Is it possible to take the Holy Scriptures seriously without acknowledging the role of Yeshua? Throughout the Torah, Writings, and Testimony of the Bible there seems to be a common theme—the need for mankind’s sin to be covered by the Blood of the Lamb. There is no written theme surrounding the blood of prophets, a good person, or a super holy priest saving man from his sinful bondage. But instead, the opposite is true. There is only one Holy One, who can make a covenant of salvation. (John 1:1-2)
In this week’s portion called Terumah, the concept of Messiah cannot be any bolder. And it is done through the picture-like study of Israel’s wilderness tabernacle. Don’t worry, I’m not going to cover the 50 Biblical chapters dedicated to this profound revelation, nor the 100+ examples of furniture, braids, curtains, fasteners, jobs, and duties. Instead, I just want to focus on the Mercy Seat situated on the Ark of the Covenant. For it is here, that I believe the story of Yeshua’s most glorious work is revealed.
The concepts of Scripture are based in the language of Hebrew—a language full of colorful pictures intended to fill the reader with the ability to “know.” The western mindset is typically about formulas, proof texts, facts, and bullet points. But, the eastern mindset (that from which the Bible was written) seeks to experience to confirm. Consequently, we see in the Torah, long explanations that fulfill a story meant to be taught to our children (Deuteronomy 6). Likewise, Yeshua Himself taught in parables (story pictures) so that people could relate. (Matthew 5)
In the biblical Hebrew language, the word for “mercy” (רחם; racham) shares the exact same three-letter root as the word for “womb” (רחם; rechem). The womb is a source of protection for a developing child who might die if made subject to outside variables.
When God dispenses mercy, the act displays the divine tendency to protect. This protective aspect of mercy emerges clearly in Yah’s interaction with Moses. When the leader of Israel asks to see the glory of YHWH, the Lord tells him, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will declare my Name before you…. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will be merciful (רחמתי; rachamti) to whom I will be merciful” (Exodus 33:19).
Immediately after proclaiming this mercy, God informs Moses:
“But you cannot see my face, for a human being cannot see me and live… Behold, there is a place near me where you shall stand on the rock and, as my glory passes by, I will set you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen” Exodus 33:20-23.
In short, Yah’s mercy in this text covers like a womb, rechem.
When mercy is combined with seat, we see an even greater picture. In Greek understanding, Mercy Seat is understood to be a propitiation. So, when YHWH displayed publicly His Son Yeshua on the cross, a propitiation was made between man and God. In other words, man’s sin which separated him from YHWH and his Holiness was appeased or soothed (Rom. 3:25). Now let me ask you, “Can any man or prophet appease the God of the Universe for man’s sin?
We can see in these pictographs that there will be a cover on the mouth of the prince. But what prince? That would be the prince of the cross–Yeshua Ha-Mashiach, known as Jesus Christ. So, what is He not saying? For that, we must look below the seat and into the ark itself. The first three letters in Kapporeth are the root word Kapher which in conventional Hebrew means to cover. The Kapporeth is not just a place for YHVH to meet with the High Priest, but it covers something important.
“Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant.” Hebrews 9:4
Although each of these items are symbols of the providential hand of YHVH in the lives of His people, they are also reminders of their sins. When YHVH provided manna for food, the people complained it wasn’t enough so He gave them quail. Aaron’s rod that miraculously budded was a sign that Moses had been given authority from YHVH to lead the nation as a shepherd, but the people rejected the leadership of Moses. The Ten Commandments were the law given for their instruction and their well-being. But the people refused to obey and rebelled against YHVH. (Steve Phillips 7-18-2018)
Finally, let’s look at the blood sprinkled on the mercy seat. The picture of blood in the Scriptures is life. It represents life source. . . DNA, which is unique to every created being. In Exodus 24, we see Moses sprinkling the blood of bulls on the people after they promised to keep the commandments of Yah. Notice his words to them, “Behold the blood of the covenant which YHWH has made with you in accordance with all these words.” So, what is this covenant?
Consider: The blood of bulls represented the blood of the Prince (strength of the house) who would keep His covenant and is sent by YHWH as His Son (the Prince) knowing that mankind would not be able to keep their words. This is again verified by Yah Himself when He declares, “There I will meet with you; and from above the mercy seat (kaf, pey reysh, tav), from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony, I will speak to you about all that I will give you in commandment for the sons of Israel.” Exodus 25:22
Do you get the picture? It’s the Blood of the Messiah that protects, and covers us from the glory and power of Yahweh Himself. And this feat cannot be achieved through some “good man.” In that:
“We have all fallen short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
The picture of the “mercy seat” represents a spiritual connector of sorts and that connector is Yeshua, Jesus of Nazareth, born of a virgin and named Salvation. Are you ready to claim mercy in this world of darkness? Let us enter the courts of YHWH with praise and in the Name of the Messiah.
Be blessed this Sabbath,
Rollyn
Just as it appears іn tһe photo. Abѕolutely
love it!