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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - Ezekiel 10:1 - 10:8
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The Burning of the City
v. 1. Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament, the vaulted expanse above, that was above the head of the cherubim, the living creatures of the first vision, there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne. In the previous chapter the Lord had left this throne and occupied a position at the threshold of the Holy Place. Here He is again on His throne above the cherubim, as the majestic Sovereign of the universe.
v. 2. And He spake unto the man clothed with linen, the chief of the six avenging angels, and said, Go in between the wheels, even under the cherub, here spoken of as collective, on account of the unity of the vision, and fill thine hand with coals of fire from between the cherubim, 1:13, and scatter them over the city, to bring about its destruction by fire. And he went in in my sight, performing the work which he was commanded to do while Ezekiel was witness of his act.
v. 3. Now, the cherubim stood on the right side of the house, that is, on the south side, when the man went in; and the cloud filled the inner court, the Court of the Priests.
v. 4. Then the glory of the Lord, once more leaving its position on the throne above the cherubim, went up from the cherub, literally, "was raised up high from off the cherub," and stood over the threshold of the house, removing to this place as before; and the house, the Sanctuary proper, was filled with the cloud, and the court, the inner court, was full of the brightness of the Lord's glory, as reflected from the cloud which filled the Holy Place.
v. 5. And the sound of the cherubim's wings, 1:24, was heard even to the outer court, as the voice of the almighty. God when He speaketh.
v. 6. And it came to pass that, when He had commanded the man clothed with linen, saying, Take fire from between the wheels, from between the cherubim; then he went in and stood beside the wheels, beneath the cherubim, who were now changed from ministers of God's grace to ministers of God's vengeance.
v. 7. And one cherub stretched forth his hand from between the cherubim, as they stood in close array, unto the fire that was between the cherubim and took thereof and put it into the hands of him that was clothed with linen, who had received his command directly from the Lord, who took it and went out, in order to carry out the punishment of burning upon the city.
v. 8. And there appeared in the cherubim the form of a man's hand under their wings, this hand performing the office of handing out the fiery coals for the destruction of Jerusalem, The attention to details increases the effect of the entire passage: the idea of deliberate preparation for the ruin of the city.