The Contents of the ARK

Hebrews 9:1-7

Inside the ARK were three things that symbolized both the problem God had with the Israelites and the promise of God to believers. There was a jar of manna. This was the food that God supernaturally provided for the Israelites during their 40 years in the wilderness. This was the same food that the Israelites complained about—so it symbolized their ungrateful rejection of God’s provision. The manna was God providing for His people just as God promises to provide our every need as believers. There was also Aaron’s walking stick. This stick represented God’s leadership through Moses and Aaron. Over and over again the Israelites rebelled against their leadership—so that God had to vindicate that Moses and Aaron were his chosen leaders by supernaturally causing his staff to bud. So this staff symbolized their rebellion against God’s leadership. The budding staff is a reminder that God has promised us the Resurrection. Even when things seem hopeless and dead God brings forth life. His Lordship in our life brings life to the most impossible situations. Finally, there were the 10 Commandment's—the two stone tablets that summarized God’s law. Even as Moses brought these tablets down from Mt. Sinai, the Israelites were having an idolatrous orgy. Moses furiously threw them down and smashed them—so God made another copy and told him to put them in the ark. They symbolized their disobedience to God’s law. This is not a pretty picture—and God has the same problems with us! What do we find in the meeting room with God? A record of why we deserve to be condemned by him! The Tablets remind us of Gods eternal covenant with His people. He will never leave us or forsake us. He is a God of grace and forgiveness.