Above the mercy seat and looking down upon it were two cherubim made of pure gold. These great figures of angels were to be made with their wings stretching upward and their faces looking downward at the mercy seat where the blood was to be sprinkled. The first time we read about these cherubim was when God drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden because of their sin. He then placed the cherubim at the entrance of the garden, where, with a flaming sword, they kept anyone from entering paradise or eating of the tree of life.
Righteous Judgment and Government
Now in Exodus 25 instead of waving the flaming sword their faces are looking down at the mercy seat where the blood was sprinkled. These cherubim speak to us of the righteousness of God in government and in judgment, but here, instead of executing judgment, which sinful man deserved, they looked down upon the blood which satisfied God’s holy claims. The sword of judgment had fallen upon the victim whose blood was sprinkled there, and God was satisfied.
Of course we know that the blood of bulls and goats which was sprinkled on this tabernacle mercy seat could never put away sin (Hebrews 10:44For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. (Hebrews 10:4)), but it was accepted by God for that time to make an atonement for sin (Leviticus 17:1111For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. (Leviticus 17:11)). It pointed on, in figure, to the precious blood of Christ which alone could meet all God’s holy claims, and so we read in Hebrews 9:1212Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. (Hebrews 9:12) that He has “obtained eternal redemption for us” (Heb. 9:1212Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. (Hebrews 9:12)). Of course the Israelites knew nothing of this at that time; but their sacrifices, which were repeated over and over again, might have shown them that God had something better in view. Now Christ’s one perfect sacrifice has satisfied all God’s righteous demands “once for all,” and so God has declared “Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more” (Hebrews 10:1717And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. (Hebrews 10:17)). The sword of judgment has fallen upon the true victim, and now there is no condemnation, no judgment, for the sinner who approaches God through Christ’s finished work (Romans 8:11There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1); John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)).
Have you come to God in this way, or are you vainly trying, like Cain, to come to Him through something you have done? We must warn you solemnly, here and now, that there is no other way but God’s way, and if you try to approach God in any other, you will surely meet the sword of divine wrath and judgment.
Table of Showbread
The next piece of furniture mentioned was the table of showbread which was made of shittim wood overlaid with gold, just like the ark. Its construction would clearly show us that it typifies Christ, and with the showbread upon it, it would tell us of Christ identifying Himself with His people. There was frankincense sprinkled upon the loaves which would surely remind us of how He has placed His comeliness upon us (Ezekiel 16:1414And thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty: for it was perfect through my comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord God. (Ezekiel 16:14)), for we are brought into favor before God, in and through Christ in whom we stand.
There was, as we know, only one table — the Lord’s Table. Some might despise it in the day of Israel’s ruin (Malachi 1:77Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the Lord is contemptible. (Malachi 1:7)), just as we find those who despise it today in the church’s ruined state. However, let us set aside the thoughts of man and seek to learn the lessons the Lord has for us in it. We notice that it was smaller than the ark and the mercy seat. Undoubtedly the reason for this is, that although Christ is the mercy seat for the whole world, the Lord’s Table is only for believers.
Further Meditation
1. What do the cherubim represent?
2. Can you distinguish between the cherubim and the seraphim?
3. If you are finding it hard to visualize each of these items of furniture in the tabernacle, you would probably find the chart The Tabernacle: Cutaway and High Priest to be an excellent resource.