Ezekiel 1:22-28: a reflection

22Over the head of the living creature there was the likeness of an expanse, like an awesome crystal to look at, stretched out over their heads above. 23Under the expanse, their wings were straight, one toward the other. Each one had two which covered on this side, and each one had two which covered their bodies on that side. 24When they went, I heard the noise of their wings like the noise of great waters, like the voice of the Almighty, a noise of tumult like the noise of an army. When they stood, they let down their wings. 25There was a voice above the expanse that was over their heads. When they stood, they let down their wings. 26Above the expanse that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone. On the likeness of the throne was a likeness as the appearance of a man on it above. 27I saw as it were glowing metal, as the appearance of fire within it all around, from the appearance of his waist and upward; and from the appearance of his waist and downward I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him. 28As the appearance of the rainbow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. This was the appearance of the likeness of the LORD’s glory. When I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of one that spoke.

Ezekiel's vision of God's glory reaches its climax in the appearance of a throne, and upon it a likeness as of a figure gleaming like fire, surrounded by brightness. And around that overwhelming brightness, Ezekiel sees something gentle: As the appearance of the rainbow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. Around the overwhelming glory of God was a rainbow, the sign of his mercy and covenant, the very sign God gave after the flood. The glory that overwhelmed Ezekiel was encircled by the sign of mercy.

Notice what surrounded the overwhelming glory: a rainbow, the sign of mercy. Ezekiel fell on his face before the appearance of God's glory, overwhelmed; and yet around that glory was the rainbow, the sign God had given of his mercy and his covenant not to destroy. The glory was awesome, overwhelming; but it was encircled by mercy. God's glory and God's mercy were seen together: the overwhelming brightness, and around it the rainbow of covenant mercy. The God of overwhelming glory is also the God of mercy, and the two are seen together in this vision.

That joining of glory and mercy is worth taking to heart, for the overwhelming glory of God might otherwise leave us only in dread. The glory of God is awesome, overwhelming, enough to make us fall on our faces as Ezekiel did; and if that were all, we might know only dread before him. But around God's glory is the rainbow, the sign of his mercy; his glory is encircled by mercy. When the greatness and holiness of God overwhelm you, remember that his glory is joined with mercy, encircled by the rainbow of his covenant, as Ezekiel saw. Do not know only dread before the glory of God, forgetting his mercy; the God of overwhelming glory is also the God of mercy, and the two are seen together, his glory encircled by the sign of his covenant mercy. Approach the God whose glory is joined with mercy, awesome in glory yet encircled by the rainbow of his mercy, as Ezekiel saw the brightness of God's glory surrounded by the sign of his mercy.

Lord, Ezekiel's vision of your glory reaches its climax in the appearance of a throne, and upon it a likeness as of a figure gleaming like fire, surrounded by brightness. And around that overwhelming brightness, Ezekiel sees something gentle: as the appearance of the rainbow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. Around the overwhelming glory was a rainbow, the sign of your mercy and covenant. The glory that overwhelmed Ezekiel was encircled by the sign of mercy. Show me what surrounded the overwhelming glory: a rainbow, the sign of mercy. Ezekiel fell on his face before your glory, overwhelmed; and yet around that glory was the rainbow, the sign you had given of your mercy and your covenant not to destroy. The glory was awesome; but it was encircled by mercy. Your glory and your mercy were seen together. Take that joining of glory and mercy to my heart, for the overwhelming glory of you might otherwise leave me only in dread. Your glory is awesome, enough to make me fall on my face as Ezekiel did; and if that were all, I might know only dread before you. But around your glory is the rainbow, the sign of your mercy. When your greatness and holiness overwhelm me, help me remember that your glory is joined with mercy, encircled by the rainbow of your covenant. Keep me from knowing only dread before your glory, forgetting your mercy, Lord; help me approach the God whose glory is joined with mercy.