Daily Devotions
Approaching the Mercy Seat With Confidence
Reading for February 6th: Leviticus 16-18
The LORD spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they drew near before the LORD and died, and the LORD said to Moses, "Tell Aaron your brother not to come at any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the mercy seat that is on the ark, so that he may not die. For I will appear in the cloud over the mercy seat."
Leviticus 16:1-2
Can you imagine the emotions running through Aaron's mind on the Day of Atonement? It must have been a mixture of excitement and pure joy on the one hand (because he was to appear before the LORD), but also fear and dread on the other (because he was to appear before the LORD).
Aaron's two sons had just died before the LORD. They came before the LORD with unauthorized fire (Lev 10:1-2). However, Nadab and Abihu did not go where Aaron was to go on the Day of Atonement. The altar of incense was in the holy place, not the most holy place behind the veil. The altar of incense was on the other side of the veil. The idea was that the smoke from the incense would go behind the veil so it would be a pleasing aroma before God. Aaron was to appear before the mercy seat which was on top of the Ark of the Covenant. That was where God would appear to Aaron in the cloud. If it was dangerous to appear before God at the altar of incense, how much more when going inside the veil into the holy of holies, before the very presence of God?
Contrast this scene where Aaron is approaching God with fear and trembling, with us today approaching God "with confidence" (Heb 4:16). We can approach the throne of God with confidence because the Son is our High Priest sitting at God's right hand (Heb 1:3; 2:17; 4:14; 6:19; 9:24). Jesus is our atonement (or "mercy seat") having been offered once for all time for sin (Rom 3:25; Heb 9:11-14, 25-26; 10:19-22).
Father, we boldly approach your throne with joy and gladness with the assurance that your only Son is at your right hand welcoming us into your presence!
