2 Chronicles 3:13: “The wings of these cherubim extended twenty cubits. They stood on their feet, facing the main hall.”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
This verse describes the positioning of the two cherubim inside the Most Holy Place of Solomon’s temple. Their wings, when fully extended, spanned twenty cubits (about 30 feet), covering the entire width of the room. The cherubim were standing upright on their feet and facing toward the main hall of the temple, indicating their watchful posture and their connection to both the sacred space of the Most Holy Place and the outer part of the temple.
The cherubim’s positioning suggests that they were guardians of the holy space, their wings forming a protective canopy over the Ark of the Covenant, which symbolized God’s presence with His people. Their stance, facing the main hall, symbolized that they were not just confined to the Most Holy Place but also looked outward, connecting the divine presence to the rest of the temple.
Historical Context
Solomon’s temple was built during a time of great peace and prosperity in Israel, and its construction was a fulfillment of King David’s desire to build a permanent house for the Lord. The Most Holy Place was the innermost part of the temple, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. Only the high priest could enter this space once a year, on the Day of Atonement, to offer sacrifices on behalf of the people.
The cherubim had a long tradition in Israel’s worship, first appearing in the tabernacle, where they were placed over the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant. In Solomon’s temple, they were much larger and more prominent, emphasizing the permanence and grandeur of this temple compared to the portable tabernacle. Their role as guardians and symbols of God’s presence was central to the worship and religious life of Israel.
Theological Implications
Theologically, the cherubim represent the holiness and majesty of God’s presence. Their large wings, spanning the width of the Most Holy Place, symbolize the all-encompassing nature of God’s glory. The fact that they stand on their feet and face the main hall shows that God’s presence is not confined to one area but extends to all who come to worship Him.
The cherubim also remind us of the separation between God’s holiness and humanity’s sinfulness. Their role as guardians over the Ark of the Covenant emphasizes the need for reverence and purity when approaching God. In the temple, access to the Most Holy Place was limited, pointing to the fact that entering God’s presence was a serious and sacred act.
Literary Analysis
This verse is part of a detailed description of the temple’s construction, focusing on the arrangement of the cherubim. The description of their wings spanning twenty cubits and their upright posture creates a visual image of strength and majesty. The cherubim’s positioning and size reinforce the grandeur of the temple and the sacredness of the Most Holy Place.
The literary structure of this verse, with its attention to detail, mirrors the careful planning and reverence that went into the temple’s construction. The cherubim’s role as guardians of the sacred space adds to the overall sense of awe and holiness that permeates the description of the temple.
Biblical Cross-References
- Exodus 25:18-22 – This passage describes the cherubim placed over the Ark of the Covenant in the tabernacle, establishing their role as guardians of God’s presence.
- Psalm 99:1 – “The Lord reigns, let the nations tremble; he sits enthroned between the cherubim.” This highlights the significance of the cherubim as symbols of God’s throne and majesty.
- Revelation 4:6-8 – In the New Testament, we see a vision of heavenly beings with wings surrounding God’s throne, similar to the cherubim in the temple, representing the ongoing worship of God in heaven.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse is a reminder of the reverence and awe with which we should approach God. The cherubim, with their outstretched wings and watchful posture, symbolize the holiness of God’s presence and the respect that is required when entering into His presence. While we no longer have a physical temple, the principle remains that God is holy, and our worship should reflect that reality.
The cherubim also remind us that God’s presence is not confined to one place or one time. Their position, facing outward toward the main hall, shows that God’s glory and presence extend beyond the Most Holy Place to all who seek Him. As Christians, we are invited into God’s presence through Jesus, but we are also called to live in a way that honors His holiness in every aspect of our lives.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is demonstrated in His desire to be present with His people. The cherubim in the Most Holy Place symbolize the guardianship of God’s holiness, but they also represent His nearness to His people. Despite the separation caused by sin, God made a way for His presence to dwell among the people through the temple.
The detailed care that went into constructing the temple and placing the cherubim reflects God’s love for beauty, order, and holiness. He is a God who desires to dwell among His people, and the temple was a physical manifestation of His desire to be near them, even in their brokenness.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
The cherubim in the Most Holy Place point forward to Jesus Christ, who ultimately fulfills the role of the temple. In the Old Testament, only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place, and the cherubim stood as guardians of God’s presence. However, through Jesus’ death and resurrection, the barrier between God and humanity has been removed (Hebrews 10:19-22).
When Jesus died on the cross, the curtain of the temple, which separated the Most Holy Place from the rest of the temple, was torn in two (Matthew 27:51). This symbolized the fact that, through Jesus, we now have direct access to God’s presence. Jesus is our high priest, and through Him, we can approach God without fear, knowing that the separation caused by sin has been bridged.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- How does the imagery of the cherubim with their outstretched wings challenge us to approach God with reverence?
- In what ways can we honor God’s holiness in our worship and in our daily lives?
- What does the cherubim’s positioning, facing the main hall, teach us about God’s presence extending beyond the Most Holy Place?
- How does Jesus fulfill the role of the temple, allowing us direct access to God’s presence?
- How can we live in a way that reflects the awe and reverence that the cherubim symbolize in the temple?
This verse invites us to reflect on the holiness of God’s presence and the way we approach Him in worship. Through Jesus, we are given the privilege of entering into God’s presence with confidence, but we are also called to live in a way that honors His holiness and reflects His love in every area of our lives.