The Drumbeat of Ezekiel (and Redemptive History)

A new year has arrived marking completion of the first semester of law school and the start of new adventures in the second. I enjoyed a wonderful Christmas break as I caught up with great friends and family. It was also a much appreciated time of rest and even a little adventure.

I recently read the book of Ezekiel and was struck by the repetition of this declaration from the Lord - "And they shall know that I am the Lord." Interwoven in Ezekiel's account of God's covenantal faithfulness to often a disobedient and unrepentant people, this persistent "drumbeat" declaration is found. This declaration is so prevalent that it is found at least 51 times throughout the book by my count (including some only minor variations). A casual flip through the book would also allow the reader to recognize reoccurring words such as "glory" and the theme of God's love and jealousy for his people. Why would God be so persistent in calling attention to himself? What is so good about his glory? And what is the nature of his relationship to his covenantal people?

At the time of Ezekiel's writing, the people of Israel were facing invasions and distractions from neighboring nations. Apart from external problems, the people also distanced themselves from the Lord by their unfaithfulness and idolatry. The weakness of many kings who did not listen to the Lord but rather appeased the idolatrous lusts of the people only distanced the people further from the Lord. But even through Israel's unfaithfulness, God remained faithful. Indeed God's promise remains for us today in 2 Timothy 2:13, "[I]f we are faithless, he remains faithful." But why does God do things so that we can know him? What is so important about knowing God? If any creature demanded such attention, it would be nothing less than egotism and the chiefest demonstration of pride. In view of this demand for our attention and worship, he still further invites us into a covenant relationship - a covenant that Scripture suggests is the most incredible joy and what the church has described as man's chief end. What is really so great about this drumbeat of history?

Before answering more specifically, it is important to understand the Creator/creature distinction. As I have talked about in previous posts, God is completely independent and in need of nothing external to himself. He is Creator of everything. And everything created is infinitely dependent upon the sustenance of him, the Creator. We are in infinite need of him who is completely sufficient and without need. But what makes this relationship beautiful? Is it beautiful? Or some contend, how is this not slavery?

Perhaps this would be bondage if you did not believe the one thing God is trying so desperately to tell you. From Genesis to now, God's persistent declaration is, "I want you to know me - and know that I am good." Psalm 34:8 says, "Taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him." God knows the one thing that will satisfy us - himself.

All of redemptive history, God has been persistently communicating to us the drumbeat, "I am doing this so that you will know me!" But the only way this is good news for us is if God is really good. Everyone will pursue happiness or that which will bring them most joy. And God knows that ultimately, the pursuit is only satisfied in himself. Indeed if this were not true, God would be a liar. And if God asked us to pursue anyone or anything else other than himself, he would not be God! For that object would then be God. And God would be an idolator. This emphasizes the grandness and importance of God's message. But further than that, it is a strong call for us to consider our affections and worship. No one is exempt from worship. Everyone worships someone or something. For worship is the manifestation of a person's highest affections and delight. What or whom are you worshipping? Is your worship reserved for God or for some substitute?

So if God is God, John Piper suggests that he "must be himself if he is to be for us." "The rules of humility that belong to a creature cannot apply in the same way to its Creator. If God should turn away from himself as the source of infinite joy, he would cease to be God. He would deny the infinite worth of His own glory. He would imply that there is something more valuable outside himself. He would commit idolatry." But the question is, do you believe God's promise? Do you believe what God says about himself and our dependence upon him?

God did not withhold this good news from us. From the garden to the tower of babel, from the Israelites' bondage in Egypt to their unfaithfulness in the time of Ezekiel, from the cross to today God is persistently saying, "Taste and see that I am good!" He does everything so that we may know him and enjoy him. For this expression throughout history is an expression of his love. It is love because God knows our bondage - a bondage to sin - and seeks to liberate us from that bondage and rescue us to himself, the object of our worship and joy. For truly the confession states, "The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever!"

Instead of an egregious demostration of pride, God does what love requires in giving us himself. To what or whom are you giving your worship?