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Weekly Guide：2022-2023 Week 98
November 19, 2023
Week 98 Day 1: Of the Law ⇧ ⇩
Question
What commitments did the Israelites make to the Lord?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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List of those who sealed the agreement.
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The rest of the people who separated themselves for the sake of the Law of God, all bond themselves with a curse and an oath, to follow the Law of God given through Moses and to obey carefully all the commands, regulations and decrees of the Lord.
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They assumed the responsibility for carrying out the commands to give a third of a shekel each year for the service of the house of God.
Meditation: My Story
- Integrity - After fasting and sealing the agreement, the Israelites bond themselves with curse and oath to marriages, sabbath, offerings. Let me do a reality check of my commitment to my own spiritual growth.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Week 98 Day 2: In Many Cities ⇧ ⇩
Question
How were the Israelites dispersed in Jerusalem and other cities?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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The leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem. The rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of every ten of them to live in Jerusalem, while the remaining nine were to stay in their own towns.
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The people of Judah and the Benjamites lived in the villages with their fields.
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The account of the priests and Levites who returned with Zerubbabel.
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At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the people celebrated joyfully with songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps and lyres.
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Judah was pleased with the ministering priests and Levites, contributed the daily portions for the musicians and the gatekeepers. They also set aside the portion for the other Levites, and the Levites set aside the portion for the descendants of Aaron.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - Who must live in Jerusalem? Those leaders have the burden of protecting the people’s safety. What can I learn from that?
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Fidelity - What did the Israelites emphasize on at the dedication of the wall? Do I view importantly the holidays in remembrance of the Lord Jesus Christ, such as the Good Friday and Easter? Why?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Week 98 Day 3: Purify the Temple ⇧ ⇩
Forward
We will complete the reading of the Book of Nehemiah this week and start on the Book of Esther.
Nehemiah dedicated the wall and all people were in great joy. The greatest joy of life is not the fulfillment of material desires as it cannot be forever satisfied in what is gained and will always be lost. Only the joy from sacrificing to God gives us the eternal memory for He enables us to be joyous in the midst of all difficulties and struggles. It is holy and pleasing to God to offer, to let go, and to commit ourselves to Him. The sound of joy in Jerusalem can be heard in faraway lands and our joy can bring those who are lost.
May you all be renewed each day in God’s word.
Question
What purification work did Nehemiah do in Jerusalem?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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No Ammonite or Moabite should ever be admitted into the assembly of God.
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Eliashib provided Tobiah with a large room in the temple. Nehemiah was greatly displeased and threw all Tobiah’s household goods out of the room.
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Nehemiah saw people in Judah treading winepresses on the Sabbath and bringing in all kinds of loads into Jerusalem on the Sabbath. Nehemiah warned them against selling food on that day.
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Nehemiah rebuked those who married foreigners, made them take an oath in God’s name and said: “You are not to give your daughters in marriage to their sons, nor are you to take their daughters in marriage for your sons or for yourselves.”
Meditation: My Story
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Integrity - Israelites did not take care of the Levites, violated the Sabbath, married foreigners, and so on were offenses committed knowingly. Am I doing some inappropriate things knowingly?
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Fidelity - The people committed offenses when Nehemiah was away from Jerusalem. What responsibility does a leader have toward the people? In correcting the people’s behavior, how did Nehemiah’s action inspire me?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Week 98 Day 4: Sin of Contempt ⇧ ⇩
Question
How did the priests show contempt for the Lord’s name?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Malachi rebukes Israel for forgetting God’s blessing.
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The Lord rebukes the priests for showing contempt for His name.
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They say the Lord’s table is defiled and its food is contemptible.
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If they do not listen, the Lord will send a curse on them, and will curse their blessings.
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Judah has desecrated the sanctuary the Lord loves by marrying women who worship a foreign god.
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The Lord testifies that the Israel have been unfaithful to their wives.
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They have wearied the Lord with their words.
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The Lord will soon send His messenger, who will prepare the way before Him. But who can endure the day of His coming?
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The Lord will come to put them on trial.
Meditation: My Story
- Community - God seeks Godly offspring. So be on our guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of our youth. Let me pray for my spouse, family, children, so the state of our relationship pleases the Lord and glorifies His holiness.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Week 98 Day 5: Israel the Arrogant ⇧ ⇩
Question
How was Israel being arrogant against the Lord?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord. But the Israelites ask, how are we to return?
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Israel are robbing the Lord in tithes and offerings.
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Israel have spoken arrogantly against the Lord, for they said, it is futile to serve God, what do we gain by carrying out His requirements?
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A scroll of remembrance was written in His presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored His name.
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Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire.
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Remember the law of Moses. I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes.
Meditation: My Story
- Fidelity - The Israelites said it is futile to serve the Lord, nothing is gain by carrying out His command. The Lord said this is arrogance. Have I complained in my services? Do I understand the benefit of obeying God’s command?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Week 98 Day 6: Trials of Faith ⇧ ⇩
Forward
We completed reading the book of Hebrews last week. This week, we are going to read the books of James and the First Peter.
The book of James describes the relationship between faith and conduct as in the book of Hebrews. The Superior Sacrifice in the book of Hebrews is not just an academic discussion because our lives cannot be divided into two parts, worldly and spiritual, or live a life in the weekdays then another in the weekends. When the truth is not reflected in our lives, then the teachings are no longer realized, trainings become self-fulfillment, we no longer live in obedience and our lives can no longer transform. Do not pursue institutionalized religious status and beware of letting faith fall into sallow believe of false teaching. True faith is filled with zeal, is active, and not covered with layers of gowns and curtains. Testify for God’s presence with brotherly love, care for the suffering and burdened, reflect Jesus’ purity and holiness in faithful marriage, do not love money and be content. Faith should be reflected in all corners of our lives, gospel should be preached through all channels, live like Jesus Christ filled with merciful blessings and truth in our communities, let the world see God’s light reflects on us and satisfies the Superior Covenant between God and mankind.
May you all be renewed in God’s word each day!
Question
How does faith grow in trials?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Be Joyful when facing trials because testing of faith produces perseverance.
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When being tested, ask God for wisdom which He gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to us.
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Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their humiliation.
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Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life.
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God does not tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.
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Every good and perfect gift is from God who does not change like shifting shadows.
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God chose us through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits.
Meditation: My Story
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Walking with God - List out the descriptions of God’s character in this passage. How may these descriptions help those who are being tested in suffering? Also list out God’s will and promises in this passage. Think back in my own trials, have I ever doubted God because I forgot His will and promises? How does or will this passage help me face my current or next challenge?
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Integrity - Trials come in all shapes and forms. And they come continuously in waves. Summarize from this passage how does a beautiful life born out of perseverance in suffering? How does this hope bring joy? Think about my experiences or through other people’s testimonies of God’s goodness.