Exodus 25
"There I [Yahweh] will meet with you [Moses], and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the testimony, I will speak with you about all that I will give you in commandment for the people of Israel." - Exodus 25:22
Here God is meeting with Moses on the top of Mount Sinai, with Joshua standing by. Moses is there for forty days and forty nights. God begins to detail what type of meeting place he wants the Israelites to build so that he can dwell among them as they journey to Canaan. The first item he wants built is the ark of the covenant. From above its lid, called the mercy seat, upon which are two cherubim facing each another, God promises to speak to Moses the commands he has for the people of Israel.
Some principles from this account are: (1) God wants to dwell in close proximity with his people; but (2) he will do so only on his terms; and (3) if we want to live close to God, we must treat him as holy.
Father, thank you that though you transcend the universe and are infinite and holy, you wanted to live among the Israelites as they came out of Egypt. Thank you for the ark of the covenant, which was the place where you met with Moses and gave him your holy commands for Israel. Thank you for the mercy seat by which Moses could approach you.
Father, we today want to live in your presence. But we know we are sinners. It is dangerous to approach you without the proper blood sacrifice. Thank you that you sent your Son to be the once-for-all sacrifice for our sins, so that we who believe in him may freely approach you. Thank you that your Spirit dwells within us--that our bodies are a holy temple. Come meet with us today. Give us your instructions in the temple of our heart. Live near to us, Father, and help us to humble ourselves in your presence. Teach us more and more to regard you as holy. In Jesus' name, amen.
- Jeff Coleman