1 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.
2 In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin's captivity,
3 The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him.
4 And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire.
5 Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man.
6 And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings.
7 And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf's foot: and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass.
8 And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings.
9 Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward.
10 As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle.
11 Thus were their faces: and their wings were stretched upward; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies.
12 And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; and they turned not when they went.
13 As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning.
14 And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.
15 Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces.
16 The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the colour of a beryl: and they four had one likeness: and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel.
17 When they went, they went upon their four sides: and they turned not when they went.
18 As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and their rings were full of eyes round about them four.
19 And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them: and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up.
20 Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go; and the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
21 When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
22 And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the colour of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above.
23 And under the firmament were their wings straight, the one toward the other: every one had two, which covered on this side, and every one had two, which covered on that side, their bodies.
24 And when they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of great waters, as the voice of the Almighty, the voice of speech, as the noise of an host: when they stood, they let down their wings.
25 And there was a voice from the firmament that was over their heads, when they stood, and had let down their wings.
26 And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.
27 And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about.
28 As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.
The Book of Ezekiel stands as one of the prophetic books in the Old Testament of the KJV Holy Bible. Its first chapter commences with an account of the divine vision that the prophet Ezekiel experienced by the river Chebar in Babylon. This vision was not only a momentous event in Ezekiel's life, but it also set the course for his prophetic mission and the shape of his book. The vision, laden with symbolic imagery, reveals profound truths about God's nature, his relationship with his people, and his divine plan for the world.
Ezekiel 1 begins with the prophet identifying himself and the precise time of his divine encounter, "in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month," while he was among the exiles by the river Chebar. The heavens opened, and he saw visions of God. This precise dating and geographical location ground the vision in a specific historical context, affirming the reality of God's intervention in human history.
The vision that Ezekiel describes is complex and filled with symbolism. He sees a stormy wind coming from the north, a great cloud with flashing fire, and a brightness around it. Out of this celestial spectacle, four living creatures emerge, each with four faces and four wings, their bodies gleaming like burnished bronze. The creatures have the face of a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle, representing various aspects of God's creation – humanity, wild beasts, domesticated animals, and birds.
These four living creatures move in perfect harmony, never turning as they go, signifying the unity and coherence in God's creation. Their movement is directed by the spirit within them, indicating the divine spirit that animates all life. The creatures' straight legs and round feet like those of a calf symbolize stability and firmness, while the constant noise of their wings suggests ceaseless activity.
Ezekiel's vision continues with the appearance of four wheels accompanying each of the living creatures. These wheels, intersecting each other, are covered with eyes, signifying God's omniscience. The wheels move in perfect sync with the living creatures, indicating the harmony between God's wisdom and his actions. Just like the creatures, the wheels are directed by the spirit, highlighting the role of the divine spirit in guiding the course of the universe.
Above the living creatures and the wheels, Ezekiel sees a firmament, shining like a terrifying crystal. Above this firmament is a throne, made of sapphire, and on the throne is a figure with the appearance of a man. This figure glows with a brightness like fire, and around him is a radiance like the rainbow, signifying God's glory and covenant with his people.
This vision of the divine throne signifies God's sovereignty over the universe. Despite the exile of his people, God is still in control, and his plans are being executed. The figure on the throne, having the appearance of a man, signifies God's identification with humanity, while his radiant glory signifies his transcendence above all creation.
Ezekiel 1 unfolds several profound themes. Firstly, it underlines the sovereignty of God. Despite the tumultuous events on earth, God remains in control, guiding the course of history towards his divine plan. The vision serves as a powerful reminder to the exiled Israelites (and to us) that God's plans are not thwarted by human actions.
Secondly, the chapter affirms God's omnipresence and omniscience. God's spirit animates the living creatures and the wheels, indicating his presence throughout creation. The eyes on the wheels signify his all-seeing nature, affirming that nothing escapes his notice.
Thirdly, the vision underscores the unity and coherence in God's creation. The harmonious movement of the living creatures and the wheels signifies the order and unity inherent in the universe, reflecting the perfect wisdom of its Creator.
Fourthly, the vision reveals the immanence and transcendence of God. God identifies with his creation, as indicated by the human form of the figure on the throne, yet he transcends it, as signified by his radiant glory.
Finally, Ezekiel 1 serves as a call to prophetic mission. The vision marks the beginning of Ezekiel's prophetic ministry, commissioning him to speak God's word to his exiled people.
In conclusion, Ezekiel 1 presents a profound vision of God's sovereignty, omnipresence, omniscience, unity, and immanence. Through symbolic imagery, it reveals deep truths about God's nature and his divine plan. The vision serves not only as a call to Ezekiel's prophetic mission but also as a message of hope and assurance for all believers, affirming God's control over the course of history and his abiding presence in his creation.
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