What Are We Missing?

1 Kings 8:9 KJV 1900

There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb, when the Lord made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.

“There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb” (1 Kings 8:9).

When Solomon completed the Temple, a great convocation was held for the moving of the ark to the Holy of Holies in the Temple. Scripture notes that its contents were depleted. According to Hebrews 9: You4, the ark was to contain a jar of manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the law. But when the ark was put in the Temple, but the only thing left in the ark was the two tables of stone.

FIRST—MISSING SUSTENANCE

“There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone.” The first item we note that was missing was the jar of manna. The instructions for putting a jar of manna in the ark are found in Exodus 16:33, 34. Manna is a type of both the living Word (Jesus Christ) and the written Word (the Scriptures). There is not much devotion to either in our churches today. Decline in devotion to the Scriptures will bring decline in devotion to the Savior, and vice versa.

Devotion to the Savior is missing.

The Apostle Paul said,

Philippians 1:21 KJV 1900

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

His whole life was wrapped up in Christ. That is the way it should be. The church in Ephesus was rebuked strongly for their decline in love for Christ

Revelation 2:4 KJV 1900

Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

Jesus Christ must be the Main Person in our life.

Devotion to the Scriptures is missing.

The manna is also a type of the Scripture. Most of our churches do not emphasize the Word of God like they used to. They have replaced the Scriptures with socials and what all. Few people are really interested in an earnest study of the Bible. Home Bible studies are two often a coffee and donut time instead of a study of the Scripture. Sunday School classes are often more concerned about food for the stomach then food for the soul.

SECOND—MISSING STAFF

Another article missing from the ark was Aaron’s rod that budded. The instructions for putting the rod in the ark are found in

Numbers 17:10 KJV 1900

And the Lord said unto Moses, Bring Aaron’s rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels; and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not.

The rod speaks of two important things, namely the rule of God and the resurrection of Christ.

The rule of God is missing.

There was a dispute in the camp of Israel over the priesthood. God had all the tribes bring a rod to the Tabernacle, the one that budded would show who was the priest. The rule of God was involved here. God no longer is our rule. Culture, political correctness and other philosophies decide our conduct. We need to get the rod back in the ark and let God rule in our lives.

The resurrection of Christ is missing.

The rod that budded was a great type of the resurrection of Christ. But many churches deny the bodily resurrection of Christ. But without a resurrected Savior we have no Gospel

1 Corinthians 15:14 KJV 1900

And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

1 Corinthians 15:17 KJV 1900

And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

Without the resurrection of Jesus Christ we have no hope

1 Corinthians 15:19 KJV 1900

If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

We need the rod back in our theology!