425. HEB 9:5. THE MERCY-SEAT A TYPE OF CHRIST

Heb_9:5. The Mercy-Seat A Type Of Christ

"And over it the cherubim of glory shadowing the mercy-seat."’97Heb_9:5.

"Set forth to be a propitiation (or mercy-seat)."’97Rom_3:25

It is clear from the apostle selecting this term, and applying it to Christ, that he considered it a? typically shadowing him forth. We have already seen, in several particulars, how the ark itself was a type of Jesus; let us then call our attention to that which covered the ark, and which was most significantly styled the "mercy seat." Notice,

I. The Mercy-seat covered the Ark, in which were the Tables of the Law.

Thus Jesus obeyed and honored all the laws of God. He was subject to the law in all its moral claims and ceremonial institutions, and he was perfectly conformed to all its requirements. And it was necessary that he should do this, that the purity, justice, wisdom, and goodness of God might be vindicated. And also that by his perfect obedience, he might render to God an acceptable holy sacrifice for the sin of the world, Heb_7:26, Heb_7:27. Thus redemption is based on the personal rectitude and obedience of Christ Jesus.

II. The Mercy-seat was made of Pure Gold.

This signifies both the purity and preciousness of Christ. Christ in his twofold nature was possessed of unsullied holiness. He was without spot. The holiness of Jehovah dwelt in him. But it also pointed out the preciousness of Christ. He is the peerless pearl, beyond all price. He enriches all who possess him, with the unsearchable riches both of grace and glory.

III. Upon it were the Cherubim.

Here was expressed the interest which holy angels take in the things of Christ, and which pertain to human redemption. Doubtless the apostle refers to this, where he says, "Which things the angels desire to look into," 1Pe_1:17. They take delight in all the ways and works of Jehovah, but it is probable that they feel interested in a peculiar degree in the mysteries of redeeming love. Here they obtain a fresh manifestation of Deity.

"For God in the person of his Son,

Has all his mightiest works outdone."

And the poet represents them as being tilled with reverent awe and wonder, and says’97

"The first archangel never saw,

So much of God before."

IV. Here God was enthroned, and communed with Moses.

"There will I meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy-seat." See Exo_25:17-23. How applicable the language of the apostle, "God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself," 2Co_5:19. Jesus was God manifested in the flesh. God with us. God holding intercourse with men. So hat whoso had seen Christ, had also seen the Father Joh_14:9.

V. Here God revealed his Mind and Will

Here God said, I will give thee of all things in "commandment unto the children of Israel," Exo_25:22. Thus as God spake in divers mariners in times past to the fathers by the prophets, "he hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son," Heb_1:2. Jesus came to show us the will of his heavenly Father. He revealed the mind of God to man, unbosomed as it were the heart of Deity. Portions of truth had been published by prophets and holy men of old, but Jesus was the embodied truth of God He came to be the light of the world. God says to all inquirers after life and blessedness, "Hear ye him." As the Messiah he came to show us all things, and to bring life and immortality to light, &c

VI. At the Mercy-seat Prayer and Offerings were presented.

So it is in and through Christ we have access to God. Whatsoever we ask it must be in his name. God is unapproachable to the guilty except through the per son of his Son. He is the one mediator &c. Our persons and all our services, must be presented to God, by and through Christ. Here too the mercy of God is alone dispensed. All our blessings descend to us through him. Here we find mercy and obtain grace to help in every time of need. We come to the Father by this way, and here God meets and blesses his believing people.

VII. The Mercy-seat was to be approached through the sprinkling of Blood.

"Then shall he kill the goat of the sin-offering that is for the people, and bring his blood within the vail, and do with that blood, as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy-seat and before the mercy-seat," Lev_16:15. The apostle alludes to this, Heb_9:7, &c. Now here we are taught the supreme efficacy of Christ’s blood. And that to this we must have especial regard in all our intercourse with Deity. That without shedding of blood there is no remission. That in Christ’s blood we have redemption. And that our faith and hope must ever respect the blood of sprinkling, &c. The death of Christ is the great meritorious fact, on which we are to rest for pardon purity, peace, and everlasting life

APPLICATION

1. As sinners we need a mercy seat. Guilty we are justly condemned and exposed to death. We have no merit or help in ourselves.

2. Christ is the only and the all-sufficient mercy-seat. There is no other. He is ever near. Full of efficacy. Almighty to save. Overflowing with tenderness and grace. His heart and arms open to a lost world.

3. Personal approach indispensable. We must draw near to him. In humble penitency. In unwavering faith. In earnest prayer.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS