Hebrews 9: 5 Commentary

Mercy Seat which was made of pure gold with dimensions-2.5×1.5×1.5 cubits-
covered the Ark of Covenant.Two cherubims wrought of gold were placed on each end of it facing each other.The Cherubims point the righteousness & justice of God.They were guardians of the holiness of God.(cf.Gen.3:24).It is significant that the Tables of Covenant were kept inside the Ark of Covenant.
Ps.85:10.Mercy & truth are met together;righteousness & peace kissed together.
John1:17.The law was given by Moses,but grace & truth came by Jesus Christ.
The Law condemns & demands death as punishment for sin.
mercy Seat:(Heb.)kapporeth=covring;(Gr.)hilasterion=propiatory
Every year on the Day of Atonement,the high priest would sprinkle the blood of a young bullock which was sin offering for himself & his household and the blood of a goat which was sin offering for the people of Israel separately upon the Mercy Seat and before the Mercy Seat.Thus atonement has been made for the entire nation of Israel.(Leviticus 16)
The same Greek word “hilasterion” for mercy Seat is used in Romans 3:25 for propitiation.
“whom(Christ Jesus )God set forth to be a propitiation by his blood through faith,to demonstrate his righteousness,because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed.”
The blood of animals sprinkled on the Atonement Day foreshadows the blood of Jesus Christ who has died on the Cross & has made atonement for our sins through His blood & obtained eternal redemption for us.(Heb.9:11-14).The Mercy Seat represents Jesus Christ.He has become our propitiation for our sins.Because of His death on the Cross,He has met all the demands of the law & took the penalty of our sins on Himself and has set us free from the condemnation and the punishment of eternal death.

By Alexander (wrote 499 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 7/1/2008 08:58 am

Please note the previous commentary.The arrangement of the seven items of furniture gives us a picture of the CROSS.Make an imagination of the cross enclosing the furnitures arranged so beautifully.Form a cross by joining imaginary lines to the furnitures.
We see the Brazen altar at the bottom of the Cross.It corresponds to the feet of Jesus.(Rev.1:15)The Brazen Altar was in the outer Court(Ex.27:1-8) & it was the place of sacrifice.The Brazen Laver corresponds to the chest of Jesus Christ.After Jesus died on the cross,one soldier pierced His side and forthwith came there out blood and water.(John.19:34;Zech.13:1)The Laver was the place where the priests would wash whenever they went into the tabernacle and whenever they went to the Brazen Altar to minister and to burn offering.(Ex.30:18-20).The writer of Hebrews did not make any mention of Brazen altar or Brazen Laver in Hebrews 9.
The Golden Candlestick (Ex.25:31-39)and the Table of Shew Bread(Ex,25:23-30)
in the Holy Place form the two arms of Jesus.(Ex.26:35)He is the Light of the world(John 8:12) and he is the Bread of Life.(John 6:48).
The Golden Altar of Incense in the Holy Place(Ex.30;1-6) is the smallest of all furnitures .It represents Jesus as our Intercessor.(1 John 2:1).It corresponds to the mouth of Jesus.On the Cross,He has said,”Father,forgive them for they know not what they do.”(Luke 23:34).Jesus’ last word on the Cross was also a prayer.”Father,into your hands I commend my Spirit.”(Luke 24:46).
The Ark of the Covenant with the Mercy Seat on it (Ex.25:10-22)was placed in the Most Holy Place(Ex.26:34).We can assume them to be the head of Jesus.(Matt.3:16;17:2;John 1:14,32-34;1 John 1:1;2Pet.1:17,18;Rev.1:14).
Mercy seat is the place where God’s glory was manifested.(Lev.16:2).
The arrangement of furnitures tells us that the way of salvation is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.(John14:6;Acts 4:12;16:31;Heb.2:4;5:9).

By Alexander (wrote 499 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 7/1/2008 00:43 am

We are amazed at the beautiful arrangement of the instruments in the Tabernacle.God has given the patterns for the Tabernacle and the instruments to Moses.(Ex.25:9).The instruments were arranged according to the instructions of God.
The Court was of 100 cubits(one cubit=0ne&half feet)length&50 cubits breadth &5 cubits height.(Ex.27:8-9)The entrance was on the eastern side.Inside the Court,were the Holy Place of 20 cubits length,10 cubits breadth &10 cubits height and the Most Holy Place of 10 cubits length,10 cubits breadth &10 cubits height.The Brazen Altar was placed in the Court before the door & the Holy Place.(Ex.30:5,6.);The Brazen Laver was placed between the Holy Place & the Brazen Altar.(Ex.40:7)
In the Holy Place,the Table of Shew Bread was placed on the south side &the Golden Candlestick was placed on the north side.(Ex.26:35)The Golden Altar(to burn incense upon)was placed before the veil of the Most Holy Place.(Ex.30:6)
Inside the Most Holy Place are the ark of the Covenant and the Mercy Seat.(Ex.30;6).The Mercy Seat was the place God chose to reside.(Lev.16:2).
The Cherubims of gold were in the two ends of the Mercy Seat.
When we closely look at the arrangement of these furniture in the Tabernacle we see a picture of Christ.it tells us the truth that Salvation is made possible to man through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross.
(Col.1:10)It is God’s plan of salvation.Jesus is the way.He is making an invitation to come to Him.

By Alexander (wrote 499 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 6/13/2008 05:43 am