AP

Ezekiel 1:26-28  Above the vault over their heads was what looked like a throne of lapis lazuli, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him.  This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD.  When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.

The Sovereign LORD knew that the message he was entrusting to Ezekiel was far from palatable, and the response it would receive from the people of Israel would be very distressing, disparaging and discouraging (cf 2:3-8).  To prepare for this, therefore, he wanted the prophet to have a clear picture of his power, majesty and glory.

It is difficult for us to reconstruct the vision from Ezekiel’s verbal descriptions in this chapter as they are not always clear and understandable. Nevertheless the prophet leaves us in no doubt that he was in the service of a God who dwelt in unapproachable light, who was working to a definite, fixed plan in history, and who would carry out this non-negotiable plan with purpose and resolve.  (One commentator wondered whether verses 19-21 were the inspiration for the design of the modern shopping trolley, with the wheels going every which way!)

The vision came to a climax with the Son of Man figure enthroned above everything else and surrounded by a rainbow.  It was so powerful and blinding that the prophet could only describe him, not as ‘the LORD’, but as ‘the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD’!

We too are commissioned with a formidable task.  Our society is just as obstinate, just as unwilling and incapable of receiving God’s truth, just as deaf spiritually, and just as disparaging of his messengers, as Israel was.  Therefore, if we are to remain faithful and effective for him, we need to have a clear picture of the risen, reigning Lord in our minds (eg Ephesians 1:18-23; Revelation 1:12-18; 5:9-14), a clear grasp of his Covenant of Grace as symbolised by the rainbow (cf Genesis 9:12-17), and a confident trust in his sovereign power, and the power of his Gospel to change lives (Romans 1:16-17).  Without these, we will be too easily discouraged, too readily diverted from our real task by the opposition we will inevitably encounter.  May Ezekiel inspire us to do press on in faith!

– Bruce Christian