April 15, Ezekiel 1
In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I was among the exiles by the Chebar canal, the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.... Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking. - Ezekiel 1:1,28
Jeremiah prophesied the Babylonian captivity, but Ezekiel lived it. Both prophets warned and encouraged the Israelites during some of the darkest years of Israel's history. Jerusalem and the temple had been destroyed; the people who survived had been scattered to other nations. At a time when circumstances were hard and seemed hopeless, both Jeremiah and Ezekiel encouraged the people. They reminded them that God is faithful to his promises and purposes. They described (as best human language could express and human understanding could grasp) the glory and majestic power of God to restore and revive their ruined people.
There aren't many New Testament quotes from Ezekiel, but the book is very similar to Revelation in its symbolism and structure. Some of Ezekiel's themes anticipate New Testament doctrines. The famous Valley of Dry Bones image in Chapter 37 is a graphic illustration of Paul's words about being dead in sin and made alive in Christ. Ezekiel used the title "son of man" almost 100 times, pre-echoing Jesus' use of the same phrase to identify himself during his Incarnation. Like Elijah and Elisha, Ezekiel described God's work in him as the hand of the Lord on him. In the 48 chapters, Ezekiel attributes his words to the Lord 46 times, repeating, "the word of the LORD came to...."
Chapter 1 is a good introduction to what we can expect to read in the rest of the book. The visions and symbols begin at once. How could language convey ideas of the infinite, majestic God without words such as "likeness" and "appearance"? The vivid descriptions and comparisons suggest a reality beyond description.
I don't think it's important to analyze and assign dogmatic meaning to every part of the wheels and features of the creatures. Compositely they suggest an all-powerful, all-seeing, everywhere-
at-once God. Perhaps the most important part of Ezekiel's vision is the throne and the One sitting on it, above all the rest. The message to Ezekiel and the captives in faraway Babylon was that God was still God and he was still on his throne, firmly in control. He was not limited to working in Palestine. He was in Babylon, and everywhere else the people had been scattered.
When Ezekiel saw this vision of the glory of God, he fell on his face. He didn't demand an explanation, or make a list of all he didn't understand about what he had seen. He fell down in reverent fear and worshipful awe. It was the posture of a man conscious of his unworthiness. This is a good lesson for us all as we read Elijah's accounts of these spectacular visions. This is an especially good lesson for me and all who try to faithfully communicate God's words to other people. No messenger who delivers God’s word to the people should promote himself. When I ponder the words from Almighty God to teach them to others, I feel the gravity of the message and the awesome responsibility of the task. This task humbles me as I reverently consider the source of this message, Almighty God. It's humbling to deliver a message with such gravity. As Paul described it, we who preach the gospel have this treasure in an earthen vessel, a clay pot. I see myself as unworthy for the task when I feel the responsibility for what I say to precious souls bound for eternity. No wonder Ezekiel bowed down, and so should we all.
Copyright © 2024 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today in God's Word—April 2024
East Tallassee Church of Christ
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