Summary of Ezekiel 1:22-2:2
Ezekiel continues his vision, seeing a vault spread out over the living creatures. He describes their wings, which sounded like the voice of the Almighty. He describes God on his throne above the living creatures. He was radiant and appeared like glowing metal and fire. He fell facedown upon seeing the glory of God.
God told him to stand so that He could speak to him.
BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 1, Day 4: Ezekiel 1:22-2:2
9) Ezekiel continues his vision, seeing a vault spread out over the living creatures. He describes their wings, which sounded like the voice of the Almighty. He describes God on his throne above the living creatures. He was radiant and appeared like glowing metal and fire.
10) He fell facedown upon seeing the glory of God. He was overwhelmed by God’s holiness and glory and felt unworthy to be in God’s presence. He is completely surrendering to God.
11a) He said to me, “Son of man, stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.”
b) The Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me.
c) Psalm 24:4 says that the one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god can stand before God. Philippians 3:9 says that those who have faith in Christ’s cleansing blood (who have been made righteous) can stand before God. Jesus cleanses us and allows us to be with God!
d) Truthfully, how have I not? God is responsible for everything in my life. He is always working to bring me to His path.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 1, Day 4: Ezekiel 1:22-2:2
It just reminds me of Mercy Me’s classic song, I Can Only Imagine. I can’t wait for this moment!
End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 1, Day 4: Ezekiel 1:22-2:2
Ezekiel first describes God’s voice and then God’s likeness. It was held by the Jewish people that God could not ever be fully expressed, or it was blasphemy. God defies human description.
We’ve seen four colors in Ezekiel 1:
- Beryl or emerald green (Ezekiel 1:16)
- Clear crystal (Ezekiel 1:22)
- Sapphire blue (Ezekiel 1:26)
- Golden-brown amber (Ezekiel 1:27)
We see God’s power and radiance (red and yellow), His promise to all of humanity (rainbow), and God everywhere
God exists outside of the temple, seen clearly here, and super important in that time period to be made known.
Ezekiel humbly surrenders when he falls on his face.
Fun Fact: God calls Ezekiel “son of man” 93 times. This is the first time.
Jesus refers to himself as “Son of Man” 80 times in the Gospels. This refers to Jesus being the Messiah. Here, when Ezekiel is addressed as “son of man,” it’s literal.
It is good to stand to receive the Word of the Lord.
The Spirit entering Ezekiel was the Holy Spirit here. Since this was before the gift of the Holy Spirit to all of humanity, this was a unique situation and entrance for Ezekiel when the Spirit entered with God’s words.
We see the Spirit lifting Ezekiel a lot in his book (Ezekiel 2:2, 3:14; 8:3; 11:1, 24; 37:1; 43:5).
Notice that God gives Ezekiel the power to stand to do His work. So God gives us the strength to do His calling upon our lives.
END NOTES SUMMARIZED
Ezekiel 1:22-2:2 describes the climax of the prophet’s inaugural vision, revealing God’s glorious presence and commissioning Ezekiel for his mission.
The interpretation of the key elements is as follows:
- The Throne and the Divine Figure: Above the living creatures is a crystal platform, upon which rests a throne. On the throne is a figure with a human-like appearance, but composed of fire and brilliant light. This reveals God’s transcendent glory and ultimate authority as King, portraying Him in a form that is both relatable (human shape) and utterly divine (made of light and fire).
- The Rainbow: The radiant glory surrounding the figure is compared to a rainbow. This is a powerful symbol of mercy and covenant faithfulness, recalling God’s promise to Noah. It tempers the vision’s terrifying power with an assurance of God’s enduring promise, even as He is about to pronounce judgment.
- Ezekiel’s Response and Commission: Overwhelmed by the vision, Ezekiel falls on his face in humility. He is powerless until God’s Spirit enters him, raises him to his feet, and enables him to hear his divine call. This reveals that a prophet’s authority comes not from his own strength, but from being directly called and empowered by God.
In essence, this passage portrays a God of absolute and transcendent authority whose power is nevertheless bound by covenant mercy. It establishes that the prophetic word Ezekiel is about to speak originates from this awe-inspiring divine presence.
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