When God does something amazing in Scripture, it seems like half the time He follows it up with the phrase “Then you shall know that I am the Lord.” It has occurred at least seven different times in Exodus so far (Exodus 6:7; 7:5, 17; 8:22; 9:14; 10:2; 14:4).
It seems like God is constantly proving Himself to His people and those around them, and I guess, in some case, He is. He wants to cement through a variety of different actions what His power is to people who are just coming to grips with the knowledge of the Creator.
The most recent example of this is in regards to the food they ate. According to Exodus 16:12, in the evening they ate meat, and in the morning, they ate bread. This refers to quail and manna that God will send to the Israelites straight from Heaven. In response, they’ll know that He is the Lord.
But why say it so many times? Why constantly demonstrate His power and then remind them who He is?
The answer has to do with context. Every time God does a miracle and then tells them He is God, He’s explaining to them another facet of His character.
Take the parting of the Red Sea, for instance. In Exodus 14:4, when God tells Moses that He is going to be “honored” through Pharaoh and the Red Sea, He is describing His role as a protector. In Exodus 9:14, when describing the plagues, God is showing His distinction among idols who have zero control of anything.
Fast forward to Exodus 16:12, where God tells them He will send them quail and manna, then follows it up with the familiar refrain: “Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.” The point here is to show God’s quality as a Provider. He’s not dragging them out in the wilderness to die; on the contrary, He literally sends them sustenance from Heaven.
It’s also a commentary on His compassion. To assume that God doesn’t care, and then see evidence of His “caring” falling from the sky eliminates any argument of lovelessness on His part.
To “know that He is the Lord our God” is not just about an awesome understanding of His power, but to know more about the Lord our God. It’s to see Him as He wants use to see Him. Not just in terms of power, but in respect, uniqueness, and love.
