耶利米書6:16-21

6:16 耶和華如此說：你們當站在路上察看，訪問古道，哪是善道，便行在其間；這樣，你們心裡必得安息。他們卻說：我們不行在其間。

6:17 我設立守望的人照管你們，說：要聽角聲。他們卻說：我們不聽。

6:18 列國啊，因此你們當聽！會眾啊，要知道他們必遭遇的事。

6:19 地啊，當聽！我必使災禍臨到這百姓，就是他們意念所結的果子；因為他們不聽從我的言語，至於我的訓誨（或譯：律法），他們也厭棄了。

6:20 從示巴出的乳香，從遠方出的菖蒲（或譯：甘蔗）奉來給我有何益呢？你們的燔祭不蒙悅納；你們的平安祭，我也不喜悅。

6:21 所以耶和華如此說：我要將絆腳石放在這百姓前面。父親和兒子要一同跌在其上；鄰舍與朋友也都滅亡。

Thus says the Lord:

“Stand by the roads, and look,

and ask for the ancient paths,

where the good way is; and walk in it,

and find rest for your souls.

But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

  I set watchmen over you, saying,

‘Pay attention to the sound of the trumpet!’

But they said, We will not pay attention.’

  Therefore hear, O nations,

and know, O congregation, what will happen to them.

  Hear, O earth; behold, I am bringing disaster upon this people,

the fruit of their devices,

because they have not paid attention to my words;

and as for my law, they have rejected it.

  What use to me is frankincense that comes from Sheba,

or sweet cane from a distant land?

Your burnt offerings are not acceptable,

nor your sacrifices pleasing to me.

  Therefore thus says the Lord:

Behold, I will lay before this people

stumbling blocks against which they shall stumble;

fathers and sons together,

neighbor and friend shall perish.’”

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    先知在這裡清楚告訴我們，上帝喜悅人聽他的訓誨定且遵行，勝過奉獻多多禮物給上帝，勝過自以為是地做了許多事奉！因為，人若不遵行不清楚上帝的旨意，就不會討上帝喜悅，做再多也是白做的！

    偏偏許多人不明白敬虔的第一要務，就是做一個聽從上帝的人。反倒以為熱心奉獻與事奉才會蒙上帝賜福，於是狂做猛做自己以為對的事情，使自己離上帝反而越來越遠，越來越自我中心，直到有一天被上帝管教，才醒悟過來

    也因為如此，主耶穌會說馬利亞得著上好的福分，而馬大則是心裡忙亂失去上帝所要賜的福分。求主給我們智慧，知道來聽從祂的話，並認識上帝，享受主所賜的恩典！