Angels From Sinai to the Taking of Jericho
73
stretching forth on high, while the other wings are folded over their
[101]
forms in token of reverence and humility.—
The Spirit of Prophecy
1:272
.
Above the mercy-seat was the shekinah, the manifestation of the
divine presence; and from between the cherubim, God made known
His will. Divine messages were sometimes communicated to the high
priest by a voice from the cloud.—
Patriarchs and Prophets, 349
.
When the Lord did not answer by a voice, He let the sacred beams
of light and glory rest upon the cherubim upon the right of the ark, in
approbation, or favor. If their requests were refused, a cloud rested
upon the cherubim at the left.—
The Spirit of Prophecy 1:399
.
Through Christ was to be fulfilled the purpose of which the taber-
nacle was a symbol—that glorious building, its walls of glistening
gold reflecting in rainbow hues the curtains inwrought with cherubim,
the fragrance of ever-burning incense pervading all, the priests robed
in spotless white, and in the deep mystery of the inner place, above
the mercy-seat, between the figures of the bowed, worshiping angels,
the glory of the Holiest. In all, God desired His people to read His
purpose for the human soul. It was the same purpose long afterward
set forth by the apostle Paul, speaking by the Holy Spirit:
“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of
God dwelleth in you?”—
Education, 36
.
At the very foot of Sinai, Satan began to execute his plans for
overthrowing the law of God, thus carrying forward the same work
[102]
he had begun in heaven. During the forty days while Moses was in
the mount with God, Satan was busy, exciting doubt, apostasy, and
rebellion. While God was writing down His law, to be committed to
His covenant people, the Israelites, denying their loyalty to Jehovah,
were demanding gods of gold! ...
The whole universe had been witness to the scenes at Sinai. In the
working out of the two administrations was seen the contrast between
the government of God and that of Satan. Again the sinless inhabitants
of other worlds beheld the results of Satan’s apostasy, and the kind
of government he would have established in heaven, had he been
permitted to bear sway.—
Patriarchs and Prophets, 335, 336
.
Can we marvel that the “excellent glory” reflected from Omnipo-
tence shone in Moses’ face with such brightness that the people could
not look upon it? The impress of God was upon him, making him