“the ark of the covenant…in which was a golden urn…and Aaron’s staff”-Hebrews 9:4
“There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets of stone”-I Kings 8:9
“Put back the staff of Aaron before the testimony,”-Numbers 17:10
“Take a jar…manna in it…Aaron placed it before the testimony”-Exodus 16:33-34
So which is it? Are Aaron’s staff and the golden urn, “in” the ark, “before” the ark, or not in the ark at all? This conundrum reminds me of the words of Peter. The Spirit says, there are some things in the Bible, “that are hard to understand,”-II Peter 3:16. How one person solves this dilemma may differ from another. That’s okay! Our approach to the Bible should be one of humility and an understanding, “the secret things belong to the LORD our God,”-Deuteronomy 29:29. “I’m not sure.” Is a perfectly acceptable answer.
This question came up during Bible study Wednesday. It’s a great observation and deserves more discussion then we had time to give to it. So, let’s take the time. I believe we can shed a little more light on this subject and point out a few pitfalls on the way. Let’s do three things: 1) Harmonize the Scriptures. 2) Ask, “Does it matter?” 3) Look at how to get along when we differ.
Harmonize The Scriptures: As we begin, let’s remember two principles: 1) The word of God does not contradict. 2) If it appears to contradict, the problem is my interpretation. The apparent inconsistency is this: In Hebrews, Aaron’s staff and the golden urn are in the ark of the covenant (also referenced as ark of the testimony). In Exodus and Numbers, they are referred to as before the testimony. There are many ways to resolve this issue. Here are a few solutions people have proposed.
A: The Greek preposition translated “in” is rendered differently in the Bible 900-times including 300 times as “with” or “by”. To say the staff and urn were “with” the ark, harmonizes with “before.” We’ll get to I Kings 8 in a minute.
B: Both “in” and “before” are correct. Is it possible, the urn and staff were initially placed in front of or beside the ark and a later date put inside?
C: I lean toward the “before” the ark interpretation for a couple of reasons. In Numbers 17, the Bible refers to 12-staffs involved in a contest between tribes, as “before the Lord” three times. In verse ten, God tells Moses to, “Put back the staff of Aaron before the testimony.” Nowhere in the Old Testament are the staff or urn referred to as “in” the ark. Plus, the staff had to be shorter than three-and-a-half feet to fit (Exodus 25:10). As for the word “in” used in Hebrews 9:4, answers A, B, or D will suffice.
D: All The Above! So which is right? My guess is the two items were before the ark. Might answer “B” solve the problem? However, my guess is the writer of Hebrews is making a point that has more to do with what is “in” the Holy Place more so than what is “in” the ark. It appears certain the writer is referring to the tabernacle of Moses’ time. Which helps us deal with I Kings 8:9. It is possible, the staff and urn had been lost by the time of Solomon’s temple. It is also possible, the only thing ever in the ark were the two tablets and the staff and urn are present but unmentioned.
Does It Matter?: Nope. Not one item of doctrine is changed by the interpretation any of us holds on this passage. The glory of Hebrews chapter nine is this, Jesus has entered into the true Holy Place before God. His blood secured the new way to the Father for me. His sacrifice is once for all time for all people. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
How Do We Get Along When We Differ?: Listen to God, “charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.”-II Timothy 2:14. Have a heart like Jesus, “he humbled himself”-Philippians 2:8. I am not God and my opinion on a verse (or a single word!) is unimportant. God has blessed North Second Street with peace about this kind of issue and a good spirit prevails. Not every congregation is as fortunate. Plus, insisting someone accede to my interpretation of the Bible is how we end up with a creed.
The easiest way to make peace with any issue, is this, “The passages say what they say and we will let God sort it out.” We can spend all our time quibbling about uncertain passages or we can get to work on the things we do understand. May God grant us humility, grace, and fervor for the gospel of Christ Jesus the resurrected Son of God!
Bonus Difficulty: We aren’t even dealing with whether the altar of incense was in front of or behind the veil, or if it’s a censer as the KJV has it. Likewise whether it’s Aaron’s “staff” (ESV) or “rod” (KJV). You’re welcome.-JS
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