Verses 1-4
This passage takes place in the context of Ezekiel’s overall prophetic message to the Israelites, warning them of the coming judgment for their sin and rebellion against God. In previous chapters, Ezekiel has described the sins of the people and the idolatry and corruption that have taken place in the temple in Jerusalem, which was meant to be a holy and sacred space for the worship of God. In chapter 9, Ezekiel sees a vision of a man with a writing kit who is instructed to put a mark on the foreheads of those who mourn and grieve over the sins of the people. This mark is a sign of protection from the coming judgment, but those who do not receive it will face destruction.
In chapter 10, Ezekiel sees a continuation of this vision, as the glory of the Lord, which had been present in the temple, begins to depart from the city. The vision of the throne of lapis lazuli above the cherubim is a powerful symbol of God’s majesty and sovereignty, as well as a reminder of His covenant promises to His people. However, the fact that the glory of the Lord is seen leaving the temple and standing on the south side indicates that the judgment that is to come will be severe and devastating.
The man clothed in linen, who is instructed to scatter burning coals over the city, is likely a representation of an angel or messenger from God. The act of scattering burning coals is a powerful image of judgment and wrath, as it symbolizes the punishment that the people will face for their sins. It is also interesting to note that the cherubim, which are often associated with the presence of God, are positioned on the south side of the temple, which is the same direction from which the judgment will come.
Overall, this passage serves as a warning to the Israelites of the seriousness of their sin and the impending judgment that they will face. It also emphasizes the importance of repentance and turning back to God, as those who receive the mark of protection in chapter 9 are those who mourn and grieve over the sins of the people. The image of the burning coals and the departure of the glory of the Lord from the temple serve as powerful reminders of the consequences of sin and the importance of living in obedience to God’s commands.
Verses 5-10
In these verses, Ezekiel sees the cherubim moving, and he describes the sound of their wings as being like the voice of the Almighty. The movement of the cherubim is a significant event, as they are associated with the presence of God and the protection of His people.
The fact that they are moving suggests a sense of urgency or purpose, as if they are preparing for something important. The mention of the wheels in this passage is also significant. These wheels are often associated with the concept of God’s sovereignty and providence, as they are a symbol of the movement and direction of His will. The fact that the cherubim are standing on them indicates that they are in submission to God’s will and are moving according to His direction. As Christians, we can take comfort in the fact that God is in control of all things, and that His will is ultimately what will be done. This passage reminds us that even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty, we can trust in God’s sovereignty and His plans for our lives. We may not always understand His ways, but we can be assured that He is always working for our good. It is also worth noting the significance of the voice of the Almighty being compared to the sound of the cherubim’s wings. This emphasizes the power and majesty of God, and serves as a reminder that He is present with His people even in the midst of judgment and hardship. As Christians, we can take comfort in the fact that God is always with us, and that He will never leave or forsake us.
Overall, this passage serves as a reminder of God’s sovereignty and His presence with His people, even in times of trial and difficulty. It reminds us to trust in His plans for our lives, and to seek His will above all else. As we navigate the challenges of life, we can find hope and strength in the knowledge that God is with us, and that He is working all things for our good.
Verses 11-14
In these verses, Ezekiel sees the cherubim moving their wings and describes their appearance as being like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches. The brightness of the cherubim is so intense that it illuminates the surrounding area, and the sound of their wings
is like the voice of God Almighty. The image of the cherubim as burning coals of fire is a powerful symbol of God’s holiness and righteousness. In the Bible, fire is often associated with God’s judgment and purification, and it serves as a reminder of His power and authority. The fact that the cherubim are described in this way suggests that they are a manifestation of God’s holiness and a symbol of His presence with His people. The sound of the cherubim’s wings being like the voice of God Almighty is also significant. This emphasizes the power and majesty of God, and serves as a reminder of His presence with His people. It is a reminder that even in the midst of judgment and hardship, God is still present and working in the world.
The mention of the wheels in this passage is also significant. As mentioned before, the wheels are a symbol of God’s sovereignty and providence. The fact that they are described as being “full of eyes” suggests that God sees and knows all things, and that nothing is hidden from His sight. This is a reminder that God is always watching over us, and that He is intimately involved in every aspect of our lives. As Christians, we can take comfort in the fact that God is present with us in all things. Even in the midst of trials and difficulties, we can trust in His sovereignty and His plans for our lives. The image of the cherubim as burning coals of fire serves as a reminder of God’s holiness and righteousness, and reminds us of the importance of living a life that is pleasing to Him. In addition, the mention of the wheels being full of eyes reminds us that God sees and knows all things. This is a reminder to live with integrity and to seek to honor God in all that we do. We can take comfort in the fact that God is intimately involved in our lives, and that He is always working for our good.
Overall, these verses serve as a powerful reminder of God’s holiness, righteousness, and sovereignty. They remind us of the importance of living a life that is pleasing to God and of the fact that He is always present with His people, even in times of judgment and hardship. As we navigate the challenges of life, we can find hope and strength in the knowledge that God is with us, and that He is always working for our good.
Verses 15-18
In these verses, Ezekiel describes the cherubim and the wheels moving together as one. He notes that the spirit of the cherubim is in the wheels, and that wherever the cherubim go, the wheels go with them. This passage is a reminder of the importance of unity and cooperation in the body of Christ. The image of the cherubim and the wheels moving together as one is a powerful symbol of how the different members of the church are called to work together in harmony to accomplish God’s purposes. The fact that the spirit of the cherubim is in the wheels is also significant. It suggests that the power of God is at work in every aspect of our lives, and that we can trust in His sovereignty and guidance as we navigate the challenges of life. As Christians, we are called to work together in unity to accomplish God’s purposes. This requires humility, cooperation, and a willingness to put the needs of others before our own. When we are united in our love for God and for one another, we can accomplish great things for His kingdom.
Furthermore, the fact that the cherubim and the wheels move wherever the spirit leads them is a reminder that as Christians, we are called to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We can trust in God’s guidance and direction, knowing that He is working all things together for our good.
Verses 19-12
In these verses, Ezekiel continues his description of the cherubim and the wheels. He notes that when the cherubim moved, the wheels moved with them, and that they lifted their wings to rise up from the earth. As they moved, the glory of the Lord departed from the temple and rested on the mountain to the east of the city. This passage is significant in several ways. First, it shows the power and majesty of God. The image of the cherubim lifting their wings and rising up from the earth is a powerful symbol of the exalted nature of God and His sovereignty over all things. It reminds us that no matter what challenges we may face in life, God is in control, and He is able to lift us up and carry us through even the most difficult circumstances.
Second, the fact that the glory of the Lord departed from the temple is a reminder of the consequences of sin. The people of Israel had turned away from God and had embraced idols and false gods, and as a result, the glory of the Lord departed from their midst. This serves as a warning to us as Christians that if we turn away from God and embrace sin, we too will experience the consequences of our actions.
Third, the fact that the glory of the Lord rested on the mountain to the east of the city is significant. This is the same mountain where Jesus would later ascend to heaven after His resurrection. It is a reminder that even in the midst of judgment and exile, God is still present with His people, and that He has a plan to redeem and restore them.
Finally, the image of the cherubim and the wheels moving together as one is a powerful reminder of the importance of unity in the body of Christ. Just as the cherubim and the wheels moved together in perfect harmony, so too are we called to work together in unity to accomplish God’s purposes. When we are united in our love for God and for one another, we can accomplish great things for His kingdom.
Overall, these verses serve as a powerful reminder of God’s power and majesty, the consequences of sin, the presence of God with His people, and the importance of unity in the body of Christ. They remind us to trust in God’s sovereignty, to turn away from sin, to seek His presence in our lives, and to work together in unity to accomplish His purposes.
The image of the cherubim lifting their wings and rising up from the earth is a powerful symbol of God’s holiness and exalted nature. The cherubim were created beings who stood in the presence of God and were entrusted with guarding the holiness of His presence. In the Old Testament, they are often associated with the presence of God and with His judgment. Here, Ezekiel sees them moving in perfect harmony with the wheels, which are also filled with the spirit of the living creatures. This symbolizes the unity and harmony of the created order, and the fact that everything in creation is subject to God’s sovereign rule.
The departure of the glory of the Lord from the temple is a reminder of the consequences of sin. The people of Israel had turned away from God and had embraced idols and false gods. As a result, the glory of the Lord departed from their midst. This serves as a warning to us as Christians that if we turn away from God and embrace sin, we too will experience the consequences of our actions. However, it also serves as a reminder of God’s grace and mercy. Despite the fact that the people of Israel had sinned, God did not abandon them completely. He allowed them to experience the consequences of their actions, but He also provided a way for them to be restored to a right relationship with Him.
The fact that the glory of the Lord rested on the mountain to the east of the city is significant. This is the same mountain where Jesus would later ascend to heaven after His resurrection. It is a reminder that even in the midst of judgment and exile, God is still present with His people, and that He has a plan to redeem and restore them. The presence of the Lord on the mountain also serves as a symbol of hope for the people of Israel, who had been cut off from the temple and the presence of God. It was a reminder that God was still with them and that He had not abandoned them.
Finally, the image of the cherubim and the wheels moving together as one is a powerful reminder of the importance of unity in the body of Christ. Just as the cherubim and the wheels moved together in perfect harmony, so too are we called to work together in unity to accomplish God’s purposes. When we are united in our love for God and for one another, we can accomplish great things for His kingdom. This unity is not just a matter of working together effectively, but it is also a matter of reflecting the character of God to the world. As Christians, we are called to love one another, forgive one another, and to bear one another’s burdens. In doing so, we reflect the character of God to a world that desperately needs to see His love and mercy in action.
Overall, these verses serve as a powerful reminder of God’s holiness, the consequences of sin, the presence of God with His people, and the importance of unity in the body of Christ. They remind us to trust in God’s sovereignty, to turn away from sin, to seek His presence in our lives, and to work together in unity to accomplish His purposes.
Cross References:
● Revelation 8:1 – This verse also speaks of silence in heaven for about half an hour. This silence is believed to represent the awe and anticipation of God’s judgment.
● Exodus 25:22 – In this verse, God speaks to Moses from between the two cherubim on the Ark of the Covenant. The imagery of God’s presence between the cherubim is repeated in Ezekiel 10:19-22.
● 1 Kings 8:10-11 – This passage describes how the glory of the Lord filled the temple when Solomon dedicated it. The imagery of the glory of the Lord filling the temple is also present in Ezekiel 10:4 and 10:18-19.
● Isaiah 6:1-5 – In this passage, Isaiah has a vision of the Lord in the temple, surrounded by seraphim. The description of the seraphim in Isaiah’s vision is similar to that of the cherubim in Ezekiel’s vision.
● Psalm 18:10 – This verse speaks of the Lord riding on a cherub and flying on the wings of the wind. This may be a reference to the imagery of the cherubim in Ezekiel’s vision.