Ark of the Covenant: Mystical Object or Historical Artifact?
The Ark of the Covenant means different things to different people. For some, the Ark is a mystical object that contains supernatural powers too terrifying to comprehend. For the pop-culture minded, it is the priceless treasure sought after by the fearless Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark. To others, it is an ancient artifact that is highly coveted for its “religious” significance, similar to the “holy grail.” With all the societal myths surrounding the Ark, it is worthwhile to take a moment to investigate its true origin and purpose. Is the Ark of the Covenant as powerful and terrifying as some have portrayed it to be? Is it merely something dreamt up by Hollywood to lure our movie-going dollars? Or could there be more to this ancient object that has relevance for us today?

Ark of the Covenant: The History Behind it
The Ark of the Covenant is first mentioned in the Bible in Exodus 25. Following Israel’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt, God instructs Moses to build a Tabernacle (or tent) in which the Israelites will worship God. Placed in a special area known as “the Holy of Holies,” the Ark of the Covenant was the most sacred object in the Tabernacle. Detailed instructions were given by God to construct the Ark. It was to be made with acacia wood and overlaid with gold. Dimensionally, the Ark was to be 2.5 cubits (1 cubit is approximately 18 in.) long and 1.5 cubits wide and high. Atop the Ark were two gold cherubs that stood with their wings covering an area of the Ark known as the “Mercy Seat.”

The Ark of the Covenant contained three items of extreme significance to the Israelites. The first was two stone tablets bearing the divine inscription of the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments formed the foundation of God’s covenant with Israel, commonly referred to as “The Law” (Exodus 31). The second item in the Ark was the rod of Aaron. God miraculously caused Aaron’s rod to bud with blossoms to show the rest of the tribes of Israel that it was God’s will for Aaron to be in charge of the Priesthood (Numbers 17). The last item was a golden pot of manna. Manna was the starchy food God miraculously provided for the Israelites during their 40 years of desert wanderings (Exodus 16).

The Ark of the Covenant was where God manifested His presence on earth. The Ark went ahead of the Israelites wherever they traveled. Not only was it the center of worship when it resided in the tabernacle, but the Ark also protected the Israelites in battle, supernaturally defeating any adversaries that came before them (Joshua 6:3-4). The Israelites also went to the Ark to seek God’s guidance and wisdom for the nation (Numbers 7:89, Exodus 25:22).

Ark of the Covenant: A Temporary Means of Forgiveness The Ark of the Covenant was more than just a special furnishing with supernatural powers — It was also the Israelites’ means of relating to God. The Ark of the Covenant could only be approached once a year by the high priest on “Yum Kippur”- the Jewish Day of Atonement. On this day, the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies with the blood of a sacrificed lamb. It was also only on this day that God’s presence manifested between the two Cherubs. The high priest would sprinkle the blood of the sacrificed lamb on the Mercy Seat. Once received by God, the blood of the lamb atoned (covered) for the sins of the high priest and the entire nation of Israel. This ritual was performed continuously, year after year. The Ark of the Covenant played a key role in the forgiveness of sins.

Ark of the Covenant: Foreshadowing the Coming Messiah At first glance, the blood sacrifices associated with the history of the Ark of the Covenant may seem somewhat disturbing. Slaughtering animals and offering their blood on an altar begs of the occult. It is important to note, however, that these sacrifices were not intended to appease the wrath of a bloodthirsty deity. God does not desire the blood and suffering of helpless lambs (Hebrews 10:8). The biblical text repeatedly shows that where there is sin, the unavoidable result is death. The sacrifice of the lamb points to the severity of sin. Sin must always be atoned (paid) for in order for God to be just (Hebrews 9:22). God’s compassion enabled the sins of Israel to be transferred upon the lamb. More importantly, these sacrifices were foreshadowing a greater sacrifice yet to take place — the sacrifice of the Jewish Messiah, Jesus Christ. God knew that these continual sacrifices would be insufficient to pay for the sins of Israel, much less the sins of all humanity. Therefore, God provided Jesus Christ as the ultimate sacrificial lamb, which became the greatest act of love in all history. A Roman cross became the ark on which Christ was sacrificed. The blood of Christ, once and for all, atoned for the wrongs of all who would accept Him as their Savior (John 3:16).

Ark of the Covenant: Replaced by God’s New Covenant The Ark of the Covenant disappeared from the Jewish Temple somewhere before or during the Babylonian invasion of Jerusalem in 586 BC. In anticipation of the Ark’s disappearance, the prophet Jeremiah wrote: “And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, saith the LORD, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the LORD: neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit it; neither shall that be done any more” (Jeremiah 3:16). Even before Jesus, Jeremiah’s prophecy revealed that there would be no more need for the Ark of the Covenant in the future. God had a better covenant He would bring to pass — the new covenant in His Son, Jesus Christ.

From: @grunggaad
Sent: Mar 19, 2011 1:27p

@schulbz Lick sucks or left sucks wadever him name have song or a him thong dem him talk…..?

sent via Twitter for BlackBerry® in reply to @schulbz
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/grunggaad/status/49160028153847809
12:53 PM
From: @grunggaad
Sent: Mar 19, 2011 1:41p

Somebody tell let’s suck or lex suck fi tek him tongue go sing song bout me n ele tell ppl nuh play him song which song him have?

sent via Twitter for BlackBerry®
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/grunggaad/status/49163552887541760

From: @grunggaad
Sent: Mar 19, 2011 1:50p

Pussy mouth lex suck kno yu self mi bury yu career yu waah mi bury yu tongue now that’s all left out of yu career yu tongue infection mouth

sent via Twitter for BlackBerry®
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/grunggaad/status/49165951484182529

From: @grunggaad
Sent: Mar 19, 2011 1:59p

Bout Killer n Ele telling ppl nuh play yu song when pussy juice rotten out yu throat u nuh sound good again dadda sound better

sent via Twitter for BlackBerry®
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/grunggaad/status/49168041161916416
From: @mrlexx
Sent: Mar 19, 2011 12:02p

as long as bounty killer an elephant ina music it ago currupt cah a dem a di poison ina it #yeaisaidit

sent via TweetDeck
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/mrlexx/status/49138697165225984

From: @mrlexx
Sent: Mar 19, 2011 12:04p

an couple more mi soon name di rest…. dem pussy deh nuh frighten me nuh day… not even fi a minute

sent via TweetDeck
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/mrlexx/status/49139094005096448

me: two big gyal di two a dem

From: @mrlexx
Sent: Mar 19, 2011 12:12p

badness me a deal wid suck unuh mumma

sent via TweetDeck
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/mrlexx/status/49141220127150080
12:57 PM
From: @mrlexx
Sent: Mar 19, 2011 12:18p

PUSSY DEM A TELL DI DJ DONT PLAY MI SONG DEM…… NUH TINK DEM NAH TELL ME BACK… BATTY BWOY

sent via TweetDeck
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/mrlexx/status/49142621435736064

From: @mrlexx
Sent: Mar 19, 2011 12:20p

How u fi a tell di disc jocky weh fi play??? atleast a sum idiat dj unuh cyah govern

sent via TweetDeck
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/mrlexx/status/49143124395696128

From: @mrlexx
Sent: Mar 19, 2011 12:23p

all sum ppl hear mi a vent an a tek it up SUCK FI UNUH MUMMA TOO ENUH!!!!!!

sent via TweetDeck
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/mrlexx/status/49144052280594433
12:58 PM
From: @mrlexx
Sent: Mar 19, 2011 12:31p

mi neva try stop no artist food yet…not never, so y dem pussy work overtime fi tampa wid mine????

sent via TweetDeck
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/mrlexx/status/49145947770462208

From: @mrlexx
Sent: Mar 19, 2011 12:33p

DEM PUSSY BUY RATINGS…… PPL RATE ME genuinely…

sent via TweetDeck
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/mrlexx/status/49146583509499904

From: @mrlexx
Sent: Mar 19, 2011 12:45p

wen u see me out dont fi minute tink i’m alone……. so run iinn battybwoy runn inn, mi know yuh a see dis enuh

sent via TweetDeck
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/mrlexx/status/49149524664516608

From: @mrlexx
Sent: Mar 19, 2011 2:00p

I live my life avoiding trouble, but don’t believe I’m afraid of it #TryMe

sent via ÜberSocial
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/mrlexx/status/49168441659244544

Mek we talk bout dat since we on di topic… U trace off di whole biz, who an u neva trace yet? U have multiple An as far as me know a gyal alone trace an chat ppl

sent via ÜberSocial
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/mrlexx/status/49174349265113088

 
Unuh tell a bwoy nuh call mi name and go shave him tongue and do pop smear baby germs a kill him throat so him voice gone!!!

sent via Twitter for BlackBerry®
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/grunggaad/status/49187909844213760

[promoslider]

Paula Gordon and Sheldon Williams, Star Writers

The police are now seeking a man believed to be the mastermind behind the trafficking of young boys into a sex trade throughout the Corporate Area.

Information reaching THE WEEKEND STAR is that the man operates under the disguise of being a good Samaritan who expresses interest in assisting underprivileged and displaced boys, but his true intentions are later displayed when he introduces the boys to other men for sex.

underage males

Sergeant Troy Irons from the New Kingston Police Post said that the man is responsible for trafficking underage males from several sections of the island. “He rents apartments and put up persons, mostly young males, depressed youths, people who want things,” he said.

The man is believed to rent about two apartments at a time. It is alleged that at least five boys are housed in each.

Irons divulged that an operation was carried out recently at one of the apartments located in the Corporate Area. However, when the police reached the location, the man had already fled the scene. After a search of the premises only one young male was found. He was taken in for questioning by the police.

THE WEEKEND STAR also understands that the man is also wanted for larceny from a dwelling.

stolen items

Allegations are that on October 1 a report was made that he had stolen several items from one of the apartments rented to him. “When he is leaving he takes small appliances from the dwellings,” Irons remarked.

The man is believed to frequent the areas of New Kingston, Montego Bay, Old Harbour and May Pen.

A source who claimed to have heard about the practices of the man expressed his disgust to the WEEKEND STAR.

“The man look bout the likkle bwoy dem … the boy nasty yuh see man. Me seh anytime me hole him yuh see … anytime me hole him is a day like today,” the source commented.

Just recently, a group of law students of the University Of the West Indies urged local authorities to give more focus on human trafficking in Jamaica.

David Brown, chairman of logistics for the human-trafficking committee at the institution, had said the issue of human trafficking is not given the attention it deserves and more should be done to address the issue.

As a result, a number of students from the faculty took to the street last week Thursday, armed with placards and banners, sending messages that persons should discontinue the act.

goodnite ppl a d first me a lef a comment me nah lie dah topic yah have me weak cause i have never done a HIV test n its only because i am scared of the result, so wen i see this young girl dead from AIDS it meks me more scared n i kno most of us are… I can never imagine what her family or even she went through cause it must be hell. So glad that she found God b4 she passed away.. Say that to say – there is no way we can prevent that dreadful disease me live with my kids father for the past 10 years n him have 5 kids outside after my kids n i think more on the way…what can u do..leave him for someone else n start over again when that person may b more whorish just saying…SO SCARDE THOUGH

Since facebook come…everybaddie and dem madda tun chef and is like nuh badie nah tell dem how dem good feva soup/guts an dried meat dem will a comment a tell dem dem seh it look food and dem know di food dont look good. China dis plate look like di battam a one soup that was left on the stove while someone go hole a sort out and come back……………soup water gone an leg bare plack…unno fi do betta man…and dis sprinkling a gravy pan tap ..SHOULD ONLY BE DONE WHEN UNNO NAH TEK NO PICHO FI FACEBOOK.CHUH
[promoslider]