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Cherubim and Ophanim
Ezekiel 10:5 “And the sound of the wings of the cherubim was heard even in the outer court, like the voice of Almighty God when He speaks.”
In Chapter 1 and 10 we read about the vision of the Cherubim. The Hebrew word is Kerub H3742 – kᵊrûḇ, and we see the first Cherubim protecting the entrance to the garden of Eden. The only other people describing the Cherubim is Moses with building the ark of the covenant and the Tabernacle, and John in Revelation. Click here to see a post from Psalm 91 where we list some of the types of angels, and the names of the angels.
Another new word used with the Cherubim, is Ophanim, which is the “wheels” seen in Ezekiel’s vision of interlocking, eye-covered wheels that move with the Cherubim. The Hebrew word is Opan H212 – ‘ôp̄ān. Ezekiel goes into detail, repeating how they look and move, Ezekiel 10:17, “When the cherubim stood still, the wheels stood still, and when one was lifted up, the other lifted itself up, for the spirit of the living creature was in them.” Even though the translation says, “spirit of a living creature”, the Hebrew only has two words here, “Ruach Hay”, meaning the Living Spirit was in them – not a living creature.
Scattered, Remnant
Ezekiel 11:17 “I will gather you from the peoples, assemble you from the countries where you have been scattered“
Ezekiel 12:15-16 “Then they shall know that I am YHWH, when I scatter them among the nations and disperse them throughout the countries. But I will spare a few of their men from the sword, from famine, and from pestilence, that they may declare all their abominations among the Gentiles wherever they go. Then they shall know that I am YHWH.””
After Israel’s exile, the tribes (especially the 10 tribes of Israel) were so scattered, that today they are called the “lost tribes of Israel”. But YHWH knows exactly everyone around the world, it is not just the tribes in Israel that serve YHWH, but He said, they will go among the nations, and they He will gather them again. Right in the beginning of the tower of Babel (which was the ancient city of Babylon), we read in Genesis 11:8, “So YHWH scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth“
In Mark 16:15-16 we read Yeshua saying, “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”
See previous posts from Isaiah and Micah, and even in Genesis about the Remnant of YHWH.
At Hand
Ezekiel 12:22-23 “Son of man, what is this proverb that you people have about the land of Israel, which says, ‘The days are prolonged, and every vision fails’? Tell them therefore, ‘Thus says YHWH Elohim: “I will lay this proverb to rest, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel.” But say to them, “The days are at hand, and the fulfillment of every vision.”
It is like people lost faith in prophecies, not believing them, or thinking oh well, the days are prolonged, so we don’t have to worry. So YHWH says, when He now gives a prophecy, and it comes from HIM, and He says something is “at hand”, it is will happen soon! Here is a list of searches on blueletterbible.org for “at hand” (click here for more). The prophets at that time, Joel, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel gave grave warnings – destruction is “at hand” – and it was.
The next group of people that used this warning a lot, was Yeshua and the disciples. Matthew 3:2, “saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”” Yeshua said this about the time coming to a point where He would be crucified, in Matthew 26:18, “And He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples.” ’ ” and verse 45-46, “Then He came to His disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”
