Sing to the one who rides across the ancient heavens, his mighty voice thundering from the sky. Tell everyone about God’s power. His majesty shines down on Israel; his strength is mighty in the heavens. God is awesome in his sanctuary. The God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God! Psalms 68:33-35 NLT
Psalm 68 is a response of celebration for the return of the ark of the covenant. The ark of God, carrying the memory items of miracles long ago: containing the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.
The ark of the covenant had a circuitous journey through the years. The Philistines were bold enough to capture the ark but suffered because of it for seven months! 1 Sam. 6:1. It then goes to the house of Abinadab, where it stays for 20 years. This all took place under the leadership of the judges, before Israel had a king. Then king Saul commands Ahijah to bring the ark to the war camp and it secures their victory. David is the next king to move the ark from Abinadab’s house, but in his exuberance, does not instruct those carrying the ark, that God prescribed a very specific way of transporting it. A man named Uzzah, quickly found out that the ark was a normal cargo load and paid for his mistake with his life! Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. The anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah, and God struck him down there because of his error, and he died there beside the ark of God. David was angry with God but he was also scared to death to mishandle the ark again. He had it taken to house of Obededom the Gittite, where it stayed for three months. In a complete over-the-top display of careful respect, David had the ark moved to Jerusalem. But he did it with a grand style and exuberant gestures! “When those who bore the ark of the LORD had gone six steps, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened animal – every SIX STEPS! That is extravagant and expensive. Then David danced before the LORD with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and with the sound of the horn.”
Psalm 68 captures the words and thoughts of David as he brings the ark to Jerusalem, its last known home before Nebuchadnezzar raided the temple, then later burned it to the ground. After that, the ark disappeared into history. It won’t be seen again until the end of all things where it is mentioned in Revelation 11:19!
Prayer
Dad,
So much mystery, so much drama and intrigue over the ark of the covenant. I read in Hebrews that these symbols and reminders are simply copies of the real thing store in heaven. That is so cool! There are so many powerful illustrations and object lessons in the Bible. I love it. What a paradox of life itself – some things are hidden to be discovered and some things are plain to be revealed for your purposes. All of it is to tell your story. Thank you for not just allowing us to participate in the human story of redemption, but specifically including us to have a purpose and a role. Amen.