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Sica_Belle

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DH and I recently attended a Messianic Congregation a couple weeks ago. We attended the saturday afternoon service & of course, we all enjoyed the joyful, relaxed atmosphere. But both DH and I were raised Christian, we were a bit suprised when a 'representation of the ark'? Was paraded through the congregation and everyone was encouraged to touch it. After which the children left for their lessons and the Torah readings commenced.
DH & I are a bit unsure of the implications of this ( as stated before we both grew up in the Christian community) and I was hoping that someone here could help us understand exactly what we witnessed and what does it represent.
 
interesting.
i have never heard of anything like this (not that i have attended many "messianic" services). i have studied some of the jewish traditions and i am wondering where this may have started.
 
In Judaism the Torah is paraded around before the readings and some people will kiss their tallit and touch it to the Torah or kiss their hand and touch it to the Torah as it passes by. Several Messianic congregations do this as well because of tradition. But I have never seen nor heard of a representation of the Ark going around, that is strange. If you plan to go back, I’d suggest asking about it.
 
Maybe it was a test to see if the congregation had been paying attention to what had been taught. I suppose it would definitely get the attention of the group if the Lord struck dead anyone who reached out to touch/steady the ark as it was brought through the crowd! Hmmm....there is a thought....see who is awake and who is dead! LOL

In Him,
Deborah A. Turner,
victorianmaiden@yahoo.com
 
Deb, I was thinking the exactly same thing...not sure I want to be touching the Ark!

Doc
 
'representation of the ark'
Click to expand...
hmmm,
the picture that my mind created was of noah's ark.
i never thought about the ark of the covenant.
 
Was it an actual replica of the ark of the covenant? or simply a decorated box? If the latter, it may have simply been a box containing the Torah. I believe that the Hebrew word translated "ark" does simply mean "box".
 
Thanks so much to everyone who replied here or prayed for us to be able to find the answers & wisdom for our lack of understanding. I truly do appreciate this as we are truly treading uncharted waters, as far as our experiences go.
And yes I quite agree, I don't want to end up like the people in the movie Indiana Jones. :lol: My life has been exciting enough the past several years w/o adding all that on top. :lol:
 
Yes in many Messianic meetings the Torah is brought out in a box and non-messianics could think it was an ark replication. We do in our services the same thing in which you spoke. Though we are not really trying to touch it, as to pass along our fondness so to speak. It is a custom but not for just anyone you normally have to be a member to be invited to do so.
 
Shalom Sica-Belle,

We used to attend a Messianic congregation that also carried the Torah around the congregants. It's probably a very Jewish thing which I didn't mind but I have to admit that it was somewhat amusing to see the people turn towards it like moored ships in tidal waters. What did bother me was the lack of Scriptural teaching as I believe Holiness comes from the Heart and outwards and not necessarily through rituals. It's fantastic if one has both, heart and actions. The rabbi is quite open to polygamy though.

Rejoice in the fact that you have found people who worship YHWH on the day that He set apart, the Seventh Day. You're fulfilling the IV Commandment beautifully and YHWH will slowly and gently reset your perception of time from the pagan calendar to the Hebrew one, YHWH's. Recall that the Feasts of YHWH in the Torah are just that, feasts of YHWH and not of the Jews. Enjoy His view of time and see what a lovely God we serve.

We have been grafted in to the ancient olive tree, not the pagan christmas tree.

Shalom.

Crunchie
 
As I read through this a couple thoughts came to mind. On top of the Ark of the Covenant was (for one day a year) the Mercy Seat. When Christ died the veil (curtain) to the Holy of Holies was torn from top to bottom. In other words God removed the barrier to His presence and cleared our way to approach the Mercy seat (as since we are forgiven the atonement seat is not used) So the congregation reaching out to touch the Ark is a symbol of the faith they have in Christ's blood ushering them into access the Holy of Holies and God's throne.
 
CecilW said:
I believe that the Hebrew word translated "ark" does simply mean "box".
Click to expand...

There was a children's Bible that translated this as "the Holy Box". We loved that.
 
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