THE CHERUBIM ON THE MERCY-SEAT.
Exo_25:18-22; Heb_9:5.
We thought first of all to pass this subject over with a short note, but when we think of the very important and prominent position the cherubim occupy, we dare not treat that as common which God has so highly distinguished. Many different interpretations have been given; we cannot resist the conviction that they represent the position of the redeemed within the vail, in glory. At least, looked at in this light, there is much to cheer and encourage, and to inspire the people of God with wonder and adoration. Before we look more closely at the cherubim on the mercy-seat, let us see them (see Eze_10:15) as they appear in Ezekiel, chapters 1 and 10. The character and history of the Church of God is beautifully set forth here in these "living creatures." Notice their-
I. Origin. They came "Out of the midst of the fire" (Eze_1:4-5). These words "out of the midst" occur three times, perhaps indicating the presence of the Triune God. Fire is an emblem of God. The origin of the Church was with God. We have been born of God. The life we have as Christians is divine life. We are His workmanship.
II. Character. They are called "living creatures" (Mat_19:5), not dying creatures; they possess eternal life. They are a peculiar people. Such is the character of those who belong to God. They are not of the earth, earthly; they don’t belong to this dying world. They are living, "Alive unto God" (Rom_6:11).
III. Appearance. "They had the likeness of a man" (Mat_19:5). Every individual member of the Church, as known to God, bears the likeness of the Man Christ Jesus. They have been created after the image of Him. They bear the image of the heavenly. Made partakers of the divine nature. "Changed into the same image, from glory to glory" (2Co_3:18).
IV. Characteristics. They had four faces (Mat_19:10)-
1. They had the face of a man. They were wise. Christ is made of God unto us wisdom. Wise in Christ.
2. The face of a lion. They were strong and courageous.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me" (Php_4:13).
3. The face of an ox. They were patient and persevering.
4. The face of an eagle. They were far-seeing and high-flying. The redeemed of the Lord see things in the light of eternity and have their affections high up on the things which are above. They had also four wings (Mat_19:11). With two they did fly, with two they did cover themselves. Is this characteristic of us, that we live only to serve God and conceal ourselves?
V. Movements. They went "straight forward" (Mat_19:12). They went like those who had only one thing to do, one purpose to carry out. "This one thing I do" (Php_3:13). Then note further that they went "Whither the Spirit was to go." This is most significant. They were lead by the Spirit. "When He the spirit of truth is come, He will guide you into all truth" (Joh_16:13). What could more accurately describe the characters and attitudes of the Church of the living God than this? But what follows now that they are guided by the Spirit?
VI. Influence. "Their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps" (Mat_19:13). As coals of fire they were all alive and all aglow in themselves; as lamps they were lights to others. Moreover, they ran and returned as a flash of lightning (Mat_19:14). This is what the Church ought to be. This is what we as Christians ought to be. Filled with and guided by the Holy Spirit, this is what we will be, "coals of fire," hearts all aglow with zeal; "lamps," letting our lights shine; "messengers," running and returning-running with and returning for fresh messages from the King. But note yet further, that "Their noise was as the voice of the Almighty" (Mat_19:24). It is the purpose of God that the Church should be led by the Holy Spirit, filled with holy zeal for the glory of God, and that its testimony should be as "the voice of the Almighty;" but, alas, through worldliness and sin its voice is more like the voice of impotence. Our testimony will always be weak when we are not "in the way" of the Holy Spirit of God.
VII. Accompaniments. "When these living creatures (cherubim) went, the wheels went by them" (Mat_19:19). These wheels are described as "very high" and "full of eyes." They had a work to do in connection with the living creatures (Mat_19:16). They seem to symbolise the very mysterious, all wise, and ever active special providence that accompany the chosen of God while on earth. "All things work together for good to them who love God, who are the called according to His promise" (Rom_8:28).
VIII. Translation. "The cherubim lifted up their wings and mounted up from the earth, the wheels also were beside them" (chap. Mat_10:19). Here is the translation of the Church in figure, and the special providence which attended it on earth going with it. "Caught up together to meet the Lord in the air" (1Th_4:17). Thus the cherubim, like the Church, came from God, and, guided by the Spirit, went up to God.
So we think that in the cherubim on the mercy-seat, in the holy of holies, we may see our position as "God’s own" within the vail, seated with Christ in heavenly places.
That they represent the privileges of the redeemed in glory may appear yet more clear when we consider-
1. How they were Formed. They were made out of the end of the mercy-seat, as the more literal rendering of Exo_25:19 affirms. They were not made separately and put on the mercy-seat, but were in reality a part of it. They were both one. The mercy-seat declares God’s mercy toward men through Jesus Christ, the ark on which it rested. The cherubim, or church, is connected with the mercy-seat resting on the ark of Christ’s redemptive work, but linked on to God’s purpose in Christ before the world began. This sentence may seem vague, but read it again, there is hidden manna in it. They were made of "beaten work," wrought out by the process of beating. "Beaten work" suggests a lingering process of suffering, made through much crushing and bruising. Yes, before a Church could stand redeemed before God there must be much beating and bruising, much soul suffering and agony. Who can tell all the anguish of God while in love He gave His Son up to the death for us all. "He was wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our iniquities" (Isa_53:5). A saved people, a glorified Church in His own presence, will be the result of this beaten work of pure gold. Only pure gold could have stood such a terrible test; only infinite grace could have accomplished such a work. By grace are ye saved. "Grace, ’tis a charming sound."
2. Where they Stood. They stand upon the mercy-seat, they were part of it. We are "bone of His bone," the connection is both real and deep. Born, "not of the will of man, but of God," partakers of His nature. "According to His mercy He saved us" (Tit_3:5). On this mercy we shall stand, even in the Heaven of heavens. Rutherford said:
" I stand upon His merit. Not e’en where glory dwelleth, I know no other stand; In Immanuel’s Land."
3. What they Did. "They looked one to another, with their faces toward the mercy-seat." What a suggestive attitude for the saved in glory, looking on one another with the look of family recognition, a hint that we shall know each other in the Better Land, the holier place. But their faces were specially toward the mercy-seat, they looked with adoration on Him who had purchased for them this high and holy privilege. If you ask, "What are these?" we answer, "These are they which have come out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb; therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple, and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them" (Rev_7:15). If their voice could be heard, we would doubtless hear them saying, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain." Not only were they part of the mercy-seat, but in it; they stood on it, they looked, and over it they spread their wings. It was their all and in all. Such is the mercy of God, in Christ Jesus, to all them that believe.
4. What they Enjoyed. We must not overlook this great fact that they rested continually in the very presence of the Holy One Himself. God dwelt on the mercy-seat, between the cherubim, God was in the midst of them, they were "for ever with the Lord." Within the vail we are in the presence of our Lord. "To depart" is to be "with Christ." At the throne of mercy we first meet with God; before the throne we shall stand and serve for ever, with an acceptance that reaches through all eternity, because we are accepted in the Beloved. "We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is" (1Jn_3:2).
Autor: James Smith