Ezekiel 36:13-21: a reflection

13“‘The Lord GOD says: “Because they say to you, ‘You are a devourer of men, and have been a bereaver of your nation;’ 14therefore you shall devour men no more, and not bereave your nation any more,” says the Lord GOD. 15“I won’t let you hear the shame of the nations any more. You won’t bear the reproach of the peoples any more, and you won’t cause your nation to stumble any more,” says the Lord GOD.’” 16Moreover the LORD’s word came to me, saying, 17“Son of man, when the house of Israel lived in their own land, they defiled it by their ways and by their deeds. Their way before me was as the uncleanness of a woman in her impurity. 18Therefore I poured out my wrath on them for the blood which they had poured out on the land, and because they had defiled it with their idols. 19I scattered them among the nations, and they were dispersed through the countries. I judged them according to their way and according to their deeds. 20When they came to the nations where they went, they profaned my holy name, in that men said of them, ‘These are the LORD’s people, and have left his land.’ 21But I had respect for my holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations where they went.

As God speaks of judging and scattering his people for their sins, he adds a striking concern. When his people went into exile among the nations, they profaned his holy name, for the nations said of them, These are the LORD's people, and yet they had to leave his land. The failure and downfall of God's people became a reproach on God's name; the watching nations judged God by the state of those who bore his name.

Notice how the conduct and condition of God's people reflected on God himself. They bore his name; they were known as the LORD's people. And so, when they lived in a way that led to ruin, the nations did not only think less of them, but of their God, saying, in effect, this is what the LORD's people come to. The name of God was profaned, dishonored, among the nations, through the failure of those who bore it.

That is a sobering reminder for all who bear God's name. We who are called God's people, Christians, represent him before a watching world; and how we live reflects on him, for good or ill. When those who bear God's name live in ways that dishonor him, the world thinks less not only of them but of the God they claim; and when they live faithfully, God's name is honored. Remember that you carry God's name before those around you. Live in a way that honors it rather than profanes it, mindful that the watching world forms its picture of God partly from those who bear his name. Let your life commend, and not discredit, the God whose name you carry.

Lord, when your people went into exile, they profaned your holy name among the nations, who judged you by the state of those who bore your name. Sober me with that. I who am called by your name, a Christian, represent you before a watching world; and how I live reflects on you, for good or ill. When those who bear your name live in ways that dishonor you, the world thinks less not only of them but of the God they claim; and when they live faithfully, your name is honored. Help me remember that I carry your name before those around me. Help me live in a way that honors it rather than profanes it, mindful that the watching world forms its picture of you partly from those who bear your name. Let my life commend, and not discredit, the God whose name I carry. Keep me from profaning your name, and help me honor it before others.