Lord’s Day, Vol. 10 No. 46
Worship in Ancient Israel (2)
The Tabernacle was the focal point of Israel’s community and life. God instructed Israel to build the Tabernacle, God’s House. The place of worship. At the Tabernacle, was the very presence of God with His people. When Israel looked inward in their encampment around the Tabernacle, therein is God with His people by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.
Exodus 40:38 (KJV) For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.
When Israel looked out of their encampment, it was the stark wilderness, darkness, death, danger and a desert place. In the wilderness, Israel experienced the ever-present day-to-day, moment-by-moment care of God for them.
God instructed Israel to establish worship in the wilderness by the building of the Tabernacle.
Exodus 25:8-9 (KJV) And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.
Our text in Exodus 25 recorded firstly, the command of the people to bring their willing offerings for the building of the Tabernacle.
Exodus 25:1-2 (KJV) And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.
The Ark of the Covenant is the first piece of furniture God and the most sacred furniture that commanded Israel to build. It stood at the furthest end of the holy of holies. It was the place over which the bright shining light, called the Shekinah, which was the token of the presence of God, shone forth. This is the throne room of Israel’s God and King. The Tabernacle was, in fact, built to house the Ark of the Covenant so that God could dwell among His people. Moses recorded the first furniture for construction (Exodus 25:8-10). The ark was symbolic of God’s throne and presence. Our text records God’s instruction construction of the Ark (Ex. 25:10-16) and the Mercy Seat that is above the ark (Exodus 25:17-22).
Hebrews 9:4 tells us that in the ark is placed three objects … and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant.
It is observed that God’s Word mentions the ark 180 times, stressing its importance. It has different names, which correspond to its worth, purpose and use: “The ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth” (Joshua 3:11), “the ark of the testimony” (Exodus 25:22), “the holy ark” (2 Chronicles 35:3), and also “the ark of thy strength” (Psalm 132:8). The living God connected His holy name with it, and in this way at this time it represented His holy will, His power and His glory. It is the throne of God. [The Tabernacle of God in the Wilderness of Sinai, Paul F. Kiene]
The Mercy Seat
The mercy seat was basically the lid of the ark. On top of the ark, at each end, stood two cherubim of gold facing each other but looking down toward the mercy seat with their wings touching each other as they were stretched out over its top.
The mercy seat was made a place of propitiation when the sacrificial blood was sprinkled on it once a year. The blood of the sacrifice would be sprinkled on the mercy seat. The purpose was to make atonement for the impurities or sins of the Israelites. In English, propitiation has the idea of appeasing or placating the anger of a god. The mercy seat typifies the divine throne of God. Just once a year, the high priest entered beyond the veil and, there, with the blood of atonement, bowed in the presence of the great and invisible God. The throne of judgment is transformed into a throne of grace. God said He would meet with Moses from between the two cherubim. God is above the mercy seat. When He looks down, He sees the law, the 10 Commandments, that the Israelites are guilty of breaking. But then He sees the blood sprinkled on the mercy seat, making atonement for those sins.[1]
[1] David M. Levy, The Tabernacle: Shadows of the Messiah, The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, 1993, 96.
What a comfort to have a blood-bought mercy seat to which we can retreat from the stormy winds of the world that blow against the Christian’s walk.
In 1828, Hugh Stowell caught the vision of the believer’s privilege to come before the mercy seat and find comfort in times of need.
He penned the words to the hymn which we sang “Peace at the Mercy Seat” but was later changed to “From Every Stormy Wind that Blows”. Two stanzas of the hymn sum up the fellowship that awaits each blood-bought believer who comes to the mercy seat through Jesus Christ.
From every stormy wind that blows,
From every swelling tide of woes,
There is a calm, a sure retreat:
‘Tis found beneath the mercy seat.
There is a place where Jesus sheds
The oil of gladness on our heads;
A place than all besides more sweet:
It is the blood-bought mercy seat.
The mercy seat is no longer available only once a year, in Christ, we no longer need an earthly high priest to intercede on our behalf. No longer must a sacrifice be slain for us. The veil is torn away. God bids us to come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace in any time of need.
Hebrews 4:14-16 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
May we accept this invitation and appropriate this privilege! Amen.
Yours lovingly,
Pastor Lek Aik Wee