約書亞記23:9-11 , 約書亞記23:10 ,
2020年6月30日 星期二
約書亞記23:1-16
23:1 耶和華使以色列人安靜，不與四圍的一切仇敵爭戰，已經多日。約書亞年紀老邁，
23:2 就把以色列眾人的長老、族長、審判官，並官長都召了來，對他們說：「我年紀已經老邁。
23:3 耶和華─你們的上帝因你們的緣故向那些國所行的一切事，你們親眼看見了，因那為你們爭戰的是耶和華─你們的上帝。
23:4 我所剪除和所剩下的各國，從約旦河起到日落之處的大海，我已經拈鬮分給你們各支派為業。
23:5 耶和華─你們的上帝必將他們從你們面前趕出去，使他們離開你們，你們就必得他們的地為業，正如耶和華─你們的上帝所應許的。
23:6 所以，你們要大大壯膽，謹守遵行寫在摩西律法書上的一切話，不可偏離左右。
23:7 不可與你們中間所剩下的這些國民攙雜。他們的神，你們不可提他的名，不可指著他起誓，也不可事奉、叩拜；
23:8 只要照著你們到今日所行的，專靠耶和華─你們的上帝。
23:9 因為耶和華已經把又大又強的國民從你們面前趕出；直到今日，沒有一人在你們面前站立得住。
23:10 你們一人必追趕千人，因耶和華─你們的上帝照他所應許的，為你們爭戰。
23:11 你們要分外謹慎，愛耶和華─你們的上帝。
23:12 你們若稍微轉去，與你們中間所剩下的這些國民聯絡，彼此結親，互相往來，
23:13 你們要確實知道，耶和華─你們的上帝必不再將他們從你們眼前趕出；他們卻要成為你們的網羅、機檻、肋上的鞭、眼中的刺，直到你們在耶和華─你們上帝所賜的這美地上滅亡。
23:14 「我現在要走世人必走的路。你們是一心一意地知道，耶和華─你們上帝所應許賜福與你們的話沒有一句落空，都應驗在你們身上了。
23:15 耶和華─你們上帝所應許的一切福氣怎樣臨到你們身上，耶和華也必照樣使各樣禍患臨到你們身上，直到把你們從耶和華─你們上帝所賜的這美地上除滅。
23:16 你們若違背耶和華─你們上帝吩咐你們所守的約，去事奉別神，叩拜他，耶和華的怒氣必向你們發作，使你們在他所賜的美地上速速滅亡。」
After a long time had passed and the Lord had given Israel rest from all their enemies around them, Joshua, by then a very old man, 2 summoned all Israel—their elders, leaders, judges and officials—and said to them: “I am very old. 3 You yourselves have seen everything the Lord your God has done to all these nations for your sake; it was the Lord your God who fought for you. 4 Remember how I have allotted as an inheritance for your tribes all the land of the nations that remain—the nations I conquered—between the Jordan and the Mediterranean Sea in the west. 5 The Lord your God himself will push them out for your sake. He will drive them out before you, and you will take possession of their land, as the Lord your God promised you.
6 “Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left. 7 Do not associate with these nations that remain among you; do not invoke the names of their gods or swear by them. You must not serve them or bow down to them. 8 But you are to hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have until now.
9 “The Lord has driven out before you great and powerful nations; to this day no one has been able to withstand you. 10 One of you routs a thousand, because the Lord your God fights for you, just as he promised. 11 So be very careful to love the Lord your God.
12 “But if you turn away and ally yourselves with the survivors of these nations that remain among you and if you intermarry with them and associate with them, 13 then you may be sure that the Lord your God will no longer drive out these nations before you. Instead, they will become snares and traps for you, whips on your backs and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land, which the Lord your God has given you.
14 “Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed. 15 But just as all the good things the Lord your God has promised you have come to you, so he will bring on you all the evil things he has threatened, until the Lord your God has destroyed you from this good land he has given you. 16 If you violate the covenant of the Lord your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, the Lord’s anger will burn against you, and you will quickly perish from the good land he has given you.”
**********
以色列人雖然進了迦南地，但是他們並沒有完全將當地的人趕走，這也是讓約書亞非常掛念的事，於是他對他們警戒說：「你們要確實知道，耶和華─你們的上帝必不再將他們從你們眼前趕出；他們卻要成為你們的網羅、機檻、肋上的鞭、眼中的刺，直到你們在耶和華─你們上帝所賜的這美地上滅亡。」
也因為這樣約書亞更進一步說：「我現在要走世人必走的路。你們是一心一意地知道，耶和華─你們上帝所應許賜福與你們的話沒有一句落空，都應驗在你們身上了。耶和華─你們上帝所應許的一切福氣怎樣臨到你們身上，耶和華也必照樣使各樣禍患臨到你們身上，直到把你們從耶和華─你們上帝所賜的這美地上除滅。你們若違背耶和華─你們上帝吩咐你們所守的約，去事奉別神，叩拜他，耶和華的怒氣必向你們發作，使你們在他所賜的美地上速速滅亡。」
約書亞這樣的交代也讓我們感受到：人之將亡，其言也善！而這更是傳道人對教會信徒諄諄教誨，因為在現今的世代邪惡，魔鬼更是猖狂的做困獸之鬥，信徒稍微一疏忽就被罪惡所吞沒！因此，上帝的僕人要不斷地勸誡弟兄姊妹，提醒弟兄姊妹要倚靠主恩典來勝過魔鬼的試探！
2020年6月29日 星期一
帖撒羅尼迦前書2:11-12
2:11 你們也曉得，我們怎樣勸勉你們，安慰你們，囑咐你們各人，好像父親待自己的兒女一樣，
2:12 要叫你們行事對得起那召你們進他國，得他榮耀的神。
For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
*************
保羅在此說明牧者的心態，要『像父親待自己的兒女一樣』。但是，這樣的對待，是以照顧的心懷為主，而不是以管教為方法；就是要注意我們所帶領的對象的心裡之感受。但我們如何能明白呢？受感是他們樂意和順服程度。
當然我們帶領人到上帝面前的目標，是要他們明白上帝要引領他們進入上帝的國和從上帝得到榮耀，心被上帝的愛所感動而願意行出上帝所期盼我們所行的，如此才是行事為人對得起上帝。
所以，我們對待所帶領的人，不是道德勸說或要求。而是要以愛心來代之，給於照顧和溫暖，我們才能順利引導人到上帝面前，因為人盼望被愛與被尊重。
詩篇23:4
我雖然行過死蔭的幽谷，也不怕遭害，因為你與我同在；你的杖，你的竿，都安慰我。
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
*************
我們一生最大的保障是：上帝的同在。尤其是在這個充滿苦難的世界，我們必須邀請上帝的介入，我們才能通過苦難，進入平安之境。正如耶穌所說：『我將這些事告訴你們，是要叫你們在我裏面有平安。在世上，你們有苦難；但你們可以放心，我已經勝了世界。』（約翰福音16:33）
也因為有上帝的同在，我們不怕那惡者，祂必保護我們到底，甚至祂也勝過死亡。所以『我雖然行過死蔭的幽谷，也不怕遭害，因為你與我同在』。
不僅如此，祂也要讓我們的心裡舒坦。正如詩人在此所說：『你的杖，你的竿，都安慰我。』
正因為如此，我們可以靠著上帝向前行，直到平安之境！
提摩太後書2:19
然而，神堅固的根基立住了，上面有這印記說：「主認識誰是他的人。」又說：「凡稱呼主名的人，總要離開不義。」
But
God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those
who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart
from iniquity.”
*********
這段經文給我們很大的安慰，因為「主認識誰是他的人」。真是太美了，我們這些在人看來是無名小卒，卻是被創造天地的萬王之王、萬主之主，所認識、所記念。祂不會忘記我們，祂真知道我們的需求，祂垂聽我們的禱告。我們真的被關懷到、被照顧到，更是被接納與醫治。
然而，我們既然被上帝這樣安慰與寵愛，我們有一個責任是「凡稱呼主名的人，總要離開不義」。然而離開不義的第一步就是要接受耶穌基督為救主，也就是要悔改歸向上帝，享受祂無限的愛。
也因為如此，保羅勉勵我們：『人若自潔，脫離卑賤的事，就必作貴重的器皿，成為聖潔，合乎主用，預備行各樣的善事』！
詩篇107:1-43
107:1 你們要稱謝耶和華，因他本為善；他的慈愛永遠長存！
107:2 願耶和華的贖民說這話，就是他從敵人手中所救贖的，
107:3 從各地，從東從西，從南從北，所招聚來的。
107:4 他們在曠野荒地漂流，尋不見可住的城邑，
107:5 又飢又渴，心裡發昏。
107:6 於是，他們在苦難中哀求耶和華；他從他們的禍患中搭救他們，
107:7 又領他們行走直路，使他們往可居住的城邑。
107:8 但願人因耶和華的慈愛和他向人所行的奇事都稱讚他；
107:9 因他使心裡渴慕的人得以知足，使心裡飢餓的人得飽美物。
107:10 那些坐在黑暗中、死蔭裡的人被困苦和鐵鍊捆鎖，
107:11 是因他們違背上帝的話語，藐視至高者的旨意。
107:12 所以，他用勞苦治服他們的心；他們仆倒，無人扶助。
107:13 於是，他們在苦難中哀求耶和華；他從他們的禍患中拯救他們。
107:14 他從黑暗中和死蔭裡領他們出來，折斷他們的綁索。
107:15 但願人因耶和華的慈愛和他向人所行的奇事都稱讚他；
107:16 因為他打破了銅門，砍斷了鐵閂。
107:17 愚妄人因自己的過犯和自己的罪孽便受苦楚。
107:18 他們心裡厭惡各樣的食物，就臨近死門。
107:19 於是，他們在苦難中哀求耶和華；他從他們的禍患中拯救他們。
107:20 他發命醫治他們，救他們脫離死亡。
107:21 但願人因耶和華的慈愛和他向人所行的奇事都稱讚他。
107:22 願他們以感謝為祭獻給他，歡呼述說他的作為！
107:23 在海上坐船，在大水中經理事務的，
107:24 他們看見耶和華的作為，並他在深水中的奇事。
107:25 因他一吩咐，狂風就起來，海中的波浪也揚起。
107:26 他們上到天空，下到海底；他們的心因患難便消化。
107:27 他們搖搖晃晃，東倒西歪，好像醉酒的人；他們的智慧無法可施。
107:28 於是，他們在苦難中哀求耶和華，他從他們的禍患中領出他們來。
107:29 他使狂風止息，波浪就平靜。
107:30 風息浪靜，他們便歡喜；他就引他們到所願去的海口。
107:31 但願人因耶和華的慈愛和他向人所行的奇事都稱讚他。
107:32 願他們在民的會中尊崇他，在長老的位上讚美他！
107:33 他使江河變為曠野，叫水泉變為乾渴之地，
107:34 使肥地變為鹼地；這都因其間居民的罪惡。
107:35 他使曠野變為水潭，叫旱地變為水泉。
107:36 他使飢餓的人住在那裡，好建造可住的城邑，
107:37 又種田地，栽葡萄園，得享所出的土產。
107:38 他又賜福給他們，叫他們生養眾多，也不叫他們的牲畜減少。
107:39 他們又因暴虐、患難、愁苦，就減少且卑下。
107:40 他使君王蒙羞被辱，使他們在荒廢無路之地漂流。
107:41 他卻將窮乏人安置在高處，脫離苦難，使他的家屬多如羊群。
107:42 正直人看見就歡喜；罪孽之輩必塞口無言。
107:43 凡有智慧的，必在這些事上留心，也必思想耶和華的慈愛。
107:2 願耶和華的贖民說這話，就是他從敵人手中所救贖的，
107:3 從各地，從東從西，從南從北，所招聚來的。
107:4 他們在曠野荒地漂流，尋不見可住的城邑，
107:5 又飢又渴，心裡發昏。
107:6 於是，他們在苦難中哀求耶和華；他從他們的禍患中搭救他們，
107:7 又領他們行走直路，使他們往可居住的城邑。
107:8 但願人因耶和華的慈愛和他向人所行的奇事都稱讚他；
107:9 因他使心裡渴慕的人得以知足，使心裡飢餓的人得飽美物。
107:10 那些坐在黑暗中、死蔭裡的人被困苦和鐵鍊捆鎖，
107:11 是因他們違背上帝的話語，藐視至高者的旨意。
107:12 所以，他用勞苦治服他們的心；他們仆倒，無人扶助。
107:13 於是，他們在苦難中哀求耶和華；他從他們的禍患中拯救他們。
107:14 他從黑暗中和死蔭裡領他們出來，折斷他們的綁索。
107:15 但願人因耶和華的慈愛和他向人所行的奇事都稱讚他；
107:16 因為他打破了銅門，砍斷了鐵閂。
107:17 愚妄人因自己的過犯和自己的罪孽便受苦楚。
107:18 他們心裡厭惡各樣的食物，就臨近死門。
107:19 於是，他們在苦難中哀求耶和華；他從他們的禍患中拯救他們。
107:20 他發命醫治他們，救他們脫離死亡。
107:21 但願人因耶和華的慈愛和他向人所行的奇事都稱讚他。
107:22 願他們以感謝為祭獻給他，歡呼述說他的作為！
107:23 在海上坐船，在大水中經理事務的，
107:24 他們看見耶和華的作為，並他在深水中的奇事。
107:25 因他一吩咐，狂風就起來，海中的波浪也揚起。
107:26 他們上到天空，下到海底；他們的心因患難便消化。
107:27 他們搖搖晃晃，東倒西歪，好像醉酒的人；他們的智慧無法可施。
107:28 於是，他們在苦難中哀求耶和華，他從他們的禍患中領出他們來。
107:29 他使狂風止息，波浪就平靜。
107:30 風息浪靜，他們便歡喜；他就引他們到所願去的海口。
107:31 但願人因耶和華的慈愛和他向人所行的奇事都稱讚他。
107:32 願他們在民的會中尊崇他，在長老的位上讚美他！
107:33 他使江河變為曠野，叫水泉變為乾渴之地，
107:34 使肥地變為鹼地；這都因其間居民的罪惡。
107:35 他使曠野變為水潭，叫旱地變為水泉。
107:36 他使飢餓的人住在那裡，好建造可住的城邑，
107:37 又種田地，栽葡萄園，得享所出的土產。
107:38 他又賜福給他們，叫他們生養眾多，也不叫他們的牲畜減少。
107:39 他們又因暴虐、患難、愁苦，就減少且卑下。
107:40 他使君王蒙羞被辱，使他們在荒廢無路之地漂流。
107:41 他卻將窮乏人安置在高處，脫離苦難，使他的家屬多如羊群。
107:42 正直人看見就歡喜；罪孽之輩必塞口無言。
107:43 凡有智慧的，必在這些事上留心，也必思想耶和華的慈愛。
1 Give
thanks to the Lord, for he is
good;
his love endures forever.
his love endures forever.
2 Let
the redeemed of the Lord tell
their story—
those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,
3 those he gathered from the lands,
from east and west, from north and south.[a]
those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,
3 those he gathered from the lands,
from east and west, from north and south.[a]
4 Some
wandered in desert wastelands,
finding no way to a city where they could settle.
5 They were hungry and thirsty,
and their lives ebbed away.
6 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
7 He led them by a straight way
to a city where they could settle.
8 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
9 for he satisfies the thirsty
and fills the hungry with good things.
finding no way to a city where they could settle.
5 They were hungry and thirsty,
and their lives ebbed away.
6 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
7 He led them by a straight way
to a city where they could settle.
8 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
9 for he satisfies the thirsty
and fills the hungry with good things.
10 Some
sat in darkness, in utter darkness,
prisoners suffering in iron chains,
11 because they rebelled against God’s commands
and despised the plans of the Most High.
12 So he subjected them to bitter labor;
they stumbled, and there was no one to help.
13 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
14 He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness,
and broke away their chains.
15 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
16 for he breaks down gates of bronze
and cuts through bars of iron.
prisoners suffering in iron chains,
11 because they rebelled against God’s commands
and despised the plans of the Most High.
12 So he subjected them to bitter labor;
they stumbled, and there was no one to help.
13 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
14 He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness,
and broke away their chains.
15 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
16 for he breaks down gates of bronze
and cuts through bars of iron.
17 Some
became fools through their rebellious ways
and suffered affliction because of their iniquities.
18 They loathed all food
and drew near the gates of death.
19 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
20 He sent out his word and healed them;
he rescued them from the grave.
21 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
22 Let them sacrifice thank offerings
and tell of his works with songs of joy.
and suffered affliction because of their iniquities.
18 They loathed all food
and drew near the gates of death.
19 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
20 He sent out his word and healed them;
he rescued them from the grave.
21 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
22 Let them sacrifice thank offerings
and tell of his works with songs of joy.
23 Some
went out on the sea in ships;
they were merchants on the mighty waters.
24 They saw the works of the Lord,
his wonderful deeds in the deep.
25 For he spoke and stirred up a tempest
that lifted high the waves.
26 They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths;
in their peril their courage melted away.
27 They reeled and staggered like drunkards;
they were at their wits’ end.
28 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
and he brought them out of their distress.
29 He stilled the storm to a whisper;
the waves of the sea[b] were hushed.
30 They were glad when it grew calm,
and he guided them to their desired haven.
31 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
32 Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people
and praise him in the council of the elders.
they were merchants on the mighty waters.
24 They saw the works of the Lord,
his wonderful deeds in the deep.
25 For he spoke and stirred up a tempest
that lifted high the waves.
26 They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths;
in their peril their courage melted away.
27 They reeled and staggered like drunkards;
they were at their wits’ end.
28 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
and he brought them out of their distress.
29 He stilled the storm to a whisper;
the waves of the sea[b] were hushed.
30 They were glad when it grew calm,
and he guided them to their desired haven.
31 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
32 Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people
and praise him in the council of the elders.
33 He
turned rivers into a desert,
flowing springs into thirsty ground,
34 and fruitful land into a salt waste,
because of the wickedness of those who lived there.
35 He turned the desert into pools of water
and the parched ground into flowing springs;
36 there he brought the hungry to live,
and they founded a city where they could settle.
37 They sowed fields and planted vineyards
that yielded a fruitful harvest;
38 he blessed them, and their numbers greatly increased,
and he did not let their herds diminish.
flowing springs into thirsty ground,
34 and fruitful land into a salt waste,
because of the wickedness of those who lived there.
35 He turned the desert into pools of water
and the parched ground into flowing springs;
36 there he brought the hungry to live,
and they founded a city where they could settle.
37 They sowed fields and planted vineyards
that yielded a fruitful harvest;
38 he blessed them, and their numbers greatly increased,
and he did not let their herds diminish.
39 Then
their numbers decreased, and they were humbled
by oppression, calamity and sorrow;
40 he who pours contempt on nobles
made them wander in a trackless waste.
41 But he lifted the needy out of their affliction
and increased their families like flocks.
42 The upright see and rejoice,
but all the wicked shut their mouths.
by oppression, calamity and sorrow;
40 he who pours contempt on nobles
made them wander in a trackless waste.
41 But he lifted the needy out of their affliction
and increased their families like flocks.
42 The upright see and rejoice,
but all the wicked shut their mouths.
43 Let
the one who is wise heed these things
and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord.
and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord.
**************
詩人提醒人們：「凡有智慧的，必在這些事上留心，也必思想耶和華的慈愛。」
怎樣的人是有智慧的人呢？是有聰明才智的人嗎？是有高學歷、高成就的人嗎？當然這都是世人認為有智慧的人，但是聖經中所指的有智慧，和世人的想法是大不相同的！聖經有智慧的人是指敬畏耶和華的人，正如箴言說：「不要自以為有智慧；要敬畏耶和華，遠離惡事。」（箴言3:7）
而詩人在這裡說的「這些事」是甚麼呢？我們要好好讀這首詩篇，就是「耶和華的慈愛和他向人所行的奇事」！我們看看舊約中的人物傳記，就可以感受到上帝真是眷顧人與拯救人的上帝！而在聖經中所敘述上帝的作為，不只是在經文中而已，更是在現實的生活中臨到上帝的子民！甚至在今日，我們也可以感受到上帝在基督裡的安慰！雖然苦難好像大水要淹沒我們，可是上帝卻在其中保護與安慰我們！就像摩西和約瑟，在苦難中似乎失去了盼望，上帝仍然會扭轉時局，高舉並重用他們！
也因為回想到這樣的記載，也讓我們心中如同活水的力量湧出，讓我們確信上帝也必成就奇事在我們的身上！讓我們不禁從心中讚美和感謝上帝：「耶和華本為善；他的慈愛永遠長存！」
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