Add the Cherubim!

“Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution. From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me..: gold, silver, and bronze, blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, goats’ hair…

“You shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen and blue and purple and scarlet yarns; you shall make them with cherubim skillfully worked into them. The length of each curtain shall be twenty-eight cubits, and the breadth four cubits… Five curtains shall be coupled to one another, and the other five curtains shall be coupled to one another. And you shall make loops of blue on the edge of the outermost curtain in the first set. Likewise… in the second set. Fifty loops you shall make on the one curtain, and fifty loops you shall make on the edge of the curtain in the second set… And you shall make fifty clasps of gold, and couple the curtains one to the other with the clasps, so that the tabernacle may be a single whole…

“You shall overlay the frames with gold and shall make their rings of gold for holders for the bars, and you shall overlay the bars with gold. Then you shall erect the tabernacle according to the plan that you were shown.

“And you shall make a veil of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen… with cherubim skillfully worked into it. And you shall hang it on four pillars of acacia overlaid with gold, with hooks of gold, on four bases of silver. And you shall hang the veil from the clasps, and bring the ark of the testimony in there within the veil. And the veil shall separate for you the Holy Place from the Most Holy. You shall put the mercy seat on the ark of the testimony in the Most Holy Place.” Exodus 25:2-4; 26:1-6,29-34

The making of the tabernacle was a detailed, exquisite effort, with every instruction spelled out by a loving, meticulous, purposeful God. Designer, Architect, Creator, Teacher, the Lord was behind, over, and above all that was made, and the object for whose glorious presence it would exist. Therefore, it was significant that cherubim shall be skillfully worked into the fine twined linen of curtain and veil that would encompass and protect the holy structure.

Cherubim were created heavenly beings. They guarded Eden from the exiled Adam and Eve, so they would not re-enter, eat from the tree of life and live forever in their sin. Cherubim were strange, heavenly creatures that adored God on His throne. Satan was a guardian cherub before his fall. Throughout the scriptures they played a role of mystery and limited majesty, orchestrated by the Divine and ministering under His authority and for His splendor. (Genesis 3:24; Psalm 8:4-5; Ezekiel 1:1b,4-5,11; 28:12-15; Revelation 4:6-8)

How often do we go about our duties and days, never thinking of weaving God’s resplendence into our moments? How might we add a spirit of wonder to our imagination, heavenly grace into our speech, or divine love in our interactions with others? In tending to details and deadlines, how will we include and reflect the glorious One who has given us both assignment and craft?

Lord, show me where and how I can add cherubim to my living today, so others can glimpse Your beauty and worth.