The Overwhelming Glory of the LORD
Lessons from Prophet Ezekiel
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… (Ezek 1:28)
Over two months we will be sharing insights from Prophet Ezekiel as we navigate the first half of his book, and today we begin in chapter one (read it all), from which we draw two important lessons about the glory of the Lord. But foremost, Ezekiel deserves a brief introduction: he was born in a priestly family in Judea, but was carried with many others into Babylonian exile in 597 BC, when the Babylonians defeated and subdued Judah, his country. It is in this humiliating exile, by the River Kebar, that Ezekiel gets visions. It was not a comfortable place at all! In his encyclopedia, James Orr remarks: “Because the Jews had lost their country, their capital city, their temple, their service and their independence as a nation, their condition was under all circumstances lamentable, and could be compared with the fate of prisoners and those in fetters.” With this background, it is now fitting for us to take up our two lessons.
The glory of the LORD is overwhelming, but admirable. Do you want to know God more? Do you desire to experience His divine presence? Yes, there are many people with such a hunger. What Ezekiel experienced and described shows truly that “The LORD is near to all who call on him” (Ps 145:18). Thank God for the prophet’s literary strengths, he explains in graphic details what he saw in 25 good verses (Ezek 1:4-28). In the description is a seemingly violent windstorm that ends is a peaceful fellowship; a dark immense cloud is embedded with fire, brilliant light and flashing lightening; four strange living creatures are described by the appearance and behaviour of their faces, wings, legs, feet and wheels; a vault sparkling like crystal leads to the throne where the one sitting there is like glowing metal, full of fire, with brilliant light around him. What an overwhelming vision! When the prophet saw all this, he “fell facedown” in worship. In experiencing the glory of the LORD is our satisfaction.
Even in the desert, you can experience and enjoy the LORD. The expectation is that such a glorious vision should be in the Temple or at least in Jerusalem, the city of God – not in the rough and idolatrous Babylon. But it is fascinating that Ezekiel is here in exile but fully in God’s presence! Be encouraged and remain expectant; you can experience and enjoy God’s presence even in the most unexpected place – whether exciting or dull, a desert, a lockdown confinement, a hospital, a terrible season – anywhere. We have started in this place where you need to simply stop, consider, hunger for, and experience the overwhelming and satisfying glory of God. God bless you.