What did the high priest do at the ark of the covenant/mercy seat?
The high priest would come once a year to the ark of the covenant, specifically the mercy seat, and sprinkle. This annual entry was a once-a-year event, and it shows that God's dealing with man in salvation begins with Himself.
Les teaches that the ark of the covenant and the mercy seat were in the tabernacle. The high priest would come once a year to the mercy seat and sprinkle. This was the annual entry. Les points out that God began His instructions in Exodus 25 with this piece of furniture, not the brazen altar, because when God deals with man in salvation, everything must begin with Himself. Man does not seek and find God.