Ezekiel is transported in the ‘visions of God’ to Jerusalem, 8. 3, and placed in the outer court of the temple near the northern gate, outside of which was the site where the ‘image of jealousy’ had stood in the days of Manasseh. Here the prophet is made to see the state of things existing in the temple, which had once been the seat of God’s presence. Looking through the gate to the north, sadly he discovers that the ‘image of jealousy’ has been restored to its old place; also he sees that which represents a secret cult, and thirdly, he observes another abomination, the ‘mourning for Tammuz’. The last and gravest form of abominations that catches the prophet’s eye is the ‘worship of the sun’. Implicated in these evils were the elders, the women and the priests. These infatuated men and women are altogether unconscious that once the presence of the Lord stood where now they are preoccupied with their unholy devotions. Ezekiel saw clearly that this evil must result in the judgement, beginning at the house of God.
Before the judgment falls he is given the vision of the man with the inkhorn, 9. 1-6, who marks the sorrowing faithful remnant, showing that the judgement of God is not indiscriminate. Then follows the vision of the ‘coals of fire’, relating to the impending judgement and another vision in which he sees the departing glory of the Lord, ch. 10.
The prophet with heavy heart, watching the movements of the cherubim and the gradual withdrawing of the glory of the Lord from the temple where it had dwelt, faithfully denounced the sins of the people, and delivered the message of Jehovah to the nation. To encourage His servant God gave him, before he saw the glory finally depart, a message concerning the future blessing for Israel. That message concerned the Lord’s return in glory to the Mount of Olives and to Jerusalem in a future day. Then Israel and Jerusalem will behold the glory of the Lord returning to their land. What a blessing this message of encouragement and comfort was to Ezekiel, and God is still just as concerned about His servants today. He knows when we need a message of comfort to encourage us in our service for Him.
