“And he made the mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half was the length thereof, and one cubit and a half the breadth thereof.”
Context:Exodus 37 is part of the detailed description of the construction of the Ark of the Covenant, which was a sacred and significant object in the tabernacle of the Israelites during their time in the wilderness. The Ark of the Covenant was a gold-covered wooden chest that housed the stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments, symbolising God’s covenant with the people of Israel.
Verse 6 specifically focuses on the mercy seat, which was a lid made of pure gold placed on top of the Ark. The mercy seat had two cherubim on each end, with outstretched wings, facing each other, and covering the mercy seat with their wings. It was here that God would meet with Moses and communicate His divine presence and guidance.
The Significance of Gold:The use of pure gold in the construction of the mercy seat highlights the importance and sanctity of the Ark of the Covenant. Gold was highly valuable and symbolised purity, royalty, and divine presence. By using gold, the mercy seat was set apart as a sacred and holy object, representing the presence of God among His people.
Lesson: In our relationship with God, we are called to honour and respect Him with the best of what we have. Just as gold was used to construct the mercy seat, we should offer our best to God, giving Him our wholehearted devotion and worship.
The Mercy Seat and God’s Presence:The mercy seat was the place where God’s presence dwelt among the Israelites. It was here that God met with Moses and communicated with him. The presence of God was represented by the cloud of glory that rested above the mercy seat, known as the Shekinah glory.
Lesson: The mercy seat serves as a reminder that God is always present with His people, and He desires to communicate with us. In our lives, we should seek God’s presence and guidance, allowing Him to lead us, just as He guided the Israelites through the wilderness.
The Symbolism of the Cherubim:The cherubim on the mercy seat were angelic beings with outstretched wings. They served as guardians of God’s holiness and were a reminder of the heavenly realm. The fact that their wings covered the mercy seat suggests the concept of God’s protective presence and the covering of sin through His mercy.
Lesson: The cherubim remind us of God’s holiness and mercy. As we approach God, we do so with reverence, acknowledging His holiness and recognising our need for His mercy and forgiveness.
Mercy and Atonement:The mercy seat played a crucial role in the process of atonement for the sins of the people. Once a year, on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies and sprinkle blood on the mercy seat to make atonement for the sins of the nation.
Lesson: The mercy seat foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who became the ultimate atonement for our sins through His death and resurrection. Through faith in Jesus, we find forgiveness and mercy before God, and our sins are covered by His precious blood.
In conclusion, Exodus 37:6 reminds us of the sanctity of God’s presence, His holiness, and the need for His mercy and forgiveness. It points to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who became the atonement for our sins and provides us access to God’s presence and grace. As we study this passage, may we seek to honour God with our lives, approaching Him with reverence and gratitude for His abundant mercy.
