Matthew Henry Commentary Ezekiel 1:26-28

"And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone; and upon the likeness of the throne was a likeness as the appearance of a man upon it above. And I saw as it were glowing metal, as the appearance of fire within it round about, from the appearance of his loins and upward; and from the appearance of his loins and downward I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness round about him. As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of Jehovah. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake." — Ezekiel 1:26-28 (ASV)

The eternal Son, the second Person in the Trinity, who afterwards took human nature, is indicated here. The first thing observed was a throne. It is a throne of glory, a throne of grace, a throne of triumph, a throne of government, and a throne of judgment.

It is good news to people that the throne above the heavens is filled with One who appears, even there, in the likeness of a man. The throne is surrounded by a rainbow, the well-known emblem of the covenant, representing God's mercy and covenanted love to his people. The fire of God's wrath was breaking out against Jerusalem, but limits would be set to it; he would look upon the bow and remember the covenant.

All that the prophet saw was only to prepare him for what he was to hear. When he fell on his face, he heard the voice of One who spoke. God delights to teach the humble. Let sinners, then, humble themselves before him.

And let believers consider his glory, so that they may be gradually changed into his image by the Spirit of the Lord.