“Put the holy ark in the house that Solomon the son of David, king of Israel, built. You need not carry it on your shoulders. Now serve the LORD your God and his people Israel” (2 Chronicles 35:3 ESV).
In 2 Chronicles 35, the Chronicler described King Josiah’s preparations for a great Passover celebration in Jerusalem. Josiah instructed the Levites to place the holy ark in the temple Solomon had built and then devote themselves to serving the Lord and His people.
This verse recorded the last clear historical appearance of the physical ark of the covenant in the Old Testament. About thirty-five years later, the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and burned the temple. Yet Scripture never explained what happened to the ark. The lists of treasures carried to Babylon did not mention it. Whether it was hidden, destroyed, or taken away remains unknown.
The ark had represented God’s covenant and His presence among His people. Yet Jeremiah later prophesied that a day would come when the ark would no longer be remembered, missed, or remade. God’s people would experience His presence in a greater way (cf. Jeremiah 3:16).
We are sometimes tempted to become preoccupied with sacred objects, historic places, or visible reminders of God’s activity. These things may help us remember, but they cannot replace God Himself.
The ark disappeared from Israel’s historical record, but God did not disappear. He later came to dwell among us in Jesus Christ. Through faith in Christ, we have access to the Father, and through the Holy Spirit, God now dwells within His people.
We do not need to search for a missing ark to experience God’s presence. We need to draw near to Christ, worship Him, and serve His people. The last appearance of the ark pointed forward to the greater presence of God revealed in Jesus.
PRAYER: Dear Father, keep us from seeking symbols more than we seek You. Help us draw near through Christ and serve You and Your people faithfully. Thank You for dwelling with us by Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.