THE ARK (X)

Rightly she named her infant "Ichabod"
At that abyss of Israel's decline:
Men fled; the priest was dead; the Ark of God
Was taken captive by the Philistine.
But what is this that comes across the field
(Decked with the Philistine's pathetic pelf)
In power and dignity which will not yield?
The Ark of God is caring for itself.

They led the Saviour to a place of scorn,
Thinking to choose if He should die or live;
"Jesus..went forth..wearing the crown of thorn...":
The Son of God retains the initiative.

And now, despite the worst the world can do,
The Lord will bring His testimony through.

THE ARK (IX)

To pious minds all seemed to fall apart
But Phinehas remained before the Ark
Though others' lanterns faltered into dark
And coldness crept across the nation's heart.

Dan turned to images of human art;
Benjamin flicked and guttered to a spark;
To pious minds all seemed to fall apart
But Phinehas remained before the Ark.

Their enemies all sought to seize a part
Of Israel, each voracious as a shark;
Would all be lost? Tossed like a feeble barque
Israel seemed ignorant of star or chart ‑
But Phinehas remained before the Ark.

THE ARK (VIII)

The sentries on the walls of Jericho
Would surely feel occasion to remark
On the procession they observed to go
Around them ‑ soldiers, Levites and the Ark.
Confiding in the structure of their wall,
They would not start to apprehend the power
Within that Ark to make their ramparts fall
And unbelievers of their city cower.

In outward weakness, but in secret might,
Those gathered to Christ's name now guarantee
The power of God will intervene to slight
Men's cities, and what they assume to be.

But, Lord, as Thou art cherished let me know
Within me this world's systems overthrow.

THE ARK (VII)

When Moses asked that Hobab should be eyes
To Israel in the paths they were to trace
Across the waste, God caused the Ark to rise
And guide His people to their resting place.
For three days' journey it was in the lead
And over them there was the cloud by day
That God might answer to the people's need
Whilst teaching them to follow in His way.

Still in the testimony Christ exerts
His right to lead His people into rest;
If we seek other pathways He asserts,
And shows us, that His way is always best.

Lord, give me help that I may not enmesh
My feet by following in the ways of flesh.

THE ARK (VI)

Although because of sin and man's reproach
It dwelt within a place where all was dark
Which once a year the High Priest might approach
God had a system centred on the Ark.
All furnishings took bearing from its site;
All Israel arrange itself around.
Boards measured from and like it would unite
To frame the Tent amid the barren ground.

And now God's system has Christ as its centre
While all who are for Him derive from Him;
Now through the grace of God we freely enter
A place which, by His light, cannot be dim.

So by God's grace unitedly we stand
Surrounding Him while still on desert sand.

THE ARK (V)

Within the Ark the tables of the law
Which God had written on by His own hand
Were cared for ‑ in the Ark Jehovah saw
His testimony carried to the land.
There was the manna in the golden pot
And Aaron's rod which budded ‑ evidence
Of what was suited to Jehovah's thought
And of the good it pleased Him to dispense.

And thus God's law was treasured in Christ's heart
As all His will was perfectly expressed;
While blessings God in Christ chose to impart
Delight Himself and those whom He has blessed.

Oh blessed Spirit, help my soul rejoice
In what in Christ makes Him the Father's choice!

THE ARK (IV)

Hands of the priests alone could touch the Ark
To robe it in the glory of the veil
And safety of the badgers' skins to embark
Across the wilderness's arid trail;
But all was swathed in blue. The sombre tones
Of all around as it went forth to seek
A resting place through desert sand and stones
Show once again the Ark to be unique.

And thus the heavenly Man moved in a scene
Foreign to Him; but if He laid aside
Some of His glories His distinctive mien
Showed heavenly grace which flesh could never hide.

While each true Israelite, in heaven's view,
Should also wear a thread of heavenly blue.

THE ARK (III)

The Ark of God upheld the Mercy‑seat
Where stretched the pinions of the cherubim:
From here the word of God, and men, can meet
Since God had found all suitable to Him.
All was of gold; and all God's righteousness
Set forth for men in mercy may unfold.
God has secured an avenue to bless
From this place forth: since blood was on the gold.

God's rights in mercy have been fully met
Because the blood of Jesus has sufficed
To satisfy the heart of God and set
Him free to speak to every man in Christ.

Eternally God has before His sight
The blood of Him in whom He has delight.