In our study of the Book of Ezekiel, unlike other series on the Website, it’s almost a necessity for one to read the chapter being discussed … in order to follow my comments.

Chapter 3 consists of 27 verses, primarily showing Ezekiel experiencing the Glory of God … a second time! An Event that was first reported in chapter 1.

The Prophet has many “dark” days ahead in his ministry.

Rejection, personal tragedy, spiritual warfare as well.

So … I think to buttress his faith … God repetitively appears to the Prophet, building a foundation of assurance that the Lord is faithful, always keeping His Word, His Promises.

“Then I arose, and went forth into the plain: and, BEHOLD, THE GLORY OF THE LORD STOOD THERE, as the glory which I saw by the river of Chebar: and I fell on my face.” Ezekiel 3:23

If one is going to serve the Lord over a long period of time, it is a necessity that he be positive about the One He so loves, about the Character and Essence and Majesty of his Commander!

Moses once asked to see God’s Glory as well. “And Moses said, I beseech thee Lord, SHOW ME THY GLORY. And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.” Exodus 33:18-19

Paul, I believe, saw God’s Glory the very day he was saved, Acts 9, on his now famous trip to Damascus.

John did as well, from the Island of Patmos.

We all (who believe in Jesus, who have trusted Him as Saviour) will see that Glory some day!

And when we do … we shall be changed!

“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, ARE CHANGED into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18

Amen.

By the way, nowadays God’s Glory can also be “seen” via the pages of His Word!

By faith.

We learn something of the “Wonder” of God by means of the “Word” of God.

Wow!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Other chapter “nuggets” …

In verse 5 God classifies Hebrew, the language, as “not strange speech!” And “not a hard language!” I am currently reading a book on the history of the Hebrew tongue. Maybe that’s why I find this verse so captivating. God to Ezekiel: “For thou art not sent to a people of a strange speech and of an hard language, but to the house of Israel; not to many people of a strange speech and of an hard language, whose words thou canst not understand.” Ezekiel 3:5-6 (Hebrew may well be the “perfect” language” of all time. It may be the language of Heaven, of the Millennium! Read Zephaniah 3:9.)

Then in verse 15 Ezekiel the Preacher says: “Then I came to them of the captivity at Telabib, that dwelt by the river of Chebar, and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days.” Notice the words “I SAT WHERE THEY SAT.” What a wise thing to do, thus identifing with the people in their hardships and suffering. (Remember … “People don’t care how much you KNOW … until they know how much you CARE!”)

Another Lesson tomorrow, the Lord willing.