Ezekiel: For His GlorySample

In this chapter, we find two other aspects of God’s judgment because the people had broken the covenant, especially in their adulterous worship practices. 

First, Jerusalem is razed to the ground. The city is burned by fire from God Himself, with burning coals taken from below His throne (vv. 1–2). The ‘man clothed in linen’ from the previous chapter now changes his role from an agent of deliverance to one of judgment (vv. 6–8). The scattering of coals over a city echoes the judgment upon Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:24); Israel is as deserving of God’s judgment as they were. 

Second, God departs from the temple. God warned that Israel’s abominations would drive Him from His sanctuary (8:6). Here we see it taking place in three halting movements:  

1. The glory of the Lord moves from His throne above the tips of the cherubim on top of the ark to the threshold of the temple (9:3).  
2. The Lord moves from the threshold of the temple to the south side of the temple, to rest above the cherubim (vv. 3, 18). This ‘divine throne chariot’ then moves the Lord to the east gate of the temple (v. 19). The throne chariot is the same as the one Ezekiel had seen in the first vision (vv. 20–23).  
3. The Lord leaves the temple proper, heading to the mountain to the east of Jerusalem, most likely the Mount of Olives (11:22–23). 

This halting departure reflects God’s reluctance to leave His house. But He’s been driven from it by the abominations committed there by His people. 

God’s presence with His people, especially dwelling in the temple, was central to Israel’s identity and security. Solomon knew that God was not tied to one place, yet God had chosen to place His name there (1 Kgs. 8:27–29; Deut. 12:11). Even when Israel abandoned the covenant, they still clung dearly to the temple (Jer. 7:1–15). Yet now that God has left it, Israel is exposed to destruction.

Reflection

As Christians, we can praise God that He is present with us by His Holy Spirit, who dwells in us and will be with us forever (John 14:16–17).