God took the symbols of man’s rebellion and had them put in the Ark of the Covenant. Man’s rejection of God’s holy commands (stone tablets with 10 Commandments, man’s rejection of God’s provision (gold pot of manna) and man’s rejection of God’s appointed leadership (Aaron’s rod). The mercy seat over this is the lid on the Ark of the Covenant. God will always speak to us from the mercy seat. Mercy will always triumph over judgement. Where Jesus lay in the tomb with the 2 angels on either side after His resurrection is the substance of the Mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant. When we acknowledge that we are taking refuge under His wings, He loves to protect and nurture us.