Weekly Guide：Week 81
August 11, 2019
Forward
We continue to read the Book of Jeremiah this week. Not only the servant of God must proclaim His promises, the servant has to be a realization His word because faith without action has no meaning. The ups and downs of our life is the best testimony for God. God commanded Jeremiah to purchase a piece of land during the war time in the city that was about to be captured. People laughed at him but it also proved God’s promise that He would restore Israel. Obedience is at the heart of our faith. Jeremiah had his doubts, whether from the situation he saw with his own eyes or from the depth of his heart, he did the right thing by asking God truthfully. Whatever doubts we might have, God is more capable than our doubts because nothing is impossible for Him. Recount everything God has done in history and remember how He comforted us by fulfilling His promises. The unbelieving world will laugh at us, but God will open their eyes. Stand strong against the corruption of the world, it is already proven when His word became flesh.
May you all be renewed in God’s word every day!
Question
Why did Judah king Jehoiakim burn Jeremiah’s scroll?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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The Lord’s word came to Jeremiah: “Take a scroll and write on it all the words I have spoken to you concerning Israel, Judah and all the other nations.”
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Jeremiah called Baruch to write all the words of the Lord on the scroll and read to the people.
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When Micaiah heard the words, he told everything he heard to all the officials.
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All the officials asked Baruch to read the scroll to them and told Baruch and Jeremiah to hide.
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The officials went to the king. Jehudi read the scroll to the king, the king had them cut off and threw into the fire. The king and all his attendants who heard all these words showed no fear, nor did they tear their clothes.
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The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: “Take another scroll and write on it all the words that were on the first scroll.” The Lord then added these about Judah king Jehoiakim: “I will punish him and his children and his attendants for their wickedness.”
Meditation: My Story
- Identity - King Jehoiakim ordered the entire Judah to fast to repent and pray but burned Jeremiah’s scroll. Are my actions and believe consistent? Am I willing to let God’s word to reveal what’s in the depth of my heart?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
Why was Jeremiah imprisoned?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Zedekiah was made king of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. He did not pay any attention to the words the Lord had spoken through Jeremiah the prophet.
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King Zedekiah sent Jehukal to Jeremiah the prophet with this message: “Please pray to the Lord our God for us.”
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Pharaoh’s army had marched out of Egypt, and when the Babylonians who were besieging Jerusalem heard the report about them, they withdrew from Jerusalem.
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Jeremiah foretold: “Pharaoh’s army will go back to its own land, to Egypt. Then the Babylonians will return and attack this city; they will capture it and burn it down.”
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Jeremiah started to leave the city to go to the territory of Benjamin. The captain of the guard, Irijah imprisoned Jeremiah in the house of Jonathan.
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Jeremiah remained in prison a long time. King Zedekiah send for Jeremiah and asked him in private if any word of the Lord had come to him. Jeremiah replied, “you will be delivered into the hands of the king of Babylon.”
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Jeremiah asked Zedekiah not to send him back into the house of Jonathan the secretary. King Zedekiah then gave orders for Jeremiah to be placed in the courtyard of the guard. They took Jeremiah and threw him into the cistern.
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Ebed-Melek, a Cushite, an official in the royal palace, took thirty men and lifted Jeremiah out from the cistern.
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King Zedekiah asked Jeremiah yet again. Jeremiah advised Zedekiah to surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon.
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Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, “Do not let anyone know about this conversation, or you may die.”
Meditation: My Story
- Identity - Why didn’t Zedekiah listen to Jeremiah’s advice? Whom was Zedekiah afraid of in verse 38:19? Do I doubt in God’s faithfulness and worry about things?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How was Jeremiah’s life after the wall of Jerusalem was broken through?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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In the ninth year of Zedekiah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his whole army and laid siege to it. And in Zedekiah’s eleventh year, the city wall was broken through.
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The king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes. Then he put out Zedekiah’s eyes and bound him with bronze shackles to take him to Babylon.
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The Babylonians set fire to the royal palace and the houses of the people and broke down the walls of Jerusalem. They carried into exile to Babylon the people who remained in the city.
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Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had given these orders about Jeremiah through Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard: “Take him and look after him; don’t harm him but do for him whatever he asks.”
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The Lord declared He would rescue Ebed-Melek the Cushite.
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Commander of the imperial guard had released Jeremiah at Ramah and let him go back to Gedaliah whom the king of Babylon has appointed over the towns of Judah.
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Jeremiah went to Gedaliah and stayed with him among the people who were left behind in the land.
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Gedaliah took an oath to reassure them and their men. “Do not be afraid to serve the Babylonians, settle down in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will go well with you.”
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Johanan came to Gedaliah to warn him that Ammonites has sent Ishmael to take his life. But Gedaliah did not believe him.
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Ishmael struck down Gedaliah with a sword.
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Johanan went to fight Ishmael to rescue all whom were taken captive by Ishmael.
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Ishmael escaped from Johanan and fled to the Ammonites.
Meditation: My Story
- Identity - After the wall of Jerusalem was broken through, the Babylonian killed all the nobles of Judah but left behind the poor and gave them vineyard and fields. How am I holding on tight what is important? Where am I storing my identity and value?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
Why did the remnant of Judah go to Egypt?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Johanan and all the people approached Jeremiah and said to him, “Pray that the Lord your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do.”
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The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, “If you stay in this land, I will build you up and not tear you down.”
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If you are determined to go to Egypt and you do go to settle there, then the sword you fear will overtake you there, and the famine you dread will follow you into Egypt, and there you will die.
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Johanan and all the people accused Jeremiah of lying. So Johanan and all the army officers and all the people disobeyed the Lord’s command to stay in the land of Judah and entered Egypt.
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The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, “Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon will come and attack Egypt.”
Meditation: My Story
- Integrity - Everyone accused Jeremiah of lying and not delivering the Lord’s message. Why? When I pray, do I listen only to the answer I want to hear just like those people?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What sins did the remnant of Judah commit?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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The Lord blamed the people for burning incense to and worshiping other gods that aroused His anger to destroy them.
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The Lord was determined to take away the remnant of Judah who were determined to go to Egypt to settle there. They will all perish in Egypt.
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All the men living in Lower and Upper Egypt said to Jeremiah, “We will not listen to the Lord, we will burn incense to the Queen of Heaven and pour out drink offerings to her.”
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Jeremiah warned them, “The Lord could no longer endure your wicked actions and the detestable things you did.”
Meditation: My Story
- Identity - The remnant of Judah went to Egypt experienced the fall of their nation but still wouldn’t repent and continued to worship idols. How may I learn obedience from my past sins?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What happened to the army of Pharaoh Necho?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Concerning the army of Pharaoh Necho king of Egypt, which was defeated at Carchemish on the Euphrates River by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon in the fourth year of Jehoiakim. They were terrified, retreating, defeated, and fleeing in haste.
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The Lord spoke to Jeremiah the prophet about the coming of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to attack Egypt.
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Announce this in Egypt, “Take your positions and get ready, for the sword devours those around you.”
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The Lord encouraged the remnant of Israel, “Do not be afraid, I will surely save you out of a distant place.”
Meditation: My Story
- Identity - The Lord encouraged the Israel not to be afraid for He would save them out of a distant place. During distress, how may I be comforted by God?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Scripture Reading
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Israel stray from the Lord?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Israel was holy to the Lord, the firstfruits of his harvest.
+ But their ancestors strayed far from the Lord. They followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves.
+ Has a nation ever changed its gods? But people have exchanged their glorious God for worthless idols.
+ Your wickedness will punish you. Consider then and realize how evil and bitter it is for you when you forsake the Lord your God and have no awe of Him.
+ On every high hill and under every spreading tree you lay down as a prostitute, turned your back to me, yet when you are in trouble, you say, "Come and save us!"
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Israelites exchanged their glorious God for worthless idols, be appalled at this, you heavens. Am I worshiping worthless idols to satisfy my fleshly desires?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did Israelites return to God?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ After the faithless Israel committed adultery, her unfaithful sister Judah saw it. She also went out and committed adultery.
+ The Lord called Israel to return, for He is faithful and will not be angry forever.
+ Israel wept and pleaded, because they have perverted their ways and have forgotten the Lord their God.
+ Israel come to God, because He is the Lord.
+ If you, Israel, will return, then return to me and no longer go astray.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - The idolatrous commotion on the hills and mountains is a deception. The Lord our God is the salvation. Where is my protection and help? Is it on the rock or sand?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Why did the Lord punish Jerusalem?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The prophet questioned to the Lord: "How you have deceived this people and Jerusalem by saying, 'You will have peace,' when the sword is at our throats!"
+ The Lord said to Jerusalem: "Wash the evil from your heart and be saved. Your own conduct and actions have brought this on you. This is your punishment. How bitter it is!"
+ The prophet was agonizing in his heart, which was pounding within him, and could not keep silent.
+ The Lord questioned if there's one in Jerusalem who dealt honestly and sought the truth.
+ Ravage, but do not destroy them completely, strip off only those do not belong to the Lord.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - The Lord found no one in Jerusalem who dealt honestly or sought the truth, and those who swore, sworn falsely. How may I differentiate myself from the world but deal with honesty and mercy by following God's will?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Why did God say the city of Jerusalem must be punished?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Warned the people of Benjamin to flee from Jerusalem, for disaster looms out of the north, even terrible destruction.
+ The Lord declared the city of Jerusalem must be punished. It must take warning as it is filled with oppression.
+ Let enemies glean the remnant of Israel as thoroughly as a vine, because they have not listened to God's words and have rejected His law.
+ An army is coming from the land of the north, armed with bow and spear to attack Zion.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - The Lord says to the Judah: "Ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls." But they wont walk in it. Why didn't they choose the Lord's way? What ways am I choosing today instead of the Lord's way and therefore unable to find peace?
+ **Fidelity** - The Judah "From the least to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit. They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. 'Peace, peace,' they say, when there is no peace." We as God's servant today how much awareness do we have with the realities and the needs of the world? How may I face the injustice with grace and honesty?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How did the Lord call the Judah to turn back to Him?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The Lord told the Judah to "Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place."
+ The Lord would do to the promised land as what He did to Shiloh.
+ This is the nation that has not obeyed the Lord its God or responded to correction. Truth has perished; it has vanished from their lips.
+ The bones of the kings and all of Judah will be removed from their graves. They will be exposed to the sun and the moon and all the stars of the heavens, they will not be gathered up or buried.
+ The Lord says: "Why then have these people turned away? Why does Jerusalem always turn away? They cling to deceit; they refuse to return."
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - The Lord asked the people to deal with each other justly, do not oppress the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow. Today, who among us are the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Why would the Lord punish the sinners?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The prophet would weep day and night for the slain of people. He would weep and wail for the mountains and take up a lament concerning the wilderness grasslands.
+ People have forsaken the law, followed the stubbornness of their hearts, so the Lord will scatter them among nations.
+ The Lord will punish all who are circumcised only in the flesh.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Idols are worthless, the objects of mockery. But our God is the Lord who created everything. Is any worthless object of mockery in my life to tempt me? Am I following the worthless idols and forsake the Almighty God?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Why did Jesus say He is the light of life?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery to test Jesus. Jesus said: "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her."
+ Jesus did not condemn her and told her to leave her life of sin.
+ Jesus said: "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
+ Jesus said: "You will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come."
+ To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said: "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
+ Jesus said: "If you were Abraham's children, then you would do what Abraham did."
+ Jesus said: "If God were your Father, you would love me."
+ Jesus said: "Very truly I tell you, before Abraham was born, I am!"
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Jesus said, "If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing." It is the Father who glorifies Him. Do I work for my glory or God's glory? How does the Holy Spirit remind me of God's glory?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What does it mean that Jesus said He is the gate for the sheep?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Jesus used His saliva mixed with mud on the eyes of a blind and cured him. The day was a Sabbath.
+ The Pharisees were divided on Jesus' curing of the blind on Sabbath.
+ The blind believed Jesus as the Son of Man.
+ Jesus said, I am the gate for the sheep, whoever enters through me will be saved.
+ I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
+ I and the Father are one.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Fidelity** - Jesus says His is the good shepherd and would lay down His life for the sheep. Reflect on my love, how willing am I to lay myself down for others?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Why did Jesus wait two days before seeing Lazarus?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ A man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany.
+ When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it."
+ Jesus went to Lazarus. He knew he was dead and had already been in the tomb for four days.
+ Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die."
+ When Jesus saw the Jews were weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. Jesus wept.
+ Jesus said, "If you believe, you will see the glory of God."
+ Jesus looked up, prayed, and called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out.
+ The Pharisees plotted to kill Jesus ever since.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Fidelity** -Martha and Mary asked Jesus to help. They both said the same thing, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." However, Jesus replied to them in two different ways. Why? How does Jesus remind me when caring for others?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Why did Mary pour the expensive perfume on Jesus?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Six days before the Passover, Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair.
+ The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel!"
+ Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified."
+ Jesus said, "When I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."
+ Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet.
+ Jesus said, "Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me."
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Fidelity** - Jesus said, "Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." This parable tells us the meaning of His life, it also encourages us to think about the meaning of our life. How may I let God use me?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Why did Jesus wash His disciples' feet?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Jesus got up from the meal, wrapped a towel around his waist, poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
+ Jesus said, "Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me."
+ A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
+ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
+ Jesus said to Peter: "Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!"
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - For Jesus is our Lord and yet, He washed His disciples' feet. To learn from Jesus' example, we shall wash each other's feet. What does it mean to "wash" feet for each other? Am I willing to wash my fellow Christians' feet?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What is the way to the Father?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Jesus said His father's house has many rooms and that He is to prepare a place for His disciples.
+ Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
+ Jesus would ask the Father, and to give us another advocate, the Spirit of truth.
+ Whoever has Jesus' commands and keeps them is the one who loves Him.
+ The Holy Spirit will teach the disciples all things.
+ Jesus said, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener."
+ Jesus said, "If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in his love."
+ Jesus said, "You do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you."
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Jesus tells us, whoever believes in Him will do the works He has been doing, and He will do whatever we ask in His name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. God promise to give what we ask, because we will do what Jesus does. Are my prayers following Jesus' will?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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Prayer
Notes and Responses