KEY
NOTES
“The beauty of God’s leaders is that God does not seek to blend
these diverse natures; he makes the leader quadruplex in nature.
Each nature is separate and distinct, and although al are housed in
the same person, there is no conflict between them, and seldom is
there even interaction among them” —Dr. Judson Corwall, Profiles
of a Leader, Logos International, 1980.
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STUDY GUIDE
Pastor Joseph Sissac
Instructor
EZEKIEL WEEK: 2
Instructor: Pastor Joseph Sissac
www.centerofpraise.net
INTRODUCTION
In this lesson we’ll look more closely at Ezekiel chapter 1 and seek to
gain greater understanding of the vision that launched the prophet’s
ministry. The “four living beings” seen in the vision are also seen in
other places in scripture both directly and symbolically. It’s through
these witnesses that by the wisdom of the Holy Spirit the relevance of
these verses in our lives will be enhanced as we endeavor to fulfill the
prophetic call of God in our lives. Much of our references in this study
will come from Dr. Judson Cornwall’s book, “ Profiles of a Leader” (Logo's
International, 1980) .
Multiple witnesses
According the Ezekiel’s description in chapter 1, these beings had
bodies primarily like men but also had four faces as; an eagle, an ox, a
lion and a man. In chapter 10 he has another vision and witnesses the
same beings. In chapter 10 he refers to them as cherubim which are a
type of angelic being whose role and proximity is closest to the
presence of God.
These living beings are seen in the culminating book of the Bible of
Revelation in chapter 4:7-8, 7 The first creature was like a lion, and the
second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like that of a
man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle. 8 And the four living
creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and
within; and day and night they do not cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy is the
Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.”
The apostle John may have referred to the beings as different based on
his perspective and their positions, but these are certainly the same
beings witnessed by the prophet Ezekiel. So what do these beings,
their faces and their function before the presence of God mean to us
today as disciples of Christ.
multiple profiles
These beings represent the multifaceted character of God’s leaders/
servants at the highest levels. Our God is indeed and OMNI-God.
There are no limitations in Him or His glory. Therefore by His grace, He
equips us to engage His presence and do the work He’s called us to do
in the earth with the adequate profiles for the tasks. The eagle, ox, lion
and man are the chosen profiles to allow us to understand the
incredible depth and breath of our worship, learning and serving of the
Lord of Heaven and Earth.
4 As I looked, behold, a storm wind
was coming from the north, a great
cloud with fire flashing forth
continually and a bright light
around it, and in its midst
something like glowing metal in the
midst of the fire. 5 Within it there
were figures resembling four living
b e i n g s. A n d t h i s w a s t h e i r
appearance: they had human form.
6 Each of them had four faces and
four wings. 7 Their legs were
straight and their feet were like a
calf ’s hoof, and they gleamed like
burnished bronze. 8 Under their
wings on their four sides were
human hands. As for the faces and
wings of the four of them, 9 their
wings touched one another; their
faces did not turn when they
moved, each went straight forward.
10 As for the form of their faces,
each had the face of a man; all four
had the face of a lion on the right
and the face of a bull on the left,
and all four had the face of an
eagle. 11 Such were their faces.
Their wings were spread out above;
each had two touching another
being, and two covering their
bodies. 12 And each went straight
forward; wherever the spirit was
about to go, they would go, without
turning as they went. 13 In the
midst of the living beings there was
something that looked like burning
coals of fire, like torches darting
back and forth among the living
beings. The fire was bright, and
lightning was flashing from the fire.
14 And the living beings ran to and
fro like bolts of lightning.
-Ez. 1:4-14
14 And each one had four faces.
The first face was the face of a
cherub, the second face was the face
of a man, the third the face of a
lion, and the fourth the face of an
eagle. 15 Then the cherubim rose
up. They are the living beings that I
saw by the river Chebar.
-Ez. 10:14-15
The eagle
In terms of the office of ministry, the eagle may be associated with
the prophet, “since the prophet always tends to be a bit
unearthly, soaring above reality and seeing things from an entirely
different perspective than the rest of us…” (Cornwall, 1980). The
function here as it relates to us, is one of worshiping the Lord as an
eagle flies by soaring on vertical, upward-moving columns of air and
gaining high altitudes. What we learn here is that our intimacy with
the Lord is not dependent on striving (flapping our wings) in our
own strength. But following, resting and soaring in the presence of the
Holy Spirit.
9 For we are God’s fellow
workers; you are God’s field, God’s
building. -1 Corinthians 3:9
1 And working together with
Him, we also urge you not to
receive the g r a c e o f G o d i n
v a i n - 2 Corinthians 6:1
the lion
the ox
The ministry office of this profile is associated with that of the
evangelist. They often plow the ground, plant, water and serve to
reap the harvest. As this profile relates to us today, the ox
represents the work/service of the believer. We are not called to
turn our heads from the day-to-day work of evangelism, but to be
readily available to plow, plant and harvest as the Spirit leads us.
This profile we may liken to that of the apostle, “daring to go out
into the wild, new territory and roar the voice of God…” (Cornwall,
1980). There is great contrast seen between these profiles
because there is great diversity in our service of leadership unto
the Lord. The character of the lion displays courage, strength and
authority. Establishing and maintaining territory for the Lord
requires a lion-like attitude. One that we are equipped with
and required to function in at times in our families,
churches, communities, etc…
Within it there were figures
resembling four living beings. And
this was their appearance: they
had human form.
-Ezekiel 1:5
31 Yet those who wait for the Lord
will gain new strength; they will
mount up with wings like eagles,
they will run and not get tired, they
will walk and not become weary.
-Isaiah 40:31
For I will be like a lion to Ephraim
and like a young lion to the house of
Judah. I, even I, will tear to pieces
and go away, I will carry away, and
there will be none to deliver.
-Hosea 5:14
the man
Lastly, the profile of the man is associated with that of the pastor/
teacher. We are called to relate to one another, having compassion,
empathy and giving instruction. As mankind we are made in God’s
image and likeness. In our humanity we are also called to depend
on God and His grace in ALL things. “At all times these highest level
servants of God were more ‘manlike’ than anything else” (Cornwall,
1980)