It’s not always what you think. Midrash Tehillim, a collection of homiletic interpretations on the Book of Psalms, offers a glimpse into this very question, and it's wild.
The passage in question revolves around Psalm 18, specifically the verse that speaks of God riding on a cherub and floating on the wings of the wind. But what does it all mean?
Rabbi Tanchuma kicks things off, connecting this verse to future battles between Israel and the nations. He quotes Zechariah 14:13, "A great tumult from the Lord will arise against them," suggesting that the details of these future wars are already laid out. It’s a cosmic cause and effect, right? Actions have consequences, and those who exalt themselves will ultimately face destruction, like the generation of the Flood, the builders of the Tower of Babel, the people of Sodom, and even the infamous Gog and Magog. As Daniel 7:11 says, these powers are ultimately thrown into "the blazing fire.” The House of Jacob will be fire and the House of Joseph flame. (Obadiah 1:18)
Think about Pharaoh in Exodus 5:2, defiantly asking, "Who is the Lord?" Or Sancheirev in 2 Kings 19:23, blaspheming God through his messengers. Both were punished for their arrogance. In Sancheirev's case, it was an angel, as 2 Kings 19:35 tells us: "Then the angel of the Lord went out…"
The Midrash highlights the unique language of "tumult" used in connection with these wars. It suggests that these battles are fought everywhere, encompassing all aspects of existence. Rabbi Yehuda adds that "the spirit comes out only from between the wings of living creatures," further emphasizing the divine presence in these conflicts. The phrase "and floated on the wings of the wind" is key here.
Then comes a powerful analogy. Imagine a king whose son is kidnapped. His servants offer him a chariot to give chase. But the king, knowing time is of the essence, doesn't wait for the full procession. Instead, he grabs a single horse and rides after his son. Similarly, the Midrash explains, God doesn't wait for the full "chariot" of divine power. He takes a single cherub from the Throne of Glory and wages war against Egypt, as Psalm 18 says, "and rode on a cherub."
Rabbi Chanina bar Papa gets into the specifics of the divine chariot, contrasting the earthly chariots of flesh and blood with God's celestial chariot. Deuteronomy 33:27 speaks of God as our refuge, with "everlasting arms" underneath us – a powerful image of divine support.
Then we have the curious phrase "ישת חשך סתרו" (yashet choshech sitro). This means that God has many hidden worlds, and he is going to reveal them. This is supported by the verse that says "he makes darkness his hiding place" (Psalm 18:12). Rabbi Nehemiah adds another layer, suggesting that the darkness brought upon Egypt originated from the darkness of Gehenna, often translated as hell. He cites Job 10:22, "a land of darkness, like utter darkness," to illustrate this point.
So, what are we left with? It's this: God's battles aren't always fought with brute force or grand displays of power. Sometimes, they are fought with a single cherub, a whisper of wind, or even the darkness of Gehenna. God's ways are mysterious, hidden in plain sight, ready to be revealed when the time is right. He fights for us, not always in the ways we expect, but always with a fierce, unwavering love.