Chapter XI
THE ARK OF THE COVENANT AND THE MERCY SEAT Cbrist--Ozir God at rrrhe Throne of Grace'' Exodus 25:10-22; 37:1-9; 40:3, 20, 21; Num. 4:5, 6 The ark of the covenant was a chest made of acacia wood, covered inside and out with gold, over which was a lid or covering of pure gold, called the mercy seat. We must think of the ark and the mercy seat as one; for to- gether they made the only piece of furniture in the Holy of Holies of the Jewish tabernacle. Above the mercy seat God dwelt in the pillar of cloud and :fire, "in the midst" of His people, Israel. Into the Holy of Holies the high priest went only once a year, there to represent his people in communion with God; but into that Most Holy Place Aaron dared not go without blood, which he sprinkled on and before the mercy seat; for he could com- mune with a holy God only on the basis of the shed blood, a foreshadowing of the Saviour who was to come, even the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a wonderful lesson which we have before us to- day, a lesson in which the glories of our Lord Jesus shine forth in unspeakable beauty. He Himself is the ark; and He is the mercy seat; for He is our God before "the throne of grace." Within the golden-covered ark of the covenant were the ten commandments, the golden pot of manna, and Aaron's rod that budded-graphic pictures of Christ's keeping God's law unbroken within His heart; Christ, the pilgrim's daily Bread of Life; and Christ, our Great High Priest, "called of God, a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek." All of these rich and meaningful truths we [ 233 ]
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