Introduction
The Bible Verses About Church As God Intended It To Be”>Ark of the Covenant is one of the most fascinating and mysterious objects in the Bible. It was a sacred wooden box overlaid with pure gold that contained some of the most important items in Israel’s history, including the Ten Commandments, Aaron’s rod, and a jar of manna. The Ark of the Covenant was a tangible symbol of God’s presence with the Israelites, His covenant with them, and His provision and care for them.
In this blog post, we will explore the contents of the Ark of the Covenant and why it was such a significant object in Israel’s history. We will take a look at its construction, the items that were contained within it, and what these items symbolized for the Israelites. We will also examine the significance of the Ark of the Covenant for Christians and how its symbolism still resonates with us today.
The Ark of the Covenant serves as a powerful reminder of God’s presence, His covenant, and His provision and care for His people. As we delve into the contents of the Ark of the Covenant, we will gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between God and His chosen people. We will see how the Ark of the Covenant played a crucial role in the lives of the Israelites and how it continues to inspire and challenge us today. So let us explore the mysteries and wonders of the Ark of the Covenant and discover what lies inside this ancient artifact.
The Construction Of The Ark Of The Covenant
Before we dive into the contents of the Ark of the Covenant, let’s first take a look at its construction. The Ark was a wooden box made of acacia wood, which was a type of wood that was common in the Sinai Peninsula where the Israelites were traveling. The box was overlaid with pure gold, both inside and out, and it had a lid, which was also made of pure gold. This lid was called the Mercy Seat, and it was the place where God’s presence would manifest itself.
According to Exodus 25:10-16, God instructed Moses to build the Ark of the Covenant as follows:
“Make an ark of acacia wood; two and a half cubits shall be its length, a cubit and a half its width, and a cubit and a half its height. And you shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and out. You shall overlay it, and you shall make on it a molding of gold all around. You shall cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in its four corners; two rings shall be on one side, and two rings on the other side. And you shall make poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold. You shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, that the ark may be carried by them. The poles shall be in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it.”
The Contents Of The Ark Of The Covenant
So, what was inside the Ark of the Covenant? According to Exodus 25:16, God instructed Moses to put the tablets of the Testimony into the Ark:
“And you shall put into the ark the Testimony which I will give you.”
The Testimony referred to the Ten Commandments, which were written on two stone tablets. The tablets were placed inside the Ark of the Covenant as a symbol of the covenant between God and the Israelites. The Ark of the Covenant was also said to contain Aaron’s rod and a jar of manna. According to Hebrews 9:4, these items were placed in the Ark by Moses:
“Which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant.”
Aaron’s rod was a symbol of God’s authority, and it had miraculously budded as a sign that God had chosen Aaron and his descendants as the priests of Israel. The jar of manna was a reminder of God’s provision for the Israelites during their time in the wilderness. Together, these three items represented God’s covenant with Israel and His provision and care for them.
The Significance Of The Ark Of The Covenant
The Ark of the Covenant was a significant object in Israel’s history for several reasons. Firstly, it was the place where God’s presence would manifest itself. According to Exodus 25:22, God said to Moses:
“And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony, about everything which I command you concerning the children of Israel.”
This meant that when the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies, he was in the presence of God. It was a sacred and awe-inspiring experience, and only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement. The Ark of the Covenant was a tangible symbol of God’s presence with the Israelites, and it reminded them that they were a chosen people, set apart for God’s purposes.
Secondly, the Ark of the Covenant was a symbol of God’s covenant with Israel. The Ten Commandments contained in the Ark were a reminder of the covenant that God had made with the Israelites at Mount Sinai. This covenant established the Israelites as God’s chosen people and set out the terms of their relationship with God. The Ark of the Covenant was a tangible representation of this covenant, and it reminded the Israelites of their obligations to God and His promises to them.
Finally, the Ark of the Covenant was a symbol of God’s provision and care for the Israelites. The jar of manna in the Ark reminded the Israelites that God had provided for them during their time in the wilderness when they had no food. Aaron’s rod was a reminder that God had chosen the priesthood to represent Him before the people. Together, these items represented God’s provision and care for the Israelites, and they reminded them of God’s faithfulness.
The Fate Of The Ark Of The Covenant
Despite its significance, the Ark of the Covenant was not invincible. In fact, it was captured by the Philistines during the time of the judges. According to 1 Samuel 4, the Israelites were defeated in battle, and the Ark was taken by the Philistines. The Philistines brought the Ark to the temple of their god, Dagon, but Dagon was eventually toppled and destroyed. The Philistines were then afflicted with plagues and tumors, and they eventually returned the Ark to the Israelites.
Later, during the reign of King David, the Ark was brought to Jerusalem, where it was placed in a tent. David wanted to build a temple to house the Ark, but God forbade him from doing so. Instead, David made preparations for the temple and entrusted the task of building it to his son, Solomon. When Solomon built the temple, the Ark of the Covenant was placed in the Holy of Holies, where it remained until the Babylonian captivity.
The Significance Of The Ark Of The Covenant For Christians
As Christians, we do not have the Ark of the Covenant in our possession, but its significance still resonates with us. The Ark of the Covenant was a symbol of God’s presence, His covenant, and His provision and care for the Israelites. As Christians, we believe that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of these things. He is the ultimate manifestation of God’s presence with us, the ultimate fulfillment of God’s covenant, and the ultimate provision for our salvation.
In the New Testament, Jesus is referred to as the High Priest who enters into the Holy of Holies on our behalf. Hebrews 9:11-12 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.”
Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross made it possible for us to enter into God’s presence, and His blood has redeemed us and established a new covenant with us. We no longer need the physical symbol of the Ark of the Covenant because we have the ultimate fulfillment of its significance in Jesus Christ.
As Christians, we are called to remember and honor the covenant that God has made with us and to live in a way that honors Him. We are called to be a chosen people, set apart for God’s purposes, and to live in obedience to His Word. Just as the Israelites were reminded of God’s provision and care through the Ark of the Covenant, we too are called to remember God’s faithfulness and provision in our lives.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Ark of the Covenant was a fascinating and mysterious object in the Bible. It was a wooden box overlaid with pure gold that contained some of the most important items in Israel’s history, including the Ten Commandments, Aaron’s rod, and a jar of manna. The Ark was a tangible symbol of God’s presence with the Israelites, His covenant with them, and His provision and care for them. It was a sacred object that reminded the Israelites of their relationship with God and their obligations to Him.
The Ark of the Covenant served as a powerful reminder to the Israelites of their unique relationship with God, and it helped them to understand the significance of the covenant that God had made with them. As Christians, we are called to live in light of this covenant, and to remember God’s faithfulness and provision in our lives. While the Ark of the Covenant is no longer present today, its significance still resonates with Christians. May the symbolism of the Ark of the Covenant continue to inspire us to seek a deeper relationship with God and to live lives that reflect His love and grace.
If you are interested in learning more about the Ark of the Covenant, you can explore topics such as who made the Ark of the Covenant and who can touch the Ark of the Covenant on our website.
