Daily Devotions
Behind the Veil
Reading for September 7th: Ezekiel 41-43
And on the doors of the nave were carved cherubim and palm trees, such as were carved on the walls. And there was a canopy of wood in front of the vestibule outside. And there were narrow windows and palm trees on either side, on the sidewalls of the vestibule, the side chambers of the temple, and the canopies.
Ezekiel 41:25-26
A friend of mine pointed out to me that the temple had similarities with the Garden of Eden. The temple had palm trees engraved in the walls, just as you would have in a garden. More significant, however, were the cherubim that were on the walls and on the veil separating the holy and most holy place. The cherubim also overshadowed the mercy seat where the Divine presence resided.
The purpose of the cherubim was to guard the way into the garden into the tree of life (Gen 3:24). The fact that we also find these cherubim pictured on the veil and over the mercy seat gives us the idea that their purpose was also to guard God's holiness. Sinful man could not enter into the presence of God. The cherubim defended God's holiness.
This has special meaning in Ezekiel where God's presence is shown to have left the temple because of idolatry at the beginning of the book. However, at the end of the book God once again resides in his new temple (Ezek 43:5).
We have been given a right to enter into the Presence behind the veil by the sacrifice of Jesus (Heb 10:19-20). The veil has been taken away! There is no need for cherubim to guard the way into the Garden!
Father, thank you for the privilege we have to enter into your presence behind the veil!
