“God’s Keeps His Promises” Exodus 40:1-33 Sunday School Lesson
Imagine a really special box, like a treasure chest, but instead of gold and jewels, it held things that were super important to God and his people a long, long time ago. That’s kind of like the Ark of the Covenant!
The Ark of the Covenant is a sacred chest described in the Hebrew Bible as containing the two stone tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments. It was a powerful symbol of God’s presence and covenant with the Israelites
Craft Ideas: God’s Covenant Promises
“God’s Covenant Promises” Bible Craft Ideas
Craft one: “Ark of the Covenant”
You will need:
- Construction paper or card stock
- Markers, stickers, or other decorating materials
- Small container or box
- Scissors
- Glue and/or tape
- Popsicle sticks
- Extra decorations as desired
Procedure:
- Wrap a small empty box (tic-tac box, tissues, gum, etc.) with paper.
- Add verses or captions and decorations to the paper.
- Cut out “angel” figures to adorn the sides of the “ark.”
- If desired, place a small piece of paper inside to represent the Ten Commandments.
- Use tape or glue to attach popsicle stick “carrying poles” to the sides of the “Ark.”
These were like the most important rules God gave to his people about how to live and treat each other. The Ark reminded the people of Israel that God had made a special promise to them, called a covenant. He promised to be their God and take care of them if they followed his rules.
When the Israelites moved from place to place, they carried the Ark with them, like a king being carried on a special chair. It was so important that only special people, called priests, were allowed to carry it.
Nobody knows for sure where the Ark is today. It disappeared a long time ago, and people have been wondering about it ever since!
So, the Ark of the Covenant was a really special chest that held important rules and reminded people of God’s promises. It was a symbol of God’s presence and his love for his people.
Bible Verse: Setting up the tabernacle Exodus 40:1-33
1 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
2 “On the first day of the first month you shall erect the tabernacle of the tent of meeting.
3 And you shall put in it the ark of the testimony, and you shall screen the ark with the veil.
4 And you shall bring in the table and arrange it, and you shall bring in the lampstand and set up its lamps.
5 And you shall put the golden altar for incense before the ark of the testimony, and set up the screen for the door of the tabernacle.
6 You shall set the altar of burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting,
7 and place the basin between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water in it.
8 And you shall set up the court all around, and hang up the screen for the gate of the court.
9 “Then you shall take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and all that is in it, and consecrate it and all its furniture, so that it may become holy.
10 You shall also anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and consecrate the altar, so that the altar may become most holy.
11 You shall also anoint the basin and its stand, and consecrate it.
12 Then you shall bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the tent of meeting and shall wash them with water
13 and put on Aaron the holy garments. And you shall anoint him and consecrate him, that he may serve me as priest.
14 You shall bring his sons also and put coats on them,
15 and anoint them, as you anointed their father, that they may serve me as priests. And their anointing shall admit them to a perpetual priesthood throughout their generations.”
16 This Moses did; according to all that the LORD commanded him, so he did.
17 In the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, the tabernacle was erected.
18 Moses erected the tabernacle. He laid its bases, and set up its frames, and put in its poles, and raised up its pillars.
19 And he spread the tent over the tabernacle and put the covering of the tent over it, as the LORD had commanded Moses.
20 He took the testimony and put it into the ark, and put the poles on the ark and set the mercy seat above on the ark.
21 And he brought the ark into the tabernacle and set up the veil of the screen, and screened the ark of the testimony, as the LORD had commanded Moses.
22 He put the table in the tent of meeting, on the north side of the tabernacle, outside the veil,
23 and arranged the bread on it before the LORD, as the LORD had commanded Moses.
24 He put the lampstand in the tent of meeting, opposite the table on the south side of the tabernacle,
25 and set up the lamps before the LORD, as the LORD had commanded Moses.
26 He put the golden altar in the tent of meeting before the veil,
27 and burned fragrant incense on it, as the LORD had commanded Moses.
28 He put in place the screen for the door of the tabernacle.
29 And he set the altar of burnt offering at the entrance of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting, and offered on it the burnt offering and the grain offering, as the LORD had commanded Moses.
30 He set the basin between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water in it for washing,
31 with which Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet.
32 When they went into the tent of meeting, and when they approached the altar, they washed, as the LORD commanded Moses.
33 And he erected the court around the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the screen of the gate of the court. So Moses finished the work.
Here are instructions on how to create a model of the Ark of the Covenant Exodus 40:1-33
Materials
- Card Board (rectangular shape preferred)
- Gold or yellow wrapping paper
- Craft glue or double-sided tape
- Scissors
- Craft sticks or wooden dowels (for carrying poles)
- Optional: Gold paint, markers, or embellishments
Steps:
- Prepare the Box:
- Measure and cut the cardboard box to the desired dimensions of the Ark. The Bible describes it as approximately 45 inches long, 27 inches wide, and 27 inches high.
- Cover the entire box with gold wrapping paper, ensuring smooth edges and corners.
- Create the Lid (Mercy Seat):
- Cut a rectangular piece of cardboard to fit snugly as a lid for the box.
- Cover the lid with gold wrapping paper.
- Optionally, create two golden cherubim figures out of paper or other materials and attach them to the lid, facing each other.
- Add Carrying Poles:
- Cut four craft sticks or dowels to suitable lengths for carrying poles.
- Glue or tape two poles to each long side of the box, ensuring they are securely attached.
- You can wrap the poles in gold paper or paint them for a more authentic look.
- Embellish (Optional):
- Decorate the box with gold paint, markers, or other embellishments to enhance its visual appeal.
Additional Tips:
- Use thick cardboard for a sturdier structure.
- Employ a craft knife for precise cutting.
- Reinforce the box’s interior with additional cardboard for added strength.
- Consider using a gold-colored ribbon to tie around the box for a decorative touch.
- If you want to make the model more interactive, create a removable lid to reveal a compartment inside for storing symbolic items.
Printout for Building the Tabernacle and Ark of Covenant Templates
God promises to be with the people always. Even though He knew they would try to abandon Him and turn away from Him (and they certainly did), He remained faithful. Many years after Abraham, a man by the name of David came along. God made David the king and gave him many important victories. But He also made a promise to David. God told David that his line would continue, and that his throne would be “established forever.” This might have been a comfort to David, knowing that his sons would take over his royalty. But something much deeper is going on in this promise. God is assuring David that not only would the kingdom remain in his family name, but the king of kings would come from it!
When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, 15 but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’” 17 In accordance with all these words, and in accordance with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David. -2 Samuel 7:12-17
If time (and audience maturity) allows, you might want to examine one of the Gospel genealogies, such as the one given in the first chapter of Matthew. Show how from Abraham, through David, many kings and fathers later, Jesus was born. Jesus was the final fulfillment of God’s plan. Kings failed. People rebelled…but God’s Son would bring hope and salvation. Note that many times we hear Jesus called “Son of David.” David had a lasting legacy as king. To note that Jesus came from his lineage was significant, establishing His throne…which was a different kind of throne. Jesus created a new covenant with His life, death, and resurrection. He fulfilled the Law and established a covenant of grace and forgiveness, not just for Israel but for all people.
But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.
8 For he finds fault with them when he says:
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord,
when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel
and with the house of Judah,
9 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers
on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt.
For they did not continue in my covenant,
and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord.
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel
after those days, declares the Lord:
I will put my laws into their minds,
and write them on their hearts,
and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.
11 And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor
and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’
for they shall all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest.
12 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities,
and I will remember their sins no more.”
13 In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. -Hebrews 8:6-13
Ask: How did Jesus make a “New Covenant”?
Explain that Jesus was sent to Earth to heal, preach, teach, love, care, and show how much God loved His people. Most importantly, He came to die so that we might have eternal life. Jesus was God in human form, come to show how much God loves us. Jesus was the final fulfillment of all that God had promised before. Everything that had been foretold and hoped for came true in Christ. He is our reminder that God keeps His promises, and will be with us always!
Close with a prayer thanking God for keeping His promises and sending Jesus to fulfill His covenants. Ask for appreciation and understanding of the amazing stories of Scripture.