The Christian Ministry
J. Burns, D. D. Ezekiel 10:14 And every one had four faces: the first face was the face of a cherub, and the second face was the face of a man… The text seems to have a decided reference to the angelic hosts, — those ministers of God who do His pleasure. To resemble these should be the great desire of every Christian, that God's will may be done on earth even as it is done in heaven. But especially should this be the case with the Christian minister: his office greatly resembles that of the holy intelligences above; he is a messenger of God to mankind, an angel of the Church, and therefore well does it become him to study the character and emulate the holiness of cherubim and seraphim in heaven. I. THE FIRST FACE WAS THAT OF A CHERUB. The symbol — 1. Of exalted dignity. Dwelling around the throne of Deity. His especial ambassadors, etc. No office can be more exalted than that of the Christian ministry. It is that to which Jehovah appointed His own Son. One writer quaintly remarks, "God had only one Son, and He made a preacher of Him." "Workers together with God," etc. 2. Of elevated devotion. They are represented as holding great intimacy and close fellowship with God. How indispensable that the ministers of Christ live near to the Lord, hold close communion with the skies. 3. Of distinguished holiness. Ye that bear the vessels of the Lord, etc., as the priests of old. Not only partakers of the ordinary graces of the Spirit, but adorned with the mature fruits of holiness to the glory of God. II. THE SECOND SYMBOL IS THAT OF A MAN. With the sanctity of the cherub is to be united the sympathy of sanctified humanity. As men, Christian ministers are — 1. To be influenced by their relationship to Jesus as Head of the Church. They should have His meekness, humility, lowliness, desire to labour, readiness to suffer, etc. 2. To feel for their fellow sinners peculiar compassion. They are their brethren, of one blood, spirit, and destiny. 3. To know their own insufficiency and entire dependence on God's blessing. This treasure in earthen vessels, etc. Paul planteth, etc. III. THE THIRD EMBLEM WAS THE FACE OF A LION. By this we are to understand the strength and magnanimity which are necessary to the ministerial office. The Christian minister must be strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus. He must be strong to resist evil, to stand firm in the conflict, and to conduct himself as a man of God. IV. THE FOURTH SYMBOL IS THAT OF THE EAGLE. By this — 1. The true character of the minister's work is portrayed. He has to do with spiritual things. He. teaches not philosophy, science, economy, legislation, but the truths of the kingdom of God, the knowledge of the way of salvation. 2. The symbol of the eagle may be designed also to be expressive of their ardour and zeal The minister of Jesus is to be instant, earnest, energetic, zealously affected in every good thing. 3. His soul is to yearn with intense anxiety over perishing sinners. Application — 1. Let the solemn character of the office ever be cherished, and a lively sense of its importance be maintained from day to day. 2. Let the glorious results of faithfulness in the Saviour's service animate to constancy and perseverance. (J. Burns, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And every one had four faces: the first face was the face of a cherub, and the second face was the face of a man, and the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle. WEB: Every one had four faces: the first face was the face of the cherub, and the second face was the face of a man, and the third face the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.