They shall know...
Ezekiel continues to prophesy to Israel, but his words are met with hard hearts and stubborn ways. There was a time when the people knew the Lord, welcomed His leading, and trusted in His protection. Sadly, this was no longer that time. Ezekiel writes:
"...Then you shall know that I am the LORD!' '.... Then you shall know that I am the LORD who strikes. 'The king will mourn, The prince will be clothed with desolation, And the hands of the common people will tremble. I will do to them according to their way, And according to what they deserve I will judge them; Then they shall know that I am the LORD!' "" Ezekiel 7:4, 9, 27
"Then they shall know that I am the LORD" is repeated three times in this chapter alone.
Throughout Israel's history, knowing the Lord meant experiencing His faithfulness, provision, and protection. But here, those same words carry a sobering warning of coming judgment. The people had continually rejected the Lord, choosing their own ways over His. Now, they would come to know Him not through His protecting hand, but through His righteous judgment.
The Lord had not changed. His holiness, faithfulness, & righteousness remained the same. It was the hearts of His people that had turned away.
I don't know about you, but when I hear, "They shall know that I am the LORD," I want to know Him through the sweetness of walking in His presence, not through the painful consequences of rejecting Him.
I'm so thankful for Jesus, His grace, & His mercy! We don't earn the Father's love through our obedience, but His love should stir within us a desire to obey. I want to live my life in a way that brings a smile to the Father's face. And Jesus made that beautifully simple: love the Lord and love others.
Let's live like we know who the Lord is. Not merely knowing about Him, but walking with Him, loving Him, & reflecting His heart to those around us.
And one day may we hear those beautiful words: "Well done, good and faithful servant!"
-To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.