There were three items in the earthly sanctuary: a pot containing manna, the ten commandments, and Aaron’s rod that budded. This can be seen in both Old and New Testaments, but notice Hebrews 9:4 putting each item together in one verse, “Hebrews 9:3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; Hebrews 9:4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant.”

Aaron’s rod was a symbol for a lot of things, as were the pot and commandments (see the above video for a quick overview), but one thing can definitely be found by reading Numbers 16-17–God’s order in the priesthood is important to Him.

Since we are living today in the antitypical Day of Atonement (find a study on that here), which was the only time in Israelite history when the ark was seen during the services, we conclude that the items placed within that ark are especially significant for us today–as present truth.