The Temple’s Missing Item

The priests performed many tasks in the Temple. We attempt to relate these tasks as Zechariah might have perceived them in our book Advent Journeys. Zechariah served many roles during his twenty-five years of active service before retirement. In all, and even with even with the politics and toil which comes with a heavy work cycle, Zechariah never lost his zeal.

Looking int the Tower of David Museum

With all of its magnificence (see the previous two blog posts) and all of its organization, the Temple of Zechariah lacked one thing. The most important piece of furniture, the throne of God, the box which was called the Ark of the Covenant, was missing. This box which held Israel’s treasures: the Ten Commandments, Aaron’s rod and a jar of manna, was sacred and the place where in history God had resided. The Ark of the Covenant had gone before Israel in battle and it was the first item brought to Jerusalem for Solomon’s Temple.

Jerusalem from the Ramparts Walk

The Ark of the Covenant with the Mercy Seat upon it was the place where the High Priest was to place the blood from Israel’s atonement offering each Yom Kippur. But in the days of Zechariah it was missing, and every priest was aware of this fact. One priest wrote: “After the Ark was taken away a stone remained there from the time of the early Prophets,” and it was called ‘Shetiyah’. It was higher than the ground by three fingerbreadths.”

Temple Mount from Ramparts Walk

Another priest said: “Once when a priest was occupied he saw a block of pavement that was different from the rest. He went and told it to his fellow, but before he could make an end of the matter his life departed. So they knew assuredly that there the Ark lay hidden.”

Jerusalem from Tabtznik Park

The Holy of Holies remained important even without the Ark of the Covenant. The High Priest continued to go in every year on the Day of Atonement. He would sprinkle the blood on the place where the Ark of the Covenant had been placed before. To a priest of a lower level, like Zechariah, the Altar of Incense was the closest he could come to the Holy of Holies. It was at this place that the Angel met him and announced that he and Elizabeth would have a son.

Israel Adventure - Day 13

We began today in our neighborhood with coffee and bagels at Bagel Cafe.

After breakfast we took the bus to the Albright Institute in Jerusalem. This institution helps facilitate archaeological research. They have fellowships and housing for graduate (PhD level) students in order to assist in research. We received a tour of the facility which included a library.

Following the Albright Institute we walked to the Rockefeller Archaeological Museum. Inside we found a great collection of pottery, artifacts, architecture, and even skeletal remains of people which have been found in Israel. We spent some time there and took lots of pictures.

Then we were on our own. The Rockefeller Museum is across from the Old City at Herod’s Gate, so we crossed the street. We did not go in Herod’s Gate because I got lost there on my first day in Jerusalem. Instead, we walked around the city towards the Jaffa Gate.

On the way to the Jaffa Gate we passed Zedekiah’s Cave. Tradition says the last king of Judea, Zedekiah, used this cave to escape the Babylonians. Some think Jeremiah hid the Ark of the Covenant here … but a complete search has been made, and it was not found. Jeremiah probably hid the Ark in another cave more directly under Temple Mount. The limestone hills of Judea are filled with many caves.

We enjoyed the cave since the day was very hot and the cave was cool.

After departing the cave we went to the Jaffa Gate and to the Tower of David Museum. The museum is in a medieval fortress, or castle. Underneath the castle there are remains of King Herod’s palace from the time of Jesus. The museum contains the history of Jerusalem laid out in interesting fashion. There are lifelike displays which do not require much reading.

Above the museum there is a tower with a great view of the city. We spent some time looking, and then walking the ramparts.

After our visit we stopped at Aroma Coffee for one last cup of Cookies and Cream frozen Coffee.

We walked through the park, and stopped at the Artist’s Colony. We saw some great artwork. The first artist we visited just placed a piece in the North Carolina Museum of Art. We saw several shops, and then returned home.

After packing (yes, it was our last day in Jerusalem) we went to Jerusalem’s First Train Station for dinner. We found a great place we had not tried before, and ate a full breakfast. This included eggs, bread, salad, and items for dipping and eating such as feta cheese, cream cheese, olives, guacamole, jelly and other dips.

We arrived home and went to bed early since we had to meet our transportation to the airport at 3:45 a.m.