“And each one went straight forward; they went wherever the spirit wanted to go, and they did not turn when they went.” (Ezekiel 1:12, NKJV)

The prophet Ezekiel began his book in a most extraordinary way. The heavens opened to him, and he saw visions of God. His descriptions are so transcendent that they are difficult to even picture. As we ponder them, we are moved with awe before the glory of the LORD.

Ezekiel saw four living creatures that he later identified as “cherubim” (Ezekiel 10). Each one had four faces: namely, a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle. Each creature had two wings outstretched with the tips touching the wings of another creature. They also had two wings with which they covered themselves. Together they formed a square. They darted about in unison like flashes of lightning.

Now they each had wheels beside them that had rims, which were full of eyes. There were wheels within the wheels, probably one wheel perpendicular to the other one. We are told that the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.

“Wherever the spirit wanted to go, they went, because there the spirit went; and the wheels were lifted together with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.” (Ezekiel 1:20, NKJV)

The spirit of the living creatures controlled their corporate movement. Or was it the Spirit of the LORD within them? This spirit in the wheels motivating their movement is a mystery.

I am struck by the fact that wherever the spirit went, they went. I recall the words Jesus spoke to Nicodemus.

“The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8, NKJV)

We also are living creatures who have been born of the Spirit. The Spirit fills us and desires to motivate and control our corporate movement. When we allow Him to lead us, then we move in unison. But unlike the heavenly living creatures, we have a will that sometimes moves contrary to the Spirit. They are holy creatures, but we have a sinful nature. We must deliberately wait upon the Spirit and yield to Him if we are to avoid sin and go where the Spirit wants us to go.