Bible Commentaries

CONTENTS

The Prophet is here introduced into other visions of God. Under the similitude of coals of fire, between the Cherubim, and the form of a man's hand, the Prophet hath his attention greatly excited.

We are here brought to visions and revelations of God. The Holy Ghost hath not been pleased to give the Church any certain account what is implied in the solemn things here spoken of; therefore humble waitings upon the Lord are more suitable, and becoming, than mere conjectures. One point, indeed, seems abundantly evident; that the man clothed with linen, is the same as is spoken of in the preceding chapter; and there should seem to be but little doubt, that this is the God-man, Christ Jesus. His going in between the wheels, and filling his hand with coals, and scattering them over the city, may perhaps be intended to show, that the whole government, both in nature, providence, grace, and glory, is his.

This last verse seems to throw some little light upon the subject, to guide us in our apprehension of the meaning of this mysterious scripture. If we compare what is here said, with a similar account, given in the book of the Revelations, we shall be able perhaps, in some degree, by the teaching of the Holy Ghost, to form an humble judgment of the glorious truth veiled under these expressions. See Re 4 throughout. The Prophet tells the Church, that the vision was one and the same with that which he was favoured with by the river Chebar, See Ezekiel 1:10. And as in that vision, one of the cherubims had the face of a man, as well as in this, there should seem to be no difficulty in supposing, that this denoted the human nature of Christ. And perhaps the whole of the representation of the cherubim, had an allusion to the glorious persons of the Godhead. And if so, while the distinction of person was thus preserved, the unity of the divine essence was no less implied, in what is said of one wheel, to whom a voice cried, and was heard by the Prophet, to this amount. But, as I before remarked, as God the Holy Ghost hath not been pleased to explain this wonderful scripture, it becomes us, with humble waitings, to be silent before him.

The glory of the Lord going up, and departing, which is twice spoken of in this short chapter, evidently testifies the importance of the thing. But, except we interpret it with an eye to the withdrawings of the Lord, in seasons of ordinances, and the like, there is no certainty what is implied by it. Very awful it is, when at any time the Lord hides his face from his people; but his withdrawings are still more to be feared. Precious Lord! hear and answer the cry of every exercised soul under this affliction, and take not, oh! take not thine Holy Spirit from us!

REFLECTIONS

Lord! I pray thee to give both Writer and Reader, a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ Jesus: without which this scripture, yea all the scriptures of our God, will be as a sealed book, and a vision not opened. And if, Almighty Lord, there be anything leading to Jesus in this divine chapter, oh, do thou lead my soul also to the knowledge of him, that knowing him, I may be growing up to the knowledge and love of him forever. And oh, precious Lord Jesus! as in thine infinite condescension thou didst once appear, as the intercessor of thy redeemed, give me to look up, and view thee in the same character still: yea, Lord, may I follow thee by faith, when thou goest up from the cherub, and see thee entered into the holy of holies, yea, into heaven itself, there to appear in the presence of God for us. Oh! thou dear, thou glory-man Christ Jesus; give me to be clothed with thy righteousness, that when thou comest finally to judge the world, and to scatter indignation and wrath upon all the adversaries of God, as the fire here spoken of was scattered between the wheels; in thy righteousness I may have confidence, and not be ashamed before thee at thy coming. Even so , Amen.