In Ezekiel's vision, God commands a man dressed in linen to gather burning coals from beneath the cherubim and scatter them over the city. This symbolic act represents God's judgment upon the city, likely Jerusalem, due to its people's sins and disobedience. The burning coals are a powerful image of purification, suggesting that through judgment, there is also a process of cleansing and renewal. The presence of cherubim, celestial beings associated with God's throne, highlights the divine authority and holiness involved in this action.
This vision serves as a reminder of God's justice but also His desire to purify and restore. While the immediate message is one of judgment, it also carries the hope of transformation and renewal. God's actions, though severe, are ultimately aimed at bringing about a deeper spiritual cleansing, preparing the way for a future where the people can return to a right relationship with Him. This passage encourages reflection on the balance of justice and mercy in God's dealings with humanity.