Chariot of the Cherubim

Jack Davis

When king David was told that Solomon his son would be the one to build the house for the name of the Lord, David in turn gave his son Solomon counsel. He gave Solomon the pattern of all that he had by the spirit as well as the materials including the silver and gold for this magnificent temple. David said that the Lord had made him to understand in writing by His hand upon him. I Chron. 28:11-21.

Thank God, He is till writing today by His Spirit, on the tables of our hearts to enable us to understand the depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God our Father. David was given the privilege to gather the materials for the construction, even gold “for the pattern of the chariot of the cherubims, that spread out their wings, and covered the ark of the covenant of the Lord.” I Chron. 28:18.

Solomon followed the plans that God had given his father, and when the temple was built, Solomon in his prayer of dedication said, “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, the heaven and the heaven of the heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house  that I have builded?” I Kings 8:27. See Acts 7:44– 50 and 17:24-28.

“Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye will build unto me? And where is the place of my rest? For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.” Isa. 66:1-2. It is to us a marvelous thing that our God determined to dwell and walk in human vessels. See II Cor. 6:16 – 7:1. A heart revelation of God and His Word truly humbles us in order to lift us up and make something special of our lives.

It seems that before this first creation God had in  mind a temple that would be made up of living stones, and a transport made up of living creatures. He could  use His channels as vessels and vehicles any way He saw fit. Our part was to be available and let Him determine our use and usefulness.

VESSELS and VEHICLES

Jeremiah was sent to the potter’s house to see how he worked on the wheels. Jer. 18:1-6. The vessel  that the potter made of clay was marred, so he made another vessel as it seemed good unto him. God then asked Israel, “cannot I do with you as this potter…Behold as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in my hand…” God made the first Adam a natural man, and the first creation was marred by the fall. The second creation He placed in Christ, and Christ in us. II Cor. 5:17: II Cor. 13:5, Col. 1:27. He placed in earthen vessels a life that cannot fail. II Cor. 4:4-11. God intended that the life of His Son be manifested, and magnified in our mortal bodies. Phil. 2:19-21.

God, the great and original potter has the power to make vessels unto honour and to dishonour. Whether He is dealing with Israel or with us as in individual, He has endured with much longsuffering vessels of wrath fitted to destruction. See Eph. 2:1-10. He has been willing to show His wrath and make His power known in some measure, and will demonstrate more later. Yet it seems that He is far more willing to make known the riches of His glory on vessels of mercy prepared unto glory. Rom. 9:20-23.

Our Father in His great house has all creation at His disposal to make of it whatever He will, but has determined to wash us in His Word and by the power of His Holy Spirit, set up apart unto Himself, and make us fit for His use, prepared unto every good work. Oh how wise we are to be available to His Hand. II Tim. 2:19-21.

We do thank God for Paul, who was faithful as a chosen vessel, and as a vehicle to bear the name of Jesus and His good news unto  many. Praise God for those that went before Paul (Acts 8:3-4) as well as those that followed in the same steps as containers of His life and conveyors of His light, even unto this end of the age. Some are still showing forth His light, and holding fast (and forth) the Word of life. Phil. 2:15-16. That chosen vessel that was told what great things he must suffer for the name of Christ, wrote, “Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach.” Heb. 13:13. 

CHARIOTS

“And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.” I Kings 2:11.

What an exciting exit! For both Elijah to experience, and Elisha to behold it happening. Later Elisha’s young servant saw Elisha surrounded with chariots of fire. I Kings 6:17. I am sure that His disciples were excited to watch Jesus lift off the earth and ascend into heaven. Lk. 24:50-52; Acts 1:9-11, as a cloud received Him out of their sight. In today’s language, I suppose someone would say that they were abducted by extraterrestrials, but soon and very soon we expect to be transported quickly into realms of celestial glory. OH Hallelujah!!

The Ark Represented the Presence and Favor of God. King David felt the urge to bring the ark of the covenant home to Jerusalem and he consulted with the leaders of the people about it and the people agreed. So David led the people to bring the ark, and they set it on a new cart. On the way toward home the oxen stumbled, and Uzza one of the men driving the oxen put forth his hand to steady the ark of God, and was smitten to death.

How was the Ark to be Moved? David asked, “How shall I bring the ark home to me?” sometimes the best way to miss the perfect will of God is to consult with man. Often wisdom of man can lead us to do the right thing in the wrong way. If David didn’t remember the Word of the Lord on this matter, he would have been wise to ask God in the fist place. The next attempt David made to bring up the ark, they did it according to the  word of the Lord. This time David said, “None ought carry the ark of God but the Levities: for them hath the Lord chosen to carry the ark of God.” Num. 7. Their first attempt was exactly the way the Philistines tried to do it. It is a shame that God’s people today still try to do things of God according to the ways of the world.

Some years ago a man, a successful evangelist said, I don’t care what kind of cart you have to use to get them in, just so you get the Word out. This statement was made in relation to bringing Grace meetings into a man made cart. God in some undeniable way manifested His displeasure with it. Those like the Philistines that are ignorant of God’s way, are not judged severely as those with more light.. The Philistines had taken the ark in battle, but in a little while they were glad to get rid of  it.