舊約以西結書 20:1–44
前情提要
上回說到
昨天():兩隻大鷹和葡萄樹的謎語,說猶大王背棄與巴比倫的盟約、投靠埃及,必不能逃脫;18 章說「犯罪的,他必死亡」,各人為自己的罪負責,但神不喜悅人死亡,惡人回頭就必存活;19 章為以色列的君王作哀歌。
今天你會讀到
長老又來求問,神卻不肯被他們求問,要以西結回顧以色列的歷史:在埃及、在曠野、進了迦南,百姓一代又一代悖逆、拜偶像、干犯安息日,神卻「為我名的緣故」一次次沒有滅絕他們。最後神應許要從列國招聚他們,在聖山上悅納他們。
閱讀小提示
留意反覆出現的「為我名的緣故」(、、、)。以色列能存留,不是因為他們配得,而是因為神要守住自己的名和應許。
■ 當時 □ 預言所指
點時代可看說明
的「第七年五月初十日」約是主前 591 年夏天。這章從出埃及一路講到被擄,是以色列歷史的一次總回顧。
點經節可選取,長按即複製點經節可選取,按 Ctrl+C⌘C 複製
以西結書 第 20 章
長老來求問
1第七年五月初十日,有以色列的幾個長老來求問耶和華,坐在我面前。In the seventh year, on the tenth day of the fifth month, some of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the LORD, and they sat down before me.
2耶和華的話臨到我說:Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
3「人子啊,你要告訴以色列的長老說,主耶和華如此說:你們來是求問我嗎?主耶和華說:我指著我的永生起誓,我必不被你們求問。“Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: Have you come to inquire of Me? As surely as I live, I will not be consulted by you, declares the Lord GOD.
4人子啊,你要他們嗎?你當使他們知道他們列祖那些可憎的事,Will you judge them, will you judge them, son of man? Confront them with the abominations of their fathers
在埃及的悖逆
5對他們說,主耶和華如此說:當日我揀選以色列,向雅各家的後裔起誓,在埃及地將自己向他們顯現,說:我是耶和華─你們的 神。and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: On the day I chose Israel, I swore an oath to the descendants of the house of Jacob and made Myself known to them in the land of Egypt. With an uplifted hand I said to them, ‘I am the LORD your God.’
6那日我向他們起誓,必領他們出埃及地,到我為他們察看的;那地在萬國中是有榮耀的。On that day I swore to bring them out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had searched out for them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the glory of all lands.
7我對他們說,你們各人要拋棄眼所喜愛那,不可因埃及的玷污自己。我是耶和華─你們的 神。And I said to them: ‘Each of you must throw away the abominations before his eyes, and you must not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.’
8他們卻悖逆我,不肯聽從我,不拋棄他們眼所喜愛那可憎之物,不離棄埃及的偶像。「我就說,我要將我的忿怒傾在他們身上,在埃及地向他們成就我怒中所定的。But they rebelled against Me and refused to listen. None of them cast away the abominations before their eyes, and they did not forsake the idols of Egypt. So I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and vent My anger against them in the land of Egypt.
9我卻為我名的緣故沒有這樣行,免得我名在他們所住的列國人眼前被褻瀆;我領他們出埃及地,在這列國人的眼前將自己向他們顯現。But I acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the eyes of the nations among whom they were living, in whose sight I had revealed Myself to Israel by bringing them out of the land of Egypt.
在曠野的悖逆
10這樣,我就使他們出埃及地,領他們到曠野,So I brought them out of the land of Egypt and led them into the wilderness.
11將我的律例賜給他們,將我的典章指示他們;人若遵行就必因此活著。And I gave them My statutes and made known to them My ordinances—for the man who does these things will live by them.
12又將我的賜給他們,好在我與他們中間為證據,使他們知道我─耶和華是叫他們成為聖的。I also gave them My Sabbaths as a sign between us, so that they would know that I am the LORD who sanctifies them.
13以色列家卻在曠野悖逆我,不順從我的律例,厭棄我的典章(人若遵行就必因此活著),大大我的安息日。「我就說,要在曠野將我的忿怒傾在他們身上,滅絕他們。Yet the house of Israel rebelled against Me in the wilderness. They did not follow My statutes and they rejected My ordinances—though the man who does these things will live by them—and they utterly profaned My Sabbaths. Then I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and put an end to them in the wilderness.
14我卻為我名的緣故,沒有這樣行,免得我的名在我領他們出埃及的列國人眼前被褻瀆。But I acted for the sake of My name, so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.
15並且我在曠野向他們起誓,必不領他們進入我所賜給他們流奶與蜜之地(那地在萬國中是有榮耀的);Moreover, with an uplifted hand I swore to them in the wilderness that I would not bring them into the land that I had given them—a land flowing with milk and honey, the glory of all lands—
16因為他們厭棄我的典章,不順從我的律例,干犯我的安息日,他們的心隨從自己的偶像。because they kept rejecting My ordinances, refusing to walk in My statutes, and profaning My Sabbaths; for their hearts continually went after their idols.
17雖然如此,我眼仍他們,不毀滅他們,不在曠野將他們滅絕淨盡。Yet I looked on them with pity and did not destroy them or bring them to an end in the wilderness.
第二代仍然悖逆
18「我在曠野對他們的兒女說:不要遵行你們父親的律例,不要謹守他們的惡規,也不要因他們的偶像玷污自己。In the wilderness I said to their children: ‘Do not walk in the statutes of your fathers or keep their ordinances or defile yourselves with their idols.
19我是耶和華─你們的 神,你們要順從我的律例,謹守遵行我的典章,I am the LORD your God; walk in My statutes, keep My ordinances, and practice them.
20且以我的安息日為聖。這日在我與你們中間為證據,使你們知道我是耶和華─你們的 神。Keep My Sabbaths holy, that they may be a sign between us, so that you may know that I am the LORD your God.’
21只是他們的兒女悖逆我,不順從我的律例,也不謹守遵行我的典章(人若遵行就必因此活著),干犯我的安息日。「我就說,要將我的忿怒傾在他們身上,在曠野向他們成就我怒中所定的。But the children rebelled against Me. They did not walk in My statutes or carefully observe My ordinances—though the man who does these things will live by them—and they profaned My Sabbaths. So I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and vent My anger against them in the wilderness.
22雖然如此,我卻為我名的緣故縮手沒有這樣行,免得我的名在我領他們出埃及的列國人眼前被褻瀆。But I withheld My hand and acted for the sake of My name, so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.
23並且我在曠野向他們起誓,必將他們分散在列國,四散在列邦;However, with an uplifted hand I swore to them in the wilderness that I would scatter them among the nations and disperse them throughout the lands.
24因為他們不遵行我的典章,竟厭棄我的律例,干犯我的安息日,眼目仰望他們父親的偶像。For they did not practice My ordinances, but they rejected My statutes and profaned My Sabbaths, fixing their eyes on the idols of their fathers.
25我也任他們遵行,謹守不能使人活著的惡規。I also gave them over to statutes that were not good and ordinances by which they could not live.
26因他們將一切頭生的,我就任憑他們在這供獻的事上玷污自己,好叫他們淒涼,使他們知道我是耶和華。And I pronounced them unclean through their gifts—the sacrifice of every firstborn in the fire—so that I might devastate them, in order that they would know that I am the LORD.
進了應許之地仍拜偶像
27「人子啊,你要告訴以色列家說,主耶和華如此說:你們的列祖在得罪我的事上褻瀆我;Therefore, son of man, speak to the house of Israel, and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: In this way also your fathers blasphemed Me by their unfaithfulness against Me.
28因為我領他們到了我起誓應許賜給他們的地,他們看見各高山、各茂密樹,就在那裡獻祭,奉上惹我發怒的供物,也在那裡焚燒馨香的祭牲,並澆上。When I brought them into the land that I swore to give them and they saw any high hill or leafy tree, there they offered their sacrifices, presented offerings that provoked Me, sent up their fragrant incense, and poured out their drink offerings.
29我就對他們說:你們所上的那高處叫甚麼呢?(那高處的名字叫直到今日。)So I asked them: ‘What is this high place to which you go?’ (And to this day it is called Bamah.)
30所以你要對以色列家說,主耶和華如此說:你們仍照你們列祖所行的玷污自己嗎?仍照他們可憎的事行邪淫嗎?Therefore tell the house of Israel that this is what the Lord GOD says: Will you defile yourselves the way your fathers did, prostituting yourselves with their abominations?
31你們奉上供物使你們兒子經火的時候,仍將一切偶像玷污自己,直到今日嗎?以色列家啊,我豈被你們求問嗎?主耶和華說:我指著我的永生起誓,我必不被你們求問。When you offer your gifts, sacrificing your sons in the fire, you continue to defile yourselves with all your idols to this day. So should I be consulted by you, O house of Israel? As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I will not be consulted by you!
神要作王治理你們
32「你們說:我們要像外邦人和列國的宗族一樣,去事奉木頭與石頭。你們所起的這心意萬不能成就。」When you say, ‘Let us be like the nations, like the peoples of the lands, serving wood and stone,’ what you have in mind will never come to pass.
33主耶和華說:「我指著我的永生起誓,我總要作王,用大能的手和,並傾出來的忿怒,治理你們。As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, with a strong hand, an outstretched arm, and outpoured wrath I will rule over you.
34我必用大能的手和伸出來的膀臂,並傾出來的忿怒,將你們從萬民中領出來,從分散的列國內聚集你們。With a strong hand, an outstretched arm, and outpoured wrath I will bring you out from the peoples and gather you from the lands to which you have been scattered.
在曠野當面刑罰
35我必帶你們到,在那裡當面刑罰你們。And I will bring you into the wilderness of the nations, where I will enter into judgment with you face to face.
36我怎樣在埃及地的曠野刑罰你們的列祖,也必照樣刑罰你們。這是主耶和華說的。Just as I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will enter into judgment with you, declares the Lord GOD.
37我必使你們,使你們被約。I will make you pass under the rod and will bring you into the bond of the covenant.
38我必從你們中間除淨叛逆和得罪我的人,將他們從所寄居的地方領出來,他們卻不得入以色列地。你們就知道我是耶和華。And I will purge you of those who rebel and transgress against Me. I will bring them out of the land in which they dwell, but they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD.
在聖山上悅納你們
39「以色列家啊,至於你們,主耶和華如此說:從此以後若不聽從我,就任憑你們去事奉偶像,只是不可再因你們的供物和偶像褻瀆我的聖名。And as for you, O house of Israel, this is what the Lord GOD says: Go and serve your idols, every one of you. But afterward, you will surely listen to Me, and you will no longer defile My holy name with your gifts and idols.
40「主耶和華說:在我的,就是以色列高處的山,所有以色列的全家都要事奉我。我要在那裡悅納你們,向你們要供物和初熟的土產,並一切的聖物。For on My holy mountain, the high mountain of Israel, declares the Lord GOD, there the whole house of Israel, all of them, will serve Me in the land. There I will accept them and will require your offerings and choice gifts, along with all your holy sacrifices.
41我從萬民中領你們出來,從分散的列國內聚集你們,那時我必悅納你們好像,要在外邦人眼前在你們身上顯為聖。When I bring you from the peoples and gather you from the lands to which you have been scattered, I will accept you as a pleasing aroma. And I will show My holiness through you in the sight of the nations.
42我領你們進入以色列地,就是我起誓應許賜給你們列祖之地,那時你們就知道我是耶和華。Then you will know that I am the LORD, when I bring you into the land of Israel, the land that I swore to give your fathers.
43你們在那裡要追念玷污自己的行動作為,又要因所做的一切惡事厭惡自己。There you will remember your ways and all the deeds with which you have defiled yourselves, and you will loathe yourselves for all the evils you have done.
44主耶和華說:以色列家啊,我為我名的緣故,不照著你們的惡行和你們的壞事待你們;你們就知道我是耶和華。」Then you will know, O house of Israel, that I am the LORD, when I have dealt with you for the sake of My name and not according to your wicked ways and corrupt acts, declares the Lord GOD.”
摘要
以西結書第二十章記載神透過先知回顧以色列從埃及到曠野、再到應許之地的悖逆歷史:百姓一再拜偶像、違背律例、干犯安息日,神多次欲傾倒忿怒卻為自己聖名的緣故而忍耐。最終神宣告要從列國中再次聚集以色列,在聖山上悅納他們的敬拜,但必先經過審判篩選、除淨叛逆者,使餘民追念往日的罪行而自知羞愧。全章彰顯神的信實與公義並行——祂不因百姓的不配而廢棄約定,卻也不容罪惡不受對付。
反思問題
- 神多次『為祂名的緣故』忍耐不降罰,這揭示神的性情中哪些面向?你在自己反覆犯錯的經歷中,是否也體會過神類似的忍耐?
- 以色列人一面求問神,一面卻緊抓偶像不放。你的生活中是否存在一邊尋求神、一邊不願放手的事物?如何面對這種張力?
- 第43節說百姓最終會『追念並厭惡自己的惡行』。真實的悔改如何不同於僅僅感到愧疚?你如何在日常中操練真實的悔改?
新約雅各書 4:1–5:6
前情提要
上回說到
昨天():舌頭雖小卻像火,能點著大樹林;同一個口不該又頌讚神、又咒詛人。屬地的智慧帶來嫉妒紛爭,「從上頭來的智慧」先是清潔,後是和平,滿有憐憫。
今天你會讀到
爭戰鬥毆是從私慾來的;與世俗為友就是與神為敵。雅各呼籲「你們親近神,神就必親近你們」,要在主面前自卑,不可彼此批評。他提醒那些自信滿滿計畫明天的人:生命不過是一片雲霧。最後嚴厲警告欺壓工人、只知積攢錢財的富足人。
閱讀小提示
很適合用在每天的計畫上:安排行程沒有錯,但要記得說「主若願意,我們就可以活著」,把明天交在神手中。
點時代可看說明
傳統認為作者是耶路撒冷教會的領袖雅各。 責備富人的語氣,很像舊約先知(例如阿摩司)的口吻。
雅各書 第 4 章
爭戰從私慾來
1你們中間的爭戰是從哪裡來的呢?不是從你們百體中戰鬥之私慾來的嗎?What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the passions at war within you?
2你們貪戀,還是得不著;你們殺害嫉妒,又鬥毆爭戰,也不能得。你們得不著,是因為你們不求。You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask.
3你們求也得不著,是因為你們,要浪費在你們的宴樂中。And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures.
與世俗為友就是與神為敵
4你們這些(原文是淫婦)哪,豈不知與世俗為友就是與 神為敵嗎?所以凡想要與世俗為友的,就是與 神為敵了。You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.
5你們想經上所說是徒然的嗎? 神所賜、住在我們裡面的靈,是嗎?Or do you think the Scripture says without reason that the Spirit He caused to dwell in us yearns with envy?
6但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說: 神,賜恩給謙卑的人。But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
順服神,抵擋魔鬼
7故此,你們要順服 神。務要抵擋,魔鬼就必離開你們逃跑了。Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8你們親近 神, 神就必親近你們。有罪的人哪,要潔淨你們的手!心懷二意的人哪,要清潔你們的心!Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
9你們要愁苦、悲哀、哭泣,將喜笑變作悲哀,歡樂變作。Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter to mourning, and your joy to gloom.
10務要在主面前自卑,主就必叫你們升高。Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.
不可彼此批評
11弟兄們,你們不可彼此批評。人若批評弟兄,論斷弟兄,就是批評律法,論斷律法。你若論斷律法,就不是遵行律法,乃是判斷人的。Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. And if you judge the law, you are not a practitioner of the law, but a judge of it.
12設立律法和判斷人的,只有一位,就是那能救人也能滅人的。你是誰,竟敢論斷別人呢?There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
主若願意
13!你們有話說:「今天明天我們要往某城裡去,在那裡住一年,做買賣得利。」Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.”
14其實明天如何,你們還不知道。你們的生命是甚麼呢?你們原來是一片,出現少時就不見了。You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
15你們只當說:「主若願意,我們就可以活著,也可以做這事,或做那事。」Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.”
16現今你們竟以誇口;凡這樣誇口都是惡的。As it is, you boast in your proud intentions. All such boasting is evil.
17人若知道行善,卻不去行,這就是他的罪了。Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.
雅各書 第 5 章
警告富足人
1嗐!你們這些富足人哪,應當哭泣、,因為將有苦難臨到你們身上。Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you.
2你們的財物壞了,衣服也被蟲子咬了。Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes.
3你們的金銀都長了;那銹要證明你們的不是,又要吃你們的肉,如同火燒。你們在這只知積攢錢財。Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days.
4工人給你們收割莊稼,你們虧欠他們的,這工錢有聲音呼叫,並且那收割之人的冤聲已經入了的耳了。Look, the wages you withheld from the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts.
5你們在世上享美福,好宴樂,當宰殺的日子竟你們的心。You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in the day of slaughter.
6你們定了義人的罪,把他殺害,他也不抵擋你們。You have condemned and murdered the righteous, who did not resist you.
摘要
雅各書四至五章直面信徒群體中的爭鬥、私慾、驕傲與不義。雅各指出紛爭源於內心貪慾,與世俗為友即與神為敵;他呼籲信徒謙卑順服神、親近神、不論斷人、不自誇未來,並警告富人剝削工人、積攢不義之財必遭審判。後半段則勉勵信徒忍耐等候主來,以先知和約伯為榜樣,彼此認罪代求,藉禱告經歷醫治與赦免,並挽回迷失的弟兄姊妹。
反思問題
- 雅各說『與世俗為友就是與神為敵』。在你目前的生活中,哪些價值觀或追求可能正悄悄取代你對神的忠誠?
- 第四章17節說『知道行善卻不去行,就是罪。』你是否有明知該做卻一直拖延的善事?是什麼攔阻你付諸行動?
- 雅各以農夫等候秋雨春雨來比喻忍耐。你目前正在等候神的哪些應許或帶領?如何在等候中保持信心而不灰心?