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Weekly Guide:Week 13

April 22, 2018

Forward

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

We continue the reading on the Book of Numbers. Israelites presented offerings before the Tabernacle and marched toward the land of Canaan. No one in that generation except Caleb and Joshua were allowed to go into the land due to their lack of faith. But still, God reaffirmed His promise.

May our Lord renew all brothers and sisters with His word.


Week 13 Day 1: Serve Wholeheartedly

Question

How did the Israelites celebrate and serve when the Tabernacle was set up?

Scripture Reading

Meditation: God’s Story

Meditation: My Story

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 13 Day 2: Purify and make Ceremonially Clean

Question

How Levites purified and made themselves ceremonially clean before they serve?

Scripture Reading

Meditation: God’s Story

Meditation: My Story

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 13 Day 3: Follow the Cloud

Question

How did the Israelites follow God’s lead?

Scripture Reading

Meditation: God’s Story

Meditation: My Story

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 13 Day 4: Complaints

Question

How did God look after His faithful servant when people complained and talked against him?

Scripture Reading

Meditation: God’s Story

Meditation: My Story

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 13 Day 5: Bad Report and Little Faith

Question

How did the Israelites celebrate and serve when the Tabernacle was set up?

Scripture Reading

Meditation: God’s Story

Meditation: My Story

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 13 Day 6: Faithful Blessings

Question

How did God displayed His faithfulness and blessings after He struck down on the Israelites?

Scripture Reading

Meditation: God’s Story

Meditation: My Story

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 13 Day 7: Catch-up Day

Scripture Reading

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 13 Day 1: God is Unstoppable

### Question Where would the early church go when it faced deception, imprisonment, and complaints? {% include BibleLinks2020.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + The outcome of deceiving the Holy Spirit puts our hearts in awe and fear. + The Lord enabled the apostles to perform many signs and wonders. More men and women believed and added to their numbers. Those who were sick or tormented by impure spirits were healed. + Prosecution could not stop the apostles. To the opposite, they were encouraged and preach more. + A Pharisee named Gamaliel wisely asked others not to fight against God. + As disciples increased in number, the needs of church grew. So, seven were chosen to "wait on table." ### Meditation: My Story + **Identity** - Peter and the other apostles said: "We must obey God rather than human beings!" Have I obeyed human beings due to peer pressure for my conduct in work or life? + **Fidelity** - Gamaliel wisely pointed out what comes from God cannot be stopped. Have I been oblivious of God's hand behind the scene due to my ignorance, perspective, or personal interest? Let me humble myself and seek God's will often.

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 13 Day 2: Aspects of Angel

### Question How did Stephen proclaim Jesus until martyred? {% include BibleLinks2020.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + God enabled Stephen to perform wonders and signs but he was falsely accused for blasphemy. + Filled with Holy Spirit, Stephen declared to those in Sanhedrin that they were living in sin just like their ancestors, always resisted the Holy Spirit, prosecuted prophets, betrayed and murdered the Righteous One. + Stephen martyred. ### Meditation: My Story + **Identity** - Stephen, falsely accused by all, had shown us the aspects of angel. As a follower of Jesus and the light and salt of the world, do I reflect God's glory? + **Fidelity** - Before being martyred, Stephen asked God to forgive those who falsely accused him. Would I pray for those who are against my faith? Can I forgive them?

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 13 Day 3: Scattered to Preach

### Question What changes to the church came about from persecutions? {% include BibleLinks2020.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + All disciples except the apostles were scattered from Jerusalem. + Philip preached in Samaria and baptized an Ethiopian eunuch. + Saul on the way to Damascus hunting for disciples was met by Jesus Christ. + Ananias was sent by the Holy Spirit to put his hand on Saul. Saul regained his eyesight and was converted. + Saul preached to the Jews to prove Jesus is Christ. ### Meditation: My Story + **Walking with God** - Philip was able to explain the scripture to the Ethiopian eunuch and baptized him for he followed the guidance of Holy Spirit. We won't hear God's calling and walk with Him if we don't give ourselves up to be close to Him and used by Him. Do I often seek for His presence? Am I willing to be a vessel of His? + **Community** - Even for Saul, a person whose only goal was to wipe out the disciples, could be turned around by God and become His vessel. Pray to the Lord to open my eyes, my mind, to grant me faith to preach to those who stand in the way of truth! + **Fidelity** - Ananias heard the Holy Spirit's calling and put his hand on Saul who was infamous for his persecution of the disciples. Am I willing to let the Holy Spirit lead me serve in areas I don't have the courage to? Pray to the Lord to strengthen me when I have little faith!

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 13 Day 4: Onto the Gentiles

### Question How did the gospel spread to the Gentiles? {% include BibleLinks2020.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + By Jesus' name, Peter healed a paralyzed and raised a dead. + Peter was led by the Holy Spirit to preach gospel to Cornelius, a Gentile. Holy Spirit poured onto the Gentiles for the first time. ### Meditation: My Story + **Identity** - Cornelius appeared to be a perfect man for he was devoting, God-fearing, gave generously to those in need, and prayed to God regularly. However perfect in our eyes, he still needed salvation from Jesus! We are often being self-righteous for our good conducts and become judgmental of others. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to remind me, to show me the not-so-pretty side of myself. + **Fidelity** - Jews consider the Gentiles as impure, unclean, and unworthy to be associated with. But, led by the Holy Spirit, Peter was willing to go into their house to preach gospel to them. Are there people around me need to hear the gospel? Pray and ask God to help me surrender myself, to rid of all my prejudices, to see their needs, and preach gospel to them.

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 13 Day 5: Flourishing of Gospel

### Question How did the church reach unit on the question of gospel to the Gentiles? {% include BibleLinks2020.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + Peter explained how the Holy Spirit went into the Gentiles so that everyone understood that God's salvation is for the Gentiles as well as the Jews. + Gospel spread to Antioch and a great number of Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord. Barnabas co-worked with Paul for a year, taught and brought up a great number of disciples. + Led by an Angel, Peter escaped from prison miraculously. + James executed, Peter imprisoned, Herod eaten by worms as he did not give glory to God. ### Meditation: My Story + **Identity** - Herod executed James and imprisoned Peter to please the Jews. Am I doing anything to please people but against God's will? Pray and ask God to help me to put Him first. + **Fidelity** - Barnabas, filled with Holy Spirit, was quite reputable in Jerusalem's church. However, he was not arrogant but valued Paul's gifts and invited him to co-work together. Am I humble when I serve? Do I value my co-workers' gifts and repect their strengths?

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 13 Day 6: Commencing on Mission

### Question How was Barnabas and Paul's first missionary trip like? {% include BibleLinks2020.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + Holy Spirit called Barnabas and Paul to go out on mission. + The proconsul Sergius Paulus saw Paul won over the false prophet with God's power and believed in God. + Paul spoke in Synagogue and many believed Jesus as the savior of all people. + The Jews rejected much of what they had heard, and the apostles turned to preach to the Gentiles. ### Meditation: My Story + **Fidelity** - Antioch sent off their most important co-workers to go on mission with Paul. Can I set my mind to the Kingdom and to help build others, to raise co-workers, and make my church a missional church?

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 13 Day 7: Mend the Loose Ends

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Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 13 Day 1: The Great Flood

### Question What is the result of sin? {% include BibleLinks2022.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + This is the third segment of Adam and Eve's family, the account of Noah's family. + Like Enoch, Noah walked with God. The flood was brought by the sin of the world. Noah was saved because of his righteousness and submission. The flood renewed the world, God established new covenant with Noah and commanded him to "be fruitful and increase in number." The sons of Noah continued to sin but Shem was blessed. + A race was selected from the sinful world and brought hope that the final salvation will come through them. ### Meditation: My Story + **Identity** - Am I drifting in the sinful world like everyone else or live in God's light as His children like Noah? + **Fidelity** - It seemed that Noah had an impossible task at hand but "Noah did everything just as God commanded him." Am I facing some tasks that seems to be impossible? Am I following His command?

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 13 Day 2: Became the Nations

### Question How did the human history develop after the great flood? {% include BibleLinks2022.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + The fourth segment of Adam and Eve's family history, the account of Noah's sons and their families. + The offspring of Noah's sons. Shem, Ham and Japheth became many of the ethnic groups familiar to Israelites. They built the tower of Babel which caused them to scatter and speak different languages. ### Meditation: My Story + **Identity** - People built tower of Babel to glorify themselves. Am I to glorify God or myself with the works I do? + **Fidelity** - My service at church came from God's calling or to satisfy my own desire? Do I often ask God and follow His will in serving?

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 13 Day 3: Dawn of Salvation

### Question How did God's salvation plan continue among the nations? {% include BibleLinks2022.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + The fifth segment of Adam and Eve's the family history. The account of Shem's family. + This history connects Abram (Abraham), the ancestor of Israel, to Noah's son Shem and the history of the world. In another word, it connects the history of man's downfall to God's salvation plan. Luke 3:34-36 reminds us the importance of this family for their offspring Abraham would bring blessings to all people. ### Meditation: My Story + **Identity** - God saves the people of His election. Do I know I am of the elected? + **Fidelity** - Can God use me to bring salvation to those people I know, such as family, friends, or co-workers?

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 13 Day 4: Calling and Promise

### Question How did God call and protect Abram, the one He selected? {% include BibleLinks2022.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + The seventh segment of Adam and Eve's family history, Terah's family. Mainly the story of his son, Abram. + Abram followed God's calling and left Ur. Abram's wife Sarai was unable to bear child. God promised Abram land, offspring, and nation. Despite Abram's lie, God kept His promise and protected Sarai to bring forth the offspring He has promised. ### Meditation: My Story + **Identity** - From God's calling of Abram, we can see the calling to every Christians. Do I have faith to answer His calling? + **Integrity** - Even Abram, the father of all faith, had moments of weakness and lied in Egypt. But God did not give up on him. Am I willing to lean on God to strengthen me when I'm weak?

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 13 Day 5: The Blessed Land

### Question How did God protect the land He promised Abram? {% include BibleLinks2022.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + Continue from previous day's scripture, God protected the land He promised Abram. + Abram and Lot separated due to the arguments between their shepherds. Lot chose the land that looked fine but full of sin. Abram rescued Lot and people of Sodom and became the blessing of these people. + Abram did not accept the gift from Melchizedek, the king of Sodom. Rather he gave a tenth of everything he owned and became the first in history to give tithe. ### Meditation: My Story + **Integrity** - Abram did not accept the gift from king of Sodom but rather accepted Melchizedek's blessings and gave a tenth of his wealth to God. What do I learn from this in answering God's calling? + **Community** - Abram reconciled his differences with Lot and bravely rescued him. Are there differences between myself and others? How may I reconcile with them?

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 13 Day 6: Promise of Descendants

### Question How did God promise Abram of descendants? {% include BibleLinks2022.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + The story of promise continues. God's covenant with Abram on his descendants. + God promised Abram that he would have descendants too numerous to count and would return to the promised land. Despite the promise, Abram and Sarai attempted to conceive with their own effort and went their own way. Even in human's weakness, God is still faithful in His promise. His love went beyond Abram to take care the suffering Hagar. ### Meditation: My Story + **Identity** - Although Hagar was a slave, she was still in God's care. What encouragement and comfort does her story give me today? + **Integrity** - Despite the promise of God, Abram and Sarai often lacked patience and attempted to do things on their own. Have I or am I waiting impatiently? What does the story of Abram and Sarai remind me of?

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 13 Day 7: Mend the Loose Ends

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Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 13 Day 1: To Serve Wholeheartedly

### Question How did the Israelites celebrate and serve when the Tabernacle was set up? {% include BibleLinks2024.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + This chapter documents the events after Exodus 40 where Moses set up the Tabernacle as God commanded, and His glory filled the Tabernacle. Here, the celebration and offering continued for 12 days as response to God's promises. + The leaders of the 12 tribes brought 6 covered carts and 12 oxen as offerings. Moses accepted with God's consent. + The leaders of the tribes brought the offerings in the order of where they camped. This is the longest chapter besides Psalm 119 in the Old Testament because the same lists of the offerings were repeated 12 times. This shows that God was equally pleased with the offerings from all tribes. + The chapter ends with Moses went into the tent of meeting and heard God's voice from between the two cherubim above the atonement cover on the ark. This was the first time Moses spoke with God after the Tabernacle was set up. ### Meditation: My Story + **Identity** - The same offerings presented 12 times and recorded 12 times show clearly that the tribes were all accepted by God equally. In God's eyes, there's no difference between what others offered and what I offered. Do I see differences between the services of others and mine? + **Fidelity** - The Israelites saw the glory of God and presented their offerings. Do I see God's glory in my life? What can I present to Him as my spiritual offering to His faithfulness?

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 13 Day 2: Pure and Clean

### Question How Levites purified and made themselves ceremonially clean before they serve? {% include BibleLinks2024.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + In 8:1-4, God commanded Moses to tell Aaron to light up the 7 golden lamps the first time. God wanted the area in front of the lampstands to be filled with light. + Verses 8:5-26 records God's regulations for purifying the Levites. They were sent to the priests to be purified and made offerings. They were to work in the tent of meeting. The Levites were chosen as substitute for all firstborns to serve God and make atonements for the Israelites. Levites were positioned between the Veil and the Israelites, so they don't have to get near the Holy of the Holies. + Verses 9:1-14 records the first Passover after the Israelites came out of Egypt. ### Meditation: My Story + **Walking with God** - In this passage we see God provided a way to celebrate Passover for those who wish to celebrate but unable to follow the regulations because they were unable to keep themselves ceremonially clean. However, those who were able to follow the regulations but chose not to celebrate would be cut off. It is the heart that God values. Do I desire God in my heart? + **Identity** - High Priest Aaron lit up the lamps to make light shine in the Holy Place. Jesus Christ is the light of the world, lit up the path for us to walk on. What does it mean to walk in His light in my daily life? + **Fidelity** - The Levites must first clean, then atone, and then present their offerings before they can serve. What does this ordering remind me of?

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 13 Day 3: Follow the Cloud

### Question How did the Israelites follow God's lead? {% include BibleLinks2024.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + Israelites encamped or moved on as God commanded. + God gave the Israelites two silver trumpets at the foot of Mount Sinai to signal their movements. The silver trumpets and the cloud presented unified direction to the Israeli people. In the last days, God will also send his angels to sound trumpets to gather His people (Mat. 24:31; Rev. 8-9) + Israelites started their passage to the promised land from the desert of Sinai a year and a month and 20 days after they have come out of Egypt. A journey that took 38 years to complete is covered in 10:11-22:1. ### Meditation: My Story + **Walking with God** - The ark of covenant was at the very front leading the way to find a restful place for the Israelites (10:33). During the day, the cloud covered them from the burning sun. It might look like a lot of hard work to follow God but it is always filled with His mercy and protection. Think about the love and care He gave me as well the encouragements this passage gives me. + **Identity** - When the cloud lifted, the Israelites set out. When the cloud settled, they stayed. They sometimes would stay at one place for a long while. Sometimes they would move on the next day. When the trumpets sound, they followed. Following God means not following our own desires, no matter what. What am I following today, my own desire or God?

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 13 Day 4: Protest and Complaint

### Question How did God look after His faithful servant when people complained and talked against Him? {% include BibleLinks2024.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + Israelites started their complaints again just three days out of Sinai. This angered God and burned some of them until Moses prayed for them. + God was angered again when Israelites craved for other food. Moses pleaded to God. God brought up people to help Moses and sent plague to the Israelites to cut off the greedy. + Aaron and Mariam talked against Moses due to their jealousy. The Lord came down to fault them. Miriam contracted leprosy had to leave camp for 7 days. Aaron atoned and pleaded for Miriam immediately. + God values His faithful servant. God strengthens him when he is tired, avenges for him when he is wronged. ### Meditation: My Story + **Walking with God** - Like they were at the foothill of Mount Sinai, the Israelites complained just three days out of Sinai. There are always ups and downs in our spiritual lives. How does the lesson for Israelites help me? + **Community** - Aaron atoned and pleaded for Miriam. Moses did so for Aaron and Miriam, too. Am I willing to forgive others? Am I willing to pray for them? + **Integrity** - Bible said the rabble craved other foods. Am I a rabble in my spiritual life? Do the medias influence my thoughts? Can I turn to God's word to block out the bad influences? + **Integrity** - It is not a display of lack of faith when Moses was tired and prayed to God. God helped him and avenged for him. Am I being wronged by others? Do not worry, pray and let God be the judge.

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 13 Day 5: Of Little Faith

### Question What happened when Israelites had little faith in God and believed the scouts' bad news? {% include BibleLinks2024.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + Scouts were sent out when the Israelites came to the land of Canaan. Israelites believed the exaggerated report from the scouts and were afraid of the people there. They didn't want to follow Moses, Aaron, Caleb, Joshua and wanted to turn back to Egypt. They rebelled against God. + God suggested to destroy the contemptuous people. God promised descendants of Moses to become a great nation, they must enter the land. God was merciful as Moses pleaded for them but added that they must pay the price for their disobedience. Thus, no one in that generation except Caleb and Joshua were allowed to enter the promised land. + Israelites became bitter and went ahead without God's permission. They were completely defeated as result. ### Meditation: My Story + **Walking with God** - It can be seen from Moses's prayers that he knew God's attributes. And, that his prayers were to glorify God. Can I pray like him? + **Fidelity** - Where in the scripture displayed the faith that gave Caleb and Joshua the will to advance into Canaan? What reports from the scouts were requested by Moses? What weren't? What caused them to report the bad news and oppose to Caleb and Joshua's strong faith by exaggerating their views? Is there anything I need to change in my service to the Lord?

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 13 Day 6: Faithfulness and Blessings

### Question How did God display His faithfulness and blessings after He struck down on the Israelites? {% include BibleLinks2024.html %} ### Meditation: God's Story + Right after God struck down on the Israelites in chapter 14, He gave Moses the regulations on offerings when they went into the promised land. It can be seen clearly here that God was faithful to His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. + Anyone, whether an individual or a community, must atone with offerings when sinned unintentionally then God would forgive. However, anyone, an individual or the community, would be punished when sinned with intention. Both the rebellious Israelites in the prior chapter and the Sabbath breakers in this chapter were intentional sinners. + Israelite community and the foreigners residing among them all need to worship God, make the same offerings, and receive the same blessings or punishments. God is the God for all people. + God commanded Israelites to put tassels on their garments to remember God's commands. ### Meditation: My Story + **Integrity** - God treats intentional sins different from unintentional ones. God sees the Gentiles the same as the Jews. What do I learn from this truth about God's sovereignty and attributes? How does it remind me and encourage me? + **Integrity** - God put tassels on the Israelites' garments to remind them His commands and not to follow their own sinful wills. Is there anything I can use to remind myself of God's word and stay away from the worldly filth?

Prayer

Notes and Responses


Week 13 Day 7: Mend the Loose Ends

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Prayer

Notes and Responses