Comments on: The Ark of the Covenant Has [Not] Been Found http://bluecord.org/biblioblog/2008/02/the-ark-of-the-covenant-has-not-been-found/ A biblioblog Sun, 07 Sep 2008 07:44:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Everydayman http://bluecord.org/biblioblog/2008/02/the-ark-of-the-covenant-has-not-been-found/#comment-48150 Everydayman Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:01:55 +0000 http://bluecord.org/biblioblog/2008/02/the-ark-of-the-covenant-has-not-been-found/#comment-48150 I caught this programme last night. Far fetched indeed but then again so are ALL the ark stories whether Biblical or oral. Drums are used in some religious cermonies to invoke spirits and they have regularly been used for armies so it certainly fits some of the Bibilical descriptions of its use. Lets not forget Parfitt does not claim this to be the Ark itself but a more recent recreation of it. He states in this programme that this drum is only about 600 years old. I caught this programme last night. Far fetched indeed but then again so are ALL the ark stories whether Biblical or oral. Drums are used in some religious cermonies to invoke spirits and they have regularly been used for armies so it certainly fits some of the Bibilical descriptions of its use. Lets not forget Parfitt does not claim this to be the Ark itself but a more recent recreation of it. He states in this programme that this drum is only about 600 years old.

]]> By: docyabut http://bluecord.org/biblioblog/2008/02/the-ark-of-the-covenant-has-not-been-found/#comment-44441 docyabut Fri, 07 Mar 2008 11:40:05 +0000 http://bluecord.org/biblioblog/2008/02/the-ark-of-the-covenant-has-not-been-found/#comment-44441 Kevin wilson qoute-It should be noted that nowhere in the Bible does it claim that the ark shot out fire in battle. That part of the story comes from oral tradition. In the march from Sinai, and at the crossing of the Jordan, the Ark preceded the people, and was the signal for their advance (Num. 10:33; Josh. 3:3, 6). The Ark of the Covenant burned the thorns and other obstructions in the wilderness roads. According to tradition, sparks from between the two cherubim killed serpents and scorpions. (I and II Chronicles. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ark_of_the_Covenant Kevin wilson qoute-It should be noted that nowhere in the Bible does it claim that the ark shot out fire in battle. That part of the story comes from oral tradition.

In the march from Sinai, and at the crossing of the Jordan, the Ark preceded the people, and was the signal for their advance (Num. 10:33; Josh. 3:3, 6). The Ark of the Covenant burned the thorns and other obstructions in the wilderness roads. According to tradition, sparks from between the two cherubim killed serpents and scorpions. (I and II Chronicles.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ark_of_the_Covenant

]]> By: docyabut http://bluecord.org/biblioblog/2008/02/the-ark-of-the-covenant-has-not-been-found/#comment-44413 docyabut Fri, 07 Mar 2008 05:08:42 +0000 http://bluecord.org/biblioblog/2008/02/the-ark-of-the-covenant-has-not-been-found/#comment-44413 Any one notice that in Deuteronomy Moses alone makes the Ark, where as in Exodus, it refers to as they made the Ark.Two different Arks? I find it very interesting that Parfitt may have found the original Ark. Any one notice that in Deuteronomy Moses alone makes the Ark, where as in Exodus, it refers to as they made the Ark.Two different Arks? I find it very interesting that Parfitt may have found the original Ark.

]]> By: docyabut http://bluecord.org/biblioblog/2008/02/the-ark-of-the-covenant-has-not-been-found/#comment-44382 docyabut Thu, 06 Mar 2008 21:47:33 +0000 http://bluecord.org/biblioblog/2008/02/the-ark-of-the-covenant-has-not-been-found/#comment-44382 The Ark and its sanctuary were "the beauty of Israel" (Lamentations 2:1). Rashi and some Midrashim suggest that there were two arks - a temporary one made by Moses, and a later one made by Bezalel. This could be reasonable the original ark could have been made just like the ark Professor Tudor Parfitt has found. In Deuteronomy it say the ark was made only out of wood. Deut 10:1: "At that time the Lord said unto me, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first, and come up unto me into the mount, and make thee an ark of wood." Deut 10:2: "And I will write on the tables the words that were in the first tables which thou breakest, and thou shalt put them in the ark." Deut 10:3: So I made the ark out of acacia wood and chiseled out two stone tablets like the first ones, and I went up on the mountain with the two tablets in my hands. The Ark and its sanctuary were “the beauty of Israel” (Lamentations 2:1). Rashi and some Midrashim suggest that there were two arks - a temporary one made by Moses, and a later one made by Bezalel.

This could be reasonable the original ark could have been made just like the ark Professor Tudor Parfitt has found.

In Deuteronomy it say the ark was made only out of wood.

Deut 10:1: “At that time the Lord said unto me, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first, and come up unto me into the mount, and make thee an ark of wood.”

Deut 10:2: “And I will write on the tables the words that were in the first tables which thou breakest, and thou shalt put them in the ark.”

Deut 10:3: So I made the ark out of acacia wood and chiseled out two stone tablets like the first ones, and I went up on the mountain with the two tablets in my hands.

]]> By: Robert http://bluecord.org/biblioblog/2008/02/the-ark-of-the-covenant-has-not-been-found/#comment-44006 Robert Tue, 04 Mar 2008 02:28:36 +0000 http://bluecord.org/biblioblog/2008/02/the-ark-of-the-covenant-has-not-been-found/#comment-44006 I watched the History Channel program which presented the The Quest for the Lost Ark. I believe that Tudor Parfitt presents a quite plausible argument for the migration of the priestly line, now recognized as the Lemba tribe. DNA markers support his assertion and he could have presented a fascinating, scientifically based presentation on the Lemba tribe. I would have truly enjoyed that. But, alas, Parfitt went on to present his assertion that he had located the Ark of the Covenant. I don't understand how someone can make such a rapid departure from factual data which so clearly describes the Ark of the Covenant. Unless of course he doesn't accept the description found in Exodus Chap: 25. It is quite simple and the science and mathmatics are fairly straightforward and simple. See for yourself: Exodus 25:10 “And they shall make an ark of acacia wood; two and a half cubits shall be its length, a cubit and a half its width, and a cubit and a half its height. 11 And you shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and out you shall overlay it, and shall make on it a molding of gold all around. 12 You shall cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in its four corners; two rings shall be on one side, and two rings on the other side. 13 And you shall make poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold. 14 You shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, that the ark may be carried by them. 15 The poles shall be in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it. 16 And you shall put into the ark the Testimony which I will give you. 17 “You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold; two and a half cubits shall be its length and a cubit and a half its width. 18 And you shall make two cherubim of gold; of hammered work you shall make them at the two ends of the mercy seat. 19 Make one cherub at one end, and the other cherub at the other end; you shall make the cherubim at the two ends of it of one piece with the mercy seat. 20 And the cherubim shall stretch out their wings above, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and they shall face one another; the faces of the cherubim shall be toward the mercy seat. 21 You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the Testimony that I will give you. 22 And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony, about everything which I will give you in commandment to the children of Israel. This description doesn't look anything like the ngoma lugundu that Parfitt claims is the Lost Ark of the Covenant. Perhaps Parfitt is choosing portions of the ancient text that best line up with his assertions. I watched the History Channel program which presented the The Quest for the Lost Ark. I believe that Tudor Parfitt presents a quite plausible argument for the migration of the priestly line, now recognized as the Lemba tribe. DNA markers support his assertion and he could have presented a fascinating, scientifically based presentation on the Lemba tribe. I would have truly enjoyed that. But, alas, Parfitt went on to present his assertion that he had located the Ark of the Covenant. I don’t understand how someone can make such a rapid departure from factual data which so clearly describes the Ark of the Covenant. Unless of course he doesn’t accept the description found in Exodus Chap: 25. It is quite simple and the science and mathmatics are fairly straightforward and simple.

See for yourself:

Exodus 25:10 “And they shall make an ark of acacia wood; two and a half cubits shall be its length, a cubit and a half its width, and a cubit and a half its height. 11 And you shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and out you shall overlay it, and shall make on it a molding of gold all around. 12 You shall cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in its four corners; two rings shall be on one side, and two rings on the other side. 13 And you shall make poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold. 14 You shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, that the ark may be carried by them. 15 The poles shall be in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it. 16 And you shall put into the ark the Testimony which I will give you.
17 “You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold; two and a half cubits shall be its length and a cubit and a half its width. 18 And you shall make two cherubim of gold; of hammered work you shall make them at the two ends of the mercy seat. 19 Make one cherub at one end, and the other cherub at the other end; you shall make the cherubim at the two ends of it of one piece with the mercy seat. 20 And the cherubim shall stretch out their wings above, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and they shall face one another; the faces of the cherubim shall be toward the mercy seat. 21 You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the Testimony that I will give you. 22 And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony, about everything which I will give you in commandment to the children of Israel.

This description doesn’t look anything like the ngoma lugundu that Parfitt claims is the Lost Ark of the Covenant. Perhaps Parfitt is choosing portions of the ancient text that best line up with his assertions.

]]> By: Blog Highlight: The Ark of the Covenant Found? « Musings of a Wannabe Muser http://bluecord.org/biblioblog/2008/02/the-ark-of-the-covenant-has-not-been-found/#comment-43688 Blog Highlight: The Ark of the Covenant Found? « Musings of a Wannabe Muser Sat, 01 Mar 2008 14:36:13 +0000 http://bluecord.org/biblioblog/2008/02/the-ark-of-the-covenant-has-not-been-found/#comment-43688 [...] I’ve been behind in writing and in catching up on the news.  However, this morning I found a post on Blue Cord about Time’s recent article on the “finding” of the Ark of the [...] […] I’ve been behind in writing and in catching up on the news.  However, this morning I found a post on Blue Cord about Time’s recent article on the “finding” of the Ark of the […]

]]> By: Charles http://bluecord.org/biblioblog/2008/02/the-ark-of-the-covenant-has-not-been-found/#comment-43616 Charles Sat, 01 Mar 2008 02:53:13 +0000 http://bluecord.org/biblioblog/2008/02/the-ark-of-the-covenant-has-not-been-found/#comment-43616 It is from scripture that we get to know of the Ark and who commissioned it and why. It follows then that it is from Scripture we find out what happened to the Ark and that from the same One commissioned it. God speaking through Jeremiah says (Jer 3:15-18) In those days, when your numbers have increased greatly in the land,” declares the LORD, “men will no longer say, ‘The ark of the covenant of the LORD.’ It will never enter their minds or be remembered; it will not be missed, nor will another one be made. (NIV) That phrase "nor will another one be made" does suggest that the original one was destroyed or is materially absent otherwise why make another one if the original is still in existence? It is not a difficult determination to make. Therefore the day someone will declare they have found the Ark of the Covenant, we will know it to be a replica and not the original. From Jeremiah 3:15-17 we can see that the One who commissioned the Ark also decommissioned. And the Lord through Jeremiah explains the decommissioning. The ark itself symbolized Yahweh's ruler-ship; and it was believed that God had his earthly throne on the lid of the sacred chest. 1 Sam 4:1b, …and they brought back the ark of the covenant of the LORD Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim (see also Ex 25:22, Ps. 80:1, Ps. 99:1). And it is this understanding of where the throne of God was that helps us understand why the original Ark (was destroyed, removed, disappeared or will never be found). In His sovereignty GOD replaced the representation of His earthly throne from the Ark with a city—Jerusalem. “The whole city of Jerusalem will be my throne. All nations will come here to worship me” (Jer. 3:17). I am of the opinion the Ark of the Covenant was probably destroyed or taken away by the Babylonians when they captured Jerusalem in 586 B.C. It need not have disappeared miraculously because we see that the bronze serpent (another divinely commissioned artefact) was destroyed by Hezekiah according to (I Kgs 18:3). Don't bother looking for it underneath the hollow tunnels of temple mount, or in Ethiopia, or in Zimbabwe or anywhere else. If God says to forget it not miss or make a replica then DON'T look for it or miss it or make a replica. As of now and going back to circa 586BC it has zero spiritual value and idol Dagon will not break before it nor will anyone who touches it die. It is from scripture that we get to know of the Ark and who commissioned it and why. It follows then that it is from Scripture we find out what happened to the Ark and that from the same One commissioned it. God speaking through Jeremiah says (Jer 3:15-18) In those days, when your numbers have increased greatly in the land,” declares the LORD, “men will no longer say, ‘The ark of the covenant of the LORD.’ It will never enter their minds or be remembered; it will not be missed, nor will another one be made. (NIV)

That phrase “nor will another one be made” does suggest that the original one was destroyed or is materially absent otherwise why make another one if the original is still in existence? It is not a difficult determination to make. Therefore the day someone will declare they have found the Ark of the Covenant, we will know it to be a replica and not the original.

From Jeremiah 3:15-17 we can see that the One who commissioned the Ark also decommissioned. And the Lord through Jeremiah explains the decommissioning. The ark itself symbolized Yahweh’s ruler-ship; and it was believed that God had his earthly throne on the lid of the sacred chest. 1 Sam 4:1b, …and they brought back the ark of the covenant of the LORD Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim (see also Ex 25:22, Ps. 80:1, Ps. 99:1).

And it is this understanding of where the throne of God was that helps us understand why the original Ark (was destroyed, removed, disappeared or will never be found). In His sovereignty GOD replaced the representation of His earthly throne from the Ark with a city—Jerusalem. “The whole city of Jerusalem will be my throne. All nations will come here to worship me” (Jer. 3:17). I am of the opinion the Ark of the Covenant was probably destroyed or taken away by the Babylonians when they captured Jerusalem in 586 B.C. It need not have disappeared miraculously because we see that the bronze serpent (another divinely commissioned artefact) was destroyed by Hezekiah according to (I Kgs 18:3).
Don’t bother looking for it underneath the hollow tunnels of temple mount, or in Ethiopia, or in Zimbabwe or anywhere else. If God says to forget it not miss or make a replica then DON’T look for it or miss it or make a replica. As of now and going back to circa 586BC it has zero spiritual value and idol Dagon will not break before it nor will anyone who touches it die.

]]> By: Deb Shirley http://bluecord.org/biblioblog/2008/02/the-ark-of-the-covenant-has-not-been-found/#comment-43569 Deb Shirley Fri, 29 Feb 2008 17:32:25 +0000 http://bluecord.org/biblioblog/2008/02/the-ark-of-the-covenant-has-not-been-found/#comment-43569 Thank you for this insightful article. As I watched The Today Show this morning, I had to laugh when Matt Lauer asked about the carbon dating of this artifact. In a rush of words, Parfitt admitted this was not the actual ark, but a replacement. That fact was glossed over in the interview. Parfitt also mentioned that there are two separate descriptions for the ark in the Bible. I wonder, "What Bible is he reading and why doesn't he mention the mercy seat?" I commented to my husband that what he found looked more like the laver than the ark. I do plan to watch the program just to see how far they will stretch their version of the truth. Thank you for this insightful article. As I watched The Today Show this morning, I had to laugh when Matt Lauer asked about the carbon dating of this artifact. In a rush of words, Parfitt admitted this was not the actual ark, but a replacement. That fact was glossed over in the interview.

Parfitt also mentioned that there are two separate descriptions for the ark in the Bible. I wonder, “What Bible is he reading and why doesn’t he mention the mercy seat?”

I commented to my husband that what he found looked more like the laver than the ark. I do plan to watch the program just to see how far they will stretch their version of the truth.

]]> By: The Ark of the Covenant Found! « Random Bloggings http://bluecord.org/biblioblog/2008/02/the-ark-of-the-covenant-has-not-been-found/#comment-43096 The Ark of the Covenant Found! « Random Bloggings Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:58:01 +0000 http://bluecord.org/biblioblog/2008/02/the-ark-of-the-covenant-has-not-been-found/#comment-43096 [...] The Ark of the Covenant Found! February 24, 2008 Posted by Calvin in Bible, Interactions, Religion. Tags: Ark of the Covenant, Dagon, Indiana Jones, movies, Time Magazine, Tudor Parfitt trackback If anyone out there has read this story in Time, and is wondering what the facts are, I highly recommend heading over to Blue Cord and finding out. [...] […] The Ark of the Covenant Found! February 24, 2008 Posted by Calvin in Bible, Interactions, Religion. Tags: Ark of the Covenant, Dagon, Indiana Jones, movies, Time Magazine, Tudor Parfitt trackback If anyone out there has read this story in Time, and is wondering what the facts are, I highly recommend heading over to Blue Cord and finding out. […]

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