Chapter 24 — THE ARK OF GOD

The ark of God was a sacred chest. The Ten Commandments were kept inside the ark. These commandments represented God Himself. The ark was considered the glory and strength of Israel. The glory of the Divine Presence was on the ark day and night.SRme 1.790

The priests who served before the ark were chosen by God for their sacred work. Each priest wore a breastplate bordered with twelve kinds of precious stones. The twelve foundations of the city of God have the same kinds of stones. In the border of the breastplate were twelve stones set in gold. On these stones the names of the twelve tribes were engraved. The breastplate was very rich-looking and beautiful. The breastplate hung from the priest's shoulders, covering his breast.SRme 1.791

At the right and left of the breastplate were two large, brightly-shining stones. When difficult questions were brought to the judges that they could not solve, the questions were taken to the priests. The priests asked God for an answer. If God's answer was Yes, a circle of light and glory was on the precious stone at the right on the breastplate. If God's answer was No, a dark cloud settled near the precious stone on the left. If the priests asked God about going to battle, the precious stone at the right, when circled with light, said, "Go, and succeed." But if the precious stone at the left was covered with a cloud, God was saying, "You shall not go. You will not succeed."SRme 1.792

Once a year the high priest entered the most holy place of the sanctuary. At that time the high priest stood in front of the ark in the presence of God. The high priest could ask the Lord a question. The Lord often answered with a voice that the high priest could hear. Sometimes the Lord did not answer by voice but by sacred rays of light and glory. If the light shone on the gold angel at the right end of the ark, God approved. Sometimes a request was refused. Then a cloud covered the gold angel at the left.SRme 1.793

Four heavenly angels always went with the ark of God in its travels. These angels were to keep the ark from danger and to do other work needed for the ark.SRme 1.794

Christ and heavenly angels went in front of the ark as the ark came to the Jordan River. The waters were stopped in front of Christ's presence. Christ and the angels stood beside the ark and the priests until all Israel had crossed over Jordan. Christ and the angels also went with the ark when the ark was carried around Jericho. Christ and the angels threw down Jericho's city walls, giving the city to the Israelites.SRme 1.795