Bible ReadingEzekiel 1:1-2:2 “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. On the fifth day of the month (it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin), the word of the LORD came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the Chebar canal, and the hand of the LORD was upon him there. 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, as it were gleaming metal. And from the midst of it came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: they had a human likeness, but each had four faces, and each of them had four wings. 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. Under their wings on their four sides they had human hands. And the four had their faces and their wings thus: their wings touched one another. Each one of them went straight forward, without turning as they went. 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. 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. And each went straight forward. Wherever the spirit would go, they went, without turning as they went. As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, 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. And the living creatures darted to and fro, like the appearance of a flash of lightning. 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. As for the appearance of the wheels and their construction: their appearance was like the gleaming of beryl. And the four had the same likeness, their appearance and construction being as it were a wheel within a wheel. When they went, they went in any of their four directions without turning as they went. And their rims were tall and awesome, and the rims of all four were full of eyes all around. And when the living creatures went, the wheels went beside them; and when the living creatures rose from the earth, the wheels rose. 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. 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. Over the heads of the living creatures there was the likeness of an expanse, shining like awe-inspiring crystal, spread out above their heads. And under the expanse their wings were stretched out straight, one toward another. And each creature had two wings covering its body. 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. And there came a voice from above the expanse over their heads. When they stood still, they let down their wings. And above the expanse over their heads there was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like sapphire; and seated above the likeness of a throne was a likeness with a human appearance. 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. 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. And he said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.” And as he spoke to me, the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard him speaking to me. And he said to me, “Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels, who have rebelled against me. They and their fathers have transgressed against me to this very day.”
[34:13] [37:29] [38:44] [46:19]Exodus 19:16-18 “On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain. Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the LORD had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly.”
[42:18]Daniel 7:13 “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.”
[46:19]Revelation 4:2-3 “At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald.”
[46:19]Observation questions- In Ezekiel 1, what details in the vision make it feel overwhelming and powerful rather than calm or ordinary? [37:29]
- What parts of Ezekiel’s vision echo what happened at Mount Sinai in Exodus 19? [42:18]
- In Ezekiel 1:26-28, what is seen above the living creatures, and how is the one on the throne described? [46:19]
- When God speaks to Ezekiel at the start of chapter 2, what does God call him, what does God tell him to do, and how are the people described? [44:11]
Interpretation questions- If God reveals his glory to Ezekiel in Babylon rather than in Jerusalem, what does that suggest about where God can be found when familiar supports are gone? [40:48]
- The creatures and wheels move in every direction without turning. How does that imagery help explain the claim that God is over everything, even when life feels chaotic? [41:34]
- The repeated message in Ezekiel is, “then they will know I am the Lord.” What does that phrase suggest God is doing through both judgment and restoration? [56:08]
- The figure on the throne has a human appearance, and that theme connects with Daniel and Revelation. Why might that detail matter in the bigger Bible story? [46:19]
Application questions- Exile is not only about geography; it can be grief, job loss, family strain, war, or simply feeling out of place because of faith. Where does life feel most like exile right now? [48:16]
- The honest questions of exile include, “How did I get here?”, “Will this ever end?”, and “Where’s God?” Which of those questions feels closest at the moment, and why? [25:03]
- God met Ezekiel beside the river, in the place of confusion and pain. What helps a person stay open to God’s presence when the situation has not changed yet? [54:40]
- Holiness means being set apart, and sometimes that feels costly. Where is the pressure strongest right now to go along with something that does not sit right with faith? [49:25]
- God’s presence in exile does not only comfort; it also gives purpose. What small act of faithfulness might God be putting in front of someone this week, even in a hard season? [54:55]
- God’s people can carry hope into an anxious world. What would it look like in a real conversation this week to speak with quiet confidence that God is real, present, and over everything? [01:00:19]
- Ezekiel responded by falling down, listening, and then standing when the Spirit set him on his feet. In a present struggle, is the greater need to slow down and listen, or to stand up and take one faithful step? [36:46]
