The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 38

Vers. 15-21.-Nature's material fO'rces are the active servants of the Ohm·ch. New phenomena now appear to the prophet's ecstatic vision. ·wheels of vast and appallincr magnitude are seen, and seen in combination with the cherubim. Now, wheels ar: essential parts of man's mechanical contrivances; therefore we are compelled to recrard 0 the material earth and the encircling atmosphere as the scene of this activity. In a striking and instructive manner we perceive God working in aud throuah 0 material uature. We learn in this passage- I. THAT THIS TERRESTRIAL GLODE IS THE STAGE ON WHICH Goo IS WORKING OUT ms REDEMPTIVE ENTERPRISE. Other ends, which are plainly sought in nature, are evidently not final; they are steps to a loftier end. It is possible that, in other planets, other aspects of God's glorious nature are in course of being unveiled; other purposes are unfolding; other principles (perhaps not comprehensible by men) are being developed. Our earth is consecrated and set apart for this high end, viz. that it may be the theatre for the display of moral redemption. II. 'l'HAT ALL TIIE WHEELS OF NATURE MOVE TOWARDS THE EXECUTION OF TIIIS PLAN. By the wheels of nature are symbolized all mechanical and chemical forces. These are ever moving in their appropriate activities ; are, in their sphere, resistless. For the most part these activities are a blessing to men; but if withstood, they injure and destroy. These gre,u dynamic forces do not act in a capricious and haphazard manner. They follow implicitly the mandates of law; they are represented as "full of eyes;" they are the docile, ready servants of the cherubim: "the spirit of the living creatures is in the wheels also." 'l'he same Divine Spirit which dwells in angels and in men, possesses and potentiates (though in inferior measure) the forces of nature. Mechanical forces yield to chemical; chemical forces yield to vital; vital forces yield to intelligent; intelligent forces yield to spiritual. A graduated scale of subordination appears, and in all there is the manifestation of one controlling Spirit. This complete subordination of nature to the central purpose of redemption, is seen in the miracles ,vrought by Jesus Christ. 'l'he intervening agents are not within the range of human vision; yet, to a spiritual eye, they might have been (in part at least) discerned. For to Nathanael Jesus Christ affirmed, with special emphasis, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man." III. THAT, BY THE FORCES OF MATERIAL NATURE, Goo's WILL IS SWIFTLY AND NOISE• LESSLY DONE. The idea conveyed to the mind by the vision of these mysterious wbeels is easy and rapid motion. Celerity is made prominent by the fact that they went straight to their destination: "They turned not when they went." It was enough tbat the volition of the Divine mind was ~xpressed. "He spake: and lo! it was done;" "Whither the spirit waa to go, they 11 ent;" "The spirit of the living creature was in the wheels." If the cherubim were lifted up from the earth, these wheels were lifted up; or when the cherubim stood, the wheels stood. Service in any direction-rest or motion-the wheels instantly and spont~neously followed the Divine behest. Here isnints may find strong consolation: "God's will is our sanctification." Ilia will shall be done. For who can finally resist it? IV. THE VAST SCALE OF Goo's PLANS AND AGENCIES APPALS OUR FINITE MINDS. "The fellocs of these wheels were so high," says the prophet, "that they were dreadful." It is the ambition of the human mind to measure and grasp the universe; and when, at length, we begin to discover the magnitude and the minuteness of God's works, we fall prostrate under a sense of our impotence. "It is higher than heaven; what can we know? It is deeper than Hades; what can" our feeble intellect do? It should temper our self-confidence, and induce in ua profound modesty, to remember that we do not, while in the fltsh, see objects a~ they absolutely exist; we see only the likeness and ltppearance of realities. A subjective element mingles with the objective, in our con- i;ciousnesi. "Now we know in part." We anticipate the time when imperfect know• ledge shall give place to perfect certainty. OH, I, 1-28.] THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. 23