What did the Ark of the Covenant represent as it led Israel?
The Ark of the Covenant represented the very presence and mercy of God leading Israel. It was the sign of their leadership, contained the Ten Commandments, manna, and Aaron's rod, and was topped by the mercy seat. The Shekinah glory rested above it, guiding them in a new way.
Les explains that the Ark was the sign of Israel's leadership, and that it was the little box overlaid with gold containing the tables of the Ten Commandments, a sampling of the manna, and Aaron's rod that budded. Over the Ark was the mercy seat, the place of mercy. When everything was completed and they were ready for tabernacle worship, the Shekinah glory cloud set itself right above the Ark in the Holy of Holies. So this same piece of furniture signified the very presence of God and the very mercy of God leading the children of Israel. They were to keep a space of about 2,000 cubits—about 3,000 feet, a little over half a mile—never getting too close, so they might know the way, for they had not passed that way before. As they prepared to cross Jordan, Joshua told the priests to take up the Ark of the Covenant and pass over before the people.