Title: Follow the Ark
Contents
It's the first week of the new year. How should the people of faith live the coming year?
We have to walk on an unknown road we have never walked before. We must pass through a road we have never crossed before, a land we have never crossed, and a time we have never gone through.
The Israelites can reach their destination by leaving Egypt (the world) and crossing the Jordan River toward their destination, the land of Canaan (a type of heaven). The last obstacle, the Jordan River, must be crossed. How can we cross this Jordan River to reach the destination land of Canaan?
The people of faith must march toward our destination, heaven, again this year, so how do we walk through the unknown world?
1. Follow the ark (1-4)
The ark is called the ark of the covenant or the ark of the testimony because it contains the evidence of the covenant. The priests and the people carrying the Ark of the Covenant are told to march toward the Ark from the rear of 2,000 cubits (about 900m). Why?
According to Hebrews 9:4, the golden jar containing manna is a lesson not to disobey God's word due to the manna incident. Aaron's rod that budded is an incident in which Korah and his crew formed a party, and it means not to challenge the authority of the Lord's servant. The stone monuments of the covenant are the golden calf incident, a warning not to serve two kings. The people who follow the ark are reminded of the three lessons contained in the ark so that they will not be destroyed like their ancestors.
This year as well, we must keep the lesson of the ark of the covenant in mind and silently follow it.
Therefore, if you follow the ark again this year, you will pass this year safely without getting lost in the unknown or wandering. I wish you such blessings.
2. Sanctify yourself (5)
God's people who follow the ark must sanctify themselves. The wilderness church is a place of training to be sanctified by the blood of Christ and to be born again as a more holy people of God.
Before they believed in Jesus Christ, they were a people stained with sin, but now they are a people who have been atoned for by the blood of Jesus Christ.
1 John 1:6-9 Thinking of Jesus who cleansed us from unrighteousness, we should follow the ark more reverently and holily.
Unholy people cannot enter the kingdom of God.
In Matthew 22, it is said that those who do not wear robes at the wedding feast are thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Therefore, I pray in the name of the Lord that you will repent of all your sins and be born again as a clean bride.
3. Take up your cross and follow (6)
The priests told them to carry the ark and go ahead. He told them to carry the Ark of the Covenant and cross it before the people.
This can be seen as meaning that the servants of the Lord set an example first, take up the cross and follow the Lord.
(Luke 9:23) And he said to the crowds, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
When you deny yourself and fulfill your daily mission, the sheep that will follow will follow you. This is a community of faith.
How should I live the coming year?
For you have not passed this road before. How?
Then you will know what you will do... … .
If you follow the priests carrying the ark, you will know what will be done. Knowing where to go, and walking towards the exact destination.
This year, you will be able to receive accurate guidance into the unknown world.
Sheep are blind, have a poor sense of smell, and are exposed to terrifying beasts. Without a shepherd, sheep become food for wild beasts. The sheep must listen to the shepherd's voice. This year, if the sheep follow the ark carried by the shepherd, the sheep will be able to reach their destination safely.
For that, salvation will come closer when we follow the ark while looking at it, sanctifying ourselves, listening to the voice of the shepherd, and carrying our cross.
I wish you such a blessing. (*)