Overview

Ezekiel 1 opens the book of Ezekiel with one of the most striking visions in all of Scripture. The prophet Ezekiel, who was among the exiles by the Kebar River in Babylon, receives a divine vision that reveals the glory and majesty of God. The chapter begins with Ezekiel explaining that this vision came in the thirtieth year, during the fifth year of King Jehoiachin’s exile. Suddenly, Ezekiel sees the heavens opened, and he witnesses a storm-like appearance, with wind, fire, and brilliant light coming from the north.

At the center of this vision are four living creatures, each with four faces – a human face, a lion face, an ox face, and an eagle face – and each having wings. These creatures move in perfect unity, guided by the Spirit of God. Accompanying them are wheels that are covered with eyes, showing that God’s presence and knowledge extend everywhere. Above the creatures, Ezekiel sees an expanse, and high above it is a throne, upon which sits one who has the appearance of a man – a clear glimpse of God’s glory.

This vision highlights God’s complete authority over all creation. It reveals God as transcendent, yet also present with His people, even in their exile. Ezekiel’s encounter shows that God’s power is not limited to the temple in Jerusalem. God’s glory reaches into every corner of the earth, including Babylon, where His people are suffering. This first chapter establishes a foundational truth: God reigns supreme, His glory fills heaven and earth, and He is actively involved in the affairs of nations and individuals.

Theologically, this chapter underscores the authority and inerrancy of Scripture, as Ezekiel records a vision directly from God, not human imagination. It reminds us that God’s word is trustworthy, supernatural, and true. The vision also reinforces the reality that God is not a distant deity but a holy and glorious King who reveals Himself to His people. In a time when Israel’s hope seemed crushed, God’s glory breaks through the clouds to remind them that He is still on the throne.

Historical and Literary Context

Ezekiel 1 takes place in a critical time in Israel’s history. Ezekiel was a priest who had been taken into exile in Babylon, along with King Jehoiachin and other leaders, during the second deportation of Jerusalem in 597 BC. This was a traumatic period for God’s people. They had been removed from the Promised Land, separated from the temple, and living under foreign rule in a land filled with pagan worship and oppression. For many Israelites, this exile raised difficult questions about God’s faithfulness and presence. Was God still with them? Had His promises to Israel failed?

It is in this bleak context that God chooses to reveal Himself to Ezekiel. Rather than speaking from the temple in Jerusalem, God’s glory appears to Ezekiel by the Kebar River, a canal in Babylon. This reinforces the biblical truth that God is not confined to a building, a nation, or a specific place. His presence extends everywhere, even to the places where His people suffer.

Literarily, Ezekiel 1 fits into the broader prophetic tradition but does so with unique imagery and symbolic visions that are highly apocalyptic in nature. While some modern interpreters are tempted to see this vision as purely symbolic or allegorical, a literal reading affirms that Ezekiel saw exactly what he described – a real vision of God’s actual glory. God gave this vision to reveal His holiness, sovereignty, and presence to His people in exile.

This chapter also introduces Ezekiel’s prophetic calling. Like other prophets, Ezekiel’s ministry is initiated with a direct encounter with the glory of God, much like Isaiah’s vision in Isaiah 6. Yet Ezekiel’s vision is even more complex, filled with divine imagery that emphasizes God’s majesty, His omnipresence, and His power over all creation.

Key Themes and Doctrinal Points

Ezekiel 1 emphasizes several key theological themes that resonate deeply throughout Scripture. First and foremost is the theme of God’s sovereignty. The entire vision displays God as the supreme ruler over heaven and earth. The creatures, the wheels, the storm, and the throne all highlight God’s authority over creation, human history, and even foreign nations like Babylon. God is not absent during Israel’s exile – He is the very King of kings who reigns from His heavenly throne.

The chapter also reveals the doctrine of creation. The living creatures, each representing different aspects of God’s creation (humanity, wild animals, domestic animals, and birds), show that all creation exists to serve and glorify God. Nothing moves apart from His Spirit. This reinforces the foundational truth that God is the Creator and Sustainer of all things.

Another important theme is the image of God. Though the vision is filled with heavenly creatures and wheels, at the highest point of the vision – on the throne itself – is someone who appears like a man. This points to the significance of humanity being created in God’s image. It also foreshadows the ultimate revelation of God in human form, in the person of Jesus Christ.

The holiness and glory of God shine throughout this chapter. The fire, the brilliance, and the sheer majesty of the vision declare that God is holy, set apart, and worthy of worship. Ezekiel is confronted with the reality that God’s glory is beyond human comprehension, yet God chooses to reveal Himself to humanity in ways we can grasp.

This chapter also reinforces the doctrine of revelation. God speaks. God reveals Himself. He does not leave His people in the dark, even in exile. Through visions, prophets, and ultimately through His written word, God reveals truth that is inspired, inerrant, and authoritative for all generations. Ezekiel 1 reminds us that God’s word, though delivered through human prophets, comes directly from the mouth of God Himself.

Finally, this chapter points to the presence of God. Even when His people are far from home, God is near. His glory does not abandon His covenant people. This is a vital reminder that God’s presence is not dependent on a temple, a nation, or human circumstances. He is with His people wherever they are, guiding them, sustaining them, and calling them back to Himself.

Verse-by-Verse Analysis

Ezekiel 1:1

“In my thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day, while I was among the exiles by the Kebar River, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God.”

Ezekiel opens his book by dating the vision precisely. This level of historical accuracy reflects the biblical commitment to literal history, not myth or legend. Ezekiel was thirty years old, which is significant because it was the age when a priest would normally begin his ministry (Numbers 4:3). But instead of ministering in the temple, Ezekiel is in exile by the Kebar River, far from Jerusalem.

Despite the tragedy of exile, God reveals Himself. This shows that God’s presence is not limited to the temple in Jerusalem – God can speak to His people even in foreign lands. This verse echoes themes found in places like Psalm 139:7-10, which declare that no matter where God’s people go, His presence is there.

• Application: Even when circumstances seem hopeless, God can break into our lives with His presence and word. No place is too far, and no situation is too dark for God to reveal Himself.

Ezekiel 1:4

“I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north – an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal.”

The north is significant because, in Ezekiel’s context, Babylon lay to the north. This storm from the north is not just weather; it represents the powerful presence of God approaching, similar to God’s appearance in storms in Exodus 19:16-18 at Mount Sinai.

The fire and brilliant light point to God’s holiness and glory. Fire in Scripture often represents both God’s purifying holiness and His judgment (Hebrews 12:29). This is no gentle vision – this is the appearance of a holy God who comes to purify, judge, and reveal Himself.

• Application: When we encounter God, we meet Him as He is – not a tame or manageable being, but the holy and glorious King. This calls for reverence, repentance, and worship.

Ezekiel 1:5-10

“And in the fire was what looked like four living creatures. In appearance their form was human, but each of them had four faces and four wings… Each one had the face of a human being, and on the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox; each also had the face of an eagle.”

These creatures are heavenly beings, probably cherubim, which Ezekiel will later name in chapter 10. Their human form highlights intelligence, the lion symbolizes strength and majesty, the ox represents service and endurance, and the eagle stands for swiftness and vision. Together, they reflect God’s sovereign rule over all creation – humanity, wild animals, domestic animals, and birds.

Their wings show their readiness to serve God instantly, and their unity shows perfect obedience to God’s will. This recalls similar imagery in Revelation 4:6-8, demonstrating that God’s throne is surrounded by worshiping, serving beings who carry out His commands across creation.

• Doctrinal Insight: This passage affirms God’s sovereignty over all creation. All creatures exist to serve God’s purposes. Creation itself declares His glory (Psalm 19:1).
• Application: Every aspect of creation, from powerful beasts to intelligent humanity, is subject to God. Our lives find meaning and purpose only when submitted to His will.

Ezekiel 1:15-21

“As I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel beside each creature with its four faces… Their rims were high and awesome, and all four rims were full of eyes all around… Wherever the spirit would go, they would go…”

The wheels, moving in every direction without turning, show God’s omnipresence – He is not confined to one place. The eyes covering the wheels emphasize God’s omniscience – He sees all, everywhere. These wheels accompany the living creatures, meaning God’s rule is not static but actively engaged across creation.

This reflects similar truths found in 2 Chronicles 16:9, where the eyes of the Lord search the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.

• Doctrinal Insight: God is present and all-seeing, ruling actively over all creation. This contradicts any idea that God is a distant observer. He is personally involved in the affairs of nations and individuals.
• Application: God sees every situation we face. Our obedience and faithfulness matter because nothing escapes His attention.

Ezekiel 1:22-25

“Spread out above the heads of the living creatures was what looked something like a vault, sparkling like crystal, and awesome.”

The vault or expanse reminds us of Genesis 1:6-8, where God separated the waters above from the waters below. This structure emphasizes the separation between heaven and earth, pointing to God’s transcendence. Though God is present, He is also exalted far above creation.

When the creatures move, the sound of their wings is like the roar of rushing waters – a reminder of God’s voice in Psalm 29:3-4. This shows that God’s presence is not quiet or hidden; it is powerful, commanding attention and awe.

• Doctrinal Insight: God is transcendent and holy. Though near, He remains above creation, not part of it. This guards against any pantheistic view that blurs the line between Creator and creation.
• Application: We must approach God with reverence. Worship is not casual – it is a response to the overwhelming majesty of the Creator.

Ezekiel 1:26-28

“Above the vault over their heads was what looked like a throne of lapis lazuli, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man… This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell facedown.”

At the climax of the vision, Ezekiel sees the throne and, on it, a figure like a man. This is the clearest indication that the glory Ezekiel sees is a revelation of God Himself. The human-like appearance points ahead to the ultimate revelation of God in Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:15).

The brilliant light surrounding the throne recalls the rainbow after the flood in Genesis 9:13-17 – a sign of God’s covenant faithfulness. Even in judgment, God remembers mercy.

Ezekiel’s response – falling facedown – is the only proper response to God’s glory. This echoes Isaiah’s reaction in Isaiah 6:5 and John’s in Revelation 1:17.

• Doctrinal Insight: This vision reveals God’s glory, holiness, and covenant faithfulness. It also foreshadows the incarnation – God will ultimately reveal Himself fully through the person of Jesus Christ.
• Application: True worship begins with a vision of God’s glory and ends with humble submission. Seeing God rightly humbles human pride and calls us to reverent obedience.

Theological Implications and Connection to Jesus Christ

Ezekiel 1 reveals profound theological implications that directly connect to the person and work of Jesus Christ. The vision of the divine throne, with a figure appearing like a man seated above all creation, points forward to the ultimate revelation of God in the incarnate Christ. In the New Testament, Jesus is declared to be the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15), the One who makes the glory of God known to humanity (John 1:14). What Ezekiel saw in a visionary form, the disciples saw in the flesh when they walked with Jesus. This chapter shows that God’s plan has always been to reveal Himself to humanity in a personal and approachable way, culminating in Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man.

Furthermore, the appearance of glory, majesty, and brilliant light surrounding the throne mirrors the description of Christ’s glory in Revelation 1, where John sees the risen Lord shining brighter than the sun, with His face radiating divine power and purity. The rainbow that surrounds God’s throne in Ezekiel 1:28 recalls the covenant faithfulness of God, which finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus, who establishes the New Covenant in His blood. Jesus is the embodiment of God’s faithfulness to redeem His people, even when they are scattered and in exile because of sin.

Ezekiel’s vision also reflects the broader redemptive story that centers on Christ. The living creatures, with their faces representing all of creation, remind us that Jesus is not only the Savior of individual souls but the Redeemer of all creation (Romans 8:19-21). The One seated on the throne holds all of creation together (Colossians 1:17), and His coming into the world brings reconciliation not only for sinners but for the whole created order. This vision, though given in a time of judgment, ultimately points forward to the return of Christ, when heaven will once again open, and the King of Kings will descend to judge the nations and establish His eternal kingdom (Revelation 19:11-16).

Connection to the Father

Ezekiel 1 displays the glory of God the Father reigning from His throne over all creation. The throne itself, high and exalted above the creatures and the wheels, testifies to the Father’s supreme authority, sovereignty, and transcendent holiness. Throughout Scripture, the Father is revealed as the One who sits enthroned in heaven, ruling the nations (Psalm 47:8). This chapter affirms that God the Father’s power extends to every corner of the earth, including the exile of His people in Babylon. Even in judgment, He remains the covenant-keeping Father who governs with perfect justice and mercy.

The Father’s presence in Ezekiel 1 also speaks to His role as Creator and Sustainer. The living creatures, the storm, the wheels covered with eyes – all these images show a world upheld and directed by the Father’s sovereign hand. This is the same truth Jesus affirms in Matthew 10:29 when He says not even a sparrow falls to the ground apart from the Father’s will. Ezekiel’s vision reminds us that the Father is not a distant force, but a personal and purposeful King who watches over His creation and His people, even when they are far from home.

The brilliance and fire that surround the throne also speak to the Father’s holiness, which cannot tolerate sin. This is why Israel went into exile – their persistent rebellion violated the holiness of God. Yet the Father’s willingness to reveal Himself even to a people under judgment shows that His heart is not to abandon, but to restore. The Father’s glory, though fearsome, is ultimately a glory that desires to bring His children back into fellowship with Him.

Connection to the Holy Spirit

Ezekiel 1 also presents a rich connection to the work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God is the unseen force directing the movement of the living creatures and the wheels, showing that all of creation moves in step with the Spirit’s will. This reflects the Spirit’s ongoing work throughout Scripture as the One who empowers, guides, and animates all life according to God’s purposes (Genesis 1:2, Psalm 104:30).

The fact that the Spirit directs these heavenly beings without confusion or resistance reveals the Spirit’s role as the One who perfectly applies the will of God to creation. This anticipates how the Spirit works in the lives of believers under the New Covenant, guiding them into all truth (John 16:13) and conforming them to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29).

Ezekiel himself experiences the Spirit’s work directly, as the visions and prophetic words he receives come by the Spirit’s power. In this way, Ezekiel 1 foreshadows the broader biblical teaching that all Scripture is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16), carried along by the Spirit (2 Peter 1:21). What Ezekiel saw and wrote down was not the product of imagination but the result of the Spirit’s revelation.

Additionally, the Spirit’s involvement in this heavenly vision points ahead to the Spirit’s work in the New Testament Church. Just as the Spirit moved the living creatures to act in harmony with God’s will, so the Spirit moves within the body of Christ, uniting believers and empowering them for mission. The Spirit’s role in creation and providence, seen here in Ezekiel 1, flows seamlessly into the Spirit’s work of redemption and sanctification under the New Covenant.

Connection to God’s Love

Although Ezekiel 1 is often viewed as a terrifying vision of God’s power and glory, at its core it reveals the deep love and care God has for His people. The very fact that God chooses to reveal His glory to Ezekiel in exile is a sign of His love. God does not remain silent or distant when His people suffer. Even though their exile was the result of their own sin, God comes near to speak, to show Himself, and to call them back to Himself.

The rainbow that surrounds the throne is a direct reminder of God’s covenant love first declared after the flood in Genesis 9. The rainbow represents God’s promise never to destroy the earth by water again – a symbol of mercy in the midst of judgment. In Ezekiel 1, this same rainbow surrounds the throne, showing that even in judgment, God’s heart is to show mercy and restore His people.

This chapter also reveals God’s love through His sovereignty. Because God reigns over all creation, including Babylon and its rulers, the suffering of God’s people is not outside of His control. This assurance that God is in charge, even in the darkest times, reveals His loving care. He does not leave His people to the mercy of chance or fate, but watches over every detail of their lives.

Ultimately, God’s love is revealed most clearly in that this glorious, holy God still desires to dwell among His people. This desire for communion, first seen in the Garden of Eden and later symbolized by the temple, does not vanish in exile. Instead, God comes to Ezekiel by the river in a foreign land, showing that His love pursues His people wherever they are. This is the same love that would one day send Jesus to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10).

God’s love is a holy love – a love that will not ignore sin but also a love that refuses to abandon His people even when they rebel. In Ezekiel 1, we see a glimpse of the heart of God: a heart so holy that it must confront sin, but so loving that it will go to the ends of the earth, even into exile, to call His people home. This love, fully revealed in the cross of Christ, is already present here in the opening vision of Ezekiel.

Sermon Outline and Flow

Title: “When God Breaks Through: Seeing the Glory of God in Exile”

Introduction:

Open with a personal story or historical example of someone encountering an unexpected revelation of God in a hard place – perhaps a missionary who saw God’s hand in a war zone, or a believer who heard God’s voice during a hospital stay. Ask the congregation: What do we do when life falls apart? Where is God when everything we counted on is gone?

Introduce Ezekiel 1: Ezekiel was a priest without a temple, a man called to ministry in exile, surrounded by disappointment and despair. Yet it was there, by the river in Babylon, that God opened the heavens and revealed His glory. This is a message for anyone who has ever wondered: Where is God when everything goes wrong?

Point 1: God Reveals His Glory Even in Exile (Ezekiel 1:1-3)

• Transition: We often expect to see God in comfortable places – in worship, at church, or in blessing. But Ezekiel shows us that God often speaks loudest in seasons of suffering and exile.
• Explanation: Ezekiel’s vision happens far from home, in Babylon, by a river where Jewish exiles gathered in grief (Psalm 137). Yet in this unlikely place, the heavens open. This teaches us that God is not limited by geography, circumstances, or our expectations.
• Illustration: Share a story of someone who met God in a hospital room, prison cell, or after personal tragedy. Explain how exile moments – when life feels out of control – often become places where God’s glory breaks through.
• Application: When you are in a hard place, look for God. He is not absent in your exile. He reveals Himself to those who seek Him, even in the darkest valley (Psalm 23:4).

Point 2: God’s Glory Proclaims His Sovereignty Over All Creation (Ezekiel 1:4-21)

• Transition: When Ezekiel sees God’s glory, it isn’t just a feeling or a whisper – it’s a storm, fire, and heavenly beings moving at God’s command.
• Explanation: The living creatures, the wheels, and the storm all declare that God reigns over creation. The faces of the creatures – human, lion, ox, eagle – show that God rules over all aspects of life: humanity, wild beasts, labor, and the skies. The wheels covered in eyes reveal that nothing escapes His attention.
• Illustration: Compare this to a modern air traffic control center, where every plane is tracked on a screen – nothing flies without the controller’s awareness. In a far greater way, God sees and governs every detail of creation.
• Application: Trust God’s sovereignty over your life. When things feel chaotic, remember the wheels of heaven are still turning, directed by God Himself. Rest in the truth that He reigns over nations, circumstances, and even your personal struggles.

Point 3: God’s Glory Points to His Holiness and His Desire to Restore His People (Ezekiel 1:22-28)

• Transition: As Ezekiel’s vision moves upward, he sees the throne – and One sitting on it, wrapped in brilliant light. This is the climax of the vision, and it reveals God’s heart.
• Explanation: The throne declares God’s holiness – He is separate from sin and above all creation. Yet the rainbow surrounding the throne reminds us of His mercy and covenant love. The human-like figure on the throne foreshadows the ultimate revelation of God in Jesus Christ. This is the God who judges sin but also comes to rescue sinners.
• Illustration: Tell the story of a parent who disciplines a rebellious child but then kneels down, opens their arms, and invites them back into loving relationship. That is the heart of the holy God who reigns on Ezekiel’s throne.
• Application: Worship God with reverence, but also approach Him with confidence because He is a Father who loves and redeems. Jesus, the One who sits at the right hand of this very throne, has made a way for us to enter His presence (Hebrews 4:16).

Conclusion and Call to Action:

Return to the opening question: Where is God when life falls apart? The answer from Ezekiel 1 is clear – He is still on the throne. His glory is not diminished by our circumstances, and His presence is not confined to our places of comfort.

Call people to respond in three ways:

• Worship God for who He truly is – not a small, tame god we can control, but the sovereign King of Glory.
• Trust God in their personal “exile” – knowing He sees, cares, and reigns over every moment.
• Turn to Jesus, the One who reveals God’s glory most clearly, and through whom we can enter the throne room with confidence.

End with a prayer of surrender, inviting the congregation to lift their eyes from their circumstances to the throne of God, trusting His glory even in their exile.

Illustrations and Examples

The Air Traffic Control Illustration: Just as air traffic controllers see every plane in the sky, God’s wheels covered in eyes remind us that He sees every moment of our lives. Nothing escapes His sight – not our fears, our struggles, or our prayers.

The Parent and Child Illustration: Discipline and love are not opposites in God’s kingdom. God’s throne is both a place of judgment and a place surrounded by the rainbow of covenant love. Like a good parent, God confronts sin, but His heart always longs to restore His children.

The Hospital Room Story: Share about a believer who met God powerfully during a health crisis – someone who saw God’s glory, not in healing alone, but in His sustaining presence through suffering. This drives home the point that God reveals Himself in exile moments, not just in times of blessing.

Application for Today’s Christian

First, Christians should develop the habit of looking for God’s presence in hard places. When life feels like exile – during illness, financial struggle, or relational breakdown – God is not absent. Like Ezekiel by the Kebar River, believers can open their eyes to see God’s glory in unexpected places. This requires prayer, worship, and a heart tuned to God’s voice even in pain.

Second, Christians should trust God’s sovereignty in daily life. Ezekiel’s vision reminds us that nothing happens by accident. Every circumstance, whether joyful or painful, passes through the hands of the sovereign King. This truth offers comfort in uncertainty, courage in trials, and peace when the world feels out of control.

Third, believers should live with a posture of reverent worship. Seeing God’s glory as Ezekiel saw it should transform how we approach God in worship. Instead of treating worship casually, Christians should approach God with awe, humility, and gratitude. This does not mean fear in the sense of terror, but holy reverence mixed with joyful confidence because Jesus has made the way open to the throne.

Fourth, Christians should actively share the hope that comes from knowing God’s glory. Ezekiel was given this vision not just for his own encouragement but to proclaim to others. In the same way, Christians who have encountered the glory of God through Christ are called to testify to others – showing that even in life’s darkest moments, there is a King on the throne who sees, loves, and redeems.

Finally, Christians should surrender to the Spirit’s leading. The Spirit directed every movement of the living creatures and the wheels. In the same way, believers are called to walk by the Spirit daily – seeking His guidance in decisions, relationships, and ministry. Living in step with the Spirit, like the creatures in Ezekiel’s vision, brings unity with God’s purposes and fruitfulness in every part of life.

This is how Ezekiel 1 applies today: Look for God’s glory. Trust His sovereignty. Worship with awe. Share the hope of the King. Follow the leading of the Spirit. In doing these things, believers will live lives that reflect the same glorious God Ezekiel saw by the river in exile.

Reflection Questions

1. Ezekiel saw God’s glory while living in exile, far from the temple and everything familiar. Have you ever experienced God’s presence in an unexpected place or difficult season? How did that experience shape your understanding of who God is?
2. In Ezekiel’s vision, God’s throne is surrounded by living creatures and wheels covered with eyes, showing His sovereignty and omniscience. How does knowing that God sees everything – including your struggles, prayers, and hidden fears – affect the way you trust Him?
3. The rainbow around the throne reminded Ezekiel of God’s covenant faithfulness, even in the middle of judgment. How does this truth speak to you today? In what areas of your life do you need to trust God’s faithfulness more fully?
4. Ezekiel’s response to seeing God’s glory was to fall face down in reverence and awe. When you think about who God is, how does that shape the way you approach Him in prayer, worship, and daily life? Do you approach God with reverence, or has worship become routine?
5. Ezekiel’s vision ultimately points to Jesus Christ, the One who reveals God’s glory fully and invites us into relationship with the Father. How does this vision deepen your appreciation for who Jesus is and what He has done for you?
6. The Spirit guided every movement of the living creatures, showing God’s perfect direction over all creation. In your own life, how well do you listen for the Spirit’s guidance? Are there areas where you sense the Spirit leading you to obedience or change?
7. Ezekiel was shown this vision not only for himself but so he could proclaim it to others. How can you share the hope of God’s glory and sovereignty with someone in your life who may feel like they are in a season of exile or hopelessness?