Given the amount of material we are covering in our Ezekiel series, we will occasionally post additional devotions to accompany and expand on the sermons each week. Here we think some more on Ezekiel's opening vision where he tries to describe the glory of God.

While there is always the danger of over-interpreting visions like what we find in Ezekiel 1, there is more we can say than simply "Ezekiel is trying to describe the indescribable". We commented on some of these in last Sunday's message, such as the observation that judgment comes from the north (Ezekiel 1:4, cf. Jeremiah 4:6) and the omnipresence/omniscience of God seen in the wheels and the eyes covering their rims (Ezekiel 1:16-18).

Here are a few other notable features of the vision:

The refining holiness of God can be seen in the many references to fire. The storm cloud has fire flashing back and forth, and the centre gleams like burning amber. The image of the man is enclosed with fire above and below. The Bible repeatedly describes God as a consuming and refining fire (Exodus 19:16-19; Hebrews 12:18-21, 29; 1 Peter 1:7; Revelation 1:14-15), and when Jesus returns with His mighty angels He will be revealed in flaming fire (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).

God's powerful holiness can also be seen in the living creatures surrounding His throne. These are the cherubim, and every time that they are mentioned in Scripture they are guardians of the holiness of God (Genesis 3:24; Exodus 25:18-20, 26:1, 36:8; Isaiah 6:2-3; Revelation 4:6-9). After describing the creatures generally, Ezekiel then expands in greater detail. Each of the different faces suggests an important attribute. The human face is distinct in its capacity to image God in wisdom, relationship, and rule (Genesis 1:26-28; Psalm 8:6-8; Daniel 4:16). The lion was the most deadly and fearsome of beasts (Numbers 23:24; Judges 14:18; Proverbs 30:30; Amos 3:8). Oxen were associated with strength. They are the greatest of the domesticated beasts (Numbers 23:22; Deuteronomy 33:17) and the eagles were revered for their terrible swiftness (2 Samuel 1:23; Isaiah 40:31; Job 9:26). These creatures in Ezekiel's vision are not to be trifled with!

I appreciate Block's words on this passage in his commentary:

"Unlike the gods of the nations depicted on ancient seals and carvings, the glory of Yahweh defies human description, verbally or visually. And unlike the images of the heathen, which require constant attention and polishing, Yahweh's radiance emanates from His very being"