The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the colour of a beryl: and they four had one likeness: and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel.
Now the Prophet uses the plural number, and says, there were four wheels. He says, the color was like a precious stone. Jerome translates it “sea,” because the sea which looks towards Cilicia with respect to Judea is called Tharsis. But I know not why the color of the sea or the sky took his fancy.
God's glory shines not only in heaven's splendour but in the steadiness of His government below. Providence works like wheels in a clock, not moving of themselves but kept always in action by His direction. Faith discerns wisdom, power, and goodness in His administration of all things on earth; He judges and acts like Himself everywhere.
AI summary
Commenting on Ezekiel 1:15-25
The appearance of the wheels, and their work, was like unto the colour of a beryl,.... Which is a precious stone; see Exo 28:20; the Syriac version renders it a chrysolite; the Arabic, a jasper; and so may denote the preciousness, glory, and excellency of the churches, and the true members of them, which are as jewels and pearls of great price in the esteem...