Meaning of Exodus 25:20

This verse describes the appearance and placement of the two cherubim figures that were to be fashioned from gold and placed upon the Ark of the Covenant, the most sacred object within the Tabernacle. Their upward-spreading wings, overshadowing the mercy seat (the cover of the Ark), and their inward gaze towards each other and the cover, symbolize divine presence, protection, and the focus of God's attention upon His covenant. This imagery establishes a visual representation of God's throne and His dwelling place among His people, emphasizing His holiness and the reverence due to Him, while also signifying His readiness to hear and respond to the prayers and supplications made before Him.

Context and Background

Exodus 25 is part of the extensive instructions God gave to Moses for the construction of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary that would accompany the Israelites in their wilderness journey. This chapter specifically details the design and materials for the Ark of the Covenant, the table for the bread of the Presence, and the lampstand. The Ark, housing the tablets of the Law, was the focal point of Israel's worship, representing God's covenant with them. The cherubim, a recurring motif in ancient Near Eastern art and religious imagery, are here recontextualized within Israel's monotheistic framework to serve a divine purpose.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Presence and Sovereignty: The cherubim, with their wings outstretched over the mercy seat, create a symbolic throne for God. Their position signifies His omnipresent and sovereign rule over His people and His creation.
• Protection and Intercession: The "overshadowing" aspect suggests divine protection and shielding for the Israelites. The cherubim's gaze towards the cover can also be interpreted as a posture of intercession, representing the heavenly host looking upon the place where God's atonement is made.
• Holiness and Awe: The elaborate and sacred nature of the Ark and its adornments underscores the holiness of God and the profound reverence required when approaching Him.
• Focus of God's Attention: The cherubim facing the mercy seat indicates that God's gaze is fixed upon the place of atonement, highlighting His willingness to forgive and commune with His people through the prescribed means.

Spiritual Significance and Application

For believers, the cherubim on the Ark serve as a powerful symbol of God's accessibility and His desire for relationship. The mercy seat itself (Hebrew: kapporet) is intrinsically linked to atonement and propitiation, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The cherubim's posture points to Christ as the mediator, whose work on the cross provides the perfect atonement and allows believers to approach God with confidence. The upward-spreading wings can symbolize the ascension of Christ and His ongoing intercessory work on our behalf in heaven.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

The imagery of cherubim is not unique to Exodus. They are first mentioned guarding the entrance to the Garden of Eden after the fall of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:24), signifying God's protective and also exclusionary presence due to sin. Later, cherubim are described in Ezekiel's visions of the temple (Ezekiel 41:18-20), appearing in the heavenly sanctuary and on the walls of the rebuilt temple, reinforcing their association with divine presence and heavenly realms. In Exodus, their placement atop the Ark connects them directly to God's covenant and His dwelling place among His people, setting the stage for the Incarnation and the ultimate dwelling of God among humanity in Jesus Christ.

Analogies

One analogy could be a royal throne room where magnificent statues of guardians flank the throne, not only signifying the king's power and authority but also his watchful care over his kingdom. Another analogy might be a divine council chamber, where heavenly beings are depicted in an attitude of worship and attention towards the central seat of authority.

Relation to Other Verses

• Hebrews 9:5: This New Testament passage directly refers to the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat, linking the Old Testament sanctuary to the heavenly realities and Christ's ministry.
• Ezekiel 1:5-14, 10:1-22: Ezekiel's visions of living creatures, often identified with cherubim, describe beings with multiple faces and wings, moving with immense power and associated with God's glory and mobility. These visions echo the awe-inspiring nature of the divine presence.
• Leviticus 16:2, 14-16: These verses detail the Day of Atonement rituals performed before the mercy seat, highlighting its central role in atonement and reconciliation, which the cherubim's presence sanctified.
• 1 Samuel 4:4: The Ark of the Covenant, with the cherubim, is described as enthroned upon the cherubim, further emphasizing their role as carriers or symbols of God's presence and authority.