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Tuesday, November 16, 2021

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.”


Thursday, November 04, 2021

Obedience through Punishment

“And after all this, if you do not obey Me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins.”

– Leviticus 26:18

Exposition:

        We love to hear that God is love, and we often hesitate to talk about the wrath of God. Sure, it looks good to attract people because of love than to drive them by fear. However, the Scripture says that God is also an angry God and He has often punished us to bring back to Him. In Leviticus 26, God assured the Israelites of prosperous blessings should they continue to obey Him. He also warned them of punishment should they choose to turn away from Him.

        Verse 18 reveals that God’s punishment is not merely a consequence of disobedience, but it is for us to obey God knowing that the way of disobedience is hard and painful. No matter how stubborn we may be, God is not backing off. If the Israelites would not turn away from their sins even after a season of punishment, God warned them that He will punish them seven times more. It is to make them realize that only the path of obedience pleases the Lord to bless them.

        The wrath of God is virtuous like the love of God or the justice of God. God’s wrath is unleashed upon the unjust that everyone may fear Him. However, God never punishes us to the degree that we deserve; for none can bear the full punishment of God, only Jesus can, and He bore the wrath of God in the cross. He satisfied the wrath of God which was to be upon the sinners who put their trust in Him for their Salvation. Whosoever repent for their sins and trust in the Lord will receive eternal life. God commands everyone to repent of their sins to be saved from the wrath to come.

Personal Reflection:

·       Is there any unrepentant sin in my life that I should deal with now before it is too late?

Personal Commitment:

·       I must consider the trials of life and the chastisement of God as joy knowing that God chastens whom He loves.

Prayer:

Lord, forbid me to be stubborn like the Israelites of the Wilderness. Show me my sin by the convicting work of Your Spirit, and then empower me to yield my life to His control, Amen!

Wednesday, October 13, 2021

Block Diagram and Outline of 1 John 5:1-5

“We are Overcomers” – 1 John 5:1-5

"A Child of God can keep the Commandments of God because he is a Conqueror of God."

Tuesday, October 05, 2021

Sunday, October 03, 2021

Got A Prayer Request?

"Meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains."

– Colossians 4:3

Exposition:

        Apostle Paul is a man of prayer, by this I mean he believes in prayer. In private, he prays unceasingly for himself, other Christians, Jews, and Gentiles. In public, he prays along with the other saints in a formal and informal context. Furthermore, he would not only pray solely by himself, but he would ask other saints to pray for him. He exhorts everyone to live a life of prayerfulness. Here, in this verse, we see Apostle Paul requesting prayers from the church at Colossae for his preaching ministry.

        Now, if Apostle Paul seeks prayer for himself and his team members, would we not seek the prayers of others for us? Paul is arguably the godliest person, yet he seeks prayer from ordinary church members. It does not matter how immature we may be, if we are Christians, our prayer is before the throne of God. We mustn't hesitate to pray even for such godly people, they need our prayers like the rest of us, and our prayers are effective as well, if not Paul wouldn't have asked for their prayers.

Sure, prayers must be according to God's will. We can't expect God to help us do the wrong things or for our sinful selfish interest. Even here, Paul is seeking a release from his imprisonment, not for the comfort of free life, but to continue the preaching ministry, and he wouldn't mind another imprisonment for preaching the gospel. Colossians could at least pray for the release of Apostle Paul, even if they aren't able to proclaim the gospel effectively like Paul does, or not bold enough to endure suffering as Paul does on account of the gospel.

Personal Reflection:

  • Do I (as a minister of the gospel) have a list of prayer supporters who know my prayer points from time to time?
  • Do I (as an ordinary Christian) have the habit of saying, "May I pray for you" or "Is there anything I can pray for you" or "Shall we pray together”?

Personal Commitment:

  • To seek others’ prayers and also the prayer points from others from time to time.

Prayer:

Lord, humble my heart to fall before your throne of grace, Amen!