About 5 or 6 years ago, I tried to tackle a difficult task – studying the book of Ezekiel. I did a surface study, never plunging in too deep, and I never finished it.
I now aim to dive a little deeper, understand a little more, and bask in God’s presence a little more. I invite you to join me on my quest.
The first chapter has a very similar feel to Revelation – it begins with a vision Ezekiel sees. He first sees four living creatures (Rev. 4:6). He goes on to describe their radiance, including their adornments, their physical makeup, wheels under them, and their wings over them. He uses the phrase “Wherever the spirit would go, they would go” twice (vv. 12, 20), and talks of them and the wheels going straight ahead (vv. 9, 12, 17), as if they had one objective and one focus, as should we.
All this felt like it was building to something. The climax begins in verse 25, where Ezekiel describes a throne and a man sitting on it that looks like fire. The last verse of the chapter sums up the beauty of this description, and it displays Ezekiel’s poetic imagery:
“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, and I heard the voice of one speaking.”
As I read this, two things came to mind. First of all, I’m DYING to know what the voice says. I know the answer is just on the next page, but I’m purposely waiting until tomorrow to keep my suspense up, build my anticipation, and keep me excited about diving into the Bible.
Second, I am reminded of how glorious our God is. I love that Ezekiel uses the image of a rainbow because I love rainbows. They are beautiful, breathtaking, and hard to take your eyes off of.
I definitely do not fall facedown before my God enough. I am more accustomed to viewing him as my friend than I am as the glorious and awesome God He is. I am thankful He loves me and thankful He wants to be my friend, but He would be nothing without His glory. I am blessed by the reminder I received today of His glory and radiance. He deserves to be WORSHIPPED and ADORED.
God, help me to give You the glory, worship, and adoration You’re due. Thank you for loving me in spite of me, and thank you for drawing me to you. Amen.
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