Then they will know...

“Then they will know that I am the LORD.”

Ezekiel 25:11.

This is just one of the many (at least 26) occurrences of this phrase in the book of Ezekiel. “Know” isn’t just an intellectual knowledge of course, but has to do with a relationship with God himself.

I just finished reading Ezekiel. Yep. Ezekiel. I didn’t understand about 98% of it but I was able to notice a huge theme in that book: God will work so that all nations know him.

(NOTE: my ability to notice theme has everything to do with my keen understanding developed from a fantastic education in Biblical studies, and nothing to do with the fact that its mentioned at least 26 times in 48 chapters and its impossible not to see it. Nothing to do with that at all).

Anyway, while the main focus of the book is that Israel returns to a relationship with Yahweh, Ezekiel also gives oracles about other nations and their rulers. Basically, these nations are about to undergo judgment for how they treated God’s people (hence, Babylon and Tyre and Persia don’t exist as world super powers anymore). The end result of this judgment is that “they will know that Yahweh is Lord God.” And not only is this statement declared to other nations, but it is also said to Israel. God desires for every one to know who he is, and he will make this happen.

Sarah and I continue to be challenged by this basic piece of theology: our God who is concerned that all peoples know who he is. This is his explicit desire for this earth. This will happen. It’s simply a matter of how people come to this knowledge. Will it be through judgment? Or will it be through belief in Jesus Christ? Here is one of the ways you know you are growing in your relationship with God: you have a heart for all peoples knowing who he is. In other words, as we follow God and he shapes us into the image of Jesus, we (all of us) will find our hearts grow in the desire for all nations to know who he is by way of belief in Jesus Christ. All peoples, not just Americans, not just Ugandans, but all peoples. As we live among various peoples, let us pray for the Lord to continue this work that he does through us: saving people from present and eternal judgment.

There are many implications here for what we think about our emphasis on a personal relationship with God, what we think about justice, how we view Israel today, etc. But that’s probably another post... or sermon... or something.