Theme: The LORD is the living God who does mighty deeds to demonstrate his power; fear him

The ark of the covenant is mentioned 17 times in Joshua 3-4. This wooden chest (overlaid on the inside and outside with gold) was the most holy physical possession of Israel. It symbolised God's presence (Exodus 25:22; Numbers 7:89; 10:35-36; 1 Samuel 4:4) and it contained three symbols of Israel’s relationship with God: (1) the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, (2) Aaron’s high priest’s rod and (3) a jar of manna (Exodus 25:16, 21; 40:20; Hebrews 9:4). The ark was to be carried by Levites on special poles and no one was permitted to touch it (Exodus 25:12-13; 37:3-5; Numbers 4:4-15).