From Above the Mercy Seat (Exodus 25)

Exodus 25:22 22 And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.

Several years ago, this truth was pointed out to me, and it is still amazing every time I think of it.

God gave Israel laws that reflected His righteousness and would show them their need of a Saviour. The summary of those laws was contained in a chest (the ark of the covenant) in the holy of holies. On the lid of that chest were two cherubims and God said that He would dwell there.

The only problem is that God would see the law and want to hold Israel accountable. So, God put a mercy seat on the lid between Him and the law, where blood could be applied. Therefore, God’s view of the law would be through the blood. And the blood would make it possible for a holy God to extend mercy to sinners.

Of course, this typifies the work of Christ. All who trust in Christ are seen by God through the blood of Christ and are then given mercy. What a wonderful thing that God Himself chooses to provide a place of atonement and mercy! He chooses to make it possible for us to have mercy and He gave Himself as the atoning sacrifice for us.

Come to the mercy seat! Come to the cross! There is mercy for all!