The Glory and the Watchman
A Formation Commentary on Ezekiel 1 through 12
By Will Bourne · Bourne Again Media LLC
Ezekiel 1–12 · 1–12
The journey of this volume
When familiar places and assurances fall away, where do we look for God? Ezekiel begins beside a river among displaced people, where divine glory interrupts the apparent reach of empire. This first movement joins worship with the responsibility to hear and speak truth. Begin with chapter 1 and let its vision enlarge your view of God while keeping real losses and present responsibilities in sight.
What currently fills my imagination, and how might worship reorder my response?
What you’ll explore
- God’s presence among the exiles
- Reverence before responsibility
- Discernment beneath God’s Word
- Authority received as service
Glory beside the river
Begin with Ezekiel 1 in your Bible. Read Ezekiel 1 before the commentary. Follow the repeated words about likeness and appearance, then notice the throne and Ezekiel’s response.
The following reading summarizes Chapter 1, “The Glory Appears in Exile,” with a selected excerpt from the manuscript.
Ezekiel receives this vision in the historical setting of captivity under Babylon. God takes the initiative, revealing His presence where the displaced community might have assumed it was inaccessible.
The creatures and wheels move in responsiveness beneath the throne. Their astonishing power never becomes the center. Ezekiel’s repeated language of likeness teaches readers to describe what is given with reverence and humility.
The prophet falls before he speaks. Will connects this posture with service that grows from worship, listening, and grace. Faithful responsibility begins beneath God’s authority and remains accountable to Scripture and truth.
Glory beside the river
The glory beside the river does not make exile pleasant. It reveals that exile is not godless territory. God can confront, commission, sustain, and eventually restore his people there. The location of the vision becomes part of its message: no empire can place God's people beyond God's reach.
Will Bourne · From Commentary 1, “The Glory Appears in Exile,” in The Glory and the Watchman
Following Christ through this movement
Christian readers receive Ezekiel’s vision within Israel’s story and the wider biblical witness. The commentary follows the theme of divine glory toward the Word made flesh and the knowledge of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Christ’s majesty is revealed through holiness, compassion, service, the cross, and resurrection. Those who follow Him receive gifts and authority as a trust for the good of others.
Continue in Scripture
John 1:14–18 · 2 Corinthians 4:5–6 · Philippians 2:5–11
Read these passages alongside the selected chapter. Keep its historical setting in view while following the biblical witness toward Christ and faithful practice today.
A question to carry
What changes when I remember that God meets Ezekiel among the exiles? Where do I need to listen before speaking or acting?
Stay with one person or situation that comes to mind. Notice what this passage brings into view before deciding how to respond.
Back to section choices ↑One faithful step
Read the chapter twice. Name one pressure that feels larger than everything else, then bring it before Christ in prayer. Choose one act of listening or service that responds faithfully to your actual circumstances.
Back to section choices ↑A prayer for the journey
Holy God, turn our attention toward Your glory. Jesus, teach us the authority that serves and the courage that listens. Holy Spirit, reorder our fears and ambitions, and guide our next faithful response. Amen.
Back to section choices ↑Why this movement matters
The glory and the watchman hold this movement together. God meets Ezekiel beside the Chebar in exile, then calls him to receive the word and speak faithfully. The vision tells us who God is; the calling asks how we will respond.
I wanted authority and responsibility to remain together. Ezekiel’s calling gives him a responsibility beneath the enthroned God. That distinction matters wherever we teach, pastor, parent, or lead.
Adapted from Will Bourne’s prepared Ezekiel interview.
Back to section choices ↑