Friday, July 8, 2016

Subject: Purpose of God's Discipline/Wrath - Ezekiel 25-30

Ezekiel 25:5b(ESV Strong's)
... Then you will know that I am the Lord.

Subject: Purpose for God's Discipline and God's Wrath

In this section (chapters 25-30), the prophet states 17 times the above phrase:  "then you will know that I am the Lord.".   He already has stated the same phrase numerous times in the previous chapters and will in the subsequent chapters.  The phrase appears in the middle of prophecy against nations who rejected God, or inflicted suffering and contempt on God's people.   What God gives us in these phrases is the purpose of God's wrath and discipline: God wants the created world to glorify Him and know His power and beauty.   When they don't in the course of life after seeing all that God has given us, He will demand it by showing His power in His wrath.   There is no one who will not, at one time or another, bow their knee to God.  He is supreme and demands our submission to Him.  The only question is if we will do it in this life or the next.  We will all do so in the next.   When God brought the plagues on Egypt He did so for the same reason.  Note what God says through Moses after the 7th plague:

Exodus 9:16 (ESV Strong's)
But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.

God wants us to know Him.  He revealed to us His Son and made Him manifested to us (John 1:1-5).   But, if man rejects God, God will still reveal Himself to them ... through His wrath.

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