Connect Ezekiel 41:19 with other biblical references to cherubim and their significance. The carved vision: Ezekiel 41:19 “the face of a man toward the palm tree on one side and the face of a young lion toward the palm tree on the other; they were carved all around the temple.” • Human and lion faces appear on each cherub, repeating around the temple walls. • The carving is not ornamental filler; it reflects literal heavenly beings that surround God’s presence. From Eden to Exile: a quick survey of cherubim • Genesis 3:24 — “He drove out the man and stationed cherubim on the east side of the Garden of Eden…and He placed a flaming sword that turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.” ▪ Cherubim first appear as guardians, enforcing holiness. • Exodus 25:18-22 — two golden cherubim overshadow the mercy seat on the ark; God says, “There I will meet with you.” ▪ Their wings form a throne‐like cover for God’s glory in the tabernacle. • 1 Kings 6:23-30; 2 Chronicles 3:10-13 — Solomon sets two 15-foot olive-wood cherubim inside the Most Holy Place and carves smaller ones on the walls. ▪ The pattern foreshadows Ezekiel’s later temple vision. • Ezekiel 1:4-14; 10:1-22 — living creatures with four faces (man, lion, ox, eagle) carry God’s throne-chariot. Ezekiel explicitly calls them “cherubim” (10:15, 20). • Revelation 4:6-8 — four living creatures around God’s throne show faces like lion, calf, man, and eagle, crying “Holy, holy, holy.” Why do the faces matter? • Lion — strength and royalty. • Man — intelligence and relational capacity. (Other passages also add ox / calf for service and eagle for swiftness, rounding out a picture of all animated creation honoring the Creator.) Ezekiel 41 emphasizes only two faces, yet by embedding both repeatedly “all around the temple,” the vision keeps the full heavenly throne company continually before worshipers. Roles Scripture assigns to cherubim • Guardians of sacred space (Genesis 3:24). • Throne-bearers for God’s glory (Ezekiel 1, 10). • Overseers of atonement (Exodus 25:18-22). • Heralds of worship (Revelation 4:8). • Visual reminder that heaven and earth meet at God’s dwelling (1 Kings 6; Ezekiel 41). Connecting Ezekiel 41 to other passages 1. Same faces, same holiness • Ezekiel 1:10 — “the face of a lion on the right… the face of a man on the front.” • Revelation 4:7 echoes the same lion and man imagery. 2. Same placement, same purpose • Exodus 25 and 1 Kings 6 locate cherubim inside the holiest space; Ezekiel 41 places them on the new temple walls, showing continuity of design. 3. Same message, different era • From Eden to the Millennial Temple (Ezekiel 40-48), cherubim continually announce that God’s presence is holy, accessible only through His ordained means. What it means for life today • God still dwells among His people, and His holiness is unchanging. • The multifaceted faces remind us that every realm of creation is called to acknowledge Him. • Because the cherubim overshadow the mercy seat, believers approach with confidence through the atoning work foreshadowed there and fulfilled in Christ (Hebrews 9:11-14). |
    |