THE PRESENCE OF GOD

1. What does the Ark of the Covenant represent?

a) The Ark of the Covenant represents the presence of God in the Old Testament.

b) Whenever the Israelites were to go for battle, the Ark of the Covenant would go first before them. This would ensure victory for them against their enemies who were much stronger and bigger than them.

2. When was the Ark of the Covenant introduced and what was inside it?

a) It was the time when the Lord told Moses to cut two more stone tablets like the first ones which Moses lifted it high above his head and dashed them to the ground. Moses was to keep the stone tablets inside it.

i) 1At that time the Lord said to me, “Chisel out two stone tablets like the first ones and come up to me on the mountain. Also make a wooden ark. 2I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. Then you are to put them in the ark.” (Deuteronomy 10:1, 2 NIV)

ii) God wrote the 10 commandments (Deuteronomy 5: 6 – 21) with his finger on the stone tablets and this represents the very heart of God’s kingdom values for his chosen people. The Ark of Israel’s national treasure and would be kept in the tabernacle.

3. What does the Ark of the Covenant (the very presence of God) bring?

a) Strength

i) Where does strength come from? The joy of the Lord (Nehemiah 8: 10). The joy is also one fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5: 22).

ii) 31but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31 NIV)

iii) 28“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV)

b) Blessings

#1) God blessed Obed-Edom and all his household (Obed-Edom was a Philistine - a pre-believer).

i) In 2 Samuel 6: 6 – 11:

@1. But when they arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled and Uzzah put out his hand to steady the Ark. Then the anger of the Lord flared out against Uzzah and killed him for doing this, so he died there beside the Ark. David was angry at what the Lord had done, and named the spot “The Place of Wrath upon Uzzah.

@2. David was now afraid of the Lord and asked, “How can I ever bring the Ark home?” So he decided against taking it into the City of David, but carried it instead to the home of Obed-Edom, who had come from Gath. It remained there for 3 months, and the Lord blessed Obed-Edom and all his household.

#2) God also blessed Obed-Edom’s descendants.

i) In 1 Chronicles 26: 4 – 8:

@1. The sons of Obed-Edom were also appointed as Temple guards. What a blessing God gave him all those sons! They were able, outstanding men and had positions of great authority in their clan.

@2. All of these sons and grandsons of Obed-Edom – all 62 – were outstanding men who were particularly well qualified for the work.

c) Victory (success)

i) How? God will go before us.

@1. 3But be assured today that the Lord your God is the one who goes across ahead of you like a devouring fire. He will destroy them; he will subdue them before you. And you will drive them out and annihilate them quickly, as the Lord has promised you. (Deuteronomy 9:3 NIV)

ii) Why? Because our enemy is greater and stronger.

@1. 1Hear, Israel: You are now about to cross the Jordan to go in and dispossess nations greater and stronger than you, with large cities that have walls up to the sky. 2The people are strong and tall—Anakites! You know about them and have heard it said: “Who can stand up against the Anakites?” (Deuteronomy 9:1, 2 NIV)

4. Prayer focus

a) Pray for the presence of God in our life.

b) Pray for the release of God’s blessings in our lives.