“Then they will know …”
“‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: When I gather the people of Israel from the nations where they have been scattered, I will show myself holy among them in the sight of the nations. Then they will live in their own land, which I gave to my servant Jacob. 26 They will live there in safety and will build houses and plant vineyards; they will live in safety when I inflict punishment on all their neighbors who maligned them. Then they will know that I am the LORD their God.’”
(Ezekiel 28:25-26; NIV. Please read Ezekiel 25-28.)
Israel has sinned … and they will suffer the consequences of the righteous judgment of God.
But God wants the enemies of Israel to know - to be forewarned - that He will not forsake His children. He will not leave them desolate or in despair. He will bring them back and make them safe at home. And He will also remember those who joined in or rejoiced at the suffering of Israel. He will settle the score with these jackals.
Then Israel will know … then the nations will know … that “I am the Lord their God”.
ON SECOND THOUGHT: If God “worked all things for good” for His people back then … why would we not think that He might (would) do the same with us … for us? One day … the world will know that He is our God!
June 23, 2008 at 2:18 pm
While destruction is happening all around … the Israelites would know they were safe. They could KNOW it. They did not have to hope they were safe … or … be pretty sure they were safe.
God wanted to make sure that they knew they would be safe so they did not get scared. He also let them know … your neighbors are going to be destroyed … but you will still be safe. Even though destruction seems to be so close to you … you can KNOW that you will not be destroyed.
Possibly the greatest message the Israelites were getting from God was that they would be safe while their enemies were being destroyed. He will take care of them on all sides.
It’s good for my heart to know that God will keep me safe. Danger may seem so close but I am safe. My enemies may seem to be winning the battle … but I am safe … and He will win. What a comfort to know that I can always live in safety.
June 23, 2008 at 8:15 pm
God had to punish Israel for their idolatry and other horrible sins. He used the nations around to facilitate that. But punishes those nations….to the point of erasing them from the face of the earth. He rescues the faithful of Israel and promises to bring them back home. I don’t understand all of that…or all the implications of that. But I do know that even when bad things are happening….even if by Israel’s own actions…God worked thru all things. And if they stayed faithful to Him..or turned back to Him…He promised to provide a safe place. He promised to deliver them from despair.
He does the same for all those that love Him. He delivers me from despair….He worked through my bad choices and bad situations to bring about good in my life. He brought me back to a safe place and protected me. He delivered me from despair.
If He has done this for them….and for me….I can trust that He will continue to do such. He will not let His people stay in despair. Enemies will be punished. Those who mock God certainly will get to taste His wrath.