Contemplative Bible Reading

1 Chronicles 28:18 (King James Version)

18 And for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and 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.

This describes the decorations or adornments of the ark of the covenant, i.e., that box that held the covenant or agreement between God and the people. This adornment was cherubim that spread their wings over the ark of the covenant.

This phrase, “the chariot of the cherubims,” is repeated in several places in the Old Testament in various English translations. I use the King James Version above for this phrase.

These cherubims were mythological beings that could fly all through the earth. God rode on them, so the beings were God’s chariot in a manner of speech. The chariot was a vehicle of war and, therefore, showed God’s power as God flew over the earth.

Hmm, this is a lot of symbolic stuff in one little five-word phrase. God rules; accept it. The end.

Well, that gives me much to ponder in my puny mind. God, please help me in my unbelief.