God, the Covenant keeping One, is always at work in our midst. I have learned through my years of being discipled by Him, that nothing He does is pointless. It is so full of rich meaning and wisdom and truly reveals who He is. I can’t think of a better image that He uses throughout the Bible than His ark.

The ark has always been a beautiful picture of His covenant (promises). We first see this in His plan for Noah to build an ark in the midst of a wicked, sin filled world that was about to come under Gods divine judgement. God designs the plans for this righteous family to find shelter and protection from His judgement. An even more beautiful picture is Gods design in the plan of the ark to include only 1 door. This covenant God was making with Noah and His family still only gave them one door they could enter through to find Gods protection and mercy.

The next time an ark shows up in history is with another chosen group called the Israelites. God calls for the exact design of the ark of the covenant which will in turn house 3 important pieces that represent His presence. The manna, Aaron’s staff and the tablets. Each one of these items represent such a beautiful picture of the living God and who He is. The manna which represents His provision, the very bread of life we need. Aaron’s staff that had budded, showing that God chooses the head of His people, our leadership and finally the tablets which reflect Gods Word, His perfect law.

It would be centuries later before another ark came onto the scene, but in the most unexpected place. The ark of the covenant that has disappeared from the scene so long ago was now going to be found in none other than a tomb. The day that the disciples came to the tomb they didn’t find it empty. While they may have not found Jesus there they certainly did find something far more revealing. As they looked in what they saw were two angels. One seated at each end of the “mercy seat” where Jesus’ body would have been laid. For the first time they were getting a glimpse inside the ark of the covenant. There had laid the manna, the very bread of life and our perfect provision. There had laid Aaron’s budded staff, Gods chosen leader and the head of His chosen people. And there laid the tablets, the Word made flesh, the very fulfillment of the law. You see Gods ark was always meant to conquer our greatest enemy, death, Hell and the grave.

It’s no wonder, by the time we get to Revelation 11, after we see Gods judgement starting on the earth, that John looks up and behold he sees the ark of the covenant in heaven. (And the Temple was opened in Heaven, and the Ark of his covenant appeared in the Temple, and there were lightnings, thunders, voices, earthquakes and large hail.)

From the beginning of time until the end of time, we will look back on our journey through this wilderness called life and find, that if we have become His people, we have not been left alone, but we have always been journeying with His Ark!