THE LIKENESS OF FOUR LIVING CREATURES

That the ‘four living creatures’ were cherubim is made clear in chapter 10 verses 1, 20 and 22. It seems that one of the main roles of the cherubim is to guard the means of approach to God, whether by way of the mercyseat, the tabernacle or the temple. Clearly, there were none better fitted to stand sentry-like to guard the way to the tree of ‘life’, Gen. 3. 24, than ‘living crea­tures’. It may well be, therefore, that in Ezekiel 1 these high-ranking celestial beings formed a protective square around - albeit at a lower level than - the throne of God. For, whenever the living creatures moved, two of their four wings were extended upwards, with the tip of the right wing of the one cherub touching the tip of the left wing of another, joining them together in a square-like formation.

They are described as ‘living creatures’, each having four faces, which together represented the highest forms of life on earth. The lion is chief among wild beasts. The ox is chief among domesticated animals. The eagle is chief among birds. And man is chief and supreme over all. And, man’s dominion over all life on earth, Gen. 1. 26-28, may well explain why the human face was dominant, pointing outward on all sides of the square.

The lion is renowned for its dignity, strength and boldness, making it a fitting symbol of royalty. The ox excels in labour and untiring endurance. The eagle excels in speed, in penetrating vision and in lofty flight. Man excels in wisdom and intelligence. Indeed, as created in God’s own image, man excels all.

We know that the day was to come when the One whom Ezekiel saw on the throne, with ‘the appearance of a man’, would really become a man. The New Testament Gospels pro­vide us with four distinct portraits of our Lord’s person and life on earth. And, interestingly, it is possible to link these four aspects of the life and ministry of our Lord Jesus with the four faces of the cherubim. For Matthew speaks of His Kingship (the lion); Mark of His humble service and sacrifice (the ox); Luke of His perfect humanity (the man); and John of His deity - of the One who belongs properly to heaven (the eagle).