Ezekiel 1 -- Trying To Describe The Indescribable

Wow!  I loved how my commentary fleshed out the very peculiar descriptions Ezekiel was giving us!

“When Ezekiel went to the prayer meeting [at the river], it was just like any other day; but the Lord made a turning point in his life.  We never know what a difference a day will make when we’re in the path of duty.”

Ezekiel described, in the best way he could, a heavenly chariot.  Its wheels “symbolize the omnipresence of God while the eyes on their rims suggest the omniscience of God … The throne speaks of God’s omnipotent authority.”  And there was a rainbow – “Noah saw one after the storm (representing covenant grace).  In Revelation, John saw one before the storm.  Ezekiel saw it over the storm and in control of the storm.  In His wrath, God remembers mercy.  Ezekiel realized that he was beholding the glory of the Lord, and he fell on his face in awesome fear.”

Now to the heart of the message:  “Though His people were in exile and their nation was about to be destroyed, God was still on the throne and able to handle every situation … He moves in the affairs of nations and works out His hidden plan … It was God who enabled the Babylonians to conquer His people and chasten them for their rebellion, but God would also bring the Medes and the Persians to conquer Babylon, and Cyrus, king of Persia, would permit the Jews to return to their land.”

Ezekiel likely knew that people respected priests yet despised prophets, and he was about to be changed from a priest into a prophet.  “No matter what message God gave him to preach or what opposition arose from the people, Ezekiel would be encouraged and strengthened because he had seen the mighty throne of God in the midst of the fiery trial.  He had seen the glory of God.”

Father, I too feel like the fiery trials have been coming one after another lately – some combining with others at times.  It’s been discouraging, but I don’t want to give up.  Like Ezekiel, I need to be reminded that You are God, that You are still on Your throne, and nothing and no one is more powerful than You.  Please show me this, Father.  I need to see that rainbow representing Your covenant grace over me.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford