CHAP. X.
The man clothed in linen takes coals of fire from between the wheels, and scatters them over the city, 1-7. A vision of the living creatures and the wheels; and the removal of the divine glory from the temple, 8-22.
WHEN a I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubims, there appeared over them as it were a sapphire-stone, d as the appearance of the likeness of a throne.
2 And he spake unto the man clothed with linen, and said, Go in between the wheels, even under the cherub, and fill *thine hand with coals of fire from between the cherubims, and scatter them over the city. And he went in in my sight.
3 Now the cherubims stood on the right side of the house, when the man
e 7. 9:2,3,11.
f8-13,16, 1:15-20.
* Heb. the hollow of thine hand .
g 1:13. Ps. 18:12,13. 140:10. Is. 6:6,7. Rev. 8:5.
h 20:47,48. 24:9-14. 2 Kings 25:9. Is. 30:30. Jer. 24:8-10.
heads: and his commands will certainly be executed, both for the salvation of his people, and the destruction of his enemies.
NOTES.
CHAP. X. V. 1, 2. The "living creatures," which were before described, ( Note , 1:5-14.) are here called "cherubim." The cherubim which covered the mercy-seat, and that were placed in the holy of holies, or were figured upon different parts of the tabernacle and temple, were evidently emblematic of the holy angels, as fellow fellow-worshippers of the God of Israel: and the same seems to be the meaning of the word in every other passage of scripture. (Notes, Gen. 3:22-24. Ex . 25:10-22. 2 Sam . 22:7-16, v . 11. 1 Kings 6:23-28. 8:7 -9.
Ps. 80:1.) From the great similarity between the living creatures in the visions of Ezekiel, and of those in that of St. John, ( Notes , Rev. 4:6-8.) commentators have generally concluded, that they must be coincident. Hence many have explained the living creatures in St. John's vision of the holy angels: but their joining in the song, "Thou hast redeemed us to God with thy blood," forms an insuperable objection. Hence others perceiving, that the ministers and churches of Christ must be meant in St.
John's vision, have interpreted Ezekiel's cherubim and wheels of the same: yet the latter is not a prophecy of what would come to pass under the Christian dispensation, but a representation of what was about to take place at Jerusalem.
No good reason can be given, why the two visions should mean precisely the same thing: angels as employed in God's providential government of the world, and faithful ministers, as employed in the affairs of the church, may well be supposed, in different degrees, endued with the same gifts and actuated by similar principles; and therefore capable of being represented by the same emblems, or hieroglyphics: for doubtless the former are, what the latter ought to be and would be. Nor should it be overlooked, that the cherubim had "every one four faces apiece;" (21) while St.
John's living creatures had the same faces divided among them. The wheels
В. С. 593.
went in; and the cloud filled the inner court.
4 Then the glory of the LORD went 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.
5 And the sound of the cherubims' wings was heard even to the outer court, as the voice of the Almighty God when he speaketh.
6 And it came to pass, that when he had commanded the man clothed with linen, saying, Take fire from between the wheels from between the cherubims; then he went in, and stood beside the wheels.
7 And one cherub #stretched forth his hand from between the cherubims, unto
Heb. sent forth.
n 46:21. 1 Kings 7:9. 2 Chr. 4:9. q 6. 1:13.
in Ezekiel are totally different from the twenty four elders in St. John, and admit of, nay require, a different explication. ( Marg .
Ref . ad.- Note , 1:15-25.)-As therefore the whole of these visions and the context direct our thoughts to the dealings of God with the Jewish nation, especially in the destruction of the city and temple by the Chaldeans, and afterwards by the Romans; as the cherubim in the scripture, generally at least, denote angels; and as wheels are a far apter emblem of the course of providence, than of any thing in the constitution of the Christian church; insomuch that the heathen painted fortune , (which we consider as the secret appointment of God,) with a wheel, the emblem of the same vicissitudes of hunan affairs, the interpretation already given seems far more consistent with the scope of the passage, and more satisfactory than that referred to.
The prophet saw above the cherubim, as he had done before, ( Notes , 1:26-28.8:2-4. 9:3,4.) "the appearance of the likeness of a throne," and doubtless "as the appearance of the likeness of a man" upon it; and "he spake unto the man clothed with linen," who had been employed in marking the servants of God in the forehead; and ordered him to go in between the wheels, under the cherub, (for one was connected with each of the wheels,) and thence to take burning coals, and scatter them over the city. ( Marg . and Marg .
Ref.e -h. -Notes , 9:1,2,8—11, v. 11.) Thus the burning of Jerusalem, as well as the slaughter of its inhabitants, was emblematically predicted.We suppose him, who sat upon the throne, to have been the eternal Son of God, the second person in the sacred Trinity; and the vision to represent his glory as "the King of Israel," appearing from above the mercy-seat: the fire therefore from between the wheels, under the cherubim, seems to have signified the wrath of God to be executed by the Chaldeans upon Jerusalem, for their contempt of his mercy, their abuse of his favors, their profanation of bis ordinances and temple, the wickedness of the priests, and their murder of the prophets. ( Note , Rev. 8:1-6, v . 5.)
the fire that was between the cherubims, || about, even the wheels that they four had.
and took thereof , and put it into the hands of him that was clothed with linen; who took it , and went out.
8 And there appeared in the cherubims * the form of a man's hand under their wings.
9 And when I looked, behold, the four wheels by the cherubims, one wheel by one cherub, and another wheel by another cherub: and the appearance of the wheels was "as the color of a beryl
stone.
10 And as for their appearances, they four had one likeness, as if a wheel had been in the midst of a wheel.
11 When they went, they went upon their four sides; they turned not as they went, but to the place whither the head looked, they followed it; they turned not as they went.
12 And their whole * body, and their backs, and their hands, and their wings, and the wheels, a were full of eyes round
г 41:23-28. Matt. 13:41,42,49, Rom. 11:33.
50. 24:34,35.
21. 1:8. Is. 6:6.
11:15-17.
u Dan. 10.6. Rev. 21:20.
1:16. Ps. 36:6, 97:2. 104:24.
y 22. 1:17.
z 1:20. Matt. 8:8-10. * Heb. flesh.
a 1:18. Rev. 4:6,8.
V.3-7. The cherubim stood on the right side of the temple, which is generally supposed to mean the north side: this might point out the quarter, from whence destruction would come. The inner court also was filled with the cloud. The Lord had taken possession of his temple by this appearance; ( Notes , Ex . 40:34-38. Lev . 16:2. 1 Kings 8:10-14. 2 Chr . 5:12,13.) and he thus intimated that he was now about to withdraw from it.
At the same time the visible glory removed to the threshold of the house; ( Notes , 18,19. 9:3,4.) and then the court was "filled with brightness," perhaps iluminating the cloud. Some think that it was the outer court which was filled with brightness, whilst the inner was filled with the dark cloud; denoting, that the Lord would leave the Jews in darkness, and send his light unto the Gentiles.
At the same time the sound of the cherubim's wings was heard without, "as the voice of the almighty God when he speaketh:" i. e. like the sound of most tremendous thunder, or like the voice heard from mount Sinai when the law was given: ( Marg . Ref . v.- Note , 1:1525, v . 24.) which might intimate their triumphant admiration of the glorious justice and holiness of God in these awful dispensations; or the report that would be made of them to distant nations.
Accordingly when the man clothed in linen proceeded to execute his commission, one of the cherubim handed to him the fire, and he took it and went out, prepared to scatter it over the city; and this may denote, that the holy angels concur with each other in executing the divine mandates, whether of mercy or of judgment. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . k-n. p-r.)
13 As for the wheels, it was cried unto them in my hearing, O wheel.
14 And bevery one had four faces; the first face was the face of a cherub, and the second face was the face of a man, and the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.
15 And the cherubims were lifted up. This is the living creature that I saw by the river of Chebar.
16 And when the cherubims went, the wheels went by them; and when the cherubims lifted up their wings to mount up from the earth, the same wheels also turned not from beside them.
17 When they stood, these stood; and when they were lifted up, these lifted up themselves also ; for the Spirit of the living creature was in them.
18 Then the glory of the LORD departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims.
for, they were called in my Or, of life. Gen. 2:7. Rom. 8:
hearing, Wheel, or, Galgal.
b 21. 1:6-10. 1 Kings 7:29,36. Rev. 4:7.
с 18,19. 8:6. 11:22. Hos. 9:12. d 20. 1:5,13,14. 43:3. e 1:19-21.
f 1:12.
g 4. 7:20-22. Ps. 78:60,61. Jer. 6:8. 7:12-14. Hos. 9:12. Matt. 23:37-39.
h 3,4. 2 Kings 2:11. Ps. 18:10. 68:17,18.
by which they were actuated, they "stedfastly set their faces to go" to one particular place, whither they moved with undeviating constancy, by a direct course. ( Marg . Ref .)
V. 12. This circumstance, as it related to the living creatures, was not before mentioned: by the living creatures, as well as the wheels, (1:18.) being full of eyes in every part, their constant watchfulness, and their penetration, sagacity, and circumspection circumspection may be denoted. ( Note , Rev. 4:6-8.) 'The wheels ... were full of eyes round about; to shew, that, however 'the course and event of things seem so unstable and uncertain, as if all ran upon wheels; 'there does also appear a certain intricacy and 'perplexity in the proceedings thereof: yet that 'the infinite and most wise providence of God 'hath foreseen and fore-ordained all things to 'his own holy purposes.' Bp . Hall .
and
V. 13. O Wheel .] ( Marg .) Or, "Move round." '... They are put in mind of continually attend'ing upon their duty: for the wheels and living 'creatures were animated with the same prin'ciple of understanding and motion. (1:19-21.)' Lowth . If our translation be retained; the call to the four wheels as one, may denote the unity of design and operation, which form the innumerable dispensations of Providence, into one grand and consistent plan.
V. 14. Some have concluded from this verse, that the same faces were also marked upon the wheels; but it seems rather to be meant of the living creatures. - "The face of a cherub," being here substituted for that of an ox, in the former vision; (1:10.) it is generally thought that the cherubim in the temple were delineated with the countenances of oxen: yet the oxen and the cherubim are separately mentioned in one place. (1 Kings 7:29.) If, howev er, this was the case, the hieroglyphical meanV. 15-17. Marg . and Marg. Ref.-Notes 18-22. 1:1-3,15-25, υυ . 19-21
V. 8. 21. Notes , 1:5-14, v . 8. Is . 6:6,7. V. 9-11. Note , 1:15-25, vv . 15-21.- Head , &c. (11) That is, the Spirit, which directed their motions, or "the appearance of the likeness of a Man upon the throne," who presiding alone should be attended to. ( Marg . Ref .)
ed over them. ( Note , 1:26-28.) -Or this may mean, that under the direction of the Spirit,
19 And the cherubims lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight: when they went out, the wheels also were beside them, and every one 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.
20 This is m the living creature that I
saw under the God of Israel by the river gate five and twenty men; among whom I
of Chebar; " and I knew that they were the cherubims.
21 Every one had four faces apiece, and every one four wings; Pand the likeness of the hands of a man was under their wings.
22 Aud the likeness of their faces was the same faces which I saw by the river of Chebar, their appearances and themselves: they went every one straight forward.
V. 18. 19. The glory of the LORD, departing from the threshold of the temple, removed to a greater distance, and rested above the cherubim: and they lifted up their wings, mounted with the wheels from the earth, and abode over the east gate of the temple, as about entirely to remove from it. ( Marg . Ref . -Notes, 11:22-25, ν. 23. 43:2-5.)
V. 20-22. M
Marg . Ref . Notes Ref . Notes , 14.1:5-14. --I knew, &c. (20) The prophet now perceived that these living creatures had the same likeness in many respects, as he had seen of the cherubim at the temple, upon the walls, and doors of it: ( Notes , 1 Kings 6:31-35.7:23-39, v. 36.) for he could not have seen the cherubim in the most holy place, into which none but the high priest might enter.
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.
saw d Jaazaniah the son of Azur, and Pelatiah the son of Benaiah, princes of the people.
2 Then said he unto me, Son of man, these are the men that devise mischief, and give wicked counsel in this city;
3 Which say, * It is & not near; let us build houses: this city is the caldron, and
we be the flesh.
4 Therefore prophesy against them, prophesy, O son of man.
a 24. 3:12,14. 8:3. 37:1. 40:1, 2. 41:1. 1 Kings 18:12. 2 Kings 2:16. Acts 8:39. 2 Cor. 12:1-4. Rev. 1:10.
b 10:19. 43:4.
c 8:16.
d 2 Kings 25:23.
e 13.
f Esth. 8:3. Ps. 2:1,2. 36:4. 52:
2. Is. 30:1. 59:4. Jer. 5:5. 18:18. Mic. 2:1,2.
* Or, It is not for us to build houses near.
g 7:7. 12:22,27. Is. 5:19. Jer. 1:11,12. Am. 6:5. 2 Pet. 3:4. h 7-11. 24:3-14. Jer. 1:13. i 8:2, &c. 17, &c. 20:46, 47. 21:2. 25:2. 12. 58:1. Hos. 6:5. 8:1.
fear? All judgment is administered by him "who loved them and gave himself for them, to redeem them to God with his blood;" he is "Head over all things to his church," and all the angels are his ministering servants for their benefit.
Let us then "give diligence to make our calling and election sure;" and, an in our several stations, as ministers, or private or Christians, let us copy the example example of the holy angels, and walk circumspectly and intelligently; obey with promptitude and alacrity; and give up ourselves to be "led by the Spirit" of God, and disposed of in his providence, as he sees good.
He will assuredly order every thing in perfect wisdom, truth, and love: we need fear nothing but hypocrisy, coming short of his grace, grieving the Holy Spirit, or dishonoring the gospel.-As the departure of God from churches or nations must prove their ruin; so his departure, for a time and in part, from a believer who has offended him, must occasion great distress and anguish, and sometimes cause him to say, "The pains of hell have got hold of me." What then will be the case of those, to whom the righteous Judge shall at last say, "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels?" Let this consideration warn sinners "to seek the Lord, while he may be found, and to call on him, while he is near;" and also excite us all to walk watchfully and humbly with our God.