Ezekiel 1

(Today we are beginning a study of Ezekiel.  We will continue to highlight the Psalms on Sundays.)

Ezekiel begins with a record of his call by God to be a prophet.  It is fitting that the call of the man whose ministry will be characterized by one object lesson after another is centered around an amazing display of the majesty and glory of God.  It was essential and normal for God’s men (e.g. Moses, Joshua, David, Solomon, Isaiah) to have a vision of God’s glory, even as the believer today is ushered into the new life of service with Christ revealed within (Gal. 1:15-17).

Ezekiel’s vision of God’s glory is amazing in its detail.  The brilliance (v4) speaks of the glory of God.  The living creatures (v5-14) seem to exist for the purpose of calling attention to the attributes of God.  These cherubim (Ezek. 10:18-20) are erect like a man, each having four faces that speak of God’s attributes: man (intelligence, omniscience), lion (sovereignty, majesty), ox (omnipotence), and eagle (omnipresence).  Their wings touch, indicating unity of movement; and they move as the Spirit of God moves.  They do God’s will without deviation, indicated by their movement in different directions while not turning their heads.

The wheel within a wheel (v15-21) is something akin to a gyroscope, emphasizing the ability to immediately move swiftly and smoothly.  This “chariot” and the creatures all move in sync as they are filled with the same Spirit.  Above, and carried by, the wheels and the creatures is a firmament or expanse (v22-25), in appearance like a gigantic crystal.  The awesome appearance again speaks of the great glory of God.  On this expanse is a throne, and on the throne is a likeness of a man (v26-28).  The brilliant rainbow around the throne and the living creatures are clearly the same as in the picture in God’s throne room in Rev. 4.  And the description of the man is reminiscent of the appearance of Christ to John in Rev. 1.

Ezekiel is being called to serve God in a difficult ministry in which few, if any, will respect and heed his words.  This vision speaks of a clear and definite message from God, coming with the authority of the Almighty, and exalting the Messiah, the Man upon the Throne.  This same picture of God’s glory will appear again to Ezekiel in chapters 8-11 when the glory departs from Israel.

It is vital for those who serve God to know their Master and to understand that they are truly servants.  Paul understood this when he said, “Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God” (1 Cor. 4:1).  Again, he said “we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts” (1 Thess. 2:4).  You will see clearly as you read Ezekiel that he served God without flinching in times that were truly difficult.  We do not serve ourselves or the latest experts or the wise men of our age.  We serve God!  Do we know Him?  Have we fallen before Him in humility and worship (v28)?