And the name of the city from that time on shall be, “The Lord Is There.” Ezekiel 48:35
Ezekiel, the prophet, saw the fall of Jerusalem and was among those taken captive to Babylon. Along with the city, the conquerors destroyed the temple, as God removed this physical symbol of His presence among them. The vanquished Israelites believed their situation was hopeless, the destruction permanent. God had left them. There was no way back.
But in their despair, God spoke to Ezekiel words of encouragement and hope. He described a new temple and a New Jerusalem. And the name of this new city would be called “Jehovah-Shammah,” the Lord is there!
Think what that meant to the Israelites. Because of their disobedience, Jerusalem had been destroyed. It was not just their home, but where God dwelt with them. In the temple, they interacted with Him through the priests and sacrificial system. And with the temple destroyed, God’s presence left their midst as well. So Ezekiel’s message of a New Jerusalem and a new temple represented more than the restoration of a city.
This New Jerusalem, now called “the Lord is there,” reveals God’s persistent and abiding love. Where is there? The Lord is there in their ruins, restoring and being glorified. He is creating a place again in their midst. He is there in their future. Ezekiel’s prophecy was pointing to what would be – and God is there!
The Lord had not abandoned them! He is still with them in their future. He will redeem what they lost. His presence would once again be in their midst.
I know God is here with me. Yet I need to be reminded that God is also there. As I look forward I don’t need to be afraid because He is there. In that mess that I made, He is there, mercifully restoring it to use for His glory. He won’t abandon me but is already ahead of me preparing that place we will be together. Jehovah-Shammah is a promise of a New Jerusalem, a new city where we will dwell with Him someday. It is also a reminder that whatever is coming, the Lord is there. He is already there.
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