Life is the most precious thing on earth.  There is nothing, nothing, that runs a close second.  First human life, then animal life.  And when God designed a method by which men could become aware of their sins, He used something precious to make His point.   An animal.   The sin of Adam and Eve entailed the sacrifice of an animal to cover their bodies.  To cover their disobedience.

The Jewish sacrifice for sin was always an animal.  But it wasn't a wasted thing.  When the lamb was sacrificed, the people, and the Levites, ate the meat.  But they were forbidden to partake of the blood.  The blood was used as a symbol of sacrifice for atonement.  Like I said yesterday, atonement for a season of time.  Sacrifices were made on a regular basis, but once a year, the Levites chose a High Priest, who took the blood into a different room called the Holy of Holies--behind a huge high drape, and offered it on the Mercy Seat as atonement for the sins of the people.   The High Priest, alone, approached God and asked for His mercy for the people.

This room is described, in length--great length--in the Old Testament.  God outlined exactly how it would be constructed, and what would go where.  The Ark of the Covenant was central.  But the "Mercy Seat" was preeminent.  It was on, over, the Ark.   The High Priest--one man--took the blood, and spread it on the Mercy Seat for the sins of the people and God, true to His word, forgave them.

The thing the people needed, the thing they made a sacrifice for, was mercy.  Paul said in Hebrews 9:22 "...without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins."  Mercy is the thing we must have; the thing we long for when we recognize our condition.  Mercy.  When we recognize that those things that we have done wrong cannot be undone.  Mercy.  Pray God, not justice.  Never justice.

This priest wore special garments.  And had a rope tied to him in case he should touch the Mercy Seat and die.  No one else could go into this place where God was.  Where He met the High Priest.

When we read about Jesus being our High Priest in the New Testament, all of this comes into focus.