Ezekiel 12-15
I have been struck by how many times I read something like, “and they will know that I am the Lord [or Yahweh]” in the book of Ezekiel — particularly because this wording is so often tied to God’s judgment on sinful people. Similar wording occurs more than 50 times in this book, several times in today’s reading:
1. God would bring judgment on false prophets, and “Then you will know that I am the Lord Yahweh” (Ezek 13:9b).
2. The city of Jerusalem would fall, and “then you will know that I am Yahweh” (Ezek 13:14b)
3. God would judge the women who practice magic, and “Then you will know that I am Yahweh” (Ezek 13:21b).
4. God would bring justice on idolatrous elders, and “Then you will know that I am Yahweh” (Ezek 14:8).
5. God would punish the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and “And you will know that I am Yahweh when I turn against them” (Ezek 15:7).
It’s really simple: God makes Himself known as the righteous One, the One who keeps His Word, the Sovereign One when He brings judgment — including judgment on a people who know better. His goal is still, though, to make Himself known and to draw His people to Himself. Thus, God may use us to make Himself known through our living righteously and sharing the gospel, or He may choose to make Himself known through judgment if we do not follow Him faithfully.
I trust we choose the former way — but we need His daily, moment-by-moment grace to do so.
RESPONSE: Make the right choices today.
