One of the items that resided in the
tabernacle constructed by the
Jews as they fled
Egypt. Instructions for it and the rest of the
tabernacle were given to Moses while at
Mt. Sinai.
The ark itself was constructed of acacia wood overlaid with gold
and built to specific dimensions. The ark was topped by two golden
cherubim and was carried by two poles, also made of acacia and
overlaid in gold.
The ark itself contained three items from Israel's history. They were:
- The pieces of the tablets from Mt. Sinai on which the Ten Commandments
were written
- The staff of the first high priest Aaron which budded to show that
he possessed God's favor
- A jar containing manna, the food that God provided as the nation
of Israel travelled to the Promised Land.
The ark of the covenant resided in the tabernacle in an area known as the
Holy of Holies. This area was separated from the rest of the tabernacle
by a thick curtain known as the veil. When the presence of God, known
as the shekinah glory came into the tabernacle, it rested over the
ark of the covenant. The book of Hebrews in the New Testament tells us
that the tabernacle is a shadow of Heaven, making the ark of the covenant
an earthly manifestation of the throne of God.
Very specific instructions were given the children of Israel concerning the
ark of the convenant. It was to always be carried with the two poles, by
priests. It was to never be placed on a cart or the like. Touching
the ark would bring death to the person touching the ark because it was
the picture of the holiness of God.
On the Day of Atonement, the high priest would cleanse himself and enter
the Holy of Holies to make atonement for the sins of the nation. This was
the one day during the year when someone could enter the Holy of Holies. If
the high priest entered into the Holy Place in an unclean manner, he would
immediately be struck dead by the presence of God. As no one else could enter
until the next year, this presented a problem for the priests, but one
that God had already taken care of. The high priest's robes were built
with bells lining the bottom so that they jingled when he moved. The priests
would tie a rope to the leg of the high priest and if a long period passed without
them hearing the jingle of the bells, they would haul the body out with the
rope.