Observation: This is how the visions of Ezekiel end, by giving the Lord's holy city a new name. Ezekiel has been shown the temple, then the city. He is then told of the holy territory set aside for this location, and shown the river that flows from the temple the brings life and health to everything it touches. Finally, he is told of the territory of Israel and which areas the tribes will occupy. However, in the end, he is returned to the city, shown its gates, and given this name ...
Yahweh-Shammah
This is not defined as a scriptural covenant, on the same level as the Lord enters into with Abraham, Noah, Moses, or David. This isn't a statement that "if you do this, I will do this" that the Lord has done with them. Instead, this is just a declaration that, in the place where peace dwells forever, the Lord is there. He will dwell with the people, and send forth his love and peace and prosperity from his throne.
Application: There are a few ancient Hebrew words I really love. Shalom is one, effectively Hebrew's version of 'aloha', as today it is used as both a greeting and a farewell, but it means 'peace' and typically in context would mean 'peace to you'. Shemah is another, just the word 'hear', it is the first word of the greatest commandment and thus connotes the command to 'obey', beginning the phrase "hear, oh Israel," it is the name of the prayer Jews have now said for millennia, declaring the Lord as the one God and that we are to love him with all our heart and soul and strength. And of course, there are the names of God I truly love ... Yahweh, Abba, El Roi, Adonai, Elohim, etc.
I will add this one to the list ... Shammah. Every day I know the Lord is right here with me, his spirit working, his love present, his grace covering my mistakes. He sees me and he provides. Now I also know that someday, when I am "there", the Lord will be "there", too.
Prayer: Lord, I love you. I ask you to be with my family today in our trials, to be with my wife, my mother inlaw, and my father inlaw especially as they go through a very difficult issue. Please relieve the pain in my mother inlaw, and give doctors wisdom and sure hands to help and heal her. In all of this, I know for certain you are there, right there with her, as sure as you are right here with us. Amen.
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