November 1

Ezekiel 1:1-3:15; Hebrews 3:1-19; Psalm 104:1-23; Proverbs 26:24-26

Imagine this, flying objects and wheels with eyes! Ezekiel are you crazy? No, anything but that. The book of Ezekiel is visionary literature containing symbolic reality. Meanings are communicated through symbols. As we explore the meaning of all this, let’s keep in mind the theme of Ezekiel—the holiness of God and the depth of Israel’s sin.

Ezekiel is an exile with other exiles on the bank of the Kebar River. Suddenly he sees a vision and he desperately attempts to describe the indescribable to us as he gets a glimpse of the workings of heaven and God’s glory. The flying creatures may represent cherubim who are willing to go wherever the Spirit went. The Lord was saying to Ezekiel he is everywhere, even with him as an exile in Babylon. That shows God is omnipresent—everywhere with us, in whatever we are going through, facing it with us. 

Then Ezekiel saw wheels with multiple eyes. (Perhaps thinking of this as a gyroscope may help the visualization of this wheel object.) Wherever the cherubim moved the wheel moved because the Spirit of God was present in all that was happening (Ezk. 1:20, 21). God was showing Ezekiel he was omniscient, all-seeing and all-knowing. He saw Ezekiel and the exiles on the river bank and he knew what they were thinking, feeling, doing.

In verse 22 Ezekiel saw an expanse and above that expanse he saw a throne of sapphire and a figure on that throne full of glory and splendor (v. 27). A rainbow was over the throne—God’s covenant promise and power of God’s glorious omnipotence. Omnipotence means no problem or difficulty is beyond his power. We may not be able to handle it, but he can. 

At this, Ezekiel fell facedown in the presence of God. The glory, power, and knowledge of God overwhelmed him. Ezekiel was told: “Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions” (2:6). The Israelites were “obstinate and stubborn” (v. 4) and would respond to his message with insults and threats. The Sovereign Lord was sending Ezekiel with a message. (Sovereign Lord is a combination of two powerful names for God, Adonai and Yahweh, emphasizing God’s sovereign authority and covenant-keeping faithfulness.) In preparation for his ministry he was to eat the scroll, i.g., take it in, memorize God’s word, and make it a part of his life.  

Is it any wonder Ezekiel sat among the exiles for seven days overwhelmed? When was the last time we were overwhelmed by the omnipresent, all-seeing, all-knowing, powerful God, who loves us beyond our imagination? Ask him to show these characteristics of himself to you in a new way today.

Sovereign Lord, how can I be anxious when I realize the God who lives in me is everywhere with me, knowing everything I face, and is all-powerful in handling all issues in my life? Amen.

Question: How has reviewing God’s omnipresence, omniscience, and omnipotence helped you today?