Weekly Guide：Week 23
July 01, 2018
Forward
This week we will finish reading the Book of Judges and start the Book of Ruth.
Besides the Israelites’ rebellions, we saw God rescued them repeatedly from their evilness. Dear Lord, please save me from the hands of the evil one, protect me from those who force me to stumble. Those who are full of prides trick me into snare and noose. Sometimes, the world appears lawless, controlled by the wicked, and prayers never answered. It appears to be ruled by those who are unjust, immoral, and Godless like Abimelek. This phenomenon is not unique to the Israel of yesteryears or countries controlled by dictators but the reality of a fallen world. When people follow only their personal desires, the society no longer sees God. But God’s sovereignty cannot be negated by man’s wickedness. The Lord is still above all turbulences. Although God allows things to happen but He determines the end result. When righteousness is revealed, the evil will not escape punishment.
May you all be renewed each day in God’s word.
Question
Where did the Levite from Bethlehem become priest?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
Israel had no King. Everyone did as they see fit. (17:6)
-
Micah made an ephod, built a shrine, and installed his own son as priest.
-
The young Levite from Bethlehem stayed at Micah’s and became his priest.
-
The tribe of Danite was seeking land of their own instead inheriting from what Moses and Joshua had drawn out for them when they took the idols and ephod they saw at Micah’s shrine and lured the young priest as their own.
-
The Danites attacked savagely and burned the peaceful people at Laish, took their land, changed its name to Dan, and installed Jonathan, a descendant of Moses, and his sons as their priests.
Meditation: My Story
-
Integrity - Although Micah and his mother claimed to worship God, but they did it in their own way and turned it unknowingly into idol worshiping. Let me examine myself: do I worship God with all my heart, all my soul, and all my mind? Or, do I worship in my own convenience, at a place, at a time, and in a way that I see fit?
-
Fidelity - That young Levite did not serve at a place God had predetermined for him. Instead, following his own desires and never once consulted with God, he first became priest for Micah then for the Danites. Do I humbly offer myself to God and obey His command when I serve or do I serve to satisfy my own desires and for my own benefit?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How far would the Israelites fall, being away from God?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
An Ephraim old man took in a Levite who was on his way home with his concubine near Gibeah in Benjamin.
-
They met unexpectedly in this land of Benjamite by an evil act that had happened only in Sodom (Gen. 19), the city God had destroyed: some wicked men wanted to have sex with the Levite. The old man was willing to substitute his own daughter for the Levite but those wicked men refused. The Levite sent his concubine instead and she was raped overnight to death.
-
The Levite cut up the concubine’s body into pieces and sent to all areas of Israel. All who saw it were shocked and wanted to do something about it.
Meditation: My Story
- Integrity - It took just two generations for God’s chosen people, the tribe of Benjamite, to fall from the most God obeying people who defeated Jericho to the most immoral that was comparable only to those of the Sodom. To see such a drastic change in so short a time when there’s no king and everyone did as they see fit may seem surprising yet it’s an eye-opening warning for us. We might believe we are good enough that we don’t feel the need for God to discipline us. But without discipline from God, we can fall easily on the slippery paths of the world.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What was the result of Benjamites’ evil and wickedness?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
Seen such unspeakable crime committed by the Benjamites, all Israelites gathered together wanting to punish those wicked Benjamites. The Benjamites refused to give up those wicked men and sent army instead. The Benjamites killed forty thousand Israelites. After consulting with God, Israelites scored complete victory over the Benjamites and left with them only six hundred alive.
-
Israelites realized that one of the tribes would be cut off. They began to regret and attempted to find wives for the remaining six hundred Benjamites. We can see how far the Israelites have fallen when the Book of Judges ends with “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.”
Meditation: My Story
- Walking with God - In the entire book, the Israelites inquired of the Lord in front of the ark of the covenant only once, when they were beaten by the Benjamites. Their rebellion and immorality came because they didn’t see God any more. Let me not treat God, Christ Jesus, as an addition to my life, as my trophy. Rather, let me live my life centered around Him, “let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (Hebrews 12:1b)
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What faith did Ruth display?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
During the age when everyone did as they fit, Elimelek, due to his little faith flee famine with wife Naomi and two sons. They left Bethlehem in “full” to Moab, a land God despised. God brought suffering to them and Elimelek and his two sons died in Moab. One of the daughter-in-law left Naomi back to her home and the Moabite god. The other determined to stay with Naomi and God.
-
The famous quote of Ruth, a true display of faith: “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.” Ruth became the ancestor of David, an important member in Jesus’ lineage.
Meditation: My Story
- Walking with God - Elimelek’s weak faith caused him to leave promised land into the seemingly plenty of Moab because he loved the world more than God’s promise. Naomi was saddened but never complained about her suffering. She displayed great faith with her life right in front of her two Gentile daughters-in-law. Orpah could not uphold what she had started, left God and went back to the world of idols where she had come from. Ruth, envy of Naomi’s God, was determined to follow Naomi and became a great testimony of faith. What do these people remind me of? Where do I stand in the journey of my life right now?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What life testimony did the Gentile Ruth live out?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
Ruth gleaned in the field for mother-in-law Naomi and herself and was protected by the gracious Boaz.
-
Ruth was richly rewarded just as Boaz’s blessing for her: “May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”
Meditation: My Story
-
Identity - Ruth, a Gentile woman, her love for Naomi and faith for God became a great testimony to the Israelites. God’s grace covered the Moabite woman Ruth a plenty even though the law dictates that the Moabites are not chosen as His. It’s God’s election that changes our identity. What’s my identity before and after I have come to know God? How do I identify myself and my value now?
-
Integrity - What Boaz saw in Ruth was not lust but her faith in God. From what can I see Boaz’s tenderness and respect toward Ruth? How should I view those who are in need?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How did Boaz fulfill his responsibility as a guardian-redeemer?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
- When one dies, according to the law, a close relative is obligated to redeem his family, marry his wife, and buy his land to maintain the inheritance. Naomi followed this law to find a home for Ruth. Ruth obeyed Naomi’s will and Boaz obeyed the law to fulfill his obligation.
Meditation: My Story
- Integrity - God’s grace was realized through Naomi’s love, Ruth’s obedience, and Boaz’s faithfulness. Through me, God’s grace may also come to others. What can I learn from Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz’s integrity in love, obedience, and faith and apply that to my service to the Lord?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Scripture Reading
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What are the other instructions for the Tabernacle?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The other instructions for the Tabernacle, including the altar of incense, atonement money, basin for washing, anointing oil, incense, and craftsmen. God also wanted man to observe Sabbath.
+ God established Tabernacle so He could dwell among His people. He established the Sabbath to indicate the Israelites are set apart and belong to Him. Building Tabernacle and observing Sabbath are the two sides of the same coin of worshiping.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - God established Tabernacle to be with us, sabbath for us to rest, and set apart us to Himself. How do I sanctify myself to make myself His?
+ **Fidelity** - God values our services of all kinds. He filled the craftsmen with His Spirit so they would have the skills and wisdom to serve Him. Do I value the gifts God has given to me to serve Him?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What happened down below when Moses was up in the mountain to see God?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Israelites made a golden calf and broke the covenant with God when they couldn't wait for Moses to come back from the mountain. Moses pleaded to God for forgiveness to the people so that some of them were given a new chance.
+ Here we see God's blessings and love. Although man continued to rebel against God, He continued to keep His promises and give man opportunities to repent.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - God and Moses were talking in the Tabernacle like friends. How could Moses be so close to God when he was not perfect? Besides being chosen by God, Moses also leaned on Him completely. Do I often experience God's presence and walk with Him?
+ **Community** - Moses showed his love for his people. He pleaded for them and was willing to sacrifice for them. Am I willing to forgive and sacrifice for others?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What was the content of the new covenant?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The narrative of a new covenant from God.
+ Aron announced the "festival to the Lord" with burnt and fellowship offerings during the Golden Calf incident (Exodus 32:5-6) As result, God reiterated the forbiddance on idol worshipping and obedience on festival celebrations.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - God made new covenant with Israelites out of His love for them. Do I go back to God and ask for His forgiveness when I make mistakes? Do I reiterate my willingness to follow His steps?
+ **Integrity** - God asked the Israelites to be faithful and not to worship false gods and idols like the Gentiles. There are different idols and false gods throughout history (money, power, success, games...) What are my idols? How should I win over them?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What were God's instructions in building the Tabernacle?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ God instructed the Israelites to start building the Tabernacle.
+ God instructed the Israelites to first observe the Sabbath, to give willingly, and God would give the craftsmen the wisdom, knowledge, and skills.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - It was expensive to build the Tabernacle and yet, the Israelites had surplus from their offerings. God always provides. How should I view my services, my offerings, and my faith in God?
+ **Fidelity** - Building the Tabernacle required money, material, time, skills, and energy from everyone. They contributed willingly. Am I willingly contributing what I have to serve God?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What are the things around the Tabernacle?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Things around the Tabernacle: The Ark, table, lampstand, altar of incense, alter of burnt offering, basin for washing, courtyard.
+ God elected different people to complete His works. Each person had different skill and responsibility. Moses was the leader and he passed down the instructions from God and commands all workers. Ithamar, son of Aaron, accounted the materials. Bezel and Oholiab were the craftsmen.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - God elected me, gave me a gift and responsibility to serve Him. Do I value my gift and responsibility and know that I am an integral part of His work, a valued vessel?
+ **Fidelity** - God elected different people. Each has his/her own gift and responsibility. Moses was the leader among them, passing down God's instructions. Do I seek God's leading, realize my calling, and value my identity as His vessel when I serve?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What was the last task in building the Tabernacle?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The last tasks and the completion of the Tabernacle.
+ Everything used in and for the Tabernacle were made by the craftsmen with their own designs. They were all made as the Lord commanded. The eight occurrences of the phrase "As the Lord commanded" in this chapter signifies the importance of His command.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Community** - The name of the twelve sons were on the priest's garment. Each time the priest went into the Tabernacle, the twelve tribes went in with him. We are being called the Royal Priests in our time. Do I remember to bring with me the prayers of fellow Christians to God?
+ **Fidelity** - Obey is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22). A service pleasing to God requires complete obedience. Do I focus on seeking His will and practice "as He commanded" when serving?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What other conducts are not pleasing to God?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Chapter 19 details the morality, regulations, worship, and spiritual life and covers all the Ten Commandments. A total of 16 short sections with each ending with the phrase "I am the Lord." "Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy." is the basis for calling upon the people to live holy lives. "Love your neighbor as yourself" appears in the verses and tells Israelites that the standard of holiness is not just keeping the law, but also to actively live out its virtue.
+ Chapter 20 is an addendum to chapters 18 and 19. It's the punishment for those who rebel and unholy. Those who committed offenses must face severe punishments, executed, or cut off.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Community** - Sin is not something private. It spreads and brings down the whole community like yeast in the dough. We not only are responsible for our own holiness but fellow Christians, too. How do these two chapters remind me of my view toward sin?
+ **Integrity** - Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy. This was the basis for God to elect Israelites and a basis for my life. Is there any part of my life I need to pay more attention in order to be holy?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What are other requirements for priests?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The priests are set apart from the rest of the people for God. The requirements for the priests are even higher. God set clear priority to their duty and daily lives.
+ Holy objects are set apart for God. Israelites needed to keep these objects holy.
+ The phrases "I am the Lord who makes them holy" or similar appeared 6 times and "I am the Lord" appeared 6 times, as well.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - God set high standards for the priests. How does today's passage remind me that I am a chosen royal priest?
+ **Fidelity** - What's my priority comparing my tasks at hand and serving God? What do the requirements God set for the priests remind me of?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What are other requirements for priests?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The priests are set apart from the rest of the people for God. The requirements for the priests are even higher. God set clear priority to their duty and daily lives.
+ Holy objects are set apart for God. Israelites needed to keep these objects holy.
+ The phrases "I am the Lord who makes them holy" or similar appeared 6 times and "I am the Lord" appeared 6 times, as well.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - God set high standards for the priests. How does today's passage remind me that I am a chosen royal priest?
+ **Fidelity** - What's my priority comparing my tasks at hand and serving God? What do the requirements God set for the priests remind me of?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What are the regulations on blasphemy, killing, and Sabbath Year?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Leviticus 24:10-22 records the punishment laid upon a Gentile who blasphemed against God and thus committed an offense of the 3rd law of the ten commandments. "You are to have the same law for the foreigner and the native-born. I am the Lord your God."
+ Verses 25:1-22 are about the regulations on Sabbath Year and Year of Jubilee. Verses 25:23-55 talk about the necessary attitude toward property and poverty to realize the meaning of Sabbath Year and Year of Jubilee.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - Sabbath occurs after 6 days of work. Sabbath Year occurs after 6 years of work. The Year of Jubilee occurs once after every 49 years. What was God's intention for these? Do I know the true meaning of Sabbath? Do I often take refuge in God?
+ **Community** - Verses 24:17-22 list the punishments for injuring others and their animals. God shows us the attitude we ought to have toward poverty and property in verses 25:23-55. What is my attitude toward other people around me and their property?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What are the blessings for being obedient and the punishments for disobedient?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Proclaim the blessings and punishments after the covenant was made.
+ Verses 3 to 13 are the blessings: rain comes, crops grow, peace in the land, and Israelites' number increase.
+ Verses 14-46 are the punishments: disasters come, crops die, wars rage, famines occur, and people die. Not all disasters would come simultaneously. God always give His people chances to repent and turn around. Each time a disaster strikes, the next disaster comes only "if in spite of these things you do not accept my correction but continue to be hostile toward me."
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - God blesses His people. He blesses those who obey His commands and love Him. Do I often see God's mercy and love by counting the blessings He has bestowed upon me?
+ **Integrity** - God sends disaster to people not to punish them but to give them a chance to turn around. What characters of God do I realize from the incremental disasters He places? Have I in my life been reminded or impeded by the Holy Spirit? Am I willing to understand His will and turn around to obey Him?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How does a man redeem his vow to God?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Redeeming what is the Lord's is a very serious business. Man often take a vow to make wishes to the Lord during distress but then forget his vow afterward. Bible often warned against this type of behavior. This passage set a relatively high redeeming price with additional 20% for those who forget their vows.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - God dislikes those who don't follow through with their vows. We must be prudent when signing a contract or making a promise. Have I made any promise to God, to my spouse, my friends, or my children? Do I always keep my promises? What should I do if I am in breach of my promises?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Where did the Levite from Bethlehem become a priest?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Israel had no King. Everyone did as they see fit. (17:6)
+ Micah made an ephod, built a shrine, and installed his own son as priest.
+ The young Levite from Bethlehem stayed at Micah's and became his priest.
+ The tribe of Danite was seeking land of their own instead inheriting from what Moses and Joshua had drawn out for them when they took the idols and ephod they saw at Micah's shrine and lured the young priest as their own.
+ The Danites attacked savagely and burned the peaceful people at Laish, took their land, changed its name to Dan, and installed Jonathan, a descendant of Moses, and his sons as their priests.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - Although Micah and his mother claimed to worship God, they did it in their own way and turned it unknowingly into idol worshiping. Let me examine myself: do I worship God with all my heart, all my soul, and all my mind? Or, do I worship in my own convenience, at a place, time, and in ways that I see fit?
+ **Fidelity** - That young Levite did not serve at a place God had predetermined for him. Instead, following his own desires and never once consulted with God, became a priest for Micah then for the Danites. Do I humbly offer myself to God and obey His command when I serve or do I serve to satisfy my own desires and for my own benefit?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How far would the Israelites fall, being away from God?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ An Ephraim old man took in a Levite who was on his way home with his concubine near Gibeah in Benjamin.
+ They met unexpectedly in this land of Benjamite by an evil act that had happened only in Sodom (Gen. 19), the city God had destroyed: some wicked men wanted to have sex with the Levite. The old man was willing to substitute his own daughter for the Levite but those wicked men refused. The Levite sent his concubine instead and she was raped overnight to death.
+ The Levite cut up the concubine's body into pieces and sent to all areas of Israel. All who saw it were shocked and wanted to do something about it.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - It took just two generations for God's chosen people, the tribe of Benjamite, to fall from the most God obeying people who defeated Jericho to the most immoral that was comparable only to those of the Sodom. To see such a drastic change in so short a time when there's no king and everyone did as they see fit may seem surprising and yet it's an eye-opening warning for us. We might believe we are good enough that we don't feel the need for God to discipline us. But without discipline from God, we can fall easily on the slippery paths of the world.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What was the result of Benjamites' evil and wickedness?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Seen such unspeakable crime committed by the Benjamites, all Israelites gathered together wanting to punish those wicked Benjamites. The Benjamites refused to give up those wicked men and sent army instead. The Benjamites killed forty thousand Israelites. After consulting with God, Israelites scored complete victory over the Benjamites and left with them only six hundred alive.
+ Israelites realized that one of the tribes would be cut off. They began to regret and attempted to find wives for the remaining six hundred Benjamites. We can see how far the Israelites have fallen when the Book of Judges ends with "In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit."
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - In the entire book, the Israelites inquired of the Lord in front of the ark of the covenant only once, when they were beaten by the Benjamites. Their rebellion and immorality came because they did not see God anymore. Let me not treat God, Christ Jesus, as an addition to my life, as my trophy. Rather, let me live my life centered around Him, "let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (Hebrews 12:1b)
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What faith did Ruth display?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ During the age when everyone did as they fit, Elimelek fled famine with wife Naomi and two sons for he had little faith. They left Bethlehem in "full" to Moab, a land God despised. God brought suffering to them and Elimelek and his two sons died in Moab. One of the daughter-in-law left Naomi and went back to her home and the Moabite god. The other determined to stay with Naomi and God.
+ The famous quote of Ruth, a true display of faith: "Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God." Ruth became the ancestor of David, an important member in Jesus' lineage.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - Elimelek's weak faith caused him to leave the promised land into the seemingly plenty of Moab because he loved the world more than God's promise. Naomi was saddened but never complained about her suffering. She displayed great faith with her life right in front of her two Gentile daughters-in-law. Orpah could not uphold what she had started, left God and went back to the world of idols where she had come from. Ruth, envy of Naomi's God, was determined to follow Naomi and became a great testimony of faith. What do these people remind me of? Where do I stand in the journey of my life right now?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What life testimony did the Gentile Ruth live out?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Ruth gleaned in the field for mother-in-law Naomi and herself and was protected by the gracious Boaz.
+ Ruth was richly rewarded just as Boaz's blessing for her: "May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge."
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Ruth, a Gentile woman, her love for Naomi and faith for God became a great testimony to the Israelites. God's grace covered the Moabite woman Ruth aplenty even though the law dictates that the Moabites are not chosen as His. It is by God's election that changes our identity. What is my identity before and after I have come to know God? How do I identify myself and my value now?
+ **Integrity** - What Boaz saw in Ruth was not lust but her faith in God. From what can I see Boaz's tenderness and respect toward Ruth? How should I view those who are in need?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Boaz fulfill his responsibility as a guardian-redeemer?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ When one dies, according to the law, a close relative is obligated to redeem his family, marry his wife, and buy his land to maintain the inheritance. Naomi followed this law to find a home for Ruth. Ruth obeyed Naomi's will and Boaz obeyed the law to fulfill his obligation.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - God's grace was realized through Naomi's love, Ruth's obedience, and Boaz's faithfulness. Through me, God's grace may also come to others. What can I learn from Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz's integrity in love, obedience, and faith and apply that to my service to the Lord?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
Prayer
Notes and Responses