8 Jun 2016, Ezekiel 32 以西结书 32, Lament for Egypt 为埃及哀悼

Posted on Jun 4, 2016 in Devotions, Ezekiel |

Scripture Reading  : Ezekiel 32

Theme                      : Lament for Egypt

 

This is the final chapter about judgement against Egypt and it concludes God’s judgement on the nations. God has judged Israel, but He will also judge Israel’s enemies and restore Israel in the future. Of course, God did not give Ezekiel prophecies against Babylon like He gave to Isaiah and Jeremiah. This is because Ezekiel and the exiles lived in Babylon. Prophecies against Babylon would mean rebellion against Babylon, which God does not want. But God’s judgement against Babylon is implied in His judgement against Egypt. No matter how great and powerful a nation is, if that nation is proud and evil, God will judge it eventually. God has destroyed mighty Assyria and He is will destroy mighty Egypt too. All those mighty warrior-kings who trusted in their strength will end up in the grave when God judges them. Their pride is cast down into the lowly graves. If Babylon continue its prideful path, God will also judge it.


Praying the Scripture

Pride in human accomplishments draws the fury of God. This lesson applies not only to the secular world of the nations, but especially to those who lead in the kingdom of God. Many centuries earlier Moses had warned Israel of the devastating consequences of claiming: “My power and the might of my own hand have gotten me this wealth” (Deut. 8:17–20). The need for a warning against hubris in the Western church has seldom if ever been more urgent than today. Churches and their leaders may not gloat over their influence or achievements without suffering divine fury, just as the pharaohs and emperors of the world did.

[1]

[1] Block. The Book of Ezekiel, p.197.

 
 
 
 

经文：以西结书32

主题：为埃及哀悼

 

这是对埃及之审判的最后一个篇章，也是神对列国之审判的总结。神已经审判了以色列，但祂也要审判以色列的敌人，并在未来复兴以色列。当然，神并没有向以西结说有关巴比伦的预言，如同祂启示以赛亚和耶利米那样。这是因为以西结和被掳之民都住在巴比伦。若给了他们这些预言，他们或许会与巴比伦对抗，而这是神不想看到的。可是，神对巴比伦的审判就隐喻在祂对埃及的审判中。无论一个国家的势力多强，有多伟大，倘若她是骄傲邪恶的，神终究会施行审判。神曾消灭强大的亚述，也即将毁灭强大的埃及。凡信靠自己的力量的战斗君王都会在神的审判之日下到坟墓去。他们的骄傲也被抛掷到低微的墓穴中。倘若巴比伦持续持有高傲的心，神也会审判她。


用经文祷告

人因自己的成就骄傲是会引来神的愤怒的。这个功课不但能应用在世俗的列国事物上，更能应用在神的国度中作领导的。许多世纪以前，摩西曾告诫以色列人心里若说这话的惨痛后果：这货财是我力量，我能力得来的（申8:17-20）。今时今日，西方教会急切需要听从对骄傲之心的告诫。教会及其领袖不能炫示自己的影响力或成就却不遭受神之愤怒的，如世间的众法老和帝王一样。

[1]

[1] Block. The Book of Ezekiel, p. 197.