Weekly Guide：Week 60
March 17, 2019
Forward
We continue to read the Second Kings this week.
May you all be renewed in God’s word each day!
Question
How did God help the Samarians to break out the siege?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Four men with Leprosy saw the Arameans had left their camp. They went back and reported the news.
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Ben-Hadad the Aramean king was ill. Hazel murdered Ben-Hadad and succeeded him as king.
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Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat began his reign as king of Judah. He reigned for eight years and did evil in the eyes of the Lord.
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Ahaziah son of Jehoram began his reign as king of Judah. He reigned for one year and did evil in the eyes of the Lord.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - How did the Lord help the Israelites to break out the siege? How has God helped me and protected me behind the scene?
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Integrity - The four men with leprosy (v. 9-10) realized what they did was not right and repented immediately. What can I learn from this?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How did Jehu clean off the families of the Israelite king and Judah king?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Prophet Elisha sent a man from the company of prophets to anoint Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi.
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Jehu killed Joram king of Israel, Ahaziah king of Judah, and Jezebel.
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The officials of Jezreel obeyed Jehu’s command and killed Ahab’s seventy sons.
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Jehu killed everyone in Jezreel who remained of the house of Ahab and the relatives of Ahaziah king of Judah.
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Jehu destroyed Baal in Israel but did not turn away from the worship of the golden calves at Bethel and Dan.
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Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria for twenty-eight years.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - Ahab’s son Joram and grandson Ahaziah were both killed. Were they innocent or guilty? (2 Kings 3:2-3,13-14; 8:25-27) How shall I look at the fairness of God’s judgment?
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Fidelity - If God elected Jehu as His judge, why was Jehu later judged by God? Of my service to God, what are pleasing to Him and what are not?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How did Joash become king?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Joash son of Ahaziah hid in the temple of the Lord for six years. Athaliah usurped the throne.
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Jehoiada the priest anointed Joash. Athaliah was slain. In the seventh year of Jehu, Joash became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem forty years.
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Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord and the king and people, smashed the temple of Baal. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.
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Joash repaired whatever damage was found in the temple.
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Joash took all the sacred objects dedicated by his predecessors and the gifts he himself had dedicated and all the gold found in the treasuries of the temple of the Lord and of the royal palace, and he sent them to Hazael king of Aram, who then withdrew from Jerusalem.
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Joash’s officials assassinated him at Beth Millo, on the road down to Silla. Amaziah his son succeeded him as king.
Meditation: My Story
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Integrity - Even though Joash did what was right in the Lord’s eyes since an early age, he still stumbled. What were the reasons he strayed away from the Lord’s path? How is this reminding me and what expectations shall I set for my own spiritual life?
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Fidelity - Jehoiada’s teaching and influence on Joash demonstrated the importance of proper education. How am I educating my children?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
Why had the kings of Israel from generation to generation not done what was right in the eyes of the Lord?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Jehoahaz son of Jehu became king of Israel in Samaria, and he reigned seventeen years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. For a long time, the Lord kept Israel under the power of Hazael king of Aram and Ben-Hadad his son.
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Jehoash son of Jehoahaz became king of Israel in Samaria, and he reigned sixteen years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord.
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Elisha died of illness and was buried. A dead man’s body touched Elisha’s bones and the man came to life.
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Amaziah son of Joash king of Judah became king and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. Amaziah faced Jehoahaz king of Israel in battle. Judah was routed by Israel.
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Jeroboam son of Jehoash king of Israel became king in Samaria, and he reigned forty-one years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - The kings of Israel never removed the high places. Are there things in my life which displease the Lord that I fail to remove?
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Integrity - What was Amaziah’s attitude after he had defeated the Edomites? Why did he fail afterward? What does this remind me of?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What did Ahaz king of Judah do that was evil in the eyes of the Lord?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Azariah son of Amaziah became king of Judah and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years.
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Zechariah son of Jeroboam became king of Israel in Samaria, and he reigned six months. Shallum son of Jabesh became king, and he reigned in Samaria one month. Menahem son of Gadi became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria ten years.
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Ahaz son of Jotham king of Judah, unlike David his father, followed the ways of the kings of Israel and did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord his God.
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Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel marched up to fight against Jerusalem and besieged Ahaz, but they could not overpower him.
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Ahaz sought help from king of Assyria, he tampered with the altar and changed the worship rituals then removed the sacred objects from the temple.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - Ahaz tampered with the altar and the ritual. How do these remind me? Have I overlooked the worshiping of God for any reason?
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Integrity - Ahaz sought for Assyrian’s help when facing the combined force of Arameans and Israelites. He even took on the Assyrian’s altar and worship rituals. How have I compromised my faith for a worldly and temporary gain?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How was Israel subjugated?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Hoshea became king of Israel. King of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria.
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The Israelites worshiped other gods and did wicked things that aroused the Lord’s anger. So, the people of Israel were taken from their homeland into exile in Assyria.
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The king of Assyria brought people from other nations and settled them in the towns of Samaria to replace the Israelites. One of the priests who had been exiled from Samaria came to live in Bethel and taught them how to worship the Lord.
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Even while these people were worshiping the Lord, they were serving their idols. To this day their children and grandchildren continue to do as their ancestors did.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - What was the main reason that Israel was subjugated? What prayer does the country I live in need?
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Identity - The Israelites mixed up their faith with the gentile’s. How am I being influenced like them?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Scripture Reading
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Why had the kings of Israel from generation to generation not done what was right in the eyes of the Lord.
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### Meditation: God's Story
- Jehoahaz son of Jehu became king of Israel in Samaria, and he reigned seventeen years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. For a long time, the Lord kept Israel under the power of Hazael king of Aram and Ben-Hadad his son.
- Jehoash son of Jehoahaz became king of Israel in Samaria, and he reigned sixteen years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord.
- Elisha died of illness and was buried. A dead man's body touched Elisha's bones and the man came to life.
- Amaziah son of Joash king of Judah became king and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. Amaziah faced Jehoahaz king of Israel in battle. Judah was routed by Israel.
- Jeroboam son of Jehoash king of Israel became king in Samaria, and he reigned forty-one years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord.
### Meditation: My Story
- **Identity** - The kings of Israel never removed the high places. Are there things in my life which displease the Lord that I fail to remove?
- **Integrity** - What was Amaziah's attitude after he had defeated the Edomites? Why did he fail afterward? What does this remind me of?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What did Ahaz king of Judah do what was evil in the eyes of the Lord?
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### Meditation: God's Story
- Azariah son of Amaziah became king of Judah and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years.
- Zechariah son of Jeroboam became king of Israel in Samaria, and he reigned six months. Shallum son of Jabesh became king, and he reigned in Samaria one month. Menahem son of Gadi became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria ten years.
- Ahaz son of Jotham king of Judah, unlike David his father, followed the ways of the kings of Israel and did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord his God.
- Rezin king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel marched up to fight against Jerusalem and besieged Ahaz, but they could not overpower him.
- Ahaz sought help from king of Assyria, he tampered with the altar and changed the worship rituals then removed the sacred objects from the temple.
### Meditation: My Story
- **Identity** - Ahaz tampered with the altar and the ritual. How do these remind me? Have I overlooked the worshiping of God for any reason?
- **Integrity** - Ahaz sought for Assyrian's help when facing the combined force of Arameans and Israelites. He even took on the Assyrian's altar and worship rituals. How have I compromised my faith for a worldly and temporary gain?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How was Israel subjugated?
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### Meditation: God's Story
- Hoshea became king of Israel. King of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria.
- The Israelites worshiped other gods and did wicked things that aroused the Lord's anger. So, the people of Israel were taken from their homeland into exile in Assyria.
- The king of Assyria brought people from other nations and settled them in the towns of Samaria to replace the Israelites. One of the priests who had been exiled from Samaria came to live in Bethel and taught them how to worship the Lord.
- Even while these people were worshiping the Lord, they were serving their idols. To this day their children and grandchildren continue to do as their ancestors did.
### Meditation: My Story
- **Identity** - What was the main reason that Israel was subjugated? How may I pray for the country I live in?
- **Identity** - The Israelites mixed up their faith with the gentile's. How am I being influenced like them?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Who was the most virtuous among all the kings of Judah?
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### Meditation: God's Story
- Hezekiah son of Ahaz king of Judah reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years.
- Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah.
- Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them.
- Sennacherib sent Rabshakeh to speak brazenly to the people of Judah.
### Meditation: My Story
- **Integrity** - Hezekiah was the most virtuous among all the kings of Judah and the Lord made him successful in whatever he undertook. So, why did Assyria capture the fortified cities of Judah? How do I view my life's suffering?
- **Integrity** - How does the brazen talk of Rabshakeh sound familiar to me? Are there unbelievers despise Christians today? How should we face their comments?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did God save Hezekiah?
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### Meditation: God's Story
- Hezekiah sent the palace administrator and the secretary to the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah foretold the Lord's deliverance.
- The angel of the Lord went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand in the Assyrian camp.
- The Lord healed Hezekiah's illness and added fifteen years to his life.
- Hezekiah let Babylonian king's envoys to see all the treasures in his storehouses.
- Isaiah prophesized that the entire Judah would be taken to Babylon.
### Meditation: My Story
- **Identity** - What was the main point of Hezekiah's prayer? What can I learn from this prayer?
- **Integrity** - Why would Hezekiah's showing the treasures to Babylonian envoys bring about Isaiah's prophesy? How should I treat my blessings from God?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How Judah started to decline after Hezekiah?
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### Meditation: God's Story
- Manasseh reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord.
- Through His servants and prophets, the Lord proclaimed He would bring disaster on Jerusalem and Judah for the detestable sins Manasseh had committed.
- Amon reigned in Jerusalem two years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord.
- Amon was killed and Josiah his son succeeded him as king.
### Meditation: My Story
- **Integrity** - After Hezekiah, Manasseh rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had destroyed and did evil in the eyes of the Lord. How do I view the influences of family and sin?
- **Fidelity** - With Judah's decline yet again, we can see how easily people stray away from God and how a king can bring down a nation. How am I influencing others? Is it for good or bad?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Solomon start in building the temple?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Solomon made a treaty with Hiram king of Tyre to build the temple. They transported lumbers on the sea from Lebanon to Israel.
+ Four hundred and eightieth year after the Israelites came out of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, he began to build the temple of the Lord.
+ Israelites worked together to build the temple. The inner rooms, cherubim, and outer rooms all followed the Lord's command. Seven years spanned in building the temple.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - What was the first building being constructed in the fourth year of Solomon's reign? Why did he start from this building first? What am I building up? What is the most important construction of my life?
+ **Fidelity** - Israelites worked with foreigners to build the temple. How do I see my own service? How do I see those co-workers of mine who are yet to believe in the Lord? How may I approach them?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What did Solomon build next?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ It took Solomon thirteen years to complete the construction of his palace. He also built the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon.
+ Solomon brought Huram from Tyre to cast bronze pillars, to cast the Sea of cast metal, to make movable bronze stands and bronze basins.
+ Solomon also made the golden altar and golden tables for the Lord's temple, the golden lampstands and the gold floral works, lamps, tongs, pure gold basins, wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, dishes and censers, the gold sockets for the doors of the innermost room, the Most Holy Place, and also for the doors of the main hall of the temple.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - How much time did Solomon spend on each building the temple and palace? What are the sizes of the temple and palace? How do I think about Solomon's action? How does that remind me to love God with a pure heart?
+ **Fidelity** - Compare Solomon's temple to Moses' tent of meeting (Exodus 25-27, 30-31.) What were the similarities and differences? What similarities and differences are there in their constructions? How can I serve to please God?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Solomon dedicate the completed temple to God?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Solomon summoned the elders of Israel, all the heads of the tribes and the chiefs of the Israelite families, to bring up the ark of the Lord's covenant from the City of David. The glory of the Lord filled His temple.
+ King explained to whole assembly of Israel the purpose for constructing the temple, prayed to the Lord and then blessed them.
+ King sacrificed offers to the Lord with the whole assembly of Israel.
+ King Solomon gave twenty towns in Galilee to Hiram king of Tyre. King Solomon conscripted foreigner as forced labor.
+ Three times a year Solomon sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings on the altar he had built for the Lord, burning incense before the Lord along with them.
+ King Solomon also built ships at Ezion Geber, which is near Elath in Edom, on the shore of the Red Sea.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - Solomon brought the ark into the temple and God's glory filled the temple. Where is God's glory now that He dwells in us today? (John 1:14, 2 Corinthians 3:18)
+ **Identity** - Solomon's prayer to the Lord included thanksgiving, petition, repentance, and blessings. How may I incorporate all these into my prayer?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Why was God angry to Solomon when he grew old?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Queen of Sheba witnessed the wisdom of Solomon.
+ King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth. He also accumulated chariots and horses.
+ King Solomon loved many foreign women. As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods.
+ The Lord was angry with Solomon and raised up adversaries, Hadad the Edomite, Rezon son of Eliada, and Jeroboam son of Nebat against Solomon.
+ Ahijah the prophet of Shiloh revealed to Jeroboam that Israel would be broken apart.
+ Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years. Rehoboam his son succeeded him as king.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - At the peak of Solomon's time, with much wealth and power, he chose to follow other gods and angered God. How could Solomon fall so far? What should I watch out for while my career and wealth are stacking up?
+ **Fidelity** - What changed after Queen of Sheba visited Israel? What did Solomon do? Have I set a goal to glorify God every moment of my daily life?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Why was Israel split into two parts, north and south?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Rehoboam was made king in Shechem.
+ Rehoboam took advice from young men to treat the Israelites harshly caused them to rebel against the house of David.
+ Jeroboam was made king by the Israelites. Only the tribe of Judah remained loyal to the house of David.
+ God prevented war between Rehoboam and Israelites.
+ Jeroboam made two golden calves and brought the people into sin.
+ A man of God warned Jeroboam that he would be killed by lion if he defies God's command.
+ Jeroboam built shrines on high places and appointed priests from all sorts of people.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - What was Jeroboam's biggest mistake? Have I worshiped the created more than God?
+ **Community** - Rehoboam rejected elders' advice but took young men's and caused rebellion. How should I look at the advices from elders? Am I humbly seeking elders' experiences?
+ **Fidelity** - The Israelites first submitted then rebelled because Rehoboam's improper governing. Leaders have a lot of influences on people. How should I watch my own conduct when I serve?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What were the fates of the kings of the north and south, Jeroboam and Rehoboam?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Ahijah foretold the disaster and downfall of the house of Jeroboam.
+ He reigned for twenty-two years and Nadab his son succeeded him as king.
+ Rehoboam, son of Solomon reigned in Judah for seventeen years. Judah did evil in the eyes of the Lord.
+ In the fifth year of King Rehoboam, Shishak king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem. He carried off the treasures of the temple of the Lord and the treasures of the royal palace.
+ Rehoboam died and was buried in the City of David. Abijah his son succeeded him as king.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Community** - Prophet Ahijah pointed out to Jeroboam the consequence of his sin. Is there anyone in my life who can help point out my weaknesses? Have I listened to them?
+ **Integrity** - Israel was strong while Solomon reigned but gradually declined in the hands of his son Rehoboam. How should I pass on the blessings to the next generation? How should I keep myself disciplined so the blessings passed onto me are not lost?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What detestable things did Israel do in God's house?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ In the sixth year, in the sixth month on the fifth day, the hand of the Sovereign Lord came on Ezekiel.
+ In a vision from God, Ezekiel was taken by God to the entrance of the north gate of the inner court, where the idol that provokes to jealousy stood.
+ On the walls of the inner court were all kinds of crawling things and unclean animals and all the idols of Israel.
+ At the entrance of the north gate of the house of the Lord, women sat there mourning the god Tammuz.
+ At the inner court of the house of the Lord, and there at the entrance to the temple, were about twenty-five men. With their backs toward the temple of the Lord and their faces toward the east, they were bowing down to the sun in the east.
+ Therefore, God would deal with them in anger.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - The leaders of Jerusalem thought the Lord does not see them; the Lord has forsaken the land. Do I often follow my own will thinking that God does not see me? Pray and ask God for forgiveness.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Who were slaughtered and who were spared when the glory of God came?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The Lord commanded to bring those who are appointed to execute judgement on the city, each with a weapon in his hand.
+ The glory of God went up to the threshold of the temple. He called to put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament but slaughter all the rest.
+ The Lord commanded a man to fill his hands with burning coals from among the cherubim and scatter them over the city.
+ The glory of the Lord rose from above the cherubim and moved to the threshold of the temple. Beside the cherubim were four wheels sparkled like topaz.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - Who received the marks and were spared? What does this message say to me? How does it alert or comfort me?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What was God's will for those Israelites who were in exile?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The leaders of the people and those who were plotting evil were slaughtered.
+ The Lord would deliver them into the hands of foreigners and inflict punishment on them.
+ Although the Lord sent them far away among the nations, yet for a little while He have been a sanctuary for them in the countries where have gone.
+ The Lord will give them an undivided heart and put a spirit in them then they will follow Him as His people.
+ The glory of the Lord went up from within the city and stopped above the mountains east of it. The spirit lifted Ezekiel up and brought him to the exiles in Babylonia.
+ The Lord commanded Ezekiel to pack belongings for exile, as a sign to the prince of Jerusalem that they would go in exile as captives.
+ The Lord said this about those living in Jerusalem and Israel: They will eat their food in anxiety and drink their water in despair.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Those who remained in Jerusalem thought the exiles were forsaken by the Lord. But God promised salvation for those were in exile. Do I feel forsaken by God when I encounter difficulties? How does God's promise help me?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How does God treat the false prophets?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The Lord rebukes the Israelite proverb: "The days go by and every vision comes to nothing." The Lord will put an end to this proverb for when the days are near, all visions will be fulfilled.
+ The words of the Lord will no longer be delayed, whatever He said will be fulfilled.
+ The Lord commanded Ezekiel to prophesy against the prophets of Israel, woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing!
+ The Lord's hand would be against the prophets who saw false visions and utter lying divinations.
+ The Lord commanded Ezekiel to prophesy against the daughters of those who prophesy out of their own imagination for they disheartened the righteous with their lies and encouraged the wicked not to turn from their evil ways to save their lives.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Fidelity** - The false prophets prophesy out of their own imaginations. What does this mean for today's Christians? How do I know God's will? How may I testify for God?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What four dreadful judgments was the Lord going to send?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ When any of the Israelites set up idols in their hearts, the Lord will answer them Himself in keeping with their great idolatry.
+ The Lord warned the Israelites to turn from their idols and renounce all their detestable practices.
+ If a country sins against the Lord, He will stretch out His hand against it to cut off its food supply and send famine upon it.
+ Even if these three men-Noah, Daniel and Job-were in it, they could save only themselves by their righteousness.
+ The Lord would send four dreadful judgments-sword and famine and wild beasts and plague-to kill its men and their animals.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Even the three righteous men could not save the Israelites from their sin. Today, only Jesus Christ can save our lives. Think about how God hates sin and how He loves His people. How may I have victory over my sin?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What did Jerusalem do to displease God?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The Lord said, as I have given the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest as fuel for the fire, so will I treat the people living in Jerusalem.
+ The word of the Lord came to Ezekiel to confront Jerusalem with her detestable practices.
+ The Lord said to Jerusalem, as you lay there in your blood I said to you, Live!
+ Jerusalem trusted in her beauty and used her fame to become a prostitute.
+ In addition to all her other wickedness, Jerusalem built a mound for herself and made a lofty shrine in every public square.
+ The Lord will gather all her lovers, with whom she found pleasure, those she loved as well as those she hated. He would gather them against her from all around.
+ The Lord will deal with those who despised their oath and breaking the covenant as they deserve.
+ The Lord will remember the covenant He made with Jerusalem in the days of her youth and will establish an everlasting covenant with her.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - God likened Jerusalem as a prostitute to depict her sinfulness. What attributes of God do I see in this? How shall I answer to God's holiness and purity?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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Prayer
Notes and Responses