What's easy to miss here is the specific location of God's speaking: not just "in the tabernacle," but precisely from "above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim." This emphasizes that God's communication is always mediated through Christ, our ultimate mercy seat and mediator, making His presence intimate and accessible, not distant.
There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the testimony, I will speak with you about all that I will give you in commandment for the people of Israel.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God has just instructed Moses on the detailed construction of the Ark and its covering, the mercy seat, topped by two cherubim. Now, God declares this specific, sacred spot above the mercy seat between the cherubim as the place where He will personally meet and speak with Moses. This establishes the Ark and its components as the central point of God's direct communication and presence with Israel's leader.
Imagine stepping into a place designed not just for worship, but for direct conversation with the Creator of the universe. Where was this special place, and why was it so significant?
Exodus 25:22 reveals God's intentional design for a specific place of meeting with His people: the area above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim on the ark of the testimony.
A Dedicated Dwelling
This wasn't just any spot; it was the designated 'dwelling place' of God's presence (the Shekinah glory). From this very spot, God promised to 'meet' and 'commune' with Moses. This signifies a direct, personal interaction, not a distant decree.
More Than a Symbol
While the ark and cherubim were physical objects, the focus was on the divine presence they represented. The 'mercy seat' itself was a place of atonement, pointing forward to God's gracious provision for His people's sins, making communion possible.
This sacred space highlights God's desire for intimate relationship and His willingness to bridge the gap between Himself and humanity.
God's promise to 'commune' wasn't just small talk. What was the substance of these divine conversations, and what does it reveal about His heart for His people?
The purpose of God meeting Moses at the mercy seat was to 'commune with him of all things' He would command for the people of Israel. This highlights a crucial aspect of their relationship: divine instruction flowing from divine presence.
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God's Directive Word
The conversations were not arbitrary; they were about God's commandments. This shows that true communion with God leads to understanding and receiving His will. His voice is heard in His directives for His people's lives.
The Foundation of Theocracy
For Israel, this communion was the bedrock of their theocracy – a nation governed directly by God. Moses, as the mediator, received God's detailed instructions for law, worship, and daily life, all originating from this sacred encounter.
This emphasizes that hearing God's voice is intrinsically linked to receiving His guidance for living according to His purposes.
Understand the original words
kerubim · Hebrew Noun
Celestial beings of high rank associated with God’s holiness, throne, and protection. In the Tabernacle, their figures represented the angelic guardians of God's presence and throne.
This passage echoes the idea of approaching God's throne of grace, much like Moses approached God at the mercy seat, emphasizing that we can now boldly enter the Most Holy Place through Christ.
John 1:14The verse speaks of God meeting and communing from a specific place, and John's Gospel similarly speaks of the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us, revealing God's presence in a tangible way.
1 Corinthians 1:30Exodus 25:22 highlights God speaking commandments from the mercy seat. This verse shows Jesus as the source of God's wisdom and righteousness, aligning with the idea of God revealing His will and provision through a central figure.
Psalm 80:1This psalm directly references God dwelling between the cherubim, showing how this imagery of God's presence over the ark was deeply understood and used in worship and prayer throughout Israel's history.
Revelation 21:3The promise of God meeting and dwelling with His people in Exodus finds its ultimate fulfillment in Revelation, where God declares He will dwell with humanity in a new heavens and new earth.
clarkeExodus 25:22: "And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel."
And there I will meet with thee - That is, over the mercy-seat, between the cherubim. In this place God chose to give the most especial manifestations of himself; here the Divine glory was to be seen; and here Moses was to come in order to c…
calvinExodus 25:1-22: "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"
And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.
Expandentque cherubim duas alas superne tegentes alis suis propitiatorium, et se mutuo aspicient: ad propitiatorium erunt facies cherubim.
And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put th…
What's easy to miss here is the specific location of God's speaking: not just "in the tabernacle," but precisely from "above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim." This emphasizes that God's communication is always mediated through Christ, our ultimate mercy seat and mediator, making His presence intimate and accessible, not distant.
God has just instructed Moses on the detailed construction of the Ark and its covering, the mercy seat, topped by two cherubim. Now, God declares this specific, sacred spot above the mercy seat between the cherubim as the place where He will personally meet and speak with Moses. This establishes the Ark and its components as the central point of God's direct communication and presence with Israel's leader.
God has just instructed Moses on the detailed construction of the Ark and its covering, the mercy seat, topped by two cherubim. Now, God declares this specific, sacred spot above the mercy seat between the cherubim as the place where He will personally meet and speak with Moses. This establishes the Ark and its components as the central point of God's direct communication and presence with Israel's leader.
"There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the testimony, I will speak with you about all that I will give you in commandment for the people of Israel." — What's easy to miss here is the specific location of God's speaking: not just "in the tabernacle," but precisely from "above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim." This emphasizes that God's…
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Last reviewed October 2026
