Ezekiel 1:1-9: a reflection

1Now in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river Chebar, the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. 2In the fifth of the month, which was the fifth year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity, 3the LORD’s word came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the LORD’s hand was there on him. 4I looked, and behold, a stormy wind came out of the north: a great cloud, with flashing lightning, and a brightness around it, and out of the middle of it as it were glowing metal, out of the middle of the fire. 5Out of its center came the likeness of four living creatures. This was their appearance: They had the likeness of a man. 6Everyone had four faces, and each one of them had four wings. 7Their feet were straight feet. The sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf’s foot; and they sparkled like burnished bronze. 8They had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides. The four of them had their faces and their wings like this: 9Their wings were joined to one another. They didn’t turn when they went. Each one went straight forward.

Ezekiel is far from home, among the exiles by the river Chebar in a foreign land, when the heavens are opened and he sees visions of God. It is a striking place for such a vision: not in the temple, not in the promised land, but in exile, by a foreign river, among a displaced and defeated people. Yet there, in the place of exile, God reveals his glory to Ezekiel. God was not confined to the homeland or the temple; he met his servant in the far country.

Notice where God revealed his glory: in exile, in a foreign land, to a displaced people. Ezekiel might have thought that, far from the temple and the promised land, he was far from God, in a place where God's presence could not be found. But God opened the heavens there, by the river Chebar, revealing his glory in the very place of exile. God was not left behind in the homeland; he was present, in glory, even in the far country, with his displaced people.

That is a comfort for those who feel far from home, displaced, in a kind of exile of their own. We may feel, in seasons of displacement, distance, or loss, that we have been carried far from God, into a place where his presence cannot reach us. But God met Ezekiel in exile, opening the heavens by a foreign river; he is not confined to our familiar places, but is present even in the far country, even in exile. When you feel far from home, displaced, in a place of exile, do not think you are far from God. He revealed his glory to Ezekiel in exile, and he is present with you in your far country too. God is not confined to the familiar and the comfortable; he meets his people even in exile, even by foreign rivers. Wherever you are, however displaced or far from home you feel, God is present, able to reveal himself even there, as he revealed his glory to Ezekiel in the land of exile.

Lord, Ezekiel was far from home, among the exiles by a foreign river, a displaced and defeated people, when the heavens were opened and he saw visions of your glory; you were not confined to the temple or the promised land, but met your servant in the far country. Give me the comfort of that when I feel far from home, displaced, in a kind of exile of my own. I may feel, in seasons of displacement, distance, or loss, that I have been carried far from you, into a place where your presence cannot reach me. But you met Ezekiel in exile, opening the heavens by a foreign river; you are not confined to my familiar places, but are present even in the far country, even in exile. When I feel far from home, displaced, in a place of exile, keep me from thinking I am far from you. You revealed your glory to Ezekiel in exile, and you are present with me in my far country too. You are not confined to the familiar and the comfortable; you meet your people even in exile. Wherever I am, however displaced or far from home I feel, you are present, able to reveal yourself even there, Lord, as you revealed your glory to Ezekiel in the land of exile. Meet me, even in my exile.