LEARNING DAILY

Ezekiel 38:23, “Thus, I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the Lord.”

Ezekiel spoke warnings to God’s people regarding what would happen if they did not stop worshipping idols and refusing to follow Him. This verse is written at the end of prophecy about the judgment of Gog and a coalition of nations who attack Israel; these nations are completely and overwhelmingly defeated by God. This page of the blog is not about that prophecy still to be fulfilled. Rather it is “about the nations recognizing God’s sovereign, omnipotent hand rests upon Israel for her blessing and protection” (David Jeremiah Study Bible).

In addition to this, it is about how God’s greatness, His authority, and His power is meant to be known by not only Israel but all the world. “Then they shall know that I am the Lord.” The Great Commission given by the Lord Jesus Christ was “to make disciples of all nations”.  Isn’t the message God has always had – that people everywhere would know and worship Him. God’s majesty is not limited or confined to a certain area or culture; He wants people of every nation to come to Him through His Son. God can reach anyone, anywhere with His grace, His forgiveness, and His love. There are no boundaries for Him.

This declaration comes at a time of judgment showing not only His sovereignty and His moral purity, but His great desire that people of all nations know Him. This desire and vision is not only for the people Ezekiel prophesied to but extends to people of today. What God did for His people Israel and what He is doing in the lives of Believers today is meant to reveal God’s holiness and His greatness in order for people to worship Him and walk the narrow way into His kingdom. God wants all people to know that He is the Lord; it is not just about acknowledgment, it is about Believers seeking to know Him more, “To hunger and thirst for [His] righteousness” (Matthew 5;6). It is about “seeking His kingdom and righteousness before everything else” (Matthew 6:33). What God does in each of our lives is meant to be shared so His greatness and love for us can be seen by others.

 Every Believer can do this by trusting Him in all things. Believers need to recognize and understand that everything that they face – even the difficult and challenging – can be used to glorify Him (Romans 8:28). That requires that your control is surrendered to Him. It means to make sure your life is no longer centered on your life but what He desires. Obedience to Him is a choice, a choice that is often seen by others which reflects God’s goodness and grace. How many times have you heard or seen that your life, your choices may be the only Bible another person reads?

In his study guide for the book of Ezekiel, David Guzik writes, “This overwhelming and obviously divine defeat of Gog and her allies would testify to the whole world of God’s character and power.” God wants each Believer to be a testimony to those around them about God’s character and power by denying themselves and living for Him, in faith and obedience as they walk the narrow way into His kingdom.