You might think "ark" came up today because of all the rain we've been having, or the flooding, or the crazy weather patterns. Or you might think I have something to share about Noah's ark.
(Have you ever considered what a sad and horrific tale Noah's ark really is? Or how odd it is that we decorate nurseries and children's church rooms in Noah's ark themes?)
Actually, the ark I've been thinking about is the infamous Ark of the Covenant. 
Moses was directed to construct the first ark, a wooden box overlaid with gold and topped by a "mercy seat" and two cherubs. Within the ark Moses placed the Word of God, a sample of the manna that sustained the Israelites during their 40-year trek through the wilderness, and Aaron's rod - a stick which budded and blossomed to life supernaturally.
For the New Testament Christian, I believe the ark represents Jesus, our Savior and Lord. When Jesus was crucified, the veil (more literally a wall of fabric, some 8-12 inches thick) was torn in half from top to bottom ... declaring the time for God's covenant to become available to all who would believe, not just a few who were born into it.
Setting aside the melting faces from Raiders, consider the following:
- Jesus came in an physical, natural body... like a simple wood box.
- He brought the mercy of God to a lost and dying world. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
- He is our source of supply and provision, the One who meets our needs according to His riches in glory.
- He is incorruptible and unchanging, like the gold that covered the ark.
- To believe in Him is to receive everlasting, eternal life. You might feel like a dead stick, but God can give you a blooming, fragrant life.
- A host of angels accompany Him, commissioned to carry out His will. In other words, you've got HELP!
- God has sworn to be true to His word. His word is His will. What He has promised, He will perform.
The Israelites knew that as long as they had the ark, they had protection and power and safety and peace. When the ark went with them, they had victory over their enemies. When the ark was, for a time, lodged in the household of Obed-Edom, his household prospered.
And now we have a "new and better covenant" with greater promises than the Israelites had, our own personal "ark," Jesus.
I've been considering taking part in a meme for several months. But every time I come across one I like, it's almost over! Enter Patty Wysong (author of one of the first blogs I ever subscribed to) and the brand-spanking new a2z4u and me meme) I'm pleased to announce that my Wednesday posts for the foreseeable future will be part of this meme, beginning today with the letter "A." (I love A-Z things. They remind me of Sesame Street and alphabet books and Indian Chief tablets.) Are you a blogger? Want to blog but don't know where to start? Come and play!
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11 Comments
And you have a new follower too :) I had NEVER thought of Christ as our ark - but it's an incredibly cool and apt analogy. As a believer who was raised Jewish, this really grabbed be. Thanks for stopping by my blog from the meme. Patty's awesome.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful choice for the letter "A"! And a unique and fantastic look at the ark--you really blessed me!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog! I also want to say how beautiful your blog is--love it!
Now, I had never thought of the horribleness that must have been surrounding that ark as the waters rose. It is amazing we decorate with that event. And yet, it's so right as it's all about a new life, another chance.
ReplyDeleteNow following you. :)
Diana
www.pencildancer.com
@Joanne Sher Thanks & nice to meet ya!
ReplyDeleteThe correlation took me by surprise, too! And the deeper I dig, the more connections I can see between Christ and the Ark!
@Rita Garcia
ReplyDeleteHi Rita! Thank you for your kind words! So glad to get to meet new folks through this meme!
@Diana Lesire Brandmeyer Thank you, Diana! What fun this meme shall be!
ReplyDeleteThe oddness of the Noah's Ark & babies thing hit me in the hospital gift shop while my daughter was in labor last month. It reminded me of the history behind songs like ring-around-the-rosy and Grimm's original fairy tales!
OK, now I have the Indiana Jones theme song running through my head! Great post and very thought-provoking.
ReplyDelete-Barbara Lynn Culler-
PS Won't let me post with Google ID
So glad you're joining us, Niki!
ReplyDeleteIn my cover-to-cover read through of the Bible this year I sought out the symbolism of the different objects in the Tabernacle and LOVED it! There's so much there that we just skim over!
Thanks for taking the Ark apart piece by piece and exploring it! Loved it!!
Hugs!!
@Anonymous As long as you don't start cracking a whip around, it'll be okay, Barbara! : )
ReplyDeleteNot sure what's up with not being able to post with your Google ID. Blogger has been a bit weird all week. Thanks for letting me know! And for coming by to comment!
@Patty Wysong Thank YOU for putting this meme together, Patty! Just what I needed!
ReplyDeleteI was in the midst of my read-through-in-a-year schedule this year when the whole description of the ark of the covenant jumped out at me. It's kind of sad how we skim over so many of those details, not realizing God put them in there for a purpose!
Glad to be part of the A2Z crew, it's going to be fun!
Ugh--This isn't cooperating at all. I'm having the same problem as Barb with my google sign-in, and when I just tried couldn't even post as anonymous. I'll try it one more time and then contact you another way if this one doesn't go through. Your A subject is a great one and the post is informative and thought provoking. Thanks for sharing this! Shelley Ledfors
ReplyDelete