How does Ezekiel 43:2 connect with other biblical descriptions of God's glory? Reading the verse together “and behold, the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of many waters, and the earth shone with His glory.” – Ezekiel 43:2 Why this moment matters • Earlier in Ezekiel (10:18-19; 11:22-23) the glory had departed toward the east; now it returns from that very direction. • The scene anticipates a restored temple and a renewed relationship between God and His people. Old-Testament echoes of the same glory • Exodus 19:16-19 – at Sinai, thunder, trumpet blast, and quaking ground display God’s overwhelming presence. • Exodus 40:34-35 & 1 Kings 8:10-11 – the cloud fills tabernacle and Solomon’s temple so powerfully that priests cannot stand to minister. • Isaiah 6:1-4 – seraphim cry, “Holy, holy, holy… the whole earth is full of His glory.” • Habakkuk 3:3-4 – “His splendor covered the heavens, and the earth was full of His praise; His brilliance was like the light.” • Psalm 29:3-4 – “The voice of the LORD is over the waters… The LORD thunders over mighty waters.” • Numbers 14:21 – God swears, “the whole earth will be filled with the glory of the LORD.” Within Ezekiel’s own visions • Ezekiel 1:24, 28 – living creatures’ wings sound “like the roar of many waters,” and the prophet sees “the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD.” • Ezekiel 48:35 – the city will be named “The LORD Is There,” confirming the lasting return of that glory. The “voice like many waters” motif • Revelation 1:15 – the risen Christ’s voice “was like the roar of many waters.” • Revelation 14:2; 19:6 – heavenly worship echoes with the same sound. • The shared imagery highlights God’s majesty, power, and irresistible authority. The shining radiance that fills creation • 2 Chronicles 7:1-3 – when fire falls, all Israel bows because “the glory of the LORD filled the temple.” • Habakkuk 2:14 – “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.” • Revelation 21:23 – the New Jerusalem “has no need of sun… for the glory of God illumines it, and its lamp is the Lamb.” Christ—the fullest display of that glory • John 1:14 – “The Word became flesh… we beheld His glory.” • Hebrews 1:3 – the Son is “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature.” • 2 Corinthians 4:6 – God “shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.” Putting the threads together • Ezekiel 43:2 stands in line with every moment when God chooses to make His splendor visible and audible. • The eastward return answers the earlier departure, proving God’s faithfulness to restore. • The roar, the light, and the earth-filling radiance all point to His unchanging character—from Sinai to the tabernacle, from the first temple to Christ’s incarnation, and ultimately to the New Jerusalem. • Each passage reinforces the others: one consistent glory, progressively revealed, finally centered in Jesus and destined to fill all creation forever. |
    |