Illustration above is from Easton’s Illustrated Dictionary
Electronic text and markup copyright 1995 by Epiphany Software.
The ark of God has several names in the Old Testament though they are all speaking of the same item. This arc was the most highly revered of everything that was a part of the first Tabernacle that Moses had constructed. The ark of God is also known as the ark of the covenant, the ark of the LORD, and the ark of the testimony.
The ark was crafted according to specific directions given to Moses by God. This first tabernacle was an elaborate tent that could be disassembled and carried with them as the Israelites moved across the desert as God led them to the promised land.
The instructions God gave to Moses for making the ark are recorded in Exodus 25:10-22. The ark was a chest made of acacia wood and overlaid inside and out with gold. It had rings on the sides through which two acacia poles were inserted, never to be removed. The purpose of these poles were for carrying the ark from place to place as the Israelites crossed the desert. On the cover of the ark were two cherubim, facing each other with their wings touching.
The ark contained sacred items such as the stone tablets with the Ten Commandments, scrolls of the Law, manna, and the rod of Aaron. It was always kept inside a tent until Solomon’s temple was built. When it was being moved, the ark was covered with the cloth pieces that were used to make the tabernacle, so the ark was never visible to anyone other than the priests who cared for it.
It was the ark of the covenant that led the way when the Israelites broke camp to travel across the desert. The ark was the first to cross the Jordan river when the Israelites finally entered the Promised Land.
The Israelites lost possession of the Ark when they tried to use it like a lucky charm to defeat the Philistines. The Philistines still won the battle and captured the Ark. (see 1 Samuel 4:1-11)
In 1 Chronicles 15 & 16 we read the account of King David successfully bringing the ark of God back to Jerusalem.
Copyright © 2008 by Janice Green
8 comments
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July 17, 2008 at 11:44 am
Mr. Vincent
hi please i will love to get a Bible from you
no 2 otiotio street off majorbowen road sapele delta state, nigeria.
hope to hear from u soo
July 19, 2008 at 1:23 am
Janice Green
Mr. Vincent,
I do not sell Bibles. You can always read the Bible online at http://www.biblegateway.com/.
March 8, 2009 at 10:05 am
MILTON SIATONTOLA
give me a detailed info about uzza’s death
March 8, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Janice Green
The account of Uzzah’s death is found in 2 Samuel 6:3-8. God had originally given specific directives on how the Ark was to be transported. David and his men had not followed these directions, and Uzzah’s attempt to steady the Ark led him to touch it, an act that was specifically forbidden.
The “take home” from this account is that we are not to be reckless with how we handle what is holy. At that point in time, the Ark of God was the most holy representation of God that the people had. It was normally kept in the “Holy of Holies,” behind a special curtain called a veil in the Tabernacle. It was tended to once a year by the high priest. This task was considered so sacred and dangerous that the priest had a rope tied to himself so the other priests outside the Holy of Holies could pull him out if something went wrong.
I trust this information is helpful.
April 15, 2009 at 9:07 am
Zormelo Jk
What does the Ark represent for us believers?
April 15, 2009 at 9:38 am
Janice Green
I am putting my thinking cap on for your question. It is certainly a good question, as we must consistently apply God’s word to our lives or it isn’t relevant at all.
The Ark of the Covenant marks a place in history in which man reverenced God’s willingness to communicate with us through the Ten Commandments. The Ark represents the holiness of God.
The Ark was kept behind the veil in the Tabernacle. The veil was ripped in two from the top to the bottom when Jesus died on the cross. This act made it plain that God has now made himself available to man every day everywhere. We don’t need another person (priest) to go to God on our behalf. But we will be wise to remember that God is holy and that we should reverence Him as such. That is what the Ark represents to me today.
September 5, 2009 at 6:33 am
bruce
Where is the ark this very time of age?
September 5, 2009 at 10:31 pm
Janice Green
As far as I know it is considered missing. Some claim to have found it. I am skeptical. I’m sure God knows where it is and He will reveal it if and when we need to know where it is.