民數記22:21-41

22:21 巴蘭早晨起來，備上驢，和摩押的使臣一同去了。
22:22 上帝因他去就發了怒；耶和華的使者站在路上敵擋他。他騎著驢，有兩個僕人跟隨他。
22:23 驢看見耶和華的使者站在路上，手裡有拔出來的刀，就從路上跨進田間，巴蘭便打驢，要叫牠回轉上路。
22:24 耶和華的使者就站在葡萄園的窄路上；這邊有牆，那邊也有牆。
22:25 驢看見耶和華的使者，就貼靠牆，將巴蘭的腳擠傷了；巴蘭又打驢。
22:26 耶和華的使者又往前去，站在狹窄之處，左右都沒有轉折的地方。
22:27 驢看見耶和華的使者，就臥在巴蘭底下，巴蘭發怒，用杖打驢。
22:28 耶和華叫驢開口，對巴蘭說：「我向你行了甚麼，你竟打我這三次呢？」
22:29 巴蘭對驢說：「因為你戲弄我，我恨不能手中有刀，把你殺了。」
22:30 驢對巴蘭說：「我不是你從小時直到今日所騎的驢嗎？我素常向你這樣行過嗎？」巴蘭說：「沒有。」
22:31 當時，耶和華使巴蘭的眼目明亮，他就看見耶和華的使者站在路上，手裡有拔出來的刀，巴蘭便低頭俯伏在地。
22:32 耶和華的使者對他說：「你為何這三次打你的驢呢？我出來敵擋你，因你所行的，在我面前偏僻。
22:33 驢看見我就三次從我面前偏過去；驢若沒有偏過去，我早把你殺了，留牠存活。」
22:34 巴蘭對耶和華的使者說：「我有罪了。我不知道你站在路上阻擋我；你若不喜歡我去，我就轉回。」
22:35 耶和華的使者對巴蘭說：「你同這些人去吧！你只要說我對你說的話。」於是巴蘭同著巴勒的使臣去了。
22:36 巴勒聽見巴蘭來了，就往摩押京城去迎接他；這城是在邊界上，在亞嫩河旁。
22:37 巴勒對巴蘭說：「我不是急急地打發人到你那裡去召你嗎？你為何不到我這裡來呢？我豈不能使你得尊榮嗎？」
22:38 巴蘭說：「我已經到你這裡來了！現在我豈能擅自說甚麼呢？上帝將甚麼話傳給我，我就說甚麼。」
22:39 巴蘭和巴勒同行，來到基列‧胡瑣。
22:40 巴勒宰了（原文是獻）牛羊，送給巴蘭和陪伴的使臣。
22:41 到了早晨，巴勒領巴蘭到巴力的高處；巴蘭從那裡觀看以色列營的邊界。

 ²¹ Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey and went with the Moabite officials. ²² But God was very angry when he went, and the angel of the Lord stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. ²³ When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, it turned off the road into a field. Balaam beat it to get it back on the road.
²⁴ Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path through the vineyards, with walls on both sides. ²⁵ When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam’s foot against it. So he beat the donkey again.
²⁶ Then the angel of the Lord moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left. ²⁷ When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat it with his staff. ²⁸ Then the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth, and it said to Balaam, “What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?”
²⁹ Balaam answered the donkey, “You have made a fool of me! If only I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now.”
³⁰ The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?”
“No,” he said.
³¹ Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown.
³² The angel of the Lord asked him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me.^{[a] 33} The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If it had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared it.”
³⁴ Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, “I have sinned. I did not realize you were standing in the road to oppose me. Now if you are displeased, I will go back.”
³⁵ The angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but speak only what I tell you.” So Balaam went with Balak’s officials.
³⁶ When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the Moabite town on the Arnon border, at the edge of his territory. ³⁷ Balak said to Balaam, “Did I not send you an urgent summons? Why didn’t you come to me? Am I really not able to reward you?”
³⁸ “Well, I have come to you now,” Balaam replied. “But I can’t say whatever I please. I must speak only what God puts in my mouth.”
³⁹ Then Balaam went with Balak to Kiriath Huzoth. ⁴⁰ Balak sacrificed cattle and sheep, and gave some to Balaam and the officials who were with him. ⁴¹ The next morning Balak took Balaam up to Bamoth Baal, and from there he could see the outskirts of the Israelite camp.

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    在聖經中有兩個地方記載動物說人話的，一個是在創世記中說到蛇說話引誘夏娃，另一處是這裡。因為巴蘭先知執意要去巴勒王那裏，不管耶和華的禁止，驢子讓他免受天使的殺害，還鞭打驢子，所以驢子說話警告他。

    從這樣的記載中，我們也認識到人的軟弱與上帝的保守。所以，上帝的禁止或攔阻並不是壞事，反而讓我們不會犯更大的錯誤。雖然巴蘭是貪財的先知，上帝卻攔阻他去行惡，也使巴勒王清楚上帝對以色列人的喜愛。

    同樣，在今日我們有經歷到上帝這樣的保守，因為上帝有其妙的護理大工，使我們經歷各樣的考驗之後，得著上帝的安慰與保守，不會偏離上帝所預備的道路，進入上帝的應許之中！

民數記22章

          民數記22:1-20  ,

           民數記22:21-41  ,

民數記22:1-20

22:1 以色列人起行，在摩押平原、約旦河東，對著耶利哥安營。
22:2 以色列人向亞摩利人所行的一切事，西撥的兒子巴勒都看見了。
22:3 摩押人因以色列民甚多，就大大懼怕，心內憂急，
22:4 對米甸的長老說：「現在這眾人要把我們四圍所有的一概餂盡，就如牛餂盡田間的草一般。」那時西撥的兒子巴勒作摩押王。
22:5 他差遣使者往大河邊的毘奪去，到比珥的兒子巴蘭本鄉那裡，召巴蘭來，說：「有一宗民從埃及出來，遮滿地面，與我對居。
22:6 這民比我強盛，現在求你來為我咒詛他們，或者我能得勝，攻打他們，趕出此地。因為我知道，你為誰祝福，誰就得福；你咒詛誰，誰就受咒詛。」
22:7 摩押的長老和米甸的長老手裡拿著卦金，到了巴蘭那裡，將巴勒的話都告訴了他。
22:8 巴蘭說：「你們今夜在這裡住宿，我必照耶和華所曉諭我的回報你們。」摩押的使臣就在巴蘭那裡住下了。
22:9 上帝臨到巴蘭那裡，說：「在你這裡的人都是誰？」
22:10 巴蘭回答說：「是摩押王西撥的兒子巴勒打發人到我這裡來，說：
22:11 『從埃及出來的民遮滿地面，你來為我咒詛他們，或者我能與他們爭戰，把他們趕出去。』」
22:12 上帝對巴蘭說：「你不可同他們去，也不可咒詛那民，因為那民是蒙福的。」
22:13 巴蘭早晨起來，對巴勒的使臣說：「你們回本地去吧，因為耶和華不容我和你們同去。」
22:14 摩押的使臣就起來，回巴勒那裡去，說：「巴蘭不肯和我們同來。」
22:15 巴勒又差遣使臣，比先前的又多又尊貴。
22:16 他們到了巴蘭那裡，對他說：「西撥的兒子巴勒這樣說：『求你不容甚麼事攔阻你不到我這裡來，
22:17 因為我必使你得極大的尊榮。你向我要甚麼，我就給你甚麼；只求你來為我咒詛這民。』」
22:18 巴蘭回答巴勒的臣僕說：「巴勒就是將他滿屋的金銀給我，我行大事小事也不得越過耶和華─我上帝的命。
22:19 現在我請你們今夜在這裡住宿，等我得知耶和華還要對我說甚麼。」
22:20 當夜，上帝臨到巴蘭那裡，說：「這些人若來召你，你就起來同他們去，你只要遵行我對你所說的話。」

 Then the Israelites traveled to the plains of Moab and camped along the Jordan across from Jericho.

² Now Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites, ³ and Moab was terrified because there were so many people. Indeed, Moab was filled with dread because of the Israelites.
⁴ The Moabites said to the elders of Midian, “This horde is going to lick up everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.”
So Balak son of Zippor, who was king of Moab at that time, ⁵ sent messengers to summon Balaam son of Beor, who was at Pethor, near the Euphrates River, in his native land. Balak said:
“A people has come out of Egypt; they cover the face of the land and have settled next to me. ⁶ Now come and put a curse on these people, because they are too powerful for me. Perhaps then I will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land. For I know that whoever you bless is blessed, and whoever you curse is cursed.”

⁷ The elders of Moab and Midian left, taking with them the fee for divination. When they came to Balaam, they told him what Balak had said.

⁸ “Spend the night here,” Balaam said to them, “and I will report back to you with the answer the Lord gives me.” So the Moabite officials stayed with him.
⁹ God came to Balaam and asked, “Who are these men with you?”
¹⁰ Balaam said to God, “Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent me this message: ¹¹ ‘A people that has come out of Egypt covers the face of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. Perhaps then I will be able to fight them and drive them away.’”
¹² But God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them. You must not put a curse on those people, because they are blessed.”
¹³ The next morning Balaam got up and said to Balak’s officials, “Go back to your own country, for the Lord has refused to let me go with you.”
¹⁴ So the Moabite officials returned to Balak and said, “Balaam refused to come with us.”
¹⁵ Then Balak sent other officials, more numerous and more distinguished than the first. ¹⁶ They came to Balaam and said:
“This is what Balak son of Zippor says: Do not let anything keep you from coming to me, ¹⁷ because I will reward you handsomely and do whatever you say. Come and put a curse on these people for me.”

¹⁸ But Balaam answered them, “Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do anything great or small to go beyond the command of the Lord my God. ¹⁹ Now spend the night here so that I can find out what else the Lord will tell me.”

²⁰ That night God came to Balaam and said, “Since these men have come to summon you, go with them, but do only what I tell you.”

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    巴蘭雖然不在以色列人中間，卻是耶和華的先知。巴勒王不知他的來歷，卻相信巴蘭是有能力的先知，差遣使者往大河邊的毘奪去，召巴蘭來，說：「有一宗民從埃及出來，遮滿地面，與我對居。這民比我強盛，現在求你來為我咒詛他們，或者我能得勝，攻打他們，趕出此地。因為我知道，你為誰祝福，誰就得福；你咒詛誰，誰就受咒詛。」

    當然上帝不准巴蘭去咒詛，可是巴蘭實在受不了金錢的誘惑，所以誤認了上帝的感動，以為「這些人若來召你，你就起來同他們去，你只要遵行我對你所說的話。」

    而巴蘭先知之所以有這樣的誤認，是因為人的感覺會誤判上帝的感動，以致於讓自己的意思成了上帝的引導。彼得對他的評論是：「他們離棄正路，就走差了，隨從比珥之子巴蘭的路。巴蘭就是那貪愛不義之工價的先知，」(彼得後書2:15)

    也因為如此，我們不可以隨便聽信所謂「先知」的話，要以聖經來查驗，以免一同誤入歧途！

詩篇34:1-22

34:1 （大衛在亞比米勒面前裝瘋，被他趕出去，就作這詩。）我要時時稱頌耶和華；讚美他的話必常在我口中。

34:2 我的心必因耶和華誇耀；謙卑人聽見就要喜樂。

34:3 你們和我當稱耶和華為大，一同高舉他的名。

34:4 我曾尋求耶和華，他就應允我，救我脫離了一切的恐懼。

34:5 凡仰望他的，便有光榮；他們的臉必不蒙羞。

34:6 我這困苦人呼求，耶和華便垂聽，救我脫離一切患難。

34:7 耶和華的使者在敬畏他的人四圍安營，搭救他們。

34:8 你們要嘗嘗主恩的滋味，便知道他是美善；投靠他的人有福了！

34:9 耶和華的聖民哪，你們當敬畏他，因敬畏他的一無所缺。

34:10 少壯獅子還缺食忍餓，但尋求耶和華的甚麼好處都不缺。

34:11 眾弟子啊，你們當來聽我的話！我要將敬畏耶和華的道教訓你們。

34:12 有何人喜好存活，愛慕長壽，得享美福，

34:13 就要禁止舌頭不出惡言，嘴唇不說詭詐的話。

34:14 要離惡行善，尋求和睦，一心追趕。

34:15 耶和華的眼目看顧義人；他的耳朵聽他們的呼求。

34:16 耶和華向行惡的人變臉，要從世上除滅他們的名號。

34:17 義人呼求，耶和華聽見了，便救他們脫離一切患難。

34:18 耶和華靠近傷心的人，拯救靈性痛悔的人。

34:19 義人多有苦難，但耶和華救他脫離這一切，

34:20 又保全他一身的骨頭，連一根也不折斷。

34:21 惡必害死惡人；恨惡義人的，必被定罪。

34:22 耶和華救贖他僕人的靈魂；凡投靠他的，必不致定罪。

 

Of David. When he pretended to be insane before Abimelek, who drove him away, and he left.

1 I will extol the Lord at all times;

    his praise will always be on my lips.

2 I will glory in the Lord;

    let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

3 Glorify the Lord with me;

    let us exalt his name together.

4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me;

    he delivered me from all my fears.

5 Those who look to him are radiant;

    their faces are never covered with shame.

6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;

    he saved him out of all his troubles.

7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,

    and he delivers them.

8 Taste and see that the Lord is good;

    blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

9 Fear the Lord, you his holy people,

    for those who fear him lack nothing.

10 The lions may grow weak and hungry,

    but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

11 Come, my children, listen to me;

    I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

12 Whoever of you loves life

    and desires to see many good days,

13 keep your tongue from evil

    and your lips from telling lies.

14 Turn from evil and do good;

    seek peace and pursue it.

15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

    and his ears are attentive to their cry;

16 but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil,

    to blot out their name from the earth.

17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;

    he delivers them from all their troubles.

18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted

    and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

19 The righteous person may have many troubles,

    but the Lord delivers him from them all;

20 he protects all his bones,

    not one of them will be broken.

21 Evil will slay the wicked;

    the foes of the righteous will be condemned.

22 The Lord will rescue his servants;

    no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

 

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    大衛逃避掃羅的追殺，只好逃到迦特王亞吉那裡，沒想到「掃羅殺死千千，大衛殺死萬萬」的傳言也到了那裏，還被號稱為「以色列國王」，怕引起殺身之禍，大衛只好裝瘋，使他免除災害。

 

 

    大衛有這樣的日子，我們每一位敬畏上帝的人，也是會遇見許多人生的考驗。雖然我們感受到被逼迫，甚至性命受到威脅，但是我們卻可以回頭倚靠上帝，就可以感受到投靠上帝才有真正的平安。

 

    也因為大衛這首詩歌，讓我們感受到上帝的護理(攝理)的奇妙，「義人多有苦難，但耶和華救他脫離這一切，又保全他一身的骨頭，連一根也不折斷」。而且是十分美好，「你們要嘗嘗主恩的滋味，便知道他是美善；投靠他的人有福了！」

 

    求主幫助，讓我們也像大衛一般，即使在苦難中，心中卻蒙上帝的賜福，十分平安，並且「離惡行善，尋求和睦，一心追趕」。這裡的「一心追趕」，就是努力尋求！