There seems to be a contradiction as to where the Ark of the Covenant was located during Am Yisrael's travels through the desert. On one hand, we know that they traveled in the formation in which they camped, meaning that the Ark was in the center of the nation. On the other hand, a verse in our parsha tells us that the Ark lead the nation - travelled at the front - through the desert. By closely examining the verses as well as the commentaries who grapple with this contradiction, we can learn about the nature of Am Yisrael's relationship with God during times of peace and times of war.