Weekly Guide：Week 71
June 02, 2019
Forward
We’ll complete reading the Book of Esther this week and begin to read the Book of Isaiah.
The important message from the Book of Esther is that God is in control of the history, He selects and prepares His people for His plan, and executes and completes it with His own timing. Haman conspired to murder Mordecai and even to destroy and annihilate the Jews due to his jealousy and hatred. The decree was sent to every corner of the kingdom and the air was filled with sadness and hopelessness. But God never stops working and He turns around the impossible: A somber overture transitioned into a miraculous climax; the one who setup the pole became the one impaled onto the pole. The devil was defeated in the face of God and those who love God cannot be conquered. God came into the scene when man could see only the gloomy end. The salvation of the cross is the hope in hopelessness.
My you all be renewed every day in God word.
Question
How did the Jews kill and destroy those who hated them?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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On the thirteenth day of the Adar month, the Jews got the upper hand over those who hated them. In the citadel of Susa, the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men and the ten sons of Haman.
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Mordecai wrote to the Jews to have them celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, their sorrow turned into joy and their mourning into celebration. The days are as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor.
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Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.
Meditation: My Story
- Fidelity - The Jews assembled and fought together to turn sorrow into joy. God’s protection is in His miraculous plan but we also need to do our part and work together to fend off our enemies. Are we still lacking in any area of our defense? How may I pray for it?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How did Isaiah rebuke the people of Judah and Jerusalem?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
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Isaiah rebuked the people that they have forsaken the Lord; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him.
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The Lord dislikes meaningless offerings and hates worthless assemblies.
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Encourage people to wash and make themselves clean. Take away evil deeds; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice.
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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.
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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
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Identity - What does the Lord dislike and hate? What does this remind me of how I worship the Lord?
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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
What would it be like on the day of the Lord?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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The Lord abandoned the descendants of Jacob because they are full of superstitions from the East; they embrace pagan customs.
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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.
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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
Question
Why did the Lord’s vineyard yield bad fruit?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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After judgment, the branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious, the Lord will wash away the filth of the women of Zion; He will cleanse by a spirit of judgment.
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In the vineyard on a fertile hillside, He looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit.
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The vineyard of the Lord is the nation of Israel, and the people of Judah are the vines he delighted in. And he looked for justice, but saw bloodshed.
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Woe to you who add house to house and join field to field till no space is left and you live alone in the land. Woe to those who draw sin along with cords of deceit, and wickedness as with cart ropes.
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The Lord will whistle for those at the ends of the earth, to come to plunder the people.
Meditation: My Story
- Integrity - Do I find in today’s church the tyranny and injustice in the vineyard parable? Am I being insensitive? What is our current situation?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How was Isaiah commissioned by the Lord?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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In the year that King Uzziah died, Isaiah saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne. Above him were seraphim.
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Isaiah thought of woe to himself for he knew he was a man of unclean lips and live among a people of unclean lips.
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The seraphim flew to him with a live coal and with it he touched his mouth to take away his sin.
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Isaiah answered the Lord’s calling.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - Isaiah though of his own sin in front of the holy throne of the Lord. How do we, the believers in the age of the New Testament, feel differently from him? Why?
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Fidelity - Isaiah said: “Here am I. Send me!” to answer the Lord’s calling. Am I ready to answer God the same way? What would stop me from doing so?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What did Isaiah prophesy of the fate of the two kings who were to attack Jerusalem?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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When Ahaz was king of Judah, King Rezin of Aram and king Pekah of Israel marched up to fight against Jerusalem.
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The Lord said to Isaiah and his son Shear-Jashub to tell Ahaz: “Be careful, keep calm and don’t be afraid.”
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The Lord spoke to Ahaz: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” A sign the two kings of Aram and Israel would be rejected.
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The Lord foretold: “The wealth of Damascus and the plunder of Samaria will be carried off by the king of Assyria.”
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The Lord told Isaiah: “The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, He is the one you are to fear, He is the one you are to dread. For both Israel and Judah He will be a stone that causes people to stumble.”
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People should inquire of their God, not consult with mediums and spiritists.
Meditation: My Story
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Identity - Facing his enemies, Ahaz was told by the Lord to keep calm and don’t be afraid. Can I do the same when facing my enemies because of the Lord’s promises?
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Identity - Facing difficulties, people often consult with mediums and spiritists. When I face difficulties, would I panic and ask everywhere for help? What would be the cause of my lack of faith?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Scripture Reading
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Why did the Lord's vineyard yield bad fruit?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ After judgment, the branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious, the Lord will wash away the filth of the women of Zion; He will cleanse by a spirit of judgment.
+ In the vineyard on a fertile hillside, He looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit.
+ The vineyard of the Lord is the nation of Israel, and the people of Judah are the vines he delighted in. And he looked for justice, but saw bloodshed.
+ Woe to you who add house to house and join field to field till no space is left and you live alone in the land. Woe to those who draw sin along with cords of deceit, and wickedness as with cart ropes.
+ The Lord will whistle for those at the ends of the earth, to come to plunder the people.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - Do I find in today's church the tyranny and injustice in the vineyard parable? Am I being insensitive? What is our current situation?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How was Isaiah commissioned by the Lord?
{% include BibleLinks2022.html %}
### Meditation: God's Story
+ In the year that King Uzziah died, Isaiah saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne. Above him were seraphim.
+ Isaiah thought of woe to himself for he knew he was a man of unclean lips and live among a people of unclean lips.
+ The seraphim flew to him with a live coal and with it he touched his mouth to take away his sin.
+ Isaiah answered the Lord's calling.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Isaiah though of his own sin in front of the holy throne of the Lord. How do we, the believers in the age of the New Testament, feel differently from him? Why?
+ **Fidelity** - Isaiah said: "Here am I. Send me!" to answer the Lord's calling. Am I ready to answer God the same way? What would stop me from doing so?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What did Isaiah prophesy of the fate of the two kings who were to attack Jerusalem?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ When Ahaz was king of Judah, King Rezin of Aram and king Pekah of Israel marched up to fight against Jerusalem.
+ The Lord said to Isaiah and his son Shear-Jashub to tell Ahaz: "Be careful, keep calm and don't be afraid."
+ The Lord spoke to Ahaz: "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." A sign the two kings of Aram and Israel would be rejected.
+ The Lord foretold: "The wealth of Damascus and the plunder of Samaria will be carried off by the king of Assyria."
+ The Lord told Isaiah: "The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, He is the one you are to fear, He is the one you are to dread. For both Israel and Judah He will be a stone that causes people to stumble."
+ People should inquire of their God, not consult with mediums and spiritists.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Facing his enemies, Ahaz was told by the Lord to keep calm and don't be afraid. Can I do the same when facing my enemies because of the Lord's promises?
+ **Identity** - Facing difficulties, people often consult with mediums and spiritists. When I face difficulties, would I panic and ask everywhere for help? What would be the cause of my lack of faith?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What nations does the Lord sand His judgment from Zion?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The vision Amos saw concerning Israel came when Jeroboam was king of Israel.
+ The Lord roars from Zion; the pastures of the shepherds dry up, and the top of Carmel withers.
+ For three sins of Damascus, even for four, I will not relent.
+ For three sins of Gaza, even for four, I will not relent. I will turn my hand against Ekron, till the last of the Philistines are dead.
+ For three sins of Tyre, even for four, I will not relent.
+ For three sins of Edom, even for four, I will not relent.
+ For three sins of Ammon, even for four, I will not relent.
+ For three sins of Moab, even for four, I will not relent.
+ For three sins of Judah, even for four, I will not relent.
+ For three sins of Israel, even for four, I will not relent.
+ Judgment on Israel for they rebelled against the Lord and turned their back to His mercy.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - On the day of judgment, the swift will not escape, the strong will not muster their strength, and the warrior will not save his life. The archer will not stand his ground, the fleet-footed soldier will not get away, and the horseman will not save his life. Even the bravest warriors will flee naked on that day. Do I depend on my own ability or the grace of righteousness God has given me?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Why God punishes Israelites of their sins?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ God had chosen only Israel of all the families of the earth; therefore He will punish them for all their sins.
+ The Sovereign Lord has spoken-who can but prophesy?
+ The Lord warns the descendants of Jacob. On the day I punish Israel for her sins, I will destroy the altars of Bethel; the horns of the altar will be cut off and fall to the ground.
+ You cows of Bashan, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy. The time will sure come when you will be taken away with hooks.
+ Go to Bethel and sin; go to Gilgal and sin yet more.
+ God punished Israel with heavy penalties, and they still don't turn back to Him.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Because God's had chosen only Israel from all the families of the earth; He would punish them for all their sins. God loves His people so much that He put heavy emphasis on their cleanliness and holiness. How does this fact encourage and alert me?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question: What were Israel's sins?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Fallen is Virgin Israel, never to rise again, deserted in her own land, with no one to lift her up.
+ This is what the Lord says to Israel: Seek me and live.
+ I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them.
+ Woe to you who are complacent in Zion, and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaria, you notable men of the foremost nation, to whom the people of Israel come!
+ You will be among the first to go into exile; your feasting and lounging will end.
+ You rejoice in the conquest of Lo Debar and say: Did we not take Karnaim by our own strength?
+ The Lord God Almighty declares, I will stir up a nation against you.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Israelites rejoiced in the conquest of Lo Debar and said: Did we not take Karnaim by our own strength? God hates the proud but is graceful to the humble. Am I leaning on my own strength over God's?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How was Israel being arrogant against the Lord?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord. But the Israelites ask, how are we to return?
+ Israel are robbing the Lord in tithes and offerings.
+ Israel have spoken arrogantly against the Lord, for they said, it is futile to serve God, what do we gain by carrying out His requirements?
+ A scroll of remembrance was written in His presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored His name.
+ Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire.
+ Remember the law of Moses. I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Fidelity** - The Israelites said it is futile to serve the Lord, nothing is gain by carrying out His command. The Lord said this is arrogance. Have I complained in my services? Do I understand the benefit of obeying God's command?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did the birth of Jesus Christ realize God's promise?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Genealogy of Jesus is recorded in Matthew. He descended from Abraham and David. He was of royal identity (1:1-18).
+ Jesus was born of virgin Mary conceived by the Holy Spirit, as God promised (1:22-23).
+ The Maji from the east followed God to see Jesus (2:1-12).
+ Joseph led his family to Egypt to escape from Herod and later came back to Nazareth to live. All have been foretold by God's prophets (2:15-23).
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** - Every step of Jesus' birth fulfilled what God had said through His prophets. God's promises do not change because of man's weakness. Am I unable to let go of my worries? Let me see God's faithfulness, remember His promises, pray and ask Him to carry my burdens and take away my worries.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Jesus win over Satan's temptations?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ After Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, He came into scene in front of the Israelites.
+ Jesus got baptized in water then went into the wilderness for forty days to be tempted by Satan. This was analogous to the Israelites where they went through the Red Sea and then wondered for forty years in the wilderness. However, Lord Jesus Christ won over all of Satan's temptations whereas the Israelites failed time after time.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Walking with God** -Jesus faced same temptations as the Israelites: bodily necessities (food and water), testing God's will (Israelites went into Canaan without God), profit from Satan worshiping (golden calf, Baals). Israelites failed on all tests but Jesus won all with God's word. Jesus had set great examples for us to follow and be strengthened by Him so that we may win over temptations. What temptations have I won over through God? What temptations have I conceded to because I did not rely on God?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What did Jesus teach us about how we should live our lives?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Jesus called the first disciples: "Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people." Jesus traveled throughout Galilee to preach Gospel, to heal the sick, and to drive out evil spirits. Many followed Him.
+ Jesus preached to those who followed Him the Gospel from heaven which is the Sermon on the Mount (5:1-7:29). Today's reading covers 5:1-6:18 which includes the Beatitude (5:3-11), God's people's responsibility of being the salt and light of the world (5:12-16), how God's people should live their lives, and the true Godly spiritual life (6:1-18).
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - What is the true blessing? What blessings am I pursuing? How does Jesus' teaching help me change my view on blessings? From Jesus' teaching on what our daily and spiritual life ought to be, what changes do I need to ask God to help me on?
+ **Fidelity** - God's people are the salt and light of the world. What are the functions of salt and light? How do I make use of these functions? Looking back, what opportunities did God give me to be the salt and light? Did I grab onto those opportunities?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What does Jesus teach about loving God and loving others?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Serve only God (6:19-34), treat others in God pleasing ways (7:1-12), and take root in Godly life our obedience and faith (7:13-27).
+ People were amazed as Jesus spoke with authority.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - We cannot serve both God and Money. What is our attitude when serving money? Often through different means God makes us see that when we value money more than Him we are actually serving money, although we may think otherwise. It is the distrust of God's supply and His protection that brings us worries and impedes our total reliance in God. What worries do I have? Ask God to help me lay down my worries to Him. There are many impurities in the root of my faith. Ask God Himself to purify me, to help me build the foundation of my faith on Him, the Rock.
+ **Community** - How should I treat my family members, fellow Christians, co-workers, colleagues, and neighbors according to the teaching Do Not Judge and the golden rule of Loving Others as Yourself? (Golden rule, 7:12, so in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.)
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What ability did Jesus show through the miracles He performed?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The chapters 8 and 9 record the miracles Jesus performed which displayed His great power had won over Satan's.
+ Two independent contents were inserted in between the miracles: 1. The cost of following Jesus (8:18-22); 2. Opposition to Jesus and the beginning of His persecution (9:9-17).
+ Jesus had compassion on the crowds when He saw them as lost sheeps without a shepherd which brought out the Great Commission in later chapters.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - The power of Jesus is greater than Satan's. What challenges am I facing now? What power did Jesus show through the miracles He performed would allow me to see that none of the challenges I am facing is greater than God's authority? Jesus is merciful and has compassion on us who are lost. He is the good shepherd. How should I become familiar to His voice and follow Him to turn away from Satan's lies and troubles of the world?
+ **Fidelity** - There's a price to pay to follow God. Am I willing to pay that price and commit myself to Him today?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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Prayer
Notes and Responses