Looking at the Spiritual Meanings in Ezekiel's Visions -What Does the Wind, Cloud, Fire & Electrum in Ezekiel 1:4 Symbolize?

     Whenever I used to think of Ezekiel, I always think about the vision of the bones in the valley; maybe that's because of that kid's song about dry bones. In comparison the first vision presented in Ezekiel may seem a bit insignificant, but you'll see it's extremely critical.

  And I looked, and there came a storm wind from the north, a great cloud and a fire flashing incessantly; and there was a brightness around it, and from the midst of it there was something like the sight of electrum, from the midst of the fire. Ezekiel 1:4

 God gave Ezekiel the vision of the wind, cloud, fire, and electrum to portray a spiritual cycle that we should experience every day.  So let's get started.  The vision first begins with an image of a stormy wind blowing from the north.  Why the north?  Witness Lee explains that In the Psalms we can pick up that God is the One who dwells in the north (Psalm 48:2).  So I learned that this means that God sends something into our life that's like a spiritual storm that turns our lives upside down. I've had that happen, so I'm sure you know what that means!

     After that Ezekiel saw an image of a cloud. This should remind us of how after the Israelites built the tabernacle the Lord came down as a cloud upon it, and He also guided them with a cloud on their wilderness journey. So in this regard the cloud is God's presence hovering over us and caring for us in the "storm."

     Following the wind and cloud comes the image of fire. God's presence upon us produces a fire that consumes negative things in our heart and purifies us. This goes along with the verse in Hebrews 12:29 that says our God is a consuming fire. Ultimately these three experiences produce electrum within us.  I read that electrum is an alloy of gold and silver, which is a picture of the redeeming God in Revelation 22:1.  

    I liked this excerpt on page 40 of chapter 4 of the Life-Study of Ezekiel that explains that this vision is a picture of an ongoing cycle that should be a part of our daily experience:



Family walk

The spiritual history of every Christian should involve the wind, the cloud, the fire, and the electrum.  When we were saved, we experienced the Lord in these four ways, and we should continue to experience Him in this way....When you wake up in the morning, you may sense that the wind of the Spirit is blowing upon you and that a cloud is overshadowing you. Then as you spend some time to pray, you may sense that a fire is burning within you to consume your corruption, worldliness, and many other negative things.  Eventually, you may sense that within you there is a something bright, beautiful, and dignified--the glowing electrum....This kind of experience is inexhaustible and unending (Lee, Witness. Life-Study of Ezekiel.  Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, 1998, Print).

I hope you'll have time to click on the above link and read this chapter for yourself. The exposition on this vision in this chapter has really helped me understand on another plane what God's doing in all the situations in my life!!  He's producing electrum in us--which really just means He's transforming us a little bit more into His image like 2 Corinthians 3:18 talks about.

 Other posts on the Major Prophets

Life-Study of Isaiah:
You can listen to excerpts of Witness Lee's speaking the Life-Study of Isaiah on Life Study of the Bible  with Witness Lee.   You can also read the online Life-Studies of Isaiah and check out other resources available to enhance your study of the Bible on Living Stream Ministry's website.

How Can the Son in Isaiah 7:14 & 9:6 Be the Mighty God?
Seeing Christ as the Great Light in Isaiah 9:2
Why is Christ  Called the Cornerstone in Isaiah 28:26?
Taking a Closer Look at Isaiah 53 - Christ's Crucifixion Foretold - Part 1 

Taking a Closer Look at Isaiah 53 - Christ's Resurrection &Ascension Foretold - Part 2 of 2

Life-Study of Jeremiah & Lamentations:

You can listen to excerpts of Witness Lee's speaking the Life-Study of Jeremiah & Lamentations on Life Study of the Bible with Witness Lee.

Insights from Jeremiah - What Does God Consider Evil in Jeremiah 2:13?
Insights from Jeremiah - Taking A Closer Look at the New Covenant in Jeremiah 31:31-34
What Lessons Can We Learn From the Book of Lamentations?

Life-Study of Ezekiel:
You can listen to excerpts of Witness Lee's speaking the Life-Study of Ezekiel  on Life Study of the Bible with Witness Lee.

Looking at the Spiritual Meaning in Ezekiel's Visions - What's Does the Wind, Cloud, Fire & Electrum in Ezekiel 1:4 Symbolize?
Looking at the Spiritual Meaning in Ezekiel's Visions - The 4 Living Creatures in Ezekiel 1:5
Looking at the Spiritual Meaning in Ezekiel's Visions - The Man on the Throne in Ezekiel 1:28
Looking at the Spiritual Meaning in Ezekiel's Visions - What Ezekiel 14:3 Tells Us About Israel's Captivity
Looking at the Spiritual Meaning in Ezekiel's Visions - What's the Valley of Bones All About in Ezekiel 37?
Looking at the Spiritual Meaning in Ezekiel's Visions - What Do All the Measurements of God's House in Ezekiel 40 Symbolize?
Looking at the Spiritual Meaning in Ezekiel's Visions - The Vision of the Return of God's Glory to His House - Part 1 of 2
Looking at the Spiritual Meaning in Ezekiel's Visions - The Vision of the Return of God's Glory to His House - Part 2 of 2
Looking at the Spiritual Meaning in Ezekiel's Visions - Why Does a River Flow Out of God's House in Ezekiel 47?

Life-Study of Daniel:

You can listen to excerpts of Witness Lee's speaking the Life-Study of Daniel  on Life Study of the Bible with Witness Lee.

Overcomers in Babylon - Why Didn't Daniel Eat the King's Meat in Daniel 1?
Overcomers in Babylon - Lessons From Daniel & the Lions Den in Daniel 6
Overcomers in Babylon - Lessons From Daniel's Dream About Four Beasts in Daniel 8

 

Jer D.'s Mexican Lime Chicken

When I was at my daughter's house a few weeks ago, I noticed that her husband was out on the grill.  He's always concocting these amazing recipes.  Anyway the chicken smelled delicious, so I asked him to give me a rundown on what he had used. As he dictated, I texted it to myself.  Last week I wanted to see how it would come out, and I didn't plan this, but I made it on a day that they ended up coming to dinner. 

After he took a bite and was wowing over the taste, and had the look like what is this absolutely delicious chicken I'm eating? I reminded him it was his recipe!! You have to understand that this is a guy who probably never makes any two recipes the same way.  He said he really likes the cilantro in this marinade.  






1.  Prepare marinade - In a small dish stir together:
(1) The juice of 1 lime and 1/2 of a lemon
(2)  Chop up half a bunch of cilantro
(3)  Then add the spices:  1 1/2 tsp. salt, 1 tsp. black pepper, 1 tsp. smoked paprika, and 1 tsp. garlic.

2.  Prepare 8-10 chicken legs and thighs -  Rinse and trim off any fat.

3.  Put chicken into a Ziploc bag and pour the marinade on them.  Massage the marinade into the chicken pieces and refrigerate 6 to 24 hours.  You can flip the bag a few times to help distribute the marinade. 

4.  You can either grill or roast these in the oven.  I baked the chicken at 385 for 45 - 50 minutes.
 
List of other chicken recipes on this blog:

Asian:
Authentic Chinese BBQ Chicken  (From my Taiwanese friend Rose)
The Real Deal GF Teriyaki Chicken  (From my church cookbook, Come & Dine)
Gluten Free Soy Sauce Chicken   (Modified from Internet search)
Tasty Gluten Free Filipino Chicken Adobo  (Modified from Internet search)
Gluten Free Sweet & Sour Chicken (From my church cookbook, Come & Dine)
Make Your Own G.F. Teriyaki Bowls  (From a collection of my recipes)

Italian & Greek:
Chicken Souvlaki   (Marinade for chicken from my son-in-law)
Gluten Free Chicken Cacciatore With Peppers & Mushrooms  (Modified from my mother-in-law's recipe)
Delicious Gluten Free Chicken Parmesan   (From my church cookbook, Come & Dine)
My Son-in-Law's Own Recipe for Greek Chicken (Another Jer D. recipe)
Delicious Chicken Florentine Lasagna  (From my church cookbook)

Mexican:
Pollo Guisado (Mexican Braised Chicken)  (From a church friend in Phoenix)
Belizean Chicken, Black Beans & Rice, and Belizean Coleslaw  (From my daughter's family)
Make Your Own Chicken Burrito Bowls (From a collection of my recipes)

American Favorites:
The Best Gluten Free Oven Fried Chicken   (From my sister-in-law)
Curried Mushroom & Apple Chicken  (From my church cookbook Come & Dine)
A Gluten Free Twist on Tarragon Chicken - (From my  church Come & Dine cookbook)
Chicken & Mushrooms in Wine Sauce   -( From my church Come & Dine cookbook)
Summery Lemon Chicken - (From my daughter-in-law's family cookbook)
Pulled Chicken Sliders (Modified recipe from my daughter)

BBQ:
The Best Homemade Chicken BBQ Sauce  (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
Amazing BBQ Chicken    (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
Blackberry BBQ Chicken - A Tasty Sauce You'll Have to Try! (Off a package of blackberries)
Ray's BBQ Chicken - (From my daughter-in-law's family cookbook)
Country Style BBQ Chicken - (From my daughter-in-law's family cookbook)
Great for Summer BBQ - Lemon Rosemary Chicken Legs  (From my church cookbook, Come & Dine)
Fantastic Gluten Free Chicken Kabobs  (From my church cookbook, Come & Dine)
Jeremy's Original BBQ Rub For Thighs  (My son's very own concoction!)


 Chicken Casseroles
Chicken Divan  - (From my Come & Dine Cookbook)
Chicken Pot Pie - (A combination of 3 different recipes!)
Our Family's Fall Favorite - Chicken & Zucchini Casserole with Gluten Free Biscuit Topping - -( From my church Come & Dine cookbook)
Savory Chicken Mornay - (A classic chicken broccoli casserole from my Come & Dine cookbook)

What Lessons Can We Learn From the Book of Lamentations?

     God keeps His Word.  When the Israelites would not repent of their idolatry, God had no choice but to send Nebuchadnezzar to burn their temple and take thousands of them captive.  I read in chapter 1 of the Life-Study of Lamentations that historians say that this book was written while the prophet Jeremiah looked down from a hill at the smoldering ruins of Jerusalem. 

I captured an eagle flying over a nearby bay

    Even in the midst of this desolation, Jeremiah speaks a word that has comforted me and I'm sure countless other people:

It is Jehovah's lovingkindness that we are not consumed, For His compassions do not fail; They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness. Jehovah is my portion, says my soul; Therefore I hope in Him. Jehovah is good to those who wait on Him, to the soul that seeks Him.  Lamentations 3:22-25

     In chapter 2 of this Life Study Witness Lee says that Jeremiah realized that even though thousands had been exiled, some were still left and that this was because of God's lovingkindness.  I found these excerpts on page 7 encouraging:

"The people of Israel had failed, but God's compassions did not fail. His compassions had preserved the remnant of Israel....'They are new every morning' (v. 23a). This indicates that Jeremiah contacted the Lord as the compassionate One every morning. It was through his contact with the Lord that he received this word regarding His lovingkindness, compassions, and faithfulness....Because He had made a covenant with Abraham and confirmed it with Isaac and Jacob, God had to be faithful to keep His word" (Lee, Witness. Life-Study of Lamentations. Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, 1992, Print)

.    After this section he says in our lives sometimes it doesn't look like God is being kind, compassionate, or faithful. And when that happens, what will we do?  That's when we have to put our hope in Him and wait on Him.   Often we have to  face  difficulties and painful situations, and often that's for more than a week. 

     And then he shares that 's when we get to experience Lamentations 3:55 which says, I called upon Your name, O Jehovah, From the lowest pit.  Our waiting and our calling out to him will prove once again that God is compassionate and faithful!!  And this week I've been praying about something very close to my heart, and this word gives me renewed strength to believe in God's faithfulness.

Life-Study of Jeremiah & Lamentations:

You can listen to excerpts of Witness Lee's speaking the Life-Study of Jeremiah & Lamentations on Life Study of the Bible  with Witness Lee.

Insights from Jeremiah - What Does God Consider Evil in Jeremiah 2:13?
Insights from Jeremiah - Taking A Closer Look at the New Covenant in Jeremiah 31:31-34

Another Hey Ma No Butter Recipe - Easy Weekday GF Brownies

    A few weeks ago I was looking through my cookbooks for an easy brownie recipe.  And what do you know in my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook there was a recipe called Easy Brownies!  I made these on a Thursday and was hoping to have something for a fun dessert.

I was also interested because like the ranger cookies I posted several weeks ago they use salad oil or mayonnaise instead of butter.  And guess what you couldn't even tell the difference between these and ones I've made with butter! .

Easy Weekday GF Brownies

1.  Prepare dry ingredients - in a small mix bowl put:
(1)  1 cup of gluten free flour - I used 1/3 cup of white rice flour, 1/3 cup of fava/garbanzo flour, and  1/3 cup of coconut flour.
(2)  Stir in 1/2 cup of cocoa, 1/2 tsp. baking powder, and 1/2 tsp. salt.

2.  Cream oil & sugar - In a medium-sized mixing bowl put:
(1)  1 cup of salad oil or mayonnaise
(2)  1 1/2 to 2 cups of sugar and cream together until well combined.
(3)  Add 4 eggs and 2 tsp. of vanilla and mix together.

3.  Chop 1 cup of walnuts or pecans.

4.  Combine ingredients:  Slowly add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture.  At the end stir in 1 cup of chopped walnuts.

5.  Grease a 9 x 13 pan and make sure the batter is evenly poured.  Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

6.  If you like a frosting, this one came with the recipe:
 Beat together 1/2 cup of melted butter, 1/2 cup of cocoa, 2 cups of powdered sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla, and 3 T of hot water. 

 

 

Other GF Cookies On This Blog:

 

The Ultimate Gluten Free Cowboy Oatmeal Cookies   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Mom's Go To For Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
The Best Gluten Free Recipe for Snickerdoodles    (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Gluten Free Rocky Road Brownies    (From a church friend)
Mark's Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies - Made Gluten Free!   (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
Judi's Gluten Free Oatmeal Craisin & Coconut Cookies (From a church friend)
Marie's Old Fashioned Molasses Cookies (Also Great Gluten Free!)   (My friend Marie's recipe)
GF Nordy Bars  (From my Syre School Cookbook)
Bebe's Gluten Free Whoopie Pies  (From my friend Debbie)
Gluten Free Coconut Chocolate Chip Macaroons  - (Recipe on Baker's bag of coconut)
Dale's Gingersnaps Made Gluten Free  (From my Come & Dine cookbook)
Chewy Gluten Free Molasses Cookies (From my daughter-in-law's Family Reunion Cookbook)
Those Famous Neiman Marcus Cookies Made Gluten Free   (From my daughter-in-law)
Janah's Oatmeal Cookies with a GF Spin  (My daughter's recipe)
Homemade Gluten Free Butter Cookies   (From My Heritage School Cookbook)
An Old Fashioned Favorite Made GF - Hermit Cookies- Hermit Cookies  (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
A New Twist on Holiday Peppermint Cookies (You can make them Gluten Free) - (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
Who Wouldn't Love a Cookie that Tastes Like a Brownie? GF Cocoa White Chocolate Chip Cookies - (From my daughter-in-laws family reunion cookbook)
Look Ma No Butter!  GF Chocolate Chip Ranger Cookies (From my Come & Dine Cookbook)