God's Elite Guard

Hard to imagine the magnificence of the two cherubim, the 15 foot high angelic guardians of the holy of holies and the ark of the covenant. It appears that they may be capable of wielding flaming swords since Genesis 3:24 says:

So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.
(Gen 3:24)

There is some debate as to whether the cherubim are angels that are special attendants of God, or whether they are their own separate class of created beings. In Psalm 104:4 we read:

Who makes His angels spirits, His attendants a flame of fire.

Are the angels the attendants, or are the attendants a separate group from the angels?

One thing we do know about angels is that they look after God's own.

For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. (Psa 91:11)

Another thing we do know is that there is a heavenly army (i.e., host), and

All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven And among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand Or say to Him, "What have You done?" (Dan 4:35)

This is good news for us, because this means that the Lord is the commander in chief of the heavenly army, and that no adversary can prevent Him from accomplishing His purposes.

Take comfort in knowing that though war should rise against you, your heart need not fear.


The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked came against me To eat up my flesh, My enemies and foes, They stumbled and fell. Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; . . . For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD. Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When You said, "Seek My face," My heart said to You, "Your face, LORD, I will seek." Do not hide Your face from me; Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation. When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the LORD will take care of me. Teach me Your way, O LORD, And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies. Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; For false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence. I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD! (Psa 27:1-14)

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.