Bible Questions and Answers

In Ezekiel 8:4 we are told that what Ezekiel saw was the glory of God

Ezekiel 8:4 And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, according to the vision that I saw in the plain.

This is clearly a vision, the component parts of which have some spiritual significance.

Fire is generally present in visions representing God.

It signifies judgment.

Deuteronomy 4:24 For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.

Hebrews 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire.

Cherubim represent the living chariot of God.

1 Chronicles 28:18 And for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot of the cherubims, that spread out their wings, and covered the ark of the covenant of the LORD.

They represent those in whom God dwells.

Isaiah 66:1 Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? 2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

The end purpose of God is to dwell in and with his people, and in this way fill the earth with his glory.

1 Corinthians 15:28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

Ephesians 1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Numbers 14:21 But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD.

The faces of the cherubim are believed to be the four standards of the camp of Israel around the tabernacle.

Man - Reuben

Lion - Judah

Ox - Ephraim

Eagle – Dan

These represent the different characteristics to be found in those who do the will of God.

In fulfilling God’s purpose, they turn neither to the right or the left.

Deuteronomy 5:32 Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.

The Gospels illustrate these characteristics in Jesus Christ.

Matthew – Lion – King – Courage

Proverbs 28:1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

Mark – Ox – Servant - Obedience

1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

Luke – Man – Priest – Compassion

1 John 3:17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

Hebrews 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

John – Eagle – Dwells on high – Spiritual understanding.

Job 39:27 Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high?

Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

The wheels of the cherubim represent the power to destroy the wicked.

Proverbs 20:26 A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.

The eyes represent the all-seeing Spirit of God.

Revelation 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

In his vision Ezekiel sees the glory of God depart from Jerusalem and go up from the mount of Olives.

When the kingdom is restored and the new sanctuary built, he sees the glory return from the east.

Ezekiel 43:4 And the glory of the LORD came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east.

The exhortation is that those who want to be the eternal dwelling place of the glory of God must try to emulate the characteristics, represented in the cherubim, that we see in Jesus.

2 Corinthians 6:16 …for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

I hope you find this helpful.

God bless,
Glenn