. . . know . . . LORD.

More than 20 times the words appear.

The sentence isn’t exact in each place.

They appear in this manner.

“Then you [they] will know that I am the [Sovereign] LORD.”

To know the LORD is a desire of the heart of every believer, a driving force in life.

We are happiest when drawn into His loving embrace where peace fills every inch of soul and body, mind and spirit.

The reading of Ezekiel is where these numerous references appear. Most of them do not bring such a tranquil feeling to mind.

Over and over again Ezekiel reports the LORD‘s reasons for His judgments against Israel and the actions He will take. A few times it’s judgment against Israel’s neighbors and the price they will have to pay. In only three passages would Ezekiel’s words encourage God’s people.

When the LORD promises to free His people from the power of false prophets in Ezekiel 13:1721. When the LORD promises to bring His chosen people home to Israel and they repent in Ezekiel 20:42-44. When the LORD explains that He gave Egypt over to Babylon to strengthen Israel in Ezekiel 29:17-21

At first the preponderance of scenes about the LORD making Himself known through judgment and discipline are not exactly inspiring. I mean who wants to be dispersed or laid waste or fall by the sword in order to get to know anybody?

Let’s be cautious.

Is God folding His arms across His chest and calling out these words in anger?

Do His eyes glitter with vengeance and retribution as He chooses the discipline He’ll deliver?

That might be a human response.

Let’s look further in the larger context of Scripture that might carry us to a different result.

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”
Proverbs 3:11-12, Hebrews 12:5-6

1. The discipline of the LORD is a mark of His intimate, adoptive love.

“The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17

2. The promise of the LORD is to save and quiet us with that same love.

“O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.'”  Isaiah 30:19-21

3. The provision of the LORD is to respond with wise and loving guidance.

Trials are not pointless.

They confirm God’s love rather than deny it.

They draw us closer to Him by His rescue.

They build our relationship by His love.

Rather than a face filled with scorn, let us see the LORD with sadness and compassion on His face.

“Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel. For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!”  Ezekiel 19:31-32

Let us hear sincerity and affection in His voice as He pleads.

“Then you [they] will know that I am the [Sovereign] LORD.”

As I close, I’m praying for all of us to know Him more deeply as we face the confounding culture of the day.

“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:3-6

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