Does the famous Ark of the Covenant actually reside in Africa? Ethiopians claim that for thousands of years, and it has been carefully guarded by the descendants of Menelik I.
By Bill Wiatrak (Houstonia) |
Some of my friends chide me about my world travels and jokingly refer to me as Indiana Jones. Maybe it’s the hat I wear when I’m traveling, my bizarre adventures or the seemingly near-death experiences I always seem to escape from unscathed. If you saw Raiders of the Lost Ark, you probably know Indiana Jones had to journey across the world to get near the Ark of the Covenant, and still never really saw it. Well, that’s now one more thing we have in common!
Ethiopians claim that the ark was never lost, as is believed by most historians, but has been in their country for centuries. Whether that’s true or not is a matter of great speculation. According to legend and many historical records, the Queen of Sheba journeyed from Ethiopia to Jerusalem where she met King Solomon. One thing led to another and after Sheba returned to her country, their son Menelik I was born.
Menelik traveled back to Jerusalem to meet his father some years later and was accompanied on his return journey to Ethiopia by some Israelite “first born” escorts. Unbeknownst to Menelik, his traveling companions “borrowed” the sacred Ark of the Covenant from Solomon’s temple. Menelik’s initial anger transformed into a resolution that this was all a part of God’s plan, or otherwise such a thing would not have been possible.
Read the complete story at Houstonia
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See also:
- Eight Days in Ethiopia
- Gondar: The Camelot of Africa
- Protecting the Unparalleled Simien Mountains
- Go to Ethiopia for Ancient History, Jazz, and a Capital City on the Rise
- Having the Best out of Both: Holiday Season and Ethiopia’s Delightful Adventures