2020年11月28日 星期六

約伯記34:1-37

 


34:1 以利戶又說:
34:2
你們智慧人要聽我的話;有知識的人要留心聽我說。
34:3
因為耳朵試驗話語,好像上膛嘗食物。
34:4
我們當選擇何為是,彼此知道何為善。
34:5
約伯曾說:我是公義,上帝奪去我的理;
34:6
我雖有理,還算為說謊言的;我雖無過,受的傷還不能醫治。
34:7
誰像約伯,喝譏誚如同喝水呢?
34:8
他與作孽的結伴,和惡人同行。
34:9
他說:人以上帝為樂,總是無益。
34:10
所以,你們明理的人要聽我的話。上帝斷不致行惡;全能者斷不致作孽。
34:11
他必按人所做的報應人,使各人照所行的得報。
34:12
上帝必不作惡;全能者也不偏離公平。
34:13
誰派他治理地,安定全世界呢?
34:14
他若專心為己,將靈和氣收歸自己,
34:15
凡有血氣的就必一同死亡;世人必仍歸塵土。
34:16
你若明理,就當聽我的話,留心聽我言語的聲音。
34:17
難道恨惡公平的可以掌權嗎?那有公義的、有大能的,豈可定他有罪嗎?
34:18
他對君王說:你是鄙陋的;對貴臣說:你是邪惡的。
34:19
他待王子不徇情面,也不看重富足的過於貧窮的,因為都是他手所造。
34:20
在轉眼之間,半夜之中,他們就死亡。百姓被震動而去世;有權力的被奪去非借人手。
34:21
上帝注目觀看人的道路,看明人的腳步。
34:22
沒有黑暗、陰翳能給作孽的藏身。
34:23
上帝審判人,不必使人到他面前再三鑒察。
34:24
他用難測之法打破有能力的人,設立別人代替他們。
34:25
他原知道他們的行為,使他們在夜間傾倒滅亡。
34:26
他在眾人眼前擊打他們,如同擊打惡人一樣。
34:27
因為他們偏行不跟從他,也不留心他的道,
34:28
甚至使貧窮人的哀聲達到他那裡;他也聽了困苦人的哀聲。
34:29
他使人安靜,誰能擾亂(或譯:定罪)呢?他掩面,誰能見他呢?無論待一國或一人都是如此
34:30
使不虔敬的人不得作王,免得有人牢籠百姓。
34:31
有誰對上帝說:我受了責罰,不再犯罪;
34:32
我所看不明的,求你指教我;我若作了孽,必不再作?
34:33
他施行報應,豈要隨你的心願、叫你推辭不受嗎?選定的是你,不是我。你所知道的只管說吧!
34:34
明理的人和聽我話的智慧人必對我說:
34:35
約伯說話沒有知識,言語中毫無智慧。
34:36
願約伯被試驗到底,因他回答像惡人一樣。
34:37
他在罪上又加悖逆;在我們中間拍手,用許多言語輕慢上帝。

 

Then Elihu said:

“Hear my words, you wise men;
    listen to me, you men of learning.
For the ear tests words
    as the tongue tastes food.
Let us discern for ourselves what is right;
    let us learn together what is good.

“Job says, ‘I am innocent,
    but God denies me justice.
Although I am right,
    I am considered a liar;
although I am guiltless,
    his arrow inflicts an incurable wound.’
Is there anyone like Job,
    who drinks scorn like water?
He keeps company with evildoers;
    he associates with the wicked.
For he says, ‘There is no profit
    in trying to please God.’

10 “So listen to me, you men of understanding.
    Far be it from God to do evil,
    from the Almighty to do wrong.
11 He repays everyone for what they have done;
    he brings on them what their conduct deserves.
12 It is unthinkable that God would do wrong,
    that the Almighty would pervert justice.
13 Who appointed him over the earth?
    Who put him in charge of the whole world?
14 If it were his intention
    and he withdrew his spirit[a] and breath,
15 all humanity would perish together
    and mankind would return to the dust.

16 “If you have understanding, hear this;
    listen to what I say.
17 Can someone who hates justice govern?
    Will you condemn the just and mighty One?
18 Is he not the One who says to kings, ‘You are worthless,’
    and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’
19 who shows no partiality to princes
    and does not favor the rich over the poor,
    for they are all the work of his hands?
20 They die in an instant, in the middle of the night;
    the people are shaken and they pass away;
    the mighty are removed without human hand.

21 “His eyes are on the ways of mortals;
    he sees their every step.
22 There is no deep shadow, no utter darkness,
    where evildoers can hide.
23 God has no need to examine people further,
    that they should come before him for judgment.
24 Without inquiry he shatters the mighty
    and sets up others in their place.
25 Because he takes note of their deeds,
    he overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.
26 He punishes them for their wickedness
    where everyone can see them,
27 because they turned from following him
    and had no regard for any of his ways.
28 They caused the cry of the poor to come before him,
    so that he heard the cry of the needy.
29 But if he remains silent, who can condemn him?
    If he hides his face, who can see him?
Yet he is over individual and nation alike,
30     to keep the godless from ruling,
    from laying snares for the people.

31 “Suppose someone says to God,
    ‘I am guilty but will offend no more.
32 Teach me what I cannot see;
    if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.’
33 Should God then reward you on your terms,
    when you refuse to repent?
You must decide, not I;
    so tell me what you know.

34 “Men of understanding declare,
    wise men who hear me say to me,
35 ‘Job speaks without knowledge;
    his words lack insight.’
36 Oh, that Job might be tested to the utmost
    for answering like a wicked man!
37 To his sin he adds rebellion;
    scornfully he claps his hands among us
    and multiplies his words against God.”

 

*************

 

    以利戶是站在上帝不會犯錯的立場說話也因為這樣約伯沒有資格說自己是義人他不應該說上帝不為他主持公道因為他本身就是與公道的上帝相對抗了還有甚麼公道和義人的資格呢

 

    也因為這樣他宣告:「誰像約伯,喝譏誚如同喝水呢?」「約伯說話沒有知識,言語中毫無智慧。」

 

    這些聽來雖然是刺耳,卻是約伯真實的景況,也因此以利戶說:「願約伯被試驗到底,因他回答像惡人一樣。他在罪上又加悖逆;在我們中間拍手,用許多言語輕慢上帝。」

 

    以利戶和約伯的三個朋友最大的差別,是這三個朋友本是要安慰約伯,卻是自以為義的方式來和約伯對話,以致無法說到約伯真正的問題,所以一點幫助全無!然而,以利戶是以上帝的義是絕對的立場,來指責約伯,讓約伯知罪,才可以悔改歸向上帝,不在與上帝對抗而自以為義!

 

    人無法從上帝得著幫助和拯救,也就是在於人的自義為義,認為別人的不義,認為上帝不公平!若是承認上帝是公平、正義,就會順服上帝,存忍耐的心等候上帝的拯救,這樣人才有辦法蒙上帝拯救,脫離苦難的一天!因為,上帝不會恆久讓我們受苦的!

 

    承認上帝是公平、我們的不義,才能倚靠基督所完成的救贖大功,聲明才能享受救贖而來的喜樂滿溢!因為耶穌基督是答案,是上帝拯救的管道,也為靠耶穌基督才能享受上帝兒女的權柄!

 

 

2020年11月27日 星期五

撒母耳記下21章

    撒母耳記下21:1-22  ,

撒母耳記下21:1-22

 


21:1 大衛年間有饑荒,一連三年,大衛就求問耶和華。耶和華說:「這饑荒是因掃羅和他流人血之家殺死基遍人。」
21:2
原來這基遍人不是以色列人,乃是亞摩利人中所剩的;以色列人曾向他們起誓,不殺滅他們,掃羅卻為以色列人和猶大人發熱心,想要殺滅他們。大衛王召了他們來,
21:3
問他們說:「我當為你們怎樣行呢?可用甚麼贖這罪,使你們為耶和華的產業祝福呢?」
21:4
基遍人回答說:「我們和掃羅與他家的事並不關乎金銀,也不要因我們的緣故殺一個以色列人。」大衛說:「你們怎樣說,我就為你們怎樣行。」
21:5
他們對王說:「那從前謀害我們、要滅我們、使我們不得再住以色列境內的人,
21:6
現在願將他的子孫七人交給我們,我們好在耶和華面前,將他們懸掛在耶和華揀選掃羅的基比亞。」王說:「我必交給你們。」
21:7
王因為曾與掃羅的兒子約拿單指著耶和華起誓結盟,就愛惜掃羅的孫子、約拿單的兒子米非波設,不交出來,
21:8
卻把愛雅的女兒利斯巴給掃羅所生的兩個兒子亞摩尼、米非波設,和掃羅女兒米甲的姊姊給米何拉人巴西萊兒子亞得列所生的五個兒子
21:9
交在基遍人的手裡。基遍人就把他們,在耶和華面前,懸掛在山上,這七人就一同死亡。被殺的時候正是收割的日子,就是動手割大麥的時候。
21:10
愛雅的女兒利斯巴用麻布在磐石上搭棚,從動手收割的時候直到天降雨在屍身上的時候,日間不容空中的雀鳥落在屍身上,夜間不讓田野的走獸前來糟踐。
21:11
有人將掃羅的妃嬪愛雅女兒利斯巴所行的這事告訴大衛。
21:12
大衛就去,從基列雅比人那裡將掃羅和他兒子約拿單的骸骨搬了來(是因非利士人從前在基利波殺掃羅,將屍身懸掛在伯珊的街市上,基列雅比人把屍身偷了去。)
21:13
大衛將掃羅和他兒子約拿單的骸骨從那裡搬了來,又收殮被懸掛七人的骸骨,
21:14
將掃羅和他兒子約拿單的骸骨葬在便雅憫的洗拉,在掃羅父親基士的墳墓裡;眾人行了王所吩咐的。此後上帝垂聽國民所求的。
21:15
非利士人與以色列人打仗;大衛帶領僕人下去,與非利士人接戰,大衛就疲乏了。
21:16
偉人的一個兒子以實比諾要殺大衛;他的銅槍重三百舍客勒,又佩著新刀。
21:17
但洗魯雅的兒子亞比篩幫助大衛,攻打非利士人,將他殺死。當日,跟隨大衛的人向大衛起誓說:「以後你不可再與我們一同出戰,恐怕熄滅以色列的燈。」
21:18
後來,以色列人在歌伯與非利士人打仗,戶沙人西比該殺了偉人的一個兒子撒弗。
21:19
又在歌伯與非利士人打仗,伯利恆人雅雷俄珥金的兒子伊勒哈難殺了迦特人歌利亞。這人的槍桿粗如織布的機軸。
21:20
又在迦特打仗,那裡有一個身量高大的人,手腳都是六指,共有二十四個指頭;他也是偉人的兒子。
21:21
這人向以色列人罵陣,大衛的哥哥示米亞的兒子約拿單就殺了他。
21:22
這四個人是迦特偉人的兒子,都死在大衛和他僕人的手下。

 

  During the reign of David, there was a famine for three successive years; so David sought the face of the Lord. The Lord said, “It is on account of Saul and his blood-stained house; it is because he put the Gibeonites to death.”

The king summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them. (Now the Gibeonites were not a part of Israel but were survivors of the Amorites; the Israelites had sworn to spare them, but Saul in his zeal for Israel and Judah had tried to annihilate them.) David asked the Gibeonites, “What shall I do for you? How shall I make atonement so that you will bless the Lord’s inheritance?”

The Gibeonites answered him, “We have no right to demand silver or gold from Saul or his family, nor do we have the right to put anyone in Israel to death.”

“What do you want me to do for you?” David asked.

They answered the king, “As for the man who destroyed us and plotted against us so that we have been decimated and have no place anywhere in Israel, let seven of his male descendants be given to us to be killed and their bodies exposed before the Lord at Gibeah of Saul—the Lord’s chosen one.”

So the king said, “I will give them to you.”

The king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the oath before the Lord between David and Jonathan son of Saul. But the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons of Aiah’s daughter Rizpah, whom she had borne to Saul, together with the five sons of Saul’s daughter Merab,[a] whom she had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite. He handed them over to the Gibeonites, who killed them and exposed their bodies on a hill before the Lord. All seven of them fell together; they were put to death during the first days of the harvest, just as the barley harvest was beginning.

10 Rizpah daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it out for herself on a rock. From the beginning of the harvest till the rain poured down from the heavens on the bodies, she did not let the birds touch them by day or the wild animals by night. 11 When David was told what Aiah’s daughter Rizpah, Saul’s concubine, had done, 12 he went and took the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from the citizens of Jabesh Gilead. (They had stolen their bodies from the public square at Beth Shan, where the Philistines had hung them after they struck Saul down on Gilboa.) 13 David brought the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from there, and the bones of those who had been killed and exposed were gathered up.

14 They buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the tomb of Saul’s father Kish, at Zela in Benjamin, and did everything the king commanded. After that, God answered prayer in behalf of the land.

15 Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted. 16 And Ishbi-Benob, one of the descendants of Rapha, whose bronze spearhead weighed three hundred shekels[b] and who was armed with a new sword, said he would kill David. 17 But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David’s rescue; he struck the Philistine down and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, saying, “Never again will you go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished.”

18 In the course of time, there was another battle with the Philistines, at Gob. At that time Sibbekai the Hushathite killed Saph, one of the descendants of Rapha.

19 In another battle with the Philistines at Gob, Elhanan son of Jair[c] the Bethlehemite killed the brother of[d] Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver’s rod.

20 In still another battle, which took place at Gath, there was a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He also was descended from Rapha. 21 When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimeah, David’s brother, killed him.

22 These four were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men.

 

*************

 

    大衛清楚自己成為王的使命和責任不是為了自己的好處來成為一個王他知道要不是上帝的主權祂是無法也是不配做以色列的王。也因為如此,他關心百姓的生活,雖然面對基遍人不合理的要求,而耶和華既然指示:「這饑荒是因掃羅和他流人血之家殺死基遍人。」大衛也就必須滿足基遍人的要求,才有真正的正義!

 

    相信這也讓大衛學了一個重要的功課,即是是做王的,也不能破壞正義的原則!若是破壞了,要付出的代價是超過一般人的!正如摩西的律法說到:「人若使他鄰舍的身體有殘疾,他怎樣行,也要照樣向他行:以傷還傷,以眼還眼,以牙還牙。他怎樣叫人的身體有殘疾,也要照樣向他行。」(利未記24:19-20

 

    的確人與人之間若有所虧欠就是不正義不正義等於就是沒有正義沒有正義就沒有真正的和平沒有真正的和平就是不平安就像大衛面對基遍人和掃羅家族的事情

 

    而在這事上大衛有偏袒米非波設這也是大衛和約拿單之間彼此的協定雖然好像不公平但是有許多事不能只用公平來解決正如上帝也常常用恩典來勝過所謂的公平

 

    正如我們得上帝的救贖更是出於上帝的主權之恩典是勝過公平的!照道理我們不配得被上帝拯救,但是上帝仍然拯救我們!正如上帝對摩西說:「我要顯我一切的恩慈,在你面前經過,宣告我的名。我要恩待誰就恩待誰;要憐憫誰就憐憫誰」!(出埃及記33:19

 

    願我們常常記念上帝的憐憫和恩典,將一切的榮耀歸給上帝!也因為上帝既是正義又慈愛的上帝,我們才能享受到真正的平安!正如約翰一書19節說:「我們若認自己的罪,上帝是信實的,是公義(正義)的,必要赦免我們的罪,洗淨我們一切的不義。」