Focus: Things Old and New

Text: Heb.9:4

"Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had MANNA, and Aaron's ROD that budded, and the TABLES of the covenant."

God instructed Moses to preserve for future generations three things in the Ark of the Covenant, namely the Law, the Rod of Aaron, and the Manna. Those three things are very significant. They are things old and new.

*First is the law.

It stands for the word of God. It is not possible to function in this life without laws. The word exposes us to the wisdom and power of God. Ezra committed himself to knowing, doing, and teaching the law in Israel (Ezr.7:10). The psalmist says, "The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple" (Ps.19:7). The word is the mirror, light and food to the soul. It is sweeter than honey. The law is so old, yet so new. We have the law of the Spirit written in our hearts.

*Second is the rod of Aaron. 

It speaks of priestly authority. Out of the twelve rods kept overnight in the presence of God, it was only Aaron's rod that budded, which revealed the choice of God. The book of Hebrews has it that "no man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron" (Heb.5:4). God authorizes the called. No man can function in any spiritual office or position without being called and authorized by God. In your place of assignment you exude and exercise the authority of God. The rod of God is still here with us.

*Third and final is the manna.

The manna speaks of the gracious provisions of God. God fed His people with manna for forty years in the desert. They knew Him in the desert as Jehovah-jireh - the provider.

The first thing about the manna is that it was a mystery. It is described as manna from heaven and as angels' food (Ps.78:25). It is called "the hidden manna" in Rev.2:17. The Hebrew meaning of manna is: what is this? It is the kind of food that makes you wonder. You just eat and marvel. Only God can explain it. Other things about the manna are: it is spherical or well-rounded and pointed on one end. It is tasty and could be prepared in variety of ways - drying, frying, baking, etc. It is whitish in color.

God never let the manna fall on the bare floor. The dews fell first and then the manna fell and rested on the dews (Num.11:7-9). God gave them the manna in abundance. There was no scarcity. The psalmist says, "And had RAINED down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven" (Ps.78:24). According to Heb.9:4, the manna was put in a golden pot and preserved in the Ark as a reminder to every succeeding generation of how God provided for His people in the past, especially in a place where there was no food.

In the days of Solomon the pot of manna and the rod were missing (1Kgs.8:9). The only thing found in the Ark was the law. But amazingly in the book of Revelation the manna is restored as a sure promise to the overcomer (Rev.2:17). The rod returns in Revelation, but described as "a rod of iron" in the hand of Jesus Christ our Kingly priest (Rev.2:27; 12:5; 19:15).

The law of God is nourishing to the soul. The manna is nourishing to the body. The rod is a ministerial authority to function in any area of divine calling. The law reveals God's sovereign authority over us. The manna reveals God's ability to provide for us, and the rod reveals God's delegated authority to us. The law teaches us. The manna nourishes us, and the rod authorizes us. Amen.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter