Eze 1:5 | Scofield | STEP | Ezekiel was carried away to Babylon between the first and final deportation of Judah ( ). Like Daniel and the Apostle John, he prophesied out of the land, and his prophecy, like theirs, follows the method of symbol and vision. Unlike the pre-exilic prophets, whose ministry was primarily to either Judah or the ten-tribe kingdom, Ezekiel is the voice of Jehovah to "the whole house of Israel." Speaking broadly, the purpose of his ministry is to keep before the generation born in exile the national sins which had brought Israel so low (e.g. ); to sustain the faith of the exiles by predictions of national restoration, of the execution of justice upon their oppressors, and of national glory under the Davidic monarchy. Ezekiel is in seven great prophetic strains indicated by the expression, "The hand of the Lord was upon me." ( ; ; ; ; ; ). The minor divisions are indicated in the text. The events recorded in Ezekiel cover a period of 21 years (Ussher). living creatures The "living creatures" are identical with the Cherubim. The subject is somewhat obscure, but from the position of the Cherubim at the gate of Eden, upon the cover of the ark of the covenant, and in Rev. 4., it is clearly gathered that they have to do with vindication of the holiness of God as against the presumptuous pride of sinful man who, despite his sin, would "put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life" . Upon the ark of the covenant, of one substance with the mercy-seat, they saw the sprinkled blood which, in type, spake of the perfect maintenance of the divine righteousness by the sacrifice of Christ . (See Scofield " ") . See Scofield " ". See Scofield " ". The living creatures (or Cherubim) appear to be actual beings of the angelic order. Cf. See Scofield " ". The Cherubim or living creatures are not identical with the Seraphim. . They appear to have to do with the holiness of God as outraged by sin; the Seraphim with uncleanness in the people of God. The passage in Ezekiel is highly figurative, but the effect was the revelation to the prophet of the Shekinah glory of the Lord. Such revelations are connected invariably with new blessing and service. Cf. ; ; ; ; .

Ezekiel 1:5

Book Introduction - Ezekiel

Ezekiel was carried away to Babylon between the first and final deportation of Judah (2 Kings 24:11-16). Like Daniel and the Apostle John, he prophesied out of the land, and his prophecy, like theirs, follows the method of symbol and vision. Unlike the pre-exilic prophets, whose ministry was primarily to either Judah or the ten-tribe kingdom, Ezekiel is the voice of Jehovah to "the whole house of Israel."

Speaking broadly, the purpose of his ministry is to keep before the generation born in exile the national sins which had brought Israel so low (e.g. Ezekiel 14:23); to sustain the faith of the exiles by predictions of national restoration, of the execution of justice upon their oppressors, and of national glory under the Davidic monarchy.

Ezekiel is in seven great prophetic strains indicated by the expression, "The hand of the Lord was upon me." (Ezekiel 1:3; 3:14,22; 8:1; 33:22; 37:1; Ezekiel 40:1).

The minor divisions are indicated in the text.

The events recorded in Ezekiel cover a period of 21 years (Ussher). living creatures

The "living creatures" are identical with the Cherubim. The subject is somewhat obscure, but from the position of the Cherubim at the gate of Eden, upon the cover of the ark of the covenant, and in Rev. 4., it is clearly gathered that they have to do with vindication of the holiness of God as against the presumptuous pride of sinful man who, despite his sin, would "put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life" Genesis 3:22-24. Upon the ark of the covenant, of one substance with the mercy-seat, they saw the sprinkled blood which, in type, spake of the perfect maintenance of the divine righteousness by the sacrifice of Christ Exodus 25:17-20. (See Scofield "Romans 3:24"). See Scofield "Romans 3:25". See Scofield "Romans 3:26". The living creatures (or Cherubim) appear to be actual beings of the angelic order. Cf. See Scofield "Isaiah 6:2". The Cherubim or living creatures are not identical with the Seraphim. Isaiah 6:2-7. They appear to have to do with the holiness of God as outraged by sin; the Seraphim with uncleanness in the people of God. The passage in Ezekiel is highly figurative, but the effect was the revelation to the prophet of the Shekinah glory of the Lord. Such revelations are connected invariably with new blessing and service. Cf. ; Exodus 3:2-10; Isaiah 6:1-10; Daniel 10:5-14; Revelation 1:12-19.