Arca da Aliança: o que era e o seu significado na Bíblia
O que é a Arca da Aliança
A Arca da Aliança era uma caixa sagrada de madeira de acácia revestida de ouro que guardava as tábuas dos Dez Mandamentos e simbolizava o trono e a presença de Deus no meio de Israel. Ela não era um amuleto com poder mágico próprio nem um receptáculo para conter a divindade: o objeto visível apontava para o Deus invisível e para a fidelidade ao pacto estabelecido no Sinai.
O lugar da presença e da revelação
No tabernáculo, a arca ocupava o Lugar Santíssimo, o espaço mais reservado do santuário. Sobre ela ficava o propiciatório — a tampa de ouro com dois querubins esculpidos —, onde Deus manifestava a sua glória e transmitia suas instruções ao povo.
And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.(Exodus 25:22)
O perigo de tratá-la como amuleto
A distinção entre o Deus vivo e a caixa de madeira ficou evidente quando o exército de Israel levou a arca para o campo de batalha esperando vitória automática. Por não tolerar a manipulação de sua santidade, Deus permitiu a derrota militar e a captura da arca pelos filisteus.
And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men.
And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies. So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubims: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again. And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of the LORD was come into the camp. And the Philistines were afraid, for they said, God is come into the camp. And they said, Woe unto us! for there hath not been such a thing heretofore. Woe unto us! who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty Gods? these are the Gods that smote the Egyptians with all the plagues in the wilderness. Be strong, and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you: quit yourselves like men, and fight.
And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen. And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain.(1 Samuel 4:2-11)
A sombra que apontava para Cristo
O autor aos Hebreus descreve a arca e os utensílios do tabernáculo como figuras terrenas de uma realidade espiritual permanente. A aliança antiga e seus símbolos preparavam o caminho para a redenção realizada por Jesus, que abriu o acesso direto à presença divina.
Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; 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; And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.(Hebrews 9:1-5)
Compreender o papel da Arca da Aliança ensina que Deus busca uma relação de compromisso moral e fé sincera, nunca a confiança supersticiosa em objetos religiosos.
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