How does Ezekiel 3:23 connect with other instances of divine encounters in Scripture? Setting the Scene • Ezekiel 3:23: “So I got up and went out to the plain, and behold, the glory of the LORD was standing there, like the glory that I had seen by the River Kebar, and I fell facedown.” • This verse records a repeat appearance of the same majestic Presence that had overwhelmed Ezekiel in chapter 1. The prophet is once again flattened by the weight of divine glory. Echoes of the Same Glory Elsewhere • Exodus 3:2–6 – Moses meets the LORD in the burning bush, removes his sandals, and hides his face. • Exodus 24:16–18; 34:5–8 – The cloud and fire on Sinai; Moses “bowed to the ground at once and worshiped.” • Isaiah 6:1–5 – Isaiah sees the Lord “high and exalted,” hears “Holy, Holy, Holy,” and cries, “Woe to me!” • Daniel 10:5–9 – Daniel’s vision of a man clothed in linen; he is left “without strength” and falls into a deep sleep. • Acts 9:3–6 – Saul is blinded by heavenly light, falls to the ground, and hears Jesus’ voice commissioning him. • Revelation 1:12–17 – John sees the risen Christ and writes, “When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though dead.” Falling Flat—The Universal Response • In every instance, human beings instinctively drop in reverence or fear. • Ezekiel’s “fell facedown” mirrors Moses’ hiding, Isaiah’s confession, Daniel’s collapse, Paul’s blindness, and John’s drop. • Scripture consistently portrays this posture as the only fitting response to unveiled holiness. Renewed Commissioning Moments • Ezekiel is strengthened and re-sent to a hard-hearted people (Ezekiel 3:1-11, 24-27). • Moses receives the mandate to deliver Israel (Exodus 3:10). • Isaiah is cleansed, then hears “Whom shall I send?” (Isaiah 6:8). • Paul is told, “Get up and go” (Acts 9:6). • John is instructed, “Write what you see” (Revelation 1:19). • Divine encounters almost always pair revelation with mission. Patterns of Location and Vision • The plain near the Kebar River, the desert of Sinai, the temple, the Tigris riverbank, the Damascus road, and Patmos—God meets His servants in diverse places yet with strikingly similar manifestations of glory. • Physical settings may differ, but the vision of the LORD’s glory unifies the experiences. Hearing the Voice—Not Just Seeing • Ezekiel 3:24 – “The Spirit entered me and set me on my feet, and He spoke with me.” • Moses hears, “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14). • Isaiah hears the seraphim and God’s question (Isaiah 6:3, 8). • Daniel is reassured, “Do not be afraid” (Daniel 10:12). • Paul hears, “I am Jesus” (Acts 9:5). • John hears “Write” (Revelation 1:19). • Vision plus audible word equals authoritative commissioning. What These Parallels Teach Us Today • The glory Ezekiel saw is the same unchanging glory revealed throughout Scripture; God consistently makes Himself known with unmistakable majesty. • Every genuine encounter with God not only humbles but also sends—revelation leads to responsibility, worship leads to witness. |
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