ark of the covenant

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awfulthings9

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I’m doing a talk on Mary next weekend and want to discuss her role as the ark of the new covenant. Regarding the history of the actual ark, am I correct that these verses, from 2 Macc., give us all we know of the fate of the original ark:


  1. ]4] It was also in the writing that the prophet, having received an oracle, ordered that the tent and the* ark** should follow with him, and that he went out to the mountain where Moses had gone up and had seen the inheritance of God.
    ]5] And Jeremiah came and found a cave, and he brought there the tent and the* ark** and the altar of incense, and he sealed up the entrance.

    So, as far as Christians and Jews know, the ark was sealed in a cave somewhere and have been lost, since, in that unidentified cave?

    Secondly, since Protestants don’t generally accept Macc., what is the Protestant theory on the ultimate fate or disappearance of the ark?
 
As far as I know, the protestants also believe the Ark was sealed in a cave and lost in the mists of time. At least that’s what I always heard on the subject. The other scriptures about the ark, and there are many include the instructions for building it, Exodus 25:10-15, 35:12, 37:1-5, Deut. 10:3. Contents: the Law: Ex. 25: 16, 21, 40:20, Deut. 10:5, 31:26; 1 Kings 8:9, 2 Chr. 5:10. Aaron’s rod: Num. 17:10, Heb. 9:4. Pot of Manna, Ex. 16: 33, 34, Heb. 9:4 (this one might be useful in contrasting how the Ark held the bread of life and Mary’s womb held the Bread of Life.) There are many others including how it was to be moved, how it was used in battle (crossing the Red Sea, the Jordan, etc.) There is a prophecy concerning it in Jer. 3:16 an also in Revelation 11:19. This is a very short list, courtesy of Nave’s Topical Bible. There may be more references in the “Apocryphal” books, but my concordance and topical Bible are both “protestant” (but good references nonetheless.)
Hope this helps! I know how daunting teaching on Mary can be. I did a class for RCIA last December on the Blessed Mother. And I’ve only been a Catholic for about a year and a half!
Kris
 
Some claim that the ark is sealed behind the whailing wall on the temple mount.
 
Of course, there is this community of Ethiopians (Jews I think) that have long claimed to have the actual ark in a small remote village. It is kept under heavy cover, with no one outside the community allowed to see it. They have displayed other artifacts they claim are from the Jewish temple – bowls and candlesticks and so forth.

There is occasionally a TV special broadcast that examines these claims, but because of the secretiveness, no conclusions can be drawn. I only mention this because one of your audience might ask about it.
 
The old Catholic Encyclopedia has a pretty good article on it, dated of course, but a good starting point. The New Advent site depends upon volunteer transcribers, and I believe this article contains several transcription errors.
 
On a similar note I found two articles on “Mary the Ark of the Covenant” here. One lists quotes from the Early Church Fathers, that ought to be interesting to those who think we dreamed this up. You have to scroll down to find them.

Good Luck!

Notworthy
 
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