Ezekiel 1:19-21 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

When the living creatures went, the wheels went by them The living creatures and the wheels moved in concert, to show with what readiness and alacrity all the instruments of providence concur in carrying on its great designs and purposes; and that second causes here below act under the superintendence and conduct of God and his holy angels. When the living creatures were lifted up, &c., the wheels were lifted up By the wheels being lifted up with the living creatures, may be signified, that the dispensations of God on earth, where the wheels were first seen, are connected with the things of heaven, and are all appointed and directed with a reference to the concerns of God's church, and of the spiritual and heavenly world. Whithersoever the Spirit was to go Namely, the Spirit of God; they went They punctually observed his conduct, and obeyed his influence. Their wills were directed by his will. And the wheels were lifted up over against them Proportionably to the lifting up of the living creatures. The wheels, inferior agents, and second causes, act in unison with, and under the influence of, these angelic ministers of the divine will. For the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels Both the wheels and the living creatures were actuated by one and the same spirit. An undiscerned, yet divine, mighty, wise, and ever-living power and energy, influenced all, and governed all. When those went, these went This is only a repetition of what is contained in the foregoing verse.