ARTICLES

The Ark of the Covenant Series - Part 1: The Tablets of Stone

Living God's Law Through the Spirit



A Three-Part Series by Dr. Andrew David Edited and Arranged by Easter Prince

Introduction

Have you ever wondered why God chose to place three specific items inside the Ark of the Covenant? These weren't random objects—they represent three powerful spiritual realities that every believer needs to understand today. In this three-part series, we'll explore how the Ark of the Covenant reveals God's blueprint for victorious Christian living. Most importantly, we'll discover that you are now the living Ark of the Covenant, carrying these same spiritual treasures within your heart.

Background: The Heart of Solomon's Downfall

Inside the Holy of Holies stood the magnificent Ark of the Covenant, containing three sacred items. When Moses first built the Ark, he carefully preserved all three: the tablets of stone, the pot of manna, and Aaron's rod. However, when Solomon rebuilt the Ark for his majestic temple, he made a fatal mistake. Solomon removed two items—the pot of manna and Aaron's rod—keeping only the tablets of stone. This wasn't just a renovation decision; it marked the beginning of his spiritual downfall. Solomon's heart departed from the Lord because he didn't recognize the importance of all three elements working together. This reveals a crucial truth: incomplete obedience leads to spiritual decline.

What Does the Ark Represent Today?

The Ark wasn't just ancient furniture—it was a prophetic picture of the believer's heart. Today, you are the living Ark of the Covenant, and these three items must remain active in your spiritual life. When any element is missing, spiritual weakness and failure follow.

The Tablets of Stone: God's Eternal Standards

The Relevance of the Ten Commandments

The first item in the Ark was the tablets of stone containing the Ten Commandments. Don't be deceived by false grace preachers who claim the commandments are irrelevant today. The Ten Commandments remain completely relevant and applicable to modern Christian living. However, here's the crucial distinction: if you try to obey the commandments through willpower alone, it will kill you.

Old Covenant vs. New Covenant Obedience

In the Old Testament, people couldn't be born again because their hearts were like stone. So God symbolically wrote the commandments on stone tablets and gave them to Moses. In the New Covenant, God replaces our heart of stone with a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26, NKJV). He writes His laws and commandments directly inside our hearts through the Holy Spirit. When we're established in our union with Christ and walk in the Spirit, we fulfill the righteous requirements of the law effortlessly.

How Spirit-Led Obedience Works

This is how it works in practical terms: I don't wake up saying, "I have to obey all the commandments today." That approach kills because it connects with the letter of the law in our intellectual mind. "The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life" (2 Corinthians 3:6, NKJV). Instead, I wake up each day and meditate on my union with Christ. By evening, I've effortlessly fulfilled all the righteous requirements of the law. Why? Because I'm connected with the spirit of the law, which is Christ in me. In the New Covenant, we live in the Spirit because

the Spirit of Christ dwells in us (Romans 8).

The Deadly Danger of Incomplete Obedience

Here's Solomon's critical mistake: he removed the pot of manna and Aaron's rod from his heart. When these two elements are missing, the law actually strengthens sin. Paul warns us: "The strength of sin is the law" (1 Corinthians 15:56, NKJV). The commandments must be lived daily with the help of manna and Aaron's rod. If you don't walk in the Spirit, death is what you'll contend with. This death manifests in your relationships, health, finances, and every area of life.

Lesson for Life: The Complete Package

God never intended for us to live by law alone—we need all three elements working together. True Christian living requires the law written in our hearts, sustained by faith, and empowered by resurrection life. Don't make Solomon's mistake of thinking partial obedience is enough. The moment you remove any element, spiritual decline begins.

To-Do List: Living in the Spirit

Daily meditation: Start each day focusing on your union with Christ, not on rule-keeping. Heart check: Regularly examine whether you're trying to obey God through willpower or through the Spirit. Scripture study: Read Romans 8 and 2 Corinthians 3 to understand Spirit- led living. Pray for revelation: Ask God to show you how His laws are written in your heart. Reject false teaching: Guard against messages that dismiss God's moral standards.

Questions for Reflection:

• Are you trying to live the Christian life through willpower or through the Spirit?
• How has your understanding of the Ten Commandments changed after reading this?
• What evidence do you see of God's law written in your heart?