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Weekly Guide：Week 68
May 12, 2019
Week 68 Day 1: Opposition to Rebuilding ⇧ ⇩
Forward
We continue our reading in the Book of Ezra.
May you all be renewed in God’s word each day!
Question
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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After returning to Jerusalem, the Israelites came together to rebuild the altar, sacrificed offerings each day, and celebrate the sacred festivals of the Lord.
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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.
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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
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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
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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 view points and try to understand them?
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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?
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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
Week 68 Day 2: Completion of Rebuilding ⇧ ⇩
Question
How did God fulfill the Israelite’s effort in rebuilding the temple?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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In the second year of Darius’s reign, the Lord raised up the prophets to prophesize to the Jews to restart the temple rebuilding.
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Zerubbabel and Joshua set to work to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were with them, supporting them.
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Dedication of the Temple
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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.
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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.
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The temple was completed in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius. The Israelites returned from exile 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
Week 68 Day 3: The Second Returning ⇧ ⇩
Question
What was the purpose Ezra taking the second wave of Israelites back to Jerusalem?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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During the seventh year of king Artaxerxes’ reign, Ezra brought the second wave of Israelites return to Jerusalem.
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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.
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Ezra called on the Levites to return to Jerusalem to serve in the temple.
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Ezra refused the protection from Artaxerxes’ soldiers but fasted and petitioned to God for protection.
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The hand of God protected them from enemies and bandits along the way.
Meditation: My Story
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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 did Ezra’s faith remind me?
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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
Week 68 Day 4: Repent for Sins ⇧ ⇩
Question
How did Ezra lead all Israel to repent for their sins?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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The Israelites in Jerusalem, including Levites and priests, married gentiles and strayed away from God.
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When Ezra heard this, he tore his tunic and cloak, pulled his hair from head and beard, and sat appalled. Everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel gathered around Ezra fell on their knees with hands spread out to the Lord their God and prayed to repent their sins and guilt.
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They encouraged Ezra to make a covenant with God to send away the foreign women whom they have married and their children. Ezra and all Israel took oath.
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All Israel gathered in Jerusalem within three days. Ezra proclaimed the sins they have committed and led the way to repent to God. All people, greatly distressed, send their officials to act for the assembly, until the fierce anger of God in this matter had turned away.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - Seventy years had span from the rebuilding of the temple to the second returning. Those in Jerusalem likely were the second generation of those who were in the first returning. They have forgotten their identity as God’s chosen people, married foreign women and strayed away from God. Perhaps it was caused by the circumstances, or perhaps their parents did not teach them God’s word. Am I committing the same mistake and compromising with the circumstances? Am I ignoring my responsibility to lead the next generation?
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Integrity - After Ezra led the assembly in prayer and repentance, they spent several months and series of actions to deal with their sins. How is this reminding me of my sins? After praying in repentance, what actions do I take to deal with my sins?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Week 68 Day 5: Rebuilding the Wall ⇧ ⇩
Question
How did Nehemiah start rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Nehemiah fasted and prayed for the land of his ancestors.
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King Artaxerxes let Nehemiah to go back to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall.
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Nehemiah inspected Jerusalem saw its wall lies in ruins and its gates have been burned with fire.
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Nehemiah called the people to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - Nehemiah heard about the wall of Jerusalem and fasted and prayed. What attitude can I see from him toward his country and people? Do I prioritize serving God higher than my own needs?
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Fidelity - Nehemiah was a leader and did not act in recklessness. What spiritual principles can I learn from him? How may I apply what I learned in my daily life and service?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Week 68 Day 6: Rebuilding the Gates ⇧ ⇩
Question
How did the people work together to rebuild the wall?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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The people worked together to rebuild the gates in order.
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Sanballat became angry and was greatly incensed when he heard that the Israelites were rebuilding the wall.
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Sanballat plotted to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it.
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The enemies did not come when they heard that the Israelites were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - Sanballat was incensed when he heard about the Israelite’s plan. Am I discouraged by my own weakness? How may I be strengthened and encouraged?
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Fidelity - Rebuilding the wall is a long and arduous process. But it was rebuilt in fifty-two days. What does work sharing means to God’s kingdom? Are the challenges remaining in my co-working with others?