… ⁵ and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat; but of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

Concluding this summary of the tabernacle’s makeup, we turn from the contents of the ark to that which was placed on top of it. The top of the ark is called the “mercy seat,” picturing God, as it were, sitting on the ark as someone would sit on a throne. On either side of the “seat” were two elaborately designed angel figures made of gold (see Exodus 25:18-22). These were cherubim, as opposed to seraphim (see Isaiah 6:2). These figures faced each other, with wings that arched over the seat.

The significance of the mercy seat in the Most Holy Place, the absolute inner sanctuary of the tabernacle, is huge. God said to Israel, “There I will meet with you; and from above the mercy seat, 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” (Ex 25:22). This is the place in all the earth where God chose to sit in judgment over Israel.

The last time we see the tabernacle in biblical history, it had been moved to Jerusalem by King David (2 Chron 1:4-7). After David’s reign, peace had finally come fully to the land, the tabernacle, which was built for mobility, was no longer needed. “For David said, ‘The Lord God of Israel has given rest to His people, and He dwells in Jerusalem forever. Also, the Levites will no longer need to carry the tabernacle and all its utensils for its service’ ” (1 Ch 23:25–26). So, it was during his son Solomon’s reign that the temple was built and the ark moved from the tabernacle into the permanent, solid structure. From that time forward, the tabernacle was apparently discarded. But the ark, however, continued to hold central focus of worship.

The details beyond this are not necessary to the writer of Hebrew’s point. What is that point? It began in the previous chapter, “Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens…” (Heb 8:1). The mercy seat in the physical tabernacle was a picture of Christ on His throne in heaven. And therefore, “He has obtained a more excellent ministry [than that of Aaron and the Levitical priesthood], by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises” (Heb 8:6). Christ is superior to the Old Testament pictures of Him. He is the central focus of our worship today, not a physical object in a geographic location.

Lord, help us see Christ in all of Scripture, so that we worship Him only, in spirit and in truth.