THE VARIOUS POSITIONS OF THE ARK
Exo. 30:6
Morning Meditation 6/9/2013
"And thou shalt put it before the vail that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with thee."
In considering the different positions in which we find the Ark, we might look at them as typical of some of the relationships Christ sustains toward His people. Let's look now at--
THE ARK AS THE GUIDE OF ISRAEL, OR CHRIST LEADING HIS PEOPLE
Numbers 10:33, "And they departed from the mount of the LORD three days' journey: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days' journey, to search out a resting place for them."
The Ark was Israel's guide. It would always go before them. The Ark was an infallible guide. It went on before "to search out a resting-place for them."
Christ, the Good Shepherd, goes before His sheep. He leads them in green pastures. He has sought and found a resting-place for His people, for "He maketh them to lie down" (Psa. 23). Christ, our Ark leads into rest before He leads into service. Next let's look at--
THE ARK IN THE MIDST OF ISRAEL, OR CHRIST UPHOLDING HIS PEOPLE
When the camp was pitched the Ark stood in the midst. All the strength of Israel lay in the Ark as the token of God's power. Just as the branches upheld by the vine, so were the twelve tribes upheld by the Ark. So the Church is upheld by Christ. He Himself is the candlestick; we as believers are the branches. "He walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks" (Rev. 2:1). God is the strength of His people..
Ephesians 1:19-21 reveals the power working in the Church, "And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:" Next let's look at--
THE ARK IN THE RIVER OF JORDAN, OR CHRIST THE SURETY OF HIS PEOPLE
Joshua 3:17, "And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan."
It must have been an amazing time for Israel to see this truth develop. The priests that bare the Ark stepped into Jordan, and as they did, the waters were parted just as they were at the Red Sea when God redeemed His people from Egyptian bondage..
We serve a God that is omnipotent, i.e., all powerful. God will use the power that is unlimited in nature to make His people sure. Let's notice next--
THE ARK AT THE WALLS OF JERICHO, OR CHRIST OVERCOMING FOR HIS PEOPLE
Joshua 6:20 says, "So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city."
Satan is the believers chief enemy. We cannot see him so he has this advantage. However, we can know when he is doing his dirty work. 1 Peter 5:8 warns, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:"
Jesus is the Overcomer for the believer. Jesus hung on the cross for us and in doing so He overcame Satan in our behalf. We are engaged in spiritual warfare with Satan and the victory is already ours. 1 Peter 5:9, "Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world." We can resist and we can by faith make His victory ours. Next let's look at--
THE ARK IN THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON, OR CHRIST RESTING WITH HIS PEOPLE
1 Kings 8:1, "Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto king Solomon in Jerusalem, that they might bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion."
The Ark had been with Israel from Egypt to the Land that God had promised them. Not only did it come into the land it came to rest in Solomon's Temple. Hebrews 4:1-2, "Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it."
May the Lord bless these words to our hearts.
In Christ
Bro. White
