How does Ezekiel 10:21 connect to the vision in Ezekiel 1? Zooming Out: Two Visions, One Glory Ezekiel 1 records the prophet’s first encounter with the “living creatures.” In Ezekiel 10, while witnessing the departure of God’s glory from the temple, Ezekiel recognizes the very same beings and finally identifies them as “cherubim” (10:20). Verse 21 clinches the link: “Each had four faces and four wings, and under their wings was the form of human hands.” – Ezekiel 10:21 Side-by-Side Features The description in 10:21 mirrors the original portrait from chapter 1: • Faces – 1:6 “Each had four faces.” – 10:21 “Each had four faces.” • Wings – 1:6 “Each had four … wings.” – 10:21 “Each had four wings.” • Human hands under the wings – 1:8 “Human hands were under their wings on their four sides.” – 10:21 “… under their wings was the form of human hands.” • Movement – 1:12 “They went in any of the four directions without turning.” – 10:22 “Their faces had the same appearance as the faces I had seen by the river Kebar.” The identical details confirm that the beings Ezekiel saw beside Babylon’s Chebar Canal (chapter 1) are the same ones he now sees beside the Jerusalem temple (chapter 10). Why the Repetition Matters • Recognition: In chapter 1 Ezekiel called them simply “living creatures.” By chapter 10 he knows they are “cherubim,” the heavenly throne-bearers of the LORD (cf. 1 Samuel 4:4; Psalm 18:10). • Continuity of God’s presence: The same throne that arrived in Babylon is the throne that now departs the temple. God is not confined to geography; His glory is mobile. • Legal-prophetic witness: The double-vision testifies that Judah’s coming judgment is carried out by the same holy God who has already revealed Himself to the exiles. Key Takeaways for Today • Scripture interprets Scripture: Later passages illuminate earlier ones, turning mystery into clarity. • God’s glory is consistent and unchanging—even when human circumstances shift dramatically. • The cherubim underscore both nearness and holiness: the LORD travels with His people, yet remains awesome and set apart (Exodus 25:18-22; Revelation 4:6-8). |
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