Joshua 3
Introduction
: Continuing with my thoughts about the Joshua Generation….
———————————————————–
https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/what-was-the-ark-of-the-covenant-its-meaning-and-significance.html
The Ark of the Covenant was one of the most instrumental symbols of faith and God’s presence. The contents of which included the tables of the Mosaic law, a pot of manna, and the rod of Aaron. The Ark’s origin stemmed from
Exodus 25:10
when Moses was commanded by God to “make an ark of acacia wood.”
The Ark of the Covenant Dimensions and Features
In
Exodus 25:10-22
, the specifics of the Ark were laid out. It needed to be two cubits and a half in length (
one cubit being about 19.8-20.6 in.
), a cubit and a half in breadth, and a cubit and a half in height. The Ark was overlaid inside and out with pure gold with a molding of gold around it.
For transportation, the Ark had four rings of gold with two rings on each side. A pole of acacia wood overlaid with gold was placed into the rings to carry the ark. These poles for transportation were to be permanent fixtures and never removed.
A Cover for the Ark of the Covenant: The Mercy Seat
The Ark required “
an atonement cover
,” called the Mercy Seat, to be built with pure gold and with the same dimensions in length and breadth as the Ark. There had to be one cherubim of gold on both ends of the mercy seat. It was important to have the cherubim have their wings spread and facing one another,
symbolizing
the angels’ attention and readiness to do God’s will.
The Mercy Seat was where God would dwell. He said, “There, above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the covenant law, I will meet with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites” (
Exodus 25:22
).
Unlike the statutes of gods idolized by many of the Israelites, the Ark of the Covenant served as a religious symbol where the people could meet with God. He hovered over the Ark when the priests were present. If the priests were absent, the presence of the law tablets reflected God’s presence. Thus, the Ark of the Covenant was aptly named because of the commandments written on the tablets.
Contents of the Ark of the Covenant
As God gave instructions on how to build the Ark, he also instructed Moses to put in the tablets of the
10 Commandments
(the law). We see later in
Numbers 17:10
, “The LORD said to Moses, ‘Put back Aaron’s staff in front of the ark of the covenant law, to be kept as a sign to the rebellious.’” And Moses and Aaron already had set aside a jar of manna in it, which the Lord commanded them to put “with the tablets of the covenant law, so that it might be preserved” (
Exodus 16:34
).
Hebrews 9:4
confirms theses three items were inside the Ark of the Covenant: “Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.”
Ark of the Covenant Symbolism and Meaning
The Ark and the Tablets
Unlike the statutes of gods idolized by many of the Israelites, the Ark of the Covenant served as a religious symbol where the people could meet with God. He hovered over the Ark when the priests were present. If the priests were absent, the presence of the law tablets reflected God’s presence. Thus, the Ark of the Covenant was aptly named because of the commandments written on the tablets.
The Manna and Aaron’s Rod
The presence of the jar of manna symbolized God’s constant provision for His people. Aaron’s rod which dead, yet grew buds was placed inside the ark to symbolize God’s approval as Aaron for High Priest.
The Veil
Most often, the Ark of the Covenant was inside the Tabernacle, behind a curtain or veil. This veil separated veil was made of blue, purple and scarlet yarns and hung on “four pillars of acacia overlaid with gold, with hooks of gold, on four bases of silver” (
Exodus 26:32
). It hung from clasps and served as a separation between of the “Holy Place from the Most Holy Place,” where the Ark of the Covenant and the Mercy Seat, symbolizing God’s presence, were (
Exodus 26:33-34
).
This veil is also significant in the New Testament. In
Mark 15:37-38
, we see at the moment Jesus died on the cross, “The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.”
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.”
Before, Israelites could not enter the Most Holy Place where the Ark of the Covenant, God’s presence, was. Now, all who believe in Christ Jesus can have confidence to draw near to God.
The Ark of the Covenant Outside the Tabernacle
For the Israelites, the Ark of the Covenant meant God’s presence. Throughout the Old Testament, we see stories of how God provided safety and success using the symbol of the Ark.
In the Book of Joshua, we learn of the safety the Ark provided the Israelites as they passed over the Jordan into the Promised Land. In
Joshua 3:6
, “Joshua said to the priests, ‘Take up the ark of the covenant and pass before the people.’” When the priests came to the Jordan, just as was commanded the waters were “completely cut off and the people passed over opposite Jericho” when the Ark neared.
In sixth chapter of Joshua, the Ark was instrumental in the Battle of Jericho. The Ark was taken around the city six times in six days and was preceded by seven priests who sounded seven trumpets made of rams’ horns (
Joshua 6:7
). On the seventh day, the ark with the armed men and priests did the same but the “people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat” (
Joshua 6:20
).
The Philistines captured the Ark when Israel summoned possession of the Ark following a brutal defeat. They felt the mere possession of the Ark would give them the favor of God. Israel suffered another defeat and lost the Ark to the Philistines who were not intimidated by the shouts and the supposed presence of “a god” into the camp (
1 Samuel 4:11
).
Was the Ark of the Covenant ever found?
Contrary to the Indiana Jones movies, the Ark was not relocated in 1936. The last recorded mention of the Ark of the Covenant’s location in the Bible was in
2 Chronicles 35
. King Josiah assigned the priests to their offices and “encouraged them in the service of the house of the Lord” (
2 Chronicles 35:2
). He then instructed the Levites to “put the holy ark in the house that Solomon the son of David, king of Israel, built. You need not carry it on your shoulders. Now serve the Lord your God and his people Israel” (
2 Chronicles 35:3
).
It is believed the Ark was destroyed during the destruction of Jerusalem at the hands of King Nebuchadnezzar.
We Need to Follow the Ark
(God’s Presence).
I.
We Follow for His Protection, Direction and Blessing
Joshua 3:3, ‘and they commanded the people, saying, “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, the Levites, bearing it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it. (NKJ)
Application
: We are not to lead it, it should lead us! Don’t get in front of it and don’t stay too far away!
Be right there…the right distance, the right relationship, the right direction.
Exodus 13:21 ‘And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night.’ (NKJ)
Most of us, even if we haven’t experience spending any time in a desert, know that a desert can get very hot during the day and then get really cold at night.
Application
: As God led his people, he provided a cloud, (a covering for the extreme / direct heat) by the day and then fire at night (to keep them warmer).
God always doing His part to help His people.
Application: The other though for our consideration is this:
We are never told (I don’t think) how often they moved. Was it daily, weekly, monthly, yearly? I’m not sure but I don’t know that the Bible specifically states.
Question: Why is that important? We don’t know how long this current Covid-19 season will last….but one thing I am confident about is that God will be with us through whatever may come and however long it may last.
II. Following is For His Glory
Joshua 3:9-10
Joshua 3:9
So Joshua said to the children of Israel, “Come here, and hear the words of the LORD your God.” And Joshua said, “By this you shall know that the living God
is
among you, and
that
He will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Hivites and the Perizzites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Jebusites: (Jos 3:10 NKJ)
II. Following Provides Miraculous Reversal
Joshua 3:16
that the waters which came down from upstream stood
still, and
rose in a heap very far away at Adam, the city that
is
beside Zaretan. So the waters that went down into the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, failed,
and
were cut off; and the people crossed over opposite Jericho. (Jos 3:16 NKJ)

Participation
Introduction: Week Two. Preparation. Question: Have you ever wondered what Mary / the Virgin Mary did in preparation for what the angel pronounced to her about being with a child? Luke 1:3, ‘You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus’. (NLT) I will get to Mary and that…

Anticipation
Introduction: Well, the Christmas season is here! When fall has given way to winter and snow covers the ground while lights twinkle from house to house, you know Christmas is coming. Decorated Christmas trees are everywhere you look. Presents a crowd for space under the tree and families come together for a turkey feast. Christmas…

Grateful For Missions
Introduction: Missions, Missionaries, The Great Commission, Missions Trips, Outreaches, etc. Missions Heroes William Carey William Carey is regarded as the “father of modern missions”. Trained as a shoemaker, William Carey became known as the ‘father of modern missions’ for his missionary work in India. The story goes that in 1787, he suggested that all Christians…

That All Might Hear
Introduction: Missions, Missionaries, The Great Commission, Missions Trips, Outreaches, etc. ‘A Christian missionary is someone who dedicates their life to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ and serving others in His name. It is a challenging and rewarding path, but one that can transform lives, both the missionary and those they serve. ‘Missionaries are individuals…

A Person
Matthew 1 Introduction: Week 3 – Biblical Israel – The Person. We have finally arrived at the story of Jesus, which will bring the entire biblical story to a climactic fulfillment. The arrival of Jesus will introduce a massive twist into the drama, but it’s one that we’ve seen coming. In fact, to track the…

Biblical Israel – A Promise
Introduction: Genesis 12:1-3 ‘Now the LORD had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will…

Biblical Israel
A People Introduction: Given all the news about the War in Israel, I decided it would be important to spend a few weeks sharing what the Bible has to say about Israel: The People, The Promise, The Person, and The Plan. It could very well be that not only do our children not have an…

Pleasing Faith
Hebrews 6 taken from – https://www.gotquestions.org/faith-vs-belief.html Introduction: On one hand, there is no difference between faith and belief. The two terms are often used interchangeably. On the other hand, in popular English usage, the word faith often has a deeper meaning. Application: Most people believe it is important to eat healthy foods and exercise regularly; however, most…

Keeping it Lit
Introduction: On last week on what we’ve been discussing about preaching the gospel because the last days are getting nearer and then judgment. Transition: Matthew 25 is a continuation of chapter 24 as Jesus continues to teach about being aware and prepared. I ended last week on Matthew 24:14 The rest of chapter 24 looks…