Articles
Then They Shall Know That I Am the LORD
Then They Shall Know That I Am the LORD
Chapters 22 and 23 are difficult reading. No, it is not hard to understand the words, it is difficult to stomach the ungodliness of these people. God begins by declaring that He KNOWS their sins (22:1-5). He displays His intimate knowledge by listing their sins (22:6-12). God then pronounces judgment upon them for their sins (22:13-22). God then shows that such sin among the people results in the complete disintegration of their society (22:23-31).
Then we read the story of the political unfaithfulness of Israel and Judah. Again they are portrayed as married to God but unfaithful. God first destroyed Israel by the Assyrians in 722B.C. Judah didn't learn anything from watching this. In fact, she not only continued in her rebellion but did worse than 'her sister'.
Was God just in bringing such harsh judgment upon them? Considering all the blessings that He had bestowed on them and their blatant ungodly response, yes! When they entered into covenant relationship, this very punishment was stipulated as the punishment for their unfaithfulness. God was faithful to His word.
We thus come face to face with one of the most oft repeated phrases in the book of Ezekiel: "then they shall know that I am the LORD." (see note below) God loved and blessed His people. God knows their sins, down to the dirty details! God is touched by such sin: He hates, He is broken-hearted, He is disgusted, and He is angry. God responds to such sin with judgment. In judgment, God is just and fair. God was faithful to His word. He is ALWAYS faithful to His word.
Some people will only learn that God is the LORD when they experience His wrath. Others learn this by seeing His great love in giving Jesus to save us from our sins. Which group do you belong to?
Hugh DeLong
“shall know that I am the LORD” – 77 times in Old Testament – but 63 of those are found in Ezekiel!
