Lesson #15 Mercy Seat

THE MERCY SEAT

 

Text: Exodus 25:17-21; 37:6-9

See pictures 20 – 22. Mercy Seat (cover of the ark) is picture 22.

 

1. Why the Mercy Seat, what it typifies:

 

1. Hebrew word “Mercy seat” can be translated as “place of atonement”, because this is where the high priest sprinkled blood once a year on the day of atonement (Lev 16:15). This atonement showed the righteous sentence of the law being executed, changing the judgment seat into a mercy seat, or “throne of grace”. That blood sprinkled on the mercy seat was a picture of Jesus’ blood being taken to the throne of God, being our sacrifice, allowing us to pass from judgment to being righteous before God.

 

2. We all need God’s mercy.

Romans 3:21-25 v.22- The righteousness of God is only by faith in Jesus; v.23- We all need to be redeemed, we are all unrighteous before God; v.24- redemption means “to deliver by paying a price”. That is what Jesus did; v.25- “propitiation” is from of the word “propitiatorium” which means “the mercy seat, or place of atonement”.

 

3. God knew we would need mercy seat, a sacrifice, atonement to be made on our behalf, Hebrews 9:5-7, 14-15, 22, 28.

The curse of the broken law had to be borne, its vengeance had been incurred, and there was no provision for mercy. Someone had to fulfill all righteousness, and at the same time endure on behalf of others the deadly penalty incurred.

1. This Christ did, as foreseen in the counsels of God:

1. Acts 2:23-24; 4:28- determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God.
2. Ephesians 1:3-6- before the foundation of the world, predestinated us.
3. 1Peter 1:19-21- foreordained before the foundation of the world.
4. Galatians 4:4-5- in the fullness of time sent forth by God.

 

2. Construction of Mercy seat:

1. Numbers 25:17, 21- The mercy seat was 45 inches long (2.5 cubits) and 27 inches wide (1.5 cubits), it sat on the ark.

 

2. Numbers 25:18-20- The cherubim were each of solid gold, each made of one solid of piece of gold. They were at the ends of the mercy seat facing each other.

 

3. Numbers 7:89- God spoke to Moses from the mercy seat. Moses was outside the inner veil.

 

4. Psalm 80:1; 99:1- God resided between the cherubim, above the mercy seat.

 

3. Christ and the Law:

1. Isaiah 42:21- Jesus magnified the law and made it honorable.

 

2. Romans 10:4; Galatians 3:13- Jesus is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth.

 

4. The special use of the ark was to carefully preserve the law:

1. Mercy seat was out of sight, along with the Law (tablets within the ark).

1. Mercy seat was not accessible for everyone, only the high priest, just as God’s throne today is only accessible to those that are in a right position (only because of Jesus sacrifice which tore that veil in two that covered the entrance to the mercy seat).

 

2. Mercy seat was a place where God resided, a holy place, that we can’t approach in our sinful state without Jesus’ blood covering us. Picture Moses having to remove his shoes when approaching God at burning bush because the ground was holy due to God’s presence.

1. John 1:18- We cannot approach God physically (and only spiritually through Jesus), so the mercy seat where God resided could only be approached by the high priest, who pictured Jesus.
2. Exodus 3:2-6- Wherever God is, that is a holy place that cannot be approached unless worthy and reverent.

 

3. Conditions to approach mercy seat.

1. Exodus 30:20; Leviticus 16:4- Aaron had to cleanse at the laver.
2. Exodus 28:43; Leviticus 16:4- Wear proper garments.
3. Hebrews 9:7; Leviticus 16:2-6, 17, 29-34- Approach only on special day (day of atonement) with blood sacrifice being applied; v.17- No one else could even be in the tabernacle at this time.

 

4. Numbers 4:5-6- Aaron and his sons had to cover the ark before it could be seen by others when the camp was moving. Covered with the veil first (inner veil that was the door to holy place), then badger skins, then blue cloth.

 

2. To remove it (the law) out of Israel’s way.

1. Leviticus 16:30, 34- The blood applied to the mercy seat was a ceremony of reconciliation, to allow the sins of the people to be forgiven, and make them temporarily clean in the eyes of God.

1. Hebrews 10:1-4- the Law was a shadow of Jesus (good things) to come; the sacrifices had to be done continually in order to satisfy the sin; Jesus’ sacrifice made it permanent.

 

2. Colossians 2:14- Jesus sacrifice was the fulfillment of the Law. This was what that yearly “day of atonement” typified.

 

3. Hebrews 9:23-28- Jesus fulfilled the Law, fulfilling the pattern of the tabernacle, and picture of the mercy seat.

 

3. To conceal the ministration of death, and prevent its breaking forth in vengeance.

1. Leviticus 17:11, 14- Since Adam sinned, there was nothing man could do in regards to their sin before God; the only acceptable things were blood sacrifices. The shedding of blood was the price of atonement. Life was in the blood.

 

2. Hebrews 9:11-12, 22- The price had to be paid for sin, blood had to be shed for remission (forgiveness) of sin. Or else judgment would come.

 

5. The use of the mercy seat is a type of Christ who came to fulfill its purpose:

1. John 6:38; Hebrews 10:9- To do the will of God

1. Hebrews 12:2- He delighted in it.

 

2. Galatians 3:10-14- He died in accomplishment of that “will” under the curse.

 

2. He now sits on the right hand of God as the One who has fulfilled all righteousness, and the Witness, also, that justice has been met, Hebrews 10:12; 12:2; 1Peter 3:22.

 

3. Not only was the ministration of death placed in the ark (the Law), it was covered with the mercy seat, that it should no more be exposed.

Hebrews 10:16-17- “Remember no more”

 

4. 1 Timothy 2:5- The “mercy seat” was the cover of the ark, and both together formed one vessel of the sanctuary. It is a type of the Lord Jesus, as the One Mediator between God and Man.

 

6. The two cherubim at each end of the mercy seat, Exodus 25:18-20:

1. The cherubim seem to be symbolic figures, showing forth the glorious power of God.

1. Ezekiel 1:5-13 v.5- the four living creatures (cherubim) were from God; v.12- they “went whither the Spirit was to go”.

 

2. Ezekiel 10:14-22- Further description of the cherubim from chapter one.

 

3. Revelation 4:6-9- The four beasts (cherubim) were around the throne of God, giving glory and honor to God.

 

2. Cherubim were part of the tabernacle curtains and inner veil, the curtains were seen as the ceiling of the tabernacle. So, just as cherubim surround the throne of God, they surrounded the tabernacle which typifies where God dwelt with Israel, Exodus 26:1, 31; 36:8, 35.

 

3. Cherubim were in temple.

1. 1 Kings 6:23-28- Each were 15 feet high (10 cubits) with each wing 7.5 feet (5 cubits). They were made of wood, overlaid with gold (ones in tabernacle were solid gold).

 

4. Note four faces in Ezekiel 1:10:

1. The face of a man is symbolic of mind, reason, intellect, knowledge, and discernment.

1. Hebrews 4:15- Christ as our mercy seat has full consciousness of all our need, sorrows, and infirmities.

 

2. The face of a lion denotes majesty, terribleness, strength, and dignity, Proverbs 30:30; 19:12.

1. Lions were emblems of the strength and dignity of Judah’s throne.

1. 2 Chronicles 9:17-19- Solomon’s house in Lebanon had lion emblems in steps to his throne. Solomon was of the tribe of Judah.
2. 2 Samuel 17:10- David was described as valiant.

2. Revelation 5:5- The name and title of Judah’s only true King is “The Lion of the tribe of Judah”.
3. This same kind of power is our shelter and guard at the place of mercy.

 

3. The face of an ox expresses power in patient and preserving labor; strength subjected to bear burdens.

1. Proverbs 14:4- Strength of ox was beneficial to separating wheat from kernel.
2. Psalm 144:14- Ox were mighty for use in labor. Slow and steady strength.
3. 2 Peter 3:9- When spoken with reference to God, it is expressive of His longsuffering.
4. Isaiah 41:10- His power will never grow weary, nor be exhausted.

 

4. The face of an eagle denotes quickness and power of sight, Job 39:27-30.

1. Hebrews 4:13- God is able to see all, and nothing escapes His attention.
2. Isaiah 40:31- Run and not be weary, with wings as eagles.

 

7. When first seen on earth, the cherubim were placed at the east of the garden of Eden to keep the way of the tree of life (protect it):

1. Genesis 3:22-24- Adam and Eve disobeyed God, sin came upon mankind.

 

2. The word and majesty of God had been disrespected and despised.

1. Genesis 3:4-7- Man had given credit to Satan’s falsehood.

 

2. Genesis 3:11-13- Man had by his unbelief made God a liar.

 

3. The cherubim took their stand as the avenger of God’s insulted majesty.

1. Genesis 3:16-19- Man was an outcast.

 

2. Genesis 2:8-9, 15-17; 3:23-24- He was banished by God from that happy place.

 

3. There was no way allowed for his return to the tree of life.

1 Corinthians 15:19- Imagine going through life knowing there was no hope after physical death, no way or chance of being with God for eternity! Thank God there is, through Jesus.

 

4. Unless the glory of God could be met and the flaming sword of vengeance and holiness satisfied, it was vain for man to hope for any way of return to life.

1. Mankind was under sin, and no one was exempt.

1. Romans 3:10-18, 23- None righteous.
2. Romans 5:12, 19- Adam’s sin caused all of mankind to become sinners.

 

2. All this was met in the person of Jesus Christ, Romans 5:8.

1. God had planned before the foundation of the world to offer Himself as a perfect Sacrifice for sin
2. Hebrews 10:12- One sacrifice for sins forever.
3. Isaiah 53:11- Bear their iniquities.

 

8. Notice the position of the cherubim in the Holy of Holies:

1. Exodus 25:20- Their faces are now intently turned toward the place of mercy.

 

2. The only seat in the Tabernacle was God’s throne, where mercy reigned.

1. Hebrews 4:16- Mercy today is only found at God’s throne, the throne of grace.

 

2. Romans 5:20-21- It was not a throne of judgment, but a throne of grace, because of Jesus taking that judgment upon Himself.

1. Ephesians 2:8-9- By grace.

 

3. In the cherubim above that mercy seat we see-

1. -All the intelligence and sympathy expressed in the face of a man.
2. -All the majesty, terribleness, and power of a lion.
3. -All the patient enduring of an ox.
4. -All the rapidity and clear-sightedness of an eagle.

-Now standing engaged on the side of mercy.

1. Psalm 89:14-15- Justice and judgment are at the throne with Jesus, and mercy and truth come to us because of that sacrifice. That makes it a joyful sound.
2. Psalm 85:10- Jesus brought righteousness and peace, resulting in mercy and truth.

 

9. When the hour had come for the offering up of the sacrifice, we see justice and mercy standing at Calvary, and hear justice say to mercy:

1. “Where is He, Who, over 400 years ago, in the garden of Eden, offered Himself a Substitute for the sin of the world?” Hebrews 2:9- We see Jesus, our Substitute.

 

2. “There He is”, said mercy, “coming up the hill, bearing the cross.”

1. When He reached the top of the hill, justice presented the bond, executed centuries before, and demanded its payment. Hebrews 9:15-17- Payment was made through His death.

 

3. The Son of God replied, “I will this day cancel it.” 1 John 2:2- For the sins of the whole world.

 

4. Soon all the preparations for the sacrifice were complete, and the Lamb of God was laid on the altar of the cross. Isaiah 53:6-8- As a lamb to the slaughter;

John 1:29- The Lamb of God that took away the sin of the world.

 

5. As Jesus laid His hands upon the cross, He held in them, invisible to human eyes, the bond to be canceled, and when the Roman soldier drove the nails through those hands, there was fulfilled the words of the Apostle Paul, Colossians 2:14-15. “Nailed it to the cross (the Law).”

 

10. One day the faces of the cherubim will once more be turned toward the earth:

1. They will look upon a world in which the majesty, glory, and truth of God have been displayed; Philippians 2:8-11- the time will come when all will bow to and give praise to Jesus.

1. Here His grace and mercy have been rejected, John 19:15-16.
2. Here He was thrust out at the point of a spear, John 19:33-34.

 

2. What happens when the mercy seat is moved out of His place?

1. 1 Samuel 6:19-21; 7:1-2- Men of Bethshemesh (50,000+) were killed for looking into the ark. They called for the ark to be taken to the high priest Abinadab, and it was there 20 years until David moved it to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6), where it would eventually be put into the Temple built by Solomon.

 

2. 1 Samuel 5:1-7, 11; 6:1, 8-9, 14-15- Philistines had felt the judgment of God (afflicted with tumors) for having the ark, and they returned it after 7 months.

 

3. One day the Lord Jesus is going forth out of His place, Micah 1:3-4. Jesus will return at the end of the tribulation.

1. He is going to avenge His elect, Mark 13:19-20, 24-27.

 

2. He is coming to tread the winepress of His fierceness and wrath of almighty God against…

1. Satan (Revelation 20:1-3, 10)
2. Sin (Revelation 20:14; 21:6-8)
3. Rebellious man (Revelation 19:11-16; 6:11-17)

 

11. Holiest of Holies place:

1. Type of Heaven, where God’s glory resides.

1. Exodus 40:33-34- Glory of the Lord.
2. Acts 2:1-4- God’s glory represented as Spirit coming to Church on day of Pentecost

 

2. Was a cube, similar to New Jerusalem.

1. Holy of Holies was 10 cubits square (15 feet).

1. Exodus 36:21- Each board was 10 cubits high, 1.5 cubits wide.
2. Exodus 36:27-30- Eight boards on the West end, minus the depth of boards. East/South sides = 10 cubits.

2. Revelation 21:1-3, 16- City will be foursquare (cube).

 

3. Veil concealed this place, to separate God from man.

1. Matthew 27:51- The separation was removed by God when Jesus died and was resurrected.
2. Access to God’s throne is allowed now, Hebrews 4:14-16.