Exodus - A Kingdom of Priests and a Holy Nation , Sarah Barry
THE ARK AND THE ATONEMENT COVER
Passage: Exodus 37:1~9  
Key verse: 9(25
The Ark(A)
37 Bezalel(B) made the ark(C) of acacia wood—two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high.[a] 2 He overlaid it with pure gold,(D) both inside and out, and made a gold molding around it. 3 He cast four gold rings for it and fastened them to its four feet, with two rings on one side and two rings on the other. 4 Then he made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold. 5 And he inserted the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry it.
6 He made the atonement cover(E) of pure gold—two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. 7 Then he made two cherubim(F) out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover. 8 He made one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; at the two ends he made them of one piece with the cover. 9 The cherubim had their wings spread upward, overshadowing(G) the cover with them. The cherubim faced each other, looking toward the cover.(H)
Footnotes
- Exodus 37:1 That is, about 3 3/4 feet long and 2 1/4 feet wide and high or about 1.1 meters long and 68 centimeters wide and high; similarly in verse 6
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Source:  BibleGateway
1. The ark (1-5)
The ark was the most sacred object in the tabernacle. It was a rectangular box overlaid with gold, which held the tablets of the Law Moses had received from God. The Law was given to teach God's righteous requirements and to train his people in holiness. It was made by Bezalel, the chief craftsman. The four rings with poles inserted in them were for carrying the ark, for God is a pilgrim who travels with his people to the Promised Land.
2. The atonement cover (6-9)
The atonement cover (also called 'mercy seat') was the top or lid of the ark. It was made of one piece of pure gold with a cherub on each end facing inward, their wings overshadowing the cover. It was on this mercy seat that the high priest sprinkled blood from the altar to atone for his own sins and those of the people. Only then could sinful man come into the presence of the Holy God.
Prayer: Lord, your mercy and righteousness meet at the cross of Jesus. I come to meet you there.
One Word: Covered by God's mercy