Ezekiel 10:1-22 Moving Out
The glory of God is moving out of the Temple because of the people’s sins. Ezekiel bears witness to the four living creatures carrying God’s glory to the East gate.
Ezekiel encounters the four living beings that he had encountered earlier. In the original vision, they supported the throne and the glory of God, the window into Heaven at least. They are carrying the same thing in this vision; the glory of God. This vision is the beginning one of God’s glory leaving the Temple in Jerusalem.
The last time we were together, something profound happened that slipped right past me. When God called for the “executioners” to come, His glory had left the Holy of Holies. His glory was at the “threshold of the House” (chapter 9:3) when the executioners stood before the Lord. That is the position God’s glory is in when we join the vision today. But it will not stay there.
God is executing judgment on the whole city and He is removing Himself from their midst. He will no longer be their protection, their banner, or their help in times of trouble. NOT because He doesn’t love them but because they have wandered FAR from Him. The people have said that “The Lord has forsaken the land, and the Lord does not see” (chapter 9:9b). He SEES and THAT is why He is withdrawing. His presence makes it to the Eastern Gate in our reading today. But it will not stay there either.
There is something else going on while Ezekiel is focused on the glory of the Lord, the four cherubim, and the whirling wheels. The man in linen has been told to go in between the cherubim and take coals from them and scatter them over the city. The man takes them but we don’t see him after that. I’m wondering if we will encounter him in his duty a little later. This is the man that marked the righteous. I want to know if the coals are for good or for bad. Will they burn up the sinful or burn away those who would come against those who are marked. We are simply told that he “took it and went out” (verse 7b). I’m looking forward to picking up his thread later on. God had a reason for giving him this task, so, I believe He will share that with us at some point in time.
I am in awe of the vision Ezekiel is sharing. It sounds to me like Ezekiel is too. And I don’t blame him a bit! Can you imagine seeing what he is describing first-hand? One might wonder what it was about Ezekiel that God chose him for this gift. I’ve wondered that about a LOT of the people we meet in the bible. What made them special? Why were they chosen out of everyone else?
Here is the bottom line on that front. When God called, they answered. Sometimes God had to talk them into taking on their roles but He knew their hearts and what they would become. The responded when He called and that’s all He asked of them AND us. Those that did BIG works did so because God needed them to at that time. He has BIG works for some of us too but there is NO SUCH THING as an unimportant work for God. Whatever He calls us to do, all we need to do is say yes. He will make sure we can do the rest.
Father God, thank You for sharing this amazing vision with me. You could have kept it between You and Ezekiel but You gave me a glimpse into Your glory too. I pray I answer when You call and that I say YES each time. I don’t know what You have planned for my life but I’m looking forward to walking whatever path You lay down. And I KNOW I won’t be walking it alone!
I’m looking forward to finding the man in the linen robe again. Will I see him again? Does he represent Jesus? I’m ready. Take me where You will.
