Ezekiel 10: The Departure of Glory
Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubims there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne.
And he spake unto the man clothed with linen, and said, Go in between the wheels, even under the cherub, and fill thine hand with coals of fire from between the cherubims, and scatter them over the city. And he went in in my sight.
Now the cherubims stood on the right side of the house, when the man went in; and the cloud filled the inner court.
Then the glory of the Lord went 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 the Lord’s glory.
And the sound of the cherubims’ wings was heard even to the outer court, as the voice of the Almighty God when he speaketh.
And it came to pass, that when he had commanded the man clothed with linen, saying, Take fire from between the wheels, from between the cherubims; then he went in, and stood beside the wheels.
And one cherub stretched forth his hand from between the cherubims unto the fire that was between the cherubims, and took thereof, and put it into the hands of him that was clothed with linen: who took it, and went out.
And there appeared in the cherubims the form of a man’s hand under their wings.
And when I looked, behold the four wheels by the cherubims, one wheel by one cherub, and another wheel by another cherub: and the appearance of the wheels was as the colour of a beryl stone.
And as for their appearances, they four had one likeness, as if a wheel had been in the midst of a wheel.
When they went, they went upon their four sides; they turned not as they went, but to the place whither the head looked they followed it; they turned not as they went.
And their whole body, and their backs, and their hands, and their wings, and the wheels, were full of eyes round about, even the wheels that they four had.
As for the wheels, it was cried unto them in my hearing, O wheel.
And every one had four faces: the first face was the face of a cherub, and the second face was the face of a man, and the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.
And the cherubims were lifted up. This is the living creature that I saw by the river of Chebar.
And when the cherubims went, the wheels went by them: and when the cherubims lifted up their wings to mount up from the earth, the same wheels also turned not from beside them.
When they stood, these stood; and when they were lifted up, these lifted up themselves also: for the spirit of the living creature was in them.
Then the glory of the Lord departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims.
And the cherubims lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight: when they went out, the wheels also were beside them, and every one stood at the door of the east gate of the Lord’s house; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above.
This is the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel by the river of Chebar; and I knew that they were the cherubims.
Every one had four faces apiece, and every one four wings; and the likeness of the hands of a man was under their wings.
And the likeness of their faces was the same faces which I saw by the river of Chebar, their appearances and themselves: they went every one straight forward.
Ezekiel 10 offers a poignant and sobering vision of God's glory departing from the temple in Jerusalem, a consequence of the city's pervasive idolatry and unfaithfulness. This chapter, deeply intertwined with Ezekiel's initial vision in Ezekiel 1, reveals the painful reality of God's judgment and the abandonment of His dwelling place. Let's delve into the key themes and significance of this chapter.
The Throne and the Cleansing Fire (Ezekiel 10:1-2)
Ezekiel signals a new phase of his vision, looking up to see what appeared to be a throne, reminiscent of the divine throne from which God spoke to the man clothed in linen, who had been tasked with marking the faithful remnant in Jerusalem (Ezekiel 9). This time, the vision takes a dramatic turn. God commands the angelic figure to fill his hands with burning coals from the altar within the temple and scatter them over Jerusalem. This act symbolizes a fiery purification, a burning judgment intended to cleanse the city. The impending destruction by the Babylonians, who would raze Jerusalem and the temple, is foreshadowed here as God's instrument of cleansing.
The Cherubim and God's Glory (Ezekiel 10:3-8)
The cherubim, first introduced as "four living creatures" in Ezekiel 1:5, reappear in this vision, now explicitly identified as the cherubim who constantly reside in God's presence. Their presence, alongside the four wheels (mentioned later in 10:9), connects this vision to Ezekiel's initial calling. The cherubim stand beside the temple as the angelic figure enters, and a cloud fills the inner court, signifying the overwhelming presence of God's glory.
However, this glorious presence is not one of abiding favor. Instead of indwelling His temple, defiled by idolatry, God is in the process of withdrawing. Ezekiel witnesses the glory of the LORD moving to the threshold of the temple, and the courtyard where Ezekiel stands is illuminated by the radiant brightness of the LORD's glory. While the vision is filled with awe-inspiring magnificence, it is fundamentally a vision of judgment. The angel in linen obeys God's command, taking the fiery coals from a cherub's hand and going out to execute his mission.
The Wheels and the Omniscient Gaze (Ezekiel 10:9-14)
Ezekiel's description of the four wheels and cherubim closely mirrors his first vision in Ezekiel 1, with a few significant additions. Notably, the bodies of all the figures are described as being covered with eyes all around. This detail suggests God's all-seeing omniscience, His complete awareness of all that transpires. The wheels are referred to as "the wheelwork," implying their readiness to move and carry God's presence and glory away from the temple and Jerusalem, like a chariot-throne departing.
The Heartbreaking Departure (Ezekiel 10:15-20)
The final segment of Ezekiel's vision is undoubtedly the most heart-wrenching. Ezekiel, who had previously pleaded with God to spare His sinful people, now bears the painful responsibility of conveying the news of God's departure from the temple and the city. This message is intended for the exiles in Babylon and the Israelites remaining in Jerusalem who mistakenly believe God is still with them.
Ezekiel witnesses the cherubim ascending, the wheels moving in unison, and God's chariot-throne lifting off from the temple, preparing for its departure. These cherubim are identified as the same living creatures Ezekiel saw by the Chebar Canal in Ezekiel 1:20, reinforcing the continuity of God's judgment. As God moves away from the temple threshold, His glory pauses momentarily at the entrance to the eastern gate of the LORD's house. This is the final stop, the last vestige of God's presence before it completely abandons the temple and the city. The departure of God's presence leaves His people in a state of utter hopelessness.
Ezekiel 10 serves as a stark warning against idolatry and unfaithfulness. It underscores the devastating consequences of turning away from God and defiling His holy place. The departure of God's glory signifies the removal of His protection, blessing, and favor, leaving a void that cannot be filled by anything else. This chapter calls us to examine our own hearts, ensuring that we are not harboring idols that would drive God's presence away from our lives. It reminds us that true security and hope are found only in a relationship with the living God, a relationship characterized by obedience, reverence, and a sincere desire to honor Him in all that we do.
Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubims there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne.
And he spake unto the man clothed with linen, and said, Go in between the wheels, even under the cherub, and fill thine hand with coals of fire from between the cherubims, and scatter them over the city. And he went in in my sight.
Now the cherubims stood on the right side of the house, when the man went in; and the cloud filled the inner court.
Then the glory of the Lord went 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 the Lord’s glory.
And the sound of the cherubims’ wings was heard even to the outer court, as the voice of the Almighty God when he speaketh.
And it came to pass, that when he had commanded the man clothed with linen, saying, Take fire from between the wheels, from between the cherubims; then he went in, and stood beside the wheels.
And one cherub stretched forth his hand from between the cherubims unto the fire that was between the cherubims, and took thereof, and put it into the hands of him that was clothed with linen: who took it, and went out.
And there appeared in the cherubims the form of a man’s hand under their wings.
And when I looked, behold the four wheels by the cherubims, one wheel by one cherub, and another wheel by another cherub: and the appearance of the wheels was as the colour of a beryl stone.
And as for their appearances, they four had one likeness, as if a wheel had been in the midst of a wheel.
When they went, they went upon their four sides; they turned not as they went, but to the place whither the head looked they followed it; they turned not as they went.
And their whole body, and their backs, and their hands, and their wings, and the wheels, were full of eyes round about, even the wheels that they four had.
As for the wheels, it was cried unto them in my hearing, O wheel.
And every one had four faces: the first face was the face of a cherub, and the second face was the face of a man, and the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.
And the cherubims were lifted up. This is the living creature that I saw by the river of Chebar.
And when the cherubims went, the wheels went by them: and when the cherubims lifted up their wings to mount up from the earth, the same wheels also turned not from beside them.
When they stood, these stood; and when they were lifted up, these lifted up themselves also: for the spirit of the living creature was in them.
Then the glory of the Lord departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims.
And the cherubims lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight: when they went out, the wheels also were beside them, and every one stood at the door of the east gate of the Lord’s house; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above.
This is the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel by the river of Chebar; and I knew that they were the cherubims.
Every one had four faces apiece, and every one four wings; and the likeness of the hands of a man was under their wings.
And the likeness of their faces was the same faces which I saw by the river of Chebar, their appearances and themselves: they went every one straight forward.
Ezekiel 10 offers a poignant and sobering vision of God's glory departing from the temple in Jerusalem, a consequence of the city's pervasive idolatry and unfaithfulness. This chapter, deeply intertwined with Ezekiel's initial vision in Ezekiel 1, reveals the painful reality of God's judgment and the abandonment of His dwelling place. Let's delve into the key themes and significance of this chapter.
The Throne and the Cleansing Fire (Ezekiel 10:1-2)
Ezekiel signals a new phase of his vision, looking up to see what appeared to be a throne, reminiscent of the divine throne from which God spoke to the man clothed in linen, who had been tasked with marking the faithful remnant in Jerusalem (Ezekiel 9). This time, the vision takes a dramatic turn. God commands the angelic figure to fill his hands with burning coals from the altar within the temple and scatter them over Jerusalem. This act symbolizes a fiery purification, a burning judgment intended to cleanse the city. The impending destruction by the Babylonians, who would raze Jerusalem and the temple, is foreshadowed here as God's instrument of cleansing.
The Cherubim and God's Glory (Ezekiel 10:3-8)
The cherubim, first introduced as "four living creatures" in Ezekiel 1:5, reappear in this vision, now explicitly identified as the cherubim who constantly reside in God's presence. Their presence, alongside the four wheels (mentioned later in 10:9), connects this vision to Ezekiel's initial calling. The cherubim stand beside the temple as the angelic figure enters, and a cloud fills the inner court, signifying the overwhelming presence of God's glory.
However, this glorious presence is not one of abiding favor. Instead of indwelling His temple, defiled by idolatry, God is in the process of withdrawing. Ezekiel witnesses the glory of the LORD moving to the threshold of the temple, and the courtyard where Ezekiel stands is illuminated by the radiant brightness of the LORD's glory. While the vision is filled with awe-inspiring magnificence, it is fundamentally a vision of judgment. The angel in linen obeys God's command, taking the fiery coals from a cherub's hand and going out to execute his mission.
The Wheels and the Omniscient Gaze (Ezekiel 10:9-14)
Ezekiel's description of the four wheels and cherubim closely mirrors his first vision in Ezekiel 1, with a few significant additions. Notably, the bodies of all the figures are described as being covered with eyes all around. This detail suggests God's all-seeing omniscience, His complete awareness of all that transpires. The wheels are referred to as "the wheelwork," implying their readiness to move and carry God's presence and glory away from the temple and Jerusalem, like a chariot-throne departing.
The Heartbreaking Departure (Ezekiel 10:15-20)
The final segment of Ezekiel's vision is undoubtedly the most heart-wrenching. Ezekiel, who had previously pleaded with God to spare His sinful people, now bears the painful responsibility of conveying the news of God's departure from the temple and the city. This message is intended for the exiles in Babylon and the Israelites remaining in Jerusalem who mistakenly believe God is still with them.
Ezekiel witnesses the cherubim ascending, the wheels moving in unison, and God's chariot-throne lifting off from the temple, preparing for its departure. These cherubim are identified as the same living creatures Ezekiel saw by the Chebar Canal in Ezekiel 1:20, reinforcing the continuity of God's judgment. As God moves away from the temple threshold, His glory pauses momentarily at the entrance to the eastern gate of the LORD's house. This is the final stop, the last vestige of God's presence before it completely abandons the temple and the city. The departure of God's presence leaves His people in a state of utter hopelessness.
Ezekiel 10 serves as a stark warning against idolatry and unfaithfulness. It underscores the devastating consequences of turning away from God and defiling His holy place. The departure of God's glory signifies the removal of His protection, blessing, and favor, leaving a void that cannot be filled by anything else. This chapter calls us to examine our own hearts, ensuring that we are not harboring idols that would drive God's presence away from our lives. It reminds us that true security and hope are found only in a relationship with the living God, a relationship characterized by obedience, reverence, and a sincere desire to honor Him in all that we do.