PerryDox – BeJustAChristian

Did you know that the Ark of the Covenant had three objects hidden within, hidden behind the veil? According to Hebrews 9:4, they were: “a gold jar containing the manna, Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant.”

Each had a purpose for the generation when placed into the Ark. The tablets were most likely two of the same thing, one a copy of the other, and not “part one” and “part two” as commonly pictured. Keeping them in the ark is akin to keeping important papers in a safe place. For Israel, the Law of God in the Ark, is a witness (Deut.31:24-26). The manna remains a constant reminder or witness (Ex.16:32-34) of blessing – apparently it never suffered decay (i.e., Acts 2:27). Aaron’s budded staff stays as a sign of God’s choice (Num.17:10) for authority. I wonder if this dead stick continued to show this renewed life.

“Like the tabernacle as a whole, the ark was a miniature cosmos. Its feet were planted on the ground, and the hollow coffer of the ark contained God’s gifts to humanity – Torah, manna, and Aaron’s staff; wisdom, life, and authority.” (Peter Leithart, The Epistles of John, From Behind the Veil, p.59).

Each of these gifts represent Jesus, yet I would expand it somewhat. The Torah and Tablets are more than just divine wisdom, they are God’s Law and authority. And while Aaron had a position of authority in being God’s choice, it is the special authority that allows man to approach God through the High Priest.

Each also had a purpose for a future generation where they become signs and witnesses of something greater and grander. Jesus, who “tabernacled” among us (Jn.1:14) and is our mercy seat (1 John 2:2; 4:10 – propitiation is literally “mercy seat”) is also the ark removed from behind the veil, no longer hidden. Jesus is manna, the Bread of life (Jn.6:32-33,35,48,51) whose body did not suffer decay (Acts 2:27). Jesus is Torah, the Word of God (Jn 1:1; 6:43,53,68). And Jesus is the ultimate and final authority of God, the Son of God, chosen as our High Priest (Jn.6:29,37,40,54,69) through whose resurrection we obtain renewed life.

Did you know Jesus was in the Ark? The wonders of the Word keep amazing me.

Tags: Finding Jesus, Type-Antitype

This entry was posted by PHall on Thursday, October 13th, 2011 at 10:42 am and is filed under Hebrews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.