Ezekiel 43:3
And the vision I saw was just like the vision that I had seen when he came to destroy the city, and just like the vision that I had seen by the Chebar canal. And I fell on my face.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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{ "themes": [ "God's returning glory", "Past judgment, future hope", "Prophetic awe and submission" ] }
Ezekiel is witnessing a spectacular vision of God's glory returning to a reconstructed temple. He recognizes this vision as being similar to earlier experiences – one by the Chebar canal where God first appeared to him, and another where he saw God's glory depart the original temple and predict the city's destruction. This callback to judgment highlights the immense significance of God's presence returning, prompting Ezekiel's profound awe and prostration.
Ezekiel sees God’s glory returning, but his first thought isn’t just joy. It’s tied to a past vision of destruction. Why connect these seemingly opposite events?
This verse is a powerful reminder that God's actions are consistent, even when they appear different. Ezekiel identifies the returning glory with two previous visions:
The Vision of Destruction
He recalls the vision where God's glory departed from the temple, a precursor to Jerusalem's ruin. This vision was tied to prophesying the city's doom. Think of it: the prophet 'destroyed' the city ideally by declaring God's judgment upon it.
The Vision by the Chebar Canal
This refers to Ezekiel's initial, overwhelming encounter with God's presence by the Chebar canal, where he saw the divine chariot and received his call to prophesy.
By linking the returning glory to these past visions, Ezekiel emphasizes that the same God who brought judgment is now returning in grace. It's the same divine power, the same holy presence, but now manifesting in restoration.
Why does Ezekiel fall on his face? It’s more than just surprise; it’s a profound reaction to encountering the holiness of God.
The verse concludes with Ezekiel's immediate, physical response: 'And I fell on my face.' This wasn't just a polite bow; it was a complete prostration, an overwhelming reaction.
Awe and Humility
This posture signifies utter humility and awe before the divine majesty. The sheer holiness and power of God’s presence, even in its return, left Ezekiel speechless and physically unable to stand.
Recognition of Majesty
He had seen this glory before, first departing in judgment, and then in his initial call. Each encounter was earth-shattering. The return of this same glory, promising restoration, is equally – if not more – profound. It's an experience that transcends human capacity.
Understand the original words
mar'eh · Hebrew Noun
A prophetic or divine sight granted by God, allowing the observer to perceive spiritual realities or divine events that are not visible to the natural eye.
Ezekiel's vision of God's returning glory is deeply tied to his earlier prophetic experiences. He connects the awe-inspiring sight of God's presence returning to a new, idealized Temple with the devastating visions he had when God's glory departed and Jerusalem was destroyed. This juxtaposition highlights the immense grace of God in returning to His people after judgment.
c. 597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, deports Jehoiachin and thousands of Judeans to Babylon. The prophet Ezekiel is among them, living by the Chebar canal.
c. 593 BC
Ezekiel's First Vision by the Chebar
Ezekiel receives a powerful vision of God's glory, which appears to be departing from Jerusalem. He is commissioned as a prophet.
c. 587-586 BC— this verse
Ezekiel Prophesies Jerusalem's Destruction
Ezekiel powerfully prophesies the impending fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple, symbolizing God's judgment for the people's sin.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Destruction of the Temple
Nebuchadnezzar conquers Jerusalem, destroys the city and the First Temple, and deports more Judeans to Babylon, ending the Davidic kingdom.
This passage describes the initial, overwhelming vision Ezekiel saw by the Chebar canal, setting the stage for his prophetic calling and echoing the same sense of awe and divine presence mentioned in Ezekiel 43:3.
Ezekiel 9:3This verse speaks of the glory of God departing from the temple, a judgment that led to the city's destruction. Ezekiel 43:3 recalls this earlier vision, highlighting the continuity of God's presence and judgment, now returning to a new temple.
Isaiah 6:1-5Similar to Ezekiel's experience, Isaiah also fell on his face in the presence of God's glory, recognizing his own sinfulness and the holiness of God. This connection underscores the profound impact of encountering the divine.
Jeremiah 1:10This verse shows God commissioning Jeremiah to prophesy destruction, illustrating the prophetic role of 'coming to destroy' the city through word, which Ezekiel 43:3 references directly when linking past and present visions.
Revelation 21:1-4This passage describes a new heaven and a new earth, with God dwelling with His people, much like the vision of God's glory returning to a new temple in Ezekiel. It speaks to the ultimate fulfillment of God's presence and restoration after judgment.
wesleyEzekiel 43:3: "And it was according to the appearance of the vision which I saw, even according to the vision that I saw when I came to destroy the city: and the visions were like the vision that I saw by the river Chebar; and I fell upon my face."
43:3 And it - This glory of the God of Israel. To destroy - To declare, that their sins would ruin their city, chap.9:3,4. I fell - Overwhelmed, and as it were swallowed up.
pulpitEzekiel 43:3: "And it was according to the appearance of the vision which I saw, even according to the vision that I saw when I came to destroy the city: and the visions were like the vision that I saw by the river Chebar; and I fell upon my face."
Verse 3. - The prophet identifies the vision on which he now looks as the same he had formerly beheld on the hanks of the Chebar, when he came to destroy the city, i.e. when, in obedience to Divine command, he stood forth to announce the destruction…
{ "themes": [ "God's returning glory", "Past judgment, future hope", "Prophetic awe and submission" ] }
Ezekiel is witnessing a spectacular vision of God's glory returning to a reconstructed temple. He recognizes this vision as being similar to earlier experiences – one by the Chebar canal where God first appeared to him, and another where he saw God's glory depart the original temple and predict the city's destruction. This callback to judgment highlights the immense significance of God's presence returning, prompting Ezekiel's profound awe and prostration.
Ezekiel is witnessing a spectacular vision of God's glory returning to a reconstructed temple. He recognizes this vision as being similar to earlier experiences – one by the Chebar canal where God first appeared to him, and another where he saw God's glory depart the original temple and predict the city's destruction. This callback to judgment highlights the immense significance of God's presence returning, prompting Ezekiel's profound awe and prostration.
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c. 585-571 BC
Visions of Restoration
Ezekiel receives visions of hope and restoration for the exiled people, including a vision of a new Temple and the return of God's glory.
"And the vision I saw was just like the vision that I had seen when he came to destroy the city, and just like the vision that I had seen by the Chebar canal. And I fell on my face." — { "themes": [ "God's returning glory", "Past judgment, future hope", "Prophetic awe and submission" ] }
