“And he made two cherubims of gold, beaten out of one piece made he them, on the two ends of the mercy seat;”
Context:The book of Exodus is the second book of the Bible and is part of the Pentateuch, which includes the first five books of the Old Testament. Exodus recounts the history of the Israelites’ deliverance from slavery in Egypt, the giving of the Ten Commandments and the law at Mount Sinai, and the construction of the Tabernacle-a portable sanctuary where God would dwell among His people.
In Exodus 37, we read about the construction of the Ark of the Covenant and its components. The Ark was a sacred chest that housed the tablets of the Ten Commandments, a pot of manna, and Aaron’s rod. On top of the Ark, there was a golden cover called the mercy seat, and on either end of the mercy seat were two golden cherubim (angelic figures).
Key Themes:
- Divine Worship and Presence:The Ark of the Covenant was the most sacred object in the Tabernacle. It symbolized God’s presence among His people and the covenant relationship between the Lord and Israel. The cherubim on the mercy seat served as guardians of God’s holiness and presence.
- Artistry and Craftsmanship:The passage highlights the skill and craftsmanship of Bezalel and Oholiab, the two men whom God filled with the Spirit to construct the Tabernacle and its furnishings. The fact that the cherubim were “beaten out of one piece” emphasizes the artistry and attention to detail in creating these sacred objects.
- The Mercy Seat:The mercy seat was the lid of the Ark, and it was the place where the blood of the annual atonement sacrifice was sprinkled on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). It symbolized God’s throne of grace and mercy, where He would meet with the high priest to forgive the sins of the people.
Insights and Applications:
- God’s Presence Among His People:The construction of the Ark and the cherubim remind us of God’s desire to dwell among His people. Today, as believers, we are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), and God continues to reside within us. It is a privilege and responsibility to carry His presence wherever we go.
- Craftsmanship and Excellence in Service:Bezalel and Oholiab used their God-given talents for the construction of the Tabernacle. This teaches us the importance of using our skills and abilities to serve God and His people. Whether we are skilled artists or possess other talents, we should dedicate them to the glory of God.
- The Mercy Seat and Atonement:The mercy seat was a place of atonement and forgiveness. In Jesus Christ, we find the ultimate atonement for our sins. He became the sacrificial Lamb of God (John 1:29), shedding His blood on the cross to reconcile us with God and extend His mercy to all who believe in Him.
- Guardians of God’s Holiness:The cherubim were positioned on the mercy seat, representing their role as guardians of God’s holiness. As believers, we are called to live holy and righteous lives (1 Peter 1:15-16), being set apart for God’s purposes and reflecting His character in the world.
In conclusion, Exodus 37:7 reminds us of God’s presence among His people and the importance of craftsmanship and excellence in service. The mercy seat points us to God’s mercy and atonement through Jesus Christ. Let us seek to honor God with our lives, using our gifts and talents to glorify Him and be guardians of His holiness in the world.
