Good morning!
Text: Ezekiel 1-4; Isaiah 35
The descriptions of the vision of God in the opening chapter of Ezekiel are pretty strange. He says in verse 1; “…the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God.” Then we read of a great cloud, with brightness around it, and of odd creatures that move on wheels within wheels, all accompanied by lights and sounds. Ezekiel then describes the Lord himself:
And above the expanse over their heads there was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like sapphire; and seated above the likeness of a throne was a likeness with a human appearance. And upward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were gleaming metal, like the appearance of fire enclosed all around. And downward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him. Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. (Ezekiel 1:26-28)
Three things catch my attention. First, this vision is not some future event, but is an attempt to describe the ongoing nature of God. The vision is “now.” Second, the utter other-worldliness of it – the reality of God in heaven right now – is indescribable, beautiful, strange and awesome. And third – The Lord on His throne has a “human” appearance. We are, after all, made in His image. That said, he is fantastic and strange, and at the same time familiar. This is the God who loves us, cares for us, and hears our prayers. Wow!
in Him, Mike