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Chapter 24—The Ark of God and the Fortunes of
Israel
This chapter is based on
1 Samuel 3-6
;
2 Samuel 6
and
1 Kings 8
.
The ark of God was a sacred chest, made to be the depository of
the Ten Commandments, which law was the representative of God
Himself. This ark was considered the glory and strength of Israel.
The token of the Divine Presence abode upon it day and night. The
priests who ministered before it were sacredly consecrated to the
holy office. They wore a breastplate bordered with precious stones
of different materials, the same as compose the twelve foundations
of the city of God. Within the border were the names of the twelve
tribes of Israel, graven on precious stones set in gold. This was a
very rich and beautiful work, suspended from the shoulders of the
priests, covering the breast.
At the right and left of the breastplate were set two larger stones,
which shone with great brilliancy. When difficult matters were
brought to the judges, which they could not decide, they were re-
ferred to the priests, and they inquired of God, who answered them.
If He favored, and if He would grant them success, a halo of light
and glory especially rested upon the precious stone at the right. If
he disapproved, a vapor or cloud seemed to settle upon the precious
stone at the left hand. When they inquired of God in regard to going
to battle, the precious stone at the right, when circled with light,
said, Go, and prosper. The stone at the left, when shadowed with a
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cloud, said, Thou shalt not go; thou shalt not prosper.
When the high priest entered within the most holy, once a year,
and ministered before the ark in the awful presence of God, he
inquired, and God often answered him with an audible voice. When
the Lord did not answer by a voice, He let the sacred beams of
light and glory rest upon the cherubim upon the right of the ark, in
approbation, or favor. If their requests were refused, a cloud rested
upon the cherubim at the left.
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