舊約民數記 23:1–25:18
前情提要
上回說到
昨天():以色列人打敗亞摩利王西宏和巴珊王噩。摩押王巴勒害怕,差人帶卦金請巴蘭來咒詛以色列;路上巴蘭的驢三次看見耶和華的使者,還開口說話,巴蘭被警告只能說神要他說的話。
今天你會讀到
巴勒三次帶巴蘭到高處築壇,要他咒詛以色列,巴蘭卻三次都說出祝福,第四次更預言「有星要出於雅各」,並說到亞瑪力、基尼人等的結局。第 25 章急轉直下:以色列人在什亭與摩押女子行淫、拜巴力,瘟疫臨到,非尼哈刺殺公然犯罪的人,瘟疫才止息。
閱讀小提示
巴蘭咒詛不成,以色列卻在第 25 章自己跌倒; 揭露這是巴蘭出的計謀。留意 「神非人,必不致說謊」——神的心意不會被收買或改變。
點時代可看說明
以色列人在摩押平原安營,就在約旦河東、耶利哥對面()。
點經節可選取,長按即複製點經節可選取,按 Ctrl+C⌘C 複製
民數記 第 23 章
巴勒築七座壇
1巴蘭對巴勒說:「你在這裡給我築七座壇,為我預備七隻公牛,七隻公羊。」Then Balaam said to Balak, “Build for me seven altars here, and prepare for me seven bulls and seven rams.”
2巴勒照巴蘭的話行了。巴勒和巴蘭在每座壇上獻一隻公牛,一隻公羊。So Balak did as Balaam had instructed, and Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
3巴蘭對巴勒說:「你站在你的燔祭旁邊,我且往前去,或者耶和華來迎見我。他指示我甚麼,我必告訴你。」於是巴蘭上一淨光的高處。“Stay here by your burnt offering while I am gone,” Balaam said to Balak. “Perhaps the LORD will meet with me. And whatever He reveals to me, I will tell you.” So Balaam went off to a barren height,
4神迎見巴蘭;巴蘭說:「我預備了七座壇,在每座壇上獻了一隻公牛,一隻公羊。」and God met with him. “I have set up seven altars,” Balaam said, “and on each altar I have offered a bull and a ram.”
5耶和華將話傳給巴蘭,又說:「你回到巴勒那裡,要如此如此說。」Then the LORD put a message in Balaam’s mouth, saying, “Return to Balak and give him this message.”
6他就回到巴勒那裡,見他同摩押的使臣都站在燔祭旁邊。So he returned to Balak, who was standing there beside his burnt offering, with all the princes of Moab.
第一篇詩歌:獨居的民
7巴蘭便說:巴勒引我出,摩押王引我出東山,說:來啊,為我咒詛雅各;來啊,怒罵以色列。And Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Balak brought me from Aram, the king of Moab from the mountains of the east. ‘Come,’ he said, ‘put a curse on Jacob for me; come and denounce Israel!’
8神沒有咒詛的,我咒詛?耶和華沒有怒罵的,我焉能怒罵?How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce those whom the LORD has not denounced?
9我從高峰看他,從小山望他;這是,不列在萬民中。For I see them from atop the rocky cliffs, and I watch them from the hills. Behold, a people dwelling apart, not reckoning themselves among the nations.
10誰能數點雅各的塵土?誰能計算以色列的?我願如義人之死而死;我願如義人之終而終。Who can count the dust of Jacob or number even a fourth of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous; let my end be like theirs!”
11巴勒對巴蘭說:「你向我做的是甚麼事呢?我領你來咒詛我的仇敵,不料,你竟為他們祝福。」Then Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I brought you here to curse my enemies, and behold, you have only blessed them!”
12他回答說:「耶和華傳給我的話,我能不謹慎傳說嗎?」But Balaam replied, “Should I not speak exactly what the LORD puts in my mouth?”
到毘斯迦山頂
13巴勒說:「求你同我往別處去,在那裡可以看見他們;你不能全看見,只能看見他們邊界上的人。在那裡要為我咒詛他們。」Then Balak said to him, “Please come with me to another place where you can see them. You will only see the outskirts of their camp—not all of them. And from there, curse them for me.”
14於是領巴蘭到了瑣腓田,上了山頂,築了七座壇;每座壇上獻一隻公牛,一隻公羊。So Balak took him to the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, where he built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
15巴蘭對巴勒說:「你站在這燔祭旁邊,等我往那邊去迎見耶和華。」Balaam said to Balak, “Stay here beside your burnt offering while I meet the LORD over there.”
16耶和華臨到巴蘭那裡,將話傳給他;又說:「你回到巴勒那裡,要如此如此說。」And the LORD met with Balaam and put a message in his mouth, saying, “Return to Balak and speak what I tell you.”
17他就回到巴勒那裡,見他站在燔祭旁邊;摩押的使臣也和他在一處。巴勒問他說:「耶和華說了甚麼話呢?」So he returned to Balak, who was standing there by his burnt offering with the princes of Moab. “What did the LORD say?” Balak asked.
第二篇詩歌:神非人
18巴蘭就題詩歌說:巴勒,你起來聽;西撥的兒子,你聽我言。Then Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Arise, O Balak, and listen; give ear to me, O son of Zippor.
19神非人,必不致說謊,也非人子,必不致後悔。他說話豈不照著行呢?他發言豈不要成就呢?God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?
20我奉命祝福; 神也曾賜福,此事我不能翻轉。I have indeed received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot change it.
21他未見雅各中有罪孽,也未見以色列中有奸惡。耶和華─他的 神和他同在;有歡呼王的聲音在他們中間。He considers no disaster for Jacob; He sees no trouble for Israel. The LORD their God is with them, and the shout of the King is among them.
22神領他們出埃及;他們似乎有之力。God brought them out of Egypt with strength like a wild ox.
23斷沒有可以害雅各,也沒有占卜可以害以色列。現在必有人論及雅各,就是論及以色列說: 神為他行了何等的大事!For there is no spell against Jacob and no divination against Israel. It will now be said of Jacob and Israel, ‘What great things God has done!’
24這民起來,彷彿母獅,挺身,好像公獅,未曾吃野食,未曾喝被傷者之血,決不躺臥。Behold, the people rise like a lioness; they rouse themselves like a lion, not resting until they devour their prey and drink the blood of the slain.”
25巴勒對巴蘭說:「你一點不要咒詛他們,也不要為他們祝福。」Now Balak said to Balaam, “Then neither curse them at all nor bless them at all!”
26巴蘭回答巴勒說:「我豈不是告訴你說『凡耶和華所說的,我必須遵行』嗎?」But Balaam replied, “Did I not tell you that whatever the LORD says, I must do?”
到毘珥山頂
27巴勒對巴蘭說:「來吧,我領你往別處去,或者 神喜歡你在那裡為我咒詛他們。」“Please come,” said Balak, “I will take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God that you curse them for me from there.”
28巴勒就領巴蘭到那下望曠野的毘珥山頂上。And Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, which overlooks the wasteland.
29巴蘭對巴勒說:「你在這裡為我築七座壇,又在這裡為我預備七隻公牛,七隻公羊。」Then Balaam said, “Build for me seven altars here, and prepare for me seven bulls and seven rams.”
30巴勒就照巴蘭的話行,在每座壇上獻一隻公牛,一隻公羊。So Balak did as Balaam had instructed, and he offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
民數記 第 24 章
1巴蘭見耶和華喜歡賜福與以色列,就不像前兩次去求法術,卻面向曠野。And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not seek omens as on previous occasions, but he turned his face toward the wilderness.
2巴蘭舉目,看見以色列人照著支派居住。 神的靈就臨到他身上,When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him,
第三篇詩歌:帳棚何等華美
3他便題起詩歌說:比珥的兒子巴蘭說,(或譯:睜開)的人說,and he lifted up an oracle, saying: “This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open,
4得聽 神的言語,得見全能者的異象,眼目睜開而仆倒的人說:the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open:
5雅各啊,你的帳棚何等華美!以色列啊,你的帳幕何其華麗!How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel!
6如接連的山谷,如河旁的園子,如耶和華所栽的,如水邊的香柏木。They spread out like palm groves, like gardens beside a stream, like aloes the LORD has planted, like cedars beside the waters.
7水要從他的桶裡流出;種子要撒在多水之處。他的王必超過;他的國必要振興。Water will flow from his buckets, and his seed will have abundant water. His king will be greater than Agag, and his kingdom will be exalted.
8神領他出埃及;他似乎有野牛之力。他要吞吃敵國,折斷他們的骨頭,用箭射透他們。God brought him out of Egypt with strength like a wild ox, to devour hostile nations and crush their bones, to pierce them with arrows.
9他蹲如公獅,臥如母獅,誰敢惹他?凡給你祝福的,願他蒙福;凡咒詛你的,願他受咒詛。He crouches, he lies down like a lion, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? Blessed are those who bless you and cursed are those who curse you.”
巴勒發怒
10巴勒向巴蘭生氣,就拍起手來,對巴蘭說:「我召你來為我咒詛仇敵,不料,你這三次竟為他們祝福。Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together and said to Balaam, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times.
11如今你快回本地去吧!我想使你得大尊榮,耶和華卻阻止你不得尊榮。」Therefore, flee at once to your home! I said I would reward you richly, but instead the LORD has denied your reward.”
12巴蘭對巴勒說:「我豈不是對你所差遣到我那裡的使者說:Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not already tell the messengers you sent me
13『巴勒就是將他滿屋的金銀給我,我也不得越過耶和華的命,憑自己的心意行好行歹。耶和華說甚麼,我就要說甚麼』?」that even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD? I must speak whatever the LORD says.
14「現在我要回本族去。你來,我告訴你這民日後要怎樣待你的民。」Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you what this people will do to your people in the days to come.”
有星要出於雅各
15他就題起詩歌說:比珥的兒子巴蘭說:眼目閉住(或譯:睜開)的人說,Then Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying, “This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open,
16得聽 神的言語,明白至高者的意旨,看見全能者的異象,眼目睜開而仆倒的人說:the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open:
17我看他卻不在現時;我望他卻不在近日。有星要出於雅各,有杖要興於以色列,必打破摩押的四角,毀壞擾亂之子。I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth.
18他必得以東為基業,又得仇敵之地西珥為產業;以色列必行事勇敢。Edom will become a possession, as will Seir, his enemy; but Israel will perform with valor.
19有一位出於雅各的,必掌大權;他要除滅城中的餘民。A ruler will come from Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city.”
論亞瑪力、基尼人和基提
20巴蘭觀看亞瑪力,就題起詩歌說:亞瑪力原為諸國之首,但他終必沉淪。Then Balaam saw Amalek and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Amalek was first among the nations, but his end is destruction.”
21巴蘭觀看,就題起詩歌說:你的住處本是堅固;你的窩巢做在巖穴中。Next he saw the Kenites and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Your dwelling place is secure, and your nest is set in a cliff.
22然而基尼必至衰微,直到亞述把你擄去。Yet Kain will be destroyed when Asshur takes you captive.”
23巴蘭又題起詩歌說:哀哉! 神行這事,誰能得活?Once more Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Ah, who can live unless God has ordained it?
24必有人乘船從基提界而來,苦害亞述,苦害希伯;他也必至沉淪。Ships will come from the coasts of Cyprus; they will subdue Asshur and Eber, but they too will perish forever.”
25於是巴蘭起來,回他本地去;巴勒也回去了。Then Balaam arose and returned to his homeland, and Balak also went on his way.
民數記 第 25 章
百姓與摩押女子行淫拜偶像
1以色列人住在,百姓與摩押女子行起淫亂。While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with the daughters of Moab,
2因為這女子叫百姓來,一同給她們的神獻祭,百姓就吃她們的祭物,跪拜她們的神。who also invited them to the sacrifices for their gods. And the people ate and bowed down to these gods.
3以色列人與‧毘珥連合,耶和華的怒氣就向以色列人發作。So Israel joined in worshiping Baal of Peor, and the anger of the LORD burned against them.
4耶和華吩咐摩西說:「將百姓中所有的族長在我面前對著日頭懸掛,使我向以色列人所發的怒氣可以消了。」Then the LORD said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of the people and execute them in broad daylight before the LORD, so that His fierce anger may turn away from Israel.”
5於是摩西吩咐以色列的審判官說:「凡屬你們的人,有與巴力‧毘珥連合的,你們各人要把他們殺了。」So Moses told the judges of Israel, “Each of you must kill all of his men who have joined in worshiping Baal of Peor.”
非尼哈的熱心
6摩西和以色列全會眾正在會幕門前哭泣的時候,誰知,有以色列中的一個人,當他們眼前,帶著一個米甸女人到他弟兄那裡去。Just then an Israelite man brought to his family a Midianite woman in the sight of Moses and the whole congregation of Israel while they were weeping at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
7祭司亞倫的孫子,以利亞撒的兒子看見了,就從會中起來,手裡拿著槍,On seeing this, Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, got up from the assembly, took a spear in his hand,
8跟隨那以色列人進裡去,便將以色列人和那女人由腹中刺透。這樣,在以色列人中瘟疫就止息了。followed the Israelite into the tent, and drove the spear through both of them—through the Israelite and on through the belly of the woman. So the plague against the Israelites was halted,
9那時遭瘟疫死的,有二萬四千人。but those who died in the plague numbered 24,000.
平安的約
10耶和華曉諭摩西說:Then the LORD said to Moses,
11「祭司亞倫的孫子,以利亞撒的兒子非尼哈,使我向以色列人所發的怒消了;因他在他們中間,以我的為心,使我不在忌邪中把他們除滅。“Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned My wrath away from the Israelites; for he was zealous for My sake among them, so that I did not consume the Israelites in My zeal.
12因此,你要說:『我將我平安的約賜給他。Declare, therefore, that I am granting him My covenant of peace.
13這約要給他和他的後裔,作為永遠當祭司職任的約;因他為 神有忌邪的心,為以色列人贖罪。』」It will be a covenant of permanent priesthood for him and his descendants, because he was zealous for his God and made atonement for the Israelites.”
14那與米甸女人一同被殺的以色列人,名叫心利,是撒路的兒子,是西緬一個宗族的首領。The name of the Israelite who was slain with the Midianite woman was Zimri son of Salu, the leader of a Simeonite family.
15那被殺的米甸女人,名叫哥斯比,是蘇珥的女兒;這蘇珥是米甸一個宗族的首領。And the name of the slain Midianite woman was Cozbi, the daughter of Zur, a tribal chief of a Midianite family.
擾害米甸人
16耶和華曉諭摩西說:And the LORD said to Moses,
17「你要擾害米甸人,擊殺他們;“Attack the Midianites and strike them dead.
18因為他們用詭計擾害你們,在毘珥的事上和他們的姊妹、米甸首領的女兒哥斯比的事上,用這詭計誘惑了你們;這哥斯比,當瘟疫流行的日子,因毘珥的事被殺了。」For they assailed you deceitfully when they seduced you in the matter of Peor and their sister Cozbi, the daughter of the Midianite leader, the woman who was killed on the day the plague came because of Peor.”
摘要
巴勒三次請巴蘭咒詛以色列,但神將咒詛轉為祝福,巴蘭宣告以色列蒙神保護、國必興旺,並預言有星要出於雅各。然而以色列人隨即在什亭與摩押女子行淫、拜巴力毘珥,招致神的審判,瘟疫殺死二萬四千人;祭司非尼哈以忌邪的心挺身而出,止住瘟疫,得到神平安之約的賞賜。
反思問題
- 神既然保護以色列不受外在咒詛,為何他們仍然因內在的犯罪而遭受審判?這對你面對試探時有什麼提醒?
- 巴蘭明知神的心意卻仍為利益糾纏(參),你是否曾在明知神旨意的情況下仍被利益或環境拉扯?
- 非尼哈的忌邪行動蒙神悅納。在你的信仰群體中,你如何在愛與真理之間平衡,勇敢站立?
新約馬可福音 11:27–12:17
前情提要
上回說到
昨天():耶穌騎驢駒進耶路撒冷,眾人喊「和散那」;祂咒詛只有葉子的無花果樹,又潔淨聖殿,說「我的殿必稱為萬國禱告的殿」;隔天樹已枯乾,耶穌教導門徒信靠神、禱告並饒恕人。
今天你會讀到
宗教領袖質問耶穌憑甚麼權柄做這些事,耶穌反問約翰的洗禮從哪裡來,他們答不出;耶穌講惡園戶的比喻,指出他們要殺害園主的愛子;法利賽人和希律黨用納稅的問題試探祂,耶穌回答「凱撒的物當歸給凱撒,神的物當歸給神」。
閱讀小提示
這比喻呼應以賽亞書的葡萄園之歌()。留意 「園主還有一位是他的愛子」,和 、 天上的聲音互相呼應。
點時代可看說明
受難週的一天,耶穌在聖殿裡和各派宗教領袖辯論。
馬可福音 第 11 章
質問耶穌的權柄
27他們又來到耶路撒冷。耶穌在殿裡行走的時候,祭司長和文士並進前來,After their return to Jerusalem, Jesus was walking in the temple courts, and the chief priests, scribes, and elders came up to Him.
28問他說:「你甚麼權柄做這些事?給你這權柄的是誰呢?」“By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You the authority to do them?”
29耶穌對他們說:「我要問你們一句話,你們回答我,我就告訴你們我仗著甚麼權柄做這些事。“I will ask you one question,” Jesus replied, “and if you answer Me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
30是從天上來的?是從人間來的呢?你們可以回答我。」John’s baptism—was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me!”
31他們彼此商議說:「我們若說『從天上來』,他必說:『這樣,你們為甚麼不信他呢?』They deliberated among themselves what they should answer: “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’
32若說『從人間來』,卻又怕百姓,因為眾人真以約翰為先知。」But if we say, ‘From men’...” they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John truly was a prophet.
33於是回答耶穌說:「我們不知道。」耶穌說:「我也不告訴你們我仗著甚麼權柄做這些事。」So they answered, “We do not know.” And Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
馬可福音 第 12 章
惡園戶的比喻
1耶穌就用比喻對他們說:「有人栽了一個葡萄園,周圍圈上籬笆,挖了一個,蓋了,租給,就往外國去了。Then Jesus began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a wine vat, and built a watchtower. Then he rented it out to some tenants and went away on a journey.
2到了時候,打發一個僕人到園戶那裡,要從園戶收葡萄園的果子。At harvest time, he sent a servant to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit of the vineyard.
3園戶拿住他,打了他,叫他空手回去。But they seized the servant, beat him, and sent him away empty-handed.
4再打發一個僕人到他們那裡。他們打傷他的頭,並且他。Then he sent them another servant, and they struck him over the head and treated him shamefully.
5又打發一個僕人去,他們就殺了他。後又打發好些僕人去,有被他們打的,有被他們殺的。He sent still another, and this one they killed. He sent many others; some they beat and others they killed.
6園主還有一位是他的愛子,末後又打發他去,意思說:『他們必尊敬我的兒子。』Finally, having one beloved son, he sent him to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said.
7不料,那些園戶彼此說:『這是。來吧,我們殺他,產業就歸我們了!』But the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’
8於是拿住他,殺了他,把他丟在園外。So they seized the son, killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard.
9這樣,葡萄園的主人要怎麼辦呢?他要來除滅那些園戶,將葡萄園轉給別人。What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others.
匠人所棄的石頭
10經上寫著說:匠人所棄的石頭,已作了。Have you never read this Scripture: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
11這是主所做的,在我們眼中看為希奇。這經你們沒有念過嗎?」This is from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?”
12他們看出這比喻是指著他們說的,就想要捉拿他,只是懼怕百姓,於是離開他走了。At this, the leaders sought to arrest Jesus, for they knew that He had spoken this parable against them. But fearing the crowd, they left Him and went away.
納稅給凱撒的問題
13後來,他們打發幾個法利賽人和幾個的人到耶穌那裡,要就著他的話陷害他。Later, they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to catch Jesus in His words.
14他們來了,就對他說:「夫子,我們知道你是誠實的,甚麼人你都不;因為你不看人的,乃是誠誠實實傳 神的道。納稅給可以不可以?“Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are honest and seek favor from no one. Indeed, You are impartial and teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay them or not?”
15我們該納不該納?」耶穌知道他們的,就對他們說:「你們為甚麼試探我?拿一個來給我看!」But Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and said, “Why are you testing Me? Bring Me a denarius to inspect.”
16他們就拿了來。耶穌說:「這像和這是誰的?」他們說:「是凱撒的。」So they brought it, and He asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they answered.
17耶穌說:「凱撒的物當歸給凱撒, 神的物當歸給 神。」他們就很希奇他。Then Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” And they marveled at Him.
摘要
祭司長和文士質問耶穌的權柄來源,耶穌以約翰洗禮的問題反問,使他們陷入兩難而無法回答。接著耶穌用兇惡園戶的比喻指出宗教領袖拒絕神所差來的僕人和愛子,預示他們將被撇棄。法利賽人和希律黨人再以納稅問題試探耶穌,耶穌以「凱撒的物歸凱撒,神的物歸神」的智慧回答,揭露他們的假意。
反思問題
- 耶穌面對權柄的質疑時不直接辯護,而是用問題引導對方面對真相。當你的信仰或服事被質疑時,你通常如何回應?
- 園戶比喻中園主一再差派僕人,最後差派愛子,顯出極大耐心。你是否感受到神對你同樣的耐心?你如何回應祂的差遣?
- 「神的物當歸給神」不僅指金錢,也包含我們的時間、才能和心思。目前你生活中有哪些領域尚未完全歸給神?