ASSASSIN
03-25-2008, 08:01 PM
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON...
THE ARK COMES TO JERUSALEM
1 Chronicles 15:1-3, 14-16, 25-28
BACKGROUND:
With this lesson, we turn the page into a new quarter. We move from the teachings of Jesus to man’s covenant relationship with God in the Old Testament. It is important here to be familiar with one or two terms. First, the word covenant. This is an agreement between two parties – here between man and God. Each has a commitment to the other, and is duty bound to keep it. Of course the first covenant involving God’s chosen people was with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3, 15:18) and required Abraham to do nothing. He was simply promised that his seed would be blessed, and that his descendants would one day own the Promised Land. Later, the covenant would be repeatedly renewed, but with the condition that God would be Israel’s God, if Israel would be God’s people (e.g. Exodus 19:1-6)...
Another important term is Ark of the Covenant. Here is the object on which the Israelites felt that God rested, and wherever the Ark went, so went God Himself. It was made at the direction of Moses to one of his lieutenants (Exodus 25:10-22) with the promise that God would rest on the Ark. It was overlaid in gold on the outside with statues of two Cherubim (winged) angels on each end, and the Mercy Seat in the middle (this is where God dwelt). Inside were the tablets containing the Ten Commandments, Aaron’s budding rod, and a jar of Manna (the “bread” that God provided the Israelites as they made their way across the desert on their way to the Promised Land). Interestingly enough, this substance would normally spoil overnight, but this single container kept Manna that didn’t spoil. All this, of course, put into the minds of the people that where the Ark was, so was God. If they left the ark, they left God. It was in keeping with this concept that the Ark led Israel ’s armies into battle. It was also the Ark that held back the waters of the mighty Jordan River while the Israelites crossed over on their way to Canaan (Joshua 3:14-17)...
King David, who was Israel ’s second king, was not without this conviction concerning the Ark of the Covenant. For that reason, David, now for a second time, sets out to bring the Ark and the people of Israel back together...
ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ARK (1 Chronicles 15:1-3)
First, David made ready for the Presence of God. The Ark had been mishandled for some time now, and it was at present in the hands of a non-Israelite. Much had happened, including the misfortunes of the Philistines, who wrested the Ark from Israel in battle. The country started coming down with what was probably the Bubonic Plague while the ark was in their land. They finally opted to give it up, hoping their misfortune would leave with it...
But what is important here is the fact that David didn’t just bring the ark back; rather, he made preparations. It is akin to a householder who expects a special guest, and tidies up in advance of the guest’s arrival. Do we “tidy up” on the inside before inviting the Master into our lives?
David then pitched a special tent – probably at the highest point in Jerusalem – in which to place the Ark. Now, all was ready...
Notice the second verse. David is careful to follow instructions. Why? Because in his first attempt to move the Ark , disaster struck (1 Chronicles 13). It was clear to David (as it should be to us today) that it is vitally important to follow God’s instructions to the letter...
Next, David summoned all of Israel ’s leaders to make a joyous ceremony that God was finally being returned to Israel . Obviously the absence of the Ark (and to David the absence of God) was something to reckon with, and he was concerned...
BRINGING OF THE ARK (1 Chronicles 15:14-16)
Not only was David specific about the method by which the Ark was to be transported, he was even particular that the priests involved were descendants of Aaron. David had learned a lesson: don’t tempt God...
But David went on to do something that should challenge us all today. Here is a king: one who answers to no other human in the country. But David realized that He answered to God, and used his executive powers to make sure that all of Israel pay homage to their Supreme Leader. Here, human voices mingled with musical instruments of every description in making a JOYFUL noise unto the Lord...
WORSHIPING BEFORE THE ARK (1 Chronicles 15:25-28)
The Ark had been at the home of Obed-edom for some three months, and it appeared to have brought good fortune to that home. This may be a case of one who honored God, and was blessed. The Philistines made light of Israel ’s God and faced dire consequences...
But try and imagine the scene. The Ark was brought from it’s former resting place to a tent where joyous praise was already underway! Is it not a joyous feeling, even to a human, to walk into the House of God and praises are already underway? Surely, God must have been pleased...
Now pay attention to David. He was king, but he was wearing a priest’s garment. Why? Probably because God had given David the unique privilege of serving both as a civil and spiritual leader. How many of those do we find today?
A
THE ARK COMES TO JERUSALEM
1 Chronicles 15:1-3, 14-16, 25-28
BACKGROUND:
With this lesson, we turn the page into a new quarter. We move from the teachings of Jesus to man’s covenant relationship with God in the Old Testament. It is important here to be familiar with one or two terms. First, the word covenant. This is an agreement between two parties – here between man and God. Each has a commitment to the other, and is duty bound to keep it. Of course the first covenant involving God’s chosen people was with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3, 15:18) and required Abraham to do nothing. He was simply promised that his seed would be blessed, and that his descendants would one day own the Promised Land. Later, the covenant would be repeatedly renewed, but with the condition that God would be Israel’s God, if Israel would be God’s people (e.g. Exodus 19:1-6)...
Another important term is Ark of the Covenant. Here is the object on which the Israelites felt that God rested, and wherever the Ark went, so went God Himself. It was made at the direction of Moses to one of his lieutenants (Exodus 25:10-22) with the promise that God would rest on the Ark. It was overlaid in gold on the outside with statues of two Cherubim (winged) angels on each end, and the Mercy Seat in the middle (this is where God dwelt). Inside were the tablets containing the Ten Commandments, Aaron’s budding rod, and a jar of Manna (the “bread” that God provided the Israelites as they made their way across the desert on their way to the Promised Land). Interestingly enough, this substance would normally spoil overnight, but this single container kept Manna that didn’t spoil. All this, of course, put into the minds of the people that where the Ark was, so was God. If they left the ark, they left God. It was in keeping with this concept that the Ark led Israel ’s armies into battle. It was also the Ark that held back the waters of the mighty Jordan River while the Israelites crossed over on their way to Canaan (Joshua 3:14-17)...
King David, who was Israel ’s second king, was not without this conviction concerning the Ark of the Covenant. For that reason, David, now for a second time, sets out to bring the Ark and the people of Israel back together...
ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ARK (1 Chronicles 15:1-3)
First, David made ready for the Presence of God. The Ark had been mishandled for some time now, and it was at present in the hands of a non-Israelite. Much had happened, including the misfortunes of the Philistines, who wrested the Ark from Israel in battle. The country started coming down with what was probably the Bubonic Plague while the ark was in their land. They finally opted to give it up, hoping their misfortune would leave with it...
But what is important here is the fact that David didn’t just bring the ark back; rather, he made preparations. It is akin to a householder who expects a special guest, and tidies up in advance of the guest’s arrival. Do we “tidy up” on the inside before inviting the Master into our lives?
David then pitched a special tent – probably at the highest point in Jerusalem – in which to place the Ark. Now, all was ready...
Notice the second verse. David is careful to follow instructions. Why? Because in his first attempt to move the Ark , disaster struck (1 Chronicles 13). It was clear to David (as it should be to us today) that it is vitally important to follow God’s instructions to the letter...
Next, David summoned all of Israel ’s leaders to make a joyous ceremony that God was finally being returned to Israel . Obviously the absence of the Ark (and to David the absence of God) was something to reckon with, and he was concerned...
BRINGING OF THE ARK (1 Chronicles 15:14-16)
Not only was David specific about the method by which the Ark was to be transported, he was even particular that the priests involved were descendants of Aaron. David had learned a lesson: don’t tempt God...
But David went on to do something that should challenge us all today. Here is a king: one who answers to no other human in the country. But David realized that He answered to God, and used his executive powers to make sure that all of Israel pay homage to their Supreme Leader. Here, human voices mingled with musical instruments of every description in making a JOYFUL noise unto the Lord...
WORSHIPING BEFORE THE ARK (1 Chronicles 15:25-28)
The Ark had been at the home of Obed-edom for some three months, and it appeared to have brought good fortune to that home. This may be a case of one who honored God, and was blessed. The Philistines made light of Israel ’s God and faced dire consequences...
But try and imagine the scene. The Ark was brought from it’s former resting place to a tent where joyous praise was already underway! Is it not a joyous feeling, even to a human, to walk into the House of God and praises are already underway? Surely, God must have been pleased...
Now pay attention to David. He was king, but he was wearing a priest’s garment. Why? Probably because God had given David the unique privilege of serving both as a civil and spiritual leader. How many of those do we find today?
A