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#5.
The Cherubim, their pledge.
pp. 181 191
In the last paper we devoted our attention to the record of the creation, fall and
destruction of one called "the anointed cherub", who, when he was cast out as profane
from the mountain of God, became the great enemy of truth, Satan. In the paper we drew
attention to the fact that in Gen. 3: the serpent, Satan, the one that was once the
anointed cherub, stands at the beginning of the story of the temptation, and that the
cherubim stand at the close. It is our intention in this article to seek an understanding of
the meaning and message of the cherubim, in order to appreciate better the goal toward
which redemption moves.
The teaching connected with the cherubim must be gathered from the occasions where
they are introduced, and the context of these occurrences. We have seen the holy
associations that are revealed in Ezek. 28: and although they were profaned and the
glory departed, we must remember these essential features as we take up the theme as it
is associated with man and his redemption.
As we have already seen, the cherubim are mentioned in Scripture in immediate
association with the temptation, sin and expulsion of Adam and Eve, and in structural
correspondence with the serpent or shining one. The structure of Gen. 3: is most
illuminating, showing the various features of the chapter in their right place and
relationship.
The Serpent and the Cherubim (Gen. 3:).
A | 1-5. The serpent (cf. "living creature", verse 1).
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Procuring man's downfall.
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B | 6. Tree of knowledge.
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C | 7. Human covering--leaves.
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SATAN.
D | 8-13. God's enquiry of the man and the woman.
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E | 14. Serpent cursed.
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E | 15. Seed promised.
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D | 16-19. God's answer to the man and the woman.
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C | 21. Divine covering--skin.
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CHRIST.
B | 22-24-. Tree of life.
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A | -24. The cherubim (cf. "living creature", Ezek. 1: 5;
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Rev. 4: 6). Pledge of man's restoration.
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Let us examine this passage. We perceive that it is divided into two sections, the one
dominated by the serpent, the other by Christ. The serpent, the fallen cherub, brings
about the downfall of man; the cherubim placed at the door of the garden pledge his
restoration. The central members place in vivid contrast the serpent under the curse and
the triumphing Seed of the woman. The serpent, the Seed and the cherubim are the three
great features. When we deal with the question of human sin and its connection with