Ezekiel: God who travels Chapter 26

The Eternal Pain of God

"You were the anointed Cherub who covers,"
I established you;

After reading Genesis, I can’t help but imagine that these Cherub angels were present—quiet witnesses to the creation and tragic fall of Adam and Eve. Though the Bible doesn’t explicitly say they lived among humans, it’s reasonable to believe they observed Man’s first steps and his subsequent failure. If we consider Satan’s former identity as the chief Cherub, the connection becomes clearer: these angels were not distant bystanders but intimately involved in humanity’s fate.

Fast forward to the days of Moses, and the relationship between man and Cherubim remains significant. The Ark of the Covenant, guarded by two carved cherubs, is said to house the very presence of God among His people. Even in the Tabernacle’s curtains, two Cherubim were embroidered, symbolizing a divine covering that separated the people from the Holy of Holies—the sacred place where only Levite priests could enter to offer sacrifices.

In a broader sense, the Cherubim’s primary role after Man’s fall seems to be “covering” God—acting as a holy barrier between the divine and sinful humanity. They stand as guardians, wielding the flaming sword on the east side of Eden to keep man from re-entering and eating from the Tree of Life.

But why Cherubim? Why did God choose these particular angels and not others, like Seraphim, Thrones, or Dominions? Were Cherubim themselves exposed as a form of judgment or punishment?

These questions linger without clear answers. But one hope remains: the coming of Jesus Christ—God’s promise of redemption—could render the flaming sword powerless, even “flameless.” Through Jesus, the barrier could be lifted, allowing humanity to enter Eden once more and stand in God’s presence.

If this is true, then perhaps God has never forgotten the tragedy of Eden. The Cherub remains a living, divine reminder of that eternal pain—a symbol of loss and separation that God and His angels endure alongside humanity. The Cherubim, though majestic, may share in this sorrow, silently bearing the burden of Man’s fall until the final judgment.

Perhaps, the entire Cherubim Choir was punished—not just for guarding Eden but for their part in the cosmic tragedy led by Satan, their former chief, whose pride and rebellion caused the downfall of Man and brought death into the world.

AC

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