Ezekiel 1:1-28 - Ezekiel and the God Who Strengthens

Описание: A lesson on God: His transcendent, unchanging, unthwartable, awesome, and ever-loving nature. We receive glimpses and pictures of that through the vision we read of in the first chapter of Ezekiel. This awe-inspiring and somewhat enigmatic passage of Scripture is packed full of theological truth. Central to the passage is this: that God does discipline, but His love never fails. He does not leave nor forsake His people. God strengthens through our trials and weaknesses, and His nature assures us that though we constantly fail, His purposes cannot. Nor can His love ever be diminished for those whom He has chosen to set His love upon.

The vision Ezekiel saw signals two things for us: motion and judgement. Motion for the forth-coming, swift-moving power of God to carry out His plans, demonstrated in the immediate and obedient responses of the Cherubim to the direction of His Spirit. These beings moved in whatever direction they were commanded, with swiftness to carry out God's purposes, with no hint of turning aside. The second concept we see, judgement, is drawn out through the imagery of 'likeness' we read about. Ezekiel describes visions of something like fire, lightning, and power. In essence, summarizing some of the attributes of God; notably His transcendent power, holiness, and judgement against sin.

Yet in all that, Ezekiel was not consumed in that display, but rather he was commissioned. Ezekiel would go on to deliver this message pertaining to the imagery he saw, in order to warn of the power and wrath which was and is to come. God's judgement is swift, but for those who are covered by the blood of Christ, we have been hidden in Him. Therefore we study God's attributes not simply to become aware of the truth about God, but to receive its application to our lives by the Spirit; to be transformed in our affections, as well as moved into action. It is when we understand who God is that we begin to obey Him with all reverence, not as a judge, but as our loving heavenly Father, who gave His Son Jesus Christ to absorb the wrath on our behalf. And Christ is indeed coming again to judge. Therefore let us simply believe, and with awe give glory and praise our amazing and sovereign God. He is the maker and sustainer of all things; it is He who is swift to act, and powerful in judgement. And yet for those whom He has set His love upon, He has called them out of darkness into His marvelous light, and He will assuredly by no means cast them away.