For the Sake of God's Name

Scripture: Then I thought better of it. I acted out of who I was, not by how I felt. And I acted in a way that would evoke honor, not blasphemy, from the nations around them, nations who had seen me reveal myself by promising to lead my people out of Egypt. Ezekiel 20:9

Observation: The Israelite leaders have come to Ezekiel with questions for Yahweh (presumably about why they are being punished in exile), and the Lord is saying he will not answer or explain himself. He does this by first walking through their rebellious history, and in this he reiterates several times that he did not destroy them for their rebellion. He thought better of it. He "acted out of who I was, not by how I felt," and that part of the reason for doing so was to "evoke honor, not blasphemy, from the nations around them."

Through Israel, God was showing the world that he is both powerful and patient, mighty and loving. He corrects through laws, while also providing through promise. If he then destroyed, it would counteract all the positive elements perceived of the Lord, and leave those nations that were not Israel, and thus removed from knowing God, believing he is just a powerful entity to be feared and avoided, not loved and pursued.

Application: I have often wondered why God does not act and punish the people who are destroying the very fabric of the world right now. I wonder why he doesn't decimate Hamas, or bring terrible curses on individuals who promote gender confusion. I know he can, and I wish he would.

But the Lord has told us why he doesn't. It's because ... by whom he is, and for the sake of his great name ... he loves everyone, and his first goal is to keep open the door for everyone to discover his love, learn of Jesus, and by faith seek a relationship with him.

Destroying the lives of others would only create a roadblock that prevents non-believers from ever believing. They somehow wouldn't even take as proof of his existence. At best, if they did, they would attribute dangerous or even evil intent to the Lord's actions, but most likely they would declare such attacks as evidence that they themselves occupy some moral high-ground and thus rally their causes even more. And the Lord knows this.

For the sake of his name, the Lord offers love, peace, and joy, while exercising immense patience, even to those who violently reject everything about him. Even when he doesn't feel like it ... that is who he is.

Prayer: Lord, you do know that I desire your action and intervention in the world, but I am also so very grateful for who you are, and for your great love and mercy. You have a bigger plan. While our sensibilities, our feelings, are hurt on your behalf, may we learn of who you are and your mercy all the more. Thy will be done. Amen.