Which piece of tabernacle furniture did God give instructions for first in Exodus 25?
The first piece of tabernacle furniture God gave instructions for in Exodus 25 was the Ark of the Covenant, specifically with its mercy seat. God began there, not with the brazen altar, because salvation must begin with God Himself. This furniture was associated with the high priest’s once-a-year approach.
Les explains that Exodus 25 turns to the tabernacle, and the first instruction God gives in verse 10 is for the piece of furniture “way back here,” the ark of the covenant and the mercy seat. This is significant because God does not begin with the brazen altar, where sacrifices were made, but with the ark. The brazen altar was where man approached God, but the ark and mercy seat were where the high priest came once a year and sprinkled. Les teaches that God begins here because when God deals with man in salvation, everything must begin with Himself. Man does not look for and find God; God must initiate.
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.