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once again the original before we can attempt an explanation. The Hebrew yaad which is
translated `agree' means primarily `to appoint' and is translated by such terms as agree,
set time, assemble, gather, meet and betroth. The fact that this agreement is one that
arises from an appointment, lends an element of solemnity about it especially when we
remember that the appointment is made by God Himself.
The connection between this verse in Amos and the sacrificial work of the One
Mediator becomes apparent when we realize that the word translated `agreed' is found in
Exodus and Numbers where it is used of the `meeting of God and man in the Tabernacle
and at the Mercy Seat.
AT THE MERCY SEAT
"Thou shalt make a mercy seat . . . . . and there I will MEET with thee" (Exod. 25: 17-22).
AT THE DOOR
"There shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the
tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord: where I will MEET with you, to speak there with
you. And there I will MEET with the children of Israel" (Exod. 29: 42, 43).
COVERED BY THE INCENSE
"Take unto thee spices . . . . . beat some of it very small, and put it before the testimony . . . . .
where I will MEET with thee" (Exod. 30: 34-36).
THE LIVING PRIEST
"Take of every one of them a rod . . . . . lay them up . . . . . where I will MEET with you"
(Numb. 17: 2-4).
We can, therefore, retranslated the question of Amos:
"Can two walk together except they have MET?",
and the meeting place is of Divine Appointment. The Mercy Seat is mentioned once in
the N.T. namely in Heb. 9: 5, where the Greek equivalent is the word hilasterion. This
word occurs but once elsewhere, namely in Rom. 3:, where it is translated
`propitiation'.
"Christ Jesus, Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His
blood" (Rom. 3: 25).
There can be no possible fellowship between man and God apart from this great
appointed way. To ignore this is fatal. Notice the insistence upon the appointed place,
by the recurrence of the words `there' and `where' in the passages quoted above. They
all concur in the testimony of Peter that there is none other Name under heaven given
among men whereby we must be saved. The first passage, Exod. 25: 17-22, takes us
within the veil. The second, Exod. 29: 42, 43, takes us without to the door of the
Tabernacle. The first is related to an offering made once a year on the day of atonement,
the second is related to offerings that were made daily, continually, throughout the
generation, morning and evening. In both access is in view, in both access is alone
possible through the sacrifice offered and accepted. The third passage does not speak of
sacrifice, but of holy fragrance. There is a connection between the sacrifice and the
incense, even as there is a connection between the Ark and the Mercy Seat within the
veil, and the door of the Tabernacle and the other extreme. The first article of furniture