Recently, I was discussing with a wonderful Messianic Jew that occasionally worships with us at our church how I thought the sabbath commandment - the 4th commandment, was actually, in a sense, a representation or type of the Mercy Seat. We are commonly taught in most Christian circles but especially Seventh-day Adventist teaching that the first 4 commandments of God's Moral law instruct us how to honor God, and the next 6 commandments instruct us how to honor our fellow man. It certainly makes sense. But what is it that connects those two principles of honoring God and honoring our fellow man?
Here's the connection I have found. The Mercy Seat covers the law inside the Ark of the Covenant which are on the two tables of stone (Exodus 25:21-22, Deuteronomy 10:2). At the same time, it also bridges the gap as it also connects the law inside the Ark with the Shekinah Glory above the Mercy Seat. I equate the law inside the Ark of the Covenant as, prophetically or as a type, a symbol for the law being placed inside man's heart (Psa 40:8). Man's heart is to contain the Word of God represented by the manna, the Law of God represented by the commandments and finally the Hope and Promises of God as represented by Aaron's Rod that budded. (Psalms 119:11)
There is but one commandment that bridges this gap and connects the responsibility of honoring God by respecting His word - which can be summed up with certainty in the first three commandments, and the responsibility of honoring our fellow man and that is the 4th commandment. It is the only commandment where it can be seen that God is with us, communing amongst His people while we are also communing with Him, enjoying His time that He chooses to be with us and marveling at His creation. We are connected. Jesus Christ, type for the Mercy Seat, completes the connection.
Here's the connection I have found. The Mercy Seat covers the law inside the Ark of the Covenant which are on the two tables of stone (Exodus 25:21-22, Deuteronomy 10:2). At the same time, it also bridges the gap as it also connects the law inside the Ark with the Shekinah Glory above the Mercy Seat. I equate the law inside the Ark of the Covenant as, prophetically or as a type, a symbol for the law being placed inside man's heart (Psa 40:8). Man's heart is to contain the Word of God represented by the manna, the Law of God represented by the commandments and finally the Hope and Promises of God as represented by Aaron's Rod that budded. (Psalms 119:11)
There is but one commandment that bridges this gap and connects the responsibility of honoring God by respecting His word - which can be summed up with certainty in the first three commandments, and the responsibility of honoring our fellow man and that is the 4th commandment. It is the only commandment where it can be seen that God is with us, communing amongst His people while we are also communing with Him, enjoying His time that He chooses to be with us and marveling at His creation. We are connected. Jesus Christ, type for the Mercy Seat, completes the connection.
