Weekly Guide：Week 61
March 24, 2019
Forward
We continue reading the Book of Second Kings this week.
May you all be renewed in God’s word each day!
Question
Who was the most virtuous among all the kings of Judah?
Scripture Reading
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?
Scripture Reading
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?
Scripture Reading
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
Question
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
Josiah reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.
-
Josiah repaired the temple of the Lord.
-
Hilkiah the high priest found the Book of the Law in the temple of the Lord.
-
After reading the Book of the Law, the king removed all idols and all detestable acts.
-
Pharaoh Necho king of Egypt killed Josiah. Jehoahaz son of Josiah was made king to succeed his father.
-
Pharaoh Necho put Jehoahaz in chains then made Eliakim king and changed Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim.
Meditation: My Story
-
Identity - What was Josiah’s attitude in reading the Book of the Law found in the temple of the Lord? What is my attitude when reading God’s word? Has His word touched me and caused me to repent?
-
Integrity - The good kings mentioned in Bible, David, Hezekiah, and Josiah, all took care of the temple of the Lord. Today, our body is His temple. How am I looking after my own body?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon invaded the land, and Jehoiakim became his vassal for three years. But then he turned against Nebuchadnezzar and rebelled.
-
Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim succeeded him as king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months.
-
The officers of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon advanced on Jerusalem and laid siege to it. Jehoiachin surrendered to king of Babylon.
-
The king of Babylon took the treasures from the temple of the Lord and carried all Jerusalem into exile.
-
Zedekiah reigned in Jerusalem eleven years then rebelled against the king of Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his whole army and built siege works all around it.
-
Jerusalem was destroyed and the temple was plundered.
Meditation: My Story
- Identity - Why didn’t God come to rescue Judah when the situation deteriorated, and the temple and people were plundered by the king of Babylon? How do I understand God’s kindness and righteousness?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What was the genealogy of Israelites’ ancestors?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
- Genealogy from Adam.
- The family of Abraham.
- Esau’s sons.
- The people of Seir.
- The rulers of Edom.
- Israel’s sons.
- Sons of Judah.
- Hezron’s sons.
- Sons of Caleb.
Meditation: My Story
-
Identity - The first in the genealogy of Israel was Adam. What does it mean to the Israelites? What does it mean to us?
-
Integrity - Er and Achar (Achan) were pointed out specifically for of their sins. What kind of legacy do I want to leave for myself, good or evil?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Scripture Reading
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What did Josiah do after finding the Book of the Law?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Josiah reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.
+ Josiah repaired the temple of the Lord.
+ Hilkiah the high priest found the Book of the Law in the temple of the Lord.
+ After reading the Book of the Law, the king removed all idols and all detestable acts.
+ Pharaoh Necho king of Egypt killed Josiah. Jehoahaz son of Josiah was made king to succeed his father.
+ Pharaoh Necho put Jehoahaz in chains then made Eliakim king and changed Eliakim's name to Jehoiakim.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - What was Josiah's attitude in reading the Book of the Law found in the temple of the Lord? What is my attitude when reading God's Word? Has His Word touched me and caused me to repent?
+ **Integrity** - The good kings mentioned in Bible, David, Hezekiah, and Josiah, all took care of the temple of the Lord. Today, our body is His temple. How am I looking after my own body?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Judah drift toward subjugation?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon invaded the land, and Jehoiakim became his vassal for three years. But then he turned against Nebuchadnezzar and rebelled.
+ Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim succeeded him as king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months.
+ The officers of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon advanced on Jerusalem and laid siege to it. Jehoiachin surrendered to king of Babylon.
+ The king of Babylon took the treasures from the temple of the Lord and carried all Jerusalem into exile.
+ Zedekiah reigned in Jerusalem eleven years then rebelled against the king of Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his whole army and built siege works all around it.
+ Jerusalem was destroyed and the temple was plundered.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Why didn't God come to rescue Judah when the situation deteriorated, and the temple and people were plundered by the king of Babylon? How do I understand God's mercy and righteousness?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What was the genealogy of Israelites' ancestors?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Genealogy from Adam.
+ The family of Abraham.
+ Esau's sons.
+ The people of Seir.
+ The rulers of Edom.
+ Israel's sons.
+ Sons of Judah.
+ Hezron's sons.
+ Sons of Caleb.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - The first in the genealogy of Israel was Adam. What does it mean to the Israelites? What does it mean to us?
+ **Integrity** - Er and Achar (Achan) were pointed out specifically for of their sins. What kind of legacy do I want to leave for myself, good or evil?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Who were the descendants of David and Solomon?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Six sons were born to David in Hebron and thirteen sons in Jerusalem. These were sons of David besides the ones by his concubines. Tamar was their sister.
+ Sons of Solomon.
+ The descendants of Judah.
+ The descendants of Simeon.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Here recorded Jabez's prayer to God, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request. What meaning does this special account have for me? How may I pray to God in a similar way?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What was the history of Israel to the east of the Jordan river?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The land settled by the descendants of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.
+ God delivered the Hagrites to Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.
+ The two and half tribes were unfaithful to God and went into exile.
+ The descendants of Levi.
+ The men David put in charge of the music in the house of the Lord after the ark came to rest.
+ Aaron and his descendants presented offerings on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense in connection with all that was done in the Most Holy Place.
+ The locations of the settlements allotted to Aaron's descendants as their territory.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - What was the secret to victory for Ruben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh when they were outnumbered by their enemy? Why did they later end up in exile? How do these accounts remind me? What determines our success or failure?
+ **Fidelity** - The responsibility of Aaron's descendants was to serve God according to Moses' law. How does God command me to serve? Am I following His command?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Who were the descendants of the tribes to the west of Jordan river?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The sons of Issachar.
+ The descendants of Benjamin.
+ Sons of Naphtali.
+ The descendants of Manasseh.
+ The descendants of Ephraim.
+ Asher's sons.
+ The detailed genealogy of Benjamite.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - The accounts of the tribes recorded in chapter 7 were relatively simple. Is my life's journey with or without God? Is it filled with the story of God or is there not much to talk about?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How were the thrones of Israel and Judah succeeded differently?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Judah in the south: Rehoboam's son Abijah reigned for three years. He committed all the sins his father had done before him.
+ Abijah's son Asa succeeded him and reigned for forty-one years. Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.
+ Asa's son Jehoshaphat succeeded him as king.
+ Israel of the North: Jeroboam's son Nadab reigned for two years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, following the ways of his father and committing the same sin his father had.
+ Baasha struck down Nadab, succeeded him, and killed Jeroboam's whole family, as the Lord had spoken through his servant Ahijah.
+ Baasha became king of all Israel in Tirzah, and he reigned twenty-four years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord.
+ Elah son of Baasha became king of Israel, and he reigned in Tirzah two years.
+ Elah was betrayed and killed by Zimri, one of his officials. Zimri reigned in Tirzah for seven days. The Israelite army at war with the Philistines proclaimed Omri king over Israel. Omri laid a siege to Tirzah and Zimri set fire around himself and died.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Abijah committed all the sins his father had done before him; his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his forefather had been. Looking at these kings of Israel and Judah, what was more important in God's eyes? Is my heart on myself or God?
+ **Integrity** - Started with Jeroboam, the kingdom of Israel faced nonstop rebellions and killings. Judah was more peaceful in comparison. From verse 15:4 "for David's sake the Lord his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem by raising up a son to succeed him and by making Jerusalem strong" we can see that God cared for Jerusalem because of David. What blessings shall I leave for my descendants?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did the history of Samaria come about?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Omri became king of Israel, and he reigned twelve years, six of them in Tirzah. He bought the hill of Samaria and built a city on the hill. Omri did evil in the eyes of the Lord and sinned more than all those before him.
+ Ahab son of Omri became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria over Israel twenty-two years. Ahab did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of those before him. He set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he built in Samaria. Ahab also made an Asherah pole.
+ Elijah said to Ahab, "there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word."
+ Elijah was provided by a widow in Zarephath and he made her jar of flour and jug of oil never run out and brought her son back to life.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - What sin did Ahab commit that was more than all those before him? What idols are in my heart that are hard to remove? Let me pray to God to help me identify and remove the idols in my life.
+ **Integrity** - What are the various ways God used to strengthen Elijah's faith? In my journey of faith, do I have any similar experience as Elijah's?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Elijah defeat the false prophets of Baal?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ In the third year, the Lord told Elijah to present himself to Ahab to rebuke him for abandoning the Lord's commands to follow Baals.
+ Elijah battled the Baal's false prophets on Mount Carmel. The false prophets were defeated and slaughtered.
+ Jezebel wanted to kill Elijah. Elijah escaped to Beersheba in Judah. The Lord whispered gently to Elijah told him to go to the Desert of Damascus to anoint Hazael king over Aram, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed Elijah as prophet.
+ God had reserved seven thousand in Israel-all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal.
+ Elijah called Elisha to follow him.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - What attributes did God display when he gently whispered to Elijah? How am I hearing God's voice today?
+ **Identity** - Elijah rebuked the people for wavering between two opinions: "If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him." Am I wavering between two opinions and not following God completely?
+ **Fidelity** - How did Elijah respond when called by God? How am I responding and submitting to God's will?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How much did Ahab know God and How much faith did he have?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The Arameans besieged Israel capital Samaria. A prophet came to Ahab and brought along God's help. Ahab followed God's command and defeated the Arameans to show them that God is a true God beyond all limits.
+ Ahab's pretentious use of mercy set free of the enemy whom God had determined to destroy and made Arameans a long-term threat to Israel. God sent one of the company of the prophets to rebuke Ahab and foretold him the consequence of his action. Ahab became sullen and angry.
+ Ahab was obsessed with Naboth's vineyard. Naboth feared the Lord and would not give away the inheritance from God. Ahab's wife Jezebel who worshiped Baal devised an evil plan to frame Naboth and killed him. Ahab took possession of the vineyard.
+ Prophet Elijah rebuked Ahab and announced God's judgment on him. Ahab humbled himself before God, therefore, God delayed the disaster on his house to the days of his son.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - From the Aramean wars and Naboth's vineyard, what can I tell about Ahab's faith and his relationship with God? How was Ahab's being sullen, angry, and humble after being rebuked by prophets different from David's remorseful repentance? How have I repented? When have I just pretended to repent or when have I repented from my heart? How did either change my soul and my relationship with God?
+ **Integrity** - From Ahab's mercy of no principle for the Aramean king to his backboneless submission to Jezebel, what life's integrity did he lack? Have I offended God to please others?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What was Ahab's attitude toward God's discipline for him?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ By his own will, Ahab solicited Judah king Jehoshephat's help to go to war against the Aramean. Ahab loved to hear the good prophecies but never listened to bad prophecies from the true prophet of the Lord and even put him into prison.
+ The Lord made true the prophecy He put into the mouth of His prophet. Ahab died on battlefield, his chariot was washed at a pool, and the dogs licked his blood, as the word of the Lord had declared.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - It might sound uncomfortable and piercing to the ears when God reminds us but the voice of Satan is always sweet like honey. How have I, in my experiences, distinguished the voice of God through circumstances and those around me from the sweet voice of Satan?
+ **Fidelity** - Judah king Jehoshaphat repeatedly suggested Ahab to ask Micaiah of God's will even though Ahab did no like him. However, Jehoshaphat did not attempt to persuade Ahab to submit to God's will and continue to join Ahab in war. How may I faithfully serve God to the unbelievers and go beyond performing lip services?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Elisha succeed Elijah as prophet?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Ahaziah king of Israel had fallen and injured himself. He sent messenger to consult the Ekron god Baal-Zebub instead of God. God sent Elijah to tell the messenger what God had told him about Ahaziah.
+ When his time came, God took Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha refused to leave Elijah and filled by his spirit, Elisha succeeded Elijah as prophet.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - Why did Ahaziah consulted Baal-Zebub instead of God? Have I gone after the rumor that something is effective but without inquiring God first?
+ **Fidelity** - Elisha followed Elijah faithfully and asked for his spirit so that he may succeed him just like a son asking for inheritance. God fulfilled him. God gives works to His faithful servants. How does Elisha's faithfulness remind me? How may I pray to God persistently to serve Him by His calling?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What is the principle behind the Lord's judgment?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The Lord used the parable of two eagles and a vine to depict the judgment of Israel betraying the king of Babylon.
+ The one who follows the Lord's decrees and faithfully keeps the Lord's laws. The man is righteous; he will surely live.
+ Wicked son of righteous man is to be put to death.
+ Righteous son of wicked father will not die for his father's sin. But his father will die for his own sin.
+ The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them.
+ If a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all God's decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die.
+ If a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked person does, they will die.
+ The Lord's way is just. He will judge each of you according to your own ways. Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - Why did the Lord say to betray Babylon is the same as betraying the Lord? How shall I uphold the oath I have taken and the covenant I have made with others? Why is it that we must be faithful to others?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What parable did the Lord use to depict Israel's exile and destruction?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The trapped lion as a parable of Judah king being carried off to Babylon.
+ The uprooted vine as a parable of Jerusalem's destruction.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Fidelity** - The king of Judah must carry the responsibility for the great destruction and judgement his household and the entire nation faced. How may I pray for the political leaders of my country to lead according to God's will to seek blessings for the people and country?
### Question
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What is Israel's history of rebellions?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The elders of Israel came to inquire of the Lord, however the Lord would not let them inquire but judge them to confront them with their detestable practices.
+ Israel rebelled against the Lord in Egypt. They did not forsake the idols of Egypt.
+ Israel rebelled against the Lord in the wilderness. They did not follow the Lord's decrees and rejected His laws.
+ Their children rebelled against the Lord in the wilderness. They did not follow the Lord's decrees and were not careful to keep His laws.
+ Israel offered their sacrifices and made offerings to arouse the Lord's anger on the high hill of the Promised Land.
+ Therefore, the Lord would reign over Israel with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with outpoured wrath.
+ The Lord would bring Israel out from the nations and gather them from the countries where they have been scattered, and He will be proved holy through them in the sight of the nations.
+ With the parable of setting the forest ablaze, the Lord described how Israel would be attacked.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Why does the word Sabbath appear so many times in this passage? How does Sabbath let Israelites know that the Lord makes them holy and is their God? How is my Sabbath? How may I Sabbath in front of God?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How would the Lord judge Jerusalem?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The Lord would draw His sword from its sheath and cut off from Israel both the righteous and the wicked.
+ The Lord said there would be a sword against the people and all the princes of Israel.
+ The profane and wicked prince of Israel, whose day has come, whose time of punishment has reached its climax.
+ The day has come for the wicked Ammonites, their time of punishment has reached its climax.
+ Jerusalem brings on herself doom by shedding blood in her midst.
+ The people of Israel have become dross to the Lord. He would melt them with a fiery blast inside the city.
+ The Lord's judgment came to the priests and prophets who profaned the Lord.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Fidelity** - The Lord said, I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one. In this sinful world, is there someone who would build up the wall and stand in the gap?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What parable did Ezekiel use as a sign of Samaria and Jerusalem's rebellion?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The parable of two adulterous sisters to describe how Samaria and Jerusalem engaged in prostitution and strayed away from God.
+ The Lord would stir up Oholibah's lovers, those who she turned away from in disgust, against her.
+ Judge Oholah and Oholibah with their detestable practices. Righteous judges will sentence them to the punishment of women who commit adultery and shed blood.
+ The choice meat in cooking pot as a parable for Jerusalem.
+ The Lord commanded Ezekiel to not lament, weep, or shed tear for the death of his wife, as a sign for Israelites that their suffering would be so great that they would have no chance to mourn for themselves.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - God cleanses us, but we must play an active role in that process. What role am I playing in the process of purify myself?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What were the fates of the nations around Israel?
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ The Lord would stretch out His hand against the Ammonites for they rejoiced with all the malice against the land of Israel.
+ Because Moab and Seir said, "Look, Judah has become like all the other nations," therefore the Lord would expose the flank of its towns.
+ Because Edom took revenge on Judah, therefore the Lord would stretch out His hand against Edom.
+ The Philistines acted in vengeance and took revenge with malice in their hearts.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - It is helpful for us to know we are not alone in life's challenges by understanding that the Lord is with us. Pray to the Lord to lift me up and give me the will to follow Him.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
{% include BibleLinks2024.html %}
Prayer
Notes and Responses