Knowing God

Ezekiel is a pretty grim book. And very long. Grim books tend to seem very long, even if they aren’t. This book is both grim and long. Interestingly, ‘Ezekiel’ means God strengthens. It is good to keep this in mind while reading a book that is chock full of dire, descriptive prophecies of what will be happening to the nations who are being or will be punished for their flagrant disregard for God and His laws.

I have read through this book several times during my lifetime. But this is the first time it has really struck me how much God wants us to know that He is the LORD, the I Am That I Am who appeared to Moses in the burning bush and performed the ten plagues and delivered His people out of slavery into the Promised Land.

At about chapter 28 (out of 48) I saw the pattern. Okay, I’ll admit, this seems extremely slow to catch on, and my only excuse is that…okay, I can’t seem to think of one. But in chapter 28:26 it is written “…then they will know that I am the LORD their God.” The rest of the verse says: They will live in it [the land] securely; and they will build houses, plant vineyards and live securely when I execute judgments upon all who scorn them round about them. Then they will know that I am the LORD their God.

This statement keeps showing up repeatedly, with variations such as … then you will know that I am the LORD, or …and the nations will know that I am the LORD. It comes attached to a lovely promise like the verse above, but more often in conjunction with something like when I scatter the Egyptians among the nations and disperse them among the lands, then they will know that I am the LORD. I’ve counted 53 times already, and I have not yet completed the book. And it occurs to me, it must be VERY important to God that everyone knows that He is the LORD. (I’m quick, aren’t I?)

In the midst of being exiled into captivity for their sin, surrounded by the countries who warred against them and have become the instruments of God’s forewarned judgment, the repetitive refrain of then you will know that I am the LORD offers a glimpse of God’s heart beyond the horrors surrounding them.

Knowing God seems to be both the reason for and the result of calamity. It is fairly easy to see how trouble results from sin. Murder, theft, sexual immorality bring consequences.  When we lie or cheat or fail at loving others, a case could be made that we have forgotten who God is and what it means to belong to Him. Suffering subsequent shame and brokenness often rekindles our desire to return to Him.

But what about the troubles of life that aren’t directly related to specific sin? What about copper pipes that freeze in the ceiling resulting in disheartening and expensive damage?

We relied on God when we were searching for Sanctuary, trusting that if it was His will He would show us where and when and how. And He did.

We say – and believe – that Sanctuary belongs to God. We are sojourners here, caretakers and stewards of this place. So as I read Ezekiel and ponder the destruction that occurred here, I think now, in the middle of all this, I will know that He is the LORD. And I find peace in this, because no matter what bumps and delays and inconveniences are ahead, He is the LORD. It raises life to a whole different plane. I wait in expectation for what He will do in all this mess of life. It doesn’t all depend on me.

Today, whatever comes my way, I resolve to remember, to know, that He is the LORD.