I looked and saw a whirlwind coming from the north, a great cloud with fire flashing back and forth and brilliant light all around it. In the center of the fire was a gleam like amber,
We must first consider the intention of this Vision. I have no doubt but that God wished first to invest his servant with authority, and then to inspire the people with terror. When therefore a formidable form of God is here described, it.
These visions filled Ezekiel with exalted thoughts of the God he served, securing him for his work and arming him with power to speak what God would do. They struck terror into the secure sinners of Zion who mocked the prophets, showing them our God is a consuming fire; and they comforted the godly captives in Babylon, assuring them their God dwelt among them still.
AI summary
Commenting on Ezekiel 1:4-14
And I looked,.... Being under the influence of the Spirit and power of God: and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north; which some understand of Nebuchadnezzar and his army coming from Babylon, which lay north of Judea: see Jer 1:14; but it seems to me to be, with what follows, only an apparatus to the following vision: and is designed to awaken the...