In what ways does Exodus 37:9 connect to the New Testament's view of worship? Exodus 37:9—The Verse in Focus “ And the cherubim spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings and facing one another; the faces of the cherubim were toward the mercy seat.” • Two gold cherubim • Wings outstretched—covering the atonement cover • Faces turned inward—fixed on the place where sacrificial blood was sprinkled The Mercy Seat Foreshadows Christ • Romans 3:25—“God presented Him as an atoning sacrifice [hilastērion, ‘mercy seat’] through faith in His blood.” • Hebrews 9:5 calls the cover “the mercy seat,” then shows Christ fulfilling its purpose (Hebrews 9:11-12). • New-covenant worship is therefore centered on the Person and finished work of Jesus, the true Mercy Seat. Access That Shapes Worship • Old Covenant: only the high priest, only once a year (Leviticus 16:2,34). • New Covenant: “We have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus” (Hebrews 10:19-22). – Hearts “sprinkled” just as the cover was sprinkled. – Draw near “with a true heart in full assurance of faith.” • Worship moves from restricted access to open invitation. Heaven’s Pattern, Earth’s Practice • Cherubim above the Ark reflect the “living creatures” around God’s throne (Revelation 4:6-9). • Hebrews 8:5—earthly sanctuary “serves as a copy and shadow of the heavenly.” • When believers gather, we join that same heavenly assembly (Hebrews 12:22-24); our worship echoes the scene Exodus previews. Angel Faces and Believer Focus • The cherubim faced the mercy seat, not each other. • New-Testament worship likewise fixes eyes “on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). • Unity grows as all hearts face Christ rather than comparing one another. Reverence and Awe Remain • Overshadowing wings picture protective holiness: God is near, yet not casual. • Hebrews 12:28—“Let us offer to God acceptable worship with reverence and awe.” • New-Covenant freedom never diminishes holy fear; the scene in Exodus guards that balance. In Spirit and in Truth • The mercy seat sat unseen behind the veil, yet it defined every act of worship in Israel. • John 4:23-24—true worshippers “worship the Father in spirit and truth.” – Spirit: internal access granted by Christ’s blood. – Truth: grounded in the once-for-all atonement the mercy seat foreshadowed. Putting It All Together • Exodus 37:9 shows worship built on atonement, guarded by holiness, and oriented toward God’s revealed presence. • The New Testament unveils the substance: Christ Himself as mercy seat, open access for all who believe, and a call to gathered, Christ-focused, reverent praise that mirrors heaven. |
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