Ezekiel 10
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1Then I looked, and see, in the expanse that was over the head of the cherubim there appeared above them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne. 2He spoke to the man clothed in linen, and said, “Go in between the whirling wheels, even under the cherub, and fill both your hands with coals of fire from between the cherubim, and scatter them over the city.” He went in as I watched. 3Now the cherubim stood on the right side of the house, when the man went in; and the cloud filled the inner court. 4Yahweh’s glory mounted 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 Yahweh’s glory. 5The sound of the wings of the cherubim was heard even to the outer court, as the voice of God Almighty when he speaks. 6It came to pass, when he commanded the man clothed in linen, saying, “Take fire from between the whirling wheels, from between the cherubim,” that he went in, and stood beside a wheel. 7The cherub stretched out his hand from between the cherubim to the fire that was between the cherubim, and took some of it, and put it into the hands of him who was clothed in linen, who took it and went out. 8The form of a man’s hand appeared here in the cherubim under their wings. 9I looked, and behold, there were four wheels beside the cherubim, one wheel beside one cherub, and another wheel beside another cherub. The appearance of the wheels was like a beryl stone. 10As for their appearance, the four of them had one likeness, like a wheel within a wheel. 11When they went, they went in their four directions. They didn’t turn as they went, but to the place where the head looked they followed it. They didn’t turn as they went. 12Their whole body, including their backs, their hands, their wings, and the wheels, were full of eyes all around, even the wheels that the four of them had. 13As for the wheels, they were called in my hearing, “the whirling wheels”. 14Every one them had four faces. The first face was the face of the cherub. The second face was the face of a man. The third face was the face of a lion. The fourth was the face of an eagle. 15The cherubim mounted up. This is the living creature that I saw by the river Chebar. 16When the cherubim went, the wheels went beside them; and when the cherubim lifted up their wings to mount up from the earth, the wheels also didn’t turn from beside them. 17When they stood, these stood. When they mounted up, these mounted up with them; for the spirit of the living creature was in them. 18Yahweh’s glory went out from over the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubim. 19The cherubim lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight when they went out, with the wheels beside them. Then they stood at the door of the east gate of Yahweh’s house; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above. 20This is the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel by the river Chebar; and I knew that they were cherubim. 21Every one had four faces, and every one four wings. The likeness of the hands of a man was under their wings. 22As for the likeness of their faces, they were the faces which I saw by the river Chebar, their appearances and themselves. They each went straight forward.
World English Bible (public domain)
“Then the glory of the Lord went out from the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubim.”
Ezekiel 10:18
Summary
In Ezekiel chapter 10, the prophet Ezekiel continues to witness a divine vision of God's glory departing from the temple. The chapter begins with Ezekiel seeing the likeness of a throne of sapphire above the cherubim. A man clothed in linen is commanded to fill his hands with burning coals from among the cherubim and scatter them over the city, symbolizing judgment upon Jerusalem. As the vision unfolds, the glory of the Lord moves from the threshold of the temple and mounts upon the cherubim. The cherubim, accompanied by the divine presence, begin to rise and depart, signifying God's withdrawal from the temple and the city. A key theme in this chapter is the holiness and sovereignty of God as expressed through His judgment. The coals scattered over the city symbolize purification and divine retribution, reminding the readers of God's righteous standards and intolerance for sin. Another major theme is the mobility of God's presence, as He departs from the earthly temple, indicating that His presence is not confined to a single location. Furthermore, the chapter emphasizes the meticulous order and majesty of God's celestial entourage, highlighting the organized structure of the heavenly realm. The theological significance of Ezekiel 10 lies in its portrayal of God's glory departing from Jerusalem, symbolizing a consequential shift in the relationship between God and His people. This departure signifies both judgment and the hope of future restoration, as God's leaving creates room for repentance and eventual renewal. The chapter speaks to the seriousness of God's holiness and the eventual return of His glory in a renewed and purified context.
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Chapter outline
How Ezekiel 10 unfolds
Ezekiel 10:1–2 The Vision of God's Glory
Ezekiel sees a vision of a throne above the cherubim, representing God's sovereign authority and presence.
Ezekiel 10:3–4 The Command to Scatter Coals
A man in linen is instructed to take fire from the cherubim and scatter it over the city, signifying impending judgment.
Ezekiel 10:5–7 The Movement of the Cherubim
The wings of the cherubim create a sound like God's voice, emphasizing their role as messengers of divine judgment.
Ezekiel 10:8–12 Description of the Cherubim and Wheels
Ezekiel describes the cherubim and their wheels, emphasizing their intricate design and the presence of God's spirit within them.
Ezekiel 10:13–19 The Departure of God's Glory
Yahweh's glory moves from the temple threshold to the cherubim, indicating God's withdrawal from the temple.
Ezekiel 10:20–22 Recognition of the Cherubim
Ezekiel confirms the identity of the cherubim, linking them back to his earlier visions and highlighting their significance.
Key verses
Ezekiel 10:18Ezekiel 10:18 illustrates the pivotal moment of God's glory leaving the temple, marking a significant shift in His relationship with Israel.
Main themes in Ezekiel 10
Judgment
Judgment is a central theme in Ezekiel 10, particularly highlighted by the scattering of coals over Jerusalem in verse 2. This act serves as a vivid symbol of purification through divine retribution, indicating that God's holiness demands a response to Israel's persistent unfaithfulness. The chapter marks a crucial moment in the relationship between God and His people, demonstrating the seriousness with which God addresses their transgressions.
Holiness of God
The holiness of God is prominently displayed as Yahweh's glory fills the temple and subsequently departs, especially noted in verse 4. This movement of divine glory underscores both the magnificence and terror of God's presence, revealing His righteousness and the dire consequences of sin. The chapter emphasizes the weightiness of divine holiness, showing how human actions are profoundly affected by God's unchanging nature.
Divine Presence
Divine presence is highlighted through the movements of the cherubim and God's glory, especially in verses 18 and 19. The chapter illustrates that God’s presence is not confined to the temple, as He withdraws from the place due to Israel’s unfaithfulness. This indicates a significant shift in how God interacts with His people.
Hope of Restoration
The hope of restoration is subtly interwoven throughout Ezekiel 10, particularly as the departure of God's glory suggests a potential for renewal. Despite the pronounced judgment, the narrative hints at the possibility for future repentance and reconciliation with God. This theme conveys that God's ultimate intention is not merely to judge, but to restore a broken relationship with His people.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Ezekiel 10
- Ezekiel 1The vision of the cherubim in this chapter connects to earlier descriptions in Ezekiel 1, reinforcing their role in God's throne.
- Revelation 4The imagery of the divine throne and living creatures in Revelation 4 echoes the majesty and mystery of God's presence seen here.
- Ezekiel 43Ezekiel 43 describes the return of God's glory to the temple, developing the theme of restoration after judgment.
- Isaiah 6Isaiah's vision of God's holiness parallels Ezekiel's experience, highlighting the overwhelming presence of God before His messengers.
- Ezekiel 9Ezekiel 9's themes of judgment and the marking of the righteous resonate with the fire command in this chapter.
- Ezekiel 11Ezekiel 11 continues the theme of God's judgment and presence, connecting to the departure of glory in this chapter.
Study questions
Questions for studying Ezekiel 10
- What does the appearance of the throne above the cherubim represent?
- How does the command to scatter coals relate to judgment?
- What significance does the sound of the cherubim's wings carry?
- How do the wheels and cherubim function together in this vision?
- What does the departure of God's glory indicate about His relationship with Israel?
- Why is the detailed description of the cherubim important for understanding this vision?
- How might this chapter speak to the theme of hope despite judgment?
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