For me, it’s kind of tough slogging through Ezekiel. A lot whirling wheels and other imagery . . . Ezekiel being asked to play out various object lessons before the people . . . the Spirit lifting up Ezekiel and transporting him to different venues from which he is to prophesy . . . Ezekiel being given a variety of “Thus says the Lord’s” as he declares judgment on “a rebellious house” (I’ve come across that phrase a dozen times so far) . . . God being determined that through the pouring out of his wrath, that “they shall know that I am the Lord” (that phrase also occurring over a dozen times so far). So, while I try and read carefully, I know I’m not picking up everything the Lord’s laying down in these chapters. But something caught my eye this morning . . . and I’m wondering . . . did I just see Jesus?

Then [the LORD] cried in my ears with a loud voice, saying, ‘Bring near the executioners of the city, each with his destroying weapon in his hand.’ And behold, six men came from the direction of the upper gate, which faces north, each with his weapon for slaughter in his hand, and with them was a man clothed in linen, with a writing case at his waist. And they went in and stood beside the bronze altar. Now the glory of the God of Israel had gone up from the cherub on which it rested to the threshold of the house. And He called to the man clothed in linen, who had the writing case at his waist. And the LORD said to him, ‘Pass through the city, through Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed in it.’ ” (Ezekiel 9:1-4 ESV)

Ezekiel is getting a “behind the scenes sneak preview” of the spiritual dynamics at play concerning the assault upon and destruction of Jerusalem at the hands of the Babylonians. What appears to be a squad of angelic beings are told to go and pass through the city striking down those who have rejected God and committed “abominations.” But, in addition to this judgment squad, there is another man . . . a man clothed in linen, the garment of a priest . . . a man with a marker, a writing kit. And before the destruction squad goes through the city, this man goes and marks those who have not pursued idolatrous sin and rebellion. And as the death squad passes through the city they are told to “touch no one on whom is the mark” (9:6). Sound familiar?

I read on a bit and “the man clothed in linen” is heard saying to God, “I have done as You commanded me.” Sound familiar, too? And I read on some more, and this same man is sent into the temple . . . and when the man enters, “a cloud filled the inner court” (10:1-3) . . . and that sounds familiar, as well — as in when the glory of God descended upon the wilderness tabernacle as a cloud . . . as in when the cloud of the glory of God overshadowed the Solomon’s temple at it’s dedication . . . as in when the cloud descended upon Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matt. 17:5).

And so, I’m thinking, is this man “just another angel” . . . or is this one of those pre-incarnate visitations of the second Person of the Trinity? God’s High Priest sent in purest garments of divine purity and without spot. God’s Redeemer who goes before judgment to save . . . marking sinners-saved-by-grace with His shed blood — the blood of the precious Lamb of God (1Peter 1:18-19, Rev. 5:9) . . . covering them with garments of righteousness . . . placing a seal upon those who, by faith, turn to Him . . . that seal being a guarantee of redemption (2Cor. 1:21-22, Eph. 1:13-14). God’s obedient Servant . . . who came to do the Father’s will . . . unto death, even death on a cross . . . who cried out with His last breath, “It is finished!” (John 19:30).

I don’t know . . . if this isn’t Jesus, sure looks like Jesus. And even if it isn’t Jesus, thank You Lord that encountering this “man” in this book leads me to think of Jesus . . . and recall some of the aspects of His wondrous work . . . and marvel again at Your saving grace . . . and stand again before Your awesome glory.

Yeah, working through Ezekiel can be tough going at times, but for these sort of “little surprises” it is so worth it. Amen?