The “Lost” Ark and the Mercy Seat – Part V

Could the ark of the covenant and the mercy seat be quietly residing in Ethiopia today? This is what we looked at on Wednesday.

The Old Testament has numerous references to Ethiopia. But so does the New Testament. In fact, there is a baptism story in Acts that quite possibly may be more than just a baptism story.

The Ethiopian Eunuch

Philip quickly arose as a prominent evangelist in the book of Acts. He was in the middle of preaching in Samaria when an angel came to him with a message.

But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, “Get up and so south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a desert road.) So he got up and went; and there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure; and he had come to Jerusalem to worship, and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. –Acts 8:26-28.

A lot is packed into these few verses. First, in spite of Philip being the middle of a revival in Samaria, an angel orders him to go to this desert road. The Bible does not state if any reasons were given, but God doesn’t give reasons, He gives commands.

Secondly, on this desert road, Philip meets up with an Ethiopian caravan on their way back from Jerusalem to Ethiopia. This is important as we will see. It’s also important to realize that this eunuch was not sitting alone in his chariot, he’s with a whole caravan. How do we know this? Because the text says he “was in charge of all her treasure.” In essence, it’s like a modern-day motorcade transporting a large sum of money and treasure from one nation back to their home nation.

Third, as you read the text, you might think that “Candace” is the name of the Ethiopian queen. “Candace” is a title, much like “Pharaoh.” The queen most likely referred to here is Garsemot Kandake VI. Garsemot is her name. “Kandake” is the equivalent of “Candace.” Garsemot ruled Ethiopia from 48 – 58 A.D. The name of the eunuch is reportedly “Daraba,” and according to the law of Orit, he had made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and on his return, Philip the Apostle taught him the gospel.

[Update 07/11/11: for some additional material on Garsemot, you can visit "Earth's Ancient History," "Encyclopedia for Ethiopia," "Women in Power," and "Beta Israel Explained."]

Lastly, the text says that he had come to Jerusalem “to worship.” Why? And for whom? We’ll answer those questions shortly.

Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go up and join this chariot.” Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. –Acts 8:29-30.

God is directing this entire scene of events. First an angel is sent to Philip to tell him to get to the Gaza road. Now the Holy Spirit speaks to Philip and tells him to go to Daraba’s chariot. It’s probably a safe assumption that the caravan was quite large and probably had several chariots so the Holy Spirit directs Philip to the specific chariot that Daraba is in.

When Philip meets him, he asks him directly if he understands what he’s reading. Daraba admits that he does not.

Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was this: “He was led as a sheep to slaughter; and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so He does not open His mouth. In humiliation His judgment was taken away; who will relate His generation? For His life is removed from the earth.” The eunuch answered Philip and said, “Please tell me, of whom does the prophet say this? Of himself or of someone else?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. –Acts 8:32-35.

Why was Daraba the eunuch confused?

In order to understand what’s going on here, let’s reflect back on the Old Testament passages we looked at previously. It’s abundantly clear from those passages that the Ethiopians will be bringing to the Messiah a gift in Jerusalem when He returns. So, let’s assume that Garsemot Kandake hears the Messiah had come. Surely word of Jesus’ first arrival spread everywhere. So, she dispatches Daraba to take the ark and the mercy seat as a gift according to the Old Testament scriptures. Acts 8:27 clearly says that it was his intention to worship at Jerusalem. But what happens when Daraba gets to Jerusalem? He finds out that they killed Him! Daraba is confused because he has the gift for the Messiah and He’s not there anymore!

What we miss out on here is that we need to back up a little further in Isaiah. We have to assume that Daraba was reading more than just Isaiah 53. Remember, back in those days, they didn’t have chapter and verse like our modern Bibles. So let’s see what Isaiah says a little earlier.

Depart, depart, go out from there, touch nothing unclean; go out of the midst of her, purify yourselves, you who carry the vessels of the Lord. –Isaiah 52:11.

Wow! Look at that verse. Do you think Daraba identified with this? Remember, he is a eunuch. They were put in charge of things that needed to be purified because they themselves were kept pure by being eunuchs. Look again at the verse: “you who carry the vessels of the Lord.” Is it not safe to assume that Daraba had charge of the ark and mercy seat because he was a eunuch?

But you will not go out in haste, nor will you go as fugitives; for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard. For what had not been told them they will see, and what they had not heard they will understand. –Isaiah 52:12, 15.

Daraba was on his way back to Ethiopia confused as to his mission. It wasn’t until Philip arrived and explained to him all that had happened did he understand. Now he understood Isaiah 52 and 53, probably for the very first time. He reaction explains it all.

As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch saw him no more, but went on his way rejoicing. –Acts 8:36-39.

Daraba became a Christian at that moment. I’m trying to imagine what it must have been like to be someone in Daraba’s position, having the ark of the covenant and mercy seat in his possession, an understanding of what they were intended for at Jesus’ arrival, and then have Philip complete the entire picture for him. It’s no wonder he went back to Candace rejoicing.

[Update 07/11/11: Based on a recent Google search, it appears that Daraba's proper, full name is "Jen Daraba." Try a Google search and you'll find much information about him and Garsemot. It's really fascinating.]

It begs the question about what he reported when he returned with all her “treasure.” He must have eagerly went to her and said: “Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah, has come. But it is not the time yet. He will come again soon and we must protect the ark and mercy seat to give to Him…later.”

What is the significance of all of this?

The point to all of this is the King and High Priest for which these things were made: Jesus the Messiah. He has come once and He will come again. The Bible is plain on this matter. Whether the mercy seat becomes His throne in Jerusalem or not is still under debate. What is not up for debate is that Jesus will judge the nations from that throne in Jerusalem. Now is the time to make Him Lord, Master, King, and High Priest over your life. Don’t wait. Don’t delay!

May He Increase!