I have a question on Wheels with eyes in Ezekiel 1:15-21. While I was studying Ezekiel I came across this, and was completely perplexed. I think most of the commentators are too, because the 2 commentaries I’ve read, don’t have anything to say about it really, except that the rims full of eyes symbolize the all seeing nature of God. So, my question is, what are the wheels, what do they symbolize, what significance do they have in the passage?
The explanation I like is that the wheels are similar to a gyroscope. According to the dictionary, a gyroscope is an apparatus consisting of a rotating wheel so mounted that its axis can turn freely in certain or all directions, making it capable of maintaining the same absolute direction in space in spite of movements of the mountings and surrounding parts: used to maintain equilibrium, determine the direction, etc.
If so, they illustrate the unchanging nature of God in spite of man’s attempts to re-interpret His character and purpose. Ezekiel was being called to communicate that fact to Israel, and to warn them that their refusal to return to Him would bring judgment, just like He had always said it would.