The ark of the Covenant was a small box, approximately 42 inches by 27 inches by 27 inches. It was made of wood and overlaid with pure gold. It had a sculpture of 2 cherubim on its removable lid, and between and under the shadow of their wings was the mercy seat. This was the place where God would meet with the representative of Israel to the accept the blood of the substitutionary sacrifice. This object was the beating heart of Hebrew worship. It was the mark of their relationship with God. They were His covenant people and He gave to them His law as a sign of that covenant, as the boundaries which they could never cross. The ark contained that law, the jar of manna, (a reminder of the faithfulness and power of their God); and the rod of Aaron which budded, giving testimony to the fact that God alone was the one who chose who is included in this binding agreement.