Exposition of Ezekiel 1-5, Commentary on Ezechiel · Chapter 1 · Verse 23
VER. 23.
And under the firmament were their wings, ſtreight the one toward the other: every one had two, which covered on this ſide, and every one had two, which covered on that ſide their bodies.
I Have ſpoken before of the wings; yet ſomewhat I ſhall adde; four wings they had, and more wee may not give them, though it may ſeem in this Verſe they had more: for it's ſaid, their wings were ſtreight, that is, ſtretcht out, and then, that they had two on this ſide, and two on that ſide; but the meaning is, when they did flie, thoſe wings that did cover upward, were ſtretcht out, and the other did ſtill cover their bodies or feet.
The ſcope of the verſe is, to ſhew that the Miniſtery of the Angels doth refer to, and ſet out the glory of Chriſt, and that may be ſeen in the obſervations to be given.
Obſer. 1. That where Chriſt is, there the Angels are neer unto him, he was above the firmament, and they juſt under it; the firmament was upon their heads, there was only a glorious tranſparent firmament betweene Chriſt and them, diſtanced from Chriſt they are, but not far.
2. The Angels, wiſe, ſtrong, ſerviceable, ſwift and glorious creatures, attend Chriſts Throne, and are ſubject unto him, they were under the firmament about his Throne. Is it not for the honour and great glory of a King, to have Nobles, Potentates and Princes under him, attending in his Court? It was much for Ahaſhuerus his glory and honour, when he had the Nobles and Princes of the Provinces before him, and under him, Eſt. 1.3. And ſo it's much for the honour of Chriſt, that hee hath Angels, which are greater then the Kings of the earth, attending him.
3. They are ready to exerciſe the will and pleaſure of Chriſt, this farther advances the honour of Chriſt; their wings were ſtretched out, and they willing to move in any ſervice, if their Lord gave out the word: when the Centurions ſervants were ſo willing to go and come at his bidding, it made much for his honour, Matth. 8.9. ready, cheerly, active ſervants are an eaſe and honour to their Maſters: unreadineſſe and unwillingneſſe in inferiours, do diſparage authority, and ſtain the glory of it; Angels that ſerve at Chriſts Throne are never unready or unwilling for any ſervice.
4. They are unanimous in their Miniſtrations, they fall not out by the way, their wings are ſtreight the one towards the other, they cary on the work put into their hands with love, ſweet agreement, peace and conſtant. At the birth of Chriſt they ſung all one ſong, and ſung without diviſion, Glory to God on high, on earth peace, good will towards men; as they ſung, ſo they act, there is no diſagreement amongſt them: Can two walke together, except they be agreed? Angels do flie together, and act together; they are ſo agreed, that no devill, no creature can divide them, they have all but one minde, and ſerve the Lord Chriſt with one conſent; and what honour is this to Chriſt, that hath ſo great, ſo many ſervants, and all minding the ſame thing?
5. They reverence the greatneſſe and Majeſty of Chriſt; though they be high and glorious, yet they ſee ſo vaſt a diſtance between Chriſt and themſelves, that they cover their faces, Iſa. 6. and their bodies here, they come not into his preſence rudely, but with great reſpect and reverence. As God is to be had in reverence of all that are about him, Pſal. 89.7. ſo Chriſt is reverenced by all the Angels that are about him. Women are to be vail'd in the aſſemblies, becauſe of the Angels, 1 Cor. 11.10. to ſhew their reverence and ſubjection to them being preſent; and Angels are covered, to ſhew their reverence and ſubjection unto Chriſt; it's an honour to the Angels, that in reverence to them the women are to be vail'd; and it's a great honour to Chriſt, that Angels reverence and adore him.
6. They are carefull to prevent all offence in their miniſtrations, either of God or man, of Chriſt or any creature; they cover up their bodies, their feet, that nothing obſcene may be ſeen and give diſtaſte, nothing excellent be ſeen, and draw to an over-valuing and Idolizing of them; ſo wiſe and cautious they are; and this addes much to the glory of Chriſt, that his ſervants the Angels, never give advantage to men or devils, to reproach their Lord and Maſter. Alas, how much doth Chriſt ſuffer by us, even by Miniſters, and others in their miniſtrations? Men ſee our weakneſſe, our pride, our vain-glory, miſcarriages many wayes, and rejoyce in our fleſh, even when Chriſt is reproached. But Angels paſſe through all their imployments, ſo that they are blameleſſe, and Chriſt made beautifull, whom they ſerve.
7. That Angels are furniſhed for their miniſtrations; they have wings to flie, and wings to cover their bodies, what ever may make them and their ſervices acceptable, ſpeedy, ſucceſsfull, they have it; and this is for the honour of Chriſt, thoſe he imployes in his work hee inables and accommodates, they go not forth empty, unqualified; he ſent Apoſtles, and fill'd them with his Spirit, hee gives gifts to men, and wings to Angels.