Daily Reading: 4-11-16
Ezekiel 1:1-25 New Living Translation (NLT)
Ezekiel (name translates God is strong) is called to be a prophet of God during Israel’s exile in Babylon around 571BC. Ezekiel, approximately 30 years old, has several visions that reveal God’s absolute moral perfection. The purpose of the vision(s) is to help Israel understand their sin or rebellion against God (why they have been taken captive), God’s greatness (draw them to divine dependence), as well as His power to help them overcome sin and reflect His holiness (a message of truth and hope).
The vision Ezekiel has is categorized as apocalyptic (symbolic pictures that vividly convey an idea). If you choose to do so, you can read a similar vision the Apostle John has in Revelation 4:6-7. Read the passage below several times; don’t get too bogged down in the symbolism.