The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 32

power behind it, must be explained by a power which is undivided and single. Poeto and prophets alike find scope for their imagination in connecting all the phenomena and the forces of nature with the creative Spirit conceived as revealed by their moans. II. THE GLORY OF THE ETERNAL IS SEEN IN LIVING OREATURES, There is, of course, no intention to picture any actually existing animals under the imagery of the vers. 5-1(. But we have a symbolic representation of life. Every observer is conscious that, in passing from mechanical and chemical forces to consider the manifold forms of life, he is climbing, so to speak, to a higher platform. Living beings, in all their wonderful and admirable variety of structure and of formation, are witnesses to the wisdom and the power of the Creator. Let Science tell us of the order and of the process of their appearing; the fact of their appearing, in whatever manner, is a welcome token of the Divine interest in this earth and its population. If the poet d-:ilights to trace God's splendour in " the light of setting suns," the physicist may with equal justice investig-ate in organic nature the handiwork of the All-wise. Life is the work of the living God, in whom all creatures "live, and move, and have their beina-." A lifeless planet would lack, not only the interest with which our earth must be regarded, but something of the evidence which tells us God is here, and is ever carrying out his glorious plans. III. THE GLORY OF THE ETERNAL IS SEEN IN HUMAN ATTRIBUTES. Each living one in the prophet's vision possessed a fourfold aspect or countenance; the combination beina- intended to enrich our conceptions of the handiwork of God, and the witness of that handiwork to him. Interpretations differ; but it is not uncommon to recognize in the ox the sacrificial, in the lion the powerful and regal, in the eagle the aspiring, elements, added to the true humanity, and combining with it to complete the representation. The four Gospels have been generally regarded as exhibiting severally these four characteristics; and accordingly the symbol of Matthew is the man, of Mark the lion, of Lnke the ox, of John the eagle. IV. THE GLORY OF THE ETER:l<AL IS SEEN ESPECIALLY IN IN'rELLIGENCE. The wheels had their ri □ gs or felloes "full of eyes round about." This is symbolical of under- standing, because sight is the most intellectual of the senses, the eye being the medium of the greater part of our most valuable knowledge of the world without. Conscious intelligence can only arise through participation in the Divine nature; it is the subject, □ot the object, of knowledge. In an especial manner, the intellect witnesses to the glory of God, for by it we have insight into the Divine rea.son. In the exercise of the prerogative of knowledge and judgment, in i□ sight and intuition, we are putting forth powers which are in themselves among the most splendid and convincing testimonies to " the Father of lights." V. THE GLORY OF THE ETERNAL IS SEE:l< ESPEOIALLY IN UTTERANCE. The prophet in his vision heard the noise of the wings of the living ones, and the voice above the lirmament--appealing to the !ense, not of sight, but of hearing. It; is perhaps not 'aociful to discern here a conscious, voluntary witness to God borne by his creation, md especially by those endowed with the human prerogative of speech, as the utterance md expression of thought and reason. The music ~f the sp~eres, the voice of the ;tars, " the melody of woods and winds and waters, all testify to God. The poet :epresents the heavenly bodies as "For ever singing as they shine, 'The hand that made us is Divine."' f et the articulate, definite, and intelligible u~terances of beings endowed with intellect md with speech are necessary to enrich and to complete the chorus of adoration and Jraise offered by earth to heaven. The tongue, "the glory of the frame," has its place ;o fill, its witness to bear, in the service of the vast, illimitable temple. VI. THE GLORY OF THE ETERNAL 18 SEEN IN THE COMMUNITY AND HARMONY u POINTED BETWEEN REA VEN AND EARTH. 'l'he living creatures had wings by which ;hey soared into the sky; they reposed and ran, however, upon wheels, by which they naintained their connection with the solid ground. Thie remarkable combination of wings and wheels seems to point to the twofold aspect of all.creation. All things have an earthly and a heavenly side. If wheels alone were p:-ov1ded, earth would seem cut >ff from heaven; if wings alone, the terrestrial element would be lacking, which would 011. r. 1-28.J THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. 11