There is Something Missing

Scripture: Nothing was in the ark except the two tablets that Moses had put in it at Horeb, where the Lord had made a covenant with the Israelites when they came out of Egypt. 2 Chronicles 5:10 

Observation: The ark is brought into the temple, and this observation is made of it ... that nothing is in the ark except the two tablets (a.k.a. the 10 commandments). However, that isn't what is supposed to be inside. It is also supposed to contain a jar of manna, and Aaron's staff. So ... where are these things? There are two possible answers to this:

1) When the Philistines captured the ark, they removed these items.

2) During the time that the ark was in other places in other places in Israel, priests decided they were no longer needed and discarded them.

Whatever the case, this sentence seems problematic. Add into the conversation that the ark was most certainly not opened at any time during this dedication, and it seems what is or is not inside it is both speculative and immaterial. In light of this, there is a third possible answer to the whereabouts of the missing items:

3) They actually are in side the ark, but the author of Chronicles has decided to focus on the covenant with God instead of the trials in the wilderness and thus editorialized here.

Application: We honor God when we focus on his promises, his love, and his mercy, over and above his justice and authority. Yes, all power exists in him, including his power to test us. But at his core, God chooses to provide us with covenant promises in order to care for us.

To the author of Chronicles, something as amazing as manna or a budding staff - symbols of times God demonstrated signs amidst the testing of Israel - were meaningless compared to the covenant promise of the law. For me, all that should matter is the amazing covenant promise of Jesus. In the midst of trials, I am to focus on the promise of Jesus Christ. My eternal salvation is assured, which makes short-term earthly issues completely meaningless.

Prayer: Lord, you are so great! I see your hand in all things. Today, I cling to your promises. May I find a way to be even just a little bit worthy of your love in some small way, knowing that your great love and mercy has provided a way for my eternal salvation. I focus today on my faith in Jesus as the evidence of your covenant. Amen.