Expert: LEBoyd - 4/16/2007

Question
In Ezekiel 41: 18-19 -- And it was made with cherubims and palm trees, so that a palm tree was between a cherub and a cherub; and every cherub had two faces; 19 So that the face of a man was toward the palm tree on the one side, and the face of a young lion toward the palm tree on the other side: it was made through all the house round about.
Is there spiritual significance of the cherub faces facing the palm tree on either side?  What is the meaning?

Answer
Marquita,

This section of Ezekiel, as you are most likely aware, is describing a future "temple".  When considering Eze. 40 through 43, the question of literal interpretation verses figurative is necessary.  Because of the many problems with a literal interpretation, I personally believe this is a figurative analogy of the future coming of Christ and his body/church being established on earth for as long as the earth exists.

With this interpretation, my belief is that the description of the cherub represents the tieing together of Christ (the lion) and man.  It could be describing the coming of Christ as a man (Phil. 2:6 "who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.") or Christ living in the baptized believer (Gal 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ lives in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.")

The palm tree is generally recognized as a tree of honor.  The leaves were laid down as the "red carpet entry" for those of honor (John 12:12-13 12 On the next day the great multitude who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 took the branches of the palm trees, and went out to meet Him, and began to cry out, "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel.")

I hope this helps,
LE