Something Important is Missing

Scripture: As the Lord had declared, Nebuchadnezzar removed the treasures from the temple of the Lord and from the royal palace, and cut up the gold articles that Solomon king of Israel had made for the temple of the Lord. ... The Babylonians broke up the bronze pillars, the movable stands and the bronze Sea that were at the temple of the Lord and they carried the bronze to Babylon. They also took away the pots, shovels, wick trimmers, dishes and all the bronze articles used in the temple service. The commander of the imperial guard took away the censers and sprinkling bowls—all that were made of pure gold or silver. 2 Kings 24:14; 25:13-15

Observation: Others have wondered about this forever, but ... where is the Ark of the Covenant?

In the timeline of the kings of Judah, we are less than 100 years removed from Hezekiah laying out his prayers before the ark, and within 10 years of Josiah reinstituting all temple worship. The ark had to be ... somewhere. And certainly if shovels and wick trimmers are worth mentioning, the ark being removed would have been worth a comment.

That said, the second removal of items listed in 2 Kings 25 is well after the first events, and it is (I believe) after Ezekiel sees the image of God departing on his throne from his exile in Babylon. There are all kinds of ideas where the ark is today, but there is a possibility it simply left with God. Though even its absence would seem noteworthy, perhaps in the time of distress the historical record is vague due to distress, not purpose.

Application: God is mysterious in so many ways, and the ark remains one of those deep mysteries to me. It was a symbol of course, as certainly he did not 'live' on top of the box. However, at the same time, it was a symbol he desired and provided to give Israel a center ... a place to meet him.

There are those who believe it is lost forever. There are those who think it is in a small church in Ethiopia. There are those who believe it is hidden and will be discovered as a key to the end-times. All I think is ... it wasn't there when Jerusalem fell, because God will never been taken by any human authority. He is all powerful and in control, on his heavenly throne.

Prayer: Abba, you are a mystery to all of us, and that is as it should be. We strive to understand you, but certainly that should not be a goal of ours, rather we should honor, worship, and obey you. May I do these things daily. Amen.