Eyes Up

“And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.” (Ex 25:20 AV)

Coming from a portion of the word of God that describes the pattern of the Tabernacle which Moses was instructed to build, the two cherubims faced each other but their gaze was on the mercy seat.  This has struck me odd in the sense the glory of God rested on the mercy seat and no one is said to survive directly gazing upon the glory of God.  This, of course, is not always true.  Many have.  Secondly, the cherubims did need mercy for sin as the Jewish people needed mercy for sin.  Once a year, the high priest would come and apply the blood of the atonement on the mercy seat to atone for the sins of Israel.  The gaze of the cherubims was for the satisfaction of and reverence toward, the Creator of the universe.  Their Creator.  As I thought on this the Spirit mused within me that we, as God’s people should do the same.  Our gaze should be fixed on the mercy seat.  Not just for mercy which we desperately need, but more so for the glory and pleasure it brings our Almighty God and Savior.  His mercy is infinite.  His grace, incomprehensible.

Sometimes, it is very difficult to keep our eyes fixed on the most important when there is so much more going on in our immediate environment.  This brings me back to my wedding day.  There is a tradition that is losing its significance.  It used to be the groom did not see the bride for at least 24 hours prior to their wedding.  They would part ways, usually at the insistence of a bride’s maid, or more than likely, the bride’s mother.  They would scurry away to prepare for the next day.  The next time the groom would see his bride is when the doors of the sanctuary opened and she stood with her father at the end of the room, waiting for the music to announce her appearance.  The officiant would ask all to rise.  All the honored guests would stand to their feet and every eye would be on her as she walked down the aisle to meet her beloved.  At first, her gaze would be in the pews, looking at all those who loved her so much to share her day.  But then, about halfway to the altar, her eyes would catch her beloved.  From that point forward, their eyes were locked onto one another.  It didn’t matter what the hundreds of people were doing or saying in their seats.  It didn’t matter that the ring bearer or flower girl was playing with their shoes or crying for Mommy.  What the guys were doing behind the groom or how attentive the bridesmaids were.  Nothing mattered.  Their gaze is fixed upon one another because of the deep love they feel at that moment.  The gaze is fixed on the most treasured object at that moment.

This is the scene in the sanctuary of the Tabernacle.  The gaze of the cherubims is locked on the mercy seat.  They set an example which we should follow.  There are a lot of distractions in life.  There are many trials.  We enjoy a multitude of relationships.  There are worries.  There are duties.  Much competes for our attention.  Much demands we look upon only temporary things.  Our gaze should be set on things above.  Our attention should be fixed on the One who loved us and died for us.  Our attention, although may have to be diverted from time to time, should automatically return to our God and Creator.  This is where our hearts must reside.  This is where our eyesight should be fixed.  The mercy seat upon which our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ,  sits should be that one object that attracts and keeps our attention the most.  We must look upon Him and keep looking upon Him for He alone deserves our heart.