Commentary on Ezekiel Chapters 1-20 John Calvin (continued)
JOHN CALVIN
Grant, O Almighty God, since thou wishest us to be subject to so many changes, that we cannot settle on earth with quiet minds --- grant, I pray thee, that, being subject to so varying a condition, we may seek our rest in heaven, and always aspire to behold thy glory, so that what our eyes cannot discern may shine upon us from thence; and may we so acknowledge thy hand and power in the government of the whole world, that we may repose upon thy paternal care till we arrive at the enjoyment of that happy rest Which has been acquired for us by the blood of thine only begotten Son. --- Amen.
Lecture Fourth
Ezekiel 1:17
17. When they went, they went upon their four sides: and they turned not when they went.
17. Ad quatuor latera sua, ambulando ibant, non revertebantur cum ambularent.
What he had already explained he now repeats for the sake of confirmation, that they went upon their four sides --- that is, each living creature proceeded straight forward; the words they turned not refer to their perseverance; not that they exceeded the appointed space, but because they went forward to their object without intermission. I touch but lightly now on what has been already sufficiently explained.
Ezekiel 1:18
18. As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and their rings were full of eyes round about them four.
18. Et circumferentiae ipsis, 43 it proceritas ipsis, et terror ipsis: et terga ipsarum 44 plena oculis per circuitum ipsis quatuor.
What he says about the circumferences of the wheels may seem superfluous, but he refers to the second clause of the verse, where he says, that these circumferences were full of eyes. Here, then, he now treats about their height and terrible aspect.
It signifies that the wheels were large, for being round their length and breadth is equal. When he says they were lofty, he, doubtless, signifies that they inspire terror by their very appearance, as he afterwards expresses it.. The sum of the whole is, that these wheels were not common ones, but. they so exceeded the usual size that their magnitude was formidable. But all these things tend to impress the vision on the attention of the Prophet, because unless the Lord should, as it were, draw us violently to himself, we should become torpid through sloth. The Prophet then required to be so variously affected, that, as soon as he sees that no common vision is before him, he should apply all his faculties to its consideration. What he now says, that the circumferences of the wheels were full of eyes, signifies that all the wheels were not rashly but considerately put in motion. If the eyes had been in other parts, they had not been useful; but since the wheels turned by means of their felloes --- that is, their iron hoops --- there the Prophet saw the eyes fixed.
Now, therefore, we see in what manner God directs the world in various ways, and yet nothing' is done without reason and plan. By the eyes, the Prophet understands, that providence which never wanders. He does not say, that every wheel had two
43Properly backs, but he means circumferences or felloes, iron hoops. — Calvin. 44That is, circumferences or strakes; their strakes were full of eyes. — Calvin.