Feb. 4, 2014
Exodus 25-Part 3
And thou shalt put the Mercy Seat above upon the Ark; and in the Ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee. Exodus 25:21
LET IT GLOW
Most men have their favorite chairs in their home. My grandpa had a golden leather chair; Dad
had a burnt orange recliner; and my husband has a burgundy material covered recliner. Everyone knew that that particular chair was sat in by its owner. When they were around, you knew that
you should not be found sitting in their chair. (Dad played with the grandkids who got into his
chair.) The Lord had a special marvelous chair, so to speak. Let's see what was put into His
special tent.
The Ark of the Covenant was the most important piece of furniture to be placed in the tent Tabernacle. It was the throne of God where His glory rested (verse 22; Ps. 80:1, 90:1).
The Ark is described here in chapter 25:
- made of acacia wood, a box or chest about 3' x 2';
- overlay with pure gold inside and out;
- gold molding around it, as a crown of gold;
- four gold rings were to be connected to the four feet, two on each side;
- poles made of acacia wood were inserted into the rings, used for moving the Ark, and remained there;
- two cherubims were to be hammered out of gold at the ends of the Mercy Seat; their wings were spread and they were to face each other;
- above the Mercy Seat, cover, is where God would meet with Moses.
(used only of the cover of the sacred Ark.
Had it not been for the Mercy Seat upon the Ark, Israel could have been under God's judgment.
This was the place where the sacrificial blood wads sprinkled annually on the Day of Atonement (Lev.16:14). The shed blood covered the sins of the people so God only saw the blood, not their rebellious sin. (Wiersbe)
The Ark and the Mercy Seat were to be in the place called the Holy of Holies, the place where
God was present with His people. It was to be separated from the rest of the Tabernacle by a
veil. More details of it will be discussed in the future.
What were the three special items to be inside it?
- The tablets of the Ten Commandments, the tables of the Law (verse 16)
- Aaron's rod that budded (Numbers 16-17)
- A pot of manna (Ex. 16:32-34).
the golden calf, the rod of Aaron-rebellion led by Korah, and manna-complaining in the
wilderness. (Wiersbe)
LET IT GROW
According to Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the Old Testament, the phrase mercy seat also
means propitiation, and Jesus Christ is the propitiation (mercy seat) for us today (Rom. 3:25;
1 John 2:2). We come to God through Jesus and offer our spiritual sacrifices (1 Peter 2:5,9).
Jesus Christ is at once both the blood that is shed for our sins and the Mercy Seat that bears it
up before the Father in heaven. (Falwell)
How do we please God? What spiritual sacrifices does the Lord God accept from us as
believers in Jesus?
- our body as a living, holy sacrifice (Rom. 12:1),
- live a life of love (Eph. 5:2 NIV),
- showing mercy and having the knowledge of God (Matt. 9:13; Hosea 6:6),
- obedience (1 Sam.15:22),
- a broken spirit, and a broken and contrite heart (Ps. 51:17),
- praise, the fruit of lips that confess Jesus' name (Eph. 13:15),
- doing good and sharing with others (Eph. 13:16),
- praise God's name in song, and glorify Him with thanksgiving (Ps. 69:30 NIV),
- preaching salvation in Jesus (1 Cor. 1:21),
- faith (Heb. 11:6; Rom 1:17),
- love (1 Cor. 13),
- serving Christ in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17-18).
offerings and animal sacrifices, Jesus has replaced all of that. Are we loving Christ, our
Passover Lamb, which was sacrificed for us, in our place (1 Cor. 5:7b)?
LET IT GO
Come to Jesus with a broken spirit, confessing my sins, asking His forgiveness.
Give my live, body, and soul to Jesus to be used as an offering for His glory.
Obey and praise my Lord Jesus. In everything give thanks.
Show others love, mercy, doing good and sharing with them.
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