Ezekiel 1:1-3 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month… I. THY SEER OF THE VISIONS. 1. A priest. Of all men, they who minister to others in spiritual things need first to have their own visions of God. A spiritually-blind priest can only give dead, formal, perfunctory service. 2. A prophet. The prophet must first be a seer. No one can speak for God who has not first heard the voice of God or seen the glory of His truth. II. THE TIME OF THE VISIONS. Early maturity — thirty years old. 1. After years of preparation. 2. Before a life of work. III. THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE VISIONS. 1. Ezekiel was among the captives. (1) Banished from his native land; but not from God. (2) Surrounded by sorrowful men among the captives. Atmosphere depressing. Yet light of heaven broke through it. (3) Himself a captive. Trouble revealed the need of God, and invited His gracious help. 2. Ezekiel was by the river Chebar. In a quiet scene of nature. God is in the broad earth as surely as in any temple. IV. THE SOURCE OF THE VISIONS. 1. From heaven. Then the prophet must look up. There is a spiritual astronomy which claims our study as much as the facts of man and earth. 2. Through the opening of heaven. God must reveal Himself. Revelation is the rolling back of the curtain, opening the gates of the unseen. V. THE NATURE OF THE VISIONS. Seeing some rays of the Divine glory, some fringe of the robe of the Almighty. This is the highest of all visions. We can see it in the human countenance of Jesus. (W. F. Adeney, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. |
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