Weekly Guide：Week 21
June 17, 2018
Forward
This week, we’ll finish reading the Book of Joshua and start on the Book of Judges.
The courageous and inspiring story of Joshua and Caleb in the Book of Joshua provides much needed encouragement to many of us who are weary and grim.
How do we face the lengthy list of unfinished tasks on the long road ahead when we are tired, weak, and frustrated? When Joshua was old and had many lands to conquer still after a life long journey on the battle field, God told Joshua to do what He has instructed and He will drive the enemies out before the Israelites. What great promise and faith! The reality of hope and the truth of unseen. God promised to strengthen and to fill in for man’s deficiency when Joshua was at his weakest. God’s grace is abundant and His strength is limitless. It is when our lives are facing the most difficult situations that God takes us to the most beautiful place.
Weakness is not an excuse to lose hope, but an opportunity to proclaim the strength of gospel. God’s glory is displayed through man’s weakness. I gain strength from God when I’m weak. Let us unload our burdens to God. Rely on God to overcome for us. Those who sow with tears will reap in joy. When our mouths are filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy, then it is said among the nations: “The Lord has done great things for them.”
May our Lord renew you all each day with His word!
Question
How Levites got their allotment?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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God established six cities of refuge. Three on the east side of Jordan River and three on the west side. These are evenly distributed in the promised land to ensure that anyone who killed unintentionally could get to one of them within a half day. This was by the command God had given to Moses. (Deu. 19:1-13; Num. 35:9-34)
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The Levites were spread out among the entire promised land and were allotted towns from the tribes. They were to live among the tribes to bring about God centered life to them.
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When all promised lands were allotted and given to the Israelites, not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled. (Joshua 21:45)
Meditation: My Story
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Walking with God - The cities of refuge were not for the Israelites alone but for those gentiles living among them, as well. God treated everyone equally. God established the cities of refuge because He values our lives. We should value our own lives, too, because we were made with God’s image. How do I view my spouse, family members, colleagues, and co-workers?
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Identity -The Levites lived among the Israelites like the Simeonites. But their missions and identities were vastly different. God’s election changes our identity and value. How has God changed me?
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Integrity - Caleb painstakingly conquered Hebron but gave up to the Levites as a city of refuge and left himself the fields and villages around the city. What do Caleb’s character and integrity remind me of?
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Walking with God - God’ promises never fall short! How does this fact encourages me in my struggles?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How did the two and half tribes go back to their lands on the east side of Jordan River?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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The two and half tribes of the east kept their promise to carry out the mission God gave them to help their fellow Israelites obtain their lands. Afterward, Joshua blessed them and asked them to serve and walk in obedience of the Lord. He reminded them to share the plunders of war with their fellow Israelites and sent them home.
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The two and half tribes built an imposing altar near Jordan River. This brought suspicion from the nine and half tribes that they were serving other gods. Israelites sent priest Phinehas and heads of the nine and half tribes to question them. They gently proclaimed their faith in the Lord to resolved the situation and turned tension into peace.
Meditation: My Story
- Community - Looking at the misunderstanding between the nine and half tribes of the west and the two and half tribes of the east. What does it remind me of in my relationships with my co-workers, family, and spouse? How should I treat those who seem to have done something wrong?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What were Joshua’s last words to the Israelites?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Chapter 23 is Joshua’s final encouragement to the heads of the Israelite tribes. Chapter 24 is Joshua’s final encouragement to the entire Israelite community, to renew the covenant with God.
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Joshua counted the blessings God gave Israelites to remind them to fear the Lord and serve Him with all faithfulness. Do not serve other gods and do not inter-mix and marry the gentiles.
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Joshua let the people choose, made covenant with them, and set up a large stone as witness.
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Joshua and Eleazar passed. The bones of Joseph were buried in Shechem. The age the Israelites wandered in the desert ended.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - Joseph had faith in God’s promise and his bones testified for God long after his passing. Pray to God to strengthen my faith as Joseph’s and make my life a witness to God’s glory.
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Fidelity - What does the final encouragement Joshua gave to the Israelites mean to me? Am I willing to put myself and my family in front of the Lord to serve Him? How should I live out my life in serving the Lord?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
In the Book of Judges, God raised judges repeatedly to save Israelites from their suffering brought about by their disobediences.
Question
How did the Israelites continue to go to war for lands after Joshua had passed?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Israel had no more leader after Joshua.
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After consulting with the Lord, the tribe of Judah and Simeonites went with God to obtain and destroy completely Jerusalem, Hebron, and other cities. But they were not able to drive out the Canaanites who had chariots fitted with iron. Caleb drove out Anak was given Hebron as Moses had promised. The tribes of Joseph, with God, attacked Bethel.
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Othniel captured Kiriath Sepher and got Caleb’s daughter as wife. He then became the first judge God raised.
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Benjamites, Manasseh, Ephraim, Zebulun, Asher, Naphtali, and Danites weren’t able to drive out the Canaanites but pressed them into forced labor.
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Lord’s angel said to the Israelites for they did not drive out the Canaanites, did not break their altars, and made covenant with them, so the Canaanites will not be driven out and will become traps and snares to the Israelites. The people wept aloud.
Meditation: My Story
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Integrity - The Israelites compromised and did not drive out the Canaanites because: 1. They benefited from slavery; 2. They were afraid of the iron chariots. Their compromises became their traps in later days. Do I often compromise because of the worldly gains or the pattern of the world is too powerful for me to rely on God to fight for me?
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Fidelity - With his complete faith and reliance on God, Caleb gotten the inheritance through Moses the promise from God. When I have fought the good fight, finished the race, kept the faith, there will be the crown of righteousness in store for me. Pray to God to take my vision away from the worldly gains and fixate on the glorious crown in heaven.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What kept recurring during the time of Judges?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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The new generation of Israelites who knew nothing of what God had done for them turned away from God and started to worship foreign gods. The Lord brought them disasters and put them in the hands of raiders as He had sworn to them.
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The Israelites were in great distress so God raised up judges to save them out of the hands of those raiders.
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After the judges died, the Israelites returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their ancestors. The Lord left some nations to teach them warfare and to test if they would obey the Lord’s commands. But the Israelites disobeyed by living among those people, served their gods, and intermixed with them in marriage.
Meditation: My Story
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Integrity - The Israelites had a tight grip on God when they were in distress and yet they relied on Baals for their worldly indulgence. We are just like them. We want God’s salvation and yet could not let go of money, power, fame and pride. Let me go in front of God and let Him be my Lord, let Him take control of my life.
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Fidelity - The previous generation of Israelites saw what God had done for them and feared God. But they did not pass that onto the next generation and caused the later generations to turn away from God. Let me recite to my children what God has done for me to help them know God, to experience God, and to understand that God is not their parents’ alone, but their God, as well.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
Who were the four judges God raised up first?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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God put the Israelites into the hands of Canaanites and caused them suffering because they turned away from God to serve other gods. God raised up judges to save the Israelites when they cried to the Lord. However, they became corrupted as soon as peace came.
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God raised up Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, and Deborah as judges.
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Deborah, the female judge, encouraged Barak to rely on God to battle and defeat the army of Hazor which had nine hundred chariots fitted with iron. Another woman, Jael, drove a tent peg through the temple of Sisera, the commander of Canaan’s army who fled the battle field, which led to the end of Jabin king of Canaan.
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Deborah and Barak sang a song to praise the Lord for His victory against army of Hazor.
Meditation: My Story
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Integrity - With an insignificant oxgoad, Shamgar struck down six hundred Philistines. His ordinary oxgoad became extraordinary like Moses’ staff because God was with Shamgar. We must be equipped with the armor from God in order to battle “against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Let me rely on God and His armor when I face challenges.
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Fidelity - As Miriam sang song to praise the Lord at the Red Sea, Deborah and Barak sang praising song to commemorate the victory God had won for them. We must often count the blessings and praise God for His deeds to bring more lost souls to Him.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Scripture Reading
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What did God do when Pharaoh's heart continued to harden?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Pharaoh never completely obeyed God and continued to bargain in "partial submission" even after so many plagues. God is all knowing and omnipotent. There is no bargaining with God because His will is always accomplished.
+ God commanded Moses to tell his descendants everything happened in Egypt. God works wonders and we ought to proclaim in His name.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - Moses transformed from a cowardly and undecisive person to a faithful servant of God who was able to stand up against the Pharaoh on all things. What kind of transformations can I see from a person who walks with God? What can I learn from Moses?
+ **Integrity** - Gone through plagues after plagues, Pharaoh continued to rebel against God because of his pride. Do I truly know God's greatness? Am I willing to submit to Him completely?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What was God's tenth plague when Pharaoh's heart was still hardened and refused to let the Israelites go?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Many Jewish holidays came directly from God. Passover was one of them. It was to commemorate the blessings they received when God led them out of Egypt.
+ They followed God's command by putting the blood of lamb on the door frames. Any family did not do so had their first born killed. Israel must kill the lamb and protect themselves with its blood. This foretells Jesus Christ as the lamb that bleed for all men's sins.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - Eating in hast on the Passover, putting on travel clothing, and getting ready to leave are Israelites' display of faith. They acted on faith for God's promise to lead them out of Egypt. Do I need faith to prepare myself for God's promises that are yet to come?
+ **Fidelity** - Moses summoned all the elders to give them the instructions for Passover. Everyone obeyed willingly. Obeying God's commands, Moses and Arron finally got the respect from Israelites. How does this remind me of those who serve God? How I should view them?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did God lead Israelites out of Egypt?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ In the days of Exodus, God used the pillar of cloud and pillar of fire to lead the Israelites every day so they would not get lost.
+ It was a great challenge facing the Red Sea. Israelites experienced God's great power in His faithfulness and salvation.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - Moses brought along Joseph's bones because Joseph told the Israelites: "God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place." A faithful servant of God continues to testify for Him even after he dies. What can I learn from this?
+ **Fidelity** - Israelites complained against Moses when facing the impassable Red Sea. But Moses continued to comfort them asking them to have faith in God. Moses' faith in God and positive attitude were admirable. Can I learn to have faith in God when I face difficulties in my life?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Moses, Miriam, and Israelites paise God?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The account of Moses, Miriam, and Israelites praised God for what He had done.
+ Song of Moses praised God for His glory, His majestic power, His win over the enemies, with His love, He redeemed His people. God reigns for ever and ever.
+ In Miriam's song, she praised God for His victory over the enemies.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - Do I remember God and praise Him for everything He has done when I experience His blessings?
+ **Community** - Moses, Miriam, and whole Israelites sang to praise God. Am I praising God with all of God's people?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did God supply the Israelites in the deserts?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ After bringing them out of Egypt, God supplied the Israelites for all their needs in the deserts.
+ Israelites complained to Moses and Aaron for the lack of food and water. God supplied them with quail, manna, and water from the rock.
+ God taught the Israelites to obey His commands and laws in addition to supplying their daily needs.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - God tested the Israelites after they were brought out of Egypt to see if they would obey Him. When I follow God, I may be tested, too. What are my answers to His tests?
+ **Integrity** - Whenever they are not fully satisfied with their material needs, the Israelites complained and forgot God's blessings and sovereignty. They experienced God's mighty power but could not remember His teachings and commands. Do I often complaint that God and His servants don't conform to my will?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Moses fight the Amalekites and how did he govern the Israelites?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Moses commanded Joshua to fight the Amalekites and devised organizational structure to govern the Israelites.
+ Israelites won the war with Amalekites because Moses held up in his hands the staff of God with help from Aaron and Hur.
+ Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, helped him to build the organizational structure for governance.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Community** - Israelites were wining when Moses raise his hands. Losing when he grew tired. It was with Aaron and Hur's help that Moses was able to keep his hands up. Do I value my fellow Christians' contributions when serving the Lord?
+ **Fidelity** - Besides faith, wisdom is also needed when serving. Moses distributed the responsibilities, so he would not become the bottle neck. How am I co-working with my fellow Christians as a team when serving the Lord?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What happened after the completion of the Tabernacle?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Upon Tabernacle's completion, God told Moses to set it up and He filled the Tabernacle.
+ The phrase "as the Lord commanded" appeared eight times again in this chapter. Everything had to be done according to His commands.
+ God designed the salvation plan. The stories in Exodus gives us a preview of His plan.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - The climax of building the Tabernacle was God fulfilling the Tabernacle. God's fulfilling of the Tabernacle signifies His presence, leading, and protection. As a believer and receiver of Holy Spirit, do I often experience His presence, leading, and protection?
+ **Fidelity** - "And so Moses finished the work" (verse 33). Fidelity in serving includes "as the Lord commanded" as well as "finishing the work". Do I follow through all the way and see to the completion when I serve?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What kind of sacrifices did God command in the Tabernacle?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Leviticus 1-7 records the laws on offerings. God demanded five types of offerings. The first three are through fire that brings out aroma to God, the last two are to atone for sins.
+ Burnt offering points to how Jesus Christ willingly sacrificed for us and became the God pleasing aroma. Grain offering points to the pureness of Jesus Christ.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - Burnt offering and grain offering represent Jesus' perfection and pureness. He sacrificed willingly for us and burnt for us so that we are seen as pleasing to the eyes of God. How do these two offerings help me understand better about Jesus and His Salvation?
+ **Integrity** - As the chosen people, burnt offering reminds us that we need to offer ourselves completely to God. What does that mean to me? What can I start doing today?
+ **Integrity** - Grain offering reminds us the need to be Godly and learn to be like Jesus. What do the finest flour mixed with pure olive oil, salt, incense, but without yeast, remind me of?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What are the other offerings?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The third of the offerings involving fire.
+ Part of the Fellowship Offering was given to God, some to the priests, and the rest can be given to those made the offering (see Leviticus 7.)
+ Fellowship Offering is a thanksgiving offering and a peace offering (between man and God). It's an offering to bring about relationship. It points to the truth that the blood of Jesus reconciles man with God.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - Imaging the joyful scenery of Fellowship Offering. How does this help me realize Jesus had reconciled my relationship with God? Fellowship Offering is also a thanksgiving offering. How does this help me recount and thank God for all the blessings I have received?
+ **Community** - In Matthew 5:9, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." Peacemaking is not just for the peace between men but men and God. Whom around me do I need to pray to bring them to God to have peace with Him?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What offering is for committing unintentional sins or what God's command forbids?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The first of the two Offerings for sins.
+ Sin Offering is for unintentional offenses. Bringing the offering comes from the requirement of the law, not of voluntary act.
+ Leviticus 4 lists who need to bring Sin Offering. Israelite community, leaders, individuals of the community, ordained priests. All Israelites need to bring Sin Offering.
+ Leviticus 5:1-13 lists three examples. None of these are premeditated offenses.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - Anyone who committed a sin unintentionally needs to bring Sin Offering with no exception. What do I see how God views sin?
+ **Identity** - Israelites often need to bring Sin Offerings in Old Testament as the results of the offerings were limited. In contrast, the Sin Offering that Jesus Christ, the Highest Priest, made for us resulted in saving us all forever. How do I value myself in light of this fact?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What is the offering for offenses against God or another man?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The last of the five offerings.
+ 5:14-19 is for offenses against Holy Objects whether knowingly or unknowingly. 6:1-7 is for offenses against other people, fraud, stealing, robbery, and oppressive actions.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - No matter if it's something we are born with or acquired in life, we need God to forgive and cleanse. Jesus Christ made the ultimate offering for us so that we may be seen as righteous by God. We are, however, weak and continue to sin. God established High Priest in time of Old Testament to help the Israelites. What has our Highest Priest, Jesus Christ, done for me so that I may be cleansed and purified from my sins?
+ **Identity** - During the time of Old Testament, the Israelites brought Sin Offerings so that "they will be forgiven for any of the things they did that made them guilty." Am I struggling with sin and unable to face God? How does this promise help and encourage me?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What do the priests need to worry about?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Additional details on the five offerings.
+ Priests need to be very careful about the holy objects. They cannot wear their priestly garments outside of the Tabernacle. Even the ashes from the offerings need to be taken care of according to regulation. Same attention to details needs to be paid to all things whether it is a large bull or a speck of the finest flour.
+ God made the tribe of Levite priests forever for them to focus on serving.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - God supplies His priests through all Israelites. God also supplies all those who serve Him through all His people. How does this encourage me?
+ **Fidelity** - We are God's chosen people, are His royal priests. What does it remind me that God holds extremely high standard for priests? What can I learn from the priests' attitude toward serving and apply that to my life?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did the Levites get their allotment?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ God established six cities of refuge. Three on the east side of Jordan River and three on the west. These are evenly distributed in the promised land to ensure that anyone who killed unintentionally could get to one of them within a half day. This was by the command God had given to Moses. (Deu. 19:1-13; Num. 35:9-34)
+ The Levites were spread out among the entire promised land and were allotted towns from the tribes. They were to live among the tribes to bring about God centered life to them.
+ When all promised lands were allotted and given to the Israelites, not one of all the Lord's good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled. (Joshua 21:45)
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - The cities of refuge were not for the Israelites alone but for those gentiles living among them, as well. God treated everyone equally. God established the cities of refuge because He values our lives. We should value our own lives, too, because we were made with God's image. How do I view my spouse, family members, colleagues, and co-workers?
+ **Identity** -The Levites lived among the Israelites like the Simeonites. But their missions and identities were vastly different. God's election changes our identity and value. How has God changed me?
+ **Integrity** - Caleb painstakingly conquered Hebron but gave up to the Levites as a city of refuge and left himself the fields and villages around the city. What do Caleb's character and integrity remind me of?
+ **Walking with God** - God' promises never fall short! How does this fact encourage me in my struggles?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did the two and half tribes go back to their lands on the east side of Jordan?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The two and half tribes of the east kept their promise to carry out the mission God gave them to help their fellow Israelites obtain their lands. Afterward, Joshua blessed them and asked them to serve and walk in obedience of the Lord. He reminded them to share the plunders of war with their fellow Israelites then sent them home.
+ The two and half tribes built an imposing altar near Jordan River. This brought suspicion from the nine and half tribes that they were serving other gods. Israelites sent priest Phinehas and heads of the nine and half tribes to question them. They gently proclaimed their faith in the Lord to resolve the situation and turned tension into peace.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Community** - Looking at the misunderstanding between the nine and half tribes of the west and the two and half tribes of the east. How does it remind me in my relationships with my co-workers, family, and spouse? How should I treat those who seem to have done something wrong to me?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What were Joshua's last words to the Israelites?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Chapter 23 is Joshua's final encouragement to the heads of the Israelite tribes. Chapter 24 is Joshua's final encouragement to the entire Israelite community, to renew the covenant with God.
+ Joshua counted the blessings God gave Israelites to remind them to fear the Lord and serve Him with all faithfulness. Do not serve other gods and do not inter-mix and marry the gentiles.
+ Joshua let the people choose, made covenant with them, and set up a large stone as witness.
+ Joshua and Eleazar passed. The bones of Joseph were buried in Shechem. The age the Israelites wandered in the desert ended.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Joseph had faith in God's promise and his bones testified for God long after his passing. Pray to God to strengthen my faith as Joseph's and make my life a witness to God's glory.
+ **Fidelity** - What does the final encouragement Joshua gave to the Israelites mean to me? Am I willing to put myself and my family in front of the Lord to serve Him? How should I live out my life in serving the Lord?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did the Israelites continue to go to war for lands after Joshua had passed?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Israel had no more leader after Joshua.
+ After consulting with the Lord, the tribe of Judah and Simeon went with God to obtain and destroy completely Jerusalem, Hebron, and other cities. But they were not able to drive out the Canaanites who had chariots fitted with iron. Caleb drove out Anak was given Hebron as Moses had promised. The tribes of Joseph, with God, attacked Bethel.
+ Othniel captured Kiriath Sepher and married Caleb's daughter as wife. He then became the first judge God had raised.
+ Benjamites, Manasseh, Ephraim, Zebulun, Asher, Naphtali, and Danites weren't able to drive out the Canaanites but pressed them into forced labor.
+ Lord's angel said to the Israelites for they did not drive out the Canaanites, did not break their altars, and made covenant with them, so the Canaanites will not be driven out and will become traps and snares to the Israelites. The people wept aloud.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - The Israelites compromised and did not drive out the Canaanites because: 1. They benefited from slavery; 2. They were afraid of the iron chariots. Their compromises became their traps in later days. Do I often compromise because of the worldly gains or the pattern of the world is too powerful for me to rely on God to fight for me?
+ **Fidelity** - With his complete faith and reliance on God, Caleb gotten the inheritance through Moses the promise from God. When I have fought the good fight, finished the race, kept the faith, there will be the crown of righteousness in store for me. Pray to God to take my vision away from the worldly gains and fixate on the glorious crown in heaven.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What kept recurring during the time of Judges?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The new generation of Israelites who knew nothing of what God had done for them turned away from God and started to worship foreign gods. The Lord brought them disasters and put them in the hands of raiders as He had sworn to them.
+ The Israelites were in great distress so God raised up judges to save them out of the hands of those raiders.
+ After the judges died, the Israelites returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their ancestors. The Lord left some nations to teach them warfare and to test if they would obey the Lord's commands. But the Israelites disobeyed by living among those people, served their gods, and intermixed with them in marriage.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - The Israelites had a tight grip on God when they were in distress and yet they relied on Baals for their worldly indulgence. We are just like them. We want God's salvation and yet could not let go of money, power, fame and pride. Let me go in front of God and let Him be my Lord, let Him take control of my life.
+ **Fidelity** - The previous generation of Israelites saw what God had done for them and feared God. But they did not pass that onto the next generation and caused the later generations to turn away from God. Let me recite to my children what God has done for me to help them know God, to experience God, and to understand that God is not their parents' alone, but their God, as well.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Who were the four judges God raised up first?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ God put the Israelites into the hands of Canaanites and caused them suffering because they turned away from God to serve other gods. God raised up judges to save the Israelites when they cried to the Lord. However, they became corrupted as soon as peace came.
+ God raised up Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, and Deborah as judges.
+ Deborah, the female judge, encouraged Barak to rely on God to battle and defeat the army of Hazor which had nine hundred chariots fitted with iron. Another woman, Jael, drove a tent peg through the temple of Sisera, the commander of Canaan's army who fled the battle field, which led to the end of Jabin king of Canaan.
+ Deborah and Barak sang a song to praise the Lord for His victory against army of Hazor.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - With an insignificant oxgoad, Shamgar struck down six hundred Philistines. His ordinary oxgoad became extraordinary like Moses' staff because God was with Shamgar. We must be equipped with the armor from God in order to battle "against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Let me rely on God and His armor when I face challenges.
+ **Fidelity** - As Miriam sang song to praise the Lord at the Red Sea, Deborah and Barak sang praising song to commemorate the victory God had won for them. We must often count the blessings and praise God for His deeds to bring more lost souls to Him.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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Prayer
Notes and Responses