Weekly Guide：Week 69
May 19, 2019
Forward
We continue to read the book of Nehemiah this week. The attacks from their enemies escalated when Nehemiah’s plan was going well. The Israelites worked in the daytime and took on defensive positions at night. They had to bear arms when went out for water. We often have to work relentlessly when we are in pursuit of something valuable. Going backward is not a meaningful choice when facing challenges, but success is brought by perseverance.
Those who persevere will be saved. It is not that they are never under pressure or without doubts, but from the Holy Spirit, they receive the strength to continue. Persevere in faith, in His word, to build on a solid and unshakable foundation, to hold fast the original believe, would be victorious in Christ.
May you all be renewed each day in God’s word!
Question
What was the reaction of all surrounding nations when the wall was completed?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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The people raised a great outcry against their fellow Jews because they are living in poverty.
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Nehemiah was very angry when he heard this outcry.
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For the twelve years Nehemiah was appointed the governor in the land of Judah, he never ate the food allotted to the governor.
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When the enemies heard Nehemiah had rebuilt the wall, they schemed to harm him.
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The wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days.
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When all enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of God.
Meditation: My Story
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Community - Nehemiah accused the nobles and the officials that they were charging their own people’s interest. May we tell the truth with love to those who are doing things not pleasing the Lord? What do I need to be careful about?
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Fidelity - Nehemiah was responsible and diligent in his service because he understood the importance of his ministry. How do I value my own service?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What did Nehemiah do after the completion of reconstructing the wall?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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After the wall had been rebuilt and doors were set in place, the gatekeepers, the musicians and the Levites were appointed.
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Hanani and Hananiah the commander of the citadel were put in charge of Jerusalem. Hanani was a man of integrity and feared God more than most people do.
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God put it into Nehemiah’s heart to assemble the nobles, the officials and the common people for registration by families.
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The whole company numbered 42,360.
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The list of some heads of the families contributed to the work.
Meditation: My Story
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Community - To rebuild the wall, Nehemiah assembled the people to unify them and bought them to become one. We need to be aware that serving is not just to get things done, but to build relationships in constructing Christ’s body. What can I learn from this?
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Fidelity - What was Nehemiah’s criteria to put Hanani in charge? What can I learn from this?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
Why did all the people come together?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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In the seventh month, Ezra read aloud the Law before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.
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Nehemiah and Ezra said to the people: “This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
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The whole company built temporary shelters and lived in them. They celebrated the festival for seven days, and on the eighth day, in accordance with the regulation, there was an assembly.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - What were the people’s reaction when Ezra praised the Lord, the great God? When I worship, do I shout out amen from within my heart?
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Identity - Why did the people weep when they listened to the word of the Lord? Why did they celebrate in great joy later? Have I experienced similar feeling when worshiping God?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How did the Israelites make a covenant with God?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and putting dust on their heads. They confessed their sins and the sins of their ancestors.
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The Levites praised the Lord that He created everything and delivered Israel time after time.
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They confessed their sins against the Lord.
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In view of all this, they made a binding agreement, put it in writing, and affixed their seals to it.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - Why did the people fast? What does it mean for the confession of their sins? Through prayers, do I have a better understanding of my spiritual identity and original sins?
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Identity - What does it mean to Israelites’ understanding of God by looking back in history? Do I often look at God’s blessing from the past so I may know better God’s will?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What commitments did the Israelites make to the Lord?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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List of those who sealed the agreement.
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The rest of the people who separated themselves for the sake of the Law of God, all bond themselves with a curse and an oath, to follow
the Law of God given through Moses and to obey carefully all the commands, regulations and decrees of the Lord.
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They assumed the responsibility for carrying out the commands to give a third of a shekel each year for the service of the house of God.
Meditation: My Story
- Integrity - After fasting and sealing the agreement, the Israelites bond themselves with curse and oath to marriages, sabbath, offerings. Let me do a reality check of my commitment to my own spiritual growth.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How were the Israelites dispersed in Jerusalem and other cities?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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The leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem. The rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of every ten of them to live in Jerusalem, while the remaining nine were to stay in their own towns.
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The people of Judah and the Benjamites lived in the villages with their fields.
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The account of the priests and Levites who returned with Zerubbabel.
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At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the people celebrated joyfully with songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps and lyres.
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Judah was pleased with the ministering priests and Levites, contributed the daily portions for the musicians and the gatekeepers. They also set aside the portion for the other Levites, and the Levites set aside the portion for the descendants of Aaron.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - Who must live in Jerusalem? Those leaders have the burden of protecting the people’s safety. What can I learn from that?
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Fidelity - What did the Israelites emphasize on at the dedication of the wall? Do I view importantly the holidays in remembrance of the Lord Jesus Christ, such as the Good Friday and Easter? Why?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Scripture Reading
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How was he reign of king Rehoboam?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him but consulted the young men and brought hardship to Israelites.
+ When all Israel saw that the king refused to listen to them, they all went home.
+ God prohibited Rehoboam to fight against Jeroboam.
+ The priests and Levites from all their districts throughout Israel sided with Rehoboam.
+ Rehoboam had wives and children.
+ After Rehoboam's position as king was established and he had become strong, he and all Israel with him abandoned the law of the Lord.
+ Because they had been unfaithful to the Lord, Shishak king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem in the fifth year of King Rehoboam.
+ Shishak carried off the treasures of the temple of the Lord and the treasures of the royal palace. He took everything, including the gold shields Solomon had made.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Rehoboam abandoned God when he had become strong. What was he leaning on? How may I avoid being complacent in my abundantly fulfilled life?
+ **Community** - Facing the Israelites' request, Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him but consulted the young men. What warning do I see in this?
+ **Community** - God prohibited Rehoboam to fight against fellow Israelites. Do I have quarrel with my fellow Christians? What is God's point of view on this? Can I obey God's will?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How was Abijah son of Rehoboam's reigning as king?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ In the eighteenth year of the reign of Jeroboam, Abijah became king of Judah. There was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.
+ God routed Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.
+ Jeroboam did not regain power during the time of Abijah. And the Lord struck him down and he died.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - Was king Abijah serving the Lord with all his heart and all his soul? What part of his life was pleasing to the Lord and what wasn't?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How was Asa's life?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Abijah's son Asa succeeded him as king, and in his days the country was at peace for ten years. Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God.
+ Zerah the Cushite marched out against Judah, Asa went out to meet him and the Lord struck down the Cushites before Asa and Judah.
+ Azariah exhorted to Asa, Judah, and Benjamites to obey God. Asa accepted.
+ Asa removed the detestable idols from the whole land of Judah and Benjamin and from the towns he had captured in the hills of Ephraim. He repaired the altar of the Lord that was in front of the portico of the Lord's temple.
+ King Asa also deposed his grandmother Maakah from her position as queen mother, because she had made a repulsive image for the worship of Asherah.
+ In the thirty-sixth year of Asa's reign Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah. Asa sought help from Ben-Hadad king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus.
+ Hanani the seer rebuked Asa for relying on the king of Aram and not on the Lord. Asa was angry with the seer and brutally oppressed some of the people.
+ In the forty-first year of his reign Asa died.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord by removing idols and obeying God's laws. What idols do I need to remove from my life? What laws do I need to remind myself to obey?
+ **Integrity** - Hanani rebuked Asa but Asa did not take it well. How may I accept the criticisms and warnings from others? Would I hate them for their criticisms and retaliate?
+ **Integrity** - There were stages in Asa's life. He sinned in his old age that brought about the judgment. What warning do I see in this? How may I stay on the path of Christ's salvation, not veering left or right?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What did Jehoshaphat do in the third year of his reign?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Jehoshaphat his son succeeded him as king and strengthened himself against Israel.
+ In the third year of his reign he sent his officials taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord to teach people in the towns of Judah.
+ The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah, so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat but paid tributes.
+ Jehoshaphat had great wealth and honor, and he allied himself with Ahab king of Israel by marriage.
+ Ahab urged Jehoshaphat to attack Ramoth Gilead together. Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel to first seek the counsel of the Lord through the prophets.
+ The messenger who had gone to summon Micaiah asked him to speak favorably. But Micaiah spoke only the word of the Lord to warn Ahab.
+ Ahab put Micaiah in prison and made him suffer.
+ The king of Israel entered the battle in disguise but was shot dead by a random arrow.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - In what stage of Jehoshaphat's life did he ally with Ahab? What can I learn from that? How should I treat the wealth God has given me?
+ **Fidelity** - Jehoshaphat prepared himself against Israel and obeyed God, followed His law. What can I learn from Jehoshaphat of the relationship between my own responsibilities and God's work?
+ **Fidelity** - Jehoshaphat motivated many of his officials to teach people with the Book of the Law of the Lord. How may I co-work by my fellow Christians to encourage all people to read Bible and to grow spiritually?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What new policies did Jehoshaphat put in place in Judah?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Jehoshaphat returned safely to Jerusalem. Jehu the seer son of Hanani exhorted Jehoshaphat that he should not have helped the wicked.
+ Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and he went out again among the people and turned them back to the Lord, the God of their ancestors.
+ In Jerusalem, Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites, priests and heads of Israelite families to administer the law of the Lord and to settle disputes.
+ The Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to wage war against Jehoshaphat. Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. Jehoshaphat stood up at the temple of the Lord in the front of the new courtyard and prayed.
+ Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel son of Zechariah and told them "not to be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army, for the battle is not yours but God's.
+ Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.
+ The fear of God came on all the surrounding kingdoms when they heard how the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel.
+ Jehoshaphat reigned in Jerusalem twenty-five years. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. The high places, however, were not removed, and the people still had not set their hearts on the God of their ancestors.
+ Jehoshaphat king of Judah made an alliance with Ahaziah king of Israel, whose ways were wicked. The Lord would destroy their ships.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Read again Jehoshaphat's prayer when he faced the enemies. What can I learn from that?
+ **Fidelity** - Jehoshaphat's reform of his governance was to follow God's standard. How does this inspire me? What attitude and knowledge should I have on the politics and laws of the world?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What disasters did Jehoram bring to Judah during the eight years of his reign?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Jehoram succeeded Jehoshaphat as king. When Jehoram established himself firmly over his father's kingdom, he put all his brothers to the sword along with some of the officials of Israel. He reigned in Jerusalem eight years and did evil in the eyes of the Lord.
+ In the time of Jehoram, Edom rebelled against Judah. Libnah revolted at the same time, because Jehoram had forsaken the Lord, the God of his ancestors.
+ He had also built high places on the hills of Judah and had caused the people of Jerusalem to prostitute themselves and had led Judah astray.
+ Jehoram received a letter from Elijah the prophet to warn him of the Lord's judgment.
+ The Philistines and of the Arabs who lived near the Cushites became hostile against Jehoram. His bowels came out because of the disease, and he died in great pain.
+ Ahaziah, Jehoram's youngest son, succeeded him as king and reigned in Jerusalem one year. His mother encouraged him to act wickedly.
+ Ahaziah went visit Jehoram and was killed by Jehu.
+ When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family of the house of Judah. Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram, hid Joash son of Ahaziah at the temple of God for six years.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Although Jehoram's grew up in the house of Jehoshaphat, his father, who did right in the eyes of the Lord but Jehoram did evil in the eyes of the Lord. Do our children who grew up in Christian families truly know and seek God?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What did the prophet ask for from the Lord?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The Lord has a case against His people: My people, what have I done to you?
+ The Lord has shown you what is good. To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
+ Your tongues speak deceitfully, therefore, I have begun to destroy you. You will plant but not harvest.
+ The prophet laments the righteous have been swept from the land, all hands are skilled in doing evil.
+ The prophet watches in hope for the Lord, waits for God.
+ Plead to God to shepherd His people. There's no one like God, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance and does not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.
+ The Lord will again have compassion on us, will tread our sins underfoot, will be faithful to Jacob, and show love to Abraham.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Fidelity** - He has shown us what is good. To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with God. How shall I know God's will from His mercy and righteousness? How am I being humble in my service?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Why was Nineveh being judged?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ A prophecy concerning Nineveh.
+ The Lord is a jealous and avenging God. The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished.
+ The Lord is good but with an overwhelming flood he will make an end of Nineveh; He will pursue His foes into the realm of darkness.
+ Nineveh is like a pool whose water is draining away.
+ Woe to the city of blood.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Although they have allies and are numerous, they will be destroyed and pass away. Looking at the world surrounding me, how do I see God's plan unfolding?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Habakkuk's life change through his conversion with God?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Prophet Habakkuk calls on the Lord for help, but He does not listen. He cries out violence to the Lord but He does not save.
+ The Lord raising up the Babylonians as judgment.
+ Habakkuk asked the Lord, why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?
+ The Lord answers, the righteous person will live by his faithfulness, but woe to him who builds his house by unjust gain, gives drink to his neighbors till they are drunk, trusts idols of his own creation that cannot speak.
+ Habakkuk stand in awe of the Lord's deed, waits patiently for the day of calamity. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to tread on the heights.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Habakkuk truthfully asked the Lord of his doubt and continued to seek answers until he could understand. How does a prayer like this inspire me?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
To whom did Zephaniah prophesy to?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The word of the Lord that came to Zephaniah during the reign of Josiah king of Judah.
+ The Lord will stretch out His hand against Judah and against all who live in Jerusalem. He will destroy every remnant of Baal worship in this place.
+ The day of the Lord is near, He will punish the officials and the king's sons.
+ That day will be a day of wrath, a day of distress, and a day of battle cry against the fortified cities and against corner towers.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the Lord's wrath. What do I value the most? What do I lean on?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What happens to God's people after His judgment on them?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Advised those who are humble of the land, who do what He commands, see righteousness, seek humility; perhaps they will be sheltered on the day of the Lord's anger.
+ Canaan, land of the Philistines, I will destroy you, and none will be left.
+ Moab will become like Sodom, the Ammonites like Gomorrah-a place of weeds and salt pits, a wasteland forever.
+ You Cushites, too, will be slain by my sword. I will stretch out my hand against the north and destroy Assyria, leaving Nineveh utterly desolate and dry as the desert.
+ Woe to the city of oppressors, rebellious and defiled!
+ Israel, wait for me, declares the Lord, for the day I will stand up to testify.
+ The Lord will purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord and serve Him shoulder to shoulder.
+ Sing, Daughter Zion; shout aloud, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem!
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - The Lord points out the four sins of Jerusalem: obeys no one, accepts no correction, does not trust in the Lord, does not draw near to God. Reflect on myself, do I listen to God or myself? Do I accept correction when straying away? Do I lean on Him or on my own ability? Am I close to God and looking up to His glory?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What were the reasons people did not want to build the temple?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The prophet Haggai dispute the people for delaying the construction of the temple. Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?
+ Give careful thought to your ways. Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build my house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored.
+ The Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel, the spirit of Joshua, and the spirit of the whole remnant of the people. They came and began to work on the house of the Lord Almighty, their God.
+ The Lord says: In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house, and in this place I will grant peace.
+ The Lord rebukes the unclean offering which has caused failures prior to temple construction.
+ The Lord has chosen Zerubbabel and made him His signet ring.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Before construction of the temple, the people have planted much, but harvested little. They ate, but never have enough. They drank, but never have their fill. They put on clothes but were not warm. They earned wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it. When God is not the center of our lives, this is our Spiritual life, never fulfilled. Where does my fulfillment come from? How is God the center of my life?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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Prayer
Notes and Responses