“They brought the ark of God and set it inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and they presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before God. After David had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord.”[1]
Reading through the chapter of 1 Chronicles 16, I became aware of the infinite detail King David applied to the location and care of the Ark of God. And rightly so, as the ark was God’s earthly ‘home.’ We might be left wondering why God needed an earthly home.
Of course, we all know that God did not ‘need’ an earthly home but ordered the ark built to the specifications God gave to Moses.
“The Israelites built the Ark of the Covenant as a sign of God’s promise. It was designed to be the centrepiece of Israel’s relationship with God, symbolizing His presence, power, and glory among His chosen people. The ark was also a symbol of the presence of God in the midst of His people, and was referred to as the “Mercy Seat”. Once a year, a priest would enter the holy tent and sprinkle blood from a sacrificed animal to atone for the sins of Israel.”[2]
“ … make an ark[b] of acacia wood—two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high.[c] 11 Overlay it with pure gold, both inside and out, and make a gold moulding around it. 12 Cast four gold rings for it and fasten them to its four feet, with two rings on one side and two rings on the other. 13 Then make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. 14 Insert the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry it. 15 The poles are to remain in the rings of this ark; they are not to be removed. 16 Then put in the ark the tablets of the covenant law, which I will give you.”[3]
The ark and, later, the temple provided the Israelites with physical evidence of God in their midst. To you and me today, the ark is a type of Jesus. While, the priest in David’s day sprinkled the blood of a spotless lamb on the ark. The blood of God’s blameless lamb, Jesus, was spilled on the cross at Calvary.
This comparison between Jesus and a spotless lamb is the perfect work of God, creating a wonderous situation for you and me. ‘How?’ you might ask. By accepting God’s perfect word, we receive the ark in ourselves. Therefore, we don’t need particular ceremonies or a temple to commune with and worship God. Secondly, no more spilling of blood for the forgiveness of our sinful state (otherwise interpreted as separation from our beloved God.) We don’t need the chief priest to perform a ceremony once a year on our behalf. The work is complete and will stand forever.[4]
“And by that will, we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”[5]
If we drift away from God, all we do is come back into our relationship with God, and we are free to enjoy fellowship once more.
Isn’t this amazing?
You bet your bottom dollar it is the most magnificent thing God has done for us! Above all that God has, is, and will do for us.
At this point, you may ask, “Does this mean that the Old Testament does not apply to us in our day and age?”
Here is what Job said:
“For I know that my Redeemer lives,
and at the last he will stand upon the earth.[a]
And after my skin has been thus destroyed,
yet in[b] my flesh I shall see God,
whom I shall see for myself,
and my eyes shall behold, and not another.
My heart faints within me!”[6]
Here is what Jesus said:
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”[7]
Numerous scriptures in the Old Testament point us to the new, as do Job’s words above.
Equally, many scriptures in the New Testament refer us to the old. But the words of Jesus are definitive. So, where does that leave us in our walk today?
The Gospels are filled with guidelines for how we live our lives today. But most important is that the ark within each of us is the most excellent guide of all:
“the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”
Love and Blessings
Peter James
[1] 1 Chronicles 16 NIV – Ministering Before the Ark – They – Bible Gateway [2] why was the ark of the covenant built – Search [3] Exodus 25 NIV – Offerings for the Tabernacle – The LORD – Bible Gateway [4] Hebrews 10:10 ESV – And by that will we have been – Bible Gateway [6] Job19:25-27 ESV – For I know that my Redeemer lives, and – Bible Gateway [7] Matthew 5:17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.