Why were the Ten Commandments placed in the Ark but the Law was placed beside the Ark?
Question:
Hi sir,
I would like you to help me on this matter: Why were the Ten Commandments only placed in the Ark of the Covenant? Again, why was the Law in Deuteronomy 31:26 placed beside the ark of the covenant and not inside the ark of the covenant?
I hope to hear from you soon.
Answer:
The Ark of the Covenant contained three things. "Behind the second veil there was a tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies, having a golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden jar holding the manna, and Aaron's rod which budded, and the tables of the covenant" (Hebrews 9:4).
The jar of manna was a memorial of God's physical care for His people. Aaron's rod was a memorial of God selecting Aaron's descendants to be His priests. The stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments were a memorial to God's spiritual care for His people. This last item was prepared and written by God Himself.
"It came about, when Moses finished writing the words of this law in a book until they were complete, that Moses commanded the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying, 'Take this book of the law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may remain there as a witness against you. For I know your rebellion and your stubbornness; behold, while I am still alive with you today, you have been rebellious against the LORD; how much more, then, after my death?'" (Deuteronomy 31:24-27).
A handwritten copy of the entire Law (not just the Ten Commandments) was placed beside the Ark. It was there to remind the priests, the Levites, and, through them, the Israelites of what God commanded and how they had repeatedly failed. Where the items inside the ark could not be seen, this item was expected to be seen.
