Topical Encyclopedia
The Ark of the Covenant, a central and sacred object within the Tabernacle, served as a tangible symbol of God's presence and covenant with the people of Israel. Constructed according to divine instructions given to Moses on Mount Sinai, the Ark was made of acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold, both inside and out (
Exodus 25:10-11). It was housed in the Most Holy Place, the innermost chamber of the Tabernacle, and later in the Temple built by Solomon.
One of the significant items placed inside the Ark was the pot of manna. This pot served as a perpetual reminder of God's provision for the Israelites during their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. Manna, described as bread from heaven, was miraculously provided by God to sustain the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt. The Lord instructed Moses to preserve a portion of this manna as a testimony for future generations. In
Exodus 16:32-34 , it is recorded: "Moses said, 'This is what the LORD has commanded: 'Keep an omer of it for the generations to come, so that they may see the bread I gave you to eat in the wilderness when I brought you out of Egypt.'' So Moses told Aaron, 'Take a jar and fill it with an omer of manna. Then place it before the LORD to be preserved for the generations to come.' Just as the LORD commanded Moses, Aaron placed it in front of the Testimony to be preserved."
The pot of manna, along with Aaron's rod that budded and the stone tablets of the covenant, was kept inside the Ark as a testimony to God's faithfulness and miraculous provision.
Hebrews 9:4 references these contents: "It contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant."
The presence of the pot of manna within the Ark of the Covenant underscores the theme of divine sustenance and faithfulness. It served as a physical reminder to the Israelites of God's care and provision, reinforcing the covenant relationship between God and His people. The Ark, with its sacred contents, was not only a symbol of God's presence but also a testament to His ongoing provision and the fulfillment of His promises.
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Exodus 16:33,34And Moses said to Aaron, Take a pot, and put an omer full of manna therein, and lay it up before the LORD, to be kept for your generations.
Nave's Topical IndexHebrews 9:4
Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;
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Resources
What happened to the Ark of the Covenant? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the ark of the testimony? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was inside the ark of the covenant? | GotQuestions.orgArk: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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