Hopscotch

#86  Ezekiel's living creatures
The book of the prophet Ezekiel opens with a bang, the prophet's bizarre vision of four unearthly beings.  In the midst of an ominous whirlwind were "four living creatures."  They were human in shape, but each one had four wings, and their feet were like calves' feet.  They sparkled like burnished bronze.  Each had four faces: a lion, a man, an ox, and an eagle.  They moved, and they gave the impression of fire and lightning.  More impressive than the creatures was the glory of the Lord Himself above them.  This stunning vision caused Ezekiel to fall on his face, whereupon the Lord commissioned him as a prophet to the people of Israel.  We learn in Ezekiel 10 that these "living creatures" are cherubim and the guardians of the Lord's throne.  Since this vision took place in Babylon, where Ezekiel was in exile, one message seems to be that the Lord's throne is anywhere He wishes it to be, not necessarily tied to a location in Israel.