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ones' (wrongly translated 'beasts'), shows the Cherubim of Ezekiel to be
identical with the Seraphim of Isaiah:
'And the first living one was like a lion, and the second living one
like a calf, and the third living one had a face as a man, and the
fourth living one was like a flying eagle. And the four living ones
had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes
within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord
God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come' (Rev. 4:7,8).
This is of prime importance, for the witness of the Cherubim, which
commences so far as man is concerned at Genesis 3, continues throughout the
Scriptures until its prophetic pledge is realized in the Revelation. Man's
dominion being forfeited in Genesis 3, the Cherubim are placed at the east of
the garden as a pledge that the dominion shall be restored. The fact that
the next reference to Cherubim is in connection with the Mercy Seat is an
added revelation indicating the process whereby this restoration shall be
accomplished, and the fact that the prayer of Hezekiah, which occurs in the
very centre and climax of Isaiah, is addressed to The Lord of hosts, God of
Israel, that dwells between the Cherubim (Isa. 37:16) gives point to the
theme of restoration, and intensifies the interest which Isaiah, and we with
him, must have in the presence of the Seraphim at the beginning of his
prophetic ministry.
The Seraphim are described as having six wings, yet only two were used
for flying, the remaining four being used in the recognition of the holiness
of the One they served. While not introduced to teach positive doctrine
concerning the Godhead, their threefold ascription of holiness, together with
the change of number in the person of the pronoun in verse 8, 'Whom shall I
send, and who will go for Us?' cannot but be observed.
Before leaving the passage dealing with the Seraphim, it may help us to
observe the way in which the Hebrew word is used in Isaiah.
Seraph in Isaiah
A
1:7.
Country desolate. Cities burned.
Not consider (3).
B
6:2,6.
Temple.
Seraphim.
Live coal.
No understanding (9).
C
9:5.
War. Burning.
Child born Prince of Peace (6).
C
44:16,19.
Idols.
Burn in fire.
He that formed thee from the womb (24 -28).
B
47:14.
Babylon.
Fire shall burn them.
Not lay to heart (7).
A
64:10,11.
Jerusalem desolate.
House burned.
None call on Name (7).
This burning judgment, echoed in Isaiah 4:4, where the cleansing of
Jerusalem is in view, gives point to Isaiah's selection in his opening vision
of the name of 'Seraphim'. The very last words of his prophecy end in the
same strain: 'neither shall their fire be quenched' (Isa. 66:24).