Ezekiel 10

Passage overview

Ezekiel Chapter 10 unfolds around the scene of God’s glory departing from the Jerusalem temple. The “four living creatures” (the cherubim) that Ezekiel saw in a vision, as well as fire and forms like the chariot of God’s glory, appear repeatedly in this chapter. They show that this is a continuation of the vision from chapter 1 and symbolically reveal the continuity of God’s presence and the message of judgment.

1verseThen 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.

2verseHe 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.

3verseNow the cherubim stood on the right side of the house when the man went in; and the cloud filled the inner court.

4verseThe LORD’s glory 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 the LORD’s glory.

5verseThe sound of the wings of the cherubim was heard even to the outer court, as the voice of God Almighty when he speaks.

6verseIt 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.

7verseThe cherub stretched out his hand from between the cherubim to the fire that was between the cherubim, and took some of it, and put it into the hands of him who was clothed in linen, who took it and went out.

8verseThe form of a man’s hand appeared here in the cherubim under their wings.

9verseI looked, and behold, there were four wheels beside the cherubim, one wheel beside one cherub, and another wheel beside another cherub. The appearance of the wheels was like a beryl stone.

10verseAs for their appearance, the four of them had one likeness, like a wheel within a wheel.

11verseWhen 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.

12verseTheir whole body, including their backs, their hands, their wings, and the wheels, were full of eyes all around, even the wheels that the four of them had.

13verseAs for the wheels, they were called in my hearing, “the whirling wheels”.

14verseEvery one of them had four faces. The first face was the face of the cherub. The second face was the face of a man. The third face was the face of a lion. The fourth was the face of an eagle.

15verseThe cherubim mounted up. This is the living creature that I saw by the river Chebar.

16verseWhen the cherubim went, the wheels went beside them; and when the cherubim lifted up their wings to mount up from the earth, the wheels also didn’t turn from beside them.

17verseWhen they stood, these stood. When they mounted up, these mounted up with them; for the spirit of the living creature was in them.

18verseThe LORD’s glory went out from over the threshold of the house and stood over the cherubim.

19verseThe cherubim lifted up their wings and mounted up from the earth in my sight when they went out, with the wheels beside them. Then they stood at the door of the east gate of the LORD’s house; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above.

20verseThis is the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel by the river Chebar; and I knew that they were cherubim.

21verseEvery one had four faces, and every one four wings. The likeness of the hands of a man was under their wings.

22verseAs for the likeness of their faces, they were the faces which I saw by the river Chebar, their appearances and themselves. They each went straight forward.

Summary of the Key Content

  • Between the cherubim inside the temple, a man clothed in linen (an angel) takes the fire and scatters it throughout the sanctuary. This is the fire of judgment and it implies the imminent destruction of Jerusalem.
  • In the vision, the cherubim and the wheels, as well as the appearance of God’s glory that appears over the cherubim, are described repeatedly. Here, the cherubim symbolize beings that carry out God’s throne, representing His majesty and power.
  • Ultimately, God’s glory moves from the temple to the threshold. This is an important event showing that God’s protection and presence leave, and judgment comes upon Jerusalem.

Overall Meaning

This chapter symbolically shows that because of the sins of the people of Israel, God’s presence (glory) departs from the temple and Jerusalem is brought under judgment. This is not only the destruction of one city; it also calls attention to the importance of holiness and obedience that should be central in one’s relationship with God. In addition, the solemn yet awe-inspiring portrayal of God’s glory once again emphasizes the gap between humans and God, and God’s sovereignty and holiness.

Points for Reflection

  • What form does God’s presence take in being with me in my life today?
  • Before God’s holiness, I need to check what attitude I should have and examine my faith and life.
  • Remembering that God’s presence may leave when disobedience and sin are repeated, we are called to make an effort to stay awake and alert at all times.

Try Applying It to Yourself

  • Before God, you need to look at yourself daily with humility and make a decision to keep away from sin.
  • Let the center of your faith always be God, and let’s pray and put it into practice so that there can be concrete actions and decisions to bring God’s glory into our lives.