Today, points are shared on the Ark of the Testimony, Noah’s Ark, and idols. The Ark provided to Israel was a sacred object that, like the full tabernacle, was fashioned after the pattern of things in heaven. Even before the death of King Saul, David was forced to depend upon prophets, seers, visions and his own prayer life for guidance from GOD. Saul killed Ahimelech and decimated the priesthood when he thought David was being concealed and supported in Nob. At Ziklag, David had an ephod and the sword of Goliath, yet, not the full regalia of the High Priest. David was especially distressed following such incidents as the death of Absalom, the death of Uriah the Hittite, and the death of his and Bathsheba’s infant son. David became determined to erect a permanent place (temple) for both the High Priest and the Ark further hoping he could be made completely reconciled with GOD. A writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Catherine Tanya Geer” (Level 1 with 114 points, a member since November 14, 2014) posted the following:
The ark of the covenant ensured winning of wars, what was in the ark ofn the covenant?
Also, did it grant ones desires as well
THE GOLDEN ARROW: And thou shalt put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, that the ark may be borne with them. The staves shall be in the rings of the ark: they shall not be taken from it. And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee. And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof. And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat. And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof. And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be. And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee. And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel. (Exodus 25: 14-22, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Not Images Used in Worship? (09/14/2014); Death is a Divine Tool (09/15/2014); The Place of GOD? (06/01/2013); Putting GOD First? (06/02/2013); A Second Adam? (03/25/2013); GOD Hiding in Plain Sight (03/26/2013); The Golden Age? (01/10/2013); Translation, Please… (01/11/2013)
“Catherine Tanya Geer”, the way you posed your question demonstrated the error that appeared among many in Israel, and led to the Ark of the Covenant being permanently removed from the Tabernacle at Shiloh. Consider the following points:
(1.) An idol, graven image, or molten image (from rocks melted to extract metal) is any man-made object or thing adorned, chosen and worshiped as containing life and divinity. The object does not see, hear, smell, talk or walk, yet is believed to have power to bestow benefits, and to respond to petitions and prayers.
(2.) In the holy writings, the ark of Noah is not the same as the Ark of Covenant, yet, both function as a storage chest used to preserve and protect special gifts and memorials from divinity (we might say, sacred relics and souvenirs). Noah’s ark was not a boat that one could steer or use for commerce and travel upon the sea. It was to contain the law of GOD incarnate (within flesh) through Noah and his family along with the other living creatures that were to survive the flood.
(3.) The Ark of Covenant is also called “the ark of the testimony.” A “testimony” is a statement made under oath during judgment (we say, a sworn statement; the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth), and therefore has equal weight as lawful evidence with such other material as eyewitness accounts, expert witness (by authoritative professionals who are doctors, scholars, etc.) ballistic evidence, fabrics or finger prints. Here, the testimony is in witness to the revelation of Jehovah to Israel; and false statements register as blasphemy against all divinity.
There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and properly apprehended. For example, (4.) The Ark was only to be moved using poles, and no human hand was to touch it. Above the ark of the testimony was a platform (we would say, seat or throne). The active presence of GOD was believed to rest upon this throne (called the Mercy Seat) that was located within a special compartment of the tabernacle called the Holiest of Holies (also called, the Sanctuary). When Israel was threatened with destruction by the Philistines, and GOD would not respond to the pleadings and prayers of King Saul, on the night before battle, the monarch became desperate to the point of asking a witch to call up the spirit of the dead prophet, Samuel who had always been his guide. The ark was carried out to the battlefield to foster the confidence of Israel’s fighters. However, this forced the Philistines to fight as those who were frantic, hopeless, and had nothing to lose.
(5.) The Ark was captured by the Philistines, and Saul and his son, the friend of David, were both slain. After enduring diseases sent from GOD, the Philistines returned the Ark to Israel with an offering to Jehovah. When the people rushed to look into the Ark, thousands were killed, before the Ark could be returned to the tabernacle. For a long time the Ark remained outside the tabernacle on the land of a local farmer (we say, in his barn or threshing floor). When David saw the man’s family and farm were blessed he sought to bring the Ark to himself at Jerusalem. However, a worker sought to steady the Ark by reaching out with his hands, and was slain by Jehovah. David was awe struck. Again the Ark was separated from the tabernacle and from Jerusalem, where David intended it should rest within a new temple. The entire system for communion, exchange and specific guidance from GOD was suspended while the Ark was away including the lot, Urim, Thumim, and the regalia of the High Priest. Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith and spiritual maturity.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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