“Let’s Use Our Imagination”

 

BIBLE READING: Ezekiel 1-4


                Just for a moment, lets imagine that you were living in Jerusalem when the first wave of the Babylonians came and destroyed the city.  You were one of the lucky ones that survived, but you were carried off into exile.  After five long years, you find yourself on the banks of the Chebar canal in Babylon and today is your birthday. Although all birthdays are special, this one was supposed to be very special, because today you turn thirty.  You see, you are a member of the tribe of Levi and today was supposed to be the day that you were to take on your duties as priest of the Most High God within his holy Temple.  You begin to imagine what things would have been like if the Babylonians had never invaded.  No doubt your family and friends would have thrown you a huge party to commemorate you and your special day.  Yet today there would be no party, you are not even sure if many of your family members are still alive.  So…you go out the banks of the river and imagine what could have and should have been a very special day.

                Although we are imagining as if this were happening to us, this was the reality of the prophet Ezekiel.   Long before he was a prophet, he was supposed to be a priest.  However,  because of the wickedness of your people, the Temple has been destroyed and the priesthood is no more.  One would think that this day would have been a depressing and sad one, yet then, events that were to soon unfold would turn an otherwise sad day into one he would never forget.  As Ezekiel looked off into the distance, he saw a great storm cloud that had flashing lights and fire coming forth from it.  In the middle of this storm cloud there appeared four living creatures that had four wheels underneath their feet.  These creatures looked human, but their feet were like that of a calf and they had wings.  These creatures each had four faces, one of lion, an ox, an eagle and a human. It appeared as though these creatures were supporting some type of platform and on that platform was a throne.  On this throne was seated a creature that is described like a human but was glowing with light and fire.  Ezekiel describes that what he sees is the “appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD” (Ezekiel 1.28).  The words that Ezekiel uses to describe it are the same words that were used to describe the glory of the LORD that would have been over the Ark of the Covenant that was within the Temple, but it isn’t in the Temple…it is here in Babylon.  Why is the glory of the LORD in Babylon?  Because God has a special message of Ezekiel to bring to his people. 
                Now I understand that this is a unique experience for Ezekiel, but is it really?  Doesn’t God have a message for all of us to take to our people, our family, our co workers and our friends?  Hasn’t God revealed Himself to us within His word revealing His entire will?  You see…we really don’t have to imagine what Ezekiel is experiencing, because we are experiencing the same thing today.  We may not see visons of strange creatures carrying the throne of our God around, but what we do have is so much more.                                            -MH

 

 

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