the appearance of the semblance of the Presence.

"Above the expanse over their heads was the semblance of a throne, in appearance like sapphire; and on top, upon this semblance of a throne, there was the semblance of a human form. From what appeared as his loins up, I saw a gleam as of amber - what looked like fire encased in a frame; and from what appeared as his loins down, I saw what looked like fire. There was a radiance all about him. Like the appearance of the bow which shines in the clouds on a day of rain, such was the appearance of the surrounding radiance. That was the appearance of the semblance of the Presence of the Lord. When I beheld it, I flung myself down on my face. And I heard the voice of someone speaking..." -ezekiel 1.

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this portion of ezekiel's vision fascinates me.

look at the words he uses; sapphire, amber, fire, radiance.

these are powerful descriptors, conjuring up images of a form and a being that is beautiful and mighty beyond our understanding.

and this is merely a retelling of the appearance of the semblance of the Presence of the Lord. all that radiance and gleaming amber and framed fire is just a limited, far off, layered version of what God truly is. the reality of God is far too pure and holy for any man to look on in full.

the mere appearance of the semblance of the Presence of the Lord caused ezekiel, God's own prophet and priest, to fling himself down on his face in reverence and fear.

And this is the God who is mindful of us?

this is the God who chooses us?

this is the God who speaks (!) to us and calls us by name?

...

what grace. what heavy, heavy grace.