Ezekiel Chapter 1 — Spinning Wheels and Fiery Visions: A Journey Into the Start of Ezekiel's Wild Calling

Photo by Daniel Leone on Unsplash

Alright, let’s just go ahead and say it—Ezekiel chapter 1 is one of those parts of the Bible that, like, grabs your face and says “Hey! Pay attention! Something way beyond normal is happening here.” And honestly, when you open up this chapter, especially if you ain't read it before or if you’re just flipping through looking for some peaceful devotion stuff, you might just stop and be like... what in the world is going on?? Because you got living creatures with four faces, you got wheels within wheels covered in eyes, fire flashing like lightning, and something that looks like a throne floating over it all with a figure like a man who’s glowing like metal and fire. I mean, really? This ain’t exactly Psalm 23 vibes.

But hang in there with me—we’re gonna take a deep dive into this whole first chapter of Ezekiel, unpack it piece by piece, and try to make sense of this wild vision. Not just what it looked like, but what it might mean, and what it could say to us, like, right now. ‘Cause yeah, this is ancient prophecy, but God's voice don’t stay locked in the past. It echoes still.

📜 Ezekiel 1: The Context Before the Crazy

Before we even hit verse 1, it's good to know where Ezekiel’s at in life. He’s part of the people of Israel who’ve been exiled to Babylon. So yeah, he’s not sitting on a peaceful hillside writing poetry—he’s in captivity. Probably feeling a whole mix of anger, confusion, maybe numbness too. Israel had rebelled against God time and time again, and judgment finally fell. Babylon came, destroyed the temple, and carried people off. Ezekiel was one of them.

So, picture it. He’s by the Kebar River, probably a canal somewhere in Babylon, and it’s his 30th year—which is huge, because that’s the age priests were supposed to begin their work in the temple. But guess what? He ain’t in Jerusalem. There’s no temple for him to serve in. And right there, in that hard and disorienting place, the heavens open.

“In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day, while I was among the exiles by the Kebar River, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God.” (Ezekiel 1:1)

This right here? It’s not just the start of a prophetic book. It’s the moment God breaks into the middle of exile. He meets Ezekiel there, not in some sacred temple space, but in Babylon, among the broken. That already is saying something big.

🔥 The Storm Is Coming – Verses 4–9

Ezekiel describes a storm wind coming from the north—flashing fire, a huge cloud, brightness all around it. It's not just dramatic weather; this whole thing is symbolic. In Scripture, God often comes in a storm (see Job 38, Psalm 18, etc). The north is also the direction trouble usually came from for Israel. But this time, it’s not Babylon invading—it’s the glory of God coming.

And then he starts describing the living creatures—four of them, and boy, they are not your typical angel statues. Each one has four faces (human, lion, ox, eagle), four wings, and feet like calves. The creatures are strange, but also majestic and symbolic.

The four faces might represent all living beings or corners of creation:

Human – intelligence, reason
Lion – wild animals, strength
Ox – domestic animals, service
Eagle – birds, vision and swiftness

Some scholars also say they represent the attributes of God or even foreshadow the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) but maybe that’s getting ahead of ourselves. Still, it shows the reach of God’s power over all creation.

🌀 The Wheels Within Wheels – Verses 15–21

Okay, now we’re in wheel territory. And this is probably the part where most folks get confused—or fascinated, or both. Ezekiel sees a wheel beside each creature. But these ain’t regular wheels—they're “wheel within a wheel”, which might mean one’s horizontal, one’s vertical? It’s like they can move in any direction without turning. And they’re covered in eyes. Sounds like some alien spaceship or something from a sci-fi movie. But it’s not just weird for the sake of weird.

The eyes suggest awareness—nothing’s hidden from these wheels, from this movement. It’s symbolic of God’s omniscience. The whole vision screams that God sees everything, moves everywhere, and is not limited by earthly boundaries. Even in exile. Even in Babylon. Even when everything feels upside down.

And let’s not forget—the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. So it’s not like the wheels are robotic or mechanical. They're alive. They move together in perfect unity. It’s this insane picture of mobility, awareness, and power. There’s something almost overwhelming about it.

💺 The Throne and the Human-Like Figure – Verses 22–28

And just when you think it couldn’t get more intense, Ezekiel looks above the creatures and sees what he calls an expanse, like shining crystal. And above that? A throne that looks like sapphire. And seated on it is a figure that looked like a man—surrounded by fire, glowing like hot metal, with brightness like a rainbow in a cloud.

This part is super important, because now Ezekiel ain’t just seeing angelic creatures or divine vehicles. He’s seeing a throne. And someone on it. This figure is described in blazing, overwhelming terms—symbolic of God’s glory. The fire represents holiness, judgment, purity. The rainbow? It might be a call back to Noah’s story—God’s covenant, even in judgment.

This isn’t just about power. This is about presence. Even though Israel’s in exile, God is still enthroned. He hasn’t abandoned them. His glory is not confined to the temple in Jerusalem. He’s mobile, active, and sovereign even in Babylon.

“This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.” (Ezekiel 1:28)

😵‍💫 **So What Does It All Mean Though?**

Let’s be real—this chapter don’t hand us easy answers. It leaves you in awe, or confused, or maybe both. But let’s pull together a few things that this vision might be screaming out loud:

1. God’s Glory Is Not Stuck in One Place

The people of Israel probably thought God’s presence stayed in the temple, and when the temple was destroyed, they must've felt abandoned. But Ezekiel sees God show up in Babylon of all places. That’s a huge shift. God ain’t limited by buildings or borders. He goes with His people—even into exile.

2. He Sees Everything

Those wheels covered in eyes? That ain’t just some artistic flare. It’s saying that nothing escapes God’s attention. Not your pain, not your exile, not your wondering heart. He sees. He knows. He’s moving.

3. God Is Majestic and Beyond Description

Ezekiel’s language keeps falling back on “like” or “appearance of.” He’s trying to describe the indescribable. It reminds us that God ain’t tame. He’s not manageable. You can’t put Him in a box or shrink Him down into something comfortable. His glory is other—bigger than our categories.

4. This Is a Call to Listen

The final verse shifts from vision to voice. The whole chapter builds up to the moment where God is about to speak. This vision isn't just for spectacle—it’s preparation. Ezekiel's about to be called as a prophet. The vision is showing him (and us) the weight of the message to come.

🧠 Some Reflective Takeaways for Us Today

You might be thinking, okay, cool vision, but like... what’s it gotta do with me in 2025? More than you’d think, actually.

Ever felt like you were in exile? Like you’re not where you’re supposed to be? Maybe physically, maybe emotionally, maybe spiritually? This chapter reminds you—God can find you there. And not just find you, but show you His glory there.
Feeling overwhelmed by chaos or confusion? The vision looks chaotic at first glance, but everything’s moving with purpose. The wheels ain’t bumping into each other. The creatures ain’t clumsy. There’s order inside the whirlwind.
Need a bigger view of God? We often shrink God down to what we can manage. But this chapter explodes that small view. It invites us to awe again. To realize the God we pray to, the One we worship, the One who hears our cries—He’s this glorious.

🙏🏽 Final Thoughts

So yeah, Ezekiel chapter 1 ain’t the easiest read. It’s not coffee shop devotion material for most folks. But wow—when you slow down, sit with it, and let the imagery speak—it opens up something deep. It’s a thunderclap of a chapter. A reminder that even in exile, even in confusion, God shows up. And not just with comforting words, but with fire and vision and glory.

Ezekiel fell on his face when he saw it—and maybe that’s the best place to end too. In awe. On our knees. Ready to listen to the voice that speaks from the throne above the storm.

So next time life feels upside down, or you feel like you’re in a place far from home, remember Ezekiel chapter 1. God’s glory rides wheels. He ain’t stuck. He moves. And He sees you.

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Wednesday, July 23, 2025