| Ezekiel 1:1-2:10 v. 1 in the thirtieth year – This probably refers to Ezekiel's age. He was from a priestly line and 30 was the age when priests began their ministry (Num. 4:3). among the captives – The northern Kingdom of Israel had been conquered and taken captive by Assyria in 722 BC. Ezekiel is from the Southern Kingdom of Judah, which remained free until it was conquered by Babylon in 601 BC. They took many captives to Babylon at this time including the prophet Daniel (Dan. 1:1-2). The prophet Jeremiah ministered in Jerusalem during this time (Jer. 1:1-3) and a puppet government under King Jehoiakim was allowed to exist for three years (2 Kings 24:1) until he died. Then Jehoachin his son became king and soon after the Babylonians besieged the city. Jehoachin surrendered and he and the remaining government and religious leadership, including Ezekiel, were carried away into captivity in Babylon in 597 BC (2 Kings 24:10–16). the River Chebar – A manmade canal between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Ezekiel was settled in this region. visions of God – Ezekiel had a series of visions. Visions are dream-like and used by God to show the prophet things that will happen in the future, or to get a glimpse into heavenly or spiritual things. the fifth year of King Jehoiachin's captivity – about 592 BC to Ezekiel the priest – Priesthood descended from father to son, so both Buzi and Ezekiel were priests. the hand of the LORD was upon him there – Even though Ezekiel and the Israelites had been carried off captive, God was still with them. Psalm 137 says, "By the waters of Babylon we laid down and wept." God was judging His people and they began to understand their sin. He continued to speak to them and show that He is still in control and using the situation to fulfill His purposes. v. 4 a whirlwind – God spoke His judgment to Job out of a whirlwind and the image is used throughout the OT as a symbol of judgment. great cloud with raging fire – In these verses, Ezekiel is trying to describe this complex vision of the glory and throne of God as it is approaching. He is attempting to describe heavenly things which have no earthly equal, and is forced to use limited earthly language and comparisons to try and describe and relate what he sees to us. v. 5 four living creatures – These are perhaps the same or similar creatures that are seen in the visions of Isaiah 6:2-3 and Revelation chapters 4 through 6. the likeness of a man – A human-like form as opposed to an animal. v. 6 four faces, four wings – This is difficult to imagine exactly what it looks like, but the description of creatures with four faces (man, lion, ox, and eagle) are also seen in Revelation 4:7. v. 12 went wherever the spirit wanted to go – the movement of this whole throne and glory is controlled by the will of the Spirit of God. v. 13 burning coals of fire – a bright, glowing, intensity seems to color all that Ezekiel sees. v. 15 a wheel – The entire burning throne and image of glory seems to rest on and above these wheels and the living creatures with four faces. v. 16 beryl – A crystal mineral found in different colors. Here, it is likely to be pale green to gold in color. a wheel in the middle of a wheel – The wheels may turn on the same axis, or perhaps were set like a gyroscope. v. 18 rims were full of eyes – These may have been literal eye shapes representing God's all-seeing nature, or it may have been reflections or sparkles in the beryl as the wheels moved. v. 19-22 – The four spirits are controlling the movement of the wheels. v. 22 firmament – The expanse or dome shape, the boundary layer of the sky above. A word used only 17 times in the OT, four times in this immediate description (Gen 1:6-8, 14-20). v. 24 noise of many waters – The vision is dominated by the sound of the wings. The sound is found again in 43:2 also as the glory of God approaches. v. 26 a throne – The central feature of the fiery cloud. appearance of a man high above – No specific shape or description, just burning amber color above and fiery brightness all around. v. 28 the glory of the Lord – This Glory was said to accompany the Israelites in the desert and was later seen in the tabernacle and temple. It is important element in Ezekiel, mentioned 11 times. It is seen departing the Temple in chapters 9-11 and returning to the restored Temple in chapter 43. I fell on my face – Ezekiel is struck by the vision, trying to describe what he sees, but at the sound of the voice he falls down in worship. Ezekiel 2 v. 1 Son of man – literally, "son of Adam." This is a humbling title to remind Ezekiel that he is just like the men he is prophesying to, and that he shouldn't become prideful in his position as God's messenger. Ezekiel is addressed by this title 93 times in the NKJV bible. Ezekiel's name is only mentioned twice in the entire book (Eze. 1:3; 24:24). I will speak to you. – Ezekiel is not inventing the message, but must communicate what God says. v. 2 the Spirit entered me – Ezekiel's ministry is initiated by the Spirit coming upon him. His power and authority comes from God's Spirit working in and through him. v. 3 rebelled against Me – The suffering the nation is not the result of natural circumstances or forces of history but is because of their collective rebellion against God personally. v. 4 impudent – contemptuous or cocky boldness, disregard of others Thus says the Lord God – Ezekiel is not to be mistaken as an angry social critic or a commentator speaking his own opinion or analysis. He is to clearly announce to Israel that his message is God's word to them. v. 6 do not be afraid – God is telling Ezekiel in advance that he will face intense opposition and rejection. He will be tempted to fear, but must be bold because the message is the Lord's. briers…thorns…scorpions – Graphic pictures of how Israel will oppose, wound, and painfully sting Ezekiel for preaching. v. 7 whether they hear or whether they refuse – God's truth must be delivered, and His message communicated regardless of the response of the hearers. v. 8 Do not be rebellious – Ezekiel may be tempted to avoid the confrontation his message will provoke. But he must not rebel from the responsibility or soften the message. Eat what I give you – He is not told in advance what it will be like. His obedience is immediately tested (3:3) in contrast to the rebelliousness of his people. v. 9 a scroll of a book – This contains God's message Ezekiel is to communicate. It is both written and spoken to Ezekiel, and he will both write and speak to Israel. v. 10 lamentations and mourning and woe – The message will not be light and easy, but one of sorrow, grieving, and warning because of the sin of Israel. | 
2:8 But you, son of man, hear what I say to you. Do not be rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you.
Ezekiel's Vision of God
