We are in chapter thirty-six of Exodus with our word for today. כְּרוּב cherub. It is used 91 times in the Old Testament, twice in our chapter. Our word is used in the sense of a winged supernatural angelic being that serves God in a number of ways. The first time we see our word used in the Bible is way back at the beginning in the garden of Eden. Genesis 3:23-24 He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed הַכְּרֻבִ֗ים the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life. Even though these are amazing creatures they are still under God’s authority. Isaiah 37:16 O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, enthroned above הַכְּרֻבִ֔ים the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made the heavens and the earth. Ezekiel 10:19-20 And הַכְּרוּבִ֣ים the cherubim ... stood at the entrance of the east gate of the house of the Lord, and the glory of the God of Israel was over them. These were the living creatures that I saw underneath the God of Israel by the Chebar canal; and I knew that they were כְרוּבִ֖ים cherubim. We also see our word used in the sense of the shape of a cherub as it may be represented in paintings, sculptures, molds, and other artistic representations. 2 Chronicles 3:10 In the Most Holy Place he made two כְּרוּבִ֣ים cherubim of wood and overlaid them with gold. This is how our word is used twice in our chapter today. Exodus 36:8, 35 All those who were skilled among the workers made the tabernacle with ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, with כְּרֻבִ֛ים cherubim woven into them by expert hands … He made the veil of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen; with כְּרֻבִֽים cherubim skillfully worked into it he made it. What is interesting is that every single time our word is used in this way it is in reference to the place God made himself known in a special way in the tabernacle and then later when the temple was built. Here are a few specific examples of God meeting with his people in the place that has this specific kind of artistic representations. Numbers 7:89 And when Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the testimony, from between the two הַכְּרֻבִ֑ים cherubim; and it spoke to him. 2 Samuel 6:2 And David arose ... to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of the Lord of hosts who sits enthroned on הַכְּרֻבִ֖ים the cherubim. The good news is that now we don’t have to go anywhere to connect with God because if we have accepted the salvation that God offers us in Christ have God’s spirit living in us. John 7:37-39 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. Later the Holy Spirit speaking through Paul makes reference to this happening to believers. Romans 5:5 God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. I’ll close with part of Jesus prayer that also emphasizes the Holy Spirit living in us as believers. John 17:20-23 I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.
