What/who are the Cherubim and Seraphim?
Above him (the Lord) were seraphim, each with six wings:
With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet,
and with two they were flying.
Isaiah 6:2
Each (cherubim) had four faces and four wings,
and under their wings was what looked like human hands.
Ezekiel 10: 21
Seraphim are only directly mentioned in Isaiah 6, though they seemed to be described again in Revelation 4:6-9. In both Bible passages, the seraphim are praising God with the same words: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty”. They were and are doing what He created them to do. The reality that these supernatural beings have six wings is pretty awe-inspiring. The related Hebrew word for seraphim means “to burn”. The same word was used to describe the serpents in the wilderness mentioned in Numbers 21:8 and Isaiah 30:6 for example. So perhaps these were fiery serpent-like creatures.
Cherubim are mentioned quite a bit more. They have guarded the Garden of Eden and tree of life with swords in hand ever since God kicked out Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:24). The entire chapter of Ezekiel 10 has an incredible depiction of the cherubim that almost sounds like some kind of science fiction movie. In short, they have four wings and the faces of a lion, ox, man and eagle (vs. 14).
The cherubim’s likeness decorated parts of the tabernacle and then the temple. Two solid gold cherubim were on top of the Ark of the Covenant, which was called the mercy seat or atonement cover. They faced each other, their wings covered their faces, and they touched in the middle (Exodus 25:10-22). God’s voice came from between the Cherubim as He spoke to Moses (Numbers 7:89). This place on the cover was also where God was enthroned (1 Samuel 4:4, 1 Chronicles 13:6, Psalm 99:1, etc.). This was symbolic because they apparently are guardians of God’s presence. God also rode these winged creatures, though this may be symbolic (2 Samuel 22:11, Psalm 18:10).
The seraphim use two of their wings to cover their faces. They cannot behold God directly. Think about that for a minute. He is so holy, and we are so unworthy. But, because of the sacrifice and resurrection of His son, we can approach the throne of grace (Hebrew 4:16). And just like these heavenly creatures, we too should worship the Lord.
Take some time and worship the Lord today:
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Psalm 100