EZEKIEL 1-2
“Ezekiel” means: “God strengthens” or “may God strengthen.” Ezekiel’s message is
one of uncompromising judgment and restoration for God’s sake, and not Israel’s.
Ezekiel lived out his prophetic career among the community of exiled Judeans in
Babylon. He belonged to the priestly class and was married (24:15-24), but it is
doubtful that he had any children. Date: Ezekiel’s prophecies are clearly dated; the first
date we find in this prophetic book is 593 B.C. (v.2), five years after the first group of
exiles was deported to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar. The last date given is 22 years
later, in April 571 B.C.
Ezekiel’s message is to an exiled people who had abandoned their faith in God. His
messages vindicated the reputation of God. He refutes any sense of “entitlement”
among the people of Israel, by pointing out the purpose of God. (ttt) (36:22, 23). Thus,
God used the ministry of Ezekiel for the primary purpose of restoring His “glory”
among His people, who had defiled His name before the nations. This is the work and
passion of the Holy Spirit within the church today.
Far too often the church has been guilty of “profaning,” rather than “promoting” the
name of Christ. The Hebrew word for “profane” – means, “to bore, to wound, to
dissolve, to break one’s word.” The church has been guilty of boring holes in the truth
of God, by denying that it is the infallible word of God; we have “wounded” the Lord
with our words and deeds, diluted His word and broken our word to obey it! Thus, the
work of the mission of the Spirit today is to “sanctify” God’s “great name” within His
church, that the world might know Him, as we “hallow” Him, before their eyes! The
Hebrew word for “hallow” – means, “to make, pronounce, or observe as clean;
ceremonially or morally.” The world will not believe our message until God is
“hallowed” in our midst!
Ezekiel prophesied during a time of great confusion. In 597 B.C. the Babylonians had
exiled Judah’s king Jehoiachin – who was 18 years old, and on the throne for only
three months – along with several thousand of Jerusalem’s leading citizens - 2 Kings
24:10-16. The Babylonians appointed a “puppet king,” Jehoiachin’s uncle, Zedekiah, to
take the young kings place. Ezekiel was among those carried off with Jehoiachin: He
was about 25 years old at the time. If Ezekiel was 30 years old when his ministry began,
(1:2), he must have been 50 when he received his last vision in (40:1) 25 years after his
first vision (1:1).
(v.1) It is uncertain what the thirteenth year refers to here; since according to (v.2)
Ezekiel had only been in captivity for five years. The “fourth” month is the Jewish
month of Thammuz – (July). The River Chebar (Kee-Bahr) is near the ancient city of
Nippur, halfway between modern-day Baghdad and Basra, in Iraq. There Ezekiel saw
“visions”; an earlier text read “a vision” (singular).
(v.4-5) In this first vision, Ezekiel sees a mighty whirlwind and four creatures; similar
creatures are mentioned in Revelation 4:6-8. In (v.6-9) he describes these creatures;
(v.7) “straight legs” indicate they did not walk, but glided as they moved about (v.9);
(v.8) some believe they had four arms covered with feathers. (v.10-13) The prophet
provides even more detail. In (10:20) these creatures are identified as cherubim: winged
angelic beings often associated with worship and praise of God. They are first mentioned in the Genesis 3:24,
when God drove Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. (Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary).
(v.10) They had four faces; that of a man (in front); a lion (on the right side); an ox (on
the left side); and an eagle (in the back). There is much speculation concerning the
meaning of these faces. Scripture reveals a certain majesty associated with each. Man
– made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26); Lion – “mighty” among the
beasts(Proverbs 30:30); Ox - (Proverbs 14:4) speaks of “great strength”; Eagle –the
mastery and majesty of an eagle as it soars through the air (Proverbs 30:19) . In
Revelation 4:7, the creatures mentioned have only one face, one of a man, lion, ox,
and eagle.
(v.11, 12) They went wherever the “spirit” wanted them to go; wherever the
“whirlwind” blew. The Hebrew word for “spirit” is “Ruakh,” meaning, “wind.” (v.20)
“Ruakh” here speaks of the divine “spirit” (wind) of God “moving.” (v.13, 14)
“Lightning” could also be translated “sparks of fire.” (Adam Clarke Comm.). In Revelation 4:5, a
similar scene takes place, as lightning proceeded from the throne of God!
(v.15-17) A wheel appears alongside each creature. The structure of the wheel seems
to be like a “gyroscope” (a wheel inside of a wheel). Beryl: is a crystalline (chrysolite)
mineral found in different colors – here it is probably a pale green or gold color. (ESV Study
Bible). (v.18-21) The wheels are an interesting picture of the providence of God: always
working, intricately designed, never wrong, never late! The “wheels” thus symbolize
the omnipresence of God. Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I
ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. (Psalm 139:7-8) The “eyes”
on the rims suggest the omniscience of God: all-knowing all-seeing God! And there is no
creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give
account. (Hebrews 4:13)
(v.22) The sky above, the Cherubim looked like sparkling ice! What will heaven look
like? It will indeed be joy inexpressible and full of glory! (v.23-26) Here Ezekiel beholds
a representation of the “providence” (governing power) of God at work in the world.
“Indeed before the day was, I am He; And there is no one who can deliver out of My hand; I work, and who will
(v.26) As the wheel depicted God’s omnipresence and His
omniscience, so the “throne” represents His omnipotence: His authority and power!
The “sapphire” stone is a bluish stone, with “fire” within it and a “rainbow” around it (a
reminder of God’s covenant promise with Noah) that the whole earth will never be
destroyed by a flood again [Genesis 9:13-17]. But it also could represent the covenant
we have in Christ, whereby we have been delivered from God’s judgment.
reverse it?” (Isaiah 43:13)
The color blue is significant in regard to the priestly garments in the Old Testament.
The priest were instructed by God to wear a “blue” robe over their white robe
(Ex.39:22). The blue robe represented active holiness – which should be exhibited in
the fruits of righteousness by the priests. (The Tabernacle; its priests and Its Services – William Brown, pg.95, 97).
The message being conveyed here is that although His people (Israel) were in exile and
their nation about to be destroyed, God was still on the “throne,” active and in charge!
The image (human form) above this canopy is that of Christ! “…who being the brightness of His
glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by
Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” (Hebrews 1:3)
(v.27, 28) The description here is similar to that of Christ in Revelation 1:12-18; where
John’s reaction was like that of Ezekiel found here – “…I fell on my face…” When we
hear the “voice of One!”- when His word truly pierces our hearts, when we are
consumed by His presence - worship is the only appropriate response! In order to press
on in our upward call, His “glory” must be our motivation, hope and joy! For I consider that
the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
(Romans 8:18)
CHAPTER 2
In Chapter 2 Ezekiel receives his divine commission. (v.1, 2) Application: God will not
speak until we “stand” by faith. And when we stand, we stand by the “power” of His
Spirit. 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the Lord of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6b) Notice: his call
to ministry is to a hard headed people. Those who answer the call to ministry thinking
they will shepherd people who are always cooperative and loving are in for a very rude
awakening! It’s what I have called the underbelly of the ministry: “Sheep bite!”
But if you are called you will love them as Jesus loves them, by “hallowing” God,
showing Him to be Lord through steadfast obedience, reverence and love, before the
people. Moses could not enter the Promised Land because he failed to “hallow” the
Lord, before the people, at the waters of Meribah Kadesh, allowing his temper to get
the best of Him. (Numbers 20:10-12). (v.3-8) Whether they listen or not, preach My
word! Do not fear their faces! His call was to lamentations, mourning and woe. Only a
bondservant could answer this call! For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men?
It is God’s “bow” that
counts in the end. (violinist). “Who is a God like You?” (Micah 7:18)
For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10)