1 Chronicles 14-16
The Ark
In this study we read that David wants to move the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. When Israel came into the Promised Land the Tabernacle was set up in Shiloh. The Tabernacle represented and illustrated the people meeting with God. In the tabernacle were two rooms. The first one was the Holy Place where the Priest would set up the twelve loaves of bread which represented the Word of God given to the twelve tribes. The lamp was also set up there which represented the illumination of the Word and the Altar of Incense which represents prayer to God. The loaves had to be refreshed, the lamps had to have the wicks trimmed, and the oil replaced, as would the incense. This is a visual illustration of how we are to relate to God on a continual basis.
Next to the Holy Place was the Most Holy Place. These rooms were separated by a curtain and no one was allowed into the Most Holy Place except once a year the High Priest would go in to atone for the sins of the people. The Most Holy Place was where the Ark was to be. The Ark was a wooden box lined inside and out with Gold. Wood is a symbol of humanity. Gold is a symbol of Deity. These together represent the Trinity of God; God the Father, Jesus the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Within the Ark was the stone tablets of the Law given to Moses, Aaron’s staff that budded and bore fruit overnight, and a jar of manna. The Ark’s cover was called the Mercy Seat.
The Ark represents God to man. The curtain represents the separation of God and man. God is in heaven and man is on earth, however, God has given man His Law, His Spirit, and His provision. Man cannot see God but man can pray to God. The Altar of Incense represents prayer. The aroma of the prayer can get past the separation represented by the curtain and reach the throne of God.The MercySeat represents God's nature.
So, this is God’s plan and order. Now let’s see what happens when man decides to do things his way.
When the people took the Promised Land they set up the Tabernacle at Shiloh which was a central location in Israel. After Joshua died the nation entered into the period of the Judges. This was a difficult period as the people did what they throught was right in their own eyes. This resulted in a repeating cycle of suffering the consequences of not following God that led to the nation being controlled by other nations. The people would cry out and God would raise up a judge to deliver them but when the judge died the cycle repeated. In 1 Samuel Israel found themselves at war with the Philistines. Israel was at a low point and so was the Priesthood. Someone got the idea of taking the Ark into battle. The other nations took the idols they worshiped so why not take the Ark? So that is what they did. The Ark was captured by the Philistines and the priests were killed. Shiloh was also attacked and destroyed and presumably, so was the tabernacle.
Wherever the Philistines took the Ark a plague broke out and they decided to return the Ark. When the Ark was returned they could not take it back to Shiloh so they took it to Kiriath-jearim where it remained throughout the remainder of the period of the Judges and the reign of King Saul. Whether or not the tabernacle was destroyed, repaired, or a new one made, really doesn’t matter. What does matter is that the tabernacle was set up on a high place in Gibeon after Shiloh was destroyed. What is important to understand is that this is symbolic of the times. Like the Tabernacle without the Ark, Israel was a people of God who were without God. God is to be at the center of His people. They called themselves Israel but in reality they lost touch with God and were going their own way. The result was that they wanted a King like the other nations. Ultimately that king was killed in battle because he sought counsel of a medium rather than God who had revealed Himself to Saul many times. 1 Chronicles 10:13-14.
Now that David is King and he realizes that the one housing the Ark is being blessed he wants to move it to Jerusalem to seek God. So, like the Philistines, he put the Ark on a new cart to be brought to Jerusalem. On the trip the oxen stumble and Uzza attempts to steady the Ark. He is killed by God. Afraid and perhaps angry, David then abandons the plan. The Ark is taken to the house of Obed-Edom and soon he is being blessed. After several months David decides to bring the Ark to Jerusalem. This time he has done his research in the Law and found that God had appointed the Levites to transport the Ark. David is learning that with God doing right things are important but so is doing them in the right way.
It is clear that the nation has lost much knowledge regarding their relationship with God. It is going to be a long road back but once the nation starts going in the right direction God is patient. Things are not set as God would have them yet. The Ark resides under a tent that David set up in Jerusalem while the Tabernacle is still set up in Gibeon, but things are going in the right direction.
There are a lot of things we can learn from this summary on the Ark and the Tabernacle. The first and most important is that God wants to be at the center of our lives, and God has specific ways He wants that to happen. We need to relate to God through the Word and prayer, and the Holy Spirit. To try to relate to God the way the world relates to their gods or idols is to follow the path that leads to destruction and harm. So is trusting in ourselves and trying to direct God. Once we realize we are going the wrong way and turn back toward God we are on the right path. We may not know much about how to relate to God yet, but if we are growing in our faith and knowledge of God He will honor our effort. The important thing is that we seek Him, listen to Him, and obey Him.
Make sure God is at the center of your life.
Pastor Dave