Ezekiel 3:12

My Notes

What Does Ezekiel 3:12 Mean?

The Spirit lifts Ezekiel and he hears behind him a tremendous sound — a great rushing (ra'ash gadol) — and a voice declaring: "Blessed be the glory of the LORD from his place." The glory is being blessed from its location — wherever God dwells, blessing emanates.

The "great rushing" has been described variously as an earthquake, a roaring sound, or the noise of the living creatures' wings (verse 13). Whatever the source, it's overwhelming — the sound of heaven in motion. The entire theophanic assembly is moving, and the sound of its movement is the background to the declaration of blessing.

"From his place" (mimqomo) is significant. God's glory is blessed from where it is — not from where humans want it to be or where they expect it to be. In this case, God's glory is leaving Jerusalem (this is the beginning of the departure described in chapters 10-11). The glory is blessed from wherever it goes — even when it goes to exile with its people.

Reflection Questions

• 1.Have you experienced God's glory 'departing' from a familiar structure — and finding it somewhere unexpected?
• 2.What does 'from his place' mean for you — that God's blessing isn't confined to one location?
• 3.How do you worship a God whose glory is in transit — moving, relocating, not staying where you put Him?
• 4.What 'great rushing' have you heard in your spiritual life — signs that something is moving even if you can't see where?

Devotional

The Spirit lifts him. A sound like a rushing earthquake fills the air. And from somewhere behind him, a voice: blessed be the glory of the LORD from his place.

The glory is moving. It's leaving Jerusalem — slowly, reluctantly, stage by stage (as Ezekiel will describe in chapters 10-11). The same glory that filled Solomon's temple is departing. And as it goes, it's blessed. From wherever it is. From its place.

That phrase — "from his place" — carries something you need. God's glory isn't tied to a building. It isn't confined to Jerusalem. It isn't bound to the temple. Wherever God's glory is, that's the place. And from that place, it's blessed.

This matters profoundly for anyone in exile — spiritual or otherwise. If God's glory left the temple and was still blessed from wherever it went, then His presence isn't dependent on your location. He's not stuck in the building. He's not confined to the good season. He goes where He goes, and wherever He goes is the place.

The sound Ezekiel hears — the great rushing — is the sound of divine relocation. Glory in transit. And even in transit, the response is worship: blessed be.

If God's glory is on the move in your life — if the familiar structures are collapsing and the presence seems to be departing — listen for the rushing. The glory is still blessed. From whatever place it's in. Even if that place isn't where you expected.

Commentary

Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.

Cross References

Related passages throughout Scripture