All things bear record · Exodus

Exodus 37

3 witnesses of Christ here.

Mercy Seat

And he made the mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half was the length thereof, and one cubit and a half the breadth thereof. Exodus 37:6–9

The golden mercy seat, overshadowed by cherubim, was where atoning blood was sprinkled and God's presence met Israel. It is a type of Jesus Christ, whose atoning blood brings us mercy and access to God.

VerifiedProphecy or typeAn object that is a type of Him

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a traditional type, cited

  • a type of what is in Hebrews 9:11-12 — Christ, 'an high priest of good things to come', entered the holy place 'by his own blood' (the antitype of the Day of Atonement blood sprinkled on the mercy seat). Hebrews does not name the mercy seat in these verses, so this is type-antitype, not interpretation.
  • alluded to by Romans 3:25 — Christ 'a propitiation through faith in his blood' — the Greek word is the one used for the mercy seat.
  • alluded to by Hebrews 4:16 — 'Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy.'
  • alluded to by Hebrews 9:5 — Hebrews recalls 'the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat' before explaining Christ's entry by His own blood.
  • alludes to Leviticus 16:14-15 — On the Day of Atonement blood is sprinkled 'upon the mercy seat' — the rite that gives the mercy seat its meaning.

Light of the World

And he made the candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work made he the candlestick; his shaft, and his branch, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, were of the same: Exodus 37:17–24

The seven-lamped golden candlestick gave light in the holy place. John saw the glorified Christ standing among golden candlesticks, and Jesus is the Light of the World.

VerifiedEchoAn object that is a type of Him

How we know: a traditional type, cited

  • a type of what is in John 8:12 — 'I am the light of the world.'
  • alluded to by Revelation 1:12-13 — John sees 'in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man'; Revelation 1:20 identifies the candlesticks as the seven churches, with Christ among them.

Advocate / Intercessor

And he made the incense altar of shittim wood: the length of it was a cubit, and the breadth of it a cubit; it was foursquare; and two cubits was the height of it; the horns thereof were of the same. Exodus 37:25–28

Incense rising before the vail pictured prayers ascending to God. It is traditionally tied to Christ, who ever lives to make intercession for us.

VerifiedEchoAn object that is a type of Him

How we know: a traditional type, cited

  • a type of what is in Hebrews 7:25 — 'He ever liveth to make intercession for them.'
  • alluded to by Revelation 8:3-4 — Incense offered with the prayers of the saints on the golden altar before the throne.