THE CHERUBIM: The cherubim of glory overshadowed the mercy seat (v. 5; see Exodus 25:18--22; 37:7--9). These were two gold figures, perhaps symbols of the angels around the throne of God in heaven. God is described as the invisible presence who sits above the cherubim in 1 Samuel 4:4. The cherubim are pictured (in symbolic language) as a means of conveyance for God when He moves in any direction at will (Ezekiel 10:10--14; see 1:5--14). Two larger cherubim were placed in Solomons temple (1 Kings 6:23--27). Why did such figures not come under the ban against making graven images? The answer may lie in their highly symbolic nature. They were not any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath.... (Exodus 20:4; Deuteronomy 5:8). Figures of the real must be inadequate to express the reality. GODs GLORY: Glory (v.5), in the Old Testament, was associated with the cloud which entered the tabernacle and rested above the mercy seat, symbolizing Gods presence. Mercy seat (hilasterion) means propitiation or expiation; the latter term suggests the means of atonement for sin. To propitiate means to appease or render favourabler. Paul explained that God could be just by allowing the blood of Jesus to be shed so that He might count people as righteous through faith in His blood (see Romans 3:25). Thus the covering, indicates that we have a holy God (who) will meet sinful man and save him. The author intended to speak no more on these things (v. 5). They were all of the earth and would soon be eliminated anyway. Amen.
Posted on: Sun, 10 Aug 2014 07:16:45 +0000
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