(ot3) Exegetical Template Ezekiel 1

Ezekiel 1 The theme of this chapter is the awesome presence of God (albeit in human likeness) on his chariot-throne in the land of the exile.

Context This is given explicitly in the superscription of vv. 1-3. The vision is received in the 5th year of the exile of Jehoiachin (2 Kgs 24:8-12). This places it between the deportation of Jehoiachin in 597 BC (presumably when Ezekiel himself was taken to Babylon) and the fall of Jerusalem in 587 BC.

Background Certain questions loomed large for Israelites in this period, including the following: Where is the true Israel? In Palestine, or in Babylon? Were the exiles rejected by God? See 11:14-15. The vision indicates It indicates that the exiles in Babylon have not been forgotten by Yahweh. Yahweh’s presence is not localised in the Jerusalem temple. The vision recalls the old days when Yahweh’s throne (the ark) was carried about from place to place, symbolising his presence among his people in their travels (see Num 10:33-36). Echoes of the Mosaic period also feature in the closing vision of the book (chs. 40–48). At this point, however, it is not clear what Yahweh’s presence among the exiles means. Has he come to save or judge? This question is resolved positively in 11:14-21.

Who are the true prophets? There was prophetic conflict in Palestine (Jer 28; 23:9-22), d in Babylon (Jer 29:1-9). Who were the exiles to believe? It indicates that Ezekiel is a true prophet, for he has stood in Yahweh’s presence and heard his word (cf. Jer 23:18, 22). The throne and the living beings indicate that Ezekiel has been admitted to the heavenly court (cf. Isa 6).

What would be the fate of Jerusalem? Would Yahweh defend it as he had in the past, or abandon it to its enemies? The vision has ominous overtones concerning the fate of Jerusalem. If Yahweh has come to the exiles, has he perhaps abandoned Jerusalem? This is not a necessary inference from this opening vision, but the subsequent vision in chapters 8–11 confirms that this is indeed the case: Yahweh has withdrawn his presence from Jerusalem and its temple, thereby sealing its fate.

Was Yahweh still supreme LORD? The exiles’ confidence in Yahweh’s supremacy had taken a battering because of recent events and the circumstances in which they found themselves. Finally, the vision indicates that Yahweh is still supreme—enthroned above his creation (represented by the four living creatures). Compare again the vision of Isaiah 6. Further, the presence of cloud and fire (v. 4) is another link with the revelation at Sinai, indicating that Yahweh is still the same God, mighty to save.

Priestly Character of Ezekiel a. The 30th year (v.1) We are told in v. 3 that Ezekiel was a priest and in v. 1 that his vision was received in ‘the thirtieth year’—which seems to correspond to the 5th year of the exile of Jehoiachin in v. 2. 81 Levites entered into the full duties of their office in their 30th year according to Numbers 4:3 and 1 Chronicles 23:3, and presumably priests did so also, although we have no clear statement about this. It seems probable therefore that by the 30th year we are meant to understand the 30th year of Ezekiel’s life, the year in which he would have been ordained a priest if he were still in Jerusalem (Allen 1994:21). In this very year he is called to the prophetic office, but his priestly

background and interests continue to exert a profound influence on his ministry. b. Ark and temple symbolism. The vision of this chapter seems to draw on the symbolism of the ark and the cherubim (see Exod 25:10-22; Ps 80:1). Further, in the book as a whole Ezekiel shows a profound interest in the temple and in matters of defilement and cleansing.

Structure Clearly there are three main sections to the chapter: 1-3  the superscription 4 -28  the inaugural vision vv. 4-14  concerns the living creatures; vv. 15-21  concerns the heavenly chariot with its wheels; vv. 22-25  concerns the platform which forms the top of the chariot and separates what is above from what is below; and vv. 26-28a  concerns the figure who sits enthroned above the platform 28  the prophet’s response to the vision Things to note: Notice the transitional sentences in the NRSV: As I looked, a stormy wind (v.4) … As I looked I saw...a wheel (v.15) … Over the heads ... there was something like a dome (v.22)…And above the dome... there was something like a throne (v.26). So the eye is slowly drawn upwards and in the process the language becomes more and more vague, climaxing in the description of the enthroned figure in vv. 26-28. Notice how the vision is bracketed by the references to ‘glowing metal’ in vv. 4 and 27. The radiance which Ezekiel sees at the beginning he finally sees as emanating from the enthroned figure.

Ezek. 1:1

In the thirtieth year, in the fourth

month, on the fifth day of the month, as I was among the exiles by

the Chebar canal,

the

heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. 2 On the fifth day of the month (it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin), 3 the word of the LORD came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by Chebar canal, and

the

the hand of the LORD was

upon him there.

Ezek. 1:4

As I looked, behold, a stormy wind

came out of the north, and a great cloud, with brightness around it, and fire flashing forth continually, and in the midst of the fire, were gleaming metal.

as it

5 And from the midst of

it came the likeness of

four living creatures.

And this was their appearance: they had a

human likeness, 6 but each had four faces, and each of them had four wings. 7 Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the sole of a calf’s foot. And they sparkled

like

burnished bronze. 8 Under their wings on their four sides they had human hands. And the four had their faces and their wings thus:

9 their

wings touched one another. Each one of them went straight forward, without turning as they went. 10 As for the likeness of their faces, each had a human face. The four had the face of a lion on the right side, the four had the face of an ox on the left side, and the four had the face of an eagle.

11 Such were their faces. And their

wings were spread out above. Each creature had two wings, each of which touched the wing of another, while

two covered their bodies.

12

And each went straight forward. Wherever the spirit would go, they went, without turning as they went. 13 As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was coals of fire,

like burning

like the appearance of torches

moving to and fro among the living creatures. And the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning.

14 And the living creatures

darted to and fro, like the appearance of a flash of lightning. Ezek. 1:15

Now as I looked at the living

creatures, I saw a wheel on the earth beside the living creatures, one for each of the four of them.

16 As for the appearance of the wheels

and their construction: their appearance was like the gleaming of beryl. same

likeness,

And the four had the

their

appearance

and

construction being as it were a wheel within a wheel. 17 When they went, they went in any of their four directions

without turning as they

went. 18 And their rims were tall and awesome, and the rims of all four were full of eyes all around. 19 And when the living creatures went, the wheels went beside them;

and when the

living creatures rose from the earth, the wheels rose. 20 Wherever the spirit wanted to go, they

went, and the wheels rose along with them, for the spirit of the living creatures

was in the

wheels. 21 When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those rose from the earth, the wheels rose along with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. Ezek. 1:22

Over the heads of the living

creatures there was the likeness of an expanse, shining like awe-inspiring

crystal, spread out

above their heads. 23 And under the expanse their wings were toward another.

stretched out straight, one And each creature had two

wings covering its body.

24 And when they

went, I heard the sound of their wings like the sound of many waters, like

the sound of the

Almighty, a sound of tumult like the sound of an army. When they stood still, they let down their wings. 25 And there came a voice from above the expanse over their heads. When they stood still, they let down their wings. Ezek. 1:26

And above the expanse over their

heads there was appearance

the likeness of a throne,

like sapphire;

in

and seated above

the likeness of a throne was a likeness with a human appearance. 27 And upward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were gleaming metal, like the appearance of fire enclosed all around. And downward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were the

appearance

of

fire,

and

there

was

brightness around him.

28 Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking.

Contribution to the Theology of the Book As Block correctly observes (pp.106-109), the theological significance of this vision, unmatched by any theophany elsewhere in the OT, is truly profound; it underlines the following: o The transcendent glory of God (cf. the description highlights his resplendence) o The transcendent holiness of God (cf. God sits alone on the throne platform, and the cherubim cover their bodies cf. Isa 6) o The absolute sovereignty of God (God alone is king, seated on his stately and allseeing throne) o The marvellous condescension of God (his willingness to assume human-likeness and communicate with his people in ways they can readily understand) o The reassuring presence of God (contrary to the opinion back in Jerusalem, God was with his people in Babylon) o The impending judgement of God (several features of the vision have an ominous ring, not least the direction from which it initially came; cf. the way some of the features are filled out subsequently, esp. ch.10)