Ezekiel 10
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CHAPTER 10
The Glory Departs From the Temple (10:1–22)
1–2 In his vision, Ezekiel again saw the same throne of sapphire he had seen earlier (see Ezekiel 1:5). He also saw the four living creatures, which here are called cherubim (see Ezekiel 1:25–26). Then he heard the Lord tell the man clothed in linen—the angel with the writing kit (Ezekiel 9:2)–to take burning coals and scatter them over the city (verse 2). This symbolized God’s judgment on Jerusalem. Ezekiel’s vision was fulfilled six years later when Nebuchadnezzar burned Jerusalem to the ground (2 Kings 25:8–9).
3–5 Ezekiel again saw the glory of God-represented by a radiant cloud (verse 4)—moving to the threshold of the temple (see Ezekiel 9:3).
The people of Jerusalem and Judah had lost sight of the true glory of God. They saw glory only in the external magnificence of their temple, but they did not see the real glory—which was the presence of God. And now God’s presence was leaving the temple, because the people had chosen to worship other gods.
Christians today can also lose sight of God’s glory. We get caught up in the beauty of our churches, the size of our budgets, or the growth of our congregations, and we forget that the true glory of any church is the presence of God in the hearts of its members.
6–17 In these verses, Ezekiel describes how the man in linen took fire (burning coals) from among the cherubim and then went out to inflict judgment upon the city (verses 6–7). In verses 9–17, Ezekiel again sees the wheels he had seen before (see Ezekiel 1:15–21 and comment). The description given in these verses is very similar to that found in Ezekiel Chapter 1, except that here one of the cherubim’s four faces is that of a cherub instead of an ox (verse 14). Perhaps the cherub had the appearance of an ox.
18–22 In verses 18–19, Ezekiel sees the glory of the Lord finally departing from the temple. The glory departed because of the idolatry and wickedness of the people of Judah. But one day, when the people had been cleansed of their sin, the glory of the Lord would return (see Ezekiel 43:1–9).That day would begin to dawn with the coming of Jesus Christ (see John 1:14); but the full return of God's glory will only come at the close of the Messianic age.