The Way of Grace

It is because God, knowing what was in man, that he would be un-subject and a lawbreaker, was here setting forth what was in His heart toward him, for though on the principle of law or works, man must always be at a distance from God. Yet His own wise and gracious heart could devise the way whereby men on earth and Himself could not only meet together, but have communion. An altar of burnt offering was at the door of the tabernacle. All our blessings are founded on the sacrifice of Christ. These are some of the beginnings of the unfoldings of Scripture as to the way of grace.
Law, then, is not grace. They stand in widest contrast with each other. The principles of grace and works are never commingled in Scripture for justification in the sight of God. So we read: "If by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work." Rom. 11:6.
The symbol of the mercy seat was the intimation that God would come out in grace, and that even to lawbreakers. This we know has since been freely done, for God has made the way of approach to Himself in the person and work of His own Son, both according to His own holiness and the need of the sinner. The Son of God has come; He has declared the Father. It is well to observe that the ark was the first vessel of the tabernacle which God commanded to be made, and the place assigned to it was inside the veil. It therefore sets forth Christ in heaven.
The two qualities of material of which the ark was composed, shittim wood and gold, set forth Christ as the perfect man, and also truly God.