歷代志上13:1-14

13:1 大衛與千夫長、百夫長，就是一切首領商議。
13:2 大衛對以色列全會眾說：「你們若以為美，見這事是出於耶和華─我們的上帝，我們就差遣人走遍以色列地，見我們未來的弟兄，又見住在有郊野之城的祭司利未人，使他們都到這裡來聚集。
13:3 我們要把上帝的約櫃運到我們這裡來；因為在掃羅年間，我們沒有在約櫃前求問上帝。」
13:4 全會眾都說可以如此行；這事在眾民眼中都看為好。
13:5 於是，大衛將以色列人從埃及的西曷河直到哈馬口都招聚了來，要從基列耶琳將上帝的約櫃運來。
13:6 大衛率領以色列眾人上到巴拉，就是屬猶大的基列‧耶琳，要從那裡將約櫃運來。這約櫃就是坐在二基路伯上耶和華上帝留名的約櫃。
13:7 他們將上帝的約櫃從亞比拿達的家裡抬出來，放在新車上。烏撒和亞希約趕車。
13:8 大衛和以色列眾人在上帝前用琴、瑟、鑼、鼓、號作樂，極力跳舞歌唱。
13:9 到了基頓（在撒母耳下六章六節是拿艮）的禾場；因為牛失前蹄（或譯：驚跳），烏撒就伸手扶住約櫃。
13:10 耶和華向他發怒，因他伸手扶住約櫃擊殺他，他就死在上帝面前。
13:11 大衛因耶和華擊殺（原文是闖殺）烏撒，心裡愁煩，就稱那地方為毘列斯‧烏撒，直到今日。
13:12 那日，大衛懼怕上帝，說：「上帝的約櫃怎可運到我這裡來？」
13:13 於是大衛不將約櫃運進大衛的城，卻運到迦特人俄別‧以東的家中。
13:14 上帝的約櫃在俄別‧以東家中三個月，耶和華賜福給俄別‧以東的家和他一切所有的。

1 David consulted with all his officials, including the generals and captains of his army.*2 Then he addressed the entire assembly of Israel as follows: "If you approve and if it is the will of the LORD our God, let us send messages to all the Israelites throughout the land, including the priests and Levites in their towns and pasturelands. Let us invite them to come and join us.3 It is time to bring back the Ark of our God, for we neglected it during the reign of Saul."   4 The whole assembly agreed to this, for the people could see it was the right thing to do.5 So David summoned all Israel, from the Shihor Brook of Egypt in the south all the way to the town of Lebo-hamath in the north, to join in bringing the Ark of God from Kiriath-jearim.6 Then David and all Israel went to Baalah of Judah (also called Kiriath-jearim) to bring back the Ark of God, which bears the name* of the LORD who is enthroned between the cherubim.7 They placed the Ark of God on a new cart and brought it from Abinadab's house. Uzzah and Ahio were guiding the cart.8 David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their might, singing songs and playing all kinds of musical instruments—lyres, harps, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets.   9 But when they arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon,* the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the Ark.10 Then the LORD's anger was aroused against Uzzah, and he struck him dead because he had laid his hand on the Ark. So Uzzah died there in the presence of God.   11 David was angry because the LORD's anger had burst out against Uzzah. He named that place Perez-uzzah (which means "to burst out against Uzzah"), as it is still called today.   12 David was now afraid of God, and he asked, "How can I ever bring the Ark of God back into my care?"13 So David did not move the Ark into the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-edom of Gath.14 The Ark of God remained there in Obed-edom's house for three months, and the LORD blessed the household of Obed-edom and everything he owned.

***********

    上帝有難的時候，人要不要去救祂呢？

    這是一的讓人費解的問題，就像約櫃掉下去的時候，烏撒就伸手扶住約櫃，卻是遭到擊殺的下場，難道烏撒這樣做不行嗎？

    這也是我們事奉上帝大難題，尤其是基督徒人數變少，教會越來越凋零的時候，想利用一些策略使教會的人數增長，這樣也會得罪上帝嗎？我們該不該這樣做呢？還是放著讓教會越來越退步呢？

    這就像摩西看到自己的百姓被埃及人欺負時，他大發熱心將埃及人殺死了，卻得不到同胞們的領情，讓他十分沮喪！

    親愛的弟兄姊妹，這是一個弔詭的狀態，上帝有難自己不會解決嗎？還要輪到我們來解嗎？當然不用！我們不可以用人的熱心和想法來事奉上帝。因為上帝並不缺乏，也不需要人來事奉祂。祂乃是要人藉由參與祂的事工，學習如何倚靠基督，不倚靠自己的能力。也因此，我們要清楚事奉是恩典，不是付出！不可以用此來居功，要將榮耀歸給上帝！

以賽亞書2:6-22

2:6 耶和華，你離棄了你百姓雅各家，是因他們充滿了東方的風俗，作觀兆的，像非利士人一樣，並與外邦人擊掌。
2:7 他們的國滿了金銀，財寶也無窮；他們的地滿了馬匹，車輛也無數。
2:8 他們的地滿了偶像；他們跪拜自己手所造的，就是自己指頭所做的。
2:9 卑賤人屈膝；尊貴人下跪；所以不可饒恕他們。
2:10 你當進入巖穴，藏在土中，躲避耶和華的驚嚇和他威嚴的榮光。
2:11 到那日，眼目高傲的必降為卑；性情狂傲的都必屈膝；惟獨耶和華被尊崇。
2:12 必有萬軍耶和華降罰的一個日子，要臨到驕傲狂妄的；一切自高的都必降為卑；
2:13 又臨到黎巴嫩高大的香柏樹和巴珊的橡樹；
2:14 又臨到一切高山的峻嶺；
2:15 又臨到高臺和堅固城牆；
2:16 又臨到他施的船隻並一切可愛的美物。
2:17 驕傲的必屈膝；狂妄的必降卑。在那日，惟獨耶和華被尊崇；
2:18 偶像必全然廢棄。
2:19 耶和華興起，使地大震動的時候，人就進入石洞，進入土穴，躲避耶和華的驚嚇和他威嚴的榮光。
2:20 到那日，人必將為拜而造的金偶像、銀偶像拋給田鼠和蝙蝠。
2:21 到耶和華興起，使地大震動的時候，人好進入磐石洞中和巖石穴裡，躲避耶和華的驚嚇和他威嚴的榮光。
2:22 你們休要倚靠世人。他鼻孔裡不過有氣息；他在一切事上可算甚麼呢？

How the faithful city

has become a whore!

She that was full of justice,

righteousness lodged in her—

but now murderers!

Your silver has become dross,

your wine is mixed with water.

Your princes are rebels

and companions of thieves.

Everyone loves a bribe

and runs after gifts.

They do not defend the orphan,

and the widow’s cause does not come before them.

Therefore says the Sovereign, the Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel:

Ah, I will pour out my wrath on my enemies,

and avenge myself on my foes!

I will turn my hand against you;

I will smelt away your dross as with lye

and remove all your alloy.

And I will restore your judges as at the first,

and your counselors as at the beginning.

Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness,

the faithful city.

Zion shall be redeemed by justice,

and those in her who repent, by righteousness.

But rebels and sinners shall be destroyed together,

and those who forsake the Lord shall be consumed.

For you shall be ashamed of the oaks

in which you delighted;

and you shall blush for the gardens

that you have chosen.

For you shall be like an oak

whose leaf withers,

and like a garden without water.

The strong shall become like tinder,

and their work like a spark;

they and their work shall burn together,

with no one to quench them.

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

    在主耶穌的講道中說到末世的狀況，就像先知以賽亞在這裡所說的一樣。讓我們看見人是害怕面對的榮光，因為這會凸顯出人的有罪與卑微，使人覺得自己是不配的，是無法站立得住與可以面對的！

    然而在那一日，不僅人在上帝面前站立不住，其它的偶像在上帝面前也算不得甚麼，就要被丟棄了，因為上帝使這些偶像凸顯出它們的無用和無能，正如先知在這裡所說的：「在那日，惟獨耶和華被尊崇；偶像必全然廢棄。」「到那日，人必將為拜而造的金偶像、銀偶像拋給田鼠和蝙蝠。」

    也因為如此，先知在此宣告：「你們休要倚靠世人。他鼻孔裡不過有氣息；他在一切事上可算甚麼呢？」

    是的，我們不要去倚靠人的勢力，也不要去討好人。唯有上帝才是我們永遠的倚靠，唯有祂能保守我們到與永遠遠！

以賽亞書2章

      以賽亞書2:1-5   ,  以賽亞書2:6-22  ,

以賽亞書2:1-5

2:1 亞摩斯的兒子以賽亞得默示，論到猶大和耶路撒冷。

2:2 末後的日子，耶和華殿的山必堅立，超乎諸山，高舉過於萬嶺；萬民都要流歸這山。

2:3 必有許多國的民前往，說：來吧，我們登耶和華的山，奔雅各上帝的殿。主必將他的道教訓我們；我們也要行他的路。因為訓誨必出於錫安；耶和華的言語必出於耶路撒冷。

2:4 他必在列國中施行審判，為許多國民斷定是非。他們要將刀打成犁頭，把槍打成鐮刀。這國不舉刀攻擊那國；他們也不再學習戰事。

2:5 雅各家啊，來吧！我們在耶和華的光明中行走。

This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:

2 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.

3 Many peoples will come and say,

“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,

    to the temple of the God of Jacob.

He will teach us his ways,

    so that we may walk in his paths.”

The law will go out from Zion,

    the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

4

He will judge between the nations

    and will settle disputes for many peoples.

They will beat their swords into plowshares

    and their spears into pruning hooks.

Nation will not take up sword against nation,

    nor will they train for war anymore.

5

Come, descendants of Jacob,

    let us walk in the light of the Lord.

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

    以賽亞這段話說明了在將來上帝的國實現的情形：「耶和華殿的山必堅立，超乎諸山，高舉過於萬嶺；萬民都要流歸這山。」

    在那時候上帝的主權必被高舉，正如經文所說：「來吧，我們登耶和華的山，奔雅各上帝的殿。主必將他的道教訓我們；我們也要行他的路。因為訓誨必出於錫安；耶和華的言語必出於耶路撒冷。他必在列國中施行審判，為許多國民斷定是非。他們要將刀打成犁頭，把槍打成鐮刀。這國不舉刀攻擊那國；他們也不再學習戰事。」

    也因為這樣，我們應當盼望基督的再來，上帝的國快快的實現，因為那不是大災難，而是我們得拯救與得獎賞的日子。更重要的是，我們與親愛的主耶穌面對面的同在，直到永遠！

以賽亞書1:21-31

1:21 可歎，忠信的城變為妓女！從前充滿了公平，公義居在其中，現今卻有兇手居住。
1:22 你的銀子變為渣滓；你的酒用水攙對。
1:23 你的官長居心悖逆，與盜賊作伴，各都喜愛賄賂，追求贓私。他們不為孤兒伸冤；寡婦的案件也不得呈到他們面前。
1:24 因此，主─萬軍之耶和華、以色列的大能者說：哎！我要向我的對頭雪恨，向我的敵人報仇。
1:25 我必反手加在你身上，煉盡你的渣滓，除淨你的雜質。
1:26 我也必復還你的審判官，像起初一樣，復還你的謀士，像起先一般。然後，你必稱為公義之城，忠信之邑。
1:27 錫安必因公平得蒙救贖；其中歸正的人必因公義得蒙救贖。
1:28 但悖逆的和犯罪的必一同敗亡；離棄耶和華的必致消滅。
1:29 那等人必因你們所喜愛的橡樹抱愧；你們必因所選擇的園子蒙羞。
1:30 因為，你們必如葉子枯乾的橡樹，好像無水澆灌的園子。
1:31 有權勢的必如麻瓤；他的工作好像火星，都要一同焚毀，無人撲滅。

21

How the faithful city

has become a whore!

She that was full of justice,

righteousness lodged in her—

but now murderers!

22

Your silver has become dross,

your wine is mixed with water.

23

Your princes are rebels

and companions of thieves.

Everyone loves a bribe

and runs after gifts.

They do not defend the orphan,

and the widow’s cause does not come before them.

24

Therefore says the Sovereign, the Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel:

Ah, I will pour out my wrath on my enemies,

and avenge myself on my foes!

25

I will turn my hand against you;

I will smelt away your dross as with lye

and remove all your alloy.

26

And I will restore your judges as at the first,

and your counselors as at the beginning.

Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness,

the faithful city.

27

Zion shall be redeemed by justice,

and those in her who repent, by righteousness.

28

But rebels and sinners shall be destroyed together,

and those who forsake the Lord shall be consumed.

29

For you shall be ashamed of the oaks

in which you delighted;

and you shall blush for the gardens

that you have chosen.

30

For you shall be like an oak

whose leaf withers,

and like a garden without water.

31

The strong shall become like tinder,

and their work like a spark;

they and their work shall burn together,

with no one to quench them.

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

    上帝的拯救是讓公義重新回到祂的百姓中間，而這樣的作為是來自於人的生命被上帝改變。然而上帝拯救人的方法，是透過耶穌基督的代贖，以及聖靈將這樣的救恩應用到人的身上來。

    也因此我們得救一開始雖然是被稱為義，還沒有達到完全的地步。但是，上帝的恩典讓我們在基督裡，受到聖靈的陶造，就越來越達到完美的境地，越來越有基督的榮美。當然，我們在世上的日子並不會達到完美的境地，只有在上帝的國完全實現時，我們才可以像基督醫樣完全。

    說到這裡，我們知道，生命的更新是要靠上帝的恩典，不是人的努力；一切都是上帝的保守，不是人的持守，因為救恩是從上帝來的，是上帝主動的作為，人是被動的接受與順服。