Habakkuk 1:5 Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told. -LORD God
Ezekiel 1:15a Now as I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the earth beside the living creatures…
Ezekiel 10:9 And I looked, and behold, there were four wheels beside the cherubim, one beside each cherub…
Each wheel has a corresponding cherub. The cherub and the wheel belong to each other. In each of the three cases above, the word is translated as “beside”. This is the Hebrew preposition etsel. Per Strong’s Concordance, the word can be defined as a joining together, proximity. The idea is the wheel and the cherub are joined together.
Ezekiel 10:17b for the spirit of the living beings was in the wheels.
Ezekiel 1:20 Wherever the spirit wanted to go, they went, and the wheels rose along with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.
Ezekiel 1:21b … for the spirit of the living beings was in the wheels.
The spirit of the individual cherub is housed in the wheel. The spirit of the cherub is outside of its body. The cherub needs its wheel. The cherub and spirit are in sync, body and spirit.
Photo: youtube
Ezekiel 10:16, 17, 19a When the cherubim moved, the wheels moved beside them, and even when they spread their wings to rise from the ground, the wheels did not veer away from their side. When the cherubim stood still, the wheels also stood still, and when they ascended, the wheels ascended with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in them. As I watched, the cherubim lifted their wings and rose up from the ground, with the wheels beside them as they went.
Ezekiel 1:17, 19-21 When they went, they went in any of their four directions without turning as they went. And when the living creatures went, the wheels went beside them; and when the living creatures rose from the earth, the wheels rose. Wherever the spirit wanted to go, they went, and the wheels rose along with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those rose from the earth, the wheels rose along with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.
The individual cherub and its wheel move together where ever they go. The direction does not matter, up, down, or sideways. The wheel sticks to the cherub like glue regardless of the speed or direction. The two work together as a concurrent, coexisting team.
Roughly 2,600 years ago, Ezekiel saw these things on Earth in what is modern day eastern Syria…
Ezekiel 10:4 Then the glory of the LORD rose from above the cherubim and stood over the threshold of the temple. The temple was filled with the cloud, and the court was filled with the brightness of the glory of the LORD.
Positionally, God is above the cherubim. Well of course, the LORD is also over His creation, the nations and kingdoms, Israel, and humanity. This is not a one time observation. The concept is reinforced in Scripture. Cherubim, as well as the rest of creation, are subject to the authority of God. See some more examples below.
Isaiah 37:16 O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth.
Psalm 80:1 Oh, give ear, Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who are enthroned above the cherubim, shine forth!
Psalm 99:1 The LORD reigns, let the peoples tremble; He is enthroned above the cherubim, let the earth shake!
So what is the big deal, cherubim are subjected to God their creator? In general this is not a problem, except for one…
This formerly anointed cherub is not interested in serving God. He does not want to be an equal to God. His heart is filled with self-regard and has an exaggerated sense of self-importance. He wants to place himself above the LORD of hosts (God’s title as a military commander). This cherub sees himself as a conquering leader and warrior. He wants to subdue and rule over humanity. He sees himself as moral authority. He can do it better than God.
Isaiah 14:12-14 How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’
A lot of misery and suffering will continue to occur because of this attitude. But, its time will come to an end…
There are many who think the Temple is a model for the Throne Room in Heaven. In Solomon’s Temple, cherubim are a theme literally and figuratively woven and placed throughout the structure. Cherubim play a prominent part in the Temple.
The text is very careful to point out the specific details of the cherubim and where they belong. Are the sizes and dimensions the exact representation of physical beings? What about the size ratio of cherubim relative to other structures? We need to pay attention, God’s word provides specific details. I suspect this matters.
1 Kings 6:23-30 In the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim, each ten cubits high, out of olive wood. One wing of the first cherub was five cubits long, and the other wing was five cubits long as well. So the full wingspan was ten cubits. The second cherub also measured ten cubits; both cherubim had the same size and shape, and the height of each cherub was ten cubits. And he placed the cherubim inside the innermost room of the temple. Since their wings were spread out, the wing of the first cherub touched one wall, while the wing of the second cherub touched the other wall, and in the middle of the room their wingtips touched. He also overlaid the cherubim with gold. Then he carved the walls all around the temple, in both the inner and outer sanctuaries, with carved engravings of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers. And he overlaid the temple floor with gold in both the inner and outer sanctuaries.
First there is the definition of a cubit. A cubit is considered to be roughly 18 inches or a foot and a half. 45 centimeters for those folks who are used to metric measurements. This was based on the length of the arm from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger and was considered the equivalent of 6 palms or 2 spans. Definition provided by Britannica.
The height of the cherubim is 10 cubits or 15 feet tall. The height of the inner chamber of the temple is 20 cubits or 30 feet tall. A cherub is half the height of the room.
Each wing of a cherub is 5 cubits or 7.5 feet. When the wings of the cherubim are side to side, they fill the room of 20 cubits or 30 feet in width. The wing span of a single cherub is equal to its height, 10 cubits or 15 feet.
The size of the inner chamber is a perfect cube, 20 cubits high, 20 cubits across, and 20 cubits deep.
1 Kings 6:20 The inner sanctuary was twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and twenty cubits high.
The Cherubim are located in the inner chamber and fill the room. Cherubim are covered with gold. Cherubim are engraved on the door. Cherubim are sewn on the curtains. Cherubim are on the Ark of the Covenant which is the center of the chamber.
2 Chronicles 5:8The cherubim spread out their wings over the place of the ark, so that the cherubim made a covering above the ark and its poles.
Exodus 25:17-20 You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold, two and a half cubits long and one and a half cubits wide.And you shall make two cherubim of gold; of hammered work shall you make them, on the two ends of the mercy seat. Make one cherub on the one end, and one cherub on the other end. Of one piece with the mercy seat shall you make the cherubim on its two ends. The cherubim shall spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings, their faces one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubim be.
The mercy seat is the cover or lid for the Ark of the Covenant.
The Hebrew word for “mercy seat” is kapporeth. Per Strong’s Concordance it means: mercy seat, place of atonement; the golden plate of propitiation on which the High Priest sprinkled the seat 7 times on the Day of Atonement symbolically reconciling Jehovah and His chosen people; on the lid were two golden cherubim facing each other whose outstretched wings came together.
The Hebrew word kapporeth comes from kopher (means propitiatory or substitution).
The mercy seat or the lid of the Ark is a substitution for the covering of sin. Remember, cherubim are physically present on, covering, protecting, and observing the mercy seat.
Leviticus 16:15b-16 and bring its blood inside the veil and do with its blood as he did with the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it on the mercy seat and in front of the mercy seat. He shall make atonement for the holy place, because of the impurities of the sons of Israel and because of their transgressions in regard to all their sins; and thus he shall do for the tent of meeting which abides with them in the midst of their impurities.
For God, the shedding of innocent blood on the mercy seat is a satisfactory substitution for sin. Only the High Priest can make the sacrifice in the presence of God. Jesus Christ is our High Priest.
Hebrews 4:14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
What role do the cherubim play in all of this? Matthew gives a physical description of one of the angels at the tomb of Christ. The being is clearly an imposing looking figure. The guards were literally scared stiff and rocked at their core.
Matthew 28:3-4 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.
Luke describes their appearance accordingly. The women who followed Jesus had a similar response as the guards. They were mortified.
Luke 24:4-5 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. As the women bowed their faces to the ground in terror, the two men asked them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?
~
At the core of the issue, the angels bear witness to humanity the gospel message. This is the reality of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Matthew confirms His death and burial and resurrection. John picks up from Matthew and informs of the burial and alludes to the resurrection. Luke closes with the confirmation of the resurrection. Angels present the evidence according to the gospel accounts.
Matthew 28:5-6 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.
John 20:11-12 But Mary (Magdelene) was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying.
Luke 24:6 He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee…
~
The angels were present with the resurrected Jesus Christ. See John 20:11-12 above for context.
John 20:14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus.
~
Deuteronomy 19:15 A single witness shall not rise up against a man on account of any iniquity or any sin which he has committed; on the evidence of two or three witnesses a matter shall be confirmed.
God the Father sent angels to earth for confirmation of Christ’s good news. For Heavenly legal purposes, Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection are established, observable facts. At least two if not three angels confirm the events. Matthew 28 accounts for one angel. John 20 observes two angels. Angels present and confirm the fact of the gospel. Multiple angels verified. God’s legal standard has been satisfied.
Jesus Christ is the mercy seat. This gift is received only by faith. Nothing you can do.
Romans 3:25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.
Angels authenticate and substantiate our good news.
Genesis 3:24 He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.
The Hebrew word for cherub is kerub: probably
an order of angelic beings (Strong’s Concordance).
A form of the word “kerub” is referenced 91 times in the Old Testament per Strong’s. The derivation of the term is unknown. Cherub is the singular form and Cherubim is the plural form.
The first reference of the word cherubim is noted after the
fall of man in the Garden of Eden. The context is that of judgment and
protection. Fire is associated with the context indicating purification.
What are the physical characteristics of a cherub? They have
wings and they can be a vehicle of transportation.
2 Samuel 22:11 He rode on a cherub and flew; He was seen on the wings of the wind.
~
The Prophet Ezekiel probably provides the best eye witness account and physical description of cherubim in the Bible. Like the seraphim, cherubim are associated with burning coals. The coals purify and cleanse.
Ezekiel 10:2 And He said to the man clothed in linen, “Go
in among the whirling wheels underneath the cherubim. Fill your hands with
burning coals from between the cherubim, and scatter them over the city.”
Cherubim have the ability to stand upright.
Ezekiel 10:3a Now the cherubim were standing on the south
side of the house…
Apparently, the wings of the cherubim are in constant motion
and the noise created is loud. Scripture tells us God’s voice is comparable to
rushing water or thunder.
Ezekiel 10:5 And the sound of the wings of the cherubim
was heard as far as the outer court, like the voice of God Almighty when He
speaks.
Like seraphim, heat and fire do not burn cherubim. They also
appear to have hands like humans which are located under their wings.
Ezekiel 10:7-8 And a cherub stretched out his hand from
between the cherubim to the fire that was between the cherubim, and took some
of it and put it into the hands of the man clothed in linen, who took it and
went out. The cherubim appeared to have the form of a human hand under their
wings.
The facial structure and appearance of a cherub is different than a human. They are unique in their appearance. This distinction is made in the physical description of a “whirling wheel” below.
Ezekiel 10:14 And every one had four faces: the first face was the face of the cherub, and the second face was a human face, and the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.
