Westhill Episcopal 9 November 1996

Theme: Samuel - the Ark of the Lord

 

Bible Passage
1 Samuel 4 - 7

1.      Introduction
The Ark of the Covenant was made at Sinai by Bezalel with the assistance of Oholiab (Ex 31: 1-11; 37:1-9), under Moses’ instructions, following the pattern given him by God on Mt Sinai (Ex 25:10-22). It served primarily as a symbol of the Covenant between God and His people (Ex 6:7), that God would take them as His own people and that He would be their God. There were two aspects of this Covenant on God’s part - that He would redeem them and accept them, and that He, their God, would pitch His tent amongst them. The Ark spoke of God’s righteousness (the tablets of the Law were kept within it), God’s holiness (nobody was allowed to touch or even look at the Ark), God’s redeeming love (the blood of sacrifice was sprinkled on the mercy  seat) and God’s presence with His people (the glory of the Lord filled the holy of holies where the Ark was placed) (Ex 40:20,21,34,35). The Ark played a central role in significant events in the history of the Children of Israel, notably the crossing of the Jordan river and the defeat of Jericho. After the Israelites entered the promised land the Ark was kept initially at Gilgal (Jo 4:19). After this it was transferred to Bethel (Judges 20:26,27), and then to Shiloh (1 Sam 1:3).

The Ark was a box, about 4 ft long (2.5 cubits), 2.25 ft wide (1.5 cubits) and 2.25 ft high. It was made of acacia wood, overlaid with gold inside and out, and with gold moldings on it. It had four feet, to which were fastened gold rings. Two poles of acacia wood covered with gold were inserted through the rings in order to lift the ark for transportation. The poles were never removed. A solid gold cover, called the “mercy seat” was placed on top of the Ark. On this cover were mounted two cherubim, one at each end, manufactured from beaten gold. The cherubim faced each other, with wings uplifted to overshadow the mercy seat, and with faces turned down towards the mercy seat. God spoke to Moses from between the cherubim, above the mercy seat.

The Ark, along with the Tabernacle, served as a copy or shadow of heavenly realities (Heb 8:5;9:23,24). The Ark was a symbol of the covenant between God and His people. Through Christ a new covenant has been mediated (Heb 9:11-15) rendering the old covenant obsolete. The old symbols no longer have a place in the daily lives of God’s people; but the heavenly realities of which they spoke remain. In particular that God redeems and accepts His people through sacrifice, and that He pitches His tent in the midst of them. The Eucharist now speaks of these truths.

We might ask what happened to the Ark. The last historical record of it in the Bible is at the time of King Josiah’s reforms when the Levites were told to restore the Ark to the Temple, after years of absence during the idolatrous reigns of previous kings (2 Ch 35:3). After Josiah’s reign the ungodly kings Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim reigned briefly. It is thought that the Levites removed the Ark from the Temple at this time, because of the idolatry being practiced. Perhaps 20 or 30 years after Josiah’s reforms Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the temple and carried all the temple articles, large and small, to Babylon (2 Ch 36:7,18,19). No mention is made of the Ark, and there is no record of it arriving in Babylon. It is generally accepted that it was hidden, and that it’s hiding place is now unknown or is perhaps a secret known to only a few. Some say that a scattered remnant of Jewish exiles carried the Ark to Ethiopia, that subsequently they became Christians, and that to the present day it is guarded by their descendents in the remote highlands of Tigray. This may be but a fantasy, but it is a fact that people of Jewish descent have lived in Ethiopia since the time of the exile, and indeed Israeli forces airlifted a community of Ethiopian Jews to Israel not many years ago.

2.      Grand Delusion
1 Sam 4:3-5. Presumption of God’s power, in spite of godless living. Outward symbols are meaningless without inner sanctity.

3.      Glory Departed
1 Sam 4:11,21,22. Ichabod. A dreadful prospect for those who resist the word of God and the grace of God. The Lord warned the church at Ephesus about their lampstand being removed if they did not repent and return to their first love. God redeems and dwells amongst His people, and He requires of them repentance, faith and obedience. Note this well. God does not withdraw His presence because His people do not properly carry out certain rituals (although he does bless us through the sacraments). God does not withdraw His presence because His people are not charismatic enough (although He desires to pour out His grace in us and through us). God does not withdraw His presence because His people have the wrong vision (although all our endeavours in our own strength are but wood, hay and stubble). God does not withdraw His presence merely because His people make mistakes, misunderstand His will and fall into sin (although all of these things grieve Him). The people of God are most at risk of the glory departing when they forsake their love for Him. That love is demonstrated through repentance, faith and obedience. It is demonstrated through our love for one another.

4.      God’s Displeasure

1 Sam 5 - 6:12. The Philistines sent the Ark to Ashdod, Gath and Ekron. Each time plague broke out in the community. The Philistines agreed together to allow the Ark to return, to turn aside the calamities that had fallen upon them. Then seventy people of Beth Shemesh died because they looked into the Ark. Those who treated the Ark with disrespect and contempt suffered at God’s hand. God’s dwelling place is not to be despised. How seriously do we hold to Jesus’ new commandment? (Story of baboon and lion cub). Warning in 1 Cor 11:27-32.

5.      Great Deliverance

1 Sam 7:2-12. God makes the first move when the Ark returns to Israel. The people mourn and seek after the Lord. Samuel leads them in repentance, confession and sacrifice. The Lord hears and answers their prayer. The Lord himself defeats the Philistines. A symbol is erected, a standing stone, Ebenezer - the Stone of Help. God does not abandon His people. Even when we abandon Him He continues to seek us to woo us back.

“Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,

And yet in love He sought me,

And on His shoulder gently laid,

And home rejoicing brought me.”

Do you find yourself spiritually defeated time and again. Maybe you feel that God is far from you, that His presence has been withdrawn. Perhaps you are weighed down by the accusations of the evil one. Perhaps you are burdened by doubt, even on account of the accusations and activities of those who should be supporting and encouraging you. Or is it that you feel that your own disobedience and sin has placed you out of reach of God’s grace. I want you to think of that scene in Beth Shemesh, where the people were harvesting their corn. Spiritually at the lowest point. Disillusioned, defeated, and despairing. When they looked up, they saw the Ark drawn by two cows that had abandoned their own calves driven by the urgency of God’s desire to restore His relationship with His people. They rejoiced at the sight! So now, like them, see how greatly the Lord desires for you to belong to Him, to be with Him, to live for Him, and rejoice! Rejoice as you approach this table of communion and partake of these elements that speak so eloquently of His love for you. Rejoice that Ichabod can be turned into Ebenezer - instead of departed glory a stone of help. Respond now to His call to receive His forgiveness, grace and help in your life.