On My Face

Ez 1:28b "Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking." ESV

 

For some reason I started studying the books of the Bible that began with "E". I had already done Exodus. Then I hit Ezra (great book), then Ephesians (amazing book) then Esther, then Ecclesiastes and now Ezekiel. So here it goes, a study in the book of Ezekiel.

 

Right away it starts out weird. Here is this prophet, Ezekiel, who sees unusual stuff. He sees a cloud with flashing fire coming out of it, and something in the middle of it that looked like metal. Then he saw four living creatures with four faces and four wings who looked like bright burning torches, and from them came lightening. The creatures darted back and forth just like lightening and next to each one was something that resembled a wheel with rims that looked like they were full of eyes. Wherever the creatures went and whatever the creatures did the wheels followed and did exactly the same thing. Above their heads was an expanse that was awesome in appearance. When they moved their wings, the sound was massive and sounded just like an army advancing. During all of this what did Ezekiel do? Nothing. He probably just watched with his mouth wide open.

 

But then he saw something else. In the awesome crystal expanse that was above the creatures heads Ezekiel saw something else. A throne. And sitting on the throne someone who looked like a human. But this was not any ordinary human sitting on a throne. This Being was surrounded by light. Everything was bright all around Him and it was a multicolored brightness that looked like a rainbow. "Such was at the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD." When Ezekiel saw this, what did he do? Stand there with his mouth open? No. Something changed. He saw all of this other stuff and just stood there, but when he saw the glory of the LORD "I fell on my face...". His reaction was totally different. He saw all this other amazing stuff and did nothing, but when he saw God...BOOM! Smack down! On his face. Prostrate. Why? He was looking at the glory of God. When this happened, there was only one way to go...down on his face.

 

Now I know that we don't have these experiences. I mean, I have not seen four weird living creatures full of fire, with their UFO's coming with them. I have not seen God sitting on His throne, but someday I will and where will I be? On my face. The thing is, this awesome, holy, powerful God is the One who lets me come into His presence now. I don't see Him, but I hear from Him...and where should I be? On my face. Not just on my face in my heart...but literally on my face. He is God and He lets me come into His presence. He extends His grace to me and teaches me. Crazy. Awesome. Prostrate. On my face.