The Gospel According to Ezekiel (Part 1 of 2)

Historical Context Leading to Ezekiel

By the time Ezekiel comes on the scene, several horrendous events have taken place. From a spiritual standpoint, this is the result of sin within Israel, primarily the persistence of Canaanite gods and other divinities.

Several decades earlier, King Josiah ascended the throne and initiated a reformation, purging idolatry and restoring worship of Yahweh. Yet, even during this great reform, the prophet Jeremiah recognized the deep sickness of sin in Israel's heart and warned that the reform would not last without heartfelt change.

Josiah then unwisely antagonized the Pharaoh of Egypt, who had no quarrel with him. Josiah was wounded and died, and Israel quickly plummeted back into idolatry. Babylon conquered Judah, exiling some, including Ezekiel, in 597 BC under King Jehoiachin—a date confirmed by Babylonian records.

Structure and Themes of Ezekiel

Ezekiel, a priest and prophet among the exiles, delivers a book that splits into two portions: the first preaches impending doom and destruction, the latter focuses on restoration and warnings to neighboring nations.

The ultimate primary theme is the glory of God, seen in His holiness, vindicating Himself as the essential center of life. A life fully satisfied in God is the only way to live.

Secondarily, Ezekiel brings hope in Jesus Christ, pointing to the need for the coming Savior and King to restore God's people permanently. The book teaches that the chief end of man is to know God, confirmed in John 17.

Ezekiel's Vision in Chapter 1

The book begins around the first half of the sixth century BC, dated to about 597 BC. Ezekiel chapter 1 records his extraordinary vision by the River Chebar among the exiles.

Now it came about in the 30th year, on the fifth day of the fourth month, while I was by the River Chebar among the exiles, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. (On the fifth of the month in the fifth year of King Jehoiachin's exile.)

The word of the Lord came expressly to Ezekiel the priest, son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the River Chebar, and there the hand of the Lord came upon him.

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. Within it there were figures resembling four living beings. And this was their appearance: they had human form.

Each of them had four faces and four wings. Their legs were straight and their feet were like a calf’s hoof, and they gleamed like burnished bronze. Under their wings on their four sides were human hands. As for the faces and wings of the four of them, their wings touched one another; their faces did not turn when they moved, each went straight forward. 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. Such were their faces. Their wings were spread out above; each had two touching another being, and two covering their bodies. And each went straight forward; wherever the spirit was about to go, they would go, without turning as they went.

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. And the living beings ran to and fro like bolts of lightning.

Now as I looked at the living beings, behold, there was one wheel on the earth beside the living beings, for each of the four of them. The appearance of the wheels and their workmanship was like sparkling beryl, and all four of them had the same form, their appearance and workmanship being as if one wheel were within another. Whenever they moved, they moved in any of their four directions without turning as they moved. As for their rims they were lofty and awesome, and the rims of all four of them were full of eyes round about. Whenever the living beings moved, the wheels moved with them. And whenever the living beings rose from the earth, the wheels rose also. Wherever the spirit was about to go, they would go in that direction. The wheels rose close beside them; for the spirit of the living beings was in the wheels. Whenever those went, these went, and whenever those stood still, these stood still. And whenever those rose from the earth, the wheels rose close beside them; for the spirit of the living beings was in the wheels.

Now over the heads of the living beings there was something like an expanse, like the awesome gleam of crystal, spread out over their heads. Under the expanse their wings were stretched out straight, one toward the other; each one also had two wings covering its body on the one side and on the other. I also heard the sound of their wings like the sound of abundant waters as they went, like the voice of the Almighty, a sound of tumult like the sound of an army camp. Whenever they stood still, they dropped their wings.

And there came a voice from above the expanse that was over their heads; whenever they stood still, they dropped their wings. Now above the expanse that was over their heads there was something resembling a throne, like lapis lazuli in appearance; and on that which resembled a throne, high up, was a figure like the appearance of a man. Then I noticed from the appearance of His loins and upward something like glowing metal that looked like fire all around within it, and from the appearance of His loins and downward I saw something like fire; and there was a radiance around Him. As the appearance of the rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the surrounding radiance. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell on my face and heard a voice speaking.

Ezekiel 1:1-28 (paraphrased from transcript)

Key Principles from the Vision

Though challenging, Ezekiel chapter 1 reveals two important principles. First, Ezekiel sees visions of God, not merely angels. The cherubim (not cute winged babies, but intense beings) demonstrate God's attributes: omniscience (eyes everywhere), omnipresence (movement in all directions without turning), and omnipotence (Almighty).

These cherubim evoke the holy of holies, with God enthroned above them—a movable, judgment, and military throne (1 Kings 6:23-28; Psalm 18:10; 2 Samuel 22:11; Psalm 68:4). Ezekiel, a priest, sees God apart from the physical temple, yet greater.

Ezekiel is captivated by Yahweh's glory, falling on his face. Chapter 1 sets the tone for the book and our lives: grounded in awe of God's glory before ministry or judgment.

The Sanctifying Power of God's Glory

Experiencing God as Ezekiel did fosters awe and submission. Later, God kills Ezekiel's wife to illustrate judgment on Israel's idolatry—the pain mirroring their attachment to sin. Understanding this requires grasping God's glory.

Why do bad things happen? When we maximize understanding of God's glory and holiness, we grasp sin's horror. Israel's sins shocked even pagan nations. God's dealings reveal sin's gravity and comfort in His sovereignty—purpose in all things for His glory.

Ezekiel's response models ours: fall on our face in submission to God's lordship, mission, and holiness-satisfying purpose.

Sights Like This Are Spectacular

Sing to God, sing praises to His name; lift up a song for Him who rides through the clouds; His name is Yahweh, and exult before Him.

Psalm 68:4

God rides the clouds (a common Old Testament theophany). Sites like this evoke awe and worship: "O God, You are awesome from Your sanctuary" (Psalm 68:35). Have we stood in awe of God as revealed in Scripture?

Nothing in God prevents Him from being awesome; failure to see it reflects our relationship with Him. God reveals Himself in degrees we can bear, as with Moses (whose life changed by glory's aftermath).

Sights Like This Are Sanctifying

Seeing God's glory loosens sin's grip. No one is safe from sin (1 Corinthians 10:12). Avoid Pharisee-like legalism: external obedience misses heart sins Jesus condemned (Sermon on the Mount; whitewashed tombs).

Israel's temple idolatry applies today—every sin is idolatry (human hearts as idol factories). Ezekiel 1 helps: God reveals Himself first, before cataloging sin and judgment.

In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. Seraphim stood above Him... Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal... and he touched my mouth with it and said, “Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven.”

Isaiah 6:1-7 (summarized)