Introduction

Good morning, church family. Today we're going to dive deep into some fascinating passages of Scripture and explore a somewhat enigmatic concept - the Atonement Cover, or as it's also known, the Mercy Seat. Now, you may be thinking, "Wait a minute, isn't that just a piece of furniture from the Tabernacle?" Well, yes, it is. But as is often the case with God's Word, there's a whole lot more going on beneath the surface.

Before we get started, let's look at our key Scripture passages. Leviticus 16 describes the Atonement Cover or Mercy Seat as a place where the high priest would sprinkle the blood of the sacrifice once a year on the Day of Atonement. This was a sacred act of reconciliation between God and His people.

[Read passage]

Isaiah 66:1 then challenges our understanding of God's dwelling place when God says, "This is what the Lord says:

"Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be?"

Similarly, in Acts 7:48-49, Stephen reminds his listeners that "the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands," and then he quotes Isaiah 66:1 to emphasize his point.

So, how do these passages connect? What does the Mercy Seat have to do with God's throne and footstool, and what does all this mean for us today?

As we embark on this journey to deepen our understanding, I'm reminded of something Jim R. Cymbala once said: "God’s throne of grace. It is not a physical location you can visit, but the promises you read about it in the Bible are so immense that they are almost beyond belief.” Let's allow that to guide our exploration today.

Let's bow our heads in prayer.

Father, as we dive into Your Word, open our hearts and minds to understand Your truths. Guide us into deeper knowledge of You, and help us to grasp the mysteries of Your Kingdom. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Now, let's get started...

Throne or Footstool

The Atonement Cover, or Mercy Seat was a critical component of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary where the Israelites worshipped God during their wilderness journey. The Mercy Seat was the lid of the Ark of the Covenant, overlaid with pure gold and adorned with two cherubim facing each other. It was here, between the cherubim, that God promised to meet with His people (Exodus 25:22).

The symbolic significance: The sprinkling of blood on the Mercy Seat by the high priest on the Day of Atonement was a vivid representation of atonement - the reconciliation between God and His people through the shedding of blood. This act of atonement was a foreshadowing of the ultimate atonement that would be achieved through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross.

A symbol of God's throne: This is the place where He dispenses mercy and justice. This aligns with the imagery in Isaiah 66:1, where God declares, "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool." The Mercy Seat, as God's throne, is the place where His sovereignty, holiness, and righteousness are displayed. It is also the place where His mercy is poured out, as symbolized by the sprinkling of the sacrificial blood.

God's footstool: Seen as representing His presence among His people. This is in line with the assertion in Acts 7:48-49 that "the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands." The Tabernacle, and later the Temple, were not intended to contain God but to symbolize His dwelling among His people. The Mercy Seat, as God's footstool, is a reminder of His immanence - His nearness and involvement in our lives.

Both at once: The Mercy Seat serves as both God's throne and footstool, symbolizing His transcendence and immanence, His sovereignty and nearness. It is a powerful reminder of the paradoxical nature of God's relationship with us - He is the transcendent King, yet He chooses to dwell among us; He is holy and righteous, yet He extends mercy to us.

Can impact our view of God and our relationship with Him: It reminds us that God is not distant and detached, but near and involved. He is not just a judge, but also a merciful Savior. He is not confined to a physical location, but His presence permeates the universe.

The Mercy Seat

Leviticus 16 gives us a detailed description of the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO