Reflections on the Ark of the Covenant

Storage chests like the Ark of the Covenant (complete with rings and poles) have been found in Egypt in the tomb of King Tut. (See: https://www.premierchristianity.com/home/investigation-where-is-the-ark-of-the-covenant/2818.article). The Ark of the Covenant was carried into battle multiple times by the Israelites and was held briefly by the Philistines in Kiriath Jearim. It was so sacred that Uzzah was killed for touching it when one of the oxen stumbled that was pulling the cart it was being transported on. (See 2 Samuel 6:1-7 and 1 Chronicles 13:9-12). Touching the Ark was a direct violation of God’s law and was to result in death (Numbers 4:15).

The last reference to the Ark is in 1 Kings which states that David took the Ark to Jerusalem and his son Solomon placed it in the Holy of Holies in the temple. Ethiopians claim they have the lost Ark in Axum, Ethiopia. Various documentaries claim the Ark was brought to Ethiopia by Menelik, the son of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. During the second World War a general stationed with the British Army in Ethiopia was permitted to view the relic but he considered it a mediaeval replica. Ron Wyatt claims to have found the Ark in Jerusalem but his findings have been looked upon with suspicion, because he was not an archaeologist and his photos of the Ark were extremely blurry. Probably the most popular theory of the Ark’s present location (believed by Orthodox Jewish groups involved in preparations for the rebuilding of the Third Jewish Temple) is a secret chamber carved deep within the rock mountain under Jerusalem’s Temple Mount.

Recently construction work on the Temple Mount resulted in tons of debris that was dumped in the Kidron Valley. Archaeologist Gabi Barkay has been leading a project to recover what can be found in this debris. (See https://www.premierchristianity.com/home/investigation-where-is-the-ark-of-the-covenant/2818.article).

Why hasn’t the Ark of the Covenant been found yet? Jeremiah 3:16  may have the answer: “In those days, when your numbers have increased greatly in the land,’ declares the Lord, people will no longer say, “The ark of the covenant of the Lord.” It will never enter their minds or be remembered; it will not be missed, nor will another one be made.”