With the conversion of our slide set, “From Sinai to Sakhra,” into digital format, the complete set of volumes we previously had available is now on disc. Having ourselves followed, in part, the route of the Ark and being intimately familiar with some of its resting-places, this subject is close to our hearts. Information that has come to light in recent years has been added, making this CD an entirely new presentation.
Pictures of a model of the Tabernacle, designed by Dr. Leen Ritmeyer, have been included to help viewers understand the place of the Ark in the symbolism of God’s desert sanctuary. Specially created maps of its journey to the Promised Land and wanderings among the Philistines make it possible to follow this dramatic story. There are unique reconstruction drawings of scenes such as the Camp of Israel at the foot of Mount Sinai and evocative photographs of the desert scenes through which the Ark passed. The view of Moses from Mount Nebo is contrasted with that of Balaam, the mad prophet, from the very same spot. A rare photograph of the River Jordan in flood serves to demonstrate the faith of the two spies who crossed it before the Ark could lead the Israelites into their inheritance.
Excavation photographs and diagrams show that the walls of Jericho really did fall down! Once Jerusalem is reached, the cities of David and Solomon, which were so closely involved with the Ark’s stay, are explored both in photographs and graphics. The account of the travels of the Ark ends with the installation of this holiest of objects in the Holy of Holies of the Temple and a discussion as to its possible location today.
We have ideas for exciting new topics for CDs to aid you in your Bible study and teaching and will keep you posted on this blog. Do let us know if there is a subject you would like covered.
I understood when reading Barclay’s, The New Daily Study Bible, The Letter to the Hebrews, p115, that the average Israelite could only approach the gate of the tabernacle court, the priests and Levites were permitted in the court, the priests only allowed in the Holy Place, and the High Priest, only on the Day of Atonement, and with a blood sacrifice, entered the Most Holy Place. The excellent ESV illustrations of the tabernacle and court appear to support this. Elsewhere I have recently read that the average Israelite could enter the court of the Tabernacle. Your thoughts?
I should also add, of course, that the High Priest had full access to the court and the Holy Place as well.
Ernie, according to Leviticus 1, any purified Israelite male could bring an offering at the door of the Tabernacle. However, according to Numbers 3:6-8;15, only Levites were allowed in the Tabernacle Court. The change appeared to have happened after the incident of the golden calf. The later text of Ezekiel 44.15 appears to support this idea.
Thanks so much for responding.
Jerome J. Gainer says:
November 20, 2017 at 12:40 pm
In a previous blog in 2008, you posted a description of some “weird” or otherwise interesting comments on the whereabouts of the Ark of the Covenant. I recently ran across those comments.
One of those comments was from someone who claimed to have lived in the Ethiopian quarter of Jerusalem and this person further claimed that on two previous occasions Israeli soldiers tried to wrestle the Ark of the Covenant out of the hands of the Ethiopian Guardians in Axum.
As you are aware in 1984-85 and again in 1991, thousands of Ethiopian Jews were brought to Israel via cargo planes and the Rabbis have declared that they are descendants of the tribe of Dan. What convinced the Rabbis that these people were truly Jews???
I have a unimpeachable source for the claim that Ethiopian Jews returned to Israel with the ark of the covenant is the book of Isaiah 18:1-7 that talks about the Ethiopian people bringing a gift to the Mount of Zion that the WHOLE WORLD WILL SEE. Just to quote one verse it says ” At that time a gift will be brought to the Lord All Powerful from people who are tall and smooth-skinned” (referring to the Ethiopian Jews).
Because Israel rescued the Jews from Ethiopia during Operation Solomon and paid 35,ooo,000 dollars to take these poor, starving Jews to Israel at a very chaotic time during the War in 1991. Why did they pay anything if not for the very holy ark. Why did they risk this—if not because they were afraid they would lose a chance to rescue the Ark of the Covenant.
Or perhaps you would like a second source —then go to Zephaniah 3: 10 (and I quote)
“From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed shall bring mine OFFERING.
The truth of the matter is that when you look at the most credible location for the Ark of the Covenant, all roads lead to Ethiopia.
One road to Ethiopia leads thru Elephantine where to this day the priests on this Island claim that the Jews brought the Ark from Israel around 1000 BC. On this Island, locked in their treasury to this day is a basin (in which the blood of the animal was collected) as well as other artifacts that they have kept since ancient times. These priests claim that the Ark was kept on Elephantine until a outbreak of disagreements between the Jews (who were heading south) and Egyptian priest. The Jews went on their merry way further south to Ethiopia.
Or perhaps you should visit or read about the priests on the Island in the middle of Lake Tana in Ethiopia who can go to their treasury and pull out a metal chest plate frame (crudely fashioned) and claimed to be the breast plate used by the Ethiopian priests once the Ark CAME to Ethiopia.
Further more, folklore point to Ethiopia as the place the Ark was kept for thousands of years as we are all aware of the claims that a series of guardians (each 7 years old when they were appointed) guarded the ark in Azum until 1991 supposedly in the Church of St. Mary of Zion in Axum (although it is more likely that it was kept in the mountains.)
Even whispers from Ethiopians who now live in Jerusalem who went thru Operation Solomon or knew someone who did— point to this return of the Ark being the true facts about the fate of the Ark of the covenant as mentioned –as humor– in your blog.
Of course some people are of the same belief as Vendyl Jones (now deceased) that a poor minority nation such as Ethiopia would never be granted the privilege to hold the Ark of the Covenant.
Maybe we all just have to get over our preconceived notions and prejudices and realize that the Ark is in Israel now, courtesy of Ethiopia!!