Bible Discussion Thread

Ez.10:14-15 "Ox-face" (1 of 2)

And every one had four faces: the first face was the face of a cherub, and the second face was the face of a man, and the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle./And the cherubims were lifted up. This is the living creature that I saw by the river of Chebar.

In the opening chapter the living creature is shown having an ox-face,"As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle(1:10)". The Spirit in replacing the ox-face with cherub expressly tells two points.

Firstly the mission: Cherubim is part of the angelic host that jealously guard the Holiness of God, as two winged cherubs set up on either side of the mercy seat tell us. Emphasis is laid on the judgment of Israel about to begin with the temple.

Secondly this change from ox to cherub is accusatory and we shall consider this well known verse from the Book of Isaiah."3The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider(Is.1:3)". We have an instance when the Ark was being brought King David ill-advisedly put it in a cart against the command of God, specified in 1 Chr.15:12-14

"And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab,/And said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of theLordGod of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it./For because ye did it not at the first, theLordour God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order./So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of theLordGod of Israel".