READ: Exodus 25:10-22
And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee. And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, … – Exodus 25:21-22
The ultimate presence of God was found in the Holy of Holies. The Holy of Holies had the mercy seat, the cherubims, the Ark of the Covenant and the tables of testimony: The High Priest who entered into the Holy of Holies encountered these four major items; the mercy seat, the cherubims, the Ark of the Covenant and the tables of testimony.
The ark of God covered with gold speaks of the high price for God’s presence.
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. And THOU SHALT OVERLAY IT WITH PURE GOLD, within and without shalt thou overlay it, and shalt make upon it a crown of gold round about . . . And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee. Exodus 25:10-11, 16
The ark of God represents the ultimate presence of God. The ultimate presence of God is not easy to define. It is dangerous to walk in sin or play the fool in the presence of God. The ark is completely covered with gold. Only the highest quality and the most expensive can have access to the ultimate presence of God. Brass is not acceptable if you want to experience the ultimate presence of God.
Many people have a ministry that outwardly looks shiny and valuable. However, they have substituted real value and have presented only an outward glitter. God looks at the heart. God looks at the realities. It is important for you to focus on real things because God is not impressed with outward-looking niceties. Indeed, people may not be impressed with you but Almighty God may be impressed because you have used gold for the ministry and paid a high price to get it.