Weekly Guide：Week 24
July 08, 2018
Forward
We will finish reading the Book of Ruth and move on to the New Testament. Next year, we will resume reading the Old Testament with the Book of Samuel in sync with church’s sermon series. After Ruth, we will continue on the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament to see how God’s plan of salvation started in the Old Testament was being realized.
May our Lord’s word renew you all every day!
Question
What was Ruth’s role in God’s plan?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
According to Israelite’s law and in the presence of the elders, Boaz and another relative decided on Ruth’s marriage. Boaz married Ruth by faith just as Ruth followed Naomi by faith.
-
Naomi gained an heir who eventually became the ancestor of King David of Israel. Her bitterness turned into sweetness.
-
God’s promises to His people never change. Even a Moabite woman had become an important part of His salvation plan.
Meditation: My Story
- Fidelity - The relative who was closer to Naomi than Boaz was not willing to marry Ruth because “I might endanger my own estate.” This was because Ruth’s future son would not be under his name and yet would inherit the land he would redeem. So, he would rather not take on the responsibility of redeeming and gave it to Boaz in order to protect his own interest. Although Ruth’s child became Naomi’s son and named under Elimelek, Boaz’s name was the one recorded in Jesus’ genealogy: “Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth” (Ruth 4:21, Matthew 1:5). Contrasting to the relative who held on to his own estate, Boaz was willing to give up his but was rewarded the greatest blessing. How does Boaz’s selfless and faithful service remind me?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
We now pause on the Old Testament and continue with the Gospel of Matthew preaching to the Jews that Jesus is the Messiah they have been waiting for.
Question
What promise of God was realized with the birth of Jesus?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
Genealogy of Jesus is recorded in Matthew. He was a descendant of Abraham and David. He was of royal identity (1:1-18).
-
Jesus was born of virgin Mary conceived by the Holy Spirit, as God promised (1:22-23).
-
The Maji from the east followed God to come to see Jesus (2:1-12).
-
From Joseph leading family to escape Herod to Egypt and later coming back to live in Nazareth, all have been foretold by God’s prophets (2:15-23).
Meditation: My Story
- Walking with God - Every step of Jesus’ birth fulfilled what God had said through His prophets. God’s promises do not change because of man’s weakness. Do I keep a tight grip on things because of my worries? Seeing God’s faithfulness reminds us His promises. Let me come to God and pray to Him and ask Him to carry my burdens and take away my worries.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How did Jesus win over Satan’s temptations?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
After Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, He came into scene in front of the Israelites.
-
Jesus got baptized in water then went into the wilderness for forty days to be tempted by Satan. This was analogous to the Israelites where they went through the Red Sea and then wondered for forty years in the desert. However, Lord Jesus Christ won over Satan of all temptations whereas the Israelites failed time after time.
Meditation: My Story
- Walking with God - The temptations Jesus went through were the same as the Israelites: bodily necessities (food and water), testing God’s will (Israelites went into Canaan without God), profit from following Satan (golden calf, Baals). Israelites failed on all tests but Jesus won all with God’s word. Jesus had set great examples for us to follow and be strengthen by Him so that we may win over temptations. What temptations have I won over through God? What temptations have I conceded to because I did not rely on God?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What did Jesus teach us about how to live our lives?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
Jesus called the first disciples: “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people.” Jesus traveled throughout Galilee to preach Gospel, to heal the sick, and to drive out evil spirits. Many followed Him.
-
Jesus preached to those who followed Him the Gospel from heaven which is the Sermon on the Mount (5:1-7:29). Today’s reading covers 5:1-6:18 which includes the Beatitude (5:3-11), God’s people’s responsibility of being the salt and light of the world (5:12-16), how God’s people should live their lives, and the true Godly spiritual life (6:1-18).
Meditation: My Story
-
Identity - What is the true blessing? What blessings am I pursuing? How does Jesus’ teaching help me change my view on blessings? From Jesus’ teaching on what our daily and spiritual life ought to be, what changes do I need to ask God to help me on?
-
Fidelity - God’s people are the salt and light of the world. What are the functions of salt and light? How do I make use of these functions? Looking back, what opportunities did God give me to be the salt and light? Did I grab onto those opportunities?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What did Jesus teach us about loving God and loving others?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
Serve only God (6:19-34), treat others in God pleasing ways (7:1-12), and take root in Godly life our obedience and faith (7:13-27).
-
People were amazed as Jesus spoke with authority.
Meditation: My Story
-
Community - How should I treat my family members, fellow Christians, co-workers, colleagues, and neighbors according to the teaching Do Not Judge and the golden rule of Loving Others as Yourself? (Golden rule, 7:12, so in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.)
-
Fidelity - We cannot serve both God and Money. What is our attitude when serving money? Often through different means God makes us see that when we value money more than Him we are actually serving money even if we think otherwise. It is the distrust of God’s supply and His protection that brings us worries and impedes our total reliance in God. What worries do I have? Ask God to help me lay down my worries to Him. There are many impurities in the root of my faith. Ask God Himself to purify me, to help me build the foundation of my faith on Him, the Rock.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What power did Jesus display through the miracles He has performed?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
The chapters 8 and 9 record the miracles Jesus performed which displayed His great power had won over Satan’s.
-
Two independent contents were inserted in between the miracles: 1. The cost of following Jesus (8:18-22); 2. Opposition to Jesus and the beginning of His persecution (9:9-17).
-
Jesus had compassion on the crowds when He saw them as lost sheep without a shepherd which brought out the Great Commission in later chapters.
Meditation: My Story
-
Identity - The power of Jesus is greater than Satan’s. What challenges am I facing now? What power did Jesus show through the miracles He performed would allow me to see that none of my challenges is greater than God’s authority? Jesus is merciful and has compassion to us who are lost. He is the good shepherd. How should I become familiar to His voice and follow Him to turn away from Satan’s lies and troubles of the world?
-
Fidelity - There’s a price to pay to follow God. Am I willing to pay that price and commit myself to Him today?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Scripture Reading
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What happened after the completion of the Tabernacle?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### 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?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### 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?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### 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?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### 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?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### 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?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### 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
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How were the census conducted and tribes' camps arranged?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The first census and where each of the tribes were placed around the Tent of Meeting.
+ The census was for "twenty years old or more and able to serve in the army." (1:3) The tribes were arranged according to their army divisions. God turned the Israelites from a group of slaves into an army. He prepared them for war to fight their way into the promised land.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - The Israeli tribes were arranged around the Tabernacle to put God in the center. Am I placing God in the center of my life?
+ **Identity** - God promised Abraham to become a great nation when he had no hope of having offspring. By this time, those who were 20 or older numbered at 603,550, not counting the tribe of Levi. The promise was being fulfilled one step at a time. Is the value of everything I see based on God's promise?
+ **Fidelity** - He transformed the Israelites from slaves to army. Do I know that I was a slave of sin and now, with God's salvation, an elite solder of His army?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did God make Israel a kingdom of priests?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Chapter 3 starts in Genesis like fashion with the lineage of the Levites.
+ God established the kingdom of priests as the works for the tribe of Levi were around the Tabernacle signifying God's covenant with Israelites and His presence.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Reference Genesis 49 and Exodus 32. Levites loved God and offered themselves to God. Now God took the Levites as substitute for all Israelite firstborns to serve Him. Likewise, when we turn to God, we are offering ourselves to Him and serve Him. Think about the transformation God has done for my life.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did God make Israelites the holy nation?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ God called the Israelites to become His holy nation.
+ The laws to keep the Israelites clean:
+ Restitution for wrongs: to keep Israelites united.
+ Holy marriage: to keep the descendants clean.
+ Nazirites: a special testimony to God's calling.
+ Aaron's blessing: Reaffirmed God's promises and pointed the Israelites to the promised land.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Community** - God made the Israelites His and established laws and rules on restitution to keep them united. Do I value the unity of Christians or am I damaging it?
+ **Fidelity** - God put great emphasis on fidelity in marriage. Do I value my marriage as holy and being faithful to my spouse?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did the Israelites celebrate and serve when the Tabernacle was set up?
{% include BibleLinks2022.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
### Question
How Levites purified and made themselves ceremonially clean before they serve?
{% include BibleLinks2022.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
### Question
How did the Israelites follow God's lead?
{% include BibleLinks2022.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
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What was Ruth's role in God's plan?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ According to Israelite's law and in the presence of the elders, Boaz and another relative decided on Ruth's marriage. Boaz married Ruth by faith just as Ruth followed Naomi by faith.
+ Naomi gained an heir who eventually became the ancestor of King David of Israel. Her bitterness turned into sweetness.
+ God's promises to His people never change. Even a Moabite woman had become an important part of His salvation plan.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Fidelity** - The relative who was closer to Naomi than Boaz was not willing to marry Ruth because "I might endanger my own estate." This was because Ruth's future son would not be under his name and yet inherit the land he would redeem. So, he would rather not take on the responsibility of redeeming and gave it to Boaz in order to protect his own interest. Although Ruth's child became Naomi's son and named under Elimelek, Boaz's name was the one recorded in Jesus' genealogy: "Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth" (Ruth 4:21, Matthew 1:5). Contrasting to the relative who held on to his own estate, Boaz was willing to give up his but was rewarded the greatest blessing. How does Boaz's selfless and faithful service remind me?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Hannah find peace from her prayer?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Hannah was provoked and irritated by her husband's other wife, Peninnah, due to her infertility. Peninnah would provoke Hannah even more each year during the family's annual sacrifice in Shiloh.
+ Hannah prayed in front of the Lord, for a son to give to the Lord.
+ Eli the priest told Hannah to go in peace and her face was no longer downcast. Through her prayer, the Lord remembered Hannah and gave her a son named Samuel. When he had weaned, Hannah brought Samuel to Eli to dedicate him to the Lord as she had promised in her prayer. Hannah gave thanks and praised the Lord.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - Hannah was no longer downcast and ate right after she had prayed. What relieved Hannah of the sorrow that got piled up after all those years? Am I being sorrowful? Is it because I never let go of my sorrow even after I have prayed to God? What did Hannah really ask for in her prayer? What does it remind me about my prayer?
+ **Walking with God** - What did Hannah do after God had answered her prayer? What did I do after God had answered my prayer? Hannah gave her son away not long after she gave birth to him, but she happily thanked and praised the Lord. What caused her for doing so? What should the focus of my prayer be?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What was it like when Samuel grew up?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Although Eli was a priest, his sons were scoundrels and brought sins into the Israelites. Through the mouth of a man of God, the judgment to Eli's family was declared.
+ Samuel ministered before the Lord when he was still a boy. He found favor with the Lord and was chosen to be the new high priest.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - What does it mean that Eli honored his two sons more than God? Contrast Eli's attitude in educating his sons to Hannah's dedication of Samuel to God. What does it remind me of?
+ **Fidelity** - Eli's two sons were the Lord's priest, but they did not know the Lord. Samuel, on the other hand, was young and not yet knowing the Lord but served the Lord faithfully, grew in favor of the Lord, and also with man. Compare Eli, his two sons, and Samuel their attitudes in serving the Lord. What can I learn from it?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What does the capturing of the ark of the covenant mean to the Israelites?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The Israelites went to war with the Philistines. Israel was defeated but instead of inquiring the Lord, they bought out the ark of the covenant of the Lord as a tool. Israel was defeated again, and the ark was captured. The two sons of Eli were killed as predicted by the Lord and Eli died of falling. Eli's daughter-in-law died while giving birth and said: "the glory has departed from Israel."
+ The Lord placed a heavy hand on the Philistines' idol Dagon and brought disaster to them.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - Israelites were defeated by Philistines. They did not inquire of the Lord nor did they pray to seek His will. What were they thinking bring out the ark? How did Eli's honoring of his sons more than the Lord influence the Israelites? When I face difficulties, is my prayer an attempt to use the Lord as a tool according to my will?
+ **Walking with God** - Israel's defeat does not mean God is powerless! What was displayed to the Philistines with the wonders done by the Lord in their land? Do I doubt God when my prayer isn't answered to my liking? What can I learn from what God did to the Philistines?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How was Israelites' faith renewed?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The Philistines sent back the ark the covenant of God along with guilt offering. The men of Beth-shemesh rejoiced in seeing the ark and made burnt offering. However, some seventy men were struck because they looked upon the ark. The men of Beth-shemesh then asked the men of Kiriath-jearim to take away the ark and it stayed there for twenty years.
+ In that twenty years, Samuel led Israel return to God, lamented after the Lord, got rid of the idols, re-established their faith. God helped them to defeat the Philistines and recapture the lost land. Samuel served the Lord faithfully and judged Israel all the days of his life.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - While Philistines' idol Dagon could not stand before the Lord and the Philistines were also disaster struck, they did not see who was the real God and sent away the real God; The men of Beth-shemesh offended the Lord and did not repent, but rather asked men of Kiriath-jearim to take the ark; Their common attitude was resist light and hide in the dark. Contrast with the Philistines and Beth-shemesh men's resistance to God, what did the Israelites do to renew their faith? As children of light, what should I do when sinned?
+ **Fidelity** - Read carefully and give thoughts to how Samuel served. What were his attitude and aim in his ministry? What was his focus when serving people? What can I learn from him?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Why does the scripture say the Israelites rejected the Lord?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Samuel's two sons did not walk in their father's way. The elders of Israel asked Samuel to give them a king to judge them like all nations. By God's words, Samuel warned them of king's oppressions. They refused to listen and were determined to have a king to rule over them.
+ The Lord said the Israelite's request meant they rejected Him a king over them. The Israelites disobeyed God just like their ancestors did when they came out of Egypt.
+ The Lord chose Saul, wanted to save the Israelites out of the hands of the Philistines through Saul. Samuel took Saul and ate the offering with him then brought him up on the roof so that everyone in the city might see him.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - Israelites' request seemed to be politically correct, but in reality, they were repeating the sins of their ancestors. Does God not get involved in our social problems and political struggles? The problem Israelites faced was that they did not rely on God, but desired for self-reliance and worldly solution. What can I learn from the Lord's warning to the Israelites? As the light and salt of the world, what shall our mentality and behavior be when involved in political debate or social construction?
+ **Integrity** - The Israelites challenged Samuel as if they have forgotten and forsaken everything he did in his entire life. Samuel was not angered but obeyed God's will to warn the Israelites in earnest and to find them a king. When Saul showed up to him, Samuel raised him up high in front of all. How was Samuel's character formed? What was his focus?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
Prayer
Notes and Responses