The ark of the covenant (Ex 37:1) carried the secret of the covenant and is a shadow of the components of the new/ current covenant in Christ. The Ark is representative of a seal of protection, Then physical, now spiritual. The new covenant is in unity with Christ(Is 55:3) who, like the ark, became the new witness(Is 55:4.) In the ark was the ten commandments, (Ex 40:20,) the law that would literally dictate the quality of life of the new nation(Deut 32:46, 47; Deut 29:9).
The law foreshadowed a coming dispensation, when the word/laws of God would become part of the people and arise from the spirits of men. This, we find in Christ, The living word of God(John 1), who dwells in men, transforming them from sons of obedience. He says He came to fulfill the law(Mat 5:17). Jesus is the personification of the law. The same way sin was avoided by strict application of the Law in Deuteronomy, acceptance of Christ is acceptance to have a new form of law rule over you - the law of grace through which is justification, and power to overcome sin(Rom:5:15,21). This new standard of perfection brings a less rigorous relationship between man and God.
