What is the meaning of Exodus 37:9? And the cherubim had wings that spread upward The first detail Moses records draws our attention to two realities: elevation and readiness. • Upward-spread wings picture creatures poised for immediate obedience, reflecting Psalm 103:20, “Bless the LORD, you His angels, mighty in strength, who do His word.” • Their position above the ark proclaims God’s throne in heaven (Isaiah 66:1) while at the same time declaring His willingness to dwell among His people (Exodus 25:8). • Similar imagery in Ezekiel 1:11 shows heavenly beings with wings raised in reverent alertness; in 1 Kings 8:7 the same posture appears when the ark is set in Solomon’s temple. • The literal construction of these figures (Exodus 37:7–8) teaches that worship is not invented by man but revealed by God, down to the exact position of an angel’s wing. Overshadowing the mercy seat The wings do more than reach upward; they form a protective covering over the kapporet (the atonement cover). • Hebrews 9:5 calls them “cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat,” linking the symbol directly to the finished work of Christ, our propitiation (Romans 3:25). • The verb “overshadow” recalls the cloud of God’s glory that filled the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34); here His presence hovers, not to destroy, but to extend mercy. • By physical design the gold wings concealed the place where blood was sprinkled on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:14–15), stressing that forgiveness lies entirely under divine covering, never human achievement. • Psalm 91:4 borrows the same picture: “He will cover you with His feathers,” assuring the worshiper that the mercy seat’s shelter foreshadows personal refuge in the Lord. The cherubim faced each other Their orientation provides a lesson in holy fellowship. • Facing inward, they represent unified agreement with God’s purpose; there is no rivalry, only shared adoration (cf. Revelation 4:8–9 where living creatures echo one song). • At the same time their inward gaze encloses the mercy seat, signifying that all heavenly focus converges on redemption. Angels rejoice over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:10), and here they continually attend the place where atonement is made. • Exodus 25:20 reiterates this posture, indicating that the pattern did not change from design to construction—a reminder that God’s directions are not suggestions. Looking toward the mercy seat Scripture repeats the point so we will not miss it: their eyes are fixed on mercy. • 1 Peter 1:12 notes that “even angels long to look into these things,” namely the gospel—precisely what the mercy seat prefigures. • The cherubim’s steady gaze invites worshipers to share their focus; Hebrews 12:2 tells believers to fix our eyes on Jesus, the ultimate fulfillment of the mercy seat. • Their posture also conveys expectancy; every Day of Atonement they “watched,” as it were, for the blood to be applied. This anticipates Calvary, where Christ’s blood was offered once for all (Hebrews 9:12). • By directing all attention toward the center, God teaches His people that every blessing—guidance, provision, protection—flows from His pardoning grace concentrated at that golden lid. Summary Exodus 37:9 uses the careful crafting of two golden cherubim to portray heaven’s unbroken attention to God’s redemptive plan. Wings lifted upward show readiness to serve; wings spread downward provide shelter over the place of atonement. Faces turned inward express unified worship; eyes fixed on the mercy seat highlight the centrality of grace. The scene invites us to join that angelic focus, approaching the true mercy seat—Jesus Christ—with confidence and awe. |
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