Eze 1:28 | TNotes | STEP | 1:28 rainbow shining in the clouds: This image combines the prospect of judgment with a note of mercy. The storm clouds were going to drop a full load of judgment on God’s sinful people, but a rainbow, the sign of hope that God established after the flood (Gen 9:12-17 ), would appear also. Although the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of its people to Babylon would be a severe catastrophe in which many would die, God would not forget his promise to keep a remnant alive. Judgment would not be God’s final word. • When Ezekiel saw the glory of the Lord , he fell face down on the ground as though dead—a common human response to God’s glory (cp. Lev 9:23-24 ; Num 22:31 ; 1 Kgs 18:38-39 ; 1 Chr 21:16 ; 2 Chr 7:1-3 ; Matt 17:5-6 ).

a1:28►

bGen 9:12-17►

cLev 9:23-24►

dNum 22:31►

e1 Kgs 18:38-39►

f1 Chr 21:16►

g2 Chr 7:1-3►

hMatt 17:5-6►

‏ Ezekiel 1:28

1:28 ^a rainbow shining in the clouds: This image combines the prospect of judgment with a note of mercy. The storm clouds were going to drop a full load of judgment on God’s sinful people, but a rainbow, the sign of hope that God established after the flood (Gen 9:12-17 ^b), would appear also. Although the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of its people to Babylon would be a severe catastrophe in which many would die, God would not forget his promise to keep a remnant alive. Judgment would not be God’s final word.

• When Ezekiel saw the glory of the Lord, he fell face down on the ground as though dead—a common human response to God’s glory (cp. Lev 9:23-24 ^c; Num 22:31 ^d; 1 Kgs 18:38-39 ^e; 1 Chr 21:16 ^f; 2 Chr 7:1-3 ^g; Matt 17:5-6 ^h).