Post by Lee on Oct 16, 2014 1:57:51 GMT
Each cherub having two faces—one would “face the palm tree on one side,” and the other would face the palm tree also on the other side. Thus they are “upon the wall,” and “to the entrances.”
Cherubim ten feet wide and some twenty-four feet high, each having two faces, and upwards of eight hundred in number, planted in the porches all round the three mile circuit of the Temple, in combination with “the pillars by the posts,” form an architectural display of imposing beauty. Whether we consider their size and number, or their physico-theological peculiarity, we are impressed with wonder at their place in the design—a place, in view of the premises, quite appropriate, and withal unique.
The spiritual significance of these figures may be anticipated. The lion face on the one side speaks of “the Lion of the tribe of Judah”; and “the face of a young man” points to none other than to Him who is worthy to bear the title. The one who is “The man of Jehovah’s right hand” (Ps. 80:17). “He is the branch springing out of Jesse’s roots” (Isa. 11:1), the “tree planted by rivers of water” (Ps. 1:3 ; Jer. 17:7–8). As the head of the spiritual house which He has builded (Heb. 3:3–6), He is fittingly honoured by representative imagery in the central portion of that house which is also built by Him. Every son of Adam “going up between the cherubim” would see on either hand a memorial of this exalted one; now no longer rejected and despised of His people, but ruling in the midst of His enemies in power and great glory. (Ps. 110:;Matt. 26:64.) These figures would represent the triumph of God in the earth, and testify to the existence of a power who “beareth not the sword in vain”—“a terror to evil doers,” but a blessing to those who do well (Romans 13:1–4.) To one pointing at those curious figures, and asking what they mean, the answer comes: They represent “the Lion of the tribe of Judah,” the resurrected, wise, immortal King of Peace, through whom the Father shews to the nations the light of life, and who representatively and by descent is “the father” of the new and fruitful age now opening upon mankind (Isa. 9:6.)
Sulley, H. (1997). The Temple of Ezekiel’s Prophecy (electronic ed.) (52). West Beach, South Australia: Logos Publication.
Cherubim ten feet wide and some twenty-four feet high, each having two faces, and upwards of eight hundred in number, planted in the porches all round the three mile circuit of the Temple, in combination with “the pillars by the posts,” form an architectural display of imposing beauty. Whether we consider their size and number, or their physico-theological peculiarity, we are impressed with wonder at their place in the design—a place, in view of the premises, quite appropriate, and withal unique.
The spiritual significance of these figures may be anticipated. The lion face on the one side speaks of “the Lion of the tribe of Judah”; and “the face of a young man” points to none other than to Him who is worthy to bear the title. The one who is “The man of Jehovah’s right hand” (Ps. 80:17). “He is the branch springing out of Jesse’s roots” (Isa. 11:1), the “tree planted by rivers of water” (Ps. 1:3 ; Jer. 17:7–8). As the head of the spiritual house which He has builded (Heb. 3:3–6), He is fittingly honoured by representative imagery in the central portion of that house which is also built by Him. Every son of Adam “going up between the cherubim” would see on either hand a memorial of this exalted one; now no longer rejected and despised of His people, but ruling in the midst of His enemies in power and great glory. (Ps. 110:;Matt. 26:64.) These figures would represent the triumph of God in the earth, and testify to the existence of a power who “beareth not the sword in vain”—“a terror to evil doers,” but a blessing to those who do well (Romans 13:1–4.) To one pointing at those curious figures, and asking what they mean, the answer comes: They represent “the Lion of the tribe of Judah,” the resurrected, wise, immortal King of Peace, through whom the Father shews to the nations the light of life, and who representatively and by descent is “the father” of the new and fruitful age now opening upon mankind (Isa. 9:6.)
Sulley, H. (1997). The Temple of Ezekiel’s Prophecy (electronic ed.) (52). West Beach, South Australia: Logos Publication.