What happensPermalink
In the fifth year of King Jehoiachin’s exile, Ezekiel sees a storm from the north. Within it are four living creatures, each with four faces and four wings, moving together beside wheels able to travel in any direction. Above them stretches a gleaming expanse, and above it is a sapphire-like throne. A humanlike figure blazing with fire and surrounded by rainbow-like radiance sits upon it. Ezekiel recognizes “the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord,” falls facedown, and hears a voice.
Why it mattersPermalink
God reveals His glory among the exiles in Babylonia. His presence and rule extend beyond Jerusalem and its temple. The creatures, later identified as cherubim, and their wheels portray His throne as mobile. The vision recalls God enthroned above the ark’s cherubim and Isaiah’s throne vision, while anticipating the visions of Daniel and Revelation.
Key versePermalink
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.