Christ in all the scriptures
The Ark of the Covenant part 3
INSCRUTABLE MYSTERY
"...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" Exodus 25v10; 37v1.
The repetition of the half measure is interesting. We learn that the Ark was exactly half the dimensions of the Brazen Altar-Exodus 27v1, so the half measure has very definite meaning. In our terms the Ark was 45x27x27 inches and suggests that God is very precise in His design. Measurement, part measurement, and absence of measurement are all significant. There is indication elsewhere, as the Bible is its own interpreter. It has been said that "the HALF of anything is the HEART of anything"-source unknown; however the thought has merit, and there is a story in 1st Kings 10v1-9 which helps. The very wealthy Queen of Sheba travelled 1500 miles to visit King Solomon, as she had heard glowing reports about his Kingdom. She didn't quite believe what she heard, that anyone could be so wise and rich and powerful, so she journeyed with her train, laden with gifts, to see for herself. The narrative puts it thus "...and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart. And Solomon told her all her questions: there was not one thing hid from the king that he told her not. And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's wisdom, and the house that he had built, and the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and the cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the Lord; there was no more spirit in her. And she said unto the king, it was a true report, that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and thy wisdom. Howbeit I believed not the words until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and behold THE HALF WAS NOT TOLD ME, thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard. Happy are thy men, happy are thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom. Blessed be the Lord thy God, which delighteth in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the Lord loved Israel for ever, therefore He made thee king, to do judgment and justice"-1st Kings 10v1-9.
What she saw was far greater the what she heard. The half was not told her. Solomon was even greater, beyond her greatest imagination. This story was mentioned by Jesus in Matthew 12v42, in the context of Himself as greater than Solomon. Thus the half measure points to Christ; that, what we have heard is only a part of the glory we will see with our eyes in a coming day. It speaks of the glory of Christ beyond anything we have heard or can imagine. It proclaims the inscrutable mystery of Christ. We know a lot about Him, but there is much more to know. Our situation is much like that of the Queen of Sheba (that is apart from her obvious wealth and power!) She was a Gentile; she came from afar; she had only heard of the glory of Solomon, didn't fully believe what she heard, until she saw him. When she came, she proclaimed he had exceeded her expectations. Jesus pronounced a blessing on those, like ourselves, who have not seen, yet have believed. However we shall not fully know Him until we see Him in glory-1st John 3v2. A greater than Solomon is our Saviour, by how much more are we dim as to the glories of Christ?
The scriptures bristle with the superlative glories of Christ, and the constant reminder is of what is yet to come, and this is the message of the Spirit in this cameo of Christ.
John 20v30-31 "And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book: but these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name".
Scholars estimate that of the 3+years of the public ministry of Christ, no more than 2 months are recorded in the four Gospels, there is much more to come. Is this the "hidden manna" of Revelation 2v17?
John 21v25 "And there are many other things which Jesus did, the which if they be written every one, I suppose the world itself could not contain the books that should be written".
He is too big for the world, He is big enough for me! He is the INSCRUTABLE and INEXHAUSTIBLE Christ, and He is our Saviour.
Psalm 78v19 "Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known". The sea leaves no track, there is no searching of His understanding, as Job said, "Canst thou by searching find out God"?
1 To Jesus every day I find my heart is closer drawn,
He's fairer than the glory of the gold and purple dawn;
He's all my fancy pictures in its fairest dreams, and more,
Each day He grows still sweeter than He was the day before.
Refrain:
The half cannot be fancied, this side the golden shore;
O there He'll be still sweeter than He ever was before.
2 His glory broke upon me when I saw Him from afar,
He's fairer than the lily, brighter than the morning star;
He fills and satisfies my longing spirit o'er and o'er,
Each day He grows still sweeter than He was the day before. [Refrain]
3 My heart is sometimes heavy but he comes with sweet relief,
He folds me to His bosom when I droop with blighting grief;
I love the Christ who all my burdens in His body bore,
Each day He grows still sweeter than He was the day before. [Refrain]
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