What is the significance and/or symbolism of these three objects (Aaron's rod, Jar of Mana, Ten Commandments)?

Question

In context of the Ark of the Covenant

Answer 1

Aaron's Rod, this shows God's Sovereigntry. When many rose up in rebellion against Moses and Aaron, it was God who chose who was to be the High Priest.

Jar of Manna, this shows how God provides for His people. That those who trust Him will be provided for.

The Ten Commandments, this was the written form of God's covenant with His people -
Ex 34:28 So he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did not eat bread or drink water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments."

God offered a covenant to the Children of Israel. Then, as it is today, when two parties make a covenant, there was sometimes a written form. Today we call them "contracts". So the tablets were the written form of the covenant (Ex 19:5-6), one copy for each party. So, not only did the Israelites hold their own copy in the Ark, but were given the honor of holding God's copy too.

Answer 2

In summary, these are the significance of the symbolisms:

1) Aaron's Rod - stands for God's Sovereign Leadership.
2) Jar of Manna - God's Sufficient Provision.
3) Ten Commandments - God's Righteous Law.

These are three things God gave and man rejected. Thus, the contents of the Ark of the Covenant speaks of the great and merciful nature of God and of the rebellious and unbelieving nature of man. It also speaks of a better covenant, which was given us through Christ.

Answer 3

Aaron's rod typifies divine appointed authority.(Numbers 17)
Manna typifies divine provision. (John 6:32)
The 2 tablets on which were written the ten commandments signify the eternal unchanging law of God. (Psalm 40:8)
The Ark of the Covenant typifies Christ. The gold typifies His divinity. The wood typifies His humanity. The mercy seat typifies His atonement - the place of the sprinkling of blood and the place of the manifest presence of God.
The cherubim on the mercy seat typify the interest of God's angels in the plan of redemption "which things angels desire to look into" (I Peter 1:12)

Answer 4

Now, for your sake forgive me, I'll go into this like you don't know a thing. It isn't a presumption that you don't, it is just easier for ME to show, connect the dots, alright? Now, The Ark of the Covenant in the Old Testament was adorned by two carved cherubim, symbols of God's glory, and on top of it sat the Mercy Seat, upon which goat's blood was sprinkled on the Day of Atonement -- the only day of the year (after Moses) that the High Priest (and the High Priest alone) could approach it in its Holy of Holies. Most importantly, the presence of God was over it. Touching this Ark -- just looking into it -- would kill a man. Powerful and holy indeed was this sacred vessel!

And what did it contain? See Hebrews 9:4: (again I'll paraphrase, respectfully this time) 1* The Ten Commandments, God's word. 2)Aarons rod, 'that came back to life' and sprouted 3) manna, heavenly bread

It is pretty clear that Luke wishes us to see the parallels his verses with what is known about the Ark in the Old Testament.

Now next we have the signficance: The New Ark of the Covenant. This is Mary, Christs mother. 1) the Word, Jesus Christ. She bears him, holds him. 2) Our Lord, he rose again on the third day and 3) The Savior is our food. (John 6:52-58) " For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven--not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever."

Now, to further compare if you so desire; you would be benefitted to reading 2 Sam alongside Luke's first chapter.

2 Sam 6: 2
And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the Lord of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims.

Luke 1:39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda
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2 Samuel 6:9 And David was afraid of the Lord that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?

Luke 1:43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
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2 Samuel 6:11 And the ark of the Lord continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months...

Luke 1:56 And Mary abode with her about three months...
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2 Samuel 6:16 And as the ark of theLord came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the Lord [His Presence over the Ark]

Luke 1:41 And it came to pass, that, when Eliz. heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Eliz. was filled with the Holy Ghost:
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So in a nutshell, In the OT, the Ark of the Covenant, overshadowed by the the Spirit of God, was the instrument through which God came to dwell among men; in the New Testament, Mary, overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, is the instrument through which God came to dwell among men. She is the Ark of the New Covenant

Answer 5

Man is the conduit of God. Man can misuse that which God has given or amplify God's gifts.

God is the electricity; man is the lamp

Answer 6

Are we writing your mid term paper???

Answer 7

Taylordesigns has it exactly right.