The Sound Of Cherub Wings Series

During the offering time we played this version of “Ezekiel Saw De Wheel” by The “Vocal Union Quartet” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceDdAeKIo4E)

OPEN: How many of you have ever heard that song before?

It was written back in the 1940s by a popular folk singer named Woody Guthrie and has been sung by various quartets and choirs ever since.

The reason we played it this morning is because it was inspired by the text we’re reading this morning. Turn with me to Ezekiel 10:1-5 and follow along as I read.

TEXT: Ezekiel 10:1-5

OPENING PRAYER

I love preaching. Over the years I’ve found that the Bible is like a tapestry, its themes and stories are so interwoven and intricate, that if you pay close attention you can see the patterns and imagery that would simply amaze you.

ILLUS: Have you ever seen a tapestry being made?

As you watch, you find the artist adds one layer of thread after another and as you watch the patterns begin to unfold before you. You’re not sure how the worker of the threads does this, but it is amazing because of how intricately the thread works itself into that pattern. And before you know it, a beautiful wall hanging has appeared out of nothing.

That’s how it is with Scripture.

The interwoven nature of what God has done is amazing.

Once you see the patterns develop you realize how masterful the plan had been.

And that’s exactly how I felt as studied the texts for this morning.

In this sermon series we’re dealing with sounds from the Bible

And the sound we’re focusing on today is described in Ezekiel 10:5

“the sound of the wings of the cherubim… like the voice of God Almighty when he speaks.”

Now many people, when they hear the word “Cherub” think of cute harmless little children with tiny wings on their backs (we showed such a picture on the overhead).

Let me perfectly clear here…

Cherubs are not “cute”, they're not little, and they’re not harmless.

They’ve very powerful and they’re very intimidating angels.

You don’t want to mess with them.

Here in Ezekiel 10 we have one of those confusing visions in Scripture where God painted a very specific picture for the Jews. The picture – He was ticked. And He’d been ticked with them for several decades now. Judah had been sinning for years, committing idolatry and shedding of innocent blood, and finally God had had… enough.

In the vision, God orders fire to be taken from among the cherubim and scattered all over the city in punishment of their sins. And later in Ezekiel 11 – the Shekinah Glory departs from the City.

Now Cherubim seem to be everywhere in this vision.

In fact, I think they’re mentioned more in these chapters in Ezekiel than anyplace else in Scripture.

And although we’re not told much about them, it’s obvious they are scary beings.

I mean - even the sound of their wings is scary.

The sound was almost like the voice of God Himself.

The sound of the wings of these angels… was like the sound of judgment!

Let me repeat: Cherubs are powerful and intimidating.

You don’t mess with them.

They’re such powerful creatures, that it’s little wonder that people try to worship angels. Years ago, in a TV interview, one woman said: “I pray to my angel all the time”.

You know what she was doing?

She was worshiping the angels.

Idolatry.

ILLUS: Some time back I read of an Internet Website called "Angelic Creations" and they were hawking a new book written by a woman worked tirelessly to perfect her skills to get the attention of angels so that she could get what she wanted and what she felt she needed.

You know what she was doing?

She was worshiping angels.

And that’s really nothing new.

Even the Apostle John nearly fell into that trap

In the book of Revelation 22:8-9 we’re told:

“I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”

So even the most spiritual person can be tempted to try and worship angels.

In fact, Scripture tells us there was ONE angel who actually wanted to be worshiped.

Do you know that was?

That’s right: SATAN!!!

In Ezekiel 28:12-15 God says this about Satan:

“You were the signet of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, emerald, and carbuncle; and crafted in gold were your settings and your engravings.