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The mercy seat was a place, but it was also a symbol. The symbology of the mercy seat is declared in the name by which it was called. Mercy was available at the mercy seat; mercy was an attribute of the One whose presence was manifested there. Mercy was and is an attribute of God. He was and is a merciful God and it is this trait of mercy from which all inclinations to relieve or avert suffering derive. In other words, mercy is the deep-seated and compassionate attribute of God that prompts Him to act in order to relieve or avoid suffering in other living creatures.

The suffering that was relieved and/or averted at the mercy seat was exclusively human suffering. While mercy can appropriately be extended toward any living creature (animals and humans), the mercy seat was a place where suffering resulting from moral lapses was addressed. In other words, the mercy seat was a place where moral wrongs could be rectified and the resultant suffering could be averted. The mercy seat was a place where humans could consciously seek reprieve from the punishment they deserved.

When we think of God as a merciful God, we need to remember that His mercy is an essential part of His being; it is not transient (here today and gone tomorrow); it is as much a part of His being as is love, goodness, and power. God exemplifies and demonstrates the concepts of mercy. It is from His attitude of mercy that other gifts flow. Grace itself is extended to man because of God's merciful attitude. Grace goes beyond the mere alleviation of suffering; it extends even to the granting of good things to the undeserving. However, grace is a product of the merciful attributes of God.

The mercy seat existed because of and as a means to demonstrate God's mercy. As regards Israel and their standing with God, a casual reading of the Old Testament will confirm the fact that He did not choose Israel because they deserved to be chosen. He did not deliver them from Egypt because they deserved to be delivered. He did not give them food and Divine protection because they deserved the same. He did not grant her victory over her enemies because of her righteous character. In short, God's gifts to Israel originated in God's merciful heart and only because of that Divine attribute of mercy!

The mercy seat was but one more way (and a highly important one we might add) for God to demonstrate mercy. However at this piece of sacred furniture, God granted forgiveness and passed over judgment for sins! This was similar to His physical deeds of deliverance, but it was fundamentally different; it addressed the moral needs of mankind and offered repair for the sins he had committed. Once again, the mercy seat implied the sovereignty of God along with His right to forgo the punishment of the guilty

The mercy seat was a demonstration of God's character in that it displayed His heart of compassion. He was not a vengeful God who sought to punish; rather, He was and is a God that seeks to bless. The popular stereotype of God looking down on man merely to find fault is just that – a stereotype that is totally unfair and unwarranted. Bible students true to His word find a God full of compassion, a God of infinite mercy!

Questions:

1. In what ways was God physically merciful to Israel as they escaped from Egyptian bondage?

2. How did the mercy seat differ from the physical blessings God bestowed?

3. How was God's sovereignty demonstrated at the mercy seat?

4. Why can it be said that the grace which God extends to man is a product of His merciful and compassionate heart?

"Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life" from Tom Kelley

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