Read Ezekiel 1:1-14
Can you imagine what it feels like to have the hand of God take hold of you? This young prophet sure did. The Book of Ezekiel wastes no time in getting into the thick of some pretty captivating imagery.
There’s no question where Ezekiel is as he encounters this first vision. Knowing the time and place and mention of King Jehoiachin, we can place Ezekiel in June/July 593 B.C. during the time of exile. The prophet Daniel would have been a contemporary, also living in exile. Ezekiel’s version of Babylonian life will be from a different perspective. Ezekiel wasn’t the Jewish high-ranking officer that Daniel was.
Having such Scripture, we can feel connected to God’s people when they were in exile. There were always people staying faithful to God. Even if it wasn’t “popular” or “accepted” by locals, a remnant of God’s people remained faithful. Ezekiel was one of those devoted ones.
As we read through Ezekiel together, I understand we’ll encounter some obscure language, over the top imagery, and plenty of hyperboles. The first half of the book will be a bit on the intense side, countered with a more hopeful second half. Don’t forget this is a prophetic book, and we need to approach each reading with that understanding.
At the same time, Ezekiel uses an autobiographic style inviting us into his stories. Despite this, we know very little about Ezekiel the man, other than he was from a priestly family. We can venture a guess at how life would have been and how these prophecies would have been received. How we understand or apply the same prophecies to our lives may vary. What remains is to look for God’s intentions and how he intervenes for his people then, now, and always.
What about this prophecy of the four beings with four faces? A little creepy. We’re probably wondering just like Ezekiel why we’re being introduced to these beings when the sky opens up. Ezekiel does a great job of describing these beings, doesn’t he? And this vision is just getting started! To be continued…
How does it feel to know God has a hold of you? He never lets us go. Makes me think of a worship song I’ve been teaching in Spanish to the girls at the orphanage. “No, No, No Me Soltaras”, which translates “No, No, You Never Let Go.” They love the words! Listen here and make this your prayer of worship today.
Let’s pray. Oh Lord, you are king of my life and of all things. I am holding on tight, so thankful you will never let go of me. When I stumble you catch me before I fall. Set my feet in the direction you’d have me to go. Move me. Use me. I know you’ll empower me for whatever you ask of me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
