Where Did It Go?

Perhaps I just wasn't thinking clearly.  Or I didn't connect all the dots.  But I thought when the curtain tore in two pieces at the death of Jesus, the ark of the covenant was now available for all to see.

Of course I forgot to take into account that it was inside the Holy of Holies, behind the Holy place and enclosed by the walls of the courtyard.  It was silly of me to think that the priests would suddenly allow everyone to come see for themselves.

Knowing the Ark is no longer around, I just assumed it disappeared when the Romans destroyed the temple and city.  But, I was wrong.  It wasn't even around in the days of Jesus.

Back when the city was under attack by the Babylonians, it disappeared.  It was around 586 B.C. that loyal priests, and possibly a son of King Solomon, removed it from the city.  There's an underground tunnel leading out of the city that would have taken them to safety.  Some say the Ark went into Egypt, others say to Ethiopia, still others say deeper into Africa.  But, no one has found it to this day.

My vote is on the place in Ethiopia, a Jewish settlement that became Christianized around 4AD.  A small church made of stone and green tile with blue barred windows supposedly holds the ark.  As Christian believers the people of the area have given the honor and responsibility to one man at a time to watch over the church holding the Ark, protecting it and praying by its side, allowing no one entrance to the building.

Never-the-less we currently have no physical reminder of God's presence and power.  But, we do have faith.  That was the focus of Jesus . . . to have faith in him, to believe without seeing the proof.