Matthew Poole and continuators on Ezekiel 1:4

4 And I looked , and behold , a Whirlewind came out of the North , a great cloud , and a fire infolding it self, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of Amber , out of the midst of the Fire .

I did very diligently survey the things that were represented to me in the Vision.

This calls us to consider what he had seen and represented to us.

A mighty; stormy, and turbulent wind, a wind that bears away, or bears down all before it, this denotes the indignation and judgments of God, a quick, impetuous and irresistable vengeance. Most grievous judgments, represented as here, so 1 Kings 19.11. Iob 38.1. Psal. 104.4.

Came as if it knew it's way, and notwithstanding its impetuousness and irregularities, yet held its direct course.

From Babylon which in Scripture Geography is laid Northward from Iudaea, and the Prophet, though now in Babylon, does speak of the Jews, as if they were in Ierusalem.

Against which this Cloud, on which an angry God did ride, hastening vengeance on them, which they should be as little able to divert or withstand, as to stop the course of the Clouds, or their breaking upon us, it was the Army of the Chaldeans made up of multitudes of People (as the Cloud is made by the concourse of multitudes of exhalations and vapours.) Ier. 4.13.

Burning in a dreadful manner, very fierce, fed by fuel within it self, breaking out and flashing with terror, though it had seemed to rebate, and encircling all things near it, and threatning to devour all. Such was the Anger of God against this sinful Nation.

Though thus terrible, yet round about it was not smoak and darkness, but a clear light or splendor. The Majesty, Holiness, Justice of God appeared to the Prophet, and might be seen by the suffering Jews to humble them, that they might seek him.

Either of the Whirlwind or Cloud, or the Fire rather, as in the end of the verse.

Heb. As the Eye, the aspect, or appearance.

The Heb. word is variously interpreted, and tis lost labour to search the Rabbins here. Amber is either Natural, which if in the Fire Ioseth its brightness; or Artificial made of Gold and fine Brass mixt, which will brighten in the Fire, and of equal value with Gold (as the DD. Bochart observes) of which Iosephus saith Solomon did make the Sea of Brass, and the sacred Vessels; somewhat like the Corinthian Brass, known now only by its name, exceeding splendid, and very hard, the one speaking the glorious Maiesty to be reverenced, the other speaking the invincible Power of God to be feared; both advising this people and us to repent and amend, and return and meet him.

Which the Prophet saw, and in which the Jews were to be melted or consumed.

Marginal references: catching it self.