The Ark of the Covenant: The Prophet’s Reward
The
Ark of the Covenant: The Prophet’s Reward
Texts:
Heb 9,
Introduction
God instructed Moses to build the ark
as a replica of the mercy seat in heaven and to signify His presence amongst
the Israelites, Exodus 25. The Levites were separated to bear (support, hold
up, carry and wear) the ark and to stand before the Lord, Deuteronomy 108.
The ark signifies God’s presence and
holiness that’s why those who bear it were sanctified holy and separated from
others.
The ark killed Uzzah because he
handled it in an inappropriately, II Sam 6. Because it killed Uzzah King David
was afraid of bringing it to Jerusalem for fear of it killing him and the
people of God. Bring to mind that, the ark showed terribleness to the
Philistines in I Sam 5. David asked that the ark be taken to the house
Obed-Edom, II Sam 610 and God blessed the house of Obed-Edom for the
space of time that the ark stayed in his house.
The difference between Uzzah and
Obed-Edom is that Uzzah was a son of a Levite so he was a Levite too and he was
so used to the ark; he used to go clean the ark, I suppose, because it was
living in their house. He felt that he could put his hands to the ark anytime
but God was, on this particular day, wroth with Uzzah. Some things that we do
in secret if not dealt with would be exposed to our destruction (for more on
this see my teaching on Secret sin). Don’t get used to God or His servant that
you touch them anyhow. Don’t forget too that you are an ark of God as a child
of God. God would not allow anyone to touch you anyhow. What goes around comes
around.
Obed-Edom, on the other hand, wasn’t
used to seeing the ark; he may never have even seen it before. So, for him, it
was a privilege to host the ark of God in his house. To me, it was just like
hosting the Almighty in his humble home. I want to believe, strongly, that
Obed-Edom would wake up daily, go to where the ark was and begin to dance
around it praising the Lord God of Israel. He appreciated the fact that God
decided to stay in his house. So, what meant to kill him eventually blessed
him.
What
is in the Ark?
Remember that the bible says that God
had separated the Levites to bear the ark on their shoulders and take care of
it. This was their service and responsibility.
In Matthew 1041 the bible
says, “He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a
prophet's reward…The Shunamite woman received the prophet Elisha and she
received the reward of the prophet, II Kings 4. The same with the woman of
Zarephath, I King 17. The priest and the prophets of God carried the ark of God
anywhere the people went. But now, they don’t carry physical ark, the carry the
grace and the anointing of God. This is what they now bear; this is now their
burden.
So Jesus was saying that whosoever
receives a prophet who bears that ark will receive the prophet’s reward. So
what’s the prophet’s reward? If we understand what’s in the ark then we will
understand what the prophet’s reward is or are.
Remember, also, that there was no
inheritance given to the house of Levi yet they were saddled with the
responsibility of taking care of the tabernacle, bearing the ark and burden of
the sin of the people, Numbers 18. Their inheritance was, therefore, the
tithes, offerings etc and the bearing of the ark and what is in it.
Then verily the first covenant
had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. For there was a
tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the
shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil, the
tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; 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; Heb. 91-4 KJV
Content
of the Ark
1. Golden
Pot: In Exodus 1633-34, Moses instructed
Aaron to put a part of the manna into a pot. The pot was made of gold. Gold in
the bible signifies money. If you check II Kings 55, Naaman “Took
with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold,… Later
in vs 26, “And he said unto him (Gehazi), Is it a time to receive money?
That means that the gold Naaman brought was money. So we can, safely, say that
the golden pot is money meaning that as many as receive a prophet will receive
constant consistent money even though the priest or prophet may no0t have
physical money, his anointing and grace commands money. II Cor. 610,
“Poor, yet making many rich”. The receiver of the prophet receives financial
provision because of the grace and the anointing upon such prophet.
2. Manna:
While
Israel was in the wilderness, they receive constant provision of food called
Manna. It was so called because they didn’t know what it was. Manna means “What
is this?” Exodus 16. This Manna was what they ate until they entered Canaan.
What this mean to the receiver of God’s prophet is that he/she receives
constant provision of food.
3. Aaron’s
Rod: It was impossible for an old, dried rod to blossom
again but Aaron’s rod did not only blossom, it budded and brought forth
flowers, Numbers 17. Those who receive a prophet therefore are going to blessed
with constant miracles; miracles will happen automatically and supernaturally.
4. Tables
of the Covenant: Another content of the ark is the
tables of the covenant containing the Ten Commandments that God gave to Moses
on the mountain. Exodus 20. The bible says, “The law of the Lord is perfect
converting the soul” Ps 197. The law of the Lord is the word of God
which has the capacity and capability to transform any life no matter how
messed up it is. God’s word contains the exact life of God, it is living and
powerful which is able to meet needs no matter what they are. A believer and
receiver of God’s prophet/priest will enjoy the ministry of the word i.e. such
will not lack God’s word and his instructions. Such a person will never lack
direction or be confused in life because God’s word is with such person.
Conclusion
The ark of God was a box overlaid with
pure gold and carried by priest and Levites in the Old Testament but now we do
not need to carry a box and an ark. We are the ark of God who carries the
Almighty inside us through His Holy Ghost.
The servant of God is no more carrying
a physical ark but carrying an anointing and grace for the benefit of mankind
and as they are received by the people, the people enjoys the blessing of what
such servant of God carries. They may not be rich but they have the capacity to
bring blessing upon the people. They have a commandment to bless and that’s
what they do in the course of their lives. Numbers 2320.
Immanuel
O. Adeyomoye
Daily
Word Broadcast
The
Word Class Series
©
April 6th 2020
The grace of God upon your life be multiplied. As you refresh others, may the Lord refresh yours too.
ReplyDeleteAmen. Praise God.
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