Weekly Guide：Week 63
April 07, 2019
Forward
We continue the reading of the First Chronicles this week.
May you all be renewed in the God’s word each day!
Question
What did David do soon after he became king?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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David conferred with each of his officers and the commanders, to bring back the ark of the Lord.
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They moved the ark of God from Abinadab’s house on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding it. Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark, because the oxen stumbled. The Lord struck Uzzah down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God.
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David took the ark to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. It remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house for three months, and the Lord blessed his household and everything he had.
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In Jerusalem David took more wives and became the father of more sons and daughters.
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The Philistines went up in full force to search for David. David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army, all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - Soon after David became king, he conferred with his officials and commanders to bring the ark back to Jerusalem. What was the reason he did that? (ref. 13:3) What can I learn from him?
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Fidelity - What was the main reason for David’s victory over the Philistines? What does it mean for my service?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How was the ark of the Lord brought to Jerusalem?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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After David had constructed buildings for himself in the City of David, he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it.
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David summoned the Levites to carry the ark of God with the poles on their shoulders, as Moses had commanded in accordance with the word of the Lord.
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David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their fellow Levites as musicians to make a joyful sound with musical instruments: lyres, harps and cymbals.
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David and the elders of Israel and the commanders of units of a thousand went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord from the house of Obed-Edom, with rejoicing.
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As the ark of the covenant of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal saw King David dancing and celebrating, she despised him in her heart.
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They brought the ark of God and set it inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and they presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before God.
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He appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord, to extol, thank, and praise the Lord, the God of Israel.
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David appointed Asaph and his associates to give praise to the Lord.
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David left Asaph and his associates before the ark of the covenant of the Lord to minister there regularly, according to each day’s requirements.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - From David’s praise: Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. How is God in control of my life, present, past, and future? How should I give thanks to God?
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Fidelity - Compare the two attempts David made in moving the ark (13, 15). What were the results and the causes? How do these remind me of my service to the Lord?
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Fidelity - What were David’s reasons for praising the Lord? (23-24, 26, 33-34) Have I overlooked any?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What was God’s response to David’s wish to build the temple?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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David wished to build the temple for the Lord but He said: “You are not the one to build me a house to dwell in.”
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The Lord promised David that his descendant would build the temple for the Lord and the Lord would establish his descendant’s throne forever.
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David prayed humbly to the Lord.
Meditation: My Story
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Walking with God - Why did God refuse David’s wish to build the temple? (17:5-6) What did God promise him? God’s promise was much greater than what David asked for. Have I been refused by God? What happened afterward?
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Identity - Read carefully David’s prayer. What was David’s attitude and knowledge of God and himself reflected in the beginning of the prayer? What can I learn from it?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What were the David’s military accomplishments against the gentiles?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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David defeated the Philistines, the Moabites, and the Arameans. The Lord gave David victory wherever he went.
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He put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became subject to David.
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David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people.
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Hanun humiliated David’s envoys.
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Joab and Abishai defeated the Arameans and the Ammonites.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - David’s undefeated military records in chapter 18 show the realization of God’s promise to him in chapter 17. How is God leading me in my life? How am I responding to Him?
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Community - David sent envoys to comfort Hanun. Instead, Hanun humiliated the envoys and started a war. Have I experienced a similar situation where my good will was ill-treated? How should I view this from the view point of salvation and grace?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What did David do after his victory?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Joab attacked Rabbah and left it in ruins. David took the crown from the head of their king.
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David’s army defeated the Philistines three times.
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Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. David repented so the Lord sent a plague on Israel.
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David bought land from Araunah, built an altar to the Lord there and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. The Lord put His sword back into its sheath.
Meditation: My Story
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Integrity - David and his men defeated the Philistines three times along with the giants they faced. What kind of giants I need to face in my life? How may I gain strength from the Lord to defeat the giants of my life?
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Integrity - What kind situation was David in when he was incited by Satan to take a census? Why wasn’t God pleased with it? When am I vulnerable to the temptations?
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Integrity - David was pleasing to God but still did things not pleasing to God in his old age. What warnings do I see from this?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What preparations did David do for the construction of the temple?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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David provided a large amount of iron and more cedar logs than could be counted.
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David called for his son Solomon and charged him to build a house for the Lord.
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David ordered all the leaders of Israel to help his son Solomon.
Meditation: My Story
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Fidelity - Even though God did not allow David to build the temple for Him but David still made preparations for the person God had chosen. How do I view the duties God placed in my hands? What would I do if I need to be a stepping stone of others?
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Fidelity - Learning from the order David gave to all the leaders of Israel, what characters should I possess when leading others?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Scripture Reading
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What were the David's military accomplishments against the gentiles?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ David defeated the Philistines, the Moabites, and the Arameans. The Lord gave David victory wherever he went.
+ He put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became subject to David.
+ David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people.
+ Hanun humiliated David's envoys.
+ Joab and Abishai defeated the Arameans and the Ammonites.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - David's undefeated military records in chapter 18 show the realization of God's promise to him in chapter 17. How is God leading me in my life? How am I responding to Him?
+ **Community** - David sent envoys to comfort Hanun. Instead, Hanun humiliated the envoys and started a war. Have I experienced a similar situation where my good will was ill-treated? How should I view this from the viewpoint of salvation and grace?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What did David do after his victory?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Joab attacked Rabbah and left it in ruins. David took the crown from the head of their king.
+ David's army defeated the Philistines three times.
+ Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. David repented so the Lord sent a plague on Israel.
+ David bought land from Araunah, built an altar to the Lord there and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. The Lord put His sword back into its sheath.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - David and his men defeated the Philistines three times along with the giants they faced. What kind of giants I need to face in my life? How may I gain strength from the Lord to defeat the giants of my life?
+ **Integrity** - What kind situation was David in when he was incited by Satan to take a census? Why wasn't God pleased with it? When am I vulnerable to the temptations?
+ **Integrity** - David was pleasing to God but still did things not pleasing to God in his old age. What warnings do I see from this?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What preparations did David do for the construction of the temple?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ David provided a large amount of iron and more cedar logs than could be counted.
+ David called for his son Solomon and charged him to build a house for the Lord.
+ David ordered all the leaders of Israel to help his son Solomon.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Fidelity** - Even though God did not allow David to build the temple for Him but David still made preparations for the person God had chosen. How do I view the duties God placed in my hands? What would I do if I need to be a stepping stone of others?
+ **Fidelity** - Learning from the order David gave to all the leaders of Israel, what characters should I possess when leading others?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What were the duties of the Levites?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ When David was old and full of years, he made his son Solomon king over Israel.
+ Levites twenty years old or more were counted individually and served in the temple of the Lord.
+ The divisions of the descendants of Aaron.
+ The rest of the descendants of Levi casted lots for their duties.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Fidelity** - In addition to preparing the material resources for constructing the temple, David also prepared human resources. In my service at church, how may I take care of both material and human resources?
+ **Fidelity** - What were the different duties in the temple? What similarities do they compare to the duties in churches today?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How were other duties in the temple assigned?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ David, together with the commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals. They casted lots into twenty-four groups.
+ The gatekeepers, through their leaders, had duties for ministering in the temple of the Lord, casted lots for each gate.
+ Ahijah was in charge of the treasuries of the house of God and the treasuries for the dedicated things.
+ From the Izharites: Kenaniah and his sons were assigned duties away from the temple, as officials and judges over Israel.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Fidelity** - We see the importance of music in worship as David assigned workers responsible for music in the temple to enable them to worship with music. How do I view music in worship?
+ **Fidelity** - David's workers served according to their gifts. Do I know what my gifts are? How may I thank the Lord for other people's gifts have and serve with them?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Who were in charge of David's property?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The Israelites served the king were on monthly duty throughout the year.
+ The leaders of the tribes of Israel.
+ The officials in charge of King David's property. David's counselors. Joab was the commander of the royal army.
+ David told the people about his wish to build a temple.
+ David gave his son Solomon the plans for the temple. He encouraged Solomon to be strong and courageous and do the work.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - David wished to build the temple but when God told him not to, he obeyed because God's will is higher than his will. Have I experienced similar situation in my journey of faith?
+ **Community** - David displayed his reliance on God in the encouragement he gave Solomon. How do I encourage my children?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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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
### Question
What did Josiah do after finding the Book of the Law?
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### 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
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Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What did the Lord say about the Mountains of Israel?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The prophet set his face against Mount Seir and prophesy against it, because you harbored an ancient hostility and delivered the Israelites over to the sword at the time of their calamity, the time their punishment reached its climax.
+ The prophet prophesy against the Mountains of Israel, because the enemies ravaged and crushed you from every side so that you became the possession of the rest of the nations and the object of people's malicious talk and slander.
+ Mountains of Israel will produce branches and fruit for people of Israel. The Lord concerned for Israel and will look on with favor, it will be plowed and sown.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Community** - The Mount Seir was punished because of their ancient hostility they delivered Israel over to the sword when they faced their punishment. How does God look at those who hold grudges against others? What warning does the punishment for Seir remind me of?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What became of Israel?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The Lord said, because Israel had shed blood in the land and because they had defiled it with their idols, I dispersed them among the nations and poured out my wrath on them.
+ The Lord said, it is not for your sake, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name.
+ The Lord said, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you and I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.
+ The Lord said, I will make their people as numerous as sheep.
+ The Spirit of the Lord brought Ezekiel out in the middle of a valley full of bones, led him back and forth among them, and commanded Ezekiel to prophesy to these bones. Breath entered the bones, they came to life, stood up, and became a vast army.
+ These bones are people of Israel. The Lord is going to open their graves and bring them up and back to the land of Israel.
+ The Lord said, I am going to take the stick of Joseph - which is in Ephraim's hand - and of the Israelite tribes associated with him, and join it to Judah's stick.
+ The Lord will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel.
+ David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd. They will follow my laws and be careful to keep my decrees.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - God gave promise to Israel to restore them. To the foreigners, this must have been a big joke. God gave Ezekiel the vision of the bones to up lift his faith. Am I losing faith? How does Ezekiel's vision encourage me?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What happened to Gog?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The Lord told Ezekiel, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshek and Tubal; prophesy against him.
+ When Gog attacks the land of Israel, my hot anger will be aroused in my zeal and fiery wrath, declares the Sovereign Lord.
+ Prophesy against Gog, the Sovereign Lord says: I am against you, Gog, chief prince of Meshek and Tubal.
+ Then those who live in the towns of Israel will go out and use the weapons for fuel and burn them up for seven years.
+ I will give Gog a burial place in Israel, in the valley of those who travel east of the Sea.
+ Call out to every kind of bird and all the wild animals: Assemble and on the mountains of Israel. There you will eat flesh and drink blood.
+ The Lord will display His glory among the nations that the people of Israel will know that the Lord is their God.
+ The Lord said, I will now restore the fortunes of Jacob and will compassion on all the people of Israel, they will be brought back from the nations.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - When prophesy against Gog, the Lord emphasized that His holy name was profaned and yet His glory would be made known. In the sinful and wretched world today, do I see the Lord's name being profaned? What should my reaction to such profanity be?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What did the prophet's vision mean?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ In the fourteenth year after the fall of the city, the Lord was on Ezekiel and in visions of God, He took Ezekiel to the land of Israel and set him on a very high mountain, on whose south side were some buildings that looked like a city.
+ A wall completely surrounding the temple area. A man with measuring rod went to the east gate. He climbed the steps and measured the threshold of the gate.
+ He measured the length and width of the north gate, leading into the outer court.
+ Then he led me to the south side and I saw the south gate. He measured its jambs and its portico, and they had the same measurements as the others.
+ Then he brought me to the inner court on the east side, and he measured the gateway; it had the same measurements as the others.
+ Then he brought me to the north gate and measured it. It had the same measurements as the others, as did its alcoves, its projecting walls and its portico.
+ A room with a doorway was by the portico in each of the inner gateways, where the burnt offerings were washed.
+ Outside the inner gate, within the inner court, were two rooms, which were rooms for singers.
+ He brought me to the portico of the temple and measured the jambs of the portico.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - The Israel had waited for God's promise for more than ten years. They must have been deeply moved when the prophet saw the vision of surveying for the temple. Am I waiting for God's promise to be realized? Do I know His will?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What was the order in measuring the temple's dimensions?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Measuring the temple's dimensions.
+ Measuring the side rooms' dimensions around the temple.
+ Measuring the priests' rooms' dimensions.
+ Measuring the area's dimensions around the temple.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - What were the purposes to separate the holy area from the common? How should I separate myself from the common? How may I, from my heart, do everything for the will of the Lord and not for the will of others?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did the glory of God return to the temple?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ At the gate facing eat, the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of rushing waters, and the land was radiant with His glory.
+ Let the Israelites put away their prostitution, and the Lord will live among them forever.
+ Describe the temple to the people of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their sins and let them consider the temple's perfection.
+ Measure the altar in long cubits. Instruct the regulations after completion of the altar.
+ The outer gate of the sanctuary, the one facing east, is to remain shut because the Lord has entered through it. The prince is to enter by way of the portico of the gateway and go out the same way.
+ By way of the north gate to the front of the temple, the glory of the Lord was seen filling the temple of the Lord.
+ The priests were denounced for their detestable practices.
+ No foreigner uncircumcised in heart and flesh is to enter the sanctuary, not even the foreigners who live among the Israelites.
+ The Levitical priests, who are descendants of Zadok are to come near to minister before the Lord; they are to stand before the Lord to offer sacrifices of fat and blood.
+ Establish decrees with the priests that the Lord will be their inheritance.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - The Lord lives in the holy temple and it shall not be defiled by detestable practices. Today, it is our body the temple of the Lord and shall not be defiled by detestable practices. How may I stay alert and not defile my body?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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Prayer
Notes and Responses