It is a blessing to understand the presence of God’s cherubic glory and its movement, accompanied by the forward shining light in the form of the horns of an ‘attacking bull’. This is for us as God’s people to pierce the darkness in order to checkmate the resisting powers of wickedness in the atmosphere (cf. John 1:5; John 3:19).
John 1:5:
5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 3:19:
19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
This forward shining glory is akin to the shining face of Moses who, after leaving the presence of God, came down from Mount Sinai with a radiant face.
19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
This forward shining glory is akin to the shining face of Moses who, after leaving the presence of God, came down from Mount Sinai with a radiant face.
The radiance of Moses is described in the Torah or in the Word of God as a shining of his face in the form of rays of light that emanated from his face like horns (cf. Exodus 34:29-30).
Exodus 34:29-30:
29 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord.
30 When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him.
The Hebrew word used in the above Bible passage for ‘shining, radiant’ is ‘qāran’ and comes from the root word ‘qärän’, which means ‘horn, horns’. (Note: part excerpt from the Elberfelder Study Bible on the word ‘shining – qāran’ with the word key number 7328*, 7329).
Exodus 34:29-30:
29 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord.
30 When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him.
The Hebrew word used in the above Bible passage for ‘shining, radiant’ is ‘qāran’ and comes from the root word ‘qärän’, which means ‘horn, horns’. (Note: part excerpt from the Elberfelder Study Bible on the word ‘shining – qāran’ with the word key number 7328*, 7329).
This means that Moses reflected the face of God in the form of the bull, while he was surrounded by the fatherhood of God in the form of His eternal priesthood as well as accompanied by the spirit of strength. The presence of God with which Moses was surrounded resulted in the manifestation of the fear of the LORD in the midst of the people of Israel (cf. Exodus 34:30).
Exodus 34:30:
30 When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him.
30 When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him.
The North and the Face of the ‘Bull’
This glorious cherubic presence of God, which is linked to the face of the bull and the north, is clearly described in Ezekiel 1. There, two elements or body zones that belong to the nature of the bull are mentioned, which is why there is an apparent emphasis on the cherubic presence at this point (cf. Ezekiel 1:7.10).
Ezekiel 1:7.10:
7 Their legs were straight; their feet were like those of a calf and gleamed like burnished bronze. …
10 Their faces looked like this: Each of the four had the face of a human being, and on the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox; each also had the face of an eagle.
7 Their legs were straight; their feet were like those of a calf and gleamed like burnished bronze. …
10 Their faces looked like this: Each of the four had the face of a human being, and on the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox; each also had the face of an eagle.
The two body segments are the feet and the face. In this we can see the importance of movement in the form of spiritual advancement and relationship in the form of spiritual intimacy with God, the Heavenly Father.
The word used in Ezekiel 1:7 for the ‘bull’ that is linked to the feet is ‘’ēḡäl’ meaning ‘a male calf that leaps around in a circle’. The Hebrew root word is ‘’āḡōl’ and means ‘round’. (Note: Word explanation from Strong’s Concordance and the Elberfelder Study Bible for the word feet of a ‘bull – ‘ēḡäl’ and ‘’āḡōl – round’ with word key numbers H5695; 5807 and 5806*).
The Hebrew word for ‘bull’ used in Ezekiel 1:10, mentioned in connection with the region of the head, is ‘šôr’ and means, among other things, ‘ox’ as well as a ‘male bull’.
Based on this, we can see that God’s cherubic presence is accompanied by joy in the form of triumph as well as the understanding of His glory and authority, which is recognized on the basis of our spiritual relationship with Him and with one another (cf. Malachi 4:2-3 i.c.w. John 13:34-35).
Malachi 4:2-3:
2 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.
3 Then you will trample on the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty.
2 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.
3 Then you will trample on the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty.
John 13:34-35:
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
The Hebrew word for ‘cherubim’ means ‘shining brightly, lightning flashing’.
The word ‘cherub’ translated means ‘great one, mighty one’.
The word ‘cherub’ translated means ‘great one, mighty one’.
This word explanation reveals that the cherubic presence of God is accompanied by His mighty power, glory and revelation.
In the context of God’s cherubic presence, it is no coincidence that king David also danced around like a ‘young bull’ in front of the ark of the covenant, which had on its top plate the golden cherubim, leaping (cf. 2 Samuel 6:13-16).
2 Samuel 6:13-16:
13 When those who were carrying the ark of the Lord had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf.
14 Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, 15 while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets.
16 As the ark of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she despised him in her heart.
13 When those who were carrying the ark of the Lord had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf.
14 Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, 15 while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets.
16 As the ark of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she despised him in her heart.
According to Ezekiel 1 the glorious presence of God was accompanied by the power of the north, which represents the spiritual dimension of the ‘bull’ (Note: the Father) or the power of the cherubic nature of God, which is also connected with His ‘fearful’ and secret nature (cf. Ezekiel 1:4 i.c.w. Exodus 19:16; Exodus 34:30).
Ezekiel 1:4:
4 I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north – an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal, …
4 I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north – an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal, …
Exodus 19:16:
16 On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled.
16 On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled.
Exodus 34:30:
30 When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant (Note: had horns in the form of rays of light emanating from his face), and they were afraid to come near him.
30 When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant (Note: had horns in the form of rays of light emanating from his face), and they were afraid to come near him.
Furthermore, the cherubic nature of God goes hand in hand with quality of leadership and strength, as the ‘bull’ is related to the Hebrew letter ‘Aleph’ and carries the numerical value ‘1’. Furthermore the ‘Aleph’ means among other things ‘cattle, leader, strength, master/LORD’.
The pictographic representation of the Hebrew letter ‘Aleph’ is a ‘bull’s head’.
The ‘Aleph’ is the so-called ‘father letter’, because everything begins with the Father and the Hebrew word for ‘father – āb’ begins with an ‘Aleph’ (cf. Revelation 1:8).
The Direction and Order of the Four Living Beings
When we study about the four living beings before the throne of God in the book of Ezekiel and in the book of Revelation, we find that the four beings are arranged in directions as well as positions in the book of Ezekiel and are also arranged in positions in the book of Revelation (cf. Ezekiel 1:10; Ezekiel 10:14; Revelation 4:7).
Ezekiel 1:10:
10 Their faces looked like this: Each of the four had the face of a human being, and on the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox; each also had the face of an eagle.
Ezekiel 10:14:
14 Each of the cherubim had four faces: One face was that of a cherub, the second the face of a human being, the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.
Revelation 4:7:
7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle.
The directions and the positions of the four living creatures are meant to illustrate to us the importance of knowing spiritually where to go (Note: direction) and at which time (Note: position, order) to move forward with God.
When we study about the four living beings before the throne of God in the book of Ezekiel and in the book of Revelation, we find that the four beings are arranged in directions as well as positions in the book of Ezekiel and are also arranged in positions in the book of Revelation (cf. Ezekiel 1:10; Ezekiel 10:14; Revelation 4:7).
Ezekiel 1:10:
10 Their faces looked like this: Each of the four had the face of a human being, and on the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox; each also had the face of an eagle.
Ezekiel 10:14:
14 Each of the cherubim had four faces: One face was that of a cherub, the second the face of a human being, the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.
Revelation 4:7:
7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle.
The directions and the positions of the four living creatures are meant to illustrate to us the importance of knowing spiritually where to go (Note: direction) and at which time (Note: position, order) to move forward with God.
Further, the various orders reveal the following characteristics of God’s presence:
• Ezekiel 1:10 => arrangement in directions for the purpose of God’s visitation
• Ezekiel 10:14 => arrangement in positions for the purpose of God’s judgment
• Revelation 4:7 => arrangement in positions for the purpose of God’s government
• Ezekiel 10:14 => arrangement in positions for the purpose of God’s judgment
• Revelation 4:7 => arrangement in positions for the purpose of God’s government
The Two Cherubic ‘Types’ of God’s Presence
It is no coincidence that it was in the will of God to have two ‘cherubic types’ made within His people. There is one cherubic presence associated with Moses as a symbol of the power of salvation and the other one with king Solomon as a symbol of the eternal kingship of the Prince of Peace Jesus Christ.
The cherubic presence associated with Moses was the two cherubim of pure gold located on the cover of the ark of the covenant.
The two cherubim in the ‘dĕbîr – the Holy of Holies’ of the Temple of God, which king Solomon built, were made of olive wood covered with pure gold.
=> The Hebrew word for ‘the Holy of Holies’ is ‘dĕbîr’, which means ‘the back, the back room in the temple or also speaker’. It refers to the guidance someone receives from God in response to an asked question (Note: Gideon’s interpretation of the fleece/oracle; cf. Judges 6:36-40). <= (The text placed in ‘=>’ is based on an explanation from the ‘Prophet’s Dictionary’ by Paula A. Price, Ph. D.; pages 367 and 368).
Both dimensions of God’s glorious cherubic nature result in the covering of the one new man in Christ, as Paul compares it to a precious olive tree whose root carries the anointing (cf. Romans 11:17-18 i.c.w. Ephesians 2:14-18).
Romans 11:17-18:
17 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, 18 do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you.
17 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, 18 do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you.
Ephesians 2:14-18:
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.
18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.
18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
The cherubim made of pure gold on the ark of the covenant can stand for the eternal glory, whereas the cherubim made of olive wood overlaid with pure gold represent the glory of the Father in the temporary time, which He makes manifest through Jesus Christ.
The two cherubim made of gold covered olive wood were much taller in size than the cherubim on the ark of the covenant, which in Solomon’s time was placed in the ‘back room – dĕbîr’, which encompasses the Holy of Holies, along with the cherubim made of olive wood (cf. Exodus 25:18-20 i.c.w. 1 Kings 6:23-28).
Exodus 25:18-20:
18 And make two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover.
19 Make one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; make the cherubim of one piece with the cover, at the two ends.
20 The cherubim are to have their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the cover.
18 And make two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover.
19 Make one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; make the cherubim of one piece with the cover, at the two ends.
20 The cherubim are to have their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the cover.
1 Kings 6:23-28:
23 For the inner sanctuary he made a pair of cherubim out of olive wood, each ten cubits high.
24 One wing of the first cherub was five cubits long, and the other wing five cubits – ten cubits from wing tip to wing tip.
25 The second cherub also measured ten cubits, for the two cherubim were identical in size and shape.
26 The height of each cherub was ten cubits.
27 He placed the cherubim inside the innermost room of the temple, with their wings spread out. The wing of one cherub touched one wall, while the wing of the other touched the other wall, and their wings touched each other in the middle of the room.
28 He overlaid the cherubim with gold.
23 For the inner sanctuary he made a pair of cherubim out of olive wood, each ten cubits high.
24 One wing of the first cherub was five cubits long, and the other wing five cubits – ten cubits from wing tip to wing tip.
25 The second cherub also measured ten cubits, for the two cherubim were identical in size and shape.
26 The height of each cherub was ten cubits.
27 He placed the cherubim inside the innermost room of the temple, with their wings spread out. The wing of one cherub touched one wall, while the wing of the other touched the other wall, and their wings touched each other in the middle of the room.
28 He overlaid the cherubim with gold.
Touching the Wings of the Cherubim and the Hidden Realm of God
The Touching of the wings of the cherubim is equivalent to releasing the presence of God’s ‘ẓābā' – angelic hosts’ in the form of a war unit, which can appear as fiery gazelles in the spirit realm.
It is the presence of the ark of the covenant with its cherubim that is related to the character of ‘YAHWEH ZEBAOTH’ who is enthroned over the cherubim (cf. 1 Samuel 4:4a).
1 Samuel 4:4a:
4a So the people sent men to Shiloh, and they brought back the ark of the covenant of the Lord Almighty (Note: YAHWEH ZEBAOTH), who is enthroned between the cherubim. …
4a So the people sent men to Shiloh, and they brought back the ark of the covenant of the Lord Almighty (Note: YAHWEH ZEBAOTH), who is enthroned between the cherubim. …
On the basis of the Hebrew word for ‘wing – kānāṗ’ a fighting character is also evident according to Ephesians 6:12, because the word describes, among other things, the ‘wing of an army’ but also ‘an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bed clothing) a flap (of the earth) a quarter (of a building), a pinnacle, a corner of a garment that is connected to God in the form of protection, as well as the spreading of a man’s garment, who spreads it in a legally binding manner over his chosen wife (cf. Ruth 3:9).’
Furthermore, it were the tassels at the hem of the garment intended by God to remember His commands. The tassels were attached to the four ends of the garment (cf. Numbers 15:38-39 i.c.w. Deuteronomy 22:12).’ (Part excerpt to the word ‘wing – kānāṗ’ of the Strong’s concordance with the word key number: H3671)
The Hebrew word for ‘cherubim’ as mentioned earlier, means ‘shining brightness, flashing lightning’. As the term ‘cherub’ translated means ‘great, mighty one’ it also reveals to us that by the touching of their wings, a glorious divine presence filled with power was established, which opened the realm of ‘the hosts of God’.
The touching of the wings of the great cherubim in the ‘Holy of Holies – dĕbîr’ with the walls of the Temple indicates a realm of understanding the order in the house of God according to His established principles in which we are called to walk.
The twofold cherubic nature of God in Solomon’s temple created a so-called ‘covering – ḥuppāh’, of the eternal Prince of Peace (Note: The name ‘Solomon’ means ‘the peaceful one’.), which already carried within itself the spiritual dimension of Jesus’ cross and is an indication of the relationship between the bride and the bridegroom.
It is the bride who brings forth the treasures of wisdom and knowledge from her bridegroom Jesus Christ (cf. 1 Kings 8:6-8 i.c.w. Colossians 2:2-3).
1 Kings 8:6-8:
6 The priests then brought the ark of the Lord’s covenant to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, and put it beneath the wings of the cherubim.
7 The cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark and overshadowed the ark and its carrying poles.
8 These poles were so long that their ends could be seen from the Holy Place in front of the inner sanctuary, but not from outside the Holy Place; and they are still there today.
6 The priests then brought the ark of the Lord’s covenant to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, and put it beneath the wings of the cherubim.
7 The cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark and overshadowed the ark and its carrying poles.
8 These poles were so long that their ends could be seen from the Holy Place in front of the inner sanctuary, but not from outside the Holy Place; and they are still there today.
Colossians 2:2-3:
2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
In all of this, we can also say that in the ‘dĕbîr – the Holy of Holies’ in the temple of Solomon there was a ‘smaller rectangle’ in a ‘larger rectangle’, which was established by the wings of the respective cherubim and thus brought forth a glory, which has its seat in the ‘darkness’.
This clearly shows that it pleases the LORD to hide Himself and to communicate from a hidden realm to give us direction (cf. Psalm 18:11.31-32 i.c.w. 1 Kings 8:12).
Psalm 18:11.31-32:
11 He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him – the dark rain clouds of the sky. …
31 For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God?
32 It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.
11 He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him – the dark rain clouds of the sky. …
31 For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God?
32 It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.
1 Kings 8:12:
12 Then Solomon said, “The Lord has said that he would dwell in a dark cloud; …”
12 Then Solomon said, “The Lord has said that he would dwell in a dark cloud; …”
The hidden presence of God in the ‘dĕbîr – the Holy of Holies’ is nothing but a request from the LORD that we go out in faith to seek Him and the meaning of His speaking. This process is similar to the visitation of Moses, who had to pass through the dark cloud in order to experience God’s presence.
And it was the touch of the LORD’s hand on his face, while he was in a cleft of the rock, which was already an indication of Jesus Christ (cf. Exodus 24:18a i.c.w. Exodus 33:18-23).
Exodus 24:18a:
18a Then Moses entered the cloud as he went on up the mountain. …
18a Then Moses entered the cloud as he went on up the mountain. …
Exodus 33:18-23:
18 Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”
19 And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”
21 Then the Lord said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock.
22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by.
23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”
18 Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”
19 And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”
21 Then the Lord said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock.
22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by.
23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”
Hidden in the ‘darkness of God’ are His secrets that can only be unlocked for those who are willing to pay the ‘price’ by not living themselves and losing themselves as kings and lovers of God through drawing closer to the LORD and having a higher quality of relationship (cf. Galatians 2:20 i.c.w. James 4:8).
Galatians 2:20:
20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
James 4:8:
8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
From this comes the glory of God, to search out His secrets hidden in the ‘shadow of His wings’ in order to reveal His glory at the right time (cf. Proverbs 25:2).
Proverbs 25:2:
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.
Amen and Amen.
In His Wisdom,
Daniel Glimm
