CHAPTERV. 405 number of holy things madeof gold and silver, brass and wood, and fine linen, and other materials both dry and liquid, which were used in the Jewish worship. 35. Q. What were the chief or most considerable of these holy things ? A. The arkof the covenant and the mercyseat, the altar of incense, the table and the candlestick, the altar of burnt- offering and the laver, the priest's garments, the holy perfume, together with vessels or instruments relating to all or any of. these; Ex. xxxi. 7 -11. 36. Q. What was the ark ?' A. It was a chest or coffermade of wood and overlaid with gold, wherein the two tables of the lawwere kept, of God's own writing, with some other precious things which were afterward laid up there; Ex. xxv. 10-1,fi. Deut. x. l-5. Hob. ix. 4, 5. Note. The rod of Aaron which blossomed and brought forth almonds, and the pot of manna which the Israelites lived upon in the wilderness, were both laid up in the ark for a perpetual memorial of those miraculous events ; Ex. xvi. 33, 34. Num. xvii. 10. Heb. ix. 4. Though some learned then rather sup- pose these were only placedbefore the ark, and not in it. 37'. Q. What was the mercy seat? A. It was the covering of the ark, and it was macle of pure gold with a cherub of gold at each end of it, with their wings stretched out to cover the mercy-seat, and their faces toward each other, and toward the mercy-seat also; Ex. xxv. 17-21. Note. A cherub is used in scripture to denote some angelic pówer under the figure of some strange animal : It is described always like a living creature with wings, and probably with clo- ven feet too ; but whether it be rather in the shape of an ox or of a man, the learned are not agreed : Perhaps it was sometimes nearer to one form, ând sometimes to another. 38. Q. Why was the covering of the ark called the mercy- seat? A. Because God dwelt on it as the God of Israel, between the cherubs, in a body of light, or a bright cloud, and appeared there as a God of mercy, accepting their sacrifices and their prayers; Ex. xxv. 22. Lev. xvi. 2. Num. viii. 89. Ps. lxxx. 1. This light was called by the Jews the sheckinah, or the ha- bitation of God, and sometimes the glory ; Rom. ix. 4. 39. Q. Where were the ark and the mercy-seat placed ? A. In the holy of holies within the veil ; Ex. xxvi. 33, 34. 40. Q. What was the altar of incense ? A. An altar made of wood, covered with gold, with a crown or ledge of gold round about it; Ex. xxx. 41. Q. What was done here ? A. Incense or perfume of sweet spices was burned and offered upon it every morning and evening ; Ex. xxx. 7, 8. 42. Q. What was the table? A. The table was made of wood, covered with gold, and had a golden crown or ledge round it, with golden dishes and spoons ; Ex. xxv. 23-30.
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