Weekly Guide：Week 70
May 26, 2019
Forward
We will complete the reading of the Book of Nehemiah this week and start on the Book of Esther.
Nehemiah dedicated the wall and all people were in great joy. The greatest joy of life is not the fulfillment of material desires as it cannot be forever satisfied in what is gained and will always be lost. Only the joy from sacrificing to God gives us the eternal memory for He enables us to be joyous in the midst of all difficulties and struggles. It is holy and pleasing to God to offer, to let go, and to commit ourselves to Him. The sound of joy in Jerusalem can be heard in faraway lands and our joy can bring those who are lost.
May you all be renewed each day in God’s word.
Question
What purification work did Nehemiah do in Jerusalem?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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No Ammonite or Moabite should ever be admitted into the assembly of God.
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Eliashib provided Tobiah with a large room in the temple. Nehemiah was greatly displeased and threw all Tobiah’s household goods out of the room.
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Nehemiah saw people in Judah treading winepresses on the Sabbath and bringing in all kinds of loads into Jerusalem on the Sabbath. Nehemiah warned them against selling food on that day.
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Nehemiah rebuked those who married foreigners, made them take an oath in God’s name and said: “You are not to give your daughters in marriage to their sons, nor are you to take their daughters in marriage for your sons or for yourselves.”
Meditation: My Story
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Integrity - Israelites did not take care of the Levites, violated the Sabbath, married foreigners, and so on were offenses committed knowingly. Am I doing some inappropriate things knowingly?
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Fidelity - The people committed offenses when Nehemiah was away from Jerusalem. What responsibility does a leader have toward the people? In correcting the people’s behavior, how did Nehemiah’s action inspire me?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How was Esther selected as queen?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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In the third year of King Xerxes reign in the citadel of Susa, he gave a banquet for all his nobles and officials.
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When the attendants delivered the king’s command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger.
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Vashti was removed from her position as queen.
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Xerxes searched for beautiful young virgins and Esther was taken to the king’s palace.
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Esther was taken to King Xerxes in the royal residence and the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, so he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.
Meditation: My Story
- Identity - If Vashti did not disobey the king’s command, would the Israelite be saved in later day? God’s mind is higher than our own. Am I willing to see God’s work in everything I encounter?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How did the possibility of annihilation come about to the Jews?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Mordecai reported the conspiracy of two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway. All this was recorded in the book of the annals in the presence of the king.
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Because Mordecai would not kneel down or pay honor to Haman, he was enraged and looked for a way to destroy all Jews.
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Haman advised King Xerxes to issue a decree to destroy all Jews while he would give ten thousand talents of silver to the king. The king said to Haman to do with the people as he pleased.
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They wrote out commands in the name of King Xerxes to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews, and to plunder their goods.
Meditation: My Story
- Identity - Mordecai insisted on not kneeling down to Haman, upholding his principle and not to subjugate himself to the social norm. What struggle did Mordecai experience? Can I not submit myself to the society for the truth?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
Who could change the fate of the Jews?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Mordecai tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, wailing loudly and bitterly.
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Mordecai instructed Esther to go into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people.
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Esther asked all the Jews: “To fast for three days. When this is done, I would go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”
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When the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand.
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Haman set up a pole in preparation to kill Mordecai.
Meditation: My Story
- Fidelity - Mordecai asked Esther to risk her life to help him. Why didn’t he ask God to help? How does God prepare us for the struggles we face today with questions like this?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How was the Jews rescued by miracles?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Through chronicle, the King learned of Mordecai’s honor and recognition he did not receive.
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The king ordered Haman to robe Mordecai, lead him on the horse through the city streets, and proclaiming before him, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!”
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The king asked Esther what her petition and request were. Esther asked the king to save the Jews.
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The king impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - Haman conspired to kill Mordecai but ended up in giving him the honor and recognition. What do I think about this surprising outcome? How should I view God’s control of my life?
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Identity - Esther did not speak for the Jews immediately but waited for the next day when the king asked her. How would the outcome be different if she had done otherwise? Am I willing to wait for God’s timing?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What great honor did Mordecai get?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman. Esther appointed Mordecai over Haman’s estate.
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Esther asked the king to overrule the dispatches that Haman had sent out. The king’s edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate the armed men of any nationality or province who might attack them and their women and children, and to plunder the property of their enemies.
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The city of Susa held a joyous celebration for Mordecai.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - The thirteenth day of the month of Adar turned from a day of annihilation into a day of retribution. How do I view suffering under God’s control?
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Fidelity - For the welfare of the Jews, Esther and Mordecai were not satisfied with honor, recognition, and Haman’s execution. Am I willing to other’s needs above mine and seek each other’s blessings?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Scripture Reading
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Why did Joash behave differently before and after Jehoiada's death?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Jehoiada showed his strength. He made a covenant with the heads of Israelite families from all the towns and made Joash king.
+ Athaliah was slain at the entrance of the Horse Gate on the palace grounds.
+ Jehoiada then made a covenant that he, the people and the king would be the Lord's people.
+ Joash was seven years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem forty years. Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years of Jehoiada the priest.
+ Joash decided to restore the temple of the Lord.
+ After the death of Jehoiada, Joash abandoned the temple of the Lord, the God of their ancestors, and worshiped Asherah poles and idols.
+ Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest warned the people but was stoned to death by Joash's order.
+ The army of Aram marched against Joash, killed all the leaders of the people. Joash was severely wounded and his officials conspired against and killed him in his bed.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Community** - Why did Joash become a different person after Jehoiada's death? Has God sent someone faithful to mentor or guide me?
+ **Fidelity** - Jehoiada believed firmly in the Lord's promises which gave him the strength to bring up Joash as king. How does this inspire me of my faith and servitude?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Why does God judge Edom?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The vision came to Obadiah from the Lord about Edom, I will make you small among the nations; you will be utterly despised.
+ Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame; you will be destroyed forever.
+ The day of the Lord is near for all nations. Your deeds will return upon your own head.
+ But on Mount Zion will be deliverance; it will be holy, and Jacob will possess his inheritance.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, 'Who can bring me down to the ground?' Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down, declares the Lord. Am I deceived by my pride? How does God's judgment to Edom alert me?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What transpired as result of Amaziah's not being wholehearted?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Amaziah reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not wholeheartedly.
+ Amaziah hired a hundred thousand fighting men from Israel but was stopped by a man of God.
+ Amaziah led his army to the Valley of Salt, where he killed ten thousand men of Seir. He brought back the gods of the people of Seir and set them up as his own gods.
+ Amaziah sent challenge to Jehoash king of Israel. Judah was routed by Israel.
+ Some conspired against him in Jerusalem and he fled to Lachish, but they sent men after him to Lachish and killed him there.
+ Uzziah reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.
+ But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God. He had leprosy on his forehead until the day he died. Jotham his son had charge of the palace and governed the people of the land.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - What was Amaziah's downfall? Where was he not wholehearted? What warning do I see in his failure?
+ **Integrity** - Uzziah's pride came about from his successes. How may I not fall by my successes?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Why did Jonah run to Tarshish to hide from the Lord?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The word of the Lord came to Jonah to go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it.
+ But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish.
+ Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea. The sailor threw Jonah overboard, and the raging sea grew calm.
+ Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
+ From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God and the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.
+ Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, commanded him to go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message the Lord gave him. Jonah obeyed.
+ Jonah began by going a day's journey into the city, proclaiming: Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.
+ The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.
+ But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. The Lord used a leafy plant as parable of His love for His people.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - The Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, the Lord relents and does not bring on His people the disaster. This is such a comforting truth because when we repent to the Lord, we have already pleased Him. Thank you Lord!
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Isaiah rebuke the people of Judah and Jerusalem?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
+ Isaiah rebuked the people that they have forsaken the Lord; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him.
+ The Lord dislikes meaningless offerings and hates worthless assemblies.
+ Encourage people to wash and make themselves clean. Take away evil deeds; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice.
+ The faithful city has become a prostitute! Dwell in her the murderers! Zion will be delivered with justice, but rebels and sinners will both be broken.
+ In the last days the mountain of the Lord's temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - What does the Lord dislike and hate? What does this remind me of how I worship the Lord?
+ **Integrity** - The words Isaiah used to rebuke the people for forsaking the Lord are shocking. Do I need the same warnings so that I don't sin like the Israelites at the time?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Isaiah rebuke the people of Judah and Jerusalem?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The Lord abandoned the descendants of Jacob because they are full of superstitions from the East; they embrace pagan customs.
+ The Lord Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted. The idols will totally disappear. He is about to take from Jerusalem and Judah both supply and support.
+ The Lord rises to judge the people. The Lord enters into judgment against the elders and leaders of his people and woe to the haughty women.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - List out the people's sins in the passage and compare to today's society. What are we sinning against the Lord today?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What was Zechariah's mission?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The Lord told Israel to turn to Him through the prophet Zechariah.
+ Zechariah has a vision of a man mounted on a red horse who has gone throughout the earth.
+ The angel asked the Lord, how long will you withhold mercy? The Lord spoke kind and comforting words to the angel.
+ Zechariah saw four horns that scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.
+ Zechariah saw a man with a measuring line in his hand to measure Jerusalem, to find out how wide and how long it is.
+ Flee from the land of the north, for I have scattered you to the four winds of heaven, declares the Lord.
+ Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - The Lord told Israel to not be like their ancestors, but to turn from their evil ways and evil practices. Am I hearing God's voice in Bible? Am I willing to turn from my evil ways and evil practices?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What was Zechariah's vision of the golden lampstand?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him.
+ The Lord says, I am going to bring my servant, the Branch.
+ Zechariah saw a solid gold lampstand and two olive trees by it.
+ The lampstand is the Spirit of the Lord, the two olive trees are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth.
+ The flying scroll, twenty cubits long and ten cubits wide, is the curse that is going out over the whole land.
+ The cover of lead was raised, and there in the basket sat a woman. This is wickedness.
+ Four chariots coming out from between two mountains-mountains of bronze.
+ The Lord ordered a crown made of silver and gold to be set on the head of Joshua, to indicate the temple will be built.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - The Lord almighty says, not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit. Am I still leaning on my own might and power or the Spirit of the Lord Almighty?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Why was the Lord determined to do good to Israel?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The people of Bethel entreat the Lord and ask Him if they should mourn and fast in the fifth month, as they have done for so many years.
+ The Lord was not pleased when they fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months because it was not for Him.
+ The Lord called but they did not listen. He scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations, where they were strangers.
+ The Lord will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem.
+ The Lord has determined to do good again to Jerusalem and Judah. Do not be afraid.
+ The fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah. Therefore love truth and peace.
+ Many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the Lord Almighty and to entreat Him.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Community** - The Lord wants Israel to administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other. Am I obeying His will?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How do the Lord's righteousness and victory come to Jerusalem?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The Lord's judgment will come to the land of Hadrak and Damascus.
+ Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious.
+ Because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit.
+ Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime. He gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the field to everyone.
+ I will strengthen Judah and save the tribes of Joseph. I will restore them.
+ Listen to the wail of the shepherds; their rich pastures are destroyed! Zechariah shepherded the flock marked for slaughter. He took two staff and called one Favor and the other Union.
+ He broke the staff called Favor, revoking the covenant he had made with all the nations. Then he broke the second staff called Union, breaking the family bond between Judah and Israel.
+ The Lord commanded Zechariah to take again the equipment of a foolish shepherd. For He was going to raise up a shepherd over the land who will not care for the lost but will eat the meat of the choice sheep.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - The Lord will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. How does this promise influence my life?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Foreword
We will complete reading the last of the Books of the Minor Prophets, the Book of Malachi. Then, on Thursday, we'll start on the beginning of the last part of the two-year Bible reading plan: Gospel of John, Epistle of John, and Book of Revelation.
This mini-series is the summary of gospel, from salvation, to sanctification, to glory. Hope you will all find the key to our life's transformation by gospel and root our life deep in the word of God.
May you all be renewed in God's word each day!
### Question
How does the Lord save Israel?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The Lord is going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling.
+ When all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, the Lord will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves.
+ The Lord will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on the Lord.
+ On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity.
+ The Lord will banish the names of the idols from the land.
+ The sword will strike. Two-thirds will be struck down and perish; yet one-third will be left in it.
+ Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations.
+ On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives.
+ The Lord will be king over the whole earth.
+ The Lord will send plague to strike all the nations that fought against Jerusalem.
+ The survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord Almighty, and to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - The Lord will put the remnant of Israel into the fire; Refine them like silver and test them like gold. God is watching over all suffering Christians, to grow our lives, and to refine us with the tests of fire. How shall I pray for all those who are suffering?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did the priests show contempt for the Lord's name?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Malachi rebukes Israel for forgetting God's blessing.
+ The Lord rebukes the priests for showing contempt for His name.
+ They say the Lord's table is defiled and its food is contemptible.
+ If they do not listen, the Lord will send a curse on them, and will curse their blessings.
+ Judah has desecrated the sanctuary the Lord loves by marrying women who worship a foreign god.
+ The Lord testifies that the Israel have been unfaithful to their wives.
+ They have wearied the Lord with their words.
+ The Lord will soon send His messenger, who will prepare the way before Him. But who can endure the day of His coming?
+ The Lord will come to put them on trial.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Community** - God seeks Godly offspring. So be on our guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of our youth. Let me pray for my spouse, family, children, so the state of our relationship pleases the Lord and glorifies His holiness.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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Prayer
Notes and Responses