Weekly Guide：Week 88
September 29, 2019
Question
What was the order in measuring the temple’s dimensions?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Measuring the temple’s dimensions.
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Measuring the side rooms’ dimensions around the temple.
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Measuring the priests’ rooms’ dimensions.
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Measuring the area’s dimensions around the temple.
Meditation: My Story
- Identity - What were the purposes to separate the holy area from the common? How should I separate myself from the common? How may I, from my heart, do everything for the will of the Lord and not for the will of others?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How did the glory of God return to the temple?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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At the gate facing eat, the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of rushing waters, and the land was radiant with His glory.
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Let the Israelites put away their prostitution, and the Lord will live among them forever.
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Describe the temple to the people of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their sins and let them consider the temple’s perfection.
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Measure the altar in long cubits. Instruct the regulations after completion of the altar.
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The outer gate of the sanctuary, the one facing east, is to remain shut because the Lord has entered through it. The prince is to enter by way of the portico of the gateway and go out the same way.
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By way of the north gate to the front of the temple, the glory of the Lord was seen filling the temple of the Lord.
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The priests were denounced for their detestable practices.
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No foreigner uncircumcised in heart and flesh is to enter the sanctuary, not even the foreigners who live among the Israelites.
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The Levitical priests, who are descendants of Zadok are to come near to minister before the Lord; they are to stand before the Lord to offer sacrifices of fat and blood.
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Establish decrees with the priests that the Lord will be their inheritance.
Meditation: My Story
- Integrity - The Lord lives in the holy temple and it shall not be defiled by detestable practices. Today, it is our body the temple of the Lord and shall not be defiled by detestable practices. How may I stay alert and not defile my body?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
What are the decrees for the princes and the people of Israel?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Allot the land as an inheritance, present to the Lord a portion of the land as a sacred district, the entire area will be holy.
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Give the city as its property an area adjoining the sacred portion; it will belong to all Israel.
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The prince will have the land bordering each side of the area formed by the sacred district and the property of the city, running lengthwise parallel to one of the tribal portions.
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The decrees for the princes.
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The decrees for the people.
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The decrees for the princes’ inheritance.
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The decrees for the priests to cook the offerings.
Meditation: My Story
- Identity - The temple and holy city located in the center of Israel is central to Israelites’ life, because it is the place where God lives. Is God living in my heart? How can it be seen?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How are the lands allotted to the tribes of Israel?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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There is water coming out from under the threshold of the temple toward the east.
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The water becomes a river, fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river, their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.
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Allot as inheritance the land according to the tribes of Israel.
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Listed by tribes the land allotted to them.
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The land to be used for city, for houses, and for pastureland.
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What remains on both sides of the area formed by the sacred portion and the property of the city will belong to the prince.
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The gates of the city will be named after the tribes of Israel.
Meditation: My Story
- Identity - What differences are there between the names of the gates listed here and in Revelation 21:12-13? How am I seeing God’s faithfulness and love toward His people?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How was Daniel taken to Babylon?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it, and the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand.
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The king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some young Israelites from the royal family and the nobility, without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of Babylonians.
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Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine.
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They ate and drink nothing but vegetables and water and they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food.
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God gave them knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.
Meditation: My Story
- Identity - Daniel and his three companions separated themselves so they wouldn’t be defiled by eating royal food. Was that necessary? How may I separate myself from the environment I live in?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Question
How did Daniel solve the mystery of the king’s dream?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
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In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams and ordered his men to tell him what he had dreamed.
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The astrologers answered the king, there is no one on earth who can do what king asks!
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The king was so angry and furious that he ordered the execution of all the wise men of Babylon.
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Daniel went in to the king and asked for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him.
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Daniel and his friends plead for mercy from the God concerning this mystery.
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Daniel answered the king that God reveals mysteries and He has shown king Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come.
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Daniel spoke of the king’s dream, before the king stood a large statue.
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Daniel explained the meaning of the dream.
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The king Nebuchadnezzar fell prostrated before Daniel and paid him honor and ordered that an offering and incense be presented to him.
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The king placed Daniel in a high position and made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon.
Meditation: My Story
- Identity - Daniel prayed to God with his friends when they faced life threatening danger. How does my knowledge of God affect my life?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Scripture Reading
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What detestable things did Israel do in God's house?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ In the sixth year, in the sixth month on the fifth day, the hand of the Sovereign Lord came on Ezekiel.
+ In a vision from God, Ezekiel was taken by God to the entrance of the north gate of the inner court, where the idol that provokes to jealousy stood.
+ On the walls of the inner court were all kinds of crawling things and unclean animals and all the idols of Israel.
+ At the entrance of the north gate of the house of the Lord, women sat there mourning the god Tammuz.
+ At the inner court of the house of the Lord, and there at the entrance to the temple, were about twenty-five men. With their backs toward the temple of the Lord and their faces toward the east, they were bowing down to the sun in the east.
+ Therefore, God would deal with them in anger.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - The leaders of Jerusalem thought the Lord does not see them; the Lord has forsaken the land. Do I often follow my own will thinking that God does not see me? Pray and ask God for forgiveness.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Who were slaughtered and who were spared when the glory of God came?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The Lord commanded to bring those who are appointed to execute judgement on the city, each with a weapon in his hand.
+ The glory of God went up to the threshold of the temple. He called to put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament but slaughter all the rest.
+ The Lord commanded a man to fill his hands with burning coals from among the cherubim and scatter them over the city.
+ The glory of the Lord rose from above the cherubim and moved to the threshold of the temple. Beside the cherubim were four wheels sparkled like topaz.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Integrity** - Who received the marks and were spared? What does this message say to me? How does it alert or comfort me?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What was God's will for those Israelites who were in exile?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The leaders of the people and those who were plotting evil were slaughtered.
+ The Lord would deliver them into the hands of foreigners and inflict punishment on them.
+ Although the Lord sent them far away among the nations, yet for a little while He have been a sanctuary for them in the countries where have gone.
+ The Lord will give them an undivided heart and put a spirit in them then they will follow Him as His people.
+ The glory of the Lord went up from within the city and stopped above the mountains east of it. The spirit lifted Ezekiel up and brought him to the exiles in Babylonia.
+ The Lord commanded Ezekiel to pack belongings for exile, as a sign to the prince of Jerusalem that they would go in exile as captives.
+ The Lord said this about those living in Jerusalem and Israel: They will eat their food in anxiety and drink their water in despair.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Those who remained in Jerusalem thought the exiles were forsaken by the Lord. But God promised salvation for those were in exile. Do I feel forsaken by God when I encounter difficulties? How does God's promise help me?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How does God treat the false prophets?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The Lord rebukes the Israelite proverb: "The days go by and every vision comes to nothing." The Lord will put an end to this proverb for when the days are near, all visions will be fulfilled.
+ The words of the Lord will no longer be delayed, whatever He said will be fulfilled.
+ The Lord commanded Ezekiel to prophesy against the prophets of Israel, woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing!
+ The Lord's hand would be against the prophets who saw false visions and utter lying divinations.
+ The Lord commanded Ezekiel to prophesy against the daughters of those who prophesy out of their own imagination for they disheartened the righteous with their lies and encouraged the wicked not to turn from their evil ways to save their lives.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Fidelity** - The false prophets prophesy out of their own imaginations. What does this mean for today's Christians? How do I know God's will? How may I testify for God?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What four dreadful judgments was the Lord going to send?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ When any of the Israelites set up idols in their hearts, the Lord will answer them Himself in keeping with their great idolatry.
+ The Lord warned the Israelites to turn from their idols and renounce all their detestable practices.
+ If a country sins against the Lord, He will stretch out His hand against it to cut off its food supply and send famine upon it.
+ Even if these three men-Noah, Daniel and Job-were in it, they could save only themselves by their righteousness.
+ The Lord would send four dreadful judgments-sword and famine and wild beasts and plague-to kill its men and their animals.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Even the three righteous men could not save the Israelites from their sin. Today, only Jesus Christ can save our lives. Think about how God hates sin and how He loves His people. How may I have victory over my sin?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What did Jerusalem do to displease God?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ The Lord said, as I have given the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest as fuel for the fire, so will I treat the people living in Jerusalem.
+ The word of the Lord came to Ezekiel to confront Jerusalem with her detestable practices.
+ The Lord said to Jerusalem, as you lay there in your blood I said to you, Live!
+ Jerusalem trusted in her beauty and used her fame to become a prostitute.
+ In addition to all her other wickedness, Jerusalem built a mound for herself and made a lofty shrine in every public square.
+ The Lord will gather all her lovers, with whom she found pleasure, those she loved as well as those she hated. He would gather them against her from all around.
+ The Lord will deal with those who despised their oath and breaking the covenant as they deserve.
+ The Lord will remember the covenant He made with Jerusalem in the days of her youth and will establish an everlasting covenant with her.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - God likened Jerusalem as a prostitute to depict her sinfulness. What attributes of God do I see in this? How shall I answer to God's holiness and purity?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Are leaders of church custodians or servants?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Paul reminded the Corinthians to not judge but wait for the second coming of Christ.
+ Paul warned those who puff up themselves and belittle of others.
+ Paul taught and disciplined the church as a father to his children to unite and look up to Christ.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Community** - Have I ever judged others? Ask the Lord to help me not to judge and wait for Jesus' second coming.
+ **Integrity** - Am I able to withstand the test of fire for what I build atop the foundation?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What to do with brothers and sisters who are doing obvious wrongs?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Paul warned the church about sexual immorality for the wrongdoers would not inherit the kingdom of God.
+ Our past sins have been cleansed in the name of Jesus Christ. By His power, God raised the Lord from the dead, and He will raise us also.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Do I realize that my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit? Can I remind myself often that I need to live out a holy life?
+ **Community** - What to do about disputes between Christians?
+ **Integrity** - How should I be associated with the unbelieved? What should I watch out for?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What's God's purpose for marriage?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ God established marriage to keep us faithful to our spouses.
+ We may faithfully serve God whether married or not.
+ Circumcise or not is nothing. Keeping God's command is what counts.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - What is God's calling for me in marriage? How do I follow God's will to have a holy married life?
+ **Fidelity** - For whether I'm married or not, how do I use my situation to serve the Lord?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
What is freedom in Christ?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ For those with knowledge shall be careful not be stumbling blocks of those with weak conscience.
+ The sacrificial food to idols is nothing to God. We don't' gain nor lose anything by eating or not.
+ If eating sacrificial food to idols causes others to stumble, then don't eat it.
+ Paul put up his rights so he can preach and not hinder the gospel of Christ.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Paul has all the legal rights but would rather put up with them for the gospel. Does my life in Christ obey the higher authority to live out a life with sacrificial love?
+ **Community** - Do I often mind about my conduct so I don't stumble those who are weak in faith?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
How to win over temptations?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ Israelites failure in front of temptation shall serve as a warning to us.
+ God is faithful that He always provides a way out of temptation.
+ Not to seek our own good but for the good of many others.
+ Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Identity** - Do I have any idol in my life? Do I put it higher than God? How can I get rid of the idol?
+ **Community** - How should I build up my fellow Christians through my freedom in Christ?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
### Question
Why did Paul raise the question of covering and supper?
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### Meditation: God's Story
+ It was a tradition of the time to wear head covering. Paul suggested women of the period should cover their heads.
+ Remember the Lord and examine oneself during the Lord's Supper before eating the bread and drinking the cup.
+ When eating together, we ought to wait for each other.
### Meditation: My Story
+ **Community** - Do I dress appropriately in church? Would the way I dress cause others to stumble?
+ **Integrity** - Am I willing to follow Lord's authority and priority?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
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Prayer
Notes and Responses