As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle.
He now comes down to the faces or countenances of the living creatures themselves. The face is properly used with reference to the whole body, but the Prophet only means the countenance. He says therefore that there was on the right as it were the face of a man and of a lion, and on the left, the face of an ox and of an...
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
As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man,.... For these living creatures are men, redeemed from among men by the blood of Christ; their business lies with men, to preach the Gospel to them: and they should be humane, kind, and tender in their behaviour towards them; wounded consciences of weak believers, distressed and disconsolate souls, requiring such...