How Does the Ark of the Covenant Point to Christ

How Does the Ark of the Covenant Point to Christ
Monday, August 11, 2025 by Melissa McLaughlin

By Melissa McLaughlin

I remember the day he placed it on my finger. We didn’t have a lot of money when we got married, but the riches of love overflowed our hearts’ bank accounts. My simple gold wedding band still makes me glow as I think of my husband’s faithfulness and love through the years.

Though nicked and scratched from decades of washing dishes, running with children, and pulling weeds, my wedding ring remains a symbol of our marriage vows and our promise to be faithful to each other before God.

Naturally, the ring doesn’t encompass my husband or his love. But it shines as a precious reminder.

A Symbol of God and His Power

When I think of God, I wonder how we symbolize His essence.

Unfortunately, many people in the Old Testament and still today, worship images of a “god” they have created with their own hands. Whether a mini-Buddha statue at the mall, or sacrificing everything for our careers, or retirement accounts, many people rely on things made by their hands as the source and fulfillment of life.

During Old Testament times, the Israelites were often led astray and worshiped “gods” of pagan nations. In some cases, people carved or molded these idols. In other cases, people built altars, poles, stones, and high places to worship their "gods" (Judges 17:3-4, 2 Kings 21:7).

Interestingly, while the surrounding nations made their “gods” of wood or rock, the Israelites carried a box, a container, that reminded them of the uncontainable God and His powerful actions.

This box was called the ark of the covenant (or ark of the testimony). In Exodus 25:22 God said He would meet and talk with the high priest from a position above the ark of the covenant. Therefore, this chest reminded the people of God’s presence among them. The ark of the covenant was placed in the holy of holies in the Tabernacle, and then later in the Temple.

Moses followed God’s design for building the ark of the covenant (Exodus 25). It contained three things:

The Ten Commandments (Deuteronomy 10:2–5), revealing God’s word, rule, and righteousness;
A jar of manna (Exodus 16:33–34), displaying God’s provision and care;
Aaron’s staff that budded (Numbers 17:10), demonstrating God’s leadership, priesthood, and power over death.

The ark and its contents served as a sign of God’s presence, word, power, and miraculous deeds. A tangible reminder of His laws, promises, and help.

While other nations worshiped “gods” from the work of their own hands, the Israelites worshiped the Creator God, who cannot be manufactured by human efforts. Rather, HIS works reminded them who He is.

Interestingly, God’s mighty works brought even these pagan peoples to their knees. In 1 Samuel, the Philistines captured the ark of the covenant after Israel brought it to battle expecting victory, but instead suffered defeat (1 Samuel 4:1-11). This downfall illustrated the Israelites' misunderstanding of the ark of the covenant. They used it as a talisman instead of allowing this sacred cargo to remind them to seek God and His will.

Once captured by the Philistines, the ark caused the statue of their “god” Dagon to fall and break. In addition, the ark brought plagues to Philistine cities, leading them to return it to Israel (1 Samuel 5-7).

Remarkably, the Philistines returned the ark along with a chest filled with golden tumors (like the plague on their bodies) and rats (which brought the plagues) that they had fashioned to depict the acts God took against them while they held the ark in captivity.

Not idols, but actions, reminded them of the God of the Bible.

Manufactured Power vs. Real Power

The difference between the idols and the ark was that the idols were man-made images of conjured-up power, while the ark contained actual examples of God’s power.

Even now, we must guard ourselves from worshiping things God has given us or things He has done for us. Instead, we worship God, the Giver of all good things.

Like the ark of the covenant, we allow God to design our lives. Then we revere the things He has made and given to us, always remembering His word, power, and saving acts through Christ Jesus.

How Does the Ark of the Covenant Point to Christ?

The ark of the covenant symbolizes Christ in many ways.

Jesus is Immanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23).
Jesus fulfilled the law and, through His Spirit, has written the law on our hearts (Matthew 5:17, Hebrews 10:16).
Jesus is the bread of life (John 6:35). He is our manna from heaven.
Jesus is our high priest and has power over death (Hebrews 4:14-16).

Once we receive Christ as Savior and Lord, and the Spirit of God is within us, we become the containers for the uncontainable God. His Word is now written on our hearts, and we remember His great deeds to redeem us from the enemy.

In the Old Testament, the ark of the covenant was a sacred reminder of God’s presence, power, provision, and faithfulness. It also pointed to the Savior. As followers of Christ, may we now represent Him well to a world that still worships the work of their hands.

We are His treasure. We carry the incredible testimony of His mighty acts wherever we may go. And we know it’s true. We witnessed His matchless power removing the sin-tumors that plagued our souls with His atoning blood.

He is still a covenant-keeping God. So, we anxiously await the day when the Bridegroom comes to bring His bride—the church—to heaven’s royal wedding feast (Revelation 19:7). What a day that will be!

What helps you remember God and His mighty deeds in your life?

Comments

Mercy Oni From Kwara state At 1/30/2026 2:30:59 PM

The ark of the lord represents his presence, it's so sacred that no man could touch it, Uzzah tried it and was struck dead by God, coming to our salvation as believers, the new testament recalls that our bodies is God's temple, that is the Lord resides in us,hence we should be cautious of our body.

Reply by: Melissa McLaughlin

Amen, thank you for this important application. God bless you!

John kwalo From Papua new guinea At 10/21/2025 12:47:46 AM

The ark of the covenant represents God Jesus is God of justice at the same God. Priest brings in blood on ark .to satisfy the claims of the law. Transgrassor of the law must die. Law cannot met the claims of the law.so christ died shed His blood cleanse our sins.Law does not change.

Reply by: Melissa McLaughlin

Amen. Jesus is our final sacrifice for sin. Hallelujah to the Savior!

Karen Friday From TN At 8/18/2025 3:03:53 PM

Amazing message, Melissa and this, "Once we receive Christ as Savior and Lord, and the Spirit of God is within us, we become the containers for the uncontainable God. His Word is now written on our hearts, and we remember His great deeds to redeem us from the enemy." Wow! Love it!

Reply by: Melissa McLaughlin

Isn't God's plan incredible! To think He would allow us, cracked vessels, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, to carry the treasure of heaven!

Jessica Brodie From SC At 8/17/2025 7:59:59 PM

I love the idea of being today's version of the ark of the covenant... a representation of Jesus to all who need him (and we ALL need him!). Wonderful piece.

Reply by: Melissa McLaughlin

You're right, Jessica. Oh, how we need Him! We carry the most amazing treasure within!

Yvonne Morgan From Oklahoma At 8/16/2025 4:43:49 PM

I had never thought about the Ark of the Covenant in this way Melissa and it makes so much sense. I bet it was an amazing sight to behold. But I’m glad that Christ now lives in my heart instead of in a box.

Reply by: Melissa McLaughlin

It is something to imagine the Ark of the Covenant. And how amazing to think God's presence indwells us through His Holy Spirit!

Melissa Henderson From Mount Pleasant SC At 8/12/2025 10:15:36 AM

This is an amazing message. We all need to learn about the ark of the covenant. Thank you. Have a blessed day! :-)

Reply by: Melissa McLaughlin

Thank you, Melissa, for reading and sharing your feedback. I agree. God's Word is full of riches as we mine its depths for our Savior. God bless you!

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