The Cherubim are the second in dignity of
the Angelic Choirs. The faculty by which they
are specially distinguished is their intimate knowledge
of God, and clear perception of His infinite
beauty. Something of this appreciation of the Divine
perfections is granted to the Saints. God reveals
Himself to them because their eyes never
dwell with delight on mere earthly beauty and
attractiveness. If I know little of God, it is because
so many earthly affections hide His face from me.
The Cherubim are always represented as little
children. At first we are inclined to wonder that
those who possess the deepest knowledge of God
are represented not as venerable sages, but under
the form of simple childhood. But what dearer
indication can there be than this, that the capacity
for knowing God depends, not on intellectual
power or elaborate study of theology, but simply on
purity of heart? "Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they shall see God."
The Cherubim are described by the Prophet
Ezechiel as covering their faces and their feet with
their wings in the presence of God, as if in dread
lest some impurity should be found in them. They
know that if He shall mark iniquity none can abide
it, and that the very Angels are not pure in His
sight. If they have this fear, how much more should
I, full as I am of imperfection and sin! How can
I dare to appear before Him? How can I hope to
be ever admitted to gaze upon His unveiled majesty?