Jan. 10 - Too Much Analysis

From the First Lesson for this day, Ezekiel 1:1-14

Ezekiel's amazing vision of the heavenly creatures described in this passage is one of my favorites (the whole chapter brings about a sense of awe).

Thing is, many modern minds - even theologians - try to analyze Ezekiel and his visions. He must have been demented. He was bi-polar. He had delusions caused by his severe personal disciplines. He was lonely. He was subject to hallucinations. He spent too much time in the desert and the sun fried his brain.

This is too much analysis. Is it naive to understand this passage for what it is? It is straightforwardly a vision given to Ezekiel of four living creatures bearing the Spirit and message of God... "the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God (v. 1)."

Ezekiel wasn't crazy or out of it. He gave the date, time, place, and the circumstances of his vision.

"The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest." God was speaking to Ezekiel 'expressly', in a manner designed to speak to Ezekiel in a manner he would understand and in a tone that would get his attention.

I think God does this for everyone: He speaks to us expressly. To me God speaks in quiet wonder and through the beauty of Creation. When God wants me to understand, He draws me to gaze at the Heavens at night with a sky full of stars or at sunrise when the dew is heavy in the garden. When God uses a tone I will understand He usually removes all tone - silence - and in the silence, I hear Him.

What Ezekiel saw was amazing: "a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire... the likeness of four living creatures."

The vision continues: "They had the likeness of a man... every one had four faces [and] four wings... their feet were straight... they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass... they had the hands of a man under their wings... Their wings were joined one to another... every one straight forward... they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle."

Wow. I have never seen this. But Ezekiel did. I haven't been called to the mission Ezekiel was. Ezekiel's sober calling was to transform the nation by calling them to repentance. Sin was deep, the people were arrogant and satisfied with their error. Idolatry was rampant, even in the Temple and among the priests. The only cure was repentance and the bearer of the healing message was Ezekiel. The bold vision was made for a bold calling.

"And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went..." The work of these creatures was directed by the Holy Spirit and purposeful. It was Ezekiel's unique place to see what most people - especially me - don't get to see or understand: the ways of the Holy Spirit. God doesn't reveal this to everyone - especially me - because most people - especially me - wouldn't be able to handle seeing it all.

But God's mission and message were for Ezekiel, for his age and, in a way, for today.

This passage reminds me of the second verse of one of my favorite hymns, Spirit of God Descend Upon My Heart:

I ask no dream, no prophet ecstasies,
No sudden rending of the veil of clay,
No angel visitant, no opening skies;
But take the dimness of my soul away.

Lord, please forgive me for the times I've tried to analyze Thy Word rather than understanding it as Thy message to me. As the hymn-writer has said, please take the dimness of my soul away. Amen.