GRACE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP | 恩道堂

This section is equivalent to Hosea, which depicts God’s divorce of the northern kingdom, Israel. In this section, God divorces Judah, the southern kingdom. God reminds the sinful people that they will suffer because of their sins, not because God is unable to save them. He is mighty to save as demonstrated by the miracles during the exodus when He dried up the sea. Sinful people only think their God’s job is to protect them, if their God fails, it must be because He is not strong enough.

In contrast to the sinful servant of Israel, the Messiah, the perfect servant of God, is faithful to God. He will suffer like Israel, but not for His sin, but for the sins of Israel. In His suffering, He will trust God. Even in His suffering, He will not flinch but will be resolved to suffer for God because He knows God is with Him and will ultimately vindicate Him. People may mock the Messiah, but in the end, they will bow down to the Messiah. Jesus suffered on the cross, but when He returns, God will vindicate His great name.

The suffering Messiah is a great example of trusting and waiting on God in suffering. Suffering did not weaken His resolve, but instead strengthen His resolve. For His faith in God in suffering, God will exalt His name above all names (Phil. 2:9). The Messiah’s glorious character is displayed for us to marvel and imitate. Pray that God will help you to see and admire the beauty of Jesus’ character and imitate His trust and patience when you are suffering. Know that God will exalt you for your faith. Make sure you are not suffering because of your sins like Israel (1 Pet. 2:20).

这段经文与何西阿书相似。何西阿书形容的是神休北国以色列，而神在这儿则休了南国犹大。神提醒这群罪人说他们是因着自己的罪受苦，不是因为神无法救他们。神有大能施行拯救，甚至在出埃及记能使红海干涸。罪恶之人只会想到神的责任是要保护他们，而若神失败，那一定是因为神不够强大。

与以色列这个罪恶的仆人相比，神完美的仆人弥赛亚则是对神一心一意。祂会与以色列一样受苦，但这不是因为祂有罪，乃是承担了以色列的罪。祂在患难中会信靠神；即便在患难中，祂也不退缩，乃立志为神受苦，因为祂晓得神与祂同在，并最终必为祂申冤。人今日或许嘲笑弥赛亚，但最后，他们会俯伏敬拜弥赛亚。耶稣曾在十架上受苦，但祂再来的时候，神会为祂的大名申冤。