I recently rediscovered how amazing the book of Ezekiel is. Despite having read it several times before, this time I asked God to show me what it means to me now, here, and in the future. I determined it had to convey more than just the past events. I noticed at least 57 times in Ezekiel, God said, “know that I am the Lord!” As I repeatedly read those words, it dawned on me that He is still saying this, but perhaps we could rephrase it as You will know that I am the Lord!
God speaks of those, His people, who will know Him by having a relationship with Him, following His laws and commandments. If you truly love someone, you will get to know them. You will find out what they are like and how they want to be loved, and you will strive to please them and share your life with them. You will continue to learn and love them. This is what we should also experience with God. Are you looking to know Him, love Him, and obey Him? Are you so close to Him that you trust Him with all the things this life throws at you? If not, ask God to show Himself to you and read scripture with an inquisitive mind. Don’t just read to reveal the stories of old, but investigate how these stories reveal God’s character and desires in your life here and now.
The book of Ezekiel parallels the scriptures that pertain to the end times before Messiah returns. The stories of old seem to mirror a smaller version of the bigger coming event. The caption in my Bible for Ezekiel 6:8-10 is “A remnant will escape judgment!” This is exactly who will survive in the end, according to Revelation. The remnant, those who have a loving relationship with the Lord and keep His commandments and the testimony of Messiah (Rev. 14:12). God said that He will give His people one heart and a new spirit so we will walk in His statutes and keep His ordinances (Ezek. 11:19-20). He said He will protect His people during the time of fury. You can’t be a part of this group by just knowing God exists, because even Satan knows that.
For those who do not share the desire to know and have a relationship with God, Ezekiel also has a message for them. God said they, too, will know He is the Lord. However, they will find out when it’s too late. They will find out when God’s fiery wrath against sin is unleashed in the end. Ezekiel speaks of the sins of Israel, His calls to repent, and the destruction of sinners. This is identical to Revelation with the final eradication of sin and the salvation of spiritual Israelites.
God says He will do to them according to their ways (Ez. 7:27; 39:22). Ezekiel 14:10 says they shall bear the punishment of their iniquities. God will deal with people as they have done (Ez. 16:59). God assures us that He will have plead with each person regarding their trespasses (Ez.17:20). Some will repent and turn from their sins and others will turn to indulge in sin (Ez. 18:21-30; 33:18). God said we must turn away from sins (Ez. 18:30). It is only through repentance and accepting the Saviors sacrifice for our sins that we will be saved and truly begin our relationship with God. It is so much more than just saying one prayer and going back to business as usual.
In Ezekiel 22:15, God said He will consume our filthiness. He will pour His fury upon Sin (Ez. 30:15). God said we will know that He has not done without cause all that He will do (Ez. 14:23). He is seeking to destroy sin, yet those who refuse to part from sin will, in turn, be consumed along with them. God has assured us that He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ez. 18:32; 33:11). We are told these people have heard but would not listen. Their mouth expressed love, but their hearts - their motives were not right (Ez. 33:31). They refused to let go of sin, and they took no time to get to know, love, and follow God despite the many opportunities.
“It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by EVERY WORD that proceedeth out of the mouth of God!” (Matt. 4:4) God spoke to us through the book of Ezekiel. He assured us we will all know He is the Lord. Will you willingly get to know and love Him, or will you cling to sin and learn the hard way ~ when it’s too late? Because ALL will know that He is the Lord, but only some will accept Him as their God!
What else can you learn about God by reading scripture that is relevant for us now? Would you give access to every part of your life to a stranger? To someone you do not fully know? Seek to truly know God, not just to be acquainted.
