Weekly Guide：Week 14
April 29, 2018
Forward
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
In this week’s reading, we will learn about the potential conflicts when we co-work with other fellow Christians as well as God’s protection to His servants and His will toward them. In addition, we will read about the important events in the last year when Israelites wandered in the desert:
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Passing of Moses’ sister Miriam and brother Aaron indicating the beginning of the transition to the next generation.
-
Edom, the descendant of Esau, blocking Israelites’ passage marks the start of the hostile history between Edom and Israel.
-
Victory over the kings of Canaan and Amorite marks the start of the battle to advance into the land of Canaan.
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The interactions of Israelites with Balaam and Moab, marking the begging of the influences of idolatry and paganism in Israel’s history.
May our Lord bless and renew all brothers and sisters with His word every day!
Question
Who established Aaron’s priesthood that Korah challenged?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
Korah, a descendant of Levi, lead some Israelites to challenge Moses for the appointment of Aaron and his descendant’s priesthood. Moses asked them to come in front of God and be tested with fire. God brought about something totally new to destroy Korah and everyone and everything associated with him.
-
The day after Korah’s incident the whole Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. They blamed Moses and Aaron for the death of Korah and associates. God was angry and brought plague to the people. Moses ordered Aaron to atone for the Israelites in between the living and the dead. The plague stopped.
-
God commanded Moses to get 12 staffs from the leaders of the tribes. With their names on the staff and place in front of the ark of covenant law. The staff from Levi with Aaron’s name was the only one that sprouted, budded, blossomed, and produced almonds. God used this to show the people that it was His will the Levites were chosen.
Meditation: My Story
-
Identity – Aaron was established by God as high priest and no one can substitute for him. Likewise, no one can substitute for Lord Jesus Christ! The Israelites approached God only through Aaron and his descendants. Today, everyone can approach God through Jesus Christ. Am I approaching God through my own means?
-
Fidelity – Aaron stood in between the living and the dead to atone for them. Do I live for my own benefit or do I pray for others?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What were the duties of the Levites and the priests? What were they to receive from the offerings?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
Verses 18:1-7 is the answer God gave Aaron for the question the Israelites asked in 17:12-13. The priests and the Levites are to bear the anger from God so people won’t die. Priesthood is a gift from God to the priests and also a gift to all people.
-
God gave the Levites a tenth from the offerings Israelites produced. The tenth of that was given to Aaron and the priests.
-
Chapter 19 dealt with those who became unclean from the plague in chapter 16. Due to the large number of people affected, God gave them cleansing water to clean quickly and effectively.
Meditation: My Story
- Fidelity – Korah saw only the benefits but not the responsibilities. Do I look at my services as my own glory or God given responsibilities?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What did the Israelites experience when they came back to Kadesh in the final year of wandering?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
The last year of wandering in the desert. The Israelites came back to Kadesh where they rebelled against God’s will and refused to go into the land of Canaan.
-
Israelites complained again as their fathers did. Moses did not give glory to God and was denied entry into the promised land. Miriam and Aaron passed away.
-
Edom denied Israelite’s passage on the eastern shore of Jordan River. God forbit them to wage war against the Edom so the Israelites were forced to go on the tough trek around Edom. Israelites complained again and God punished them with venomous snakes. Moses pleaded to God. God commanded Moses to make a bronze snake and put it up. Anyone looked up to the snake was saved. This foretold the coming of the Christ (John 3:13-14).
-
Contrasting with man’s unfaithfulness and complaints, God faithfully lead the Israelites to the promised land.
Meditation: My Story
-
Fidelity – Moses sinned by not giving glory to God. Even though Moses had done many great things, God did not let it pass. God denied Moses as he pleaded to let him go into the promised land. Analogous to increased responsibilities for the priests serving in the tent of meeting, we must become more alert as we get closer to God. Will I ever take lightly God’s holiness in my journey with Him?
-
Walking with God – Sin repeats itself from generations to generations. The bronze snake cannot remove all sins from man, but Jesus can. Moses raised the bronze snake foretold the salvation of the Christ. Pray and thank Jesus for His forgiveness and salvation.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
Why Balaam blessed Israelites when Balak wanted him to curse them?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
Moab wasn’t their aim when the Israelites came to camp across from Jericho. Balak summoned Balaam to curse the Israelites but God made him to bless them instead.
-
Balaam was not a prophet. He seemingly proclaimed himself a prophet was in fact a spokesperson for all false gods. He was condemned many times in Bible for his immorality, injustice, and low ethics. (Num. 31:7-8,15-16, Deu. 23:3-6; Jos. 13:22;24:9-10; Neh.13:1-3;Mic. 6:5;2 Peter 2:15-16; Jude 11; Rev. 2:14)
Meditation: My Story
-
Walking with God – Why did Balaam changed places and the ways to curse the Israelites? How was God’s power shown through Balaam’s failures?
-
Identity – God intervened and protected Israelites when Balak summoned Balaam to curse them. God always protects without us knowing. Count the blessings I received last week from God, not from myself.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How did the Moabites deceive Israelites, cause them to sin and angered God?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
In reference to Numbers 31:8,16, the incident in this chapter was Balaam’s plan. He tried to corrupt the Israelites to cause them to separate from God and lose His protection.
-
Phinehas was zealous for God’s honor. He killed those sinful Israelites and turned away God’s anger for the Israelites. God made with Phinehas and his descendants the covenant of peace, the lasting priesthood.
Meditation: My Story
-
Identity – Satan’s deception is like Balaam’s, to corrupt God’s people from within to take them away from God. Am I falling for Satan’s deception? Ask God to remind me and keep me alert.
-
Fidelity – Phinehas’ zeal for God’s honor contrasts with Israelites. By no mean God wants us to judge upon others nor He wants us to carry out justice for Him. What does zeal for God’s honor mean in my daily life? How do I live it out?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How did the Moabites deceive Israelites, cause them to sin and angered God?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
Israelites’ number had not changed much in the 40 years. This was a blessing from God for He promised Abraham’s descendants would become a great nation.
-
God blessed Zelophehad’s Daughters for they had the rightful view of their inheritances.
-
Moses was denied entry into the land of Canaan. He asked God in his last prayer for a new leader who would lead the Israelites into the promised land.
Meditation: My Story
-
Walking with God – Israelites number changed little after plagues, disasters, killings, and other punishments. God’s promises never change because of our weakness. Looking back in my life, do I often see my own failures or God’s faithfulness?
-
Community – Moses’ heart was with the people even though he was denied entry into the promised land. What can I pray for my family, church, and God’s leading in my services?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Scripture Reading
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What decisions did the council in Jerusalem make?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Escaping death, apostles continued to preach gospel to build the disciples.
+ Completed the first missionary trip. Apostles described the wonders God had done through them and how Gentiles believed.
+ The council in Jerusalem confirmed that salvation comes through God's grace and stopped enforcing rules that are irrelevant to the faith.
+ Began the second missionary trip with Timothy joined.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Community** - Some of the people from Judea wanted the Gentile believers in Antioch to be circumcised or would not recognize them as been saved. Do I have prejudice against believers of different culture background?
+ **Fidelity** - After being almost killed by stoning, Paul continued to preach gospel. What does this remind me where the apostles put gospel preaching at higher priority than their own lives?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did the Holy Spirit lead the apostles to bring gospel to Europe?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The Holy Spirit lead the apostles to preach in Europe.
+ In Philippi, Lydia was converted near the river. The apostles praised God in prison and the jailer with his family were baptized.
+ Many believed in Thessalonica.
+ Many received the message with great eagerness in Berea.
+ Through the inscription, TO AN UNKNOWN GOD, Paul proclaimed God's truth.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - Although imprisoned, Paul and Silas sang songs praising God and prayed because it was a natural outpouring of their lives that were immersed in Holy Spirit. Can I trust God's intention is all for my wellbeing even when I'm surrounded by difficulties? Pray and ask God to help me believe Him not just in prosperity, but in adversity, too!
+ **Fidelity** - Despite the distractions everywhere they went, the apostles had always prioritized gospel preaching according to the needs of the unbelievers. How does the way the apostles preached inspire me?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What was the effect of gospel in the morally deficient cities such as Corinth and Ephesus?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ A year and half after establishing the church in Corinth, the Lord said: "I have many people in this city."
+ Going through Ephesus marked the completion of the second missionary trip. The third missionary trip started right after.
+ Three years into establishing the church in Ephesus, many have repented and the word of God spread widely and grew in power.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - Those who practiced sorcery in Ephesus burnt their expensive scrolls in public and turned away from their sinful past. Is there anything lingering in me that shackles me in sins? Pray and ask the Lord to grant me strength to escape from my sins.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Paul bid farewell to the elders of the Ephesian church?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ God's way transforms people's heart. The business of idol making fell like a rock.
+ I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - Paul not only preached but lived out a transformed life that endured trials and tribulations. Am I asking God for blessings only but not willing to surrender myself for the gospel?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What dangers did Paul face in Jerusalem?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Paul went on to Jerusalem despite dangers.
+ Paul stated his repentance and portrayed God's calling.
+ Paul escaped death for his Roman citizenship.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - When facing the crowd and his life was threatened, Paul calmly spoke to the crowd for he believed in God that he would be used for His purpose. Let us lean on God and ask Him to transform our lives so that we can have a genuine relationship with God like Paul.
+ **Fidelity** - Persecution gave Paul the chance to testify for the gospel to the crowd. In time of distress, would I see God's plan and find it as opportunity to testify for the gospel?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Paul testify for the truth under the persecution?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Sadducees' inability to see resurrection proves limitation of human wisdom.
+ The sign of Lord's protection came again. Paul was transferred to Caesarea while the plot to kill him was being planned.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - For God's truth reveals all fallacies that Paul pointed out the heresy of his accusers even under the great political pressure against him. How should I do more to understand God's way, the only truth?
+ **Identity** - Even people in high positions such as Felix would be afraid when they hear about righteousness, self-control, and judgement to come. World's definition of success and status won't help us in anyway in God's eternity. The fruit of eternal value comes only from relationship with God.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did God reaffirm His promise to Abram?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Genesis 17 continues the theme on God's Promise, the Covenant of Circumcision, reaffirming the promise of the nation, the descendants, and the land.
+ Before the promise of descendants was fulfilled, God made Covenant with Abram with circumcision, from which Abram and his descendants were chosen and to be the blessings of all people. God renamed Abram to Abraham and Sarai to Sarah.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - God's promise seems to be out of reach. Abraham lowered himself to God in flesh but not in his heart and laughed. Am I a superficial follower by doing things my way? How does God's reaffirmation of His promise encourage me?
+ **Identity** - God's renaming of Abram and Sarai signifies their new identity. Do I value the new identity Jesus Christ has given me?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
When will the promise of descendants be fulfilled?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Continues the theme of promise, God's messengers pointed out the time when Sarah would give birth.
+ Like Abraham, Sarah laughed at the promise. However, this time God reproached Sarah in addition to reaffirming the promise.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - God reaffirmed his promise repeatedly to strengthen Abraham's faith. Do I remember God's promise to me? Ask God to strengthen my faith and keep me focused on His promise.
+ **Integrity** - There's nothing God cannot accomplish. Am I facing insurmountable difficulties? Remind myself of God's promise, omnipotence, and love.
+ **Fidelity** - Abraham served as servant to the three man who appeared before him. How am I reminded by his attitude? How can I serve those whom God has placed beside me today?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
God promised a land to Abraham. What would the sinful land which did not please Him become?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The becoming of the land, people, and nation that were not pleasing to God.
+ As God going to judge Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham pleaded to God for them. Lot protected the angels and the angels led him out of Sodom. Lot's daughter got their descendant through their own way.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - Although Lot has learned God's mind; his wife ignored the warning and looked back; his daughters got descendants through their own way. How does Lot's story remind me of? How should I build a Godly family?
+ **Fidelity** - Abraham pleaded to God for the sinful Sodom. What can I do for our sinful world today?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did God fulfill His promise to Abraham's descendants?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The story of promise continues. The birth of the son, Isaac, whom God had promised.
+ Abraham was on the move again to the land of the Philistines and he lied again calling Sarah his sister. God kept Sarah, and she gave birth to Isaac the son of promise. Isaac grew, and Abraham sent Hagar and Ishmael away. Abimelek and Abraham in peace with each other.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - Abraham, the father of faith, once again lied to the Gentiles that Sarah was his sister and put others in danger. Have I been overpowered by sin repeatedly? What lessons can I learn from Abraham's sin?
+ **Fidelity** - Ishmael was not the chosen descendant of God, but God still watched over him. How does this remind me of how to treat people who don't know God?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What is the proper response to God's promise?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Through God's test of Abraham's faith, we learn how should we respond to His promise; Abraham got the first piece of land God promised him.
+ God tested Abraham and asked him to offer Isaac as a burnt offering. Abraham was obedient through faith and God supplied the ram instead. God's Covenant to Abraham was reaffirmed again. Sarah died and Abraham bought land to Bury Sarah. It was the first piece of land he had in the promised land.
### Meditation: My Story
+ Walk with God - Abraham got to know more about God through the test: The Lord Will Provide. Have I or am I experiencing tests in my own journey of faith? How have these tests helped me to know more about God?
+ **Integrity** - What have I learned about faith and the actions that come from faith through the story of Abraham's offering of Isaac? (Ref. Hebrews 11:17-19, James 2:21-22)
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What was the end of Abraham's lifelong journey in God's promise?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The theme on God's promise to Abraham came to an end with his passing.
+ Abraham asked his senior servant to find a wife for his son Isaac. With God lead the way, he found Laban and brought Rebekah back to marry Isaac. Abraham took another wife, died at a good-old age of 175, and left everything to Isaac.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Before Rebekah knew anything, God was already working to send Abraham's senior servant to find her. Think and thank God for what He has done for me in my life.
+ **Fidelity** - The senior servant was faithful to Abraham's trust and sought God's will. When he saw Rebekah as God's chosen wife for Isaac, he testified in front of Laban's family and did not linger. Do I serve with the same fidelity? Am I lacking in any area?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Who established Aaron's priesthood that Korah challenged?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Korah, a descendant of Levi, led some Israelites to challenge Moses for the appointment of Aaron and his descendant's priesthood. Moses asked them to come in front of God and be tested with fire. God brought about something totally new to destroy Korah and everyone and everything associated with him.
+ The day after Korah's incident the whole Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. They blamed Moses and Aaron for the death of Korah and associates. God was angry and brought plague to the people. Moses ordered Aaron to atone for the Israelites in between the living and the dead. The plague stopped.
+ God commanded Moses to get 12 staffs from the leaders of the tribes. With their names on the staff and place in front of the ark of covenant law. The staff from Levi with Aaron's name was the only one that sprouted, budded, blossomed, and produced almonds. God used this to show the people that it was His will the Levites were chosen.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Aaron was established by God as high priest and no one can substitute for him. Likewise, no one can substitute for Lord Jesus Christ! The Israelites approached God only through Aaron and his descendants. Today, everyone can approach God through Jesus Christ. Am I approaching God through my own means?
+ **Fidelity** - Aaron stood in between the living and the dead to atone for them. Do I live for my own benefit or do I pray for others?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What were the duties of the Levites and the priests? What were they to receive from the offerings?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Verses 18:1-7 is the answer God gave to Aaron for the question the Israelites asked in 17:12-13. The priests and the Levites are to bear the anger from God so people won't die. Priesthood is a gift from God to the priests and also a gift to all people.
+ God gave the Levites a tenth of the offerings the Israelites produced. The tenth of that was given to Aaron and the priests.
+ Chapter 19 dealt with those who became unclean from the plague in chapter 16. Due to the large number of people affected, God gave them cleansing water to clean quickly and effectively.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Fidelity** - Korah saw only the benefits but not the responsibilities. Do I look at my service to the Lord for my own glory or as God given responsibilities?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What did the Israelites experience when they came back to Kadesh in the final year of wandering?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The last year of wandering in the desert. The Israelites came back to Kadesh where they rebelled against God's will and refused to go into the land of Canaan.
+ Israelites complained again as their fathers did. Moses did not give glory to God and was denied entry into the promised land. Miriam and Aaron passed away.
+ Edom denied Israelite's passage on the eastern shore of Jordan River. God forbit them to wage war against the Edom so the Israelites were forced to go on the tough trek around Edom. Israelites complained again and God punished them with venomous snakes. Moses pleaded to God. God commanded Moses to make a bronze snake and raise it up. Anyone looked up to the snake was saved. This foretold the coming of the Christ (John 3:13-14).
+ Contrasting with man's unfaithfulness and complaints, God faithfully lead the Israelites to the promised land.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Fidelity** - Moses sinned by not giving glory to God. Even though Moses had done many great things, God did not let it pass. God denied Moses as he pleaded to let him go into the promised land. Analogous to increased responsibilities for the priests serving in the tent of meeting, we must become more alert as we get closer to God. Will I ever take lightly God's holiness in my journey with Him?
+ **Walking with God** - Sin repeats itself from generations to generations. The bronze snake cannot remove all sins from man, but Jesus can. Raising of the bronze snake foretold the salvation of Christ. Pray and thank Jesus for His forgiveness and salvation.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Why Balaam blessed Israelites when Balak wanted him to curse them?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Moab wasn't their target when the Israelites came to camp across from Jericho. Balak summoned Balaam to curse the Israelites but God made him to bless them instead.
+ Balaam was not a prophet. He seemingly proclaimed himself a prophet was in fact a spokesperson for all false gods. He was condemned many times in Bible for his immorality, injustice, and low ethics. (Num. 31:7-8,15-16, Deu. 23:3-6; Jos. 13:22;24:9-10; Neh.13:1-3;Mic. 6:5;2 Peter 2:15-16; Jude 11; Rev. 2:14)
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - Why did Balaam changed locations and the ways to curse the Israelites? How was God's power shown through Balaam's failures?
+ **Identity** - God intervened and protected Israelites when Balak summoned Balaam to curse them. God always protects without us knowing. Let me count the blessings I received last week and know they were from God, not myself.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did the Moabites deceive Israelites, cause them to sin and anger God.
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ In reference to Numbers 31:8,16, the incident in this chapter was Balaam's plan. He tried to corrupt the Israelites to cause them to separate from God and lose His protection.
+ Phinehas was zealous for God's honor. He killed those sinful Israelites and turned away God's anger for the Israelites. God made with Phinehas and his descendants the covenant of peace, the lasting priesthood.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Satan's deception is like Balaam's, to corrupt God's people from within to lure them away from God. Am I falling for Satan's deception? Ask God to remind me and keep me alert.
+ **Fidelity** - Phinehas' zeal for God's honor contrasts with Israelites. By no mean God wants us to judge upon others nor He wants us to carry out justice for Him. What does zeal for God's honor mean in my daily life? How do I live it out?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What blessings and protections from God were revealed in the second census?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Israelites' number had not changed much in the 40 years. This was a blessing from God for He promised Abraham's descendants would become a great nation.
+ God blessed Zelophehad's Daughters for they had the rightful view of their inheritances.
+ Moses was denied entry into the land of Canaan. He asked God in his last prayer for a new leader who would lead the Israelites into the promised land.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - Israelites number changed little after plagues, disasters, killings, and other punishments. God's promises never change because of our weakness. Looking back in my life, do I often see my own failures or God's faithfulness?
+ **Community** - Moses' heart was with the people even though he was denied entry into the promised land. What can I pray for my family, church, and God's leading in my services?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
Prayer
Notes and Responses