And the cherubim stand, and let down their wings in submission, waiting for the voice of One mightier than they.  And Ezekiel falls upon his face, and hears from off the throne a human voice, which calls to him as human likewise, ’Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak to thee.’

This, this is Ezekiel’s vision:  not the fiery globe merely, nor the cherubim, nor the wheels, nor the powers of nature, nor the angelic host—­dominions and principalities, and powers—­but The Man enthroned above them all, the Lord and Guide and Ruler of the universe; He who makes the winds His angels, and the flames of fire His ministers; and that Lord speaking to him, not through cherubim, not through angels, not through nature, not through mediators, angelic or human, but speaking direct to him himself, as man speaks to man.

As man speaks to man.  This is the very pith and marrow of the Old Testament and of the New; which gradually unfolds itself, from the very first chapter of Genesis to the last of Revelation,—­that man is made in the likeness of God; and that therefore God can speak to him, and he can understand God’s words and inspirations.

Man is like God; and therefore God, in some inconceivable way, is like man.  That is the great truth set forth in the first chapter of Genesis, which goes on unfolding itself more clearly throughout the Old Testament, till here, in Ezekiel’s vision, it comes to, perhaps, its clearest stage save one.

That human appearance speaks to Ezekiel, the hapless prisoner of war, far away from his native land.  And He speaks to him with human voice, and claims kindred with him as a human being, saying, ’Son of man.’  That is very deep and wonderful.  The Lord upon His throne does not wish Ezekiel to think how different He is to him, but how like He is to him.  He says not to Ezekiel,—­’Creature infinitely below Me!  Dust and ashes, unworthy to appear in My presence!  Worm of the earth, as far below Me and unlike Me as the worm under thy feet is to thee!’ but, ’Son of man; creature made in My image and likeness, be not afraid!  Stand on thy feet, and be a man; and speak to others what I speak to thee.’

After that great revelation of God there seems but one step more to make it perfect; and that step was made in God’s good time, in the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Forasmuch as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also—­ He whom Ezekiel saw in human form enthroned on high—­He took part of flesh and blood likewise, and was not ashamed, yea, rather rejoiced, to call Himself, what He called Ezekiel, the Son of Man.

’And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us; and we beheld His glory.’  And why?

For many reasons; but certainly for this one.  To make men feel more utterly and fully what Ezekiel was made to feel.  That God could thoroughly feel for man; and that man could thoroughly trust God.