, the Ark had a cover ~ the mercy seat. God is a God of grace and mercy.
Judgement is God’s strange work ~ His strange act (Isaiah 28:21). He executes
judgement, but God IS Love.

The mercy seat was all gold ~ solid gold. Speaking of the mercy of God as being
solid on the basis of His Deity. That is the only reason there is mercy, it is on the basis
of His Deity.

When the mercy seat was placed on the Ark, God would dwell among them. The
Ark was the tangible, but not a visible representation of God’s presence. Jehovah, the
all-knowing God, foreseeing all of their needs ~ engaged to accompany them with His
Own Presence and provision. God would be among them.

There were enemies that would seek to keep Israel from their destination ~ but
their God would be in their midst. The Ark would be the place of communing with His
people.

8
YT Lesson 9 Joshua part 4 chapter 3:3-4; Exodus 25

The Greek word translated mercy seat in Hebrews 9:5 is translated propitiation in
Romans 3:25. Propitiation is a big word which means that God is satisfied. God sent
forth His Son, paying the wages of sin ~ the privilege of death to destroy the body.

The Covenant Son through the Transaction of Propitiation ~ the voluntary

sacrifice in the shedding of His blood, judged sin and paid the penalty of death. Through
His resurrection he became the Divine mercy seat.

What satisfies God ~ propitiates God’s righteousness and justifies ~ is the

finished work of the Covenant Son. On that basis, and that basis only, God is free to act
in grace. God desires that His creation knows Him. He is not in hiding, He desires to be
made known.

Cherubims ~ Guarding the way of Holiness

Exodus 25:18-20:

We first have cherubim mentioned at the east of the Garden of Eden, placed
there to guard the way of the tree of life. They are the highest order of angelic beings ~
guardians of God’s holiness and God’s majesty (Ezekiel 10).

In the Hebrew language “im” signifies a plural ending. There were two Cherubim:
one on each end of the mercy seat facing each other. Their eyes are looking toward the
mercy seat ~ not on the Israelites, but on the atoning blood. It is the shed blood of the
Transaction of the Propitiation ~ the Covenant Son that satisfies God regarding sin with
its wages of death.

Covering Veil of the Ark

When the camp set forward the Ark was removed from the Holy of Holies. Aaron
and his sons were to take the covering veil ~ the veil between the Holy Place and the
Holy of Holies down and cover the Ark of Testimony with it (Exodus 26:31-33).

Upon the covering veil, there was a covering of badger’s skin and covering the
badgers skin, there was spread a cloth of blue (Numbers 4:5, 6).

The covering veil of the Ark was made of fine twined linen, of blue, and purple,
and scarlet with cherubims (Exodus 26:31). The veil was made of extremely expensive
materials.

The same pattern that is on the veil is also on the gate to enter the outer court.
The gate was designed in such a way that one had to bow to enter the outer court.
Israel understood that the Tabernacle figured God, the covenant Son come in the flesh.
Also pictured is God, the covenant Son in His second coming by the way the tribes are
pitched around the Tabernacle with their standards.
9
YT Lesson 9 Joshua part 4 chapter 3:3-4; Exodus 25

Figurative Language of Colors

Fine twined linen:

The words fine and twined denotes the finely spun threads which consisted of
two or more smaller threads worked or twined together.

Linen: As we have previously understood the linen speaks of righteousness.

Blue: Heavenly Color ~ God the Son come from heaven. The material is wool; the
color is dyed a blue ~ violet. Wool comes from sheep.

Purple: Royal Color ~ God the Son is the King of heaven and earth. The material is
wool, dyed purple or red purple. This color was a feature of royal clothing (Judges 8:26;
Esther 8:15).

Scarlet: Healing Color ~ God the Son/Sun of righteousness with healing in His wings
(Malachi 4:2).

As previously mentioned there are two definitions of the word used for scarlet in
the scripture. One refers to the color itself and the other refers to the insect ~ or worm
from which the color is derived.

The color scarlet that is attributed to the veil covering is described as bright red
with a tinge of orange in it.

Figuratively speaking, the veil of covering, covering the ark, spoke of the
Holiness of God ~ Man cannot see God ~ (the Ark) and live. The covering veil also
figuratively spoke of God [the God head] dwelling bodily in the Covenant Son ~ “to wit
God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself” (2 Corinthians 5:19).

Badger’s skin:

The badger skin covers the veil. The Hebrew word used for badger is a
masculine noun referring to an unknown animal from the sea. The renderings most
common are: badger (KJV); dolphin (NASB); sea cow (NIV).

Regardless, the animal comes from the sea ~ thus figuratively referring to the
Covenant Son come from the sea of humanity.

As to the color of the “badger” ~ an agreement has been reached among

scholars that the color itself was drab and unattractive. Figuratively expressing in this
covering, the One described by the prophet Isaiah as having, “no form nor comeliness;
and when we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him” (Isaiah 53:2).

10
YT Lesson 9 Joshua part 4 chapter 3:3-4; Exodus 25

The Hebrew word used for skin is also a masculine singular noun meaning skin.
It is used literally of human skin. It can also denote skins of animals used for garments.

Thus, figuratively God ~ Emmanuel ~ God with us, God the Son come from the
sea of humanity clothed Himself in the likeness of man.

Blue Cloth:

The blue cloth covers the badger skin. The blue cloth is the same Hebrew word
used for the blue wool thread in the covering veil. Why then cover both the badger skin
and the covering veil with another blue cloth?

Here is the conclusion of the coverings combined. Figuratively ~ the covering

veil speaks of the Eternal One ~ God in His holiness ~ with the cherubim surrounding
Him and His throne.

The badger skin speaks of God ~ the Son clothed in flesh ~ as the King. The last
cloth ~ the blue cloth covering the other two, figuratively speaks of God as the First
Begotten Son of God ~ the Healer as having ascended back to heaven.

Israel only saw the blue covering as they marched. What would Israel be looking
for? God come in the flesh, ascended. Israel will receive none of their promises without
the Covenant Son ascending back to heaven.

Matthew 27:50, 51 records that when Jesus the Covenant Son cried out with a
loud voice and yielded up the spirit, the veil in the temple was broken apart. From the
top to the bottom. The temple veil was the same pattern as the covering veil of the Ark.

The author to the Hebrews writes that by the blood of Jesus access into the
Holiest has been made by a new and living way, which Jesus has consecrated through
the veil of His flesh.

Thus, the brethren of Jesus, all sons of God born of God’s Seed, Christ may
come boldly before the throne of grace having received the mercy of God.

Consequently, the construction of the Ark is accomplished with seven different

parts.

The ordinal seven is used as no other number in scripture. In scriptural

numerology, the number expresses perfection or completeness.

The Construction of the Ark

1. The Boards ~ Figurative of His Form ~ Express Image of God

2. The Overlay of Gold ~ Figurative of His Deity
3. The Rim of Gold ~ Figurative of His Crown
11
YT Lesson 9 Joshua part 4 chapter 3:3-4; Exodus 25

4. The Rings ~ Figurative of the Eternal One Uniting the Realms

5. The Staves ~ Figurative of His Truth to be Borne
6. The Articles within the Ark ~ Figurative of His Truth
7. The Mercy Seat ~ Figurative of the Mercy of His Holiness

Together the seven form a complete pictorial of the Presence of God dwelling
among Israel as their Conqueror, to conquer that which was promised ~ a land of
promise ~ a land flowing with milk and honey.

The Ark with its Covering ~ Figurative of the Living and True God

The Ark with its covering is figurative of the Living and True God. God is Holy.
Holiness has to be understood in the spirit of ones being. Holiness has to be shared
with us, we have to be enlightened to the things of God.

The priests are to carry upon their shoulders not an idol made with hands ~ not
gods like unto the other nations to be displayed as something common.

The Presence of God ~ the Spirit Being of Deity ~ He who is and was and is to
come ~ the Righteous, Eternal God is in the midst of Israel!

Israel is a people that have been sanctified unto God, now they must sanctify
themselves. The sanctification of themselves, the setting apart of themselves and the
willingness to do that is on the basis that the Ark is going to pass before them, God in
the midst of them.

This concludes the lesson. To prepare for the next lesson please read Joshua 3:5-11

12