The Glory of God Ezekiel 1:1-28

The winter of 2014-2015 will go down in my memory as the longest one of my life. Our family had made a big move that year, from extreme south Alabama, to Brindlee Mountain in the northeast. It was an exceptionally cold winter, even by their standards and we had no way of dealing with what we were facing. The first good snow was a lot of fun, but as the winter dragged on, our spirits went with it. Finally, on the last day of February, I came home from the office and grabbed the last pack of shrimp from our freezer and had a shrimp boil. I just needed some hope that the sun would shine again! It was one of many instances where we realized: “We aren’t from here”. As exile people, it’s hard to ever be comfortable or to feel at home, but exile is the state of God’s people and there is good news for exile people: You can meet God there!

-God reveals His glory to Ezekiel in the middle of Exile.

I. God is Present in Exile vv. 1-3

This Summer, we are taking a look at Ezekiel, one of the great prophets of the Old Testament

He is writing at a unique moment and a particular place in the life of the people

A group of the people of Judah are in Exile in Babylon

Ezekiel is a priest, but he is separated from Jerusalem and seems to be as far from God as possible

Exile is a reality that we all experience:

This is the state of the church; we are God’s people and we are looking forward to a place of eternal blessing, a homeland. But, we are not there yet!

This is also the state that we find ourselves in, when we face the consequences of our sins

There is good news in Exile, you can meet God there!

Ezekiel sees the Lord, having a vision of Him v. 1

Ezekiel hears the Lord, as the Word comes to him v. 3

Ezekiel feels the Lord, as His hand is on him v. 3

I believe that this is a powerful truth that we need to hang on to.

Whatever the reasons for our exile season, we are able to meet God there

God takes the initiative and pursues Ezekiel

Ezekiel will gain a fresh experiential knowledge of God through this Exile that he would never have gained otherwise

This kind of knowledge is an incredibly powerful thing. Ezekiel will come away from this encounter with a relational knowledge of the Lord that puts him in a great line of the faithful. So much of the story of Scripture is this: God pursues people who respond in faith. Their lives are transformed and they live according to His purpose. Probably none of us have an Ezekiel experience, but we are all invited to know God in a personal way! In high school, I found myself on an elevator with Joe Namath. I knew a lot about Joe Namath, but I didn’t know Joe Namath. You don’t have to be satisfied to know facts about God; you can know Him.

II. God is Perfect in Power vv. 4-25

Ezekiel describes the moment when he sees the Lord and it is incredibly telling, giving us insight into some of the key attributes of God

God is glorious v. 4

God appears to Ezekiel in the storm cloud, with lightning and flashing fire

It is a scene that should remind us of the Lord’s appearance on Mt. Sinai; when God shows up, there is no doubt that He is present!

God is sovereign over creation- He is omnipotent vv. 5-14

From the storm, Ezekiel saw four living creatures, angels that we call Cherubim

There is a lot that we can say about them, but the most striking thing that we see is that they have four faces, human, lion, eagle, and ox

They represent the sum of the created order and they are fully under the authority of the Lord; they go wherever the Spirit goes

It is a quite incredible picture of the obedience of Creation to the command of God; they are perfectly committed to do His will!

Acts 5:38–39

[38] So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; [39] but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, (ESV)

God is able to be present anywhere- He is omnipresent vv. 15-17

Alongside the cherubim, there are wheels

The wheels are gyroscopic; they are able to turn in any direction

There is nowhere that God cannot go; in fact, He is present in all places

God is able to see all things- He is omniscient v. 18

Ezekiel takes a look at the wheels of God’s chariot and they are covered with eyes

God knows and sees everything

God speaks- He reveals Himself v. 25

There is a voice that speaks and we are reminded that God does speak

He makes Himself known to people

Just as much as He knows us, He wants to be known, even when we find ourselves far from Him!

2 Corinthians 12:8–9

[8] Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. [9] But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (ESV)

III. God Offers a Promise of Peace vv. 26-28

Finally, Ezekiel gives us a look at the throne of God.

This description has three primary emphases:

The likeness of a man

When the time comes for Ezekiel to see what cannot be seen, he sees God with the form of a man

I think it is interesting that the most comprehensible form given to Ezekiel is found in the presence of God Himself

It is a preview of the incarnation that will take place when the Son of God comes and dwells among us in the flesh!

The presence of a rainbow

In the presence of God, there is a sign of peace

The rainbow was set in the sky as a promise that God would never flood the Earth again. Instead, He pursues peace with us

In spite of our sins and the discipline we receive, we can enter the presence of the Lord in the hope that He wants to give us peace

The weight of His glory

When Ezekiel takes the whole picture in, he falls on his face before the Lord and the trajectory of his life is changed forever

Knowing God, especially in our exile changes everything!

Romans 5:1–2

[1] Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. [2] Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (ESV)

Several years ago a submarine was being tested and had to remain submerged for many hours. When it returned to the harbor, the captain was asked, "How did the terrible storm last night affect you?" The officer looked at him in surprise and exclaimed, "Storm? We didn't even know there was one!" The sub had been so far beneath the surface that it had reached the area known to sailors as "the cushion of the sea." Although the ocean may be whipped into huge waves by high winds, the waters below are never stirred.

This, I believe, is a perfect picture of the peace of Christians. The waves of worry, of fear, of heartbreak, cannot touch those who are at peace with God with themselves and with others.

Do you know Him?

Are you seeking Him?

Are you living for Him?