59. What we have said about the law’s promulgation, holiness and power in no. 55 above, may be found in the Word in the following passages:

That Jehovah descended onto Mount Sinai in fire, and that the mountain smoked and quaked then, and that there were thunderings, lightnings, a thick cloud, and the sound of a trumpet, see Exodus 19:16, 18, and Deuteronomy 4:11, 5:19-23.

That before Jehovah descended, the people readied themselves and sanctified themselves for three days, see Exodus 19:10-11, 15.

That bounds were set around the mountain to keep anyone from drawing near and approaching its base, on pain of death, and that not even the priests were to approach, but only Moses, see Exodus 19:12-13, 20-23, 24:1-2.

For the law promulgated from Mount Sinai, see Exodus 20:2-14, Deuteronomy 5:6-21.

That the law was written on two tablets of stone with the finger of God, see Exodus 31:18, 32:15-16, Deuteronomy 9:10.

That when Moses brought those tablets down from the mountain a second time, his face shone, see Exodus 34:29-35.

That the tablets were placed in the Ark, see Exodus 25:16, 40:20, Deuteronomy 10:5 and 1 Kings 8:9.

That on the Ark was set a mercy seat, and placed on this were cherubim of gold, see Exodus 25:17-21.

[2] That the Ark, together with the mercy seat and cherubim, constituted the inmost constituents of the Tabernacle, and that the golden lampstand, the golden altar of incense, and the table overlaid with gold which held the showbread constituted its outer constituents, and the ten curtains of linen, purple and scarlet its outmost constituents, see Exodus 25,26, 40:17-28.

That the place where the Ark was, was called the holy of holies or most holy place, see Exodus 26:33.

That the Israelite people all camped in order by tribes about the place where it resided, and set out in order after it, see Numbers 2.

That a cloud then stood over its abode by day, and fire by night, see Exodus 40:38, Numbers 9:15-16, 14:14, and Deuteronomy 1:33.

That the Lord spoke with Moses from above the Ark between the cherubim, see Exodus 25:22 and Numbers 7:89.

That because of the law it contained, the Ark was called the abode of Jehovah, for whenever the Ark set out Moses said, “Rise up, O Jehovah!” and when it rested, “Return, O Jehovah!” see Numbers 10:35-36, and also 2 Samuel 6:2, Psalms 132:7-8.

That because of the holiness of that law, Aaron was permitted to enter within the veil only with sacrifices and incense, see Leviticus 16:2-14ff.

That David brought the Ark into Zion with sacrifices and jubilation, see 2 Samuel 6:1-19. That Uzzah later died because he touched it, see verses 6 and 7 in that same chapter.

That the Ark was placed in the midst of the Temple in Jerusalem, where it constituted its inner sanctuary, see 1 Kings 6:19ff., 8:3-9.

[3] That because of the Lord’s presence and power in the law contained in the Ark, the Jordan’s waters were parted, and as long as the Ark rested in the midst of it, the people crossed over on dry ground, see Joshua 3:1-17, 4:5-20.

That the Ark’s being carried around caused the walls of Jericho to fall, see Joshua 6:1-20.

That Dagon, the Philistine god, fell down before the Ark, and after that lay at the threshold of the shrine with its head broken off, see 1 Samuel 5:1-4.

That because of the Ark many thousands of the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh were struck, see 1 Samuel 6:19.

55. That these laws were so very holy can be seen from the fact that Jehovah Himself, that is, the Lord, descended onto Mount Sinai in fire, accompanied by angels, and promulgated them from there with His own voice; that the people readied themselves for three days to see and hear this; that bounds were set around the mountain to keep anyone from approaching and dying; that not even the priests or elders were to approach, but Moses only; that these laws were inscribed on two stone tablets with the finger of God; that when Moses brought them down from the mountain a second time, His face shone; that afterward they were placed in the Ark, and the Ark was placed in the innermost part of the Tabernacle, on which was set the mercy seat, and over it cherubim of gold; that this was the holiest focus of their church and called the most holy place; that set outside the veil within which the Ark was placed were objects that represented the sanctities of heaven and the church, namely the golden lampstand with its seven lamps, the golden altar of incense, and the table overlaid with gold which held the showbread, surrounded by curtains of linen, purple and scarlet.

The holiness of this whole Tabernacle was due solely to the law placed in the Ark.

[2] Because of the holiness of the Tabernacle, owing to the law in the Ark, the Israelite people were all commanded to camp about it in order by tribes, and to set out in order after it; and a cloud then stood over it by day, and fire by night.

Because of the holiness of that law, and the Lord’s presence in it, the Lord spoke with Moses from upon the mercy seat between the cherubim, and the Ark was called the abode of Jehovah. Aaron, moreover, was permitted to enter within the veil only with sacrifices and incense.

Because that law was holiness itself in the church, therefore David brought the Ark into Zion. And it was later placed in the midst of the Temple in Jerusalem and constituted its inner sanctuary.

[3] Because of the Lord’s presence in that law and surrounding it, miracles were also occasioned by the Ark which contained that law. For example, the Jordan’s waters were parted, and as long as the Ark rested in the midst of it, the people crossed over on dry ground. Its being carried around caused the walls of Jericho to fall. Dagon, the Philistine god, fell down before it, and after that lay at the threshold of the shrine with its head broken off. Moreover, because of the Ark many thousands of the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh were struck. And other miracles as well.

All of these events occurred solely because of the Lord’s presence in His Ten Commandments, which are the precepts of the Decalogue.