Au-dessus du coffre se tenaient les chérubins qui signalaient la présence divine; ils étendaient leurs ailes au-dessus de l'endroit où l'on offrait le sang pour le pardon des péchés. Mais ce n'est pas le moment de parler de tout cela en détail. En quelques versets, le lieu du culte terrestre et le rituel qui s'y déroule sont décrits. Le lieu saint est accessible aux prêtres, quotidiennement. Mais le lieu très saint est ouvert au seul grand-prêtre, une fois par an, pour quelques instants, le grand jour du Pardon. Le fait que seul le grand-prêtre puisse accéder à la présence de Dieu montre les limites de la première alliance. Pour purifier les consciences une fois pour toutes et ouvrir à chacun le libre accès à Dieu (10.14), il faudra plus que des dispositions matérielles: l'offrande unique du grand-prêtre nouveau, le Christ.
Que signifie ce verset ?
This verse describes the cherubim that overshadow the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies, a part of the tabernacle. The writer cannot give more details at this moment. It suggests something sacred and mysterious about God's presence.
Expliqué aux enfants
Imagine you have a special toy box where your favorite toys live. On top of it are two big angels that guard it. This verse talks about a similar setup in a very important room, but we can't talk more about it right now because it’s so special!
Contexte historique
The book of Hebrews was likely written by Paul or someone close to him around the late first century CE. It is addressed to Jewish Christians facing persecution and trying to understand their new faith in Jesus within their old traditions.
Application pour aujourd'hui
Think about a time when you needed forgiveness. The mercy seat represented where God forgave sins through sacrifices, much like how we find forgiveness and grace through Christ today.
Thèmes
worshipmercyforgivenesssacrificetabernacleheavenly things
The mercy seat was the lid of the Ark of the Covenant, where God's presence resided. It symbolizes God's forgiveness and grace.
Why can't we speak particularly about the cherubim here?
The writer suggests that the details are too sacred or complex for this context, emphasizing their mystery and importance in worship.
How does this relate to Jesus' role as our high priest?
Jesus entered into the heavenly tabernacle where God's presence is, offering himself as a perfect sacrifice, much like what was done under the mercy seat.
What can we learn about God from this description?
We learn that God is approachable through Christ but also retains a sense of holiness and awe-inspiring presence in our lives.