The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Ezekiel 36:22-23,
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
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"Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone. I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Sovereign Lord, when I show myself holy through you before their eyes.'"
In the midst of a prophecy of restoration and blessing for Israel that is to follow their judgment, the Lord tells Israel it is not for their sake he is going to bless them. In an insightful passage, the Lord reveals it is for the sake of his holy name, that Israel has profaned among the nations, that he is going to restore and bless Israel following their captivity in Babylon.
The Lord will not allow his name to be profaned, ridiculed or derided. It is his purpose to "show the holiness of my great name…" with the result "then the nations will know that I am the Lord… when I show myself holy through you before their eyes."
At times I think he accomplishes this so that Israel's wickedness will not create a hurdle or difficulty for others seeking the Lord. That Israel was God's people and having acted so shamefully, it would create confusion and difficulty for others who would reach out to the living God if God didn't judge them for their sins. Think of how difficult it would be for us as followers of Jesus Christ if there were no record of God's various dealings with Israel in light of their sin.
In any event, I learn from this passage that the Lord's name is both holy and great… to be revered, feared and adored by all and he will do what is necessary to protect it!
In the midst of a prophecy of restoration and blessing for Israel that is to follow their judgment, the Lord tells Israel it is not for their sake he is going to bless them. In an insightful passage, the Lord reveals it is for the sake of his holy name, that Israel has profaned among the nations, that he is going to restore and bless Israel following their captivity in Babylon.
The Lord will not allow his name to be profaned, ridiculed or derided. It is his purpose to "show the holiness of my great name…" with the result "then the nations will know that I am the Lord… when I show myself holy through you before their eyes."
At times I think he accomplishes this so that Israel's wickedness will not create a hurdle or difficulty for others seeking the Lord. That Israel was God's people and having acted so shamefully, it would create confusion and difficulty for others who would reach out to the living God if God didn't judge them for their sins. Think of how difficult it would be for us as followers of Jesus Christ if there were no record of God's various dealings with Israel in light of their sin.
In any event, I learn from this passage that the Lord's name is both holy and great… to be revered, feared and adored by all and he will do what is necessary to protect it!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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