Ark of the Covenant Was the Mobile Vanguard of Jew

After its creation by Moses, the Ark was carried by the Israelites during their 40 years of wandering in the desert. The Ark was carried in the lead, preceding the people, and was the signal for their advance. Whenever the Israelites camped, the Ark was placed in the tent of meeting, inside the Tabernacle.

The Tabernacle (also known as the Tent of the Congregation or the Tent of Meeting), was the portable earthly dwelling of God (portal of Divine Grace) used by the Israelites from the Exodus until the conquest of Canaan.

God instructed Moses at Mount Sinai to construct and transport the tabernacle with the Israelites on their journey through the wilderness and their subsequent conquest of the Promised Land. After 440 years, Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem replaced it as the dwelling-place of God.

The Tabernacle was built around its core – the Holy of Holies (inner sanctuary, where God dwelled). Holy of Holies was defined by four pillars that held up the veil of the covering, under which the Ark of the Covenant was held above the floor.

An outer sanctuary (the “Holy Place”) contained a gold lamp-stand or candlestick. On the north side stood a table, on which lay the showbread. On the south side was the Menorah (seven-branched candelabrum) holding seven oil lamps to give light.

Since ancient times, Menorah has served as a symbol representing the Jewish people and Judaism in both the Land of Israel and the Diaspora. It eventually became the State of Israel’s official emblem after its founding in 1948.

On the west side of the Tabernacle, just before the veil, was the golden altar of incense. It was richly furnished with valuable materials taken from Egypt at God’s command. Tabernacle was built by the same team as the Ark – by Bezalel, Oholiab and a number of skilled artisans.

According to Book of Joshua, when the Israelites, led by Joshua toward the Promised Land, arrived at the banks of the River Jordan, the river grew dry as soon as the feet of the priests carrying the Ark touched its waters.

And remained so until the priests—with the Ark—left the river after the people had passed over. As memorials, twelve stones were taken from the Jordan at the place where the priests had stood.

Sounds like a fairy tale, sure… but miracles do happen. Especially when God wants them to happen.