John Calvin Commentary Ezekiel 1:13

"As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches: [the fire] went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning." — Ezekiel 1:13 (ASV)

As I said yesterday, something divine ought to shine forth in this vision, because God presented the face of a man and of an ox, of an eagle and of a lion. In this, he accommodates himself to the limited understanding of the people, as I have said, and also to the capacity of the Prophet, because, as we are human, we cannot penetrate beyond the sky.

God therefore considered his Prophet and all the pious, while, at the same time, he wished indirectly to rebuke the people’s sluggishness. At the same time, if the face of a man had not been different from common forms, the vision would not have excited such admiration in the mind of the Prophet.

Hence, something heavenly ought to be mixed with the earthly figures. This is the reason why the living creatures were like burning fire. Now we begin to understand what this difference means. For example, when God appeared to Moses, if there had been nothing wonderful in it, Moses would not have thought that he was called by God. Instead, he acknowledged God in the bush because he saw that the bush was on fire and yet not consumed (Exodus 3:2–3).

Then he began to be stirred and to reflect within himself that a divine vision was presented to him. The same is to be diligently observed in this place. And from this we gather how humanely, indeed, even how indulgently, God deals with us. For, seeing how small our comprehension is, he descends to us; hence the faces of the living creatures, the stature of their bodies, and what we have previously mentioned.

Now, however, since he sees us torpid upon the ground and lying there, as it were, idle, he raises us up. This is the meaning of what Ezekiel now says, namely, the appearance of the living creatures was like burning coals. And since coals taken out of the fire sometimes die out, he says the coals were burning.

The Prophet would necessarily be moved when he saw that the living creatures were not really such—that is, when he saw in the form of the animals something celestial, exceeding the standard of nature and even human senses. And this is also profitable to the rest of humanity.

For when we read this vision, we acknowledge that what the Prophet narrates is so evident that God clearly shines forth in it and does not allow his Prophet to doubt. Hence, his teaching, marked by such certain proofs, is further confirmed to us. Meanwhile, we should remember what we said yesterday: that there is something terrifying in this vision, since the people were hardened against all threats, indeed, even against the blows themselves.

For God had already inflicted severe judgments, not only on the kingdom of Israel but also on the city itself and the whole land of Judah. Even the captives were champing at their bits and roaring because they were driven into exile; meanwhile, those who remained in the city thought they were being treated favorably.

Therefore, such was their complacency that it was necessary to set terrors before them, as we shall see shortly. And it is also said, the fire burned before God, where he not only wishes his own glory to be beheld by us but also wishes to strike fear, as he did at the promulgation of the law (Exodus 19:20).

And David, in Psalm 18, narrates that God appeared to him in this way when he was preserved by him (Psalms 18:8–15). Doubtless, David understands that God displayed his formidable power against the unbelievers. So also in this place, he says, the appearance of the living creatures was like fiery and burning coals, and then he adds another image, that they were like lamps, which some explain as firebrands or burnt wood.

But another opinion is more widely held, and the one I favor. The Prophet now expresses the form of the fire more clearly, namely, that the coals were like lamps. For lamps send out their brightness to a distance and seem to scatter their rays in every direction, like the sun when it shines through the serene air.

On the whole, the Prophet means that the fire was not obscure but full of sparks, and he shows that rays were diffused like lighted lamps. Afterwards he says, they walked between the living creatures. The Prophet sees, as it were, a fiery form amidst the living creatures themselves.

Thus God wished to show the vigor of his own spirit in all actions, so that we would not measure it in our own way, according to the depravity that is innate in us. For when we speak about the works of God, we conceive what our reason comprehends, and we wish in some way to form an image of God in our minds. But God shows that when he works, there is a wonderful vigor, as if fire were moving back and forth. Hence, that vigor is incomprehensible to us.

Afterwards he says, The fire was bright, and lightning issued from it. This would affect the Prophet’s mind when he saw fire glittering in an unaccustomed manner. We know that fire is often bright, especially when flame is added. But the Prophet here intends something very uncommon, as if he had said that the fire is not like that arising from lighted wood, but that it was resplendent.

From this, we may easily conclude that God here sets his visible glory before us. And for the same reason, he says, lightning issued from the fire. Hence arises the splendor just mentioned, since lightning is mingled with the fire.

But we know that lightning cannot be beheld without fear, for in a moment the air seems inflamed, just as if God would somehow absorb the world; hence, the appearance of lightning is always terrible to us. Indeed, He was unwilling that his Prophet should be frightened, except as much as was necessary to humble him.

But, as I stated at the beginning, this vision was not presented to the Prophet for his private use but so that it might be useful to the whole people. Meanwhile, the Prophet, being only human, needed this preparation so that he might be humbled.

For there is always an element of pride in us, which dulls our senses, making us incapable of perceiving God’s glory. Therefore, when God wishes to become intimately known to us, he strips us of all pride and false security. Lastly, humility is the beginning of true understanding. Now we understand why lightning issued from the fire. He confirms this afterwards.