Weekly Guide：Week 28
August 05, 2018
Forward
This week, we continue reading the Gospel of Mark.
The beginning of Mark’s gospel recorded the realization of the promises written in the ancient books of Bible, the start of Jesus’ Good News brings closure to the stories in the earlier books. John and Jesus seemed to have come out of nowhere, however, we can see clearly from the Book of Isaiah that the Old Testament is the blueprint of God’s salvation plan while gospel is the continuation of that mission. Bible made the perfect connection from prophet Isaiah to prophet John. God’s promises are realized when the time comes, and His eternal plan never changes.
We now have the complete Bible, know the mystery of God’s salvation plan, and what He wants for our lives. Are we living out that life in the real world? Let us ask the Holy Spirit to grant us insight from within, with His light shone upon us and turn our knowledge of gospel into meaningful actions that change lives.
My God’s word renews you all every day!
Question
How did Jesus reveal His identity?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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In Caesarea Philippi, Peter said to Jesus “You are the Messiah.” Jesus predicted His death and resurrection for the first time.
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The price to pay for being a disciple is to deny themselves and take up their crosses and follow Jesus.
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Jesus went up to a high mountain and transfigured. He stood with Moses and Elijah.
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Disciples couldn’t drive out the demon from a possessed boy revealed the unbelieving generation.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - Peter’s spiritual life seemed to have fallen to bottom of the valley when Jesus predicted his denials compared to the time he proclaimed Him as the Messiah. Is my spiritual life high on the peak of the mount or in the bottom of the valley? Am I following God’s will or my own desires?
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Identity - Jesus taught us to deny ourselves and take up our crosses to follow Him as the only way to receive true life. That is, we need to give up ourselves to gain ourselves. What do I need to give up today? What have I received already?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What were the important events on the way to Jerusalem?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Jesus again predicted His own death and resurrection.
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Disciples argued amongst themselves who would be the greatest. Jesus talked about the attitude needed of the disciples.
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Jesus predicted His own death and resurrection the third time.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - Jesus taught disciples: “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” This is a total opposite from the world’s view of success and status. Am I willing to accept this teaching? Can I do it? What is the biggest challenge?
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Community - When Jesus talked about marriage, He said: “What God has joined together, let no one separate.” How do I understand this teaching? Do I stand behind the vow I took, view my marriage as a vessel in our sanctification, and grow together spiritually with my other half through love?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How did Jesus enter Jerusalem?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Jesus entered Jerusalem gloriously and drove out those traders who desecrated the temple.
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The sandwich structured writing indicates the connection between the curse of fig tree and clearing of the temple courts which might be viewed as Jesus’ prediction of the temple and Israel.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - Jesus said it would be ours whatever we ask for in prayer and believe that we have received (11:24.) Do I understand the relationship between my faith and identity? Do I understand why faith can move mountain?
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Integrity - Instead of worshiping, the temple was being used by thieves as hiding place of their evil acts. Our bodies as God’s temple may also be desecrated by our sin nature. Do I have any thoughts or behaviors need to be cleansed by the Holy Spirit?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What did Jesus debate with the priests, teachers of the law and elders in the temple?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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In the temple, Jesus taught: His authority and Israel’s rebellion, paying tax, marriage at resurrection.
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The commandment on “love God, love others” and hypocrisy of the teachers of the law.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - We are citizens of some country and, more importantly, we are people of the Heavenly Kingdom. From the question on paying tax to Caesar, how do I understand my double identity? Do I often remember my identity in the Heavenly Kingdom?
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Fidelity - The commandment “love God, love others” contrasts greatly with the hypocrisy of the teachers of the law. Let me reflect on my service. Is it based on my love of God and others or is it based on my desire for self-glorification?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What was Jesus’ teaching about the End of Times?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - The widow was poor but offered willingly. How do I view money? Do I offer willingly or with reservation?
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Integrity - No one knows when Jesus will come again. Am I always being alert and will answer to the Lord honestly or do I live a deceitful life and hope that I’ll not get caught?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What were the events through Jesus’ betrayal and arrest?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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An alabaster jar of expensive perfume made of nard was poured over Jesus’ head to prepare for His death.
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Passover supper and Gethsemane prayer.
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Jesus’ arrest and trial as well as being disowned by Peter three times.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - The woman who poured the expensive perfume over Jesus’ head knew His identity and treasured Him. Do I also treasure Jesus and willingly offer my all?
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Integrity - Peter was full of confidence that he would never disown Jesus and yet did it three times. Do I rely all my actions on my own confidence or on faith in God? Let me pray and ask the Holy Spirit to remind me of my fleshly weakness and help me to win over it.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Scripture Reading
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did God look after His faithful servant when people complained and talked against Him?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Israelites started their complaints again just three days out of Sinai. This angered God and burned some of them until Moses prayed for them.
+ God was angered again when Israelites craved for other food. Moses pleaded to God. God brought up people to help Moses and sent plague to the Israelites to cut off the greedy.
+ Aaron and Mariam talked against Moses due to their jealousy. The Lord came down to fault them. Miriam contracted leprosy had to leave camp for 7 days. Aaron atoned and pleaded for Miriam immediately.
+ God values His faithful servant. God strengthens him when he is tired, avenges for him when he is wronged.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - Like they were at the foothill of Mount Sinai, the Israelites complained just three days out of Sinai. There are always ups and downs in our spiritual lives. How does the lesson for Israelites help me?
+ **Community** - Aaron atoned and pleaded for Miriam. Moses did so for Aaron and Miriam, too. Am I willing to forgive others? Am I willing to pray for them?
+ **Integrity** - Bible said the rabble craved other foods. Am I a rabble in my spiritual life? Do the medias influence my thoughts? Can I turn to God's word to block out the bad influences?
+ **Integrity** - It is not a display of lack of faith when Moses was tired and prayed to God. God helped him and avenged for him. Am I being wronged by others? Do not worry, pray and let God be the judge.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What happened when Israelites had little faith in God and believed the scouts' bad news?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Scouts were sent out when the Israelites came to the land of Canaan. Israelites believed the exaggerated report from the scouts and were afraid of the people there. They didn't want to follow Moses, Aaron, Caleb, Joshua and wanted to turn back to Egypt. They rebelled against God.
+ God suggested to destroy the contemptuous people. God promised descendants of Moses to become a great nation, they must enter the land. God was merciful as Moses pleaded for them but added that they must pay the price for their disobedience. Thus, no one in that generation except Caleb and Joshua were allowed to enter the promised land.
+ Israelites became bitter and went ahead without God's permission. They were completely defeated as result.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - It can be seen from Moses's prayers that he knew God's attributes. And, that his prayers were to glorify God. Can I pray like him?
+ **Fidelity** - Where in the scripture displayed the faith that gave Caleb and Joshua the will to advance into Canaan? What reports from the scouts were requested by Moses? What weren't? What caused them to report the bad news and oppose to Caleb and Joshua's strong faith by exaggerating their views? Is there anything I need to change in my service to the Lord?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did God display His faithfulness and blessings after He struck down on the Israelites?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Right after God struck down on the Israelites in chapter 14, He gave Moses the regulations on offerings when they went into the promised land. It can be seen clearly here that God was faithful to His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
+ Anyone, whether an individual or a community, must atone with offerings when sinned unintentionally then God would forgive. However, anyone, an individual or the community, would be punished when sinned with intention. Both the rebellious Israelites in the prior chapter and the Sabbath breakers in this chapter were intentional sinners.
+ Israelite community and the foreigners residing among them all need to worship God, make the same offerings, and receive the same blessings or punishments. God is the God for all people.
+ God commanded Israelites to put tassels on their garments to remember God's commands.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - God treats intentional sins different from unintentional ones. God sees the Gentiles the same as the Jews. What do I learn from this truth about God's sovereignty and attributes? How does it remind me and encourage me?
+ **Integrity** - God put tassels on the Israelites' garments to remind them His commands and not to follow their own sinful wills. Is there anything I can use to remind myself of God's word and stay away from the worldly filth?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Who established Aaron's priesthood that Korah challenged?
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### 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?
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### 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?
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### 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
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Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Moses encourage the Israelites to despise idol and love only God?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Moses told the Israelites: "The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." "Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."
+ God gave the Anakites to the Israelites. Kill them without sympathy, do not establish covenant, do not marry, and destroy all their idols.
+ Moses reminded the Israelites not to fear the strong Anakites in the land of Canaan. He asked them to remember what God had done to the pharaoh in Egypt.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - Moses asked the Israelites to not forget God after they enter the land of milk and honey and enjoy its richness. We always want more of the worldly wealth instead of God. Think about all the blessings God has given me. Do I thank Him for what I have, or do I complain to Him for what I lack?
+ **Fidelity** - 6:20-24 is about teaching the next generations to fear God and remind them the blessings. Am I a good example of God's blessings? Can I testify to my children for what I have received from the Lord?
+ **Identity** - In 7:7-8, Moses reminded the Israelites that God loved them not because they were better in anyway, it was simply God's love and faithfulness to all those who love Him and obey His law that He is merciful to them for thousands of generations. What makes me stand before others with full confidence? Is it because I am better or is it due to my relationship with God?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Moses reminded the people whom they can truly rely on.
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Moses reminded the Israelites that God had provided them everything they needed during the forty years of wandering. They were given manna, their clothes did not wear out, and their feet did not swell. Reliance on God was the source of their blessings, not material wealth.
+ The Anakites and their city were tall and strong. But Israelites was able to defeat them by obeying God.
+ Israelites defeated Anakites not because their righteousness or integrity, but it was the Anakites' wickedness. Israelites have rebelled against God many times. Moses reminded them that it was God's mercy that they were spared in the forty rebellious years of wandering.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - Jesus quoted a familiar verse when Satan tempted Him: "man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord." Am I facing challenges that may seem better solved with man's solutions, but I'd rather put it in front of God and ask Him for guidance?
+ **Identity** - Moses reminded the Israelites that it wasn't their righteousness that defeated the Anakites. Do I often display my self-righteousness or let others see God's blessings?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What happens if one obeys God? What happens if otherwise?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ God commanded Moses to chisel out of two stone tablets and make a wooden ark. God wrote the commandments on the tablets and Moses put them into the ark.
+ Moses reminded Israelites that "God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome." God wanted them to fear Him, to obey Him, to love Him, and to serve Him with all their hearts and souls so that they may live in His grace and blessings.
+ Moses reminded Israelites that they must observe all commands God gave them so they may be blessed.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Fidelity** - Moses reminded the Israelites again to affix God's word on their hands, foreheads, doorframes, gates, and in their hearts and minds. Do I often read God's word in the book right next to me? Let me set a goal to strive in affixing God's word in my heart.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What did Moses say about the place of worship, Idols, meat, blood, and the Levites? What did he say about how to deal with those who seduce the Israelites to worship other gods?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Chapters 12-16 are the detailed records of the requirements, decrees, and laws outside of the commands. Although much of the content has been recorded in Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, what recorded here is not simply a repeat of the same but targeted toward the specific situation in the land of Canaan.
+ Moses commanded the Israelites to destroy completely the places where Canaanites worshiped their gods, break down their altars, smash their sacred stones, burn and cut down their idols. He ordered them to worship at places where God would choose for each tribe, eat in presence of God the meat offered to God, must not eat blood at anywhere, but other meats at any place. They must share with the Levites for whom did not inherit any land. "Be careful not to neglect the Levites as long as you live in your land." Do not worship as the Canaanites. "Be careful not to be ensnared by inquiring about their gods." "If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a sign or wonder, and if the sign or wonder spoken of takes place, and the prophet says, "Let us follow other gods" (gods you have not known) "and let us worship them," you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer." "That prophet or dreamer must be put to death for inciting rebellion against the Lord your God." They must not follow the Canaanites when mourning for the dead. "Do not cut yourselves or shave the front of your heads for the dead, for you are a people holy to the Lord your God."
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - "How do these nations serve their gods? We will do the same." (12:30) Our environment influences us greatly. If we let our curiosity muddle us, we would then stray unknowingly away from God. Do I have any unrighteous thoughts that's popular today?
+ **Community** - Although there's no longer Levites, is there any fellow Christian who serves our Lord in need of material help from me? Can I help anyone around me materially?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What did Moses say about clean foods, treating the Levites, the poor and the slaves, the Passover, the Pentecost (Festival of Weeks), and the Festival of Tabernacle?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ 14:3-29 repeats what can be eaten and what can't. Consumption of the tenth produced as well as the first born of herds and flocks in presence of God at the place where God has chosen. At end of every three years, the tithes were to satisfy the Levites, foreigners, fatherless and widows.
+ Chapter 15 reiterates the once every seventh year, the Sabbath year, the year of cancelling debts. Freeing the slaves and setting apart the firstborn male of the herds and flocks.
+ 16:1-17 talks about the regulations on Passover, Pentecost, and Festival of Tabernacle.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - God gave me everything I have. Am I willing to offer a tenth to Him?
+ **Walking with God** - We need to watch over and take care of the helpless to live out the life from merciful God. How have I paid attention to those around me who may need my help?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What did Moses say about appointing judges and setting a King? What prophets God promised through Moses would raise up?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ 16:18-20 and 17:8-13 talks about priests and judges. Judges must judge fairly, must not pervert justice or show partiality, must not accept bribe. One shall act according to the decision and instruction given by the judge and priest.
+ 16:21-17:7 and 18:9-13 commands to not set up idols, to not offer sheep with defect or flaw, to punish those who worship idols, and to not imitate the detestable ways of the other nations.
+ 17:14-20 talks about God's permission to appoint a King. Notice that King Solomon violated these regulations in his later years.
+ 18:1-8 talks about what should the Levites live on with no inheritance of their own.
+ 18:10-22 is about God's promise that points to Jesus Christ: "I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him. I myself will call to account anyone who does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name."
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - Jesus is the prophet God promised. God will call to account anyone who does not accept His salvation. Anyone who accepts Jesus must obey His teaching. Examine my own attitude toward Jesus' teaching and turn to Him through prayers.
+ **Integrity** - God again put emphasis on punishing those who worship idols. We have too many idols in the world today to displace God. Looking in my own life, am I still being bond by my job, my status, my family, my properties, and entertainments and view them as source of joy instead of God?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
On way of his fleeing, what helps did David receive from God?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Absalom built his power and status in the dark and earned the heart of the Israelites. He went to Hebron by way of an excuse to fulfill a vow to conspire for mutiny against David. David's counselor Ahithophel followed Absalom and the conspiracy gained strength.
+ David fled Jerusalem but left ten concubines to take care of the palace.
+ The foreigner Ittai did not want to leave David and vowed to accompany David, live or death. The priests Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark with them to David, but David asked them to go back. David went up the Mount of Olives, weeping, barefooted and head covered. David met his confidant Hushai on the summit and asked him to go to Absalom in Jerusalem to frustrate Ahithophel's advice. Ziba brought food to David and claimed that Mephibosheth was going to betray David. So, David gave all that belonged to Mephibosheth to Ziba. Abishai wanted to kill Shimei as he cursed David but was stopped by David saying that it was coming from God.
+ Absalom listened to Ahithophel's advice to sleep with David's concubines who stayed behind. This was God's judgment to David. See 12:11.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - From what David said to priest Zadok when he fled Jerusalem, in his prayer to God on Mount of Olive, as well as what he said to Abishai in response to humiliation of Shimei's curse, what was the state of his spirituality?
+ **Walking with God** - Although he had to bear the consequences of sin, God's blessings were never too far away from David. What protections and helps did David experience in the journey of his fleeing?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Who defeated Absalom?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Ahithophel's advice was not taken by Absalom which allowed David to avoid demise. This was God's plan to disrupt Ahithophel and bring destruction to Absalom.
+ David was supplied by Shobi, Makir, and Barzillai at Mahanaim.
+ David deployed his troops and commanded them to be gentle with Absalom. Absalom was routed, his hair caught in the tree and unable to escape. Joab defied David's command and killed Absalom. David mourned for Absalom.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - Absalom was defeated despite the great strength from support of all Israel and a very good counselor. It is God who brings victory and it is also God who brings defeat. Is there ungodly power in the circumstance I'm in which seems to be strong and invincible? Looking from this passage, is God who is in absolute control giving me peace?
+ **Integrity** - What was Joab's motive in killing Absalom? What should have he done to be pleasing to God? What news did David want to learn most anxiously from the two messengers? How would David react differently had he submitted to God's will? Contrast with David's prayer when Bathsheba's first son died.
Prayer
Notes and Responses