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The Ark of the Covenant in the Bible – Viral Believer
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The Ark of the Covenant in the Bible

Introduction

The Ark of the Covenant is one of the most fascinating and enigmatic objects in the Bible. It appears throughout the Old Testament as a symbol of God’s presence among his people and his covenant with them.

Despite its importance, however, the Ark is never mentioned in the New Testament, leaving many Christians to wonder about its significance and fate.

In this blog post, we will explore what the Bible has to say about the Ark of the Covenant. We will examine its construction, purpose, and symbolism in the Old Testament, and we will also consider its relevance to Christian theology.

Additionally, we will look at some of the theories about the fate of the Ark and the significance of its absence from the New Testament.

Whether you are a devout Christian, a biblical scholar, or simply someone with an interest in history and religion, the Ark of the Covenant is a topic that is sure to captivate your attention. So join us as we delve into the mysteries and meanings of this ancient and sacred artifact.

Ark of the Covenant

What is the Ark of the Covenant?

The Ark of the Covenant is a wooden box overlaid with gold that was constructed according to God’s instructions given to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 25:10-22). It measured two and a half cubits long, one and a half cubits wide, and one and a half cubits high.

The top of the Ark had a cover called the mercy seat, which was also made of pure gold. On each end of the mercy seat were two cherubim facing each other, with their wings outstretched to cover the mercy seat.

Inside the Ark were the tablets of the Ten Commandments, which God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai, as well as Aaron’s rod and a pot of manna (Hebrews 9:4).

The Ark was kept in the Holy of Holies, the innermost room of the Tabernacle and later the Temple, which was only entered once a year by the high priest on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:2).

The Significance of the Ark of the Covenant

The Ark of the Covenant was more than just a fancy box with some old relics inside. It represented God’s presence among his people and his covenant with them.

When the Israelites were camped in the wilderness, the Ark was carried before them as they marched to remind them that God was with them (Numbers 10:33-36). When they crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land, the Ark went before them and caused the waters to part (Joshua 3:13-17).

The Ark was also a symbol of God’s holiness and his righteousness. When Uzzah touched the Ark, he was struck dead because he had violated God’s commandment not to touch it (2 Samuel 6:6-7). The Ark was a reminder to the Israelites that God was holy and that they needed to approach him with reverence and fear.

The Purpose of the Ark of the Covenant

The Ark of the Covenant served several purposes for the Israelites. Firstly, it was a symbol of God’s presence among them. God’s presence was considered to be so powerful that it could not be contained by any one place, but the Ark was a tangible representation of that presence.

When the Israelites looked upon the Ark, they were reminded that God was with them and that they were his chosen people.

Secondly, the Ark served as a reminder of God’s covenant with the Israelites. The Ten Commandments that were kept inside the Ark were a symbol of the covenant that God had made with them, and the Ark itself represented the covenantal relationship between God and his people.

Finally, the Ark was a symbol of God’s holiness and his righteousness. The Ark was so holy that only the high priest was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies, and then only once a year on the Day of Atonement. The Ark was a reminder that God was not like the pagan gods of other nations, but was holy and righteous.

The Ark of the Covenant in Worship

The Ark of the Covenant played a central role in Israelite worship. It was carried before the Israelites as they marched through the wilderness and into the Promised Land, and it was also present in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple.

The Ark was carried by the Levites, who were the priestly tribe of Israel. When the Israelites set up camp, the Ark was placed in the center of the camp and was surrounded by the other tribes.

During worship, the Ark was the focus of the people’s attention. When the Israelites offered sacrifices to God, they did so in front of the Ark. When they prayed, they faced the direction of the Ark.

The Ark was a tangible symbol of God’s presence among his people, and it was a reminder to them of the importance of their covenantal relationship with him.

The Ark of the Covenant and Jesus Christ

While the Ark of the Covenant is not explicitly mentioned in the New Testament, it is still an important part of Christian theology. In the book of Hebrews, the writer describes how the Old Testament sacrificial system was a shadow of the reality that was to come in Jesus Christ.

The writer also describes how the Ark of the Covenant was a type of Christ.

In Hebrews 9:11-12, the writer says,

“But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.”

The Ark of the Covenant was a symbol of God’s presence and his covenant with his people, but it was also a reminder of their sinfulness and the need for atonement.

Jesus Christ, as the perfect High Priest, entered into the Most Holy Place once for all, offering himself as the ultimate sacrifice for sin. Through his death and resurrection, he obtained eternal redemption for all who believe in him.

The Fate of the Ark of the Covenant

The last time the Ark of the Covenant is mentioned in the Bible is in 2 Chronicles 35:3, where it is recorded that King Josiah commanded the Levites to return it to the Temple in Jerusalem. After that, there is no further mention of the Ark in the Bible.

There are many theories about what happened to the Ark after that. Some believe that it was destroyed when the Babylonians sacked Jerusalem in 586 BC, while others think that it was taken to Ethiopia or hidden away in some secret location.

However, there is no concrete evidence to support any of these theories, and the fate of the Ark remains a mystery.

Conclusion

The Ark of the Covenant is a fascinating and mysterious object that played an important role in the worship and theology of the Israelites. It represented God’s presence among his people and his covenant with them, as well as his holiness and righteousness.

While the fate of the Ark is unknown, its significance and symbolism continue to be a subject of study and speculation for Christians and scholars alike.

As we reflect on the Ark of the Covenant, we are reminded of the importance of God’s presence in our lives and his covenant with us. We are called to approach him with reverence and fear, knowing that he is holy and righteous.

We are also reminded of the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for us, entering into the Most Holy Place and offering himself as the perfect sacrifice for sin. Through him, we have obtained eternal redemption and have the privilege of entering into God’s presence with confidence.

Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, knowing that we have been forgiven and redeemed through the blood of Jesus Christ.

Let us also strive to live holy and righteous lives, in honor of the God who has called us and saved us. And let us continue to study and reflect upon the significance of the Ark

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.