Cherubim

 

     God sent cherubim to the east side of Eden to guard the way to the tree of life after Adam and Eve were banished. A flaming sword flashed back and forth between them.  (Genesis 3:24)

     Cherubim made of gold are included in God’s specific instructions and design on the cover of the ark of the covenant, which carried the law of Moses. They are woven into the veil of the tabernacle and they play a prominent role in Solomon’s temple, carved into the panels and supports. The ark of the covenant is placed in the inner room of Solomon’s temple called the Holy of Holies. Two large cherubim are carved out of olive wood and embossed in gold. They are fifteen feet tall and there is fifteen feet from one wing to the next. The wings of the two cherubim meet in the middle of the wall. (Exodus 25, 1 Kings 6 and 7, 2 Chronicles 3)

 

   

     When David is praising God for delivering him from his enemies in 2 Samuel 22 he says:

He mounted the cherubim and flew. He soared on the wings of the wind. 2 Samuel 22:11   (Also Psalm 18)

     Over and over again in Scripture we find these words about the Lord: “He is enthroned between the cherubim” (1 Samuel 4:4, 2 Samuel 6:2, 2 Kings 19:15, 1 Chronicles 13:6, Psalm 80:1, Psalm 99:1, Isaiah 37:16)

     So many verses from the Bible lead us to believe the cherubim are below and surrounding the throne of God, and He actually rides on them.

     So what do these angelic guards look like? When I hear the word, “cherub” I picture a small angel, resting her head on her arms, with golden curls, small wings and a halo. This image couldn’t be further from the truth. Are you ready?

I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north, an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal, and in the fire was what looked like four living creatures. In appearance their forms were human, but each of them had four faces and four wings. Their legs were straight; their feet were like those of a calf and gleamed like burnished bronze. Under their wings on their four sides, they had human hands. All four of them had faces and wings, and the wings of one touched the wings of another. Each one went straight ahead; they did not turn as they moved. Their faces looked like this: Each of the four had the face of a human being, and on the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox, each also had the face of an eagle. Such were their faces. They each had two wings spreading out upward, each wing touching that of the creature on either side; and each had two other wings covering its body. Each one went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, without turning as they went.  The appearance of the living creatures was like burning coals of fire or like torches. Fire moved back and forth among the creatures. It was bright, and lightning flashed out of it. The creatures sped back and forth like flashes of lightning. As I looked at the living creatures I saw a wheel in the ground beside each creature with its four faces. This was the appearance and structure of the wheels. They sparkled like topaz and all four looked alike. Each appeared to be made like a wheel, intersecting a wheel. As they moved, they would go in any one of the four directions the creatures faced, the wheels did not change direction as the creatures went. Their rims were high and awesome and all four rims were full of eyes all around. When the living creatures moved, the wheels beside them moved; and when the living creatures rose from the ground, the wheels also rose. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, and the wheels would rise along with them because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.  Ezekiel 1: 4-20    (See also Ezekiel 10 and Revelation 4 and 5)

     Remember the live coals the seraphim picked up from the altar?

The Lord said to the man clothed in linen, “Go in among the wheels beneath the cherubim. Fill your hands with burning coals from among the cherubim and scatter them over the city.” And as I watched he went in. Ezekiel 10:2

     Four faces? Wheels with eyes and a spirit? Moving like flashes of lightning? Live coals among them? Imagine if one of these was your guardian angel!  I can understand why God placed them as guards and why they are below and around His throne! Maybe they really are fifteen feel tall like the carvings in Solomon’s temple.

     Thank you, Father for this study. Your miraculous angels are messengers, warriors and guards. They are swift in flight, surrounded with light and unbelievable in appearance. We are amazed. We love You and ask for Your angels to protect and guide us.

Amen