舊約耶利米書 42:1–44:30
前情提要
上回說到
昨天(40–41 章):巴比倫立基大利作省長,耶利米留在米斯巴;以實瑪利殺了基大利,擄走百姓;約哈難追回眾人,卻因懼怕巴比倫報復,帶著眾人往埃及的方向去。
今天你會讀到
約哈難和眾人求耶利米替他們禱告,發誓神說甚麼都必聽從;十天後神回答:留在這地必蒙建立,若下埃及必遭刀劍、饑荒。他們卻說耶利米說謊,硬把他和巴錄帶到埃及的答比匿。43 章耶利米預言巴比倫王要攻打埃及;44 章責備在埃及的猶大人向天后燒香,他們卻堅持不肯回轉。
閱讀小提示
對照 「無論是好是歹,我們都必聽從」和 「你說謊言」:人求問神時,心裡可能早已有了決定,只想聽到自己要的答案。
點時代可看說明
約在主前 586–580 年間。耶利米被帶到埃及以後的事,聖經沒有再記載;傳統說法認為他死在埃及。
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耶利米書 第 42 章
求耶利米為他們禱告
1眾軍長和加利亞的兒子約哈難,並何沙雅的兒子耶撒尼亞(又名亞撒利雅,見四十三章二節)以及眾百姓,從最小的到至大的都進前來,Then all the commanders of the forces, along with Johanan son of Kareah, Jezaniah son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least to the greatest, approached
2對先知耶利米說:「求你准我們在你面前祈求,為我們這剩下的人禱告耶和華─你的 神。我們本來眾多,現在剩下的極少,這是你親眼所見的。Jeremiah the prophet and said, “May our petition come before you; pray to the LORD your God on behalf of this entire remnant. For few of us remain of the many, as you can see with your own eyes.
3願耶和華─你的 神指示我們所當走的路,所當做的事。」Pray that the LORD your God will tell us the way we should walk and the thing we should do.”
4先知耶利米對他們說:「我已經聽見你們了,我必照著你們的話禱告耶和華─你們的 神。耶和華無論回答甚麼,我必都告訴你們,毫不隱瞞。」“I have heard you,” replied Jeremiah the prophet. “I will surely pray to the LORD your God as you request, and I will tell you everything that the LORD answers. I will not withhold a word from you.”
5於是他們對耶利米說:「我們若不照耶和華─你的 神差遣你來說的一切話行,願耶和華在我們中間作真實誠信的見證。Then they said to Jeremiah, “May the LORD be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act upon every word that the LORD your God sends you to tell us.
6我們現在請你到耶和華─我們的 神面前,他說的無論是好是歹,我們都必聽從;我們聽從耶和華─我們 神的話,就可以得福。」Whether it is pleasant or unpleasant, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God to whom we are sending you, so that it may go well with us when we obey the voice of the LORD our God!”
留在這地必蒙建立
7過了十天,耶和華的話臨到耶利米。After ten days the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah,
8他就將加利亞的兒子約哈難和同著他的眾軍長,並眾百姓,從最小的到至大的都叫了來,and he summoned Johanan son of Kareah, all the commanders of the forces who were with him, and all the people from the least to the greatest.
9對他們說:「耶和華─以色列的 神,就是你們請我在他面前為你們祈求的主,如此說:Jeremiah told them, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, to whom you sent me to present your petition:
10『你們若仍住在這地,我就建立你們,必不拆毀,栽植你們,並不拔出,因我為降與你們的災禍了。‘If you will indeed stay in this land, then I will build you up and not tear you down; I will plant you and not uproot you, for I will relent of the disaster I have brought upon you.
11不要怕你們所怕的巴比倫王』」。耶和華說:「不要怕他!因為我與你們同在,要拯救你們脫離他的手。Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, whom you now fear; do not be afraid of him, declares the LORD, for I am with you to save you and deliver you from him.
12我也要使他發憐憫,好憐憫你們,叫你們歸回本地。And I will show you compassion, and he will have compassion on you and restore you to your own land.’
若下埃及必遭災禍
13倘若你們說:『我們不住在這地』,以致不聽從耶和華─你們 神的話,But if you say, ‘We will not stay in this land,’ and you thus disobey the voice of the LORD your God,
14說:『我們不住這地,卻要進入埃及地,在那裡看不見爭戰,聽不見,也不致無食飢餓。我們必住在那裡。』and if you say, ‘No, but we will go to the land of Egypt and live there, where we will not see war or hear the sound of the ram’s horn or hunger for bread,’
15你們所剩下的猶大人哪,現在要聽耶和華的話。萬軍之耶和華─以色列的 神如此說:『你們若定意要進入埃及,在那裡寄居,then hear the word of the LORD, O remnant of Judah! This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘If you are determined to go to Egypt and reside there,
16你們所懼怕的刀劍在埃及地必追上你們!你們所懼怕的饑荒在埃及要緊緊地跟隨你們!你們必死在那裡!then the sword you fear will overtake you there, and the famine you dread will follow on your heels into Egypt, and you will die there.
17凡定意要進入埃及在那裡寄居的必遭刀劍、饑荒、瘟疫而死,無一人存留,逃脫我所降與他們的災禍。』So all who resolve to go to Egypt to reside there will die by sword and famine and plague. Not one of them will survive or escape the disaster I will bring upon them.’
18「萬軍之耶和華─以色列的 神如此說:『我怎樣將我的怒氣和忿怒傾在耶路撒冷的居民身上,你們進入埃及的時候,我也必照樣將我的忿怒傾在你們身上,以致你們令人辱罵、驚駭、咒詛、羞辱,你們不得再見這地方。』For this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘Just as My anger and wrath were poured out on the residents of Jerusalem, so will My wrath be poured out on you if you go to Egypt. You will become an object of cursing and horror, of vilification and disgrace, and you will never see this place again.’
你們行詭詐自害
19所剩下的猶大人哪,耶和華論到你們說:『不要進入埃及去。』你們要確實地知道我今日你們了。The LORD has told you, O remnant of Judah, ‘Do not go to Egypt.’ Know for sure that I have warned you today!
20你們行詭詐自害;因為你們請我到耶和華─你們的 神那裡,說:『求你為我們禱告耶和華─我們 神,照耶和華─我們的 神一切所說的告訴我們,我們就必遵行。』For you have deceived yourselves by sending me to the LORD your God, saying, ‘Pray to the LORD our God on our behalf, and as for all that the LORD our God says, tell it to us and we will do it.’
21我今日將這話告訴你們,耶和華─你們的 神為你們的事差遣我到你們那裡說的,你們卻一樣沒有聽從。For I have told you today, but you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD your God in all He has sent me to tell you.
22現在你們要確實地知道,你們在所要去寄居之地必遭刀劍、饑荒、瘟疫而死。」Now therefore, know for sure that by sword and famine and plague you will die in the place where you desire to go to reside.”
耶利米書 第 43 章
不聽神的話,下到埃及
1耶利米向眾百姓說完了耶和華─他們 神的一切話,就是耶和華─他們 神差遣他去所說的一切話。When Jeremiah had finished telling all the people all the words of the LORD their God—everything that the LORD had sent him to say—
2何沙雅的兒子亞撒利雅和加利亞的兒子約哈難,並一切狂傲的人,就對耶利米說:「你說謊言!耶和華─我們的 神並沒有差遣你來說:『你們不可進入埃及,在那裡寄居。』Azariah son of Hoshaiah, Johanan son of Kareah, and all the arrogant men said to Jeremiah, “You are lying! The LORD our God has not sent you to say, ‘You must not go to Egypt to reside there.’
3這是尼利亞的兒子巴錄你害我們,要將我們交在迦勒底人的手中,使我們有被殺的,有被擄到巴比倫去的。」Rather, Baruch son of Neriah is inciting you against us to deliver us into the hands of the Chaldeans, so that they may put us to death or exile us to Babylon!”
4於是加利亞的兒子約哈難和一切軍長,並眾百姓,不聽從耶和華的話住在猶大地。So Johanan son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces disobeyed the command of the LORD to stay in the land of Judah.
5–6加利亞的兒子約哈難和一切軍長卻將所剩下的猶大人,就是從被趕到各國回來在猶大地寄居的男人、婦女、孩童,和眾公主,並護衛長尼布撒拉旦所留在沙番的孫子亞希甘的兒子基大利那裡的眾人,與先知耶利米,以及尼利亞的兒子巴錄,Instead, Johanan son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces took the whole remnant of Judah, those who had returned to the land of Judah from all the nations to which they had been scattered, the men, the women, the children, the king’s daughters, and everyone whom Nebuzaradan captain of the guard had allowed to remain with Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, as well as Jeremiah the prophet and Baruch son of Neriah.
7都帶入埃及地,到了。這是因他們不聽從耶和華的話。So they entered the land of Egypt because they did not obey the voice of the LORD, and they went as far as Tahpanhes.
大石頭藏在法老宮門
8在答比匿,耶和華的話臨到耶利米說:Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah at Tahpanhes:
9「你在猶大人眼前要用手拿幾塊大石頭,藏在中,就是在答比匿法老的宮門那裡,“In the sight of the Jews, pick up some large stones and bury them in the clay of the brick pavement at the entrance to Pharaoh’s palace at Tahpanhes.
10對他們說:『萬軍之耶和華─以色列的 神如此說:我必召我的僕人巴比倫王尼布甲尼撒來。在所藏的石頭上我要安置他的寶座;他必將光華的支搭在其上。Then tell them that this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘I will send for My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and I will set his throne over these stones that I have embedded, and he will spread his royal pavilion over them.
11他要來攻擊埃及地,定為死亡的,必致死亡;定為擄掠的,必被擄掠;定為刀殺的,必交刀殺。He will come and strike down the land of Egypt, bringing death to those destined for death, captivity to those destined for captivity, and the sword to those destined for the sword.
12我要在埃及神的廟中使火著起,巴比倫王要將廟宇焚燒,神像擄去;他要得(原文是披上)埃及地,好像牧人,從那裡安然而去。I will kindle a fire in the temples of the gods of Egypt, and Nebuchadnezzar will burn those temples and take their gods as captives. So he will wrap himself with the land of Egypt as a shepherd wraps himself in his garment, and he will depart from there unscathed.
13他必打碎埃及地的柱像,用火焚燒埃及神的廟宇。』」He will demolish the sacred pillars of the temple of the sun in the land of Egypt, and he will burn down the temples of the gods of Egypt.’”
耶利米書 第 44 章
不要行這可憎之事
1有臨到耶利米的話,論及一切住在埃及地的猶大人,就是住在密奪、答比匿、、巴忒羅境內的猶大人,說:This is the word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the Jews living in the land of Egypt—in Migdol, Tahpanhes, and Memphis—and in the land of Pathros:
2「萬軍之耶和華─以色列的 神如此說:我所降與耶路撒冷和猶大各城的一切災禍你們都看見了。那些城邑今日荒涼,無人居住;“This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: You have seen all the disaster that I brought against Jerusalem and all the cities of Judah; and behold, they lie today in ruins and desolation
3這是因居民所行的惡,去燒香事奉別神,就是他們和你們,並你們列祖所不認識的神,惹我發怒。because of the evil they have done. They provoked Me to anger by continuing to burn incense and to serve other gods that neither they nor you nor your fathers ever knew.
4我從早起來差遣我的僕人眾先知去說,你們切不要行我所厭惡這可憎之事。Yet I sent you all My servants the prophets again and again, saying: ‘Do not do this detestable thing that I hate.’
5他們卻不聽從,不側耳而聽,不轉離惡事,仍向別神燒香。But they did not listen or incline their ears; they did not turn from their wickedness or stop burning incense to other gods.
6因此,我的怒氣和忿怒都倒出來,在猶大城邑中和耶路撒冷的街市上,如火著起,以致都荒廢淒涼,正如今日一樣。Therefore My wrath and anger poured out and burned in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, so that they have become the desolate ruin they are today.
7現在耶和華─萬軍之 神、以色列的 神如此說:你們為何作這大惡自害己命,使你們的男人、婦女、嬰孩,和吃奶的都從猶大中剪除、不留一人呢?So now, this is what the LORD God of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: Why are you doing such great harm to yourselves by cutting off from Judah man and woman, child and infant, leaving yourselves without a remnant?
8就是因你們手所做的,在所去寄居的埃及地向別神燒香惹我發怒,使你們被剪除,在天下萬國中令人咒詛羞辱。Why are you provoking Me to anger by the work of your hands by burning incense to other gods in the land of Egypt, where you have gone to reside? As a result, you will be cut off and will become an object of cursing and reproach among all the nations of the earth.
9你們列祖的惡行,猶大列王和他們后妃的惡行,你們自己和你們妻子的惡行,就是在猶大地、耶路撒冷街上所行的,你們都忘了嗎?Have you forgotten the wickedness of your fathers and of the kings of Judah and their wives, as well as the wickedness that you and your wives committed in the land of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?
10到如今還沒有,沒有懼怕,沒有遵行我在你們和你們列祖面前所設立的法度律例。To this day they have not humbled themselves or shown reverence, nor have they followed My instruction or the statutes that I set before you and your fathers.
在埃及的猶大人必被剪除
11「所以萬軍之耶和華─以色列的 神如此說:我必向你們降災,以致剪除猶大眾人。Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: I will set My face to bring disaster and to cut off all Judah.
12那定意進入埃及地、在那裡寄居的,就是所剩下的猶大人,我必使他們盡都滅絕,必在埃及地仆倒,必因刀劍饑荒滅絕;從最小的到至大的都必遭刀劍饑荒而死,以致令人辱罵、驚駭、咒詛、羞辱。And I will take away the remnant of Judah who have resolved to go to the land of Egypt to reside there; they will meet their end. They will all fall by the sword or be consumed by famine. From the least to the greatest, they will die by sword or famine; and they will become an object of cursing and horror, of vilification and reproach.
13我怎樣用刀劍、饑荒、瘟疫刑罰耶路撒冷,也必照樣刑罰那些住在埃及地的猶大人;I will punish those who live in the land of Egypt, just as I punished Jerusalem, by sword and famine and plague,
14甚至那進入埃及地寄居的,就是所剩下的猶大人,都不得逃脫,也不得存留歸回猶大地。他們心中甚想歸回居住之地;除了逃脫的以外,一個都不能歸回。」so that none of the remnant of Judah who have gone to reside in Egypt will escape or survive to return to the land of Judah, where they long to return and live; for none will return except a few fugitives.”
我們定要向天后燒香
15那些住在埃及地巴忒羅知道自己妻子向別神燒香的,與旁邊站立的眾婦女,聚集成群,回答耶利米說:Then all the men who knew that their wives were burning incense to other gods, and all the women standing by—a great assembly—along with all the people living in the land of Egypt and in Pathros, said to Jeremiah,
16「論到你奉耶和華的名向我們所說的話,我們必不聽從。“As for the word you have spoken to us in the name of the LORD, we will not listen to you!
17我們定要成就我們口中所出的一切話,向燒香、澆奠祭,按著我們與我們列祖、君王、首領在猶大的城邑中和耶路撒冷的街市上素常所行的一樣;因為那時我們吃飽飯、享福樂,並不見災禍。Instead, we will do everything we vowed to do: We will burn incense to the Queen of Heaven and offer drink offerings to her, just as we, our fathers, our kings, and our officials did in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem. At that time we had plenty of food and good things, and we saw no disaster.
18自從我們停止向天后燒香、澆奠祭,我們倒缺乏一切,又因刀劍饑荒滅絕。」But from the time we stopped burning incense to the Queen of Heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything and have been perishing by sword and famine.”
19婦女說:「我們向天后燒香、澆奠祭,做供奉她,向她澆奠祭,是我們的丈夫嗎?」“Moreover,” said the women, “when we burned incense to the Queen of Heaven and poured out drink offerings to her, was it without our husbands’ knowledge that we made sacrificial cakes in her image and poured out drink offerings to her?”
耶利米的回答
20耶利米對一切那樣回答他的男人婦女說:Then Jeremiah said to all the people, both men and women, who were answering him,
21「你們與你們列祖、君王、首領,並國內的百姓,在猶大城邑中和耶路撒冷街市上所燒的香,耶和華豈不記念,心中豈不思想嗎?“As for the incense you burned in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem—you, your fathers, your kings, your officials, and the people of the land—did the LORD not remember and bring this to mind?
22耶和華因你們所作的惡、所行可憎的事,不能再容忍,所以你們的地荒涼,令人驚駭咒詛,無人居住,正如今日一樣。So the LORD could no longer endure the evil deeds and detestable acts you committed, and your land became a desolation, a horror, and an object of cursing, without inhabitant, as it is this day.
23你們燒香,得罪耶和華,沒有聽從他的話,沒有遵行他的律法、條例、法度,所以你們遭遇這災禍,正如今日一樣。」Because you burned incense and sinned against the LORD and did not obey the voice of the LORD or walk in His instruction, His statutes, and His testimonies, this disaster has befallen you, as you see today.”
看誰的話立得住
24耶利米又對眾民和眾婦女說:「你們在埃及地的一切猶大人當聽耶和華的話。Then Jeremiah said to all the people, including all the women, “Hear the word of the LORD, all those of Judah who are in the land of Egypt.
25萬軍之耶和華─以色列的 神如此說:你們和你們的妻都口中說、手裡做,說:『我們定要償還所許的願,向天后燒香、澆奠祭。』現在你們只管堅定所許的願而償還吧!This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: As for you and your wives, you have spoken with your mouths and fulfilled with your hands your words: ‘We will surely perform our vows that we have made to burn incense to the Queen of Heaven and to pour out drink offerings to her.’ Go ahead, then, do what you have promised! Keep your vows!
26所以你們住在埃及地的一切猶大人當聽耶和華的話。耶和華說:我指著我的大名起誓,在埃及全地,我的名不再被猶大一個人的口稱呼說:『我指著主─永生的耶和華起誓。』Nevertheless, hear the word of the LORD, all you people of Judah living in Egypt: Behold, I have sworn by My great name, says the LORD, that never again will any man of Judah living in the land of Egypt invoke My name or say, ‘As surely as the Lord GOD lives.’
27我向他們留意降禍不降福;在埃及地的一切猶大人必因刀劍、饑荒所滅,直到滅盡。I am watching over them for harm and not for good, and every man of Judah who is in the land of Egypt will meet his end by sword or famine, until they are finished off.
28脫離刀劍、從埃及地歸回猶大地的人數很少;那進入埃及地要在那裡寄居的,就是所剩下的猶大人,必知道是誰的話立得住,是我的話呢?是他們的話呢?Those who escape the sword will return from Egypt to Judah, few in number, and the whole remnant of Judah who went to dwell in the land of Egypt will know whose word will stand, Mine or theirs!
法老合弗拉的預兆
29耶和華說:我在這地方刑罰你們,必有預兆,使你們知道我降禍與你們的話必要立得住。This will be a sign to you that I will punish you in this place, declares the LORD, so that you may know that My threats of harm against you will surely stand.
30耶和華如此說:我必將埃及王交在他仇敵和尋索其命的人手中,像我將猶大王西底家交在他仇敵和尋索其命的巴比倫王尼布甲尼撒手中一樣。」This is what the LORD says: Behold, I will deliver Pharaoh Hophra king of Egypt into the hands of his enemies who seek his life, just as I delivered Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the enemy who was seeking his life.”
摘要
猶大餘民請求耶利米代禱求問神的旨意,起誓必遵行,神明確指示他們留在猶大地必蒙保護與建立,若下埃及必遭刀劍、饑荒、瘟疫滅絕。然而眾人悖逆,誣指耶利米說謊,強行帶所有人下埃及;到埃及後仍拜偶像向天后燒香,甚至公然拒絕先知的警告,堅持拜偶像才有平安。神宣告在埃及的猶大人必遭審判,幾乎無人能歸回猶大地,並以法老合弗拉的覆滅作為預兆。
反思問題
- 你是否曾在禱告尋求神的引導後,因答案不合心意而選擇忽略或拒絕?當時的結果如何?
- 百姓將災禍歸因於停止拜偶像,而非歸因於離棄神。你在生活中是否也曾錯誤歸因,把問題的根源指向錯誤的方向?
- 面對不確定的環境,你傾向於信靠神的應許留在原地,還是靠自己的判斷尋找看似更安全的出路?這段經文如何挑戰你的選擇?
新約希伯來書 3:1–4:13
前情提要
上回說到
昨天(2 章):作者警告不可忽略這麼大的救恩;耶穌暫時比天使小一點,成了血肉之體,為人人嘗了死味,好成為「慈悲忠信的大祭司」。
今天你會讀到
耶穌比摩西更配得榮耀:摩西是神家中的僕人,基督是治理神家的兒子。接著引詩 95 篇,提醒讀者不要像曠野那一代硬著心,因不信而不能進入神的安息;神的安息仍為祂的子民存留,我們要竭力進入。最後說神的道是活潑的,比兩刃的劍更快。
閱讀小提示
留意「今日」一詞反覆出現(、、、):聽見神的話,回應的時候就是今天,「總要趁著還有今日,天天彼此相勸」。
■ 當時 □ 預言所指
點時代可看說明
作者借用以色列人在曠野的歷史(民 14 章):出埃及的那一代因不信,不能進入迦南地,以此提醒讀者不要重蹈覆轍。
希伯來書 第 3 章
耶穌比摩西更配得榮耀
1同蒙的聖潔弟兄啊,你們應當思想我們所認為、為大祭司的耶穌。Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, set your focus on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.
2他為那設立他的盡忠,如同摩西在 神的全家盡忠一樣。He was faithful to the One who appointed Him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house.
3他比摩西算是更配多得榮耀,好像建造房屋的比房屋更尊榮;For Jesus has been counted worthy of greater glory than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself.
4因為房屋都必有人建造,但建造萬物的就是 神。And every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.
5摩西為,在 神的全家誠然盡忠,為要證明將來必傳說的事。Now Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house, testifying to what would be spoken later.
6但基督為兒子,治理 神的家;我們若將可誇的盼望和堅持到底,便是他的家了。But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are His house, if we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope of which we boast.
你們今日若聽他的話
7聖靈有話說:你們今日若聽他的話,Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear His voice,
8就不可硬著心,像在曠野、試探他的時候一樣。do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness,
9在那裡,你們的祖宗試我探我,並且觀看我的作為有四十年之久。where your fathers tested and tried Me, and for forty years saw My works.
10所以,我厭煩那世代的人,說:他們心裡常常,竟不曉得我的作為!Therefore I was angry with that generation, and I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known My ways.’
11我就在怒中起誓說:他們斷不可進入我的。So I swore on oath in My anger, ‘They shall never enter My rest.’”
天天彼此相勸
12弟兄們,你們要謹慎,免得你們中間或有人存著不信的惡心,把永生 神離棄了。See to it, brothers, that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief that turns away from the living God.
13總要趁著還有今日,天天彼此相勸,免得你們中間有人被罪迷惑,心裡就剛硬了。But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
14我們若將起初確實的信心堅持到底,就在基督裡了。We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly to the end the assurance we had at first.
15經上說:「你們今日若聽他的話,就不可硬著心,像惹他發怒的日子一樣。」As it has been said: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion.”
曠野那一代因不信不能進入
16那時,聽見他話惹他發怒的是誰呢?豈不是跟著摩西從埃及出來的眾人嗎?For who were the ones who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt?
17神四十年之久,又厭煩誰呢?豈不是那些犯罪、屍首倒在曠野的人嗎?And with whom was God angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness?
18又向誰起誓,不容他們進入他的安息呢?豈不是向那些不信從的人嗎?And to whom did He swear that they would never enter His rest? Was it not to those who disobeyed?
19這樣看來,他們不能進入安息是因為不信的緣故了。So we see that it was because of their unbelief that they were unable to enter.
希伯來書 第 4 章
進入神的安息
1我們既蒙留下,有進入他安息的應許,就當畏懼,免得我們(原文是你們)中間或有人似乎是了。Therefore, while the promise of entering His rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be deemed to have fallen short of it.
2因為有福音傳給我們,像傳給他們一樣;只是所聽見的道與他們無益,因為他們沒有信心與所聽見的道。For we also received the good news just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, since they did not share the faith of those who comprehended it.
3但我們已經相信的人得以進入那安息,正如 神所說:「我在怒中起誓說:『他們斷不可進入我的安息!』」其實造物之工,從創世以來已經成全了。Now we who have believed enter that rest. As for the others, it is just as God has said: “So I swore on oath in My anger, ‘They shall never enter My rest.’” And yet His works have been finished since the foundation of the world.
4論到第七日,有一處說:「到第七日, 神就歇了他一切的工。」For somewhere He has spoken about the seventh day in this manner: “And on the seventh day God rested from all His works.”
5又有一處說:「他們斷不可進入我的安息!」And again, as He says in the passage above: “They shall never enter My rest.”
另有一安息日的安息
6既有必進安息的人,那先前聽見福音的,因為不信從,不得進去。Since, then, it remains for some to enter His rest, and since those who formerly heard the good news did not enter because of their disobedience,
7所以過了多年,就在大衛的書上,又限定一日,如以上所引的說:「你們今日若聽他的話,就不可硬著心。」God again designated a certain day as “Today,” when a long time later He spoke through David as was just stated: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”
8若是已叫他們享了安息,後來 神就不再提別的日子了。For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day.
9這樣看來,必另有一安息日的安息為 神的子民存留。There remains, then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God.
10因為那進入安息的,乃是歇了自己的工,正如 神歇了他的工一樣。For whoever enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His.
竭力進入那安息
11所以,我們務必竭力進入那安息,免得有人學那不信從的樣子跌倒了。Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same pattern of disobedience.
神的道是活潑的
12神的道是活潑的,是有功效的,比一切更快,甚至魂與靈,,都能刺入、剖開,連心中的思念和主意都能辨明。For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
13並且被造的沒有一樣在他面前不顯然的;原來萬物在那與我們有關係的主眼前,都是的。Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
摘要
希伯來書指出基督超越摩西——摩西是神家中忠心的僕人,基督卻是治理神家的兒子。作者引用以色列人在曠野因不信而不得進入安息的歷史,嚴肅警告信徒不可硬心、不信,免得同樣失去進入神安息的機會。這安息不僅是迦南地的安息,更是神從創世以來為祂子民存留的終極安息,信徒當竭力進入。神的道活潑有功效,能刺入剖開人內心最深處的思念與動機,萬物在神面前赤露敞開。
反思問題
- 『趁著還有今日,天天彼此相勸』——你目前有沒有可以互相勸勉、防止心裡剛硬的信仰同伴?你如何主動建立這樣的關係?
- 以色列人聽見了福音卻因不信無法進入安息。在你的信仰生活中,有哪些神的應許是你『聽見了』卻尚未真正以信心回應的?
- 神的道能辨明心中的思念和主意——面對這樣全然透明的神,你的反應是懼怕還是釋放?這如何影響你在禱告中的真實程度?