Between the cherubim

Put a home together and what is one of the main components?  A good couch.  A place where we can relax and unwind, a place to abide.  That is what the atonement cover, or mercy seat was to God, His place to abide with Israel. 

The seat was crafted out of one piece of solid gold and on top of it were two cherubim, symbols of God's presence, kneeling down and facing forward with their wings outstretched and meeting each other.   “There, above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony, I will meet with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites.” (Exodus 25:22)

Every year the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies on the day of atonement with burning incense to shield his eyes from the direct view of God's glory.  He would sprinkle the blood of a bull to atone for his and his households sin and the blood of a goat for the sin of Israel.  God promised that when He saw the blood it would cover the sin of mankind. 

Jesus death on the cross replaced this sacrifice once, for all of mankind.  No longer do we need to sacrifice the blood of animals to obtain our forgiveness, however what we must do is to receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour.  When we do, His sacrifice is appropriated for our sin and when God looks at us He no longer sees our sin, but the sacrificed blood of His Son. 

When we come to a place of worship, let us do so with a grateful heart for Christs sacrifice and the salvation it affords us!