Ezekiel 10

Ezekiel 10:4-14

4. ¶ And I looked, and behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire; infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire. 5. Also ‘out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And ’this was their appearance: They had the likeness of a man. 6. And ’every one had four faces, and ’every one had four wings. 7. And their feet were straight feet, and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf’s foot, and they sparkled ’like the colour of burnished brails. 8. And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides, and they four had their faces and their wings. 9. Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went, they went every one straight forward. 10. As for ’the likeness of their faces, they four ‘had the face of a man, and ’the face of a lion on the right side, and they four had ’the face of an ox on the left side: ’they four also had the face of an eagle. 11. Thus were their faces: and their wings were 1 stretched upwards, two wings of every one were joined one to another, and ’two covered their bodies. 12. And ’they went every one straight forward: ‘whither the spirit was to go,’ they went: and ’they turned not when they went. 13. As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, ‘and like the appearance

of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures, and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning. 14. And the living creatures ran, and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.

The introduction to these visions of God is very awful, tending to affect the prophet’s mind with the highest reverence of that Jehovah whose minister he was, and to encourage the poor captivity, whose glory seemed now departed from them, but all their God is still in the midst of them.

1. Behold, a whirlwind out of the north, a great cloud, the vehicle of this awful vision, and a fire infolding itself, a cheering fire to God’s faithful people, a conforming fire to his foes; and a brightest sun about it, the cloud was illuminated by the fire, an emblem of that irradiation which darted into the prophet’s mind; and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire. Chaldean’s translated amber, forms render a lively colour: others, a cool exceedingly fond: others suppose Christ is coming, who is determined to perform a intelligent unto, Rev. 4. 15. 16. 3. and honoured Fincione. What was who appeared to Moses in the bulb, to Isaiah on his throne, and here to Ezekiel in the midst of the fire.

2. The likeness of four living creatures came out of the midst of this vision, not any creature, but emblematical superheroes, either of the kings who surrendered the throne of God, as some; or rather of gospel ministers, see Rev. ix. 6—9, where the same emblematic figures appear. They are living creatures, themselves quickened to spiritual life, lively in their ministrations, and the means of quickening others fools, fear, as foes forth to the four quarters of the earth, to breach the gospel to every creature; in the likeness of a man, except in the following particulars:

3. They had four faces. (1.) The face of a man, being taken from among men to minister in the things of God, with understanding to instruct the ignorant, and with the feelings of humanity to have compassion on the afflicted. (2.) Of a fire, to denote their courage and boldness in preaching the gospel amidst all opposition. (3.) Of an ox, to represent their indefatigable labour and patience. (4.) Of an eagle, signifying their piercing sight, and clear knowledge of the mysteries of God, and their sharing high in divine contemplation and holy afflictions.

4. Every ox had also four wings, v. 6. From v. 11—9, they seem to have had two more, as the terapists in Israel, and the hearts in the revelations, four covered their bodies, and two were stretched upward, and these wings joined one to another, v. 9. intimating. (1.) The feudels and diligence they use in executing God’s will, and the work of their ministry. (2.) The concord and union which labdits among them, visited in love, and fellow labourers in the same gospel. (3.) The consciousness of their own infirmities, which makes them ashamed of their imperfect services, and count themselves unworthy to appear before God.

5. Their feet were straight feet, vers. 7, 9, 12. They walk uprightly before God; never turn aside as the crowded paths of error and immorality; they perceivingly go forward, undismayed by opposition, periscussion, or temptation, and with a single eye to God’s glory; the fate of their feet was also the fate of a calf’s foot, one of the clean animals that divide the head, and intimates the purity of their congregation, or the fineness of their hearts in their ministry; and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brails, so beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those that being glad tidings of peace, and so bright the lustre of their holy examples.

6. They had the hands of a man under their wings on the four sides, implying activity in executing what their wisdom and prudence directed; and many hands, because their work is well and large, yet under their wings, not making ostentation of their labours, but searching the glory to him from whom all their strength is derived.

7. They were under the guidance of the Holy Chod. Whether the spirit was to go, they went: by him alone they are called to take the ministry upon them, inwardly moved by his powerful grace, by him they are supported in their labour, led into all truth, and readily disposed for every service which he is pleased to appoint them, neither staggering at the difficulties nor can be turned back, by any fear of man, from delivering the message with which he hath sent them; like coals of fire they burn with divine zeal, v. 13. and as lamps they shine bright themselves in the exercise of every divine grace, and hold forth the word of light to others, clear, distinct, enlightening, chewing, warming their souls. It went up and down among the living creatures; the divine light and fire of zeal filled them; bright, shining on every side, and darting like lightning to the ends of the earth; so extensive, so powerful, so penetrating was the gospel word they preached: and, when they had executed their ministry with this fervour and activity, they returned to give an account to their master, and to receive fresh orders from him, desiring to approve themselves to him in all things, and take no step but under his guidance and by his direction. Let gospel ministers, looking on these cherubim, prove their own selves, and learn what they should be.

8. ¶ Chap. 10

9. ¶ Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold, one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces. 16. ¶ The appearance of the wheels, and their work was like unto the colour of a beryl; and they fear had one likeness, and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel. 17. When they went, they went upon their four sides: and they returned not when they went. 18. As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful, and their 7 rings were full, of eyes round about them four. 19. And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them: and when the living creatures were left up from the earth, the wheels were left up. 20. ¶ Whistleblower the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go, and the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels. 21. ¶ When those were, they went; and when those stood, they stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels. 22. And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature, was as the colour of the terrible eyelids, stretched forth over their heads above. 23. And under the firmament were their wings straight, the one toward the other; every one had two, which covered on this side, and every one had two, which covered on that side, their bodies. 24. ¶ And when they were, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of great waters, as the voice of the Almighty, the voice of speech as the noise of an hour; when they stood, they let down their wings. 25. And there was a voice from the firmament, that was over their heads, when they stood, and had let down their wings.

Ezekiel 10:6-12

The same within the prophet had seen, chap. 1. is here repeated, with a particular reference to the destruction of Jerusalem signified by 1. The scattering of the coals of fire upon the city, which were taken from between the cherubims, ver. 1—7. 2. The removal of the glory of God from the temple, and its being upon the wing to be gone, ver. 8—22. When God goes out from a people, all judgments break in upon them.

Before Christ the

1. THEN I looked, and behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubims, there appeared over them, as it were a sapphire-stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne. 2. And he spoke unto the man clothed with the linen, and said, Go in between the wheels, rose under the cherub, and fill it thine hand with coals of fire from between the cherubims, and scatter them over the city. And he went in in my fight. 3. Now the cherubims stood on the right side of the house, when the man went in, and the cloud filled the inner court. 4. Then the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house, and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the LORD’s glory. 5. And the sound of the cherubims wings was heard, rose to the utter court, as the voice of the almighty God when he speaketh. 6. And it came to pass, that when he had commanded the man clothed with linen, saying, Take fire from between the wheels, from between the cherubims; then he went in, and stood beside the wheels. 7. And one cherub firstreched forth his hand from between the cherubims unto the fire that was between the cherubims, and took thereof, and put it into the hands of him that was clothed with linen: who took it, and went out.

2. 1—7. We have here a glorious appearance of the Divine Majesty, like that which the prophet saw, chap. 1. A throne of dazzling brightness is set in the firmament above the cherubim, and God’s attendant ministers stand maged on the right side of the house, as expressive of their abhorrence of the image of zealously that stood on the left.

3. God departs from his holy place, from the cherub, where the Shechianah, the symbol of the divine pretence, rested, and stood over the threshold of the house, as ready to depart; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the Lord’s glory, See 1 Kings viii. 11. The temple was in darkness, an emblem of the blindness of the Jews; and the court of the Gentiles illuminated, God having resolved to find to these the light of his gospel. And the found of the cherubim wings was heard rose to the utter court, loud as the voice of mighty thunderings; intimating their departure thence, or signifying the glorious voice of gospel grace, which, by the preaching of the apostles, should found forth to the most distant nations.

4. The city of Jerusalem is doomed to be burnt with fire, signified by the command to the man clad in linnen, &c. to go in between the wheels under the cherub, and take thence burning coals, and scatter them on the city; and he immediately went in, 6. 2. when one of the cherubs took off the coals, chap. 1. 13. and put them in his hand, and he went forth strait to execute his commission; which intimates, (1.) That the wrath of God against sin is most holy: it is fire from between the cherubims. (2.) The Lord Jesus hath all judgment committed to him, and at his secund coming to judge the world, shall burn up the earth, as then Jerusalem, with fire. (3.) The great quarrel of God against Jerusalem was especially their persecumption of those ministers the cherubim represented.

5. ¶ And there appeared in the cherubims, the form of a man’s hand under their wings. 9. And when I looked, behold, the four wheels by the cherubims, one wheel by one cherub, and another wheel by another cherub: and the appearance of the wheels was as the colour

colour of a beryl-stone. 10. And as for their appearances they four had one likeness, as if a wheel had been in the midst of a wheel. 11. ‘When they went, they went upon their four sides; they turned not as they went, but to the place whither the head looked, they followed it; they turned not as they went. 12. And their whole body, and their backs, and their hands, and their wings, and the wheels were full of eyes round about, even the wheels that they four had. 13. As for the wheels, it was cried unto them in my hearing, O wheel. 14. ‘And every one had four faces: the first face was the face of a cherub, and the second face was the face of a man, and the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle. 15. And the cherubims were lifted up: this is the living creature that I saw by the river of Chebar. 16. ‘And when the cherubims went, the wheels went by them: and when the cherubims lift up their wings, to mount up from the earth, the same wheels also turned not from beside them. 17. ‘When they stood, they stood; and when they were lifted up, they lift up themselves also: for the spirit 2 of the living creature was in them. 18. Then the glory of the LORD departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims. 19. And the cherubims lift up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight: when they went out, the wheels also were besides them, and every one stood at the door of the east-gate of the LORD’s house, and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above. 20. ‘This is the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel, by the river of Chebar, and I knew that they were the cherubims. 21. Every one had four faces apiece, and every one four wings, and the likeness of the hands of a man was under their wings. 22. And the likeness of their faces was the same faces which I saw by the river of Chebar, their appearances and themselves: they went every one straight forward.

The particulars here recorded of this glorious vision were before observed, chap. i. and with very little variation, except that the face of an ox there, is here called, v. 14. the face of a cherub, which seems to intimate they were the same.

They who interpret the cherubim of the angels, and the wheels of the divine providence, observe,

1. That this world, like those wheels, is in a state of constant revolution; and though the dispensations of providence appear sometimes intricate, as when within wheel, they all readily correspond, and tend to one great end, the glory of God.

2. Nothing can interrupt the decrees of God: whatever difficulties are in the way, the wheels go forward, and every obstruction is born down, or removed.

3. The angels are the ministering spirits, whose service God is pleased to employ in his providential government of the world.

4. Whatever instruments he employs, the work is God’s, whose Spirit is in the cherubim and the wheels, guides all their motions, and directs their steps. There is no such thing as chance or fortune in the world; the least as well as the greatest event is fixed by a divine unalterable decree, and brought to pass by an irresistible energy.

The design of repeating this transcendently magnificent appearance here, seems to be in order to upbraid their wickedness and folly, who provoked this glorious God to depart from them, as he was now about to do. He departs from the threshold, ascends his cherubic chariot, v. 18. and upwards they mount, removing full to the outer gate of the Lord’s house, then to a mountain on the east, chap. xi. 23. and at last he utterly abandons the land. Thus God at first caused his word to be preached to the Jews, and when they rejected his gospel, he departed from them, and sent his ministers far off to the Gentiles.

Ezekiel 10:15-25

The vision of the wheels follows that of the living creatures, which are variously interpreted. Some suppose them as emblem of the dispositions of providence, others of the word of God and the manifestations of it; but I rather follow those who interpret their wheels as the prejud churches, according to Rev. iv. where they are represented by four and twenty elders. But one wheel is mentioned, v. 15. for the church is one body, composed of innumerable believers, though it appears they were four, v. 16. and chap. x. 9. being collected from the four quarters of the world. The wheel may be considered as an emblem of perfection; for all the faithful are compleat in Christ; or it may represent the moveable state of the churches, or the different circumstance of prosperity and adversity to which they are alternately subject; or as compelling a church with the Cheshire, I know, x. 10. in which the Lord Jesus rides in majesty and glory, Gen. iii. 9. The wheels are by the living creatures, intimating that the several congregations of the faithful follow their ministers, who profess to their worship, for up their souls to run the way of God’s commandments, and direct and lead them might. With his four faces, each wheel having four faces, one on each of the semicircles which composed it, being a wheel within a wheel, v. 16. not a smaller wheel in a larger, but two circles crossing each other at right angles, and forming one wheel or arm, as it is represented chap. x. 15. and these faces are the same with those of the Cheshire, signifying that there is the most exact resemblance between faithful fathers and their people, they having the like constancy in the profession they make, labouring in their sphere with equal diligence for God, and patiently bearing the same sufferings for the gospel’s sake; evident, as spiritual men, with an enlightened understanding and knowledge of the mysteries of godliness, and tenderly compassionate to their brethren; bold as lions in the cause of God and truth, and soaring aloft as eagles above these fobionary things, having their affections fixed, not on things on earth, but things in heaven. Their appearance and work was like unto the colour of beryl, so excellent and precious are his people to the Lord, they are his jewels; and they fear had one likeness, all true believers bearing the image of the same Lord, and perfectly resembling each other in their spirit and temper, they are all one in Christ Jesus; when they went they went upon their four sides, and they returned not when they went, being from their construction ready to turn to the four points, without wheeling about. The saints of God thus go full right on, and perseveringly advance towards their eternal home, v. 17. Their rings were high; for the church is visible, and lifted up above all the powers of earth and hell: dreadful; the enemies of God’s people shall be made to tremble before them; or they had fear, a reverential fear of God, thrown in his worship, and considered to be offend him; and they were full of eyes, clear, lighted in, the knowledge of gospel truth, which shall have their own hearts, and jealous over each other. When the living creatures went the wheels went each other, the faithful’s feeling with

their ministers in the same worship, and followers of their good conversation in Christ; and when the living creatures were left up from the earth, the wheels shrouded up; for the lively frame of the minister’s own soul, breathing in his discourse, hath the most immediate tendency to raise up the souls of his hearers to high and heavenly things. Whistleblower the spirit was to go, they went; under the guidance of God’s Spirit they were led, and as he taught and directed, whither was their spirit to go, and the wheels were left up over against them, close to the sides of the living creatures; for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels; the same spirit activating both ministers and people, giving them life and motion; and unfeasantly united, as animated by one soul, they went, or rather together. So intimate is the fellowship between a minister and his people, when he is active they will be lively; if he is indolent they will be ready to be infected thereby. Over the heads of the living creatures was the likeness of a firmament, as the colour of the terrible dreadful, bright, damning, and transparent; for though the throne of Christ is above the firmament, he sees all things done on earth; his eyes look down upon his church and people, and they by faith are enabled through the gospel glad to look up to him, and behold his glory. Under the firmament their wings were fresh, stretched upward, and touching each other, with two others covering each of their sides, v. 6, 11. and when they went, preaching the gospel, I heard the noise of their wings like the noise of great waters; to land and remember was the heads of their voice bearing the glad tidings of salvation to the distant Gentile lands, as the voice of the Almighty, awful, majestic, powerful: the voice of speech, for that the word is God’s, the messengers are men, as the noise of a hell, multitudes being employed in this ministry, and all uniting in one cry, warning every man, and teaching every man, that they may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: and when they stood, they let down their wings, having finished the work on which they were sent, and waiting for fresh instructions, which they receive from Christ their Lord and Malton, who speaks from the firmament on their heads; in his word, and by the secret influences of his Spirit, directing them whither to go, and what to speak; encouraging them to persist in their work on earth, or calling them to his rest in heaven.

26. ¶ And above the firmament that was over their heads, was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire-bone, and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it. 27. ¶ And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it: from the appearance of his lions even upward, and from the appearance of his lions even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightened round about. 28. ¶ As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightened round above. ¶ This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD: and when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.

Ezekiel 10:26-28

The most glorious part of the vision is yet to come. The living creatures were but the servants to prepare the way; here the Lord of life appears fasted on his royal throne. Above the firmament was the likeness of a throne; the symbol of that universal dominion and eternal kingdom which, as God over all, the Lord Jesus essentially possesses, or which, as Mediator, he hath received: as the appearance of a sapphire-bone, very glorious; and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it; even that divine Lord, who in the fulness of time condescended to appear in fashion as a man, and in this human form, before his incarnation, manifested himself to his people. He appeared as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it; a fire of love to his people, a fire of wrath to his enemies: and this fire that appeared all over him had a brightness round about like the rainbow, v. 28. Similar to which he is represented, Rev. x. 1. an emblem of the covenant of grace, in which Christ is the great author, purchaser, and bestower of every blessing. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord; of him who was the brightness of his Father’s glory, and the express image of his person, and in whom speak all the fulness of the godhead bodily; and when I saw it, I fell upon my face, in humble coloration of this divine perfomage, and filled with reverence and godly fear: and I heard a voice of one that spake, with an articulate human voice, delivering to him the commission contained in the following chapter.

We have here, Sunkiel’s ordination to his office. 1. He is commissioned to go as a prophet to the house of Israel, to deliver God’s messages to them, ver. 1—5. 2. He is continued out to be afraid of them, ver. 6. 3. He is instructed what to say to them, which is signified by the vision of a roll, which he was ordered to eat, ver. 7—10. and which, in the next chapter, we find he did eat.

1 Chap. iii. 14. 2 On which, Sons, Grannish. 3 Jer. ii. 1. 4 Chap. iii. 6 Heb. Hust of law. 7 Acts. iii. 9 Chap. iii. 10 Chap. xxxiii. 35.

1. AND he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee. 2. And the spirit entred into me, when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me. 3. And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to ye rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me; 4 they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day. 4. For they are I impudent children and I still hearest; I do send thee unto them, and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD God. 5. And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.

2. 1—5. The divine person who appeared in the foregoing chapter, addresses the prophet by this title, Son of man, which may be considered as a humbling notice, left he should be puffed up by the visions with which he was favoured, and the high commission bestowed on him; or rather as an honourable distinction, being the name the Son of God himself would bear in his incarnation, of whom the prophet is appointed to be the type and figure.

3. He is commanded to arise and hear. Stand upon thy feet, from his lovely prostration, and I will speak unto thee, which implied favour and encouragement; and all who humble their souls before God, may be assured they shall hear him speak to them in mercy. And with this command there went forth power; the spirit entered into me, God’s spirit strengthening him to stand up on his feet, and qualifying him with gifts and grants for the discharge of his high office. Thus all our strength must come from Christ; he alone can enable us for that which he commands; and they who are sent by him, shall find his Spirit with them to the end of the world.

4. His commission is given him. I send thee to the children of Israel, though they had long since justly forfeited all title to his regard; to a rebellious nation, or rebellious Gnostics, for such they resembled in their idolatries: hereditary transgressors, their fathers began the rebellion, and they had persisted in it to that day, 3. by habit in sin become impudent and dismal, if he heard and stubborn, that would not hear nor submit to rebuke: to them he is sent, to speak in God’s name, and by his authority, 4. and they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them. If they heard and invented, they would acknowledge and adore the goodness of God in sending them a prophet: if they repelled him, they should prove the truth of his mission by the accomplishment of the judgments upon them which he pronounced, 5. 5. Now, (1.) God’s patience is wonderful, not willing that the most rebellious sinners should perish. (2.) They who perish in their iniquities, notwithstanding all the methods of providence and grace God hath used to recover them, will be left without excuse. (3.) Never can speak with authority, who have not a divine commission. (4.) Whether sinners will hear or forbear, God will be glorified, and his faithful ministers be honourable and approved by him.

5. ¶ And thou, Son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though + briars and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. 7. And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, for they are I most rebellious. 8. But thou, Son of man, hear what I say unto thee, Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee. 9. ¶ And when I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me, and lo, a roll of a book was therein. 10. And he spread it before me, and it was written within and without, and there was written therein, lamentations, and mourning, and wo.

6. 6—10. Ezekiel was now appointed to his arduous office, and great courage it required to execute it with fidelity. Therefore,

7. God charges him to be faithful, notwithstanding all the opposition he might expect. His abode was among others and scorpions, wicked men, persecutors, fubals, malignant, venomous, whose words would be bitter, and their dark malicious, frowning, fierce: but he must not fear nor be dismayed at their threatenings, frowns, or ill ulcers; nor like them prove rebellious, and turn away from God, but attentively hear, seriously digeth, and boldly declare the message God would put into his mouth, 9. 8. Note, (1.) God’s faithful ministers may ever expect to meet with unreasonable and wicked men; but they must not fear their faces, nor be intimidated to keep back any thing of the whole counsel of God, how much favour they may be expelled thereby. (2.) Though those to whom we are sent are never so rebellious and perverse, we are bound at least to deliver our own souls by continuing to testify against them. (3.) They who are sent of God must carefully adhere to their instructions, and speak his word without adulteration; not conniving at men’s lists, or, through fear of offending, softening the sharp rebuke, left by such unfaithfulness they become partakers of their guilt and ruin.

8. The roll, containing his message, is spread before him. When I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me, and is, a roll of a book was therein; the hands of Christ who gave him his orders, and will support him in the discharge of his office: and he spread it before me, that he might peruse the contents, and thus divine illumination understand them: and it was written notice and without, on both sides of the parchment or vellum, denoting the multitude of matter it contained; and this too the most effective, for there was written therein, lamentations, and mourning, and woe, both with regard to the present wretched state of the Jews, to greatly to be bemoaned, and full of terrible threatenings of greater wrath and judgment ready to fall upon them for their impatience. Note, (1.) They who bear God’s message must carefully peruse their Bibles, that they may be sure to speak as the oracles of God. (2.) Impenitent sinners can expect to hear from God no word of comfort, but wrath to the uttermost.