Weekly Guide：Week 67
May 05, 2019
Forward
We continue this week’s reading of the Second Chronicles.
Each Juda kings had a distinct personality, and yet there were many surprising similarities in their lives. For example, king Amaziah, whom we read last week, refused to follow the advice of prophet which started from the success of his battle with the Edomite, while king Uzziah was angry with the priest because of the strength God had given him. The arrogance of success blinds the eyes of man, the process of destruction starts at the height of man’s life. How can one be willing to listen and accept the spiritual admonition to usher in another victory after victory? Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the path of God is paved for the humbles.
May you all be renewed each day in the word of God!
Question
What similarities and differences are there between king Jotham and Ahaz?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
- Jotham reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but he did not enter the temple of the Lord. The people, however, continued their corrupt practices.
- Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. Unlike David his father, he did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord.
- The Lord his God delivered Ahaz into the hands of the king of Aram. The Arameans defeated him. He was also given into the hands of the king of Israel, who inflicted heavy casualties on him.
- King Ahaz sent to the kings of Assyria for help. Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria came to him, but he gave him trouble instead of help.
- In his time of trouble King Ahaz became even more unfaithful to the Lord. He offered sacrifices to the gods of Damascus, who had defeated him.
Meditation: My Story
- Identity - Jotham’s strength grew for he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. What attitude should I hold toward the blessings and riches of my life? Let me count my blessings.
- Identity - In his time of trouble King Ahaz became even more unfaithful to the Lord. He offered sacrifices to the gods of Damascus, who had defeated him. Why is it that we call on God when facing difficulties, but stray away from Him in other times?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How was the temple in Hezekiah’s eyes?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
- Hezekiah reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father David had done.
- Hezekiah brought in the priests and the Levites, asked them to consecrate themselves and the temple of the Lord to remove all defilement from the sanctuary.
- Early the next morning King Hezekiah sacrificed offerings for the sanctuary and for Judah. The king and everyone present with him knelt down and worshiped. They sang praises with gladness and bowed down and worshiped.
- Hezekiah sent word to all Israel and Judah and also wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh, inviting them to come to the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem and celebrate the Passover to the Lord, the God of Israel. The whole assembly in Jerusalem decided to celebrate the Passover in the second month.
- There was great joy in Jerusalem, for since the days of Solomon son of David king of Israel there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem.
Meditation: My Story
- Community - Hezekiah called on the priests and Levites do not be negligent now, for the Lord has chosen them to stand before Him and serve Him. How am I encouraging my fellow Christians to serve the Lord today?
- Integrity - Hezekiah sent word to Israel to invite them to turn back to God and worship the Lord in the temple. How should I help those who are weak in faith and those who have sinned to come back to the Lord?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What good and right did Hezekiah do?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
- Israelites went out to the towns of Judah, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. They destroyed the high places and the altars.
- Hezekiah assigned the priests and Levites to divisions-each of them according to their duties as priests or Levites-to offer burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, to minister, to give thanks and to sing praises at the gates of the Lord’s dwelling.
- The Israelites dedicated to the Lord in great amount a tithe of all that the fields produced and a tithe of their herds and flocks.
- Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. In everything that he undertook, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.
- Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah. He slandered against the Lord God and His servant Hezekiah when laying a siege to Lachish.
- King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah cried out in prayer to heaven about this. And the Lord sent an angel, who annihilated all the fighting men and the commanders and officers in the camp of the Assyrian king. So he withdrew to his own land in disgrace and some of his sons cut him down with the sword.
- Hezekiah had very great wealth and honor for God had given him very great riches.
Meditation: My Story
- Identity - The Israelites had great joy when they worshiped the Lord and celebrated the festivals and their spirits were renewed, as well. What is my worship life like? How is it bring about the renewal of my spiritual life?
- Identity - When the Israelites’ spirits were renewed, they gave generously the tithe to the Lord. How is my spiritual situation reflected in my tithe?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
Under what circumstance did Manasseh turn back to the Lord?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
- Manasseh reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention. So the Lord brought against them the army commanders of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh prisoner, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon.
- In his distress Manasseh sought the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his ancestors. And when he prayed to Him, the Lord was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so He brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord is God.
- Manasseh got rid of the foreign gods and removed the image from the temple of the Lord, as well as all the altars he had built on the temple hill and in Jerusalem; and he threw them out of the city. Then he restored the altar of the Lord and sacrificed fellowship offerings and thank offerings on it, and told Judah to serve the Lord, the God of Israel.
- Amon he reigned in Jerusalem two years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord.
- Josiah reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, purged Judah and Jerusalem of high places, Asherah poles and idols, and restored the temple of the Lord.
- Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the Lord that had been given through Moses. Then the king called together all the people from the least to the greatest. He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which had been found in the temple of the Lord.
- Then he had everyone in Jerusalem and Benjamin pledge themselves to the covenant of God.
Meditation: My Story
- Integrity - In his distress Manasseh sought the favor of the Lord and humbled before Him and God saved him. How do I view God’s discipline? Complain or repent?
- Integrity - What did Manasseh do after he repented? What did I do? What is true repentance?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How did Judah go into exile?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
- Josiah celebrated the Passover to the Lord in Jerusalem. He provided the sacrifices to the people and the priests and Levites.
- Necho king of Egypt went up and Josiah marched out to meet him in battle. Josiah would not listen to what Necho had said at God’s command. Archers shot King Josiah and he died.
- Jehoahaz son of Josiah and became king in Jerusalem in place of his father. The king of Egypt dethroned him in Jerusalem.
- Jehoiakim reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord his God. Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon attacked him and bound him with bronze shackles to take him to Babylon.
- Jehoiachin reigned in Jerusalem three months and ten days. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. Nebuchadnezzar sent for him and brought him to Babylon, together with articles of value from the temple of the Lord, and he made Jehoiachin’s uncle, Zedekiah, king over Judah and Jerusalem.
- Zedekiah reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord his God and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke the word of the Lord. God gave them all into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar, carried them to Babylon.
Meditation: My Story
- Identity - What role did the Babylonians play in the history of Israel? Who was in control of history? How do I view the events in my country and around the world?
- Identity - The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. Why did He put Judah into exile? How do I understand His compassion and grace?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How did God fulfill the promise to return the Israelites to Jerusalem from exile the first time?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
- To fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia. He made a proclamation to let the Israelites to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple.
- God moved the heart of fifty thousand Israelites to return to Jerusalem in company with Zerubbabel. They prepared to go up and build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem. All their neighbors assisted them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with valuable gifts, in addition to all the freewill offerings.
- King Cyrus brought out the articles belonging to the temple of the Lord, which Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from Jerusalem. Sheshbazzar brought all these along with the exiles when they came up from Babylon to Jerusalem.
Meditation: My Story
- Identity - Nearly fifty thousand Israelites (most of them likely were the next generation born in Babylon) were moved and obeyed God, to leave the familiar land, to leave their livelihood, to accompany Zerubbabel, trekking a long way, through all difficulties, to go back to the unfamiliar homeland to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. Do I know that I am of the people of God, even though the journey of life is filled with struggles and the world is full of temptations, I still am aiming wholeheartedly to go through the narrow door which leads to the promises of God?
- Integrity - God accomplished His plan according to His timetable. Seventy years after the Israelites’ exile, God fulfilled His word spoken through Jeremiah, to move the heart of Cyrus king of Persia, and by his hands contributed to the return. Do I believe God has a great plan for me and would accomplish it according to His time table? Pray to God to give me faith in Him and wait for His timing.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Scripture Reading
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Under what circumstance did Manasseh turn back to the Lord?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Manasseh reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention. So the Lord brought against them the army commanders of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh prisoner, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon.
+ In his distress Manasseh sought the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his ancestors. And when he prayed to Him, the Lord was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so He brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord is God.
+ Manasseh got rid of the foreign gods and removed the image from the temple of the Lord, as well as all the altars he had built on the temple hill and in Jerusalem; and he threw them out of the city. Then he restored the altar of the Lord and sacrificed fellowship offerings and thank offerings on it, and told Judah to serve the Lord, the God of Israel.
+ Amon reigned in Jerusalem two years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord.
+ Josiah reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, purged Judah and Jerusalem of high places, Asherah poles and idols, and restored the temple of the Lord.
+ Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the Lord that had been given through Moses. Then the king called together all the people from the least to the greatest. He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which had been found in the temple of the Lord.
+ Then he had everyone in Jerusalem and Benjamin pledge themselves to the covenant of God.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - In his distress, Manasseh sought the favor of the Lord and humbled before Him and God saved him. How do I view God's discipline? Complain or repent?
+ **Integrity** - What did Manasseh do after he repented? What did I do? What is true repentance?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Judah go into exile?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ Josiah celebrated the Passover to the Lord in Jerusalem. He provided the sacrifices to the people and the priests and Levites.
+ Necho king of Egypt went up and Josiah marched out to meet him in battle. Josiah would not listen to what Necho had said at God's command. Archers shot King Josiah and he died.
+ Jehoahaz son of Josiah and became king in Jerusalem in place of his father. The king of Egypt dethroned him in Jerusalem.
+ Jehoiakim reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord his God. Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon attacked him and bound him with bronze shackles to take him to Babylon.
+ Jehoiachin reigned in Jerusalem three months and ten days. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. Nebuchadnezzar sent for him and brought him to Babylon, together with articles of value from the temple of the Lord, and he made Jehoiachin's uncle, Zedekiah, king over Judah and Jerusalem.
+ Zedekiah reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord his God and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke the word of the Lord. God gave them all into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar, carried them to Babylon.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - What role did the Babylonians play in the history of Israel? Who was in control of history? How do I view the events in my country and around the world?
+ **Identity** - The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. Why did He put Judah into exile? How do I understand His compassion and grace?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did God fulfill promise to return the Israelites to Jerusalem from exile the first time?
{% include BibleLinks2020.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ To fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia. He made a proclamation to let the Israelites to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple.
+ God moved the heart of fifty thousand Israelites to return to Jerusalem in company with Zerubbabel. They prepared to go up and build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem. All their neighbors assisted them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with valuable gifts, in addition to all the freewill offerings.
+ King Cyrus brought out the articles belonging to the temple of the Lord, which Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from Jerusalem. Sheshbazzar brought all these along with the exiles when they came up from Babylon to Jerusalem.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Nearly fifty thousand Israelites (most of them likely were the next generation born in Babylon) were moved and obeyed God, to leave the familiar land, to leave their livelihood, to accompany Zerubbabel, trekking a long way, through all difficulties, to go back to the unfamiliar homeland to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. Do I know that I am of the people of God? Even though the journey of life is filled with struggles and the world is full of temptations, am I still aiming wholeheartedly to go through the narrow door which leads to the promises of God?
+ **Integrity** - God accomplished His plan according to His timetable. Seventy years after the Israelites' exile, God fulfilled His word spoken through Jeremiah, to move the heart of Cyrus king of Persia, and by his hands contributed to the return. Do I believe God has a great plan for me and would accomplish it according to His timetable? Pray to God to give me faith in Him and wait for His timing.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did the Israelites and their enemies react to the temple's rebuilding effort?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ After returning to Jerusalem, the Israelites came together to rebuild the altar, sacrificed offerings each day, and celebrate the sacred festivals of the Lord.
+ In the second year, Zerubbabel led the people to begin the work on the temple. When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord. No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, and the sound was heard far away.
+ They refused to let their enemies to join in the temple rebuilding. So their enemies set out to work against them and to frustrate their plans
+ The rebuilding effort was stopped until the reign of Darius. The opposition continued until the reign of Xerxes and the reign of Artaxerxes.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Community** - When laying the foundation, the people shouted to the Lord. Some with shouts of joy and some wept. We react differently to the same thing because we have different experiences. How may I accept other's viewpoints and try to understand them?
+ **Integrity** - Israelites refused their enemies' request to rebuild the temple and brought opposition to their rebuilding effort and caused it to stop. In real life, have I experienced unreasonable attack because of my refusal to offend God? How did God strengthen my faith?
+ **Fidelity** - The Israelites rebuilt the altar together and renewed their offering before the temple reconstruction began. How am I building my relationship with God and make it the foundation of my life and serving the Lord?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did God fulfill the Israelite's effort in rebuilding the temple?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ In the second year of Darius's reign, the Lord raised up the prophets to prophesize to the Jews to restart the temple rebuilding.
+ Zerubbabel and Joshua set to work to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were with them, supporting them.
+ Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates, sent to King Darius the news of temple's rebuilding. By God's protection and the rebuilding continued without pause.
+ King Darius issued an order to prevent any disturbance to the temple's rebuilding and to provide all necessary funding and all that is needed for burnt offerings.
+ The temple was completed in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius. The Israelites returned from exile and celebrated the Passover.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - The rebuilding of the temple was paused for fourteen years because of the oppositions. Many of those who returned from exile might have lost their hope and enthusiasm. But, by God's own timetable, He re-energized His servant, turned around the situation, and completed the rebuilding in four years. Am I waiting for God? Do I feel the waiting has no end in sight? Seeing what God had done in the temple's rebuilding can I patiently and faithfully wait for His timing?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What was the purpose Ezra taking the second wave of Israelites back to Jerusalem?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ During the seventh year of king Artaxerxes' reign, Ezra brought the second wave of Israelites return to Jerusalem.
+ God was with Ezra, caused Artaxerxes to provide Ezra everything he asked for and the gold and silver articles for worship in the temple, as well as the tax burdens of the Levites and priests.
+ Ezra called on the Levites to return to Jerusalem to serve in the temple.
+ Ezra refused the protection from Artaxerxes' soldiers but fasted and petitioned to God for protection.
+ The hand of God protected them from enemies and bandits along the way.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - Ezra fasted to petition to God for protection and refused Artaxerxes' protection. He believed God is His only protector and provider. When I face challenges, do I first go to God? What does Ezra's faith remind me?
+ **Fidelity** - Ezra called on and prepared the right people to help him to serve God. Am I co-working with others in concert to serve God?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What happened when David's son Solomon became king?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Solomon established himself firmly over his kingdom, for the Lord his God was with him and made him exceedingly great.
+ Solomon asked God for wisdom and knowledge, that he may lead this numerous people.
+ God gave Solomon wisdom and knowledge as well as wealth, possessions and honor.
+ Solomon gave orders to build a temple for the Name of the Lord and a royal palace for himself.
+ Solomon sent message to Hiram king of Tyre asking for cedar logs. Hiram sent man of skills and logs.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Solomon asked God for wisdom to enable him to serve. What am I asking for? Am I focusing on my own desires or God's kingdom?
+ **Fidelity** - Solomon, the skilled workers, and labors worked together to construct the temple. Do I have the wisdom from God to co-work with others?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Solomon construct the temple?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Solomon began to build the temple on the threshing floor of Arunah.
+ Solomon laid for building the temple of God using the cubit of the old standard.
+ For the Most Holy Place he made a pair of sculptured cherubim and overlaid them with gold.
+ For the front of the temple he made two pillars, a bronze altar, and the Sea of cast metal.
+ He then made ten basins for washing, ten gold lampstands. He made the courtyard of the priests, and the large court and the doors for the court.
+ Huram also made the pots and shovels and sprinkling bowls.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Fidelity** - Solomon used precious materials and delicate tools with detailed methodology. When I serve, how may I serve with all my heart, all my mind, all my soul, and all my strength to glorify God?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How was the ark of the Lord's Covenant moved into the temple?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ King Solomon brought up the ark of the Lord's covenant from Zion, the City of David, to Jerusalem.
+ While the whole assembly of Israel was standing there, the king turned around and blessed them.
+ Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands and prayed.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - In his prayer, Solomon emphasized that the temple is the temple for God's people's prayers. He asked God to listen to faithful prayers toward the temple. Is my church a church of prayers? How should I respond to prayer meetings?
+ **Fidelity** - David and Solomon wished to build the temple and it was finally completed. How do their fear of God and heart of servitude inspire me?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did God appear to Solomon?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple.
+ King and all the people offered sacrifices before the Lord.
+ Solomon observed the festival at that time for seven days with all Israel.
+ Lord appeared to Solomon and told him his prayer was heard and "If you walk before me faithfully as David your father did, and do all I command, and observe my decrees and laws, I will establish your royal throne, as I covenanted with David your father when I said, 'You shall never fail to have a successor to rule over Israel.' But if you turn away and forsake the decrees and commands I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, then I will uproot Israel from my land."
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - God promises if we will humble ourselves and pray and seek His face and turn from our wicked ways, then He will hear from heaven, and He will forgive our sin and will heal our land. How does this truth help me when I'm low and need help?
+ **Fidelity** - What was the reason God accepted the temple Solomon built and the burnt offering? Has God accepted my offerings? Why?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Solomon place the Israelites and foreigners after the completion of the temple and palace?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Solomon rebuilt the villages that Hiram had given him, and settled Israelites in them.
+ Solomon conscripted the descendants of all those people remaining in the land who were not Israelites to serve as slave labor.
+ Solomon did not make slaves of the Israelites for his work; they were his fighting men, commanders of his captains, and commanders of his chariots and charioteers.
+ On the altar of the Lord that he had built in front of the portico, Solomon sacrificed burnt offerings to the Lord.
+ In keeping with the ordinance of his father David, he appointed the divisions of the priests for their duties.
+ All Solomon's work was carried out, so the temple of the Lord was finished.
+ Hiram sent Solomon ships commanded by his own men, sailors who knew the sea.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Fidelity** - Solomon built the temple and rebuilt the villages so that the Israelites may settle there. What effect did his action bring? How should I pray for the leaders of my country?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How was Solomon known as a king?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The queen of Sheba heard of Solomon's fame, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions.
+ The weight of the gold that Solomon received yearly was 666 talents.
+ King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth. All the kings of the earth sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart.
+ Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years. Then he rested with his ancestors and Rehoboam his son succeeded him as king.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - The riches of Solomon came from God by His promise. God also promises fulfilled lives to all His children. How do I have that life?
+ **Fidelity** - The queen of Sheba went to see Solomon for his wisdom. How may I bring people to Christ by His pleasing aroma?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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Prayer
Notes and Responses