“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 ([in] 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…
“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 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.” Ezekiel 1:1-5,22,26-28
The prophet priest had been exiled to Babylon years prior. Far from home, under strange authority, this man of God communed with Him like never before. The darkness of Ezekiel’s situation magnified the light of his Lord, the silence of familiarity heightened the sound of His voice, isolation from his homeland intensified the palpability of His presence. As harsh as his situation was, Ezekiel knew his God, and under His loving hand kept looking. The Almighty used his very hardship to open a way to see His majesty, and thereby proclaim a substantial hope.
We too may be in a seemingly endless strange place, be it an untenable relationship, demeaning work situation, or crippling disease, with little hope of meaningful change, much less a return to normalcy. But it is in such an exile we can watch for the Lord in a way we would not were things going well, were we comfy and safe. The Lord speaks into our longings, and appears in our darkness to remind us His throne is over all. In the fire and thunder He is gloriously present and actively reigns. Would we fall on our faces at the realization of His majesty and power?
Where are we bemoaning a circumstance, engrossed in all that’s sad and hard? Instead, how will we trace God’s hand, hear His words, and behold His glory in the midst?
Lord, in every situation, keep my eyes watching for You, and my soul humbled at Your glorious presence.
As the rain and snow 