#1123 Ezekiel 1 Part 5 Faces of Lightning

 

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. 5 And from the midst of it came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: they had a human likeness, 6 but each had four faces, and each of them had four wings. 7 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. 8 Under their wings on their four sides they had human hands. And the four had their faces and their wings thus: 9 their wings touched one another. Each one of them went straight forward, without turning as they went. 10 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. 11 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. 12 And each went straight forward. Wherever the spirit would go, they went, without turning as they went. 13 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. 14 And the living creatures darted to and fro, like the appearance of a flash of lightning. Ezekiel 1: 4-14 ESV

Ezekiel 1: 10-14 Faces

As for the likeness of their faces - There are historical references from Augustine, Irenaeus and others that try to tie each face to a gospel writer, but they disagree in some instances which face goes where, and I fail to see the tie, but brilliant men none the less, minds far superior to my own. Some suggest that in John's vision the faces are the same, but he is seeing only the four, one on each, due to the way each angel is turned.

In St. John's vision, which has a near affinity with this, each of the four living creatures has one of these faces here mentioned (Rev. 4:7); here each of them has all four, to intimate that they have all the same qualifications for service; though, perhaps, among the angels of heaven, as among the angels of the churches, some excel in one gift and others in another, but all for the common service. Let us contemplate their faces till we be in some measure changed into the same image, that we may do the will of God as the angels do it in heaven. - BLB Matthew Henry

Each had a human face - The face of humanity is one of wonder, and men excel all other beasts when it comes to the mind, and the possibility of wisdom. God created man to commune with Him, and this was broken at the fall. Christ, Who is over all the angels, will enter human history, born of a virgin.

…20Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God. 21God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5: 20-21

…34“How can this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God. 36Look, even Elizabeth your relative has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is in her sixth month.… Luke 1: 34-36

5Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness.…

…8And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross. 9Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,… Philippians 2: 5-10

Of a lion on the right side - An animal with strength superior to human beings, associated with fierceness and nobility. Some commentators have suggested that these faces are representative of tribes. I see them all from Ezekiel's perspective as below the throne of Christ, Who they serve. This is possibly the face associated with battle, or war.

…8Judah, your brothers shall praise you. Your hand shall be on the necks of your enemies; your father’s sons shall bow down to you. 9Judah is a young lion— my son, you return from the prey. Like a lion he crouches and lies down; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him? 10The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes and the allegiance of the nations is his.… Genesis 49: 8-10

4And I began to weep bitterly, because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or look inside it. 5Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed to open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6Then I saw a Lamb who appeared to have been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.… Revelation 5: 4-6

…52“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Are you not aware that I can call on My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?”… Matthew 26: 52-54

The face of an ox on the left side - An ox is a domesticated service animal, sturdy and far stronger than any human. It is a beast of burden, yet noble and highly prized. Everyone wants to be considered a Diva these days and despise the thought of servanthood. 

Secondly, An ox excels man in diligence, and patience, and painstaking, and an unwearied discharge of the work he has to do; therefore the angels, who are constantly employed in the service of God and the church, put on the face of an ox. - BLB Matthew Henry

…61Still another said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first let me bid farewell to my family.” 62Then Jesus declared, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and then looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9: 61-62

…26It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave— 28just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”… Matthew 20: 26-28

The face of an eagle - An eagle sees at greater distances than men, and he can fly. He is swift and though he steals from other birds or makes a prey of them, he has a noble look. Verse 14 speaks of their "darting", angels are swift to their duty.

…22From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan did not retreat, and the sword of Saul did not return empty. 23Saul and Jonathan, beloved and delightful in life, were not divided in death. They were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions. 24O daughters of Israel, weep for Saul, who clothed you in scarlet and luxury, who decked your garments with ornaments of gold.… 2 Samuel 1: 22-24

…3Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, “This is what you are to tell the house of Jacob and explain to the sons of Israel: 4‘You have seen for yourselves what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. 5Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine.… Exodus 19: 3-5

1Put the ram’s horn to your lips! An eagle looms over the house of the LORD, because the people have transgressed My covenant and rebelled against My law. 2Israel cries out to Me, “O our God, we know You!” 3But Israel has rejected good; an enemy will pursue him.… Hosea 8: 1-3

…3The pride of your heart has deceived you, O dwellers in the clefts of the rocks whose habitation is the heights, who say in your heart, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’ 4Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, even from there I will bring you down,” declares the LORD. Obadiah 1: 3-4

…27Does the eagle soar at your command and make his nest on high? 28He dwells on a cliff and lodges there; his stronghold is on a rocky crag. 29From there he spies out food; his eyes see it from afar.… Job 39: 27-29

Touched the wing of another - Everything seems so well coordinated, as there is harmony and a common purpose, showing true unity. This is a struggle on this side of things, for the church down here. There is much quarreling and contention, much puffing up over nothing, or the opposing end of the spectrum, where there is much giving up what is sacred, no confronting of sin, and in the end another gospel.  

1What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the passions at war within you? 2You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures.… James 4: 1-3

Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. – 1 Corinthians 1:10–17

…42So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. 43But it shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all.… Mark 10: 42-44

Two covered their bodies - Though magnificent, yet humbly acknowledging their creatureliness. Maybe this speaks to their modesty as well before the eyes of a man, as Moses and the priests had to cover themselves as they performed their duties. To the pure all things are pure, but men are depraved, look at how they tried to rape the angels in Sodom and Gomorrah. 

They cover them before God, so directing us, when we approach to God, to see to it that we be so clothed with Christ's righteousness that the shame of our nakedness may not appear. - Matthew Henry

…41After you put these garments on your brother Aaron and his sons, anoint them, ordain them, and consecrate them so that they may serve Me as priests. 42Make linen undergarments to cover their bare flesh, extending from waist to thigh. 43Aaron and his sons must wear them whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting or approach the altar to minister in the Holy Place, so that they will not incur guilt and die. This is to be a permanent statute for Aaron and his descendants.… Exodus 28: 41-43

Wherever the spirit would go - They are a stark contrast to man in his fallen state, for we aim first to satisfy the flesh, but it is the Spirit Who makes us alive to faith and repentance. It is His task and great pleasure to conform us to the image of Christ. These seem to be quite in tune with the Spirit.

15But if you keep on biting and devouring one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another. 16So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want.… Galatians 5: 15-17

…22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.… Galatians 5: 22-24

The Spirit of God (says Mr. Greenhill) is the great agent that sets angels to work, and it is their honour that they are led, they are easily led, by the Spirit. See how tractable and obsequious these noble creatures are. Whithersoever the Spirit is to go they go immediately, with all possible alacrity. Note, Those that walk after the Spirit do the will of God as the angels do it. - BLB Matthew Henry

Like the appearance of torches - Isaiah described the angels he saw as "burning ones", and there is something about those that are in the presence of God's eternal glory, that they start to shine from the light of His presence. Moses had to cover his face so that the people would not see the fading glory, and yet they were also afraid at the site of the residual Shekinah that caused his face to glow.

Like the appearance of a flash of lightning - Very quick to their service, willfully obedient and swift. Those elect angels are quick to do good, and let all who claim to know God or work for God, let our honor be that Christ is glorified, for Satan honored himself and fell at such high velocities.

17The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in Your name.” 18So He told them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19Behold, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you.… Luke 10: 17-19

…8But the dragon was not strong enough, and no longer was any place found in heaven for him and his angels. 9And the great dragon was hurled down— that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. 10And I heard a loud voice in heaven saying: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ. For the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down—he who accuses them day and night before our God.… Revelation 12: 8-10

20While I was speaking, praying, confessing my sin and that of my people Israel, and presenting my petition before the LORD my God concerning His holy mountain— 21while I was still praying, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. 22He instructed me and spoke with me, saying: “O Daniel, I have come now to give you insight and understanding.… Daniel 9: 20-22

…18“How can I be sure of this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.” 19“I am Gabriel,” replied the angel. “ I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20And now you will be silent and unable to speak until the day this comes to pass, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.”… Luke 1: 18-20