Rēad to Read …Again
Daily Reading: Ezekiel 1-4
Ezekiel 1:10
As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle.
The Bible is interconnected. Meaning it is a complete thought from beginning to end and is perfect in all its contents. To us, the Bible is a book that was written over 1600 years by at least 40 authors. But in reality it is as Psalm 119:89 states it is: For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven. In heaven, God’s Word is one complete volume written by One, the Lord God. A volume though that God gave to the human race through the mortal men that penned it. This is seen as an illustration of the Law of God that was given to Moses in various ways.
In this interconnected Bible there is a heavenly creature/creatures that are mentioned more than once that have similar characteristics. One is listed in the very first chapter of Ezekiel. It is the four faced being that had the face of a lion, ox, man, and eagle. It had a definite connection with the Lord God and His throne. In the book of Revelation chapter four, another beast appears to John the Apostle. It seems to be four beasts with six wings also, which is similar to, but not exactly like the beast in Ezekiel. But it too, has four faces: the face of a lion, calf (ox), man and eagle. These beasts also have a connection with God’s presence and His throne (Revelation 4:6-9).
Yet there is another time these four faced creatures are utilized in Scripture. This one takes study, and perhaps years to fully understand and appreciate. It is the four gospels of Jesus Christ and their inclusions and interpretations. Consider the following.
In Matthew, Jesus is presented as the King of Israel. Jeremiah prophesied of this in 23:5 of his prophecy, Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. Jesus is the righteous Branch, the King as seen throughout Matthew’s gospel account. This would be typified by the Lion, as He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah. Many kings have used the lion on their family crest. For example, Matthew is the only book that includes Herod’s question to the wise men, …Where is he that is born King of the Jews?... (Matthew 2:2).
In Mark, Jesus is presented as the suffering servant of Jehovah. Typified by the ox. Zechariah 3:8 states, Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH. In this verse Zechariah presented the Messiah also as the Branch, but instead of being the King, He is the Servant. In Mark our Lord’s service to His Father and the human race is observed often.
In Luke Jesus is presented as the Son of man. Hence the face of a man in Ezekiel’s and John’s visions. The prophet Zechariah also presents Jesus, the Branch, as a man who will build the Temple of the Lord. And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD: (Zechariah 6:12). In Luke the humanity of Christ is seen predominantly.
Then there is John. He presents Jesus as the Son of God, typified by the eagle. Written by Isaiah 4:2, In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel. For He, the Lord Jesus Christ, is the Branch of the Lord. As an eagle soars high in the heavens, so too does the book of John soar high presenting Jesus as the Son of God in no unmistakable or few instances.
Yes, the Bible is interconnected.
Dr. William T. Howe
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