And there was a voice from the firmament that was over their heads, when they stood, and had let down their wings.
The verse belongs to the vision in Ezekiel 1, extending into chapter 2, that is intricate and difficult to explain. In that vision the wheels within wheels and the living creatures looked like a mass of confusion to the prophet and to the finite eye. It describes a voice from the firmament that was over their heads, directing the living creatures and their wheels when they stood still and had let down their wings. After this stillness the voice told Ezekiel to rise and hear the word of the Lord, and he received a warning message for Israel.
What had looked like confusion was under a hand of infinite wisdom revealed amid the wheels. That hand brings perfect order out of confusion, so that every wheel works in its right place in true order in perfect harmony with the grand center and with every other part of the machinery. The scene shows God enthroned above earthly rulers, with heaven closely connected with events on earth. It proves the world is not without a ruler, for the Lord in His power guides events and directs coming events. He cares for those who are loyal to Him, and holds the destiny of nations and the concerns of His church in His care.
The first and second chapters of Ezekiel hold a deep and important lesson for every one of God's workmen and should be carefully studied with humility and earnest prayer. Workers are therefore each to stand at his post of duty as faithful stewards, dependent on the Holy Spirit to guide them. They are to look to God and trust Him as instructor, acting promptly without waiting for human voice and dictation. They are to leave to God the control of what belongs to Him as the great I AM, giving no glory to human agencies but magnifying the Lord God alone.
The verse belongs to the vision in Ezekiel 1, extending into chapter 2, that is intricate and difficult to explain. In that vision the wheels within wheels and the living creatures looked like a mass of confusion to the prophet and to the finite eye. It describes a voice from the firmament that was over their heads, directing the living creatures and their wheels when they stood still and had let down their wings. After this stillness the voice told Ezekiel to rise and hear the word of the Lord, and he received a warning message for Israel.
What had looked like confusion was under a hand of infinite wisdom revealed amid the wheels. That hand brings perfect order out of confusion, so that every wheel works in its right place in true order in perfect harmony with the grand center and with every other part of the machinery. The scene shows God enthroned above earthly rulers, with heaven closely connected with events on earth. It proves the world is not without a ruler, for the Lord in His power guides events and directs coming events. He cares for those who are loyal to Him, and holds the destiny of nations and the concerns of His church in His care.
The first and second chapters of Ezekiel hold a deep and important lesson for every one of God's workmen and should be carefully studied with humility and earnest prayer. Workers are therefore each to stand at his post of duty as faithful stewards, dependent on the Holy Spirit to guide them. They are to look to God and trust Him as instructor, acting promptly without waiting for human voice and dictation. They are to leave to God the control of what belongs to Him as the great I AM, giving no glory to human agencies but magnifying the Lord God alone.