Contemplative Bible Reading

Exodus 40:20-21 (New International Version)

²⁰ He took the Testimony and placed it in the ark, attached the poles to the ark and put the atonement cover over it. ²¹ Then he brought the ark into the tabernacle and hung the shielding curtain and shielded the ark of the Testimony, as the LORD commanded him.

Notice the simple language, He took the Testimony… We have no description of this testimony; we have no explanation of which testimony. It is simply, the Testimony, and the translators use a capital “T” in the word.

Everyone knows which testimony Moses is putting in the ark and in the tabernacle. It is the testimony of God.

The site dictionary.com defines testimony as “the statement or declaration of a witness under oath or affirmation, usually in court.” A latter definition given there is “The stone tablets inscribed with the Law of Moses.”

The people were not confused and they needed no further explanation. They knew that there were many testimonies from men, many stories men could tell as their truth for a situation. They also knew that the Lord had given them one testimony, one declaration of truth for them.

God, help me to be a testimony, a declaration of truth of the love and grace that you bring to each of us.