The LORD first appears in Genesis 2:4. The LORD is the Creator of the heavens and the earth. He is also the maker of all creatures, and made humankind in His image. “The LORD” occurs more than 6000 times in the Old Testament. THE LORD is the Great King and the LORD of Hosts (Mal 1:14). He commands the hosts of mighty angels (Rev 5:11). He will protect His sheep from the wolves and from the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm (Eph 6:12).
I AM – Ezekiel also emphasizes the sovereignty of God: “I AM the LORD” (84 out of 187 times in the OT). The LORD (YHWH) is revealed to Moses as “I am who I am” (Exo 3:14). Christ Jesus Christ uses the term “I AM” to apply to Himself.[1] Christ is preeminent in everything (Col 1:28).
The LORD is also the Seeker, the Healer, the Restorer and the Judge of the sheep (Ezek 34:16-17). On the Day of Christ, at judgment seat of Christ. He will judge all believers for faithfulness and diligence in doing His will (Rom 14:10; 2 Cor 5:10; 2 Tim 4:8).
16 I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice. 17 “As for you, my flock, thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and male goats. (Ezek 34:16-17)
The LORD is the good Shepherd and the great Shepherd (John 10:11; Heb 13:20). As His sheep, we are to listen to His voice through His revealed Word in the Bible. We are not to heed false shepherds. As under-shepherds, we are to feed the lambs and the sheep with sound spiritual food. When tending to the sheep, we are to strengthen the weak, heal the sick, bind up the injured and liberate the possessed. For the sheep who are feeding on toxic food or suffering from malnutrition, we are to follow-up, counsel and nurse them to health by prayers and use of God’s Word.
So while we are here on earth, let us know the LORD is God. Let us be forewarned that Jesus will come and judge between sheep and sheep. Let us steer away from all forms of evil and not be entangled in the desires of this world. The desires of this world will pass away.
“Know that I AM the LORD” occurs 72 times in Ezekiel out of 88 times in the OT. What is the thrust? In the light of this emphasis in Ezekiel, know that the LORD is God! Let us seek the lost sheep. Let us feed the lambs, tend the sheep and feed the sheep (Jn 21:15-17). As His sheep, let all us feed on the Word of God, by taught and led by the Spirit of God to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, our Shepherd.
“Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; His going out is sure as the dawn; He will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth” (Hos 6:3). Never let your love for Christ grow cold. Do not let your love be like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes early away (Hos 6:4).
Elder Yoong Yuen Soo
[1] “I am” (eigo eimi 24X in Gospel of John) – I am the bread of life (John 6: 35, 48); I am the light of the world (John 8: 12, 9:5); Before Abraham was, I am (John 8: 58); I am the door (John 10:9); I am the good shepherd (John 10:11); I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25); I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6); I am the true vine (John 15:1)
