What can we learn about God's glory from Ezekiel 10:15?

The verse in focus

“Then the cherubim rose upward. These were the living creatures I had seen by the River Kebar.” (Ezekiel 10:15)

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Setting the scene

• Ezekiel is inside the inner court of the temple (10:1–4).

• God’s visible glory is seated above the cherubim (10:18).

• In 10:15, the cherubim lift, marking another stage in the glory departing from the defiled temple.

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Key observations

• “Cherubim” and “living creatures” are the same beings Ezekiel saw in chapter 1, tying this moment to the inaugural throne-vision (Ezekiel 1:4–28).

• Their upward motion signals that God’s glory is not chained to any single place.

• The creatures forever attend God’s throne (Psalm 99:1; Revelation 4:6–8).

• The description is literal, reinforcing that what Ezekiel sees is an actual, God-given revelation.

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What we learn about God’s glory

• Majestic mobility

– God’s glory moves freely; it is not restricted to temples or traditions (Acts 7:48–49).

• Holiness that departs from sin

– The glory rises because Judah’s idolatry defiled the sanctuary (Ezekiel 8). God’s holiness cannot coexist with unrepentant sin (Habakkuk 1:13).

• Consistent self-revelation

– The identical creatures at Kebar and in the temple show that God’s character and appearance do not change (Malachi 3:6).

• Sovereign transcendence

– The upward movement pictures a throne higher than earthly powers (Isaiah 6:1; Psalm 113:4–6).

• Faithful presence

– Though leaving the temple, God is still with His prophet and His faithful remnant in exile (Ezekiel 11:16).

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Personal takeaways

• Worship Him as the Holy One who will not share His glory with idols (Isaiah 42:8).

• Rest in His nearness wherever we are; He is not confined to buildings.

• Live in reverent obedience, knowing His glory withdraws from willful sin but delights to dwell with the humble (Isaiah 57:15).