July 27 Be Cherub-like

Ezekiel 41:18-20 It was carved of cherubim and palm trees, a palm tree between cherub and cherub. Every cherub had two faces: 19  a human face toward the palm tree on the one side, and the face of a young lion toward the palm tree on the other side. They were carved on the whole temple all around. 20 From the floor to above the door, cherubim and palm trees were carved; similarly the wall of the nave.

ARE you an angel? Perhaps your response related to how good, gentle and kind you are. We like to think of angels that way, don't we? But maybe some of God's angels have very different characteristics.

           For example, see the references to cherub (plural cherubim) in this Scripture regarding the reconstruction of God's temple in Jerusalem. What is a cherub? And why would God command such images engraved on posts and walls in his holy temple?

           We first see cherubim in the Bible assigned to guard paradise after Adam's & Eve's sin. Genesis 3:24 After God drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life. With great power and authority, they protected God's holy command. God could not trust mankind to obey him. He needed guards over his Word.

           Next, we read in Exodus 25:18 that cherubim were formed of hammered gold and placed on the mercy-seat - the place of God's presence - in the ark of the covenant. Cherubim forms were also embroidered into the inward curtain of the Tabernacle and the veil. Symbolically, these images represented Heaven's power to guard God's holy presence.

           Later in Israel's history, King Solomon built the first temple. He enlarged the cherubim to cover the entire space of the Holy of Holies. Again, this was symbolic of protecting God's holiness from his people's sin.

           Then we see what a cherub looks like in Ezekiel 1:4-10 "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, 5 and in the fire was what looked like four living creatures. In appearance their form was that of a man, 6 but each of them had four faces and four wings. 7 Their legs were straight; their feet were like those of a calf and gleamed like burnished bronze. 8 Under their wings on their four sides they had the hands of a man. All four of them had faces and wings, 9 and their wings touched one another. Each one went straight ahead; they did not turn as they moved. 10 Their faces looked like this: Each of the four had the face of a man, 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."

           Are you forming a different mental picture of angels? Do you want to be one? True, there are other forms of angels. But we must note in these views of the cherubim how God has shown to us his authority and your responsibility to protect his true Word.

           It has been said that combining all references to the cherubim in Scripture. (See also the cherubim's worship of God in Revelation 4:6-10). The traits of the four faces symbolize what traits we are to have as God's people. Facing four ways, they face all quarters of the globe to represent our duty to make God known worldwide. The wings show swiftness of obedience. The ox shows strength. The lion shows kingly authority. Also, the cherubim are always present with God to guard his Word and to worship him.

           As a Christian, you are called to be as a cherub. Are you willing to extend the truth to the world, to swiftly obey, to be strong in the Lord's power, to receive God's authority over your life and to worship him?

          

Prayer: Father, may I be as a cherub. Form my heart, mind and soul may I be swift to declare your glory. In Jesus' name, amen.