Main Idea: A revelation of the glory and grandeur of God should destroy all fear of man.
A Quick Backdrop:
The prophet Ezekiel was a priest amongst the initial wave of Judean captives when King Jehoiachin surrendered to Nebuchadnezzar. With this, his ministry took place in Babylon, beginning during the interim time between Jerusalemâs first surrender and final destruction.
A Look at the Text:
Ezekielâs book opens with an incredible encounter between the prophet and his God, as the heavens were opened to him (Ez. 1:1).
Within his vision, he sees angelic beings known as cherubim, the same beings that were represented atop the ark of the covenant, and also an unusual vision of wheels contained within wheels in gyroscopic fashion. Even more, the wheels were all covered with eyes, and none could escape from their sight.
Together, this whole array followed the leading of the Spirit in perfect uniformity (Ez. 1:12, 20).
Above the living beings and their wheels there was some sort of sky-platform upon which there was a throne (Ez. 1:26). Upon the throne, the glory of the Lord was manifested in human form, albeit shining in flaming, metallic splendor and encircled by rainbows (Ez. 1:26-28).
Altogether, it can be understood that Ezekiel saw Godâs âthrone-chariot.â[1]
In response, Ezekiel the prophet could do nothing but fall on his face in fearful awe, and it was then that he was commissioned. God was sending him to the rebellious people of Israel (Ez. 2:1-5). With this, Ezekiel was admonished not to fear (Ez. 2:6). Instead, he was to speak Godâs word, whether the people would hear it or not (Ez. 2:7).
Bringing it Home:
Certain passages of Scripture inspire awe to unusual degrees; this is certainly the case for Ezekiel 1.
Here we see such incredible depictions of God in His glory that human language fails to fully convey its reality. Ezekiel refers to the âlikenessâ or âappearanceâ of an expanse (Ez. 1:22), of a throne (Ez. 1:26), of human appearance (Ez. 1:26), and of the radiant glory of God (Ez. 1:28).
The word âlikenessâ reveals to us the insufficiency of language to exhaust what Ezekiel saw. Human language cannot fully detail the divine. As such, the prophet did the best he could within the limits of language.
Interestingly enough, it is only then that he is commissioned and commissioned to a difficult task where his message wouldnât be heeded. Certainly, after seeing the glory of the matchless God, people wouldnât have seemed that impressive. After seeing God in His splendor, how could he fear man?
The solution to the fear of man is a revelation of who God is and His greatness. While we might not be blessed to see what Ezekiel saw, as we read these depictions from Godâs Word, it should challenge us to reconsider the oftentimes simple understanding of God that we might have.
This is the God that we serve, and if He is all around, inescapable, and as glorious as we read, should He not be the One we are bowing before? Should not our ultimate allegiance be to Him?
Let us then keep these pictures in mind to spur us on towards obedience when the fear of man displaces fear of God.
Challenge:
When I think of God, do I think of His incomparable splendor? Or is my understanding of who He is watered down by familiarity?
[1] Charles H. Dyer, âEzekiel,â in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 1228.