Ezekiel 3:12-15
Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me the voice of a great earthquake: “Blessed be the glory of the Lord from its place!” It was the sound of the wings of the living creatures as they touched one another, and the sound of the wheels beside them, and the sound of a great earthquake. The Spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness in the heat of my spirit, the hand of the Lord being strong upon me. And I came to the exiles at Tel-abib, who were dwelling by the Chebar canal, and I sat where they were dwelling. And I sat there overwhelmed among them seven days.
Tag: Bitter and Overwhelmed by Knowing God
The above text may be one of the most unusual in all Scripture. The prophet Ezekiel has been introduced to us in an amazing fashion. His vision the preceding chapters and verses is breathtaking. Artist have attempted to portray what he is describing. They have failed miserably. It might be impossible for anyone to capture what the true image must have looked like to the prophet. It was breathtaking!! Amazing would not come close to describing his experience. He has literally been in the presence of God. He has had the experience of a lifetime and see the "glory of God." Like Moses and Isaiah before him and Paul after him, he will never be the same after this encounter with God. In fact that text states that as this experience draws to a close and Ezekiel is brought back "down to earth," by the Spirit, it makes him "bitter." He states he is brought back to "reality" and must sit with the common people. He sits there seven days and is "overwhelmed." He is bitter that he has to leave God's presence and is overwhelmed as a result off being in God's glory. Can you imagine what would happen if our encounters it's God produced such an impact on us? What would the world around us say? Moses' face shown because he got to know God. Paul's eyes never recovered because he got to know God. Ezekiel is overwhelmed from experience and bitter that he has to live it and go back with the sinners of the world. Ezekiel will NEVER be the same. He has had an encounter with God. Have I ever ha such an experience? Do I spend enough time getting to know God to know such an experience? Have I ever so been with God that I am bitter for having to leave His presence and overwhelmed by it?
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