Ezekiel 10:6-14: a reflection

6It came to pass, when he commanded the man clothed in linen, saying, “Take fire from between the whirling wheels, from between the cherubim,” that he went in and stood beside a wheel. 7The cherub stretched out his hand from between the cherubim to the fire that was between the cherubim, and took some of it, and put it into the hands of him who was clothed in linen, who took it and went out. 8The form of a man’s hand appeared here in the cherubim under their wings. 9I looked, and behold, there were four wheels beside the cherubim, one wheel beside one cherub, and another wheel beside another cherub. The appearance of the wheels was like a beryl stone. 10As for their appearance, the four of them had one likeness, like a wheel within a wheel. 11When they went, they went in their four directions. They didn’t turn as they went, but to the place where the head looked they followed it. They didn’t turn as they went. 12Their whole body, including their backs, their hands, their wings, and the wheels, were full of eyes all around, even the wheels that the four of them had. 13As for the wheels, they were called in my hearing, “the whirling wheels”. 14Every one of them had four faces. The first face was the face of the cherub. The second face was the face of a man. The third face was the face of a lion. The fourth was the face of an eagle.

In Ezekiel's vision of the glory of God, he sees the cherubim and the wheels beside them; and a striking detail is noted: their whole bodies, their backs, their hands, their wings, and the wheels, were full of eyes all around. The vision is mysterious and awesome, beyond full comprehension; but the eyes all around suggest something about God's all-seeing knowledge and presence: nothing escapes his sight; he sees everywhere, in every direction, all at once.

Notice the eyes all around in the vision. The cherubim and wheels, symbols of God's presence and providence, were full of eyes on every side, suggesting a seeing that misses nothing, that takes in every direction at once. It is an image of God's all-seeing knowledge: he sees everywhere, in every direction, all at once; nothing is outside his sight or beyond his view. God's providence, pictured here, is all-seeing; his eyes range everywhere, missing nothing.

That God is all-seeing, missing nothing, is both a caution and a comfort. It is a caution, for nothing we do, even in secret, escapes his sight; the eyes all around see everywhere. But it is also a deep comfort: that we are never outside God's sight or beyond his care. Wherever we are, in whatever hidden place or dark situation, God sees us; we are never out of his view, never overlooked, never beyond his notice. When you feel unseen, overlooked, forgotten, in some hidden or dark place, remember that God is all-seeing; his eyes range everywhere, and you are never outside his view or beyond his care. The God whose providence is full of eyes, seeing everywhere, sees you, wherever you are; you are never overlooked or forgotten by him. Take comfort that the all-seeing God sees you, in every place and situation, never losing sight of you, but keeping you always in his view and his care.

Lord, in Ezekiel's vision of your glory, the cherubim and wheels were full of eyes all around, on every side; a mysterious and awesome image, suggesting your all-seeing knowledge and presence: nothing escapes your sight; you see everywhere, in every direction, all at once. Show me that you are all-seeing, missing nothing, both as a caution and a comfort. As a caution, for nothing I do, even in secret, escapes your sight; the eyes all around see everywhere. But as a deep comfort too: that I am never outside your sight or beyond your care. Wherever I am, in whatever hidden place or dark situation, you see me; I am never out of your view, never overlooked, never beyond your notice. When I feel unseen, overlooked, forgotten, in some hidden or dark place, help me remember that you are all-seeing; your eyes range everywhere, and I am never outside your view or beyond your care. You, whose providence is full of eyes, seeing everywhere, see me, wherever I am; I am never overlooked or forgotten by you. Let me take comfort that you, the all-seeing God, see me, in every place and situation, never losing sight of me, Lord, but keeping me always in your view and your care. Thank you that you always see me.