Hebrews 9:5

Hebrews 9:5

The cherubim of the Glory

What a beautiful picture is presented to us here! Any High Priests entering the Most Holy Place would, I imagine, be immediately drawn to the majestic images before them; the cherubim, arrayed in gold that towered over the Ark of the Covenant and its mercy seat. These amazing sculptures were designed to draw the eye, they represented the glory of the Lord and, as our verse tells us, “Overshadowed the atonement cover.” The cherubim were made out of beaten gold and were an extension of the golden cover that fitted over the ark. Their wings were spread upwards and the two creatures faced each other looking towards the cover. It was in the space between them that the Lord announced that He would meet with Israel and give them His commands. Exodus 25:17-22. Later, in Numbers 7:89 we read, “When Moses entered the tent of meeting (Tabernacle) to speak with the Lord, He heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the atonement cover on the ark of the covenant law. In this way the Lord spoke to him.” That is why the cherubim are referred to as the “cherubim of Glory.” 

Notice that in making these objects, the Israelites were not being instructed to break the second commandment about making images and worshipping them. It was not the images that the people worshipped, it was the reality of having the Lord God in their midst and His glory dwelling amongst them. In the same way, His glory dwelt in Solomon’s temple, until He eventually had to withdraw because of the people’s sin and disobedience. We cannot worship objects or images or even what they represent, instead we are called, like Israel, to worship the reality, to come directly before the Lord himself. He is not aloof like the gods of this world, He is not unapproachable or remote, He is the God who is near and whose glory is revealed. 

We might like to know more, but the author of Hebrews is having none of it, “But we cannot discuss these things in detail now” So, let’s move on!

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