Scripture Reading : Ezekiel 10
Theme : Glory of God Departs
God instructed the man clothed in linen to take fire coals from the center of the cherubim throne-chariot (cf. ch. 1) and to pour them out in judgment on the city to purify it. Coals of fire were often symbolic of cleansing in the OT (cf. Isa 6). God’s judgement is a purifying judgement that cleanses His land from idols. God’s glory is described by the vision of cherubim forming a throne-chariot for God’s throne. This is to depict God’s supreme authority over the universe, even over powerful angelic beings (cf. 1 Sam 4:4; 2 Sam 6:2; 2 Kings 19:15; 1 Chronicles 13:6; 1 Chronicles 28:18; Pss 18:10; 80:1; 99:1). God’s glory progressively departs inner temple, then to the gate of the temple and eventually leaves the city (11:23). Deuteronomy 31:17 and Hosea 9:12 had declared that this departure would occur if the people strayed from God’s ways. In 1 Samuel 4 a similar example of the departure of God’s glory at a time of judgment was memorialized by the name of Eli’s grandson “Ichabod” (v.21), which means “inglorious.” Once again, in Ezekiel’s day God wrote “Ichabod” over Jerusalem and Judah [1]
[1] Alexander, R. H. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary.
Praying the Scripture
The true Israel is recognizable not by external marks such as circumcision (Rom. 2:27–29), the possession of the Law (Jer. 8:8), or presence in the holy land near the temple (Ezek. 11:14–22), but by a willing obedience to the covenant Lord. True spirituality is not expressed by claiming the promises of God or parroting theological dogma. Those who lay the greatest stock in these externals may be those whom God rejects. For the true believer the claim to covenant relationship with God is matched by genuine piety and compassion for others, especially those who have been marginalized [2]
[2] Block. The Book of Ezekiel.
经文：以西结书10
主题：神的荣耀离去
神吩咐那穿细麻衣的人从基路伯中间将火炭取满两手（参：第一章），撒在城上以作审判，洁净这城。火炭在旧约中常常象征着洁净（参：赛6）。神的审判是洁净的审判；祂要从祂的土地中除尽偶像。神的荣耀在这里被形容似基路伯头上仿佛宝座的形象。这象征神对宇宙，甚至对有大能之天使的掌权（参：撒上4:4；撒下6:2；王下19:15；代上13:6, 28:18；诗18:10, 80:1, 99:11）。神的荣耀逐渐从内院离去，至殿的门槛，然后离开这城（11:23）。申命记31:17与何西阿书9:12已宣告若以色列民离开神的道，神的荣耀将离去。在撒母耳记上4中，神的荣耀在审判之日的离开是由以利之孙以迦博之名象征的，其意思是“不光彩的”。神在以西结的年代再一次在耶路撒冷和犹大写上“以迦博”。[1]
用经文祷告
属实的以色列人并不需要外在标志作证，如割礼（罗2:27-29），手握律法书（耶8:8），或持续守在圣殿附近的圣地（结11:14-22），乃要乐意顺服约定中的主。真正的属灵人不会到处说要得取神的应许，或者仅仅重述神学教条。凡只依赖这种外在表现的人或许就是神所拒绝的。对于真实信徒而言，倘若他与神确实有神约定中的关系，他对神会有真实的敬虔，也对他人有怜悯，特别是被社会排挤的人。[2]
[1] Alexander, R. H. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary.
[2] Block. The Book of Ezekiel.
