A Vision in Exile - EZEKIEL START

Let's begin a journey through the last of the major prophets in the Old Testament. Prophet and priest Ezekiel suffers among his people in the land of Babylon. In a moment, perhaps unexpectedly, he meets with God. The third verse states:

Ezekiel 1:3 (ESV) the word of the LORD came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the Chebar canal, and the hand of the LORD was upon him there.

The hand of the Lord upon him leads the eyes of Ezekiel to behold Him. The prophet begins this book detailing a vision of the Lord that both compelled him into service and confuses us today. 

Ezekiel 1:4–5 (ESV) As I looked, behold, a stormy wind came out of the north, and a great cloud, with brightness around it, and fire flashing forth continually, and in the midst of the fire, as it were gleaming metal. 5 And from the midst of it came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: they had a human likeness,

How is the Lord introduced? In a storm. Sometimes, that's exactly where we find Him as the disciples in that boat on Galillee's waters knew firsthand. Now, the exiles of Israel needed to know their storm was not absent the Lord who bought them and made them and now had disciplined them. God was involved in this whole season of their history. He never leaves His people. That means He's still involved in the hardships we face because of our own stupid choices. 

Then Ezekiel sees the face of these four creatures coming with the Lord in the storm. 

Ezekiel 1:10–11 (ESV) As for the likeness of their faces, each had a human face. The four had the face of a lion on the right side, the four had the face of an ox on the left side, and the four had the face of an eagle. 11 Such were their faces. And their wings were spread out above. Each creature had two wings, each of which touched the wing of another, while two covered their bodies.

What is the significance of these? They epitomize the nature of creation. Man was elected to rule it, the lion represents its untamable nature, the ox, its productive nature, and the eagle represents the glory of creation. God in the Son now rules and appears amid Israel's darkest times. The meaning is simple: He is Lord over the events of this world, even when we are down. 

The second thought we must consider is the last time God appeared in a storm before the nation of Israel. It was after they crossed the Red Sea and appeared before Him at Sinai. It was there the covenant was established, and the nation was born in Him. He was going to start something new. Now, in the valley by the river instead of the mountain, God appears again in the storm. He comes to Israel not only on the mountain but also in the valley. He is ever present and ready to restart the relationship with His people. 

Ezekiel is also met with the vision of what appears to be a chariot of sorts with four wheels empowered by the Spirit of God and moving in harmony. 

Ezekiel 1:18–20 (ESV) And their rims were tall and awesome, and the rims of all four were full of eyes all around. 19 And when the living creatures went, the wheels went beside them; and when the living creatures rose from the earth, the wheels rose. 20 Wherever the spirit wanted to go, they went, and the wheels rose along with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.

God is traveling on His holy chariot with His people and still speaking even though they were exiled and estranged from their land. He never loses us. He never gives up. And in the glory of the Lord's presence, even in our lowest moment, we hear His voice. 

Ezekiel 1:28 (ESV) Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking.