Ezekiel 10:15

And the Cherubims were lifted vp, this is the liuing creature that I saw by the riuer of Chebar. Ezekiel 10:15 (KJV)

Ezekiel was a prophet who was taken into captivity in Babylon along with many other Israelites. During his time in captivity, God gave him visions and messages to deliver to the people of Israel, and the book of Ezekiel records these visions and prophecies. In Ezekiel 10 the prophet describes a vision of God’s glory departing from the temple in Jerusalem because of the people’s sinfulness.

Cherubim are angelic beings that appear throughout the Bible, especially in descriptions of God’s heavenly presence. They are often depicted as winged creatures with multiple faces and wings, and in this vision Ezekiel sees these cherubim lifting up.

The river of Chebar, also known as the Kebar River, was a river near the city of Nippur in Babylon. Earlier visions were seen there, while the vision recorded in Ezekiel 10 occurred later near the temple in Jerusalem, not by the river Chebar. The specific location highlights that God’s message and presence were not limited to Jerusalem or the temple; even in exile God was present and communicating with His people.

The lifting up of the cherubim in this verse symbolizes the departure of God’s glory from the temple in Jerusalem. This departure was a result of the people’s disobedience and idolatry. The cherubim, as heavenly creatures associated with God’s presence, represented His withdrawal and the loss of His favour. The vision served as a warning that continued sinful ways would cause God’s presence to leave, calling the people to repentance and reminding them of the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God.

For believers today the passage carries spiritual lessons. It reminds us of the importance of honouring God’s presence and being faithful to Him. We should strive to keep God at the centre of our lives, maintaining a close relationship with Him through prayer, studying His Word, and obeying His commandments. We must be mindful of our choices, understanding that they can either invite God’s presence or push it away. As believers we are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), and God’s presence resides within us. Therefore it is important to live in a way that honours His presence within us and reflects His character to the world.

In summary, Ezekiel 10:15 highlights the departure of God’s glory from the temple in Jerusalem because of the people’s disobedience. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of honouring God’s presence, calling us to live faithfully and obediently, recognising that our choices have consequences and that God’s presence dwells within us as believers.