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GOD BESIDE US
From the beginning, walking in the garden of Eden with Adam and Eve, God wanted to live among His people.
But we know the story: our sin and His holiness created a gap in our relationship (Genesis 3:8).
It was temporarily patched during the time of Moses by God’s bold move to allow His presence to travel alongside His people through a special box, the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:8-22).
[Side note for us word geeks . . . “Ark” doesn’t mean boat, but rather container.
→ The “ark” of the Covenant is the Hebrew word aron, meaning chest or coffer (yes, also used for “coffin”) for holding something valuable.
→ Baby Moses was placed into an “ark” of bulrushes in the river, a different Hebrew word tebah, meaning box.
→ Noah’s “ark” is also the Hebrew word tebah, meaning box.
→ Jews today place the Torahs in their synagogues in a “holy ark” (Aaron Kodesh), a special box made to preserve its contents, facing toward Israel.Interestingly, all these “arks” are containers that protect things. They are places of refuge.]
But what the Israelites couldn’t have known then (we can barely grasp it now), is that the symbolism of the Ark of the Covenant would one day become our reality—God living inside of us.
GOD IN A BOX?
It seems strange to us now. God in a box? The Ark was a small chest made of acacia wood, covered in purest gold. Around 4 feet tall and around 2½ feet wide, it was kept in the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle, and later in Solomon’s temple.
Its lid—called the mercy seat—was a heavy gold plate with two gold cherubim on top, facing each other, wings spread out.
God would appear in a cloud between the wings of the cherubim (Exodus 25:22).
WHAT WAS IN THE ARK…THEN AND NOW?
Three important items were inside the Ark. Can we uncover the foreshadowing of Jesus in them? And discover the living reality of them now in us? [Print this list of scriptures to study for yourself in more detail.]
1. Words
- Then . . . enclosed in the ark were the two tablets of stone, the Ten Commandments. They symbolized God’s covenant with His people.
- Now . . . Jesus (the Word became flesh) lives in us, the temple of the Holy Spirit.
2. Manna
- Then . . . the Ark contained a gold jar of unspoiled manna to remind the Hebrews that God provided for them during their wilderness wanderings.
- Now . . . we have the living Bread inside of us, again reminding us that God continues to meet our daily needs, today and forever.
3. Aaron’s rod
- Then . . . Aaron’s walking stick with its miraculous buds was kept in the Ark to symbolize God’s power.
- Now . . . God’s very Spirit lives on in His priesthood of believers, each one of us together who declare His praises, shining light in dark places.
WHERE DOES JESUS LIVE NOW?
No one knows for sure what happened to the physical Ark of the Covenant (despite the famous movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark). When the Babylonians plundered Solomon’s great temple in Jerusalem in 597 BC, many presume Nebuchadnezzar’s men stole the Ark. It’s presumably never been seen again, although theories continue to abound about its location.
So where is the true home of the Lord’s presence?
We know where He lives now—in His followers. Can there be any greater honor than to house the Lord’s presence in us, having Him go wherever we go, always bringing His presence to others when we show up?
May we never take this gift lightly, this privilege of being a living treasure chest of the Lord Jesus Christ.
And may we be extra mindful this Christmas to carry Jesus in us with love, joy, and peace.
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20
Please print, study and pray through these fascinating stories of the Ark of the Covenant—then and now—and give thanks for the present of His presence in us.
How often are you aware that you carry the Lord’s presence everywhere you go? How can you be more mindful of it? Please share in the comments.
Lisa, this is beautiful Bible study today. I never really drew that parallel between the Ark and God in us. Thank you so much for this. I’m especially encouraged this morning by that then and now comparison you make. We carry him around in us! Blessings on your holiday season.
Thanks, Betsy. It is quite the miracle when we sit back and notice–He lives IN us! How can that even be? All grace. Have a blessed day!
Lisa, you have dug and unwrapped so beautifully the ark and the meaning for me. This is just wonderful. (I love words to be unraveled, as you know.)
“May we never take this gift lightly, this privilege of being a living treasure chest of the Lord Jesus Christ.” I will be pondering this line and this thought.
Thanks for stopping by Being Woven today.
May your Christmas be filled with the preciousness of Christ, ~ linda
Yes, I’m glad we are both fellow word-lovers and lovers of The Word. So much beautiful imagery in the Old Testament when we dig for it! Thanks for stopping by, Linda. Blessings on your Christmas season as well!
Lisa, I so enjoyed this study of the word. I love your wording of ‘God in a box’ verses now the treasure resides in us – a truth it’s hard to unwrap in any season. Thanks for the rich study!
Glad you enjoyed looking at this too, Sandra. It intrigues me as well as comforts me. :) God is so good to us!
What an interesting way to look at this. Love when I hear things in a context that I’ve never considered them before. :) Great post, Lisa. ((Hug))
That’s one of the things I love about community—we get to run our ideas by each other. I love hearing others’ perspectives about things I’ve not thought about too. Thanks for stopping by!
Great study! I guess this was the first time “God in a box” happened, but I’m pretty sure people try to keep Him there!
It is so amazing to me that God would want to dwell inside us!
Exactly, Jerralea. I’m not sure why we sometimes insist on having a God that we can just carry around at our convenience, taking in and out of the box at our whim. But I’m glad that God won’t cooperate with that plan, and instead of staying in there, stays in us. It is amazing to me too!
Lisa,
Thank you for taking the time to break down all the different parts for us so we can appreciate how God has worked and is working today. It really is amazing how God dwells in us and for His Spirit. Many blessings to you :-)
Thanks, Dolly. It’s really too much for me to fully grasp, so I tend to want it spelled out through metaphors and images. Father, Son, Spirit—just too big for us to understand, yet willing to live in us. Quite the spectacular blessing we’ve come into!
I must be a geek – I love word history – and I never knew what was in the Ark of the Covenant besides the 10 Commandments! I am so glad He lives in us now – and that we can meet with him anywhere! I so enjoyed this on many levels! Shalom, Lisa!
~Maryleigh
I’m glad this speaks to you, too, Maryleigh. I had studied this a few years back for a lesson I was preparing, and it stuck with me as important for my faith. Glad to have the opportunity to share it here with y’all! Shalom to you too, friend.
I have to confess that I always found the God In A Box image faintly hilarious.
Seriously, I’ve never had the ‘personal relationship’ with Christ, much less felt Him living in me…and for that I now count myself lucky, because as my physical condition deteriorates – today was and is grotesquely painful – I think I might start to feel somewhat abandoned.
As it is, the external and somewhat austere Lord in whom logic and study has led me to believe is, indeed, my Rock. There’s no room for sentimentality; I have a job dictated by circumstance, and while Love is there, it doesn’t prevent some fairly robust demands upon my strength and determination. This I can understand, and this is something with which I can live and necessarily, die.
I appreciate your honesty, Andrew. I’ve often wondered if Jesus gave so many analogies so that we could find the one that we relate to the most. The Rock might not be my top one, but it works great for you, so God knew. Knowing that “Love is there” is the ultimate, and I’m glad you’re able to still do that, despite all your pain. You’ve been quite the good soldier. Praying for more comfort today for you so the battle isn’t quite so strong. You are loved.
Lisa, this –>’being a living treasure chest of the Lord Jesus Christ.’
Wow. You’ve given me a lovely gift to take away this morning. Thank you for unfolding His Word for us, friend. You’ve enriched my day by taking me to Him …
You are indeed one of the jewels in the treasure chest, Linda! Thanks for your consistent encouragement and focus on Him. It’s sure evidence that He lives in you.
Awesome Bible Study! Love it. Studying the OT and NT together is so amazing. God really is REAL! Thanks for the printable’s.
I love studying both the OT and NT together too. Although it’s not always easy for me! ha. The NT seems so much more accessible, BUT the OT still has so many lessons to teach me about God and his great love for us. Thanks for stopping in, TC!
Wow, thank you so much, Lisa! You have laid out this powerful truth so simply and clearly. I can’t wait to show it to my kids!
I’m glad this speaks to you too, Kelly. I love the imagery comparisons we can make with the Ark and our own lives. God is so good to travel with us and in us! How beautiful that you’re going to share this with your kids.