Meaning of Exodus 25:18

This verse, Exodus 25:18, instructs Moses to fashion two cherubim from hammered gold and place them at the two ends of the atonement cover (or mercy seat) of the Ark of the Covenant. The cherubim, celestial beings often depicted as guardians, are integral to the design of the Ark, which served as the earthly dwelling place of God's presence among the Israelites. Their placement signifies God's majestic sovereignty and protective presence over His covenant people. The act of hammering the gold suggests a laborious and precious crafting, emphasizing the immense value and divine significance of these figures and the Ark itself. The cherubim's posture, facing each other with wings outstretched over the atonement cover, symbolizes their role as intercessors and witnesses to God's covenant, looking down upon the blood of sacrifice that would be sprinkled there on the Day of Atonement, signifying God's mercy and forgiveness.

Context and Background

This instruction is given within the broader context of God's detailed commands for the construction of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary God desired to dwell among the Israelites during their wilderness journey. The Ark of the Covenant was the most sacred item within the Tabernacle, housed in the Holy of Holies. The atonement cover, made of pure gold and situated atop the Ark, was the focal point of God's presence. The cherubim were not mere decorations but functional elements of this divine apparatus, integral to the theology of God's interaction with His people.

Key Themes and Messages

The primary themes are divine presence, sovereignty, protection, and atonement. The cherubim symbolize beings that stand in the immediate presence of God, and their placement on the Ark signifies that the Ark is the very place where God's presence is manifest. Their protective posture suggests God's safeguarding of His covenant. The outstretched wings also allude to divine blessing and overshadowing. Crucially, their position above the atonement cover points directly to the sacrificial system and the means by which God's justice and mercy are reconciled.

Spiritual Significance and Application

Spiritually, the cherubim and the atonement cover serve as a profound foreshadowing of Jesus Christ. The blood sprinkled on the atonement cover yearly was a temporary solution for sin, but Jesus, the ultimate High Priest, entered the heavenly Holy of Holies once for all, offering His own blood as a perfect and eternal atonement for sin (Hebrews 9:11-14). The cherubim, looking down upon the blood, anticipate the divine acceptance of sacrifice that is fully realized in Christ's redemptive work. For believers today, this imagery underscores the accessibility of God's presence through Christ and the assurance of His protective care.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This passage is foundational to understanding the Old Testament concept of God's dwelling with humanity. It sets the stage for the Ark's journey through Israel's history, its capture, and its eventual restoration. More significantly, it is a crucial piece of the typological tapestry that points to Christ. The entire sacrificial system, culminating in the atonement cover and the cherubim, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus, who is both the sacrifice and the mediator.

Analogies

One analogy could be a royal throne room, where guards (cherubim) stand at attention flanking the throne (atonement cover) of the King (God's presence), signifying His authority and protection. Another analogy might be a sacred seal on an important document (the covenant), with protective figures guarding the seal, emphasizing its sanctity and the seriousness of the agreement.

Relation to Other Verses

• Exodus 25:20: "The cherubim shall have their wings spread upward, overshadowing the atonement cover with their wings. The cherubim shall face one another, with their faces toward the atonement cover." This verse further elaborates on the posture and function of the cherubim, reinforcing the themes of divine focus and protection.
• Leviticus 16:14-15: Describes the High Priest sprinkling blood on the atonement cover on the Day of Atonement, highlighting its central role in expiation.
• Hebrews 9:5: Mentions the cherubim overshadowing the mercy seat, connecting the Old Testament imagery to the New Testament understanding of Christ's atonement.
• Revelation 4:6-8: Depicts four living creatures around the throne in heaven, often interpreted as cherubim, signifying their constant worship and proximity to God's throne.