Many
times over, in these chapters of Ezekiel, the words are repeated,
“They will know that I am the Lord.” We must view the events of history
in relation to God. He is fulfilling His purpose. He is demonstrating
that He is the Lord. The demonstration of His Lordship is seen in both
judgment - “Egypt will become a desolate wasteland. Then they will know that I am the Lord” (Ezekiel 29:9) - and salvation - “On that day I will make a horn grow for the house of Israel ... Then they will know that I am the Lord” (Ezekiel 29:21). The judgment need not be final (Ezekiel 29:13-14). The salvation is not without the reminder of past sin (Ezekiel 29:16).
In both God’s judgment and His salvation, we see God’s love and His
holiness. Scripture speaks of both “the grace of God” and the call to
holiness - “without holiness no-one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14-15).
We receive God’s Kingdom with thanksgiving, rejoicing that it “cannot
be shaken.” We receive His Kingdom “with reverence and awe”,
acknowledging that “our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:28-29). We rejoice in the Lord - “The Lord has done great things for us.” We pray for renewal - “Restore our fortunes, O Lord” (Psalm 126:3-4).
What God did for His people, Israel, was very great. There is a striking contrast between their slavery in Egypt and their abundance in the promised land. God had multiplied His blessing upon them, just as Jesus did when He turned water into wine (John 2:1-11). If the blessing is to be maintained and increased, we must honour the Lord. We must cry to Him for blessing: "Hear my prayer, O God, listen to the words of my mouth." We must call upon Him with faith: "Surely God is my help; the Lord is the One who sustains me" (Psalm 54:2,4).
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