They Will Know

"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 38:23 NKJV

On my most recent trip through the book of Ezekiel I was struck by the repeated phrase "they shall know that I am the LORD."  By my own count this phrase is repeated 63 times.  Only the subject changes.  Sometimes "you", sometimes "they", sometimes "the nations", but all shall know that He is the LORD (Yahweh-the Covenant name of God).  This claim is staked on many different events - the Lord's judgment of His chosen people, Israel - sending them into the Babylonian Captivity.  It is staked upon the Lord's righteous judgment of the various nations who reject Him.  It is staked upon His promise to preserve Israel through the judgment.  It is staked upon God's promise to faithfully return Israel to her land, which He did 70 years later.  It is staked upon His faithfulness to them in looking forward to the time of the Millennial Reign of the Messiah.  All of history stands as a stark reminder of this simple fact - He is the Lord.  It is the most vital fact for every person to know and understand.  Do you know it?  Do you trust Him?