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.

I work at a custom metal shop. We’ve made a lot of boxes. Most everything we make is some type of box. So when the bible speaks about the building the Ark of the Covenant, I feel like I can relate somewhat to this process. Our customers, much like God did Moses, come in and give us dimensions, details, materials, and whatever they want regarding this product. So there are a few peculiarities in these directions to build that stand out to me.

Firstly

I’m struck by the vagueness of the construction. There are specific things mentioned like the materials of shittim wood and pure gold, the dimensions, the rings, the staves. But there is not alot of instruction as to how this was to be built. For example, how was the shittim wood to be joined? Was it just boards butted together? Was it a tongue and groove type construction? What about the corners? Were there dowels, biscuits, dove-tails? How thick was all this? And there’s no record in the bible of Bezaleel (Exodus 37:1) going back to Moses for clarification. So this is what comes to mind: (Phillipians 2:12) Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 

When it comes to learning and growing, there comes a point that one must take responsibility for oneself. You can’t always have someone standing over you directing your every move. Growing and maturing requires a self-motivation. Some people excel in the classroom, with a personal trainer, an accountability partner, or detailed instructions and patterns. But there comes a time, in many things, one must learn to work alone. It’s not that God is apathetic toward details. It’s that Moses couldn’t micro-manage everything. It was a matter between God and Bezaleel.

Also, consider that if God chose someone else to build that ark, it may have very well come out different. The main instructions would have been followed, but the details may have been very different, and a very different looking ark would have appeared. God doesn’t want cookie-cutter Christians. Everybody’s salvation is going to be worked out differently. There are some things that cannot change and must be so. But there are many details that are unique to you. God wants us to be conformed to the image of his Son. (Romans 8:29) Conformed means to be formed together with. He wants you to be formed together with the image of his Son.

Secondly

I found it curious that God had made a point to declare that the staves were to stay in the rings of the ark. (v15) The staves shall be in the rings of the ark: they shall not be taken from it. There were several instructions as what to do. But there was this one particular instruction as what not to do. Many times we’ve had to chain pins to products so that the user doesn’t inadvertently lose the pins. Or we use certain hardware that eliminates loose screws and nuts. I chained a knife to the place where we hang the weed-eater wire so there’s always a knife. We chain pens to the counter so there’s always a pen. These things are done to avoid the inconvenience of not having what’s needed when it is time to get the job done.

Those staves were for the purpose of moving the ark. It seems to me that when God decided to move, he didn’t want anybody looking for the staves. “Have you seen the staves?” “Yeah, they’re over there!” “Over where?” “No, they’re not there!” God did not want excuses or hindrances when it was time to move. Paul said (Hebrews 12:1) Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Don’t let anything hinder you in your walk with God. If it’s a besetting weight or a hindrance, let it go. But like the staves, there are things that are necessary for the journey. Put it on and keep it on if God says so.

In thinking of this Christian journey and those two staves that set there on the rings, it reminded me of Psalm 23:4 I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. The Israelites, they could not touch the ark for they would die. But… They could touch the staves. (Hebrews 4:15) For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities… God said they shall not be taken from it. Jesus said (John 14:18) I will not leave you comfortless. I will come to you.

Conclusion

Everything is ready. The curtains, the posts, the altar, the table… It’s all packed. Everything is ready for the journey. Moses thrust his rod forward and millions begin to move. God’s people move along in their journey. And hands tighten around those staves and lift up that ark above the ground, and they begin to walk. And God’s comforting presence abides with the people of God. When I see those hands reach around those staves I can’t help but think of the words of that great hymn Lord, I would clasp my hand in Thine… Oh yes!

He leadeth me, He leadeth me, by His own hand He leadeth me; His faithful follower I would be, for by His hand He leadeth me.