THE MERCY SEAT!

Exodus 25:17-22 CSB

Make a mercy seat of pure gold, forty-five inches long and twenty-seven inches wide. [18] Make two cherubim of gold; make them of hammered work at the two ends of the mercy seat. [19] Make one cherub at one end and one cherub at the other end. At its two ends, make the cherubim of one piece with the mercy seat. [20] The cherubim are to have wings spread out above, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and are to face one another. The faces of the cherubim should be toward the mercy seat. [21] Set the mercy seat on top of the ark and put the tablets of the testimony that I will give you into the ark. [22] I will meet with you there above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the testimony; I will speak with you from there about all that I command you regarding the Israelites.

 

Mercy is a characteristic and the very nature and essence of the Lord.

The ark of the covenant includs the mercy seat. Orthodox Churches like the catholic church operate a confessional; this is a booth with partitioning for privacy, the priest seats on a wingback chair on one side and the confessor seats or kneels on a cushion placed on the other side. The idea is for the priest to listen to the confession of the confessor, grant them Forgiveness, and absolve them of their sins according to John 20:23 which says God forgives whomever we forgive but Jesus is the only one who can absolve sins, not a priest.

Forgiveness precedes confession and repentance, so, God prepared a confessional for His children as well.

The Mercy Seat was related to the rituals of the Day of Atonement where God did appear, and it was only once a year that the high priest could enter the holy of holies to burn incense and sprinkle sacrificial animals’ blood to make amend for his own and the people’s sins.

The significant meaning of the mercy seat is made clearer in the New Testament at the sacrificial death of Jesus.

The mercy seat is built above the Ark of the covenant of God.

The focus on the construction of the ark in Exodus 25 and the golden “seat” or “cover” symbolizes the throne of God, the earthly representation of a heavenly reality, assigned to occupy the most sacred space in God’s kingdom on earth, the holy of holies or inner sanctum, which is in the central shrine of Israel’s tabernacle and temple.

The Ark covers (mercy seat) represent God’s throne and the Ark His footstool. The symbolism represents God as King and the Holy of holies as the divine government.

There I will meet with you says the Lord in verse 22, and I will commune with you from above the mercy seat. The Shekinah glory of God, or symbol of His divine presence, rests on the mercy seat, and is indicated by the cloud, from within God gave audible responses when the priests consulted on behalf of His people.

God is willing and ready to meet with you, are you?

If the Creator of the universe is willing to set aside a meeting place and time for you, shouldn’t you make the decision and effort to do likewise?

God spoke through Moses about compassion, and Paul quoted this in Romans 9:15. Today, our mercy seat is in and through Christ Jesus according to John 6:44.

God’s mercy is revealed through the atoning work of Calvary for all who trust in Jesus. Since we are all sinners says Romans 3:23-24, and we are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

The Mercy Seat did not derive its worth from the purity of its gold but from the fact that it was the place where the blood of the sacrifice was sprinkled in the presence of God. The word for "mercy seat" is the same root as the word "atonement". It means to cover, cancel, appease, or cleanse. God is waiting for you to meet with Him at the Mercy seat so He can cover and cancel you from your enemy, and cleanse you from life’s dirt. There He will give you answers, directions and revelations for all your tomorrows.

The mercy seat relates to Jesus as its Old Testament symbolism is fulfilled in His sacrificial death. In the tabernacle, the mercy seat was the place where the blood of atonement was sprinkled, signifying reconciliation between God and His people. In the New Testament, Jesus becomes the ultimate mercy seat—through His death on Calvary, He provides atonement for sin, revealing God’s mercy and granting believers direct access to God’s presence. This is why John 6:44 says that our meeting place with God is now in and through Jesus.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

-        How does the idea that God prepared a meeting place for His people challenge your approach to prayer and intimacy with Him?

-        In what ways does understanding the mercy seat as fulfilled in Christ deepen your appreciation of His sacrifice?

-        How does knowing that mercy is part of God’s nature influence how you respond to others who need forgiveness?

-        How can you make time and space in your life to “meet God at the mercy seat” daily?

PRAYER: Thank you God of mercy for preparing a meeting place for me to receive your mercy, help me to be diligent in seeking you always in Jesus’ name. Amen.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5FAXKoVehsAd0RmBW6IUZk?si=IHtRG9kqSI61zuefYwzQfg

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