QT 6/2/2023 Ezek 1:15-21, God moves with us

Ezekiel 1:15–21 (ESV) —

15 Now as I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the earth beside the living creatures, one for each of the four of them. 16 As for the appearance of the wheels and their construction: their appearance was like the gleaming of beryl. And the four had the same likeness, their appearance and construction being as it were a wheel within a wheel. 17 When they went, they went in any of their four directions without turning as they went. 18 And their rims were tall and awesome, and the rims of all four were full of eyes all around. 19 And when the living creatures went, the wheels went beside them; and when the living creatures rose from the earth, the wheels rose. 20 Wherever the spirit wanted to go, they went, and the wheels rose along with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. 21 When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those rose from the earth, the wheels rose along with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.

 

NOTE: What is the point of this passage? Why does Ezekiel (under direction of the Holy Spirit) spend so much time talking about wheels? It certainly is an opportunity for some jokes about men and masculinity (all in good taste). Wheels represent mobility. Ezekiel is seeing God and his glory, there in Babylon, and his vision has wheels, mobility. What is more, the wheels are designed to go in any direction. They are not held to a direction or a path. And God is not limited to Judah or Jerusalem. God is with them wherever they are -- his presence and his glory. God is not back in Jerusalem. God moves, and he moves wherever his spirit chooses to move. Israel is out of the promised land. The city and temple will soon be destroyed. And God's glory is with them, not in the promised land.

 

What is the point? God has moved the people out of Jerusalem in judgment. But, God has not deserted his people, even in judgment. His desire is for them to repent and to turn back to him. So, he does not leave -- he travels  with them to Babylon. Actually, he leads them to Babylon. He does not desert his chosen, even in the most difficult of times, even when he is disciplining them.

 

PONDER:

1. Where is God moving?
2. Have I become stuck in a pattern that needs to change?
3. Do I feel abandoned by God?

Isaiah 55:6 (ESV) —

6 “Seek the Lord while he may be found;

call upon him while he is near;

 

PRAYER: Father, we all go through seasons of life. And sometimes those seasons require us to move (or to move on metaphorically). As I move on to a new season, lead me and guide me in the new "good works" that you have already prepared for me. Help me to use the things I have learned for new things in the future. Ultimately, I want to serve you.