"He also made the mercy seat of pure gold; two and a half cubits was its length and a cubit and a half its width" (Ex. 37:6).
“The sacrifices of the Jews were acceptable to God because they were exercises of repentance and faith,” John Calvin wrote. The ceremonies and pomp of Israel found their completion in Christ and can be best understood in the light of the Gospel. Separated from Him, none of what we read in the final chapters of Exodus has any meaning, for on their own those exercises had no power to propitiate God. It must be remembered, however, that the Jews did not pay attention to the sacrifices in vain, for the promises were attached to them. When we read sentences such as, “Your iniquity shall be blotted out,” or, “You shall appear before My face,” or, “I will hear you from the sanctuary,” we learn that all the ancient figures of the tabernacle, the ark, and the altar were sure testimonies of God’s grace and eternal salvation, and that Christ was represented in them, for all the promises are in Him (2 Cor. 1:20).
This does not mean that there were mysteries hidden in every one of their details. As Calvin writes, some people try to find an allegorical exposition in every detail when the text does not call for it. This is particularly easy to do with the ark of the testimony. But it is enough to know that God had His Law placed in an ornate vessel so that His glory would be recognized, and that He commanded that the ark itself be carried with poles so that its sanctity might be greater. No hands were to touch the ark, for it was set apart and declared holy by the God of Israel, who is a consuming fire.
The ark contained the Law and compact whereby God bound Himself to His people, and His people to Himself. In Psalm 19:7, the word “testimony” is added in explanation of the word “law”: “The law of the Lord is perfect, the testimony of the Lord is sure.” We also read this parallel construction in Isaiah 8:20, “To the law and to the testimony.” Two different things are not referenced, but the law is commended because it contains God’s testimony to His people.
We also read of the construction of the mercy seat and the placing of the cherubim. The mercy seat reveals to us that, without a propitiation, the Law does not bring us near to God. Instead, it accuses us before Him. Only by the mercy found in Jesus Christ can we approach the Lord in worship and be reconciled to Him.
How does God show mercy to His people? Who has met the requirements of the law? If you have time, read chapter 10 of Hebrews. The apostle says that the just will live by faith. How was this true for Old Testament believers as well? Spend some time meditating today on what it means to live by faith.
