In 597 BC, Ezekiel was deemed both valuable and enough of a threat by the Babylonians that they took him captive to Babylon. There, by the River Chebar, God appeared to him and revealed His presence.
Ezekiel had been in Babylon for four years, and the year was now 593 BC.
Ezekiel’s call was the longest among the prophets, and he shared it in an autobiographical style. A key aspect of his account was his effort to describe what he saw in a way that his readers could understand, using comparisons to familiar concepts.
A significant part of Ezekiel’s description focuses on the heavenly beings who serve God. If I were to witness what Ezekiel saw, I would be deeply moved.
However, at this point in his story, only God’s servants have been revealed, while the full manifestation of God’s glory is yet to come.
As I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the earth beside the living creatures, one for each of the four of them.
As for the appearance of the wheels and their construction: their appearance was like the gleaming of beryl, and the four had the same form, their construction being something like a wheel within a wheel.
When they moved, they moved in any of the four directions without veering as they moved.
Their rims were tall and awesome, for the rims of all four were full of eyes all around.
When the living creatures moved, the wheels moved beside them; and when the living creatures rose from the earth, the wheels rose (Revelation 1.15-19).
When we consider it, the Almighty God, Creator of heaven, earth, and all within, doesn’t need assistance moving on a supernatural chariot or cart. However, to make a profound impression on Ezekiel and his readers, God chose to use heavenly creatures to transport Him, demonstrating His power and majesty.
The Presence of the Spirit
The second commandment instructs us not to create any idols related to God.
You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth (Exodus 20.4)
It is wise not to attempt to depict what Ezekiel describes in this passage. Instead, we should let it leave a lasting impression, allowing it to convey the majesty and glory of God.
As you read more of Ezekiel’s vision in the next verses, notice the role of the Spirit. The New Revised Standard Translation doesn’t capitalize “spirit,” because the word can mean wind or Spirit. Later in the book, we will discover that the Spirit is the Holy Spirit.
Wherever the spirit would go, they went, and the wheels rose along with them; for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.
When they moved, the others moved; when they stopped, the others stopped; and when they rose from the earth, the wheels rose along with them; for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.
Over the heads of the living creatures there was something like a dome, shining like crystal, spread out above their heads.
Under the dome their wings were stretched out straight, one toward another; and each of the creatures had two wings covering its body.
When they moved, I heard the sound of their wings like the sound of mighty waters, like the thunder of the Almighty, a sound of tumult like the sound of an army; when they stopped, they let down their wings.
And there came a voice from above the dome over their heads; when they stopped, they let down their wings (Ezekiel 1.20-25).
Amid his vision of awe-inspiring heavenly beings, Ezekiel discovers the role of the Spirit. The Spirit led and empowered these beings.
What’s crucial for readers today is that the same Spirit that empowered God’s mighty servants also guided Ezekiel and is available to us through the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Praise God, we have the same Spirit who will guide, lead, and empower us just as he did the heavenly beings and Ezekiel.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross and I discussed this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 