Part One ( The Wheels of God's Throne ) ( Copyright 2009 G. Thomas Windsor )
Ezekiel and the Throne with Wheels
Background: During a time of exile in the kingdom of Babylon,
the Lord came to speak to His people. God had been sending
warnings through the prophets because a final invasion was coming upon
those left in Jerusalem. A very significant event was to happen:
the destruction of the first temple. The (southern) kingdom of
David was coming to an end and the northern kingdom of Israel had
already been vanquished. In this setting, God was to reveal his
throne. This was a throne with wheels, first made known to
Ezekiel. In the beginning chapters of Ezekiel’s prophecy,
we find the Lord commissioning him as a prophet and sending him to
carry the message. God is a God of self-revelation and was
showing Himself to his servant in an awesome way. The Lord was
also to show His sovereignty, not only over his own, but over all
nations.
Ezekiel, Chapter 1: 4 I looked, and behold, a stormy wind came out of
the north, a great cloud, with flashing lightning, and a brightness
around it, and out of its midst as it were glowing metal, out of the
midst of the fire. 5Out of its midst came the likeness of four living
creatures. This was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man.
6Everyone had four faces, and each one of them had four wings. 7Their
feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole
of a calf’s foot; and they sparkled like burnished brass. 8They
had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and the
four of them had their faces and their wings thus: 9their wings were
joined one to another; they didn’t turn when they went; each one
went straight forward. 10As for the likeness of their faces, they had
the face of a man; and the four of them had the face of a lion on the
right side; and the four of them had the face of an ox on the left
side; the four of them also had the face of an eagle. 11Such were their
faces. Their wings were spread out above. Two wings of each one touched
another, and two covered their bodies. 12Each one went straight
forward: where the spirit was to go, they went; they didn’t turn
when they went. 13As for the likeness of the living creatures, their
appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of
torches: the fire went up and down among the living creatures; and the
fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning. 14The living
creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.
15Now as I saw the living creatures, behold, one wheel on the earth
beside the living creatures, for each of the four faces of it. 16The
appearance of the wheels and their work was like a beryl: and the four
of them had one likeness; and their appearance and their work was as it
were a wheel within a wheel. 17When they went, they went in their four
directions: they didn’t turn when they went. 18As for their rims,
they were high and dreadful; and the four of them had their rims full
of eyes all around. 19When the living creatures went, the wheels went
beside them; and when the living creatures were lifted up from the
earth, the wheels were lifted up. 20Wherever the spirit was to go, they
went; there was the spirit to go: and the wheels were lifted up beside
them; for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels. 21When
those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when
those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up beside
them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels. 22Over
the head of the living creature there was the likeness of an expanse,
like the awesome crystal to look on, stretched forth over their heads
above. 23Under the expanse were their wings straight, the one toward
the other: each one had two which covered on this side, and every one
had two which covered on that side, their bodies. 24When they went, I
heard the noise of their wings like the noise of great waters, like the
voice of the Almighty, a noise of tumult like the noise of an army:
when they stood, they let down their wings. 25There was a voice above
the expanse that was over their heads: when they stood, they let down
their wings. 26Above the expanse that was over their heads was the
likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone; and on the
likeness of the throne was a likeness as the appearance of a man on it
above. 27I saw as it were glowing metal, as the appearance of fire
within it all around, from the appearance of his waist and upward; and
from the appearance of his waist and downward I saw as it were the
appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him. 28As the
appearance of the rainbow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so
was the appearance of the brightness all around. This was the
appearance of the likeness of the glory of Yahweh. When I saw it, I
fell on my face, and I heard a voice of one that spoke (Web Version).
In the introduction of the book, the prophet Ezekiel states he
had visions of God. Ezekiel begins relating what he saw with the
phrase "The heavens were opened and I saw visions of God " (v.1).
It is the Lord who opened a window in order for the prophet to
see. Obviously this imagery of heavenly realities describes
something very different from what is normally seen in the natural
world. Ezekiel used the closest words he knew to describe these
things. God himself is allowing the prophet to behold his
dwelling.
The Storm Cloud: He wrote "a whirlwind came out of the north" (v.
4). In the distance he saw an immense storm cloud, a whirlwind
with lightning flashing like fire. This storm has relevance, for
often in the Old Testament the Lord would appear and manifest himself
in a cloud or a storm: "a meteorological theophany."
Note: The closest comparable O.T. account of God being "seen " is found
in the book of Exodus. In that passage Moses went up to mount Sinai.
The Lord visited him in a glory cloud of fire and with thunder and
lightning. God's awesome voice made the mountain tremble (Ex.
24). One ancient historian, Josephus, wrote that Moses
actually saw the throne and the cherubim. (Josephus ,
Antiquities 3.6.5. )
Four Living Creatures: This cloud is described in increasing detail as
the vision progresses. It is as if the lens is zooming in and showing
more and more of the detail as unfolding before the eyes of the
prophet. Initially, out of the storm cloud, the prophet sees In
the center of this, Ezekiel sees what looks like four living
creatures---four strange creatures with different faces and multiple
wings. Their appearance is in the form of men, but each have four
faces and wings. Each have the face of a man, an eagle, a lion,
and an ox (respectively). These creatures move about and have
wheels beside each of them. They are identified as the cherubim
(Ezek.10:21). We further read that the glory of the Lord (in
human form) is enthroned upon them.
Cherubim were historically thought of as God’s personal
attendants as well, as angelic beings and bearers and guardians of
God's throne. They were at the place separating the holy from the
unholy (as on the curtain and doors of the temple). These were
like the cherubim that were modeled both in the temple at Jerusalem and
at the Tent of the Tabernacle. (We will examine more about the
cherubim in a later section). Ezekiel, as a priest, would have
been familiar with temple worship and thus was privileged to behold a
manifestation of God's presence, like those who saw it at the Tent of
Meeting.
Descriptions of the wheels: Ezekiel went on to describe that beside
each of the living creatures was a wheel following every movement of
the living creatures: "Their appearance was like coals of fire;
like torches... fire moved back and forth from among the creatures; it
was bright, and lightning flashed out of it." The creatures sped
back and forth like flashes of lightning.
The wheels touched the ground and each was like a "wheel within a
wheel" (v-17-21) The wheels of the cherubim were said to be "high and
awesome,”or dreadful (v. 18). There was something about them that
invoked fear. We also note that the cherubim and the wheels were
full of eyes all around. Other passages in the Bible have related
this as a spiritual reference to God's omniscience and his Spirit
(Prov.15:3, 2 Chron.16:9, Zech 4:10). Various commentators
have noted that this a case in which the eyes may reflect divine
attributes such as
omniscience.
The Unity: The cherubim and the wheels appear to be bound together in a
unity. As the cherubim move, rise and stand still, so do the
wheels. Practically every characteristic of the two are the
same. Both are full of eyes. The fire between the cherubim is
between the wheels. The sound of the wings is like the sound of
the wheels, described as "like the voice of God Almighty" (v-24). This
suggests another divine attribute: His personal nature. We
also read that the creatures move "like a tumult of an army..." The
Lord is often referred to as "the Lord of hosts " which means Lord of
the angelic armies of heaven. Thus, a military comparison is
introduced.
Visual Description of the Throne: Finally, over the heads of the living
creatures there is the likeness of a firmament or dome shining like
crystal. The thunderous sound the prophet hears is like the voice
of the Almighty. He wrote: "Then I looked, and behold, on the
firmament that was covering the heads of the cherubim there
appeared above them something like a sapphire, in form resembling a
throne; and seated above this was a likeness as it were of
a human form. And upward from what had the appearance of his
loins I saw as it were gleaming bronze, like the
appearance of fire enclosed round about ... Like the
appearance of a bow that is in a cloud ... such was
the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when
I saw it, I fell upon My face, and I heard the voice of one speaking."
(v-26-28)
It is helpful to try to get a mental picture of what is occurring in
these passages. Images convey meanings. When the words of
Scripture were penned, they had a purpose for all time (both for then
and now). In these glorious visions the Lord was seen enthroned
upon the cherubim, and beside them were the wheels. All three together
comprise the manifestation of the glory of the Lord. What is
being portrayed is a throne of fire coming out of the storm and upon
this throne is the Glory of God on some sort of moving platform.
This throne comes down out of heaven and the wheels make contact,
"touching the earth" (v-15). The Lord could have had Ezekiel
simply see an ornate stationary throne, yet here a dynamic "mobile "
throne (a sort of vehicle) is seen. It is helpful to note that
the Lord is spoken of in other biblical passages as "enthroned upon the
cherubim" and in Psalm 18 and others as riding upon a cherub.
Note: Winged angel. Cherubs, as depicted in the OT, ... They are
pictured as winged creatures (Exod.25:20; 37:9; 1 Kgs. 6:24-27;
Ezek.10:8,19) and serve as the very throne of God when the ark of the
covenant is in view (Ps. 80:1; 99:1; see Num. 7:89; 1 Sam 4:4; 2 Sam
6:2; 2 Kgs. 19:15.) The picture of the Lord seated on the cherubs
suggests they might be used by him as a vehicle, a function they carry
out in Ezek. 1:22-28 (the “living creatures” mentioned here
are identified as cherubs in Ezek. 10:20.) In Ps. 18:10 the image of a
cherub serves to personify the wind (see the next line of the
psalm). (Net Bible notes )
"Chariot of the Cherubim" model: So what do we make of what
is portrayed in the text? Let's start with the ancient Hebrew
understanding, as this historic background is helpful. The
ancient Hebrews thought of the cherubim as forming a "chariot throne."
The cherubim (living creatures) were viewed as forming the
"vehicle "upon which God rode in the heavens.
Note: In the early days of Israel's history the
cherubim became the divine chariot, the bearer of the throne of Yhwh in
its progress through the worlds (I Sam. iv. 4; II Sam. vi. 2; I Chron.
xiii. 6). ... At an earlier period the cherubim were the living chariot
of the theophanic God, possibly identical with the storm-winds (Ps.
xviii. 11; II Sam. xxii. 11: "And he rode upon a cherub and did fly:
and he was seen upon the wings of the wind ".) Jewish
Encylopedia.com "Cherub" , pg. 13
This is evidenced by the description of the two huge models of the
cherubim that were in the temple at Jerusalem. They were called
"the chariot of the cherubim” in the text and thought by some to
have had wheels. 1 Chron. 28: 18: "And for the altar of
incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the
chariot [Hebrew, merkabah] of the cherubim, that spread out their
wings, and covered the ark of the covenant of the LORD (KJV).
In the book of Hebrews we are told that the "cherubim of Glory" are
part of the "copy of the heavenly things" (Heb. 9:5,23)
With this New Testament interpretation of the Old, the earthly temple
and tabernacle were shadows; a type of the heavenly realities.
The Chariot Throne: At this point let's examine more of this less
known, though important, concept. In the Old Testament, the imagery of
God as "riding" a chariot comprised a way that the people of that time
could understand the Lord as a great King. This is perhaps
different from our modern western ‘medieval’ view of a
king. In ancient times a king typically rode in a splendid
chariot, and a chariot was also a symbol of military strength (2Chron.
35:24, Jer.17:25, 22:4). Also, the king typically rode forth to
face his enemies (2 Kings 8:21).
Many commentators have traditionally pointed out that the ancient
Jewish understanding of what Ezekiel beheld was the Merkabah, the
Hebrew (literal meaning) for the Lord’s chariot-throne. There is
historical evidence for this and internal biblical support as well. In
the Greek Septuagint a variant rendering from the Hebrew text in
Ezekiel 43:3 reads: "and the vision of the chariot that I saw was like
the one that I saw by the river of Chebar" (this
referencing the cherubim and the throne in earlier chapters). In
Habakkuk 3, we read in reference to the Lord: "that thou didst
ride upon thine horses and thy chariots of salvation" (Hab. 3:8,
KJV). In the Jewish rabbinic interpretation (Midrashim) of Psalm 68:18
it states: "Twenty-two thousand chariots descended at Sinai, and
each of them looked like the chariot (Merkabah) that Ezekiel
saw.” There are also historic writings (extra-biblical) that
indicate the common understanding of that time. In the apocryphal
writing of Ecclesiasticus is a quotation: "It was Ezekiel who saw the
vision of glory, which God showed him above the chariot of the
cherubim" (Sirach 49:8 NRSV). It is also interesting
to note that Irenius, an early church father, described one of the
titles of the Lord as the "Charioteer of the
Chariot." In the Dead Sea scrolls we read: "In the
vision Ezekiel saw the gleam of the Chariot (Merkavah) and the four
Living Creatures"
Note: (Dead Sea Scrolls Translated, F. Martinez)
(4Q385 frag. 4:5-6 ) (Irenius Against Heresies- book
5) An early Gnostic Christian text: the "Hypostases of the
Archons" refers to "…the four-faced chariot of
the cherubim."
Representations: Once we understand this important context, it assists
our understanding of other passages. Yet the Old Testament
chariot imagery shouldn't be confused with pagan concepts of their
deities, which are but counterfeits or distortions of the true
concept. This doesn't answer the question as to the meaning of
the wheels specifically, but it does help with some context and a
framework. Also, it should be stated here that all the descriptions of
the throne and cherubim wheels, etc., are only representations.
God certainly doesn't literally ride a throne with wheels. However the
cherubim are actual angelic beings and He is enthroned upon them in the
vision. God doesn't inhabit a physical location or a seat. These
are simply distant approximations of heavenly realities for our finite
minds.
Understanding the Metaphor (the similitude of heaven?):
In the first chapter of Ezekiel, the words, "the likeness, the
appearance of," occur frequently. Sometimes they are three steps
removed from the true heavenly realities. In Ezekiel 1:28 we read
“...such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of
the Lord.” To get to the answers mentioned above
involves a step on the part of the reader of thinking beyond the
natural world. These are things related from God's Spirit. It
also requires us to abandon stereotypical, popular views of the
heavenly realm and examine it afresh, objectively from a
biblico-prophetic view. The prophet related what he was given to see in
the form of similes. A simile is a comparison to illustrate
something, often using "like" or "as." A metaphor is a figure of
speech by which one word is analogous to another, usually in the form
of images. Moving on to chapter two, the message from God's
Spirit comes from the Lord upon the throne. He speaks to the
prophet and commissions him to speak to the Israelites. "And he
said to me 'Son of man, Stand upon your feet and I will speak to
you. ...I send you to the people of Israel, to a rebellious
house... And you shall speak my words to them whether they hear or
refuse to hear'" (Chap. 2:3). This is a message
from the throne of God. The prophet is overwhelmed by the Lord's glory,
emboldened by His Spirit, and then compelled to deliver a message to
the people. The Lord is speaking to them in a foreign land.
God allowed some glimpses of his glorious throne and when this
happened, it was a sign that God was about to do something very
significant in the history of his people. Ezekiel's vision contains
some of the sternest words God ever voiced to Israel and also contains
an appeal for repentance. Yet, out of grace He did not leave them
abandoned and He offered them promises of restoration in the latter
chapters of Ezekiel. God's Spirit entered the prophet and
empowered him to proclaim His Word. (v. 22). In the first eight
chapters the prophet speaks words of warning as the Lord pleads and
admonishes his people, seemingly to no avail.
In the ninth and tenth
chapters we read of a further vision of this throne which adds to the
understanding of the wheels: "Then 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. 4The glory of Yahweh 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 forth his hand from between the
cherubim to the fire that was between the cherubim, and took of it, and
put it into the hands of him who was clothed in linen, who took it and
went out. 8There appeared in the cherubim the form of a man’s
hand under their wings. 9I looked, and behold, four wheels beside the
cherubim, one wheel beside one cherub, and another wheel beside another
cherub; and 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, and their backs, and their hands, and 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 " (WEB).
The Glory departs and Judgment comes: The Lord by His Spirit had
exposed the hearts of these leaders of men (Ezek. 8:6,12) the
"princes of the sanctuary." At the holiest place in God's sanctuary was
an image that provoked jealousy, an abomination that brought a
desolation to God's house. (v. 5). In all the passages in Ezekiel
we have a great contrast between God's holiness and pure glory visiting
a people steeped in stubbornness and idolatry. Contrast
provides clarity, because by the one we can see the other
clearer. God "sees" and the record is kept in the heavenly realm
and written down. Some are headed to judgment and others are marked off
for deliverance and a great separation occurs of those who would
receive temporal retribution (chapter 9:3,4). After persistently
turning from God and remaining in unbelief, the people reached a point
where no remedy was left. God, from his righteous throne, decreed that
Jerusalem was to go up in flames and be given over to the sword, as
history affirms (chap. 10:2).
Ezekiel is overwhelmed by the judgments, and he envisions an end
of mercy as wrath is poured out. He is deeply troubled and he
cries out, "Ah, Sovereign Lord, will you destroy all who
remain in Israel ...?” (Ezek. 9:8). The wonder of and
fascination with the glorious vision of the throne is now replaced with
a deep sorrow and a fear of God. Finally, God's Spirit leaves his
habitation (the temple) because of wickedness (Ezek.
10:18). He was abandoning his House and the manifestation
of glory (the throne-chariot) to ascend and depart. Thus, the vision
closes.
The Meaning of the Wheels? (a beginning point): Historically,
many have assigned a symbolic meaning as relating to God's
overarching sovereignty, divine providence, or omniscience.
This was one of the views advanced by the early church fathers, and
seems to have been the prevailing interpretation of the reformers. It
is also often re-quoted by various commentaries today. In
addition, some see the wheels as representations of the ministers of
the gospels or churches. Some see cycles of nature or perhaps
astronomical phenomenon. Some have even viewed the wheels historically
as separate angelic beings called the "Ophanim." Yet, as we shall
see, there is more evidence that the wheels are to be viewed in a
metaphoric sense.
The problem with many traditional interpretations is that there
is little internal evidence given, as derived from the text
itself. We certainly do see God's providence and sovereignty in these
Ezekiel passages, yet we also can observe these biblical themes in the
dozens of other passages about the throne that don't mention the wheels
at all. Another interpreter asserts that the wheels are speaking
of God's kingdom; and, still another, thinks it speaks of God's power,
etc. Admittedly, many of these things could be hypothesized from the
passages. But it has become an arbitrary guessing game. Also, how
do the proposed interpretations of the so-called "Ezekiel’s
wheels" fit into the wheels of the throne described in Daniel's vision?
That is the only other direct reference to "fiery" wheels of the
throne.
I believe we must begin with things that are exclusive and
specific to these passages concerning the wheels. As we
shall see, the Scripture lays it forth and makes it known.
Also, the interpretation should be harmonious with the whole counsel of
God’s Word. In our quest to understand this mystery, let us start
with some primary observations as we examine what is
happening in the passages. Later more detail will be assessed to
see how many of the things observed in these passages (and others)
might be linked together.
"The spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels." In
Ezekiel 1 we read that the "spirit" of the living creatures was within
the very wheels. As noted in the Hebrew, the word "Ruach"
can mean wind or spirit. The wheels contained the
same spirit as the cherubim. The phrase is repeated in the text
as a point of emphasis. This appears to be communicating an active,
living phenomena. The cherubim were led by the Spirit (Ezek. 1:20,21;
10:17) It is the spirit of living creatures (their nature) that is
animating the wheels. Here the line between animate beings and
inanimate objects is blurred. The "Spirit" is associated with
life, whereas "wheels" are typically inanimate objects. This is
similar to the text in Zechariah where inanimate chariots
represented "the winds" or "Spirits of heaven" (Zech. 6:5).
As noted earlier, they move in unity and share attributes. The chariot
Ezekiel beheld was a living chariot made up of the cherubim.
"Fire from among the Wheels": The angelic servant is told in a
prophetic sense to "take fire from among the wheels" and scatter it
over Jerusalem which had turned to idolatry. The fire from wheels in
Ezekiel, chapter 10, comprised the source of what was to happen to the
city. It was the fire which formed an aspect of the great
judgments of God poured out. Historically, the city was burnt
with fire, though this certainly had implications beyond the physical
(2Kg. 25:9). The word fire in Scripture often also refers to a
judgment or spiritual purging or purifying (Ps. 21:9; 78:21; 79:5;
Isa.4:4; 30:30; Jer.6:29; Amos 7:4; Nahum 1:6). In a related way,
the cherubim and the angels take part in God's acts of judgment in
other passages (Gen. 3:24; Ps. 18:8-10; Rev. 6:1-7, 7:1). This
would also be compatible with the broader concept of
the Lord’s "chariots of fire" in Scripture, executing
temporal punishment as shown in Isaiah 66:15. In Daniel's vision (as
will be explored later), there is also the fire of judgment relating to
the fiery wheels of the throne consuming the adversaries of the Lord
(Dan. 7:9). In light of these things, it is understandable why the
prophet, upon viewing the wheels, described them as having an awesome
or fearful appearance (See Ezek. 1:18).
Worship from among the Wheels: In the third chapter, Ezekiel is again
lifted up by the Spirit of the Lord. He hears a sound---the sound
of the wings of the cherubim and the sound of the wheels. He
hears it in this expression: "May the glory of the Lord be praised in
his dwelling place" (v. 12). The sound of their wings and
the wheels were also said to be like "the sound of the voice of the
Almighty when he speaks," like a rumbling or rushing sound (v.
13). The sound from the cherubim and the wheels (similar to the
rush of a mighty wind in Acts 2) seems to bring forth praise to
God. It is not that they are described as voicing this, but
perhaps by their very nature they produce some spiritually harmonic
sound. Historically, it was understood that worship surrounded
the chariot-throne and the wheels.
Note: Dead Sea Scrolls "Divine Chariot Throne" text: "The
cherubim bless the image of the Throne-Chariot above the firmament, and
they praise the majesty of the fiery firmament beneath the seat of his
glory. And between the turning wheels, angels of holiness come
and go..."
We can see that these cherubim are associated with giving praise and
glory to God. It is part of their nature, for they are beings of
worship as other Scriptures attest (See Rev.4:8).
The "Whirling" Wheels: Another observation concerning the meaning of
the wheels (in chapter 10) is in what the wheels themselves are
called. Verse 13 states, "As for the wheels, they were called in
my hearing, the whirling wheels" (WEB). Ezekiel heard
them being called the "whirling wheels." Here the Scripture
itself (a literal reading) is telling us what they are like. The wheels
(owphan in the Hebrew) were called the whirling wheels (galgal).
In the verse, two Hebrew words for wheels are
used as follows: 1-Owphan, 2-Galgal. The latter also means
"whirlwind" or “swirling chaff" in a rapid rotation. The
adjective is very helpful as we shall later see. We also note the
meaning of the words "spirit” and "wheels" being in a
common association with the wind. The words for wheel as noted earlier
also can mean the whirlwind. In addition, the living creatures and the
throne of Glory itself came out of a stormy whirlwind (a metaphor
for judgment in other passages). There is a meteorological element in
the imagery.
Note: v. 13 - O wheel "rather, 'they were called, whirling,' that
is, they were most rapid in their revolutions ... or, better, 'It was
cried unto them, The whirling' ... galgal here used for 'wheel,' is
different from owphan, the simple word for 'wheel.' galgal is the whole
wheelwork machinery with its whirlwind-like rotation. (J.F.B.
Commentary)
As a sidenote, the first time we see cherubim referenced in
the Bible they are described as with a "flaming of a whirling
sword" (Gen. 3.24), and “turning round and round." In the
literal Hebrew (like a wheel) it is a threatening judgment.
Note: Ft.4 tn Heb. “the flame of the sword that turns
round and round.” (Net Bible
notes).
A Summary of some Important Clues:
1) The historic understanding that the vision was of
a "throne-chariot" (how it would have been understood at that
time) helps give a context of understanding. The chariot represented
royal power and the exercising of the king’s authority. Thus if
we investigate the broader concept of the "chariot and chariots of the
Lord" we can expect to find further answers.
2) There is a close connection to the wheels of the
cherubim (they form a unity). The cherubim are associated
with sheltering God's holiness and, thus, the meaning of the wheels
should relate to this. God's throne came down from heaven and the
wheels touched the earth. The wheels are at the place of contact
(holy and the unholy) as is in the nature of the cherubim.
3) We are told in the text that the sound of
the wheels (and the wings of the cherubim) were like "the voice
of the Almighty" and the sound is associated with worship,
the praise of God's awesomeness and glory.
4) The fire from wheels represented the source of
what was to happen to Jerusalem. The judgments of God came forth from
the wheels. Also, the awesome and fearful appearance of the
wheels was noted. This gives evidence that the meaning of
the wheels relates to the judgments of God
5) a. The living creatures and the throne of Glory
came out of the great massive cloud (the whirlwind.) The Lord
manifested himself in this storm theophany. The cherubim in
other passages are also identified with the storm
winds.
b. The wheels are called in the text "the whirling wheels."
The Hebrew word for wheel "galgal"
can mean the whirlwind.
c. The "spirit" of the living creatures was in the wheels. The Hebrew
word "Ruach" can mean spirit or wind, the wind often being a metaphor
for the Spirit. There is the meteorological element in this imagery.
All of these three points give evidence that the meaning of the wheels
has something to do with the Spirit of God (another clue).
Final thoughts: God revealed his throne to the prophet. We read
of angelic creatures and an awesome vision that comes out of a
whirlwind---a theophany out of the cloud, out of the fire.
In this context, at the beginning of Ezekiel, the prophet is
overwhelmed by the Lord's glory and emboldened by His spirit to
deliver a message. He declares to the people the Lord's
great judgments. Ezekiel, the priest, then sees a
manifestation of living cherubim, and the throne of glory---not an ark
carried by four priests with golden cherubim models upon it, but an
incredible glimpse into the true heavenly realities, seeing and hearing
things (barely describable) that few have ever experienced. He
witnessed the four living, heavenly throne bearers, the cherubim of
Glory with the mysterious wheels beside them. This is the culmination
and the climax of the entire vision, a revealing of God's nature and
form upon the throne, the personification of the
Lord's Glory. This is One whose radiance and person is so
incredible that even a distant approximation of Him is awesome, thus
how beyond human imagination must the true heavenly manifestation be?
We shall now examine this further in the next chapter when we open
Daniel's vision of the throne: "I saw until thrones were placed,
and one who was ancient of days sat: his clothing was white as snow,
and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames,
and its wheels burning fire" (Dan. 7:9).
Chapter 2
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