One phrase that I see throughout the book of Ezekiel as the prophet is receiving a message of destruction to deliver from the Lord is, “then they will know that I am the Lord.”
Often, too often, it is only when we experience tragedy that we draw near to God. Tragedies bring us to know the Lord and draw near to him. They force us to depend on Him when we would otherwise ignore him and live life in our own strength.
It is sad that the Lord had to bring pestilence, famine, death, and destruction upon the house of Israel before they would know that he is the Lord. Sad, but true.
God’s goal is for us to know him, to acknowledge him and to worship him as Lord. He desires for us to have a relationship with him. And he will do what it takes in our lives for us to do so.