“Discovering Wonderful Things,” a Bible Meditation Method

One of the ways we walk with God daily is by meditating on the words of God. Meditation on God’s words is more than just reading them, with or without prayer afterward. However, I often read the Bible casually, just like I read the news online. My goal for such reading is to become familiar with the content of the Bible and to battle against forgetfulness by sharpening my memory. Nonetheless, it is not random reading; I read chapter by chapter, book by book, with the intention of completing the entire Bible within a calendar year.

That being said, meditation on God’s words is essential. One should not substitute casual reading of the Bible for meditation, even if they read daily with the goal of completing the entire Bible. Meditation differs from casual reading. It may take a few minutes or several hours. It involves reading, thinking, and applying the truths of the Bible. It may bring about the sorrow of repentance or the joy of knowing God.

Some people practice Quiet Time as a method of meditation. It involves reading the Bible, seeking the A.S.P.E.C.T. in the passage, and praying. This practice often includes maintaining a journal (with pen and paper) to reflect on the A.S.P.E.C.T. in the passage. Someday, I may write more about it and post it on this blog.

Today, I would like to share another method of Bible meditation. This method, which I learned from a professor during my time in seminary in 2014, is called “Discovering Wonderful Things,” a name taken from Psalm 119:18: “Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Your law” (NASB). This method involves reading, thinking, studying, applying, writing, praying, and recording. It works best when one focuses on meditating on just a single verse.

I can only demonstrate this method with pictures because I don't know how to add a chart or table to the blog. The first picture is the template for this method. The second picture is a demonstration of how I did it. You may also download the template and the demonstration here.

How We Read The Entire Bible In A Year

“Blessed is a man . . . his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, ​​That brings forth its fruit in its season, ​​whose leaf also shall not wither; ​​and whatever he does shall prosper.”

 – Psalm 1:1–3

        Many Christians desire to read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation at least once. I know a lot of ordinary Christians who have achieved that dream. Several of my blog readers have also accomplished that feat in a calendar year. In the past years, I used to have a Bible Reading WhatsApp group where we shared our daily progress. One guy spent an hour or two almost every day reading the Bible within 81 days; he was the fastest guy under my watch.

        Three members finished the target within 6 months, and the rest of the members completed it within a year or two.

        And of course, there used to be a few Judas Iscariots who would not persevere to the end. 😜

        Over the years, I have mentored or encouraged hundreds of Christians to read their Bible through in a calendar year, at least once. Dozens of them have done it once; several, more than once; and some are reading for the fifth time or more this year. So, today’s post is to encourage you and explain how you may fulfill that desire this year. However, I have stopped issuing certificates, so please don’t write to me for one. I have also already written some blog posts on practical guidance for reading the Bible through in a calendar year. I would like to revisit those blog posts and offer some commentary today.

        First, if you do not have that desire or are not challenged to read the Bible, read this article: “The Word and The World: Towards a Bible-Reading Habit as a Consequence of Salvation and a Means of Sanctification.” This article explains the importance (necessity) of a Bible-reading life for a Christian.

        Some people are intimidated by the size (thickness) of the Bible and wonder how to find time and motivation to read through it. If you are one of them, read this post: “Reading Through The Bible Is Not A Big Deal!” Takeaway: It takes only 70–100 hours to read the entire Bible. The whole Bible has 1189 chapters; it will take four chapters a day to finish within a year. That will be about 15–25 minutes a day.

        Here's another article offering at least 10 Creative Bible Reading Plans. Many people made a New Year’s resolution to read through the Bible but failed because they lacked a Bible reading plan. Furthermore, one must differentiate between studying, meditating, and reading the Bible. Consider points #6, #7, and #8 of this article.

        One of the most rewarding Bible reading plans I followed was reading it chronologically. The detailed plan is provided in this article: Reading Bible Chronologically within 4 Months. If only you have been reading the Bible regularly for some years, this plan will be suitable for you. Do not let the 4-month timeframe deter you; you can modify it to suit your annual plan.

        Another practical way to read through the Bible is to read book by book in one or two sittings. Here is an example of how I have done it in 2017: My Bible Reading Plan (Rongmei Version/Translation). Again, you can adapt the plan for 12 months.

        In 2022, I decided to read a chapter from each genre of the Bible. It was great but required a lot of discipline. See this article: My 2022 Bible Reading Plan. If you choose to follow this plan, restructure it to suit your plan.

        The point of the above examples is the methods: chronologically (events in the historical time), book by book, or by genres of the Bible each day. One does not need to follow my timeline shown in the reading plans, such as 4 months or 5 months. Regardless of which method one chooses, it is wise not to be overconfident in one’s discipline. If you have never read through the Bible and are not a regular reader, please don’t attempt much, like 10 chapters a day, 7 times a week, until the entire Bible is completed; almost everyone whom I have mentored has failed miserably. Take the whole year to read through the Bible; perhaps 5 times a week or 4 chapters daily. However, try to read ahead as often as you can. And you will have your desire fulfilled. Thank you for your interest in this blog and the Word of God!

The Word and The World: Towards a Bible-Reading Habit as a Consequence of Salvation and a Means of Sanctification.

        Two scripture passages that come to mind when I think of the importance of reading the Bible are John 17 and Matthew 4:4. Several years ago, after a church service where I had just preached, an elderly woman approached me and shared a profound insight she had recently learned: “If you are not in the Word [of God], you are in the world.” She meant to say that if you are not influenced by the Word of God, you are influenced by the world. And I responded, “That’s right! That’s John 17.” Indeed, if you are not listening to the Word of God, you are listening to the world.

        John 17 is a prayer of Jesus for us, yes, not only for His twelve Apostles but also for us (as indicated in verse 20: “who will believe in Me through their [Apostles’] word”). In this High Priestly prayer, Jesus indicates the means of preserving His people in the world is by the Word of God (John 17:17). John 17 has 26 verses, and Jesus says “Your word” referring to the words of the Father five times (verses 6, 8, 14, 17, and 20). If you are curious what those words are, they are the words of God written and handed down to us, which is the Bible. See how verse 20 reads: “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word.” The “these . . . their” in this verse refers to the Apostles, the original hearers of Jesus; therefore, the words of God are what they have spoken and recorded, which comprise the Bible.

        John 17 reveals not only the importance of God’s Word but also the malevolence of the world. Jesus uses the term “world” fifteen times to refer to the people of earth. However, He makes a distinction between His people and the rest of the people of this world at least seven times (verses 6, 9, 11, 14, 18), and most clearly in verse 14, which reads, “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world,” which is reiterated in verse 16. Here, we see that Jesus and His people (we, Christians) are not of the world. In what ways are we not of this world? Jesus’ prayer reveals them in three aspects of our identity:

1. That we are the elects of God destined for eternal life (verses 2, 6, 9, 11, 12).

2. That we are the people of the Word (verses 6, 8, 14, 20). More will be explained in the next paragraph.

3. That we are the people hated by the world but beloved by God (verses 14, 16, 15, 23).

        These three aspects are true for every Christian, though not in equal measure. The world hates some Christians more because of their godliness. 1 Peter 4:4 alludes to it that Christians are so different by their godly conduct that the world hates them. If we are so comfortable with the ways of the world (contrary to 1 John 2:15–17), and if the world is comfortable with us (contrary to John 17:14–16 and 1 Peter 4:1–4), we are not living as John-17 Christians. Unfortunately, we do live like non-Christians sometimes. Surely, we should not let the world hate us as a consequence of our evil deeds or due to laziness in good works. We should be hated because we refuse to participate in, support, or approve anything contrary to the Word of God. Thus, circling back to the importance of the Word of God. As said before, Christians differ from the world because they are the people of the Word of God. The people of the Word means:

1. They are the doers of the Word of God. Verse 6 reads, “And they have kept Your word.” Keeping the word of God presupposes that they know what the Word of God says. How can you keep (obey) the Word of God if you don’t know what it commands, instructs, and exhorts you to do? And how will you know if you don’t read the Bible? That’s the reality. To be different from the world is to be a doer of the Word; to be a doer of the Word is to be a knower (student) of the Word. To be a knower of the Word is to read the Bible. The less you read, the less you look like a Christian and the more worldly you have become.

2. They are the receivers of the Word of God. Verse 8 reads, “I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them.” This expresses the same idea as in verse 6, that they are the doers of the Word, but with a nuance. Here, we see the imagery of receiving something from a giver, presenter, or proclaimer. God’s words are being presented, proclaimed, offered, or taught, and Christians receive them. How does one receive something abstract that is not a physical thing? It is by believing, as verse 8 goes on to read, “they have believed.” This truth has already been stated in chapter 1 of John, verse 12, “as many as received Him . . . who believe in His name.” This implies that one must read the Bible receptively (believingly). You must read the Bible, willing to be influenced by what it says, not just to be a knower but to be a believer of the truth and be transformed by its truth.

        A Christian is (must be) diligent in the Word of God because that’s what biblical Christians do. It’s not just about affirming some basic truths about who Jesus is and what He did. It is also being diligent in seeking to know more. Verse 17 (John 17:17) echoes this truth: “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” This is Jesus still praying to the Father that God will sanctify Jesus’s people (us) by the truth, the truth which is the Word of God, the Bible. Sanctifying means making people more like Christ, who has kept the perfect law of God (verse 4: “I have finished the work which You have given Me to do”). To be like Christ, we must keep (obey) the Word of God. Again, how can you, if you do not study (find out) what the Word of God says to do in any and every situation of life?

        Sanctifying, or sanctification, also has the idea of becoming more holy, godly, and set apart for God. It involves actively fighting against sin. The Word of God helps us in our sanctification. Psalm 119:105 demonstrates this truth: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Therefore, a Christian must be devoted to the word of God: reading and studying regularly for His sanctification. There is no other path to holiness, godliness, and victory over sin other than what Jesus states in John 17:17—through the Word of God. Would you commit to reading the Bible regularly and as often as possible (even multiple times a day) this year?

        Let me save the other passage, Matthew 4:4, for another time.

Noteworthy "Chapter 1 verse 11" of the books of the Bible

One of my favourite scripture portions in the bible is Romans 1:11, especially the phrase “that I may impart to you some spiritual gift” in “For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established—” Romans 1:11 [NKJV]. It has been my philosophy, my guiding principle, my goal for all my online activities, namely the social media, especially on the Blog and WhatsApp.

However, I used to forget the chapter and verse of this scripture. So, one day I decided to take a thorough look at it to never forget it again. I also looked up chapter 1:11 of all the books of the Bible. Here are some interesting 1:11 I found it to be relevant/connected to what I was thinking that day:

 

“May the Lord God of your fathers make you a thousand times more numerous than you are, and bless you as He has promised you!” Deuteronomy 1:11

“Then she made a vow and said, ‘O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.’” I Samuel 1:11

“Then God said to Solomon: ‘Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life—but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king—’” II Chronicles 1:11

“‘O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name; and let Your servant prosper this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.’ For I was the king’s cupbearer.” Nehemiah 1:11

“But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” Job 1:11

“There is no remembrance of former things, Nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come By those who will come after.” Ecclesiastes 1:11

“‘To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?’ Says the Lord. ‘I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, Or of lambs or goats.’” Isaiah 1:11

“All her people sigh, They seek bread; They have given their valuables for food to restore life. ‘See, O Lord, and consider, For I am scorned.’” Lamentations 1:11

“For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, My name shall be great among the Gentiles; In every place incense shall be offered to My name, And a pure offering; For My name shall be great among the nations,” Says the Lord of hosts.” Malachi 1:11

 

“Then a voice came from heaven, ‘You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’” Mark 1:11

“He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.” John 1:11

“In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,” Ephesians 1:11

“Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power,” II Thessalonians 1:11

“who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me.” Philemon 1:11

“For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.” James 1:11

“for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.” II John 1:11

“Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.” III John 1:11

Noteworthy “Chapter 6 verse 8” of the books of the Bible.

Recently, I have been thinking about the wide gap between the rich and the poor, and about the high salaried job and the low salaried job. One could almost slip like Asaph of Psalm 73 in disappointment and envy. A few days ago, when I was opening my Bible as usual to read every day, my reading plan led me to 1 Timothy chapter 6. When I reached verse 8, I stopped and said aloud, “Wow!” It comforted my soul that it is okay to be poor (to not have much). It confronted my soul that I should learn to be contented with whatever I have. It convinced me to think about it, meditate upon it, and commit it to my memory.

I looked up different versions of the Bible to find out the best way to memorize it. BTW, it’s easier to memorize the scripture than the scripture portion, (the chapter and the verse). So, while I was trying to imprint chapter 6 verse 8 on my heart, it made me curious about what other books of the Bible say in chapter 6 verse 8. And I went through every book of the Bible and was quite impressed. I noted the books (along with chapter and verse) that I felt were relevant/ connected to 1 Timothy 6:8 by the way of application, explanation, assurance, or etc.

 

Look at what different bible versions/translations have of 1 Timothy 6:8:

 “And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.” 1 Timothy 6:8 [NKJV]

“If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.” 1 Timothy 6:8 [NASB]

“if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, that's enough.” 1 Timothy 6:8 [MSG]

“So we should be well satisfied without money if we have enough food and clothing.” 1 Timothy 6:8 [Living]

“But if we have food and a roof over us, let that be enough.” 1 Timothy 6:8 [BBE]

“But if we have food and shelter, we will be satisfied with that.” 1 Timothy 6:8 [NET]

“But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” 1 Timothy 6:8 [ESV]

 

Look at what many (not all) books of the Bible [NKJV] have in chapter 6 verse 8:

“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” Genesis 6:8

“And I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and I will give it to you as a heritage: I am the Lord.” Exodus 6:8

“let a royal robe be brought which the king has worn, and a horse on which the king has ridden, which has a royal crest placed on its head.” Esther 6:8

“Oh, that I might have my request, That God would grant me the thing that I long for!” Job 6:8

“Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity; For the Lord has heard the voice of my weeping.” Psalms 6:8

“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: ‘Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me.’” Isaiah 6:8

“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8

 

“Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.” Matthew 6:8

“He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts—” Mark 6:8

“There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?” John 6:9

“And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.” Acts 6:8

“Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,” Romans 6:8

“For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” Galatians 6:8

“knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.” Ephesians 6:8

“but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.” Hebrews 6:8

“So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.” Revelation 6:8

My 2022 Bible Reading Plan

9 chapters a day from different genres (6 from OT and 3 from NT) 

Target Result: At least 2 times a year (OT twice and NT four times)

Old Testament Reading Plan

New Testament Reading Plan

What does God want us to know? – The book of Ezekiel

I remember an incident when I was staying in Stephen Hall (a hostel of St. Anthony’s College, Shillong). The rector of the institution was our warden. When students wanted to go home, they had to get his permission. Students would write an application and slip it under the door of his office. At one hostel gathering, the warden said, “Hello! You guys are supposed to ask for a permission, not to inform me that you are going home!”

I am afraid much of our prayers are like that to God, informing God of our troubles. We want God to know as if He doesn’t know. We want God to know many things, right? We keep on informing Him every now and then. What about taking a break, and ask, “What does God want me to know?” “What does God want us to know?” is the most pertinent question to reflect when one reads through the book of Ezekiel.

The answer is to Know Him that He is the LORD, Yahweh, the God of the Israelites, the God of the Bible. Why is that important? Because we often have a false idea of God. We sometimes have “better” ideas than God and want to do our ways. We would rather be God, and act like God. Ezekiel’s message is, let God be God and you be His creature. Ezekiel is always addressed as “Son of Man” in this book – he is a mere man, a mortal, a creature of God. BTW, that’s Humility 101. Or, look at the following Scriptures:

Isaiah 1:3 “The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master's crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.”

Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.”

The lack of knowledge of God is dangerous while knowing God is profitable.

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

There are over 77 verses in the Bible [NKJV] that says that God does such and such that we may know that God is God and we aren’t. 63 of them is found in the book of Ezekiel (10x in Exodus, 2x in 1Kings, 2x in Joel):

 

(Ezek 6:7 [NKJV])

“The slain shall fall in your midst, and you shall know that I am the LORD.”

(Ezek 6:10 [NKJV])

“And they shall know that I am the LORD; I have not said in vain that I would bring this calamity upon them.”

(Ezek 6:13 [NKJV])

“Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when their slain are among their idols all around their altars, on every high hill, on all the mountaintops, under every green tree, and under every thick oak, wherever they offered sweet incense to all their idols.”

(Ezek 6:14 [NKJV])

“So I will stretch out My hand against them and make the land desolate, yes, more desolate than the wilderness toward Diblah, in all their dwelling places. Then they shall know that I am the LORD.”

(Ezek 7:4 [NKJV])

“My eye will not spare you, ​Nor will I have pity; ​But I will repay your ways, ​And your abominations will be in your midst; ​Then you shall know that I am the LORD!”

(Ezek 7:9 [NKJV])

“My eye will not spare, ​Nor will I have pity; ​I will repay you according to your ways, ​And your abominations will be in your midst. ​Then you shall know that I am the LORD who strikes.”

(Ezek 7:27 [NKJV])

“The king will mourn, ​The prince will be clothed with desolation, ​And the hands of the common people will tremble. ​I will do to them according to their way, ​And according to what they deserve I will judge them; ​Then they shall know that I am the LORD!”

(Ezek 11:10 [NKJV])

“You shall fall by the sword. I will judge you at the border of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the LORD.”

(Ezek 11:12 [NKJV])

“And you shall know that I am the LORD; for you have not walked in My statutes nor executed My judgments, but have done according to the customs of the Gentiles which are all around you.”

(Ezek 12:15 [NKJV])

“Then they shall know that I am the LORD, when I scatter them among the nations and disperse them throughout the countries”.

(Ezek 12:16 [NKJV])

“But I will spare a few of their men from the sword, from famine, and from pestilence, that they may declare all their abominations among the Gentiles wherever they go. Then they shall know that I am the LORD.”

(Ezek 12:20 [NKJV])

“Then the cities that are inhabited shall be laid waste, and the land shall become desolate; and you shall know that I am the LORD.”

(Ezek 13:9 [NKJV])

“My hand will be against the prophets who envision futility and who divine lies; they shall not be in the assembly of My people, nor be written in the record of the house of Israel, nor shall they enter into the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the Lord GOD.”

(Ezek 13:14 [NKJV])

“So I will break down the wall you have plastered with untempered mortar, and bring it down to the ground, so that its foundation will be uncovered; it will fall, and you shall be consumed in the midst of it. Then you shall know that I am the LORD.”

(Ezek 13:21 [NKJV])

“I will also tear off your veils and deliver My people out of your hand, and they shall no longer be as prey in your hand. Then you shall know that I am the LORD.”

(Ezek 13:23 [NKJV])

“Therefore you shall no longer envision futility nor practice divination; for I will deliver My people out of your hand, and you shall know that I am the LORD.”

(Ezek 14:8 [NKJV])

“I will set My face against that man and make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of My people. Then you shall know that I am the LORD.”

(Ezek 15:7 [NKJV])

“And I will set My face against them. They will go out from one fire, but another fire shall devour them. Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when I set My face against them.”

(Ezek 16:62 [NKJV])

“And I will establish My covenant with you. Then you shall know that I am the LORD,”

(Ezek 20:12 [NKJV])

“Moreover I also gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between them and Me, that they might know that I am the LORD who sanctifies them.”

(Ezek 20:20 [NKJV])

“Hallow My Sabbaths, and they will be a sign between Me and you, that you may know that I am the LORD your God.”

(Ezek 20:26 [NKJV])

“And I pronounced them unclean because of their ritual gifts, in that they caused all their firstborn to pass through the fire, that I might make them desolate and that they might know that I am the LORD.””

(Ezek 20:38 [NKJV])

“I will purge the rebels from among you, and those who transgress against Me; I will bring them out of the country where they dwell, but they shall not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD.”

(Ezek 20:42 [NKJV])

“Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when I bring you into the land of Israel, into the country for which I raised My hand in an oath to give to your fathers.”

(Ezek 20:44 [NKJV])

““Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when I have dealt with you for My name’s sake, not according to your wicked ways nor according to your corrupt doings, O house of Israel,” says the Lord GOD.”

(Ezek 22:16 [NKJV])

“You shall defile yourself in the sight of the nations; then you shall know that I am the LORD.”

(Ezek 23:49 [NKJV])

“They shall repay you for your lewdness, and you shall pay for your idolatrous sins. Then you shall know that I am the Lord GOD.”

(Ezek 24:24 [NKJV])

“Thus Ezekiel is a sign to you; according to all that he has done you shall do; and when this comes, you shall know that I am the Lord GOD.”

(Ezek 24:27 [NKJV])

“On that day your mouth will be opened to him who has escaped; you shall speak and no longer be mute. Thus you will be a sign to them, and they shall know that I am the LORD.”

 

You see, we better know God in His beauty or we shall know Him in His wrath. He is talking to His people, the Israelites, His people of eternal covenant (chapters 1-24). From chapters 25-32, Ezekiel (and God) shifted the oracles towards the nations of the world. He used the same formula as it was for Israelites to the nations of the world, revealing the purpose of God’s doing. Especially His judgment.

 

(Ezek 25:5 [NKJV])

“And I will make Rabbah a stable for camels and Ammon a resting place for flocks. Then you shall know that I am the LORD.”

(Ezek 25:7 [NKJV])

“Indeed, therefore, I will stretch out My hand against you, and give you as plunder to the nations; I will cut you off from the peoples, and I will cause you to perish from the countries; I will destroy you, and you shall know that I am the LORD.”

(Ezek 25:11 [NKJV])

“And I will execute judgments upon Moab, and they shall know that I am the LORD.”

(Ezek 25:17 [NKJV])

“I will execute great vengeance on them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I lay My vengeance upon them.”

(Ezek 26:6 [NKJV])

“Also her daughter villages which are in the fields shall be slain by the sword. Then they shall know that I am the LORD.”

(Ezek 28:22 [NKJV])

“and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: ​“Behold, I am against you, O Sidon; ​I will be glorified in your midst; ​And they shall know that I am the LORD, ​When I execute judgments in her and am hallowed in her.”’”

(Ezek 28:23 [NKJV])

“For I will send pestilence upon her, ​And blood in her streets; ​The wounded shall be judged in her midst ​By the sword against her on every side; ​Then they shall know that I am the LORD.”

(Ezek 28:24 [NKJV])

“And there shall no longer be a pricking brier or a painful thorn for the house of Israel from among all who are around them, who despise them. Then they shall know that I am the Lord GOD.”

(Ezek 28:26 [NKJV])

“And they will dwell safely there, build houses, and plant vineyards; yes, they will dwell securely, when I execute judgments on all those around them who despise them. Then they shall know that I am the LORD their God.”

(Ezek 29:6 [NKJV])

“Then all the inhabitants of Egypt ​Shall know that I am the LORD, ​Because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel.”

(Ezek 29:9 [NKJV])

“And the land of Egypt shall become desolate and waste; then they will know that I am the LORD, because he said, ‘The River is mine, and I have made it.’”

(Ezek 29:16 [NKJV])

“No longer shall it be the confidence of the house of Israel, but will remind them of their iniquity when they turned to follow them. Then they shall know that I am the Lord GOD.”

(Ezek 29:21 [NKJV])

“In that day I will cause the horn of the house of Israel to spring forth, and I will open your mouth to speak in their midst. Then they shall know that I am the LORD.”

(Ezek 30:8 [NKJV])

“Then they will know that I am the LORD, ​When I have set a fire in Egypt ​And all her helpers are destroyed.”

(Ezek 30:19 [NKJV])

“Thus I will execute judgments on Egypt, ​Then they shall know that I am the LORD.”

(Ezek 30:25 [NKJV])

“Thus I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, but the arms of Pharaoh shall fall down; they shall know that I am the LORD, when I put My sword into the hand of the king of Babylon and he stretches it out against the land of Egypt.” [This happened in 605 BC. BTW]

(Ezek 30:26 [NKJV])

“I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations and disperse them throughout the countries. Then they shall know that I am the LORD.”

(Ezek 32:15 [NKJV])

“When I make the land of Egypt desolate, ​And the country is destitute of all that once filled it, ​When I strike all who dwell in it, ​Then they shall know that I am the LORD.”

 

Chapter 1-3 is the Commission of Ezekiel to be a Watchmen. Chapter 4-32 is the Proclamation of Judgment on Israelites and the Nations. Chapter 33-48 is the Restoration of the Israelites. The purpose of restoration (also), and in restoring them, they will know that God is the LORD.

 

(Ezek 33:29 [NKJV])

“Then they shall know that I am the LORD, when I have made the land most desolate because of all their abominations which they have committed.”

(Ezek 34:27 [NKJV])

“Then the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase. They shall be safe in their land; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I have broken the bands of their yoke and delivered them from the hand of those who enslaved them.”

(Ezek 35:4 [NKJV])

“I shall lay your cities waste, ​And you shall be desolate. ​Then you shall know that I am the LORD.”

(Ezek 35:9 [NKJV])

“I will make you perpetually desolate, and your cities shall be uninhabited; then you shall know that I am the LORD.”

(Ezek 35:12 [NKJV])

“Then you shall know that I am the LORD. I have heard all your blasphemies which you have spoken against the mountains of Israel, saying, ‘They are desolate; they are given to us to consume.’”

(Ezek 35:15 [NKJV])

“As you rejoiced because the inheritance of the house of Israel was desolate, so I will do to you; you shall be desolate, O Mount Seir, as well as all of Edom—all of it! Then they shall know that I am the LORD.”

(Ezek 36:11 [NKJV])

“I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bear young; I will make you inhabited as in former times, and do better for you than at your beginnings. Then you shall know that I am the LORD.”

(Ezek 36:23 [NKJV])

“And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the LORD,” says the Lord GOD, “when I am hallowed in you before their eyes.””

(Ezek 36:38 [NKJV])

“Like a flock offered as holy sacrifices, like the flock at Jerusalem on its feast days, so shall the ruined cities be filled with flocks of men. Then they shall know that I am the LORD.”

(Ezek 37:6 [NKJV])

“I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the LORD.”

(Ezek 37:13 [NKJV])

“Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves.”

(Ezek 38:23 [NKJV])

“Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the LORD.”

(Ezek 39:6 [NKJV])

“And I will send fire on Magog and on those who live in security in the coastlands. Then they shall know that I am the LORD.”

(Ezek 39:7 [NKJV])

“So I will make My holy name known in the midst of My people Israel, and I will not let them profane My holy name anymore. Then the nations shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.”

(Ezek 39:22 [NKJV])

“So the house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God from that day forward.”

(Ezek 39:28 [NKJV])

“then they shall know that I am the LORD their God, who sent them into captivity among the nations, but also brought them back to their land, and left none of them captive any longer.”

 

Chapter 1-3: It’s the Vision of the Glory of God that strengthened Ezekiel to be a Watchman, living a God-pleasing life in the world of rebellious people.

Chapter 4-33: It’s the Departure of the Glory of God that brought Judgment upon the people.

Chapter 33-48: It’s the Appearing of the Glory of God that will Restore the Israelites.

 

Indeed, God does everything for His glory. This is the theme of Ezekiel. God wants to be known. God wants to be popular. We must live for His glory (1 Cor. 10:31). Our boast, glory, joy, satisfaction must be that we know God. Indeed, Jeremiah 9:24 says, ““But let him who glories glory in this, ​That he understands and knows Me, ​That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. ​For in these I delight,” says the LORD.”

 

The other times this statement occurs in the Bible:

(Exod 6:7 [NKJV])

“I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the LORD your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.”

(Exod 7:5 [NKJV])

“And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch out My hand on Egypt and bring out the children of Israel from among them.”

(Exod 7:17 [NKJV])

“Thus says the LORD: “By this you shall know that I am the LORD. Behold, I will strike the waters which are in the river with the rod that is in my hand, and they shall be turned to blood.”

(Exod 8:22 [NKJV])

“And in that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, in which My people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there, in order that you may know that I am the LORD in the midst of the land.”

(Exod 10:2 [NKJV])

“and that you may tell in the hearing of your son and your son’s son the mighty things I have done in Egypt, and My signs which I have done among them, that you may know that I am the LORD.”

(Exod 14:4 [NKJV])

“Then I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, so that he will pursue them; and I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD.” And they did so.”

(Exod 14:18 [NKJV])

“Then the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gained honor for Myself over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.”

(Exod 16:12 [NKJV])

“I have heard the complaints of the children of Israel. Speak to them, saying, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. And you shall know that I am the LORD your God.’”

(Exod 29:46 [NKJV])

“And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them up out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them. I am the LORD their God.”

(Exod 31:13 [NKJV])

“Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: ‘Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you.’”

 

(1Kgs 20:13 [NKJV])

“Suddenly a prophet approached Ahab king of Israel, saying, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Have you seen all this great multitude? Behold, I will deliver it into your hand today, and you shall know that I am the LORD.’””

(1Kgs 20:28 [NKJV])

“Then a man of God came and spoke to the king of Israel, and said, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Because the Syrians have said, “The LORD is God of the hills, but He is not God of the valleys,” therefore I will deliver all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the LORD.””

 

(Joel 2:27 [NKJV])

“Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel: ​I am the LORD your God ​And there is no other. ​My people shall never be put to shame.”

(Joel 3:17 [NKJV])

“So you shall know that I am the LORD your God, ​Dwelling in Zion My holy mountain. ​Then Jerusalem shall be holy, ​And no aliens shall ever pass through her again.”