What did the Ark of the Covenant contain?
The Ark of the Covenant was a small box overlaid with gold, and it contained the tables of the Ten Commandments, a sampling of the manna, and Aaron's rod that budded. It was covered by the mercy seat, the place of mercy, and signified God's presence and mercy as He led Israel.
Les explains that the Ark of the Covenant was that little box overlaid with gold, and inside it were the tables of the Ten Commandments, a sampling of the manna, and Aaron's rod that budded. Above the Ark was the mercy seat, the place of mercy. When the tabernacle worship was completed, the Shekinah glory cloud set itself right above the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies. This same piece of furniture signified the very presence and mercy of God, and it was going to lead the children of Israel. They were told to keep a space of about 2,000 cubits, roughly 3,000 feet or a little over half a mile, and never to come too close to it.