Ezekiel 8:1-18
Q.1. Was the vision of the glory of God the same as before? Considering what God showed Ezekiel about the nation, why was this vision an act of grace? – (Ezk.8:1-6)
Just as each of the four Gospels contributes clarity regarding the life of Christ, so the Scriptures record visions of the Glory of God from various writers. These all described the revelation of the Glory of God. Jacob saw a ladder reaching to Heaven (c.f. Gen.28:12-13). Moses and the elders of Israel ate in God’s presence (c.f. Ex.24:9-11); Isaiah saw God’s Glory (c.f. Isa.6:1-3); Daniel saw the Ancient of Days (c.f. Dan.7:9-14); the Apostle John saw the awesome God in His throne room (c.f. Rev.1:12-16; 4:2-11; 5:1-14). Ezekiel had numerous visions, and testified – behold, a likeness as the appearance of a man; from His loins and downward there was the appearance of fire, and from His loins and upward the appearance of brightness, like the appearance of glowing metal … like the appearance which I saw in the plain (Ezk.8:2 & 4). The nation was in an abysmally immoral state. Ezekiel had to testify against her. The visions of the glory of God would have fortified the prophet when he could easily have been discouraged by the message, and the negative response of the people. God’s speaking to him through the visions helped to carry Ezekiel through his difficult assignment. This was a precious act of grace on God’s part (Ezk.8:3-6).
Q.2. Why were Israel’s leaders turning to other gods? How far had the nation drifted from God? How would God respond? – (Ezk.8:5-18)
In a further vision, God opened Ezekiel’s eyes to see the abominations that were being perpetrated by the nation’s leaders. They had turned to useless idols, concluding – The Lord does not see us; the Lord has forsaken the land (Ezk.8:12). This was in spite of God sending prophets to repeatedly warn the nation and its leaders against their idolatry and violence (c.f. Ezk.8:17). God had cried out to them, but they refused to listen. Now when they cried, God would close His ears to their cries – I indeed will deal in wrath. My eye will have no pity nor will I spare; and though they cry in My ears with a loud voice, yet I will not listen to them (Ezk.8:18).