19 Apr 2016, Jeremiah 44 耶利米书 44, The Idolatry of the Remnant 余民拜祭偶像

Posted on Apr 18, 2016 in Devotions, Jeremiah |

Scripture Reading  : Jeremiah 44

Theme                      : The Idolatry of the Remnant

 

Warning against Idolatry (1-14)

God appeals to the remnant to learn from history. All the disasters that had happened to Israel were because of their idolatry. Now if the remnant continue in idolatry, they will be destroyed by God too.

Persistence in Idolatry (15-30).

However, the remnant continue to persist in idolatry. This passage shows how blind unbelief can be. Unbelief can be insanely foolish and devoid of reality. Instead of repenting, they believe their disasters occurred because they had stopped worshipping idols (most likely during the time of Josiah). They thought that when they worshipped idols they had abundance and peace. Nothing could be further from the truth. Their form of idol worship was predominantly performed by women. Their husbands, like Adam, passively went along with it.


Praying the Scripture

The tragedy of the Fall in the garden of Eden is being replayed in this chapter. Like Eve, the women of Israel are being deceived by the devil to worship idols. Like Adam, the husbands of Israel did not stop their wives’ sinful worship but passively followed their wives into sin instead of correcting them. Sin skews reality, but faith in God keeps us firmly in reality and truth. Pray that you will stay firm in your faith in God and help others to stay firm in their faith. Especially those who are married, may you help your spouse to stay firm in faith.

经文：耶利米书44

主题：余民拜祭偶像

 

对拜祭偶像的警告（1-14）。

神呼吁余民以历史为鉴。以色列所经历的灾祸皆因他们敬拜偶像而起。如今，余民若继续重蹈覆徹，他们也将会被神完全剪除。

始終执迷不悟（15-30）。

然而，余民继续坚持拜偶像。这段信息显示不信者是何等盲目，他们极其愚昧而脱离现实。百姓不但不悔改，反倒相信灾祸的缘由是他们停止拜偶像（极可能为约西亚时期）。他们认为拜偶像就能获得富足与平安，但事实与此截然相反。他们的偶像敬拜主要是由妇女带动，而她们的丈夫，就像当年的亚当一样，被动地配合了妻子。
 

用经文祷告

在这一章里，伊甸园之堕落的悲剧再次重演。以色列的妇女像夏娃一样被魔鬼蒙骗而拜偶像，而以色列的丈夫就像亚当，既不阻止，也不纠正妻子罪恶的敬拜，还被动地跟从她们陷入罪中。罪使人偏离现实，但神的信心让我们扎根在现实与真理中。祷告你对神的信心是坚定不移的，并帮助他人建立同样的信心。特别是已婚人士，愿你能帮助自己的配偶坚定对神的信靠。


18 Apr 2016, Jeremiah 43 耶利米书 43, Flight to Egypt 逃往埃及

Posted on Apr 18, 2016 in Devotions, Jeremiah |

Scripture Reading  : Jeremiah 43

Theme                      : Flight to Egypt

 

Flight to Egypt (1-7).

After God forbids the remnant to go to Egypt, Johanan and other leaders immediately reject God’s command. They try to save face by diverting attention away from their previous vow to obey God’s words by focusing on Baruch’s deception. Jeremiah is an old man now and it is plausible that he can be manipulated by his secretary, Baruch. The rest of the remnant decides to listen to Johana instead of God. So they head for Egypt and force Jeremiah and Baruch to go too.

Judgement on the Remnant (8-13). The remnant wants to avoid death and war, but because they disobey God’s command, God promises to bring war and death to them. God promises to bring Nebuchadnezzar to conquer Egypt and destroy Egypt’s idols. History confirms the fulfillment of this prophecy when Nebuchadnezzar invaded Egypt in 586 B.C.

 

Praying the Scripture

History always repeats itself because human nature does not change. The remnant did not learn from past mistakes. They keep relying on themselves in order to save themselves and to find safety and comfort. In so doing, they disobey God’s clear commands and ironically receives death and destruction, the very things they try to avoid. If only they would obey God, they would find safety and comfort. Pray that in all situations, you would trust and obey God even when you are afraid or do not understand your situation. God’s path is always the right path.

经文：耶利米书43

主题：逃往埃及

 

逃往埃及（1-7）。

在神禁止犹大余民往埃及后，约哈难与众首领断然拒绝神的命令。为了挽回面子，他们将主谋之罪推在巴录身上，以转移人对他们先前曾立下顺服神之誓约的关注。耶利米如今已年长，所以是有可能受巴录摆布的。余民决定听从约哈难而非神，因此他们前往埃及，并强迫耶利米与巴录同行。

对余民之审判（8-13）。犹大余民想要逃离死亡与争战，但由于他们不顺服神的命令，他们必受到神的刑罚：死亡与争战。神预言祂会用尼布甲尼撒攻击埃及，并拆毀埃及的廟宇和神像。历史证实此预言已应验；尼布甲尼撒确于公元前586年侵略埃及。

 

用经文祷告

因人类本性不变，历史总是反复重演。余民并没有从过去的错误中学习，他们继续依赖自己，试图自救，想自己寻得平安与慰籍。他们极力要逃避死亡和毁灭，甚至不惜悖逆神的命令，但最终所面对的就是死亡和毁灭。如果他们愿意顺服神，他们就能得到平安与慰籍了。祷告无论在任何处境，即便是感到惧怕或不理解当下的情况，你仍会信靠与顺服神。神的道路永远是正确的。

16 Apr 2016, Jeremiah 42 耶利米书 42, Warning against Going to Egypt 警告勿往埃及

Posted on Apr 11, 2016 in Devotions, Jeremiah |

Scripture Reading  : Jeremiah 42

Theme                      : Warning against Going to Egypt

 

The remnant is afraid of the Babylonians, but is also afraid of going to Egypt. So they ask Jeremiah to inquire God for them. In reality, they did not want to seek God’s guidance; they only wanted to ask God to affirm their choice of going to Egypt. God warns them not to go to Egypt because the temptation to worship idols will be even greater in Egypt. It was idol worship that caused God to judge Judah. God had spared the remnant from death and exile, but if they go down to Egypt they will worship idols in Egypt. For such sin, God will destroy them. If they go to Egypt, the very things that they are afraid of: death and war, will happen to them. The remnant insanely rejects God’s warning and stubbornly disobey God


Praying the Scripture

The sinful, fleshly nature possesses insanity (Eccl. 9:3). This sinful nature bounds the will so that the will of unregenerate people are enslaved to sin. They will distrust God no matter how much God tries to reach out to them. Only by God’s grace can unregenerate people’s hearts be changed and trust God as lord and savior. Praise God for saving you. If He did not show grace to you, you would be like these Jews who will always insanely reject God.

经文：耶利米书42

主题：警告勿往埃及

 

犹大余民既惧怕巴比伦人，又对前往埃及感到不安，因此求耶利米代他们寻问神自己当如何行。实际上，他们并不想寻求神的带领；他们只想求神在他们所作出的决定上印上盖章。由于敬拜偶像的试探会更重，神警戒他们勿往埃及；犹大曾因敬拜偶像而招致神的审判。神已使这群余民幸免死亡与掳掠，但倘若他们下到埃及，他们将会在那里敬拜偶像，由此招致神的刑罚。倘若他们下到埃及，他们将会面临自己当时所不愿面对的一切：死亡与争战。犹大余民像疯子似的极力拒绝神的警告，更顽梗地违抗祂。

 

用经文祷告

世人的心充满了恶，活着的时候心存狂妄（传9:3）。罪性辖制着人的意志，尚未重生者是罪的奴役，故此不能信靠神。唯有藉着神的恩典，未重生之人的心才得改变，相信神是救主。赞美神拯救你，若不是祂向你施恩典，你也可能像这些犹太人一样顽梗地拒绝神。

15 Apr 2016, Jeremiah 41 耶利米书 41, The Atrocities of Ishmael 以实玛利的暴行

Posted on Apr 11, 2016 in Devotions, Jeremiah |

Scripture Reading  : Jeremiah 41

Theme                      : The Atrocities of Ishmael

 

Ishmael wanted to kill Gedaliah. Most likely he was jealous that Gedaliah was the ruler instead of him. In any case, Ishmael treacherously murders Gedaliah by pretending to be his friend. He killed both Jews and Babylonians. He is so treacherous that he even killed pilgrims who were going to Jerusalem to worship God at the ruined temple. He even populated the cisterns with dead bodies so that the people cannot have drinking water. Ishmael’s atrocities indicate the deep moral corruption of Judah. When Johanan discovered Ishmael’s atrocities, he pursues him and is able to rescue the captives, including Jeremiah and Baruch. Fearing the Babylonians would kill them for the murder of Gedaliah, Johanan and others intend to flee to Egypt.


Praying the Scripture

All the death, suffering and tragedy during the time of war function to give a picture of what hell is like. Ishmael’s behavior shows that evil will go from bad to worse. Evil people will deceive and be deceived (2 Tim. 3:13). He was being used by Baalis the king of the Ammonites. There is nothing good about living in sin. At the end, only destruction and death will result. Praise God for saving us from the deception and destruction of sin through our faith in Jesus.

经文：耶利米书41

主题：以实玛利的暴行

 

以实玛利想谋害基大利，极可能因自己未获委派作省长而嫉妒他。无论如何，以实玛利使用了奸诈的手段，先假装以基大利为友然后谋杀他。他杀害的人包括犹太人与巴比伦人。以实玛利性情如此凶残，甚至杀害一般正前往耶路撒冷圣殿敬拜的朝圣者，还将尸首弃于坑中，导致百姓没有饮用水可取。以实玛利的暴行反映的是犹大道德沦丧之深。当约哈难发现以实玛利的暴行后，他率众追赶，并成功地救回耶利米与巴录等被掳之人。因惧怕巴比伦人会因自己所立的基大利被杀而发怒，约哈难与其他人決定逃往埃及。

 

用经文祷告

战争带来的死亡、痛苦与灾难反映的是地狱的现实情景。以实玛利的行为显明邪恶“必越久越恶”。作恶的人“欺哄人，也被人欺哄”（提后3:13）；他实际上是被亚扪人的王巴利斯所利用。活在罪中并没有益处，最终招来的是有毁灭与死亡。感谢赞美神，藉着我们对主耶稣的信靠，把我们从罪的诡计与毁灭中拯救出来。

14 Apr 2016, Jeremiah 40 耶利米书 40, Jeremiah Remains in Judah 耶利米留在犹大

Posted on Apr 11, 2016 in Devotions, Jeremiah |

Scripture Reading  : Jeremiah 40

Theme                      : Jeremiah Remains in Judah

 

Jeremiah Stays in Judah (1-8)

Somehow during the confusion of processing the exiles, Jeremiah was brought to Ramah with the rest of the captives to be processed before being exiled to Babylon. He was freed after he was recognized by Nebuzaradan. Because of Jeremiah’s love for his people he decided to stay in Judah and to wait for God’s blessings on Judah.

Gedeliah Reigns in Judah (9-16).

Gedeliah was appointed to be the governor over those who remained in Judah. He is the son of Ahikam, who protected Jeremiah (26:24). He was a trustworthy man and capable but did not understand the depth of man’s depravity. His naivety caused him his life in the end because he did not believe that Ishmael, who is from the line of David through Elishama (41:1; 2 Sam 5:16), would kill him. He was right not to listen to Johanan’s plot to kill Ishmael, but he should have taken precautious measures to protect himself from Ishmael.


Praying the Scripture

  1. This chapter proves Jeremiah’s love for his people. All the accusations about Jeremiah’s hatred toward his people were wrong. Jeremiah is a true prophet and servant of God who loves his people to the end. Pray that you will have a heart like Jeremiah, a true servant of God, who does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked (Eze. 18:23), yet at the same time agrees with God’s righteous judgment. Pray that you will love others like Jeremiah, with righteousness (1 Cor. 13:6). The Christian life is about love and righteousness.
  1. It is in horrific times that one can see the extremity of evil and the extremity of faith. Jeremiah’s incredible, divine-inspired, selfless love caused him to stay in Judah for the benefit of his people, while Ishmael’s lust caused him to kill his own people for his own selfish ambitions. Ishmael is of the devil, while Jeremiah is of God. There is no middle ground. Evil will go from bad to worse (2 Tim 3:13), while righteousness goes from good to great (Prov 4:18). Pray that you will choose God every single day and seek glory and honor.

经文：耶利米书40

主题：耶利米留在犹大

 

耶利米呆在犹大（1-8）。

不知何故，在甄別將被放逐之人的过程中，耶利米又被混与其余的百姓中，一同被带到拉玛，预备被解去巴比倫。然而，在被尼布撒拉旦认出以后，耶利米立即被释放。耶利米因出于对同胞的爱决定留在犹大，等候神施恩。

基大利统治犹大（9-16）。基大利被立作留在犹大之人的省长。他是曾保护耶利米的亚希甘之子（26:24）。基大利是一位可靠又有能力之人，却不明白人性败坏之深。由于他无知，不相信属大卫王的宗室以利沙玛家族的以实玛利竟然会杀他，因此丧失了自己的性命（41:1；撒下5:16）。基大利拒绝听从约哈难的建议杀害以实玛利是正确的，但他应该提防以实玛利，保存自己的安危。
用经文祷告

  1. 这一章显明了耶利米对其百姓的爱；所有关于耶利米对百姓的憎恨之指控尽是错误的。耶利米是一位真先知，是关爱百姓、对神忠贞不渝的仆人。祷告你会拥有一颗像耶利米一样的心，是神真正的仆人，并不为恶人之死而喜悦（结18:23），但同时顺服神公义的审判。祷告你会像耶利米一样以公义（林前13:6）关爱他人。基督徒的生命是应当充满爱与公义的。
  1. 在一个混乱的世代里，人能目睹极其邪恶与坚贞信神的鲜明对比。耶利米无与伦比，由神而来的无私大爱驱使他为了其百姓的好处留在犹大，而以实玛利却因自己的私欲杀害同胞。以实玛利是属魔鬼的，而耶利米是属神的——两者之间没有灰色地带。恶人“必越久越恶”（提后3:13），而义人的路“好像黎明的光，越照约明”（箴言4:18）。祷告你立志每一天都寻求荣耀神，给予祂尊荣。

13 Apr 2016, Jeremiah 39 耶利米书 39, Fall of Jerusalem 耶路撒冷的失陷

Posted on Apr 11, 2016 in Devotions, Jeremiah |

Scripture Reading  : Jeremiah 39

Theme                      : Fall of Jerusalem

 

The Faithless Die (1-10)

God had lovingly and patiently warned His rebellious people to surrender and live. But they continued to disobey. When judgement day came, the faithless received what they deserved. Those who opposed Jeremiah and the Babylonians were killed. Tragically, Zedekiah saw all his sons slaughtered and his own eyes blinded, then he was taken to captivity in Babylon until he died. This was a common treatment of rebels by the Babylonians. It also fulfilled God’s two prophecies about Zedekiah: (1) Zedekiah would see the king of Babylon and be taken there (cf. 32:3–4), and (2) he would die in Babylon without ever seeing it (cf. Ezek 12:13).

The Faithful Survive (11-18).

Those who courageously trust God even in the face of danger, are not put to shame but are delivered by God as He had promised to them. God saves Jeremiah and the foreign eunuch just as He promised.

 

Praying the Scripture

God’s word is true. He delivers the faithful and destroys the faithless. Pray that even in great time of trials, you will be faithful to God, for His promises of blessings and warnings are true. God is not partial, He will honor those who honor Him, even if they are foreigners and disadvantaged like the eunuch. God is the God of the world, whoever believes in Him will never perish or be ashamed, no matter what their gender, social or economical status is.

经文：耶利米书39

主题：耶路撒冷的失陷

 

不信者必灭亡（1-10）。

满有慈爱的神曾耐心地劝戒祂忤逆的百姓要投降以得存活，但他们顽梗抗拒。因此，当审判之日降临时，不信之人也受到他们所应得的。凡与耶利米及巴比伦对抗的尽被杀戮。可悲的是，西底家得目睹自己的众子被杀，之后眼睛被剜掉，再被带到巴比伦囚禁直到离世。这是巴比伦人对反抗者常用的处置方式。这一切也应验了神对西底家的两个预言：第一，西底家会见到巴比伦王，且被掳到那里（参考32:3-4）；其二，他会死在巴比伦，却看不见那地（参考结12:13）。

信神者必存活（11-18）

那面对危难却勇敢信靠神的人必不至羞愧，因为神搭救了他们，正如祂所应许的。神按着祂的应许拯救了耶利米与那位外邦太监。
 

用经文祷告

神的话是属实的。祂必然搭救信靠祂的人；不信者则要灭亡。祷告你在面对甚大的试炼时仍会对神忠心，因为祂所应许的祝福与警戒是确实的。神不偏待人；祂会使荣耀祂的人得荣耀，不论他们是外邦人与否，或如同太监一样处于劣势的人。神是宇宙万物的主，凡相信祂的，无论性别、社会或经济阶层是什么，都绝不会灭亡或蒙羞愧。

12 Apr 2016, Jeremiah 38 耶利米书 38, God Rescues Jeremiah 神拯救耶利米

Posted on Apr 11, 2016 in Devotions, Jeremiah |

Scripture Reading  : Jeremiah 38

Theme                      : God Rescues Jeremiah

 

God Rescues Jeremiah (1-13)

During the siege of Jerusalem, Jeremiah warns the people to surrender in order to live. Consequently, those officials who are pro-Egyptian and anti-Babylonians want to kill Jeremiah for treason. Ironically, they accuse Jeremiah of not looking out for the welfare of the people when in reality the opposite is true. They do not care about the people by trying to silence the truth, while Jeremiah obeys God and warns them. For this, Jeremiah is put in a cistern and left there to die by Zedekiah’s officials. Zedekiah is too weak morally and spiritually to intervene. He fears men more than God (Prov. 29:25) and lacks trust in God. The only person who cares about Jeremiah is a foreign eunuch. For his faith in God and care for Jeremiah, God saves the eunuch’s life after the siege (39:18). God is faithful to fulfill His promise to protect Jeremiah’s life.

God Warns Zedekiah (14-28).

The faithless and morally weak Zedekiah once again wishes to hear from Jeremiah because he was hoping God would change His mind without their obedience. God repeats the same message of mercy for those who surrender, but death for those who resist the Babylonians. Again, Zedekiah is faithless to trust in God, too afraid of his officials and too weak morally to do what is right for his people. God lovingly warns the Jews, but He is also faithful to fulfill his promise to destroy those who do not surrender. At the end, Jeremiah, a man of faith, is rescued, but faithless Zedekiah is destroyed.


Praying the Scripture

Those who try to preserve themselves while disobeying God will surely forfeit their lives and God’s blessings. But those who are willing to lose their lives in order to obey God will surely gain eternal life, even if they lose their temporal, physical life (Matt 16:25). This is the lesson of this chapter. May you trust in God’s warnings and blessings in the Bible. Sin and disobedience will never result in permanent happiness and safety, but will result in destruction and pain. Whatever comfort, peace and joy that sin may bring are only short-lived. Pray that you will believe in God’s word. If God’s warnings and blessings to His enemies are true, His warnings and blessings to His beloved are even surer.

经文：耶利米书38

主题：神拯救耶利米

 

神拯救耶利米（1-13）。在耶路撒冷被包围的期间，耶利米劝百姓降于巴比伦以得存活。结果，那些亲埃及、反巴比伦的首领起意要以叛国之罪谋害耶利米。他们控告耶利米没有寻求百姓的利益，但事实却是相反的。他们实际上并不关心百姓，因为他们试图掩盖真相；耶利米却是顺服神，尝试向百姓予以警戒。为此，首領将耶利米扔在地牢里，想置他于死地。由于西底家不敬畏神，个性又懦弱，所以不敢干涉。他惧怕人过于敬畏神（箴29:25），同时又不愿信靠神。唯一关心耶利米的人则是一个外邦太监。因着他对神的信靠与对耶利米的关心，当耶路撒冷沦陷后，神拯救了他的性命（39:18）。神是信实的——祂成就了自己必拯救耶利米的应许。神警告西底家（14-28）。那既不信神又昏庸无能的西底家再次希望聆听神藉着耶利米所传的信息，因为他希望神能在百姓不愿顺服的情况下改变祂的心意。神重申了同样的信息：那投降于巴比伦的将得怜悯，反抗者则要灭亡。西底家再次因着对神的不信、对首领的惧怕，以及个人的软弱，仍旧无法为他的百姓做出正确的选择。满有慈爱的神给犹太人警戒，但也必然履行自己的承诺，毁灭悖逆顽固的百姓。最终，坚信神的耶利米被拯救，而不信神的西底家则遭灭亡。

用经文祷告

那试图保存自己性命却不顺服神的人必然丧失自己的生命，也失去神的祝福。然而那些不惜牺牲自己的生命以便顺服神的人将要得着永恒的生命，纵然他们会失去短暂的、属肉体的生命（太16:25）。这是本章的教训。但愿你相信圣经所记载有关神一切的警告与祝福。罪恶与悖逆决不能带来永恒的快乐与平安，却会招来毁灭与痛苦。罪所带来的安慰、平安和喜乐只是短暂的。祷告你会相信神的话。神对祂仇敌的警告与祝福必然成就，因此祂对所爱的人的警告与祝福便是更确定的。


11 Apr 2016, Jeremiah 37 耶利米书 37, Resolute Jeremiah and Weak Zedekiah 坚决的耶利米与软弱的西底家

Posted on Apr 11, 2016 in Devotions, Jeremiah |

Scripture Reading  : Jeremiah 37

Theme                      : Resolute Jeremiah and Weak Zedekiah

 

Chapters 37–39 are prophecies during the reign of Zedekiah. They deal with events and messages during the siege and capture of Jerusalem. After the exile of Coniah, Zedekiah begins to believe that Jeremiah is a true prophet and other prophets are liars. That is why he wants to hear from Jeremiah. But he still does not want to obey the Lord, he was just hoping God would change His mind without the people repenting. After the Babylonians temporarily lifted the siege of Jerusalem, Jeremiah decides to return to his home town in order to settle some matters. But he is maliciously and wrongly charged with the intent to desert to the Babylonians. Jeremiah is beaten and locked up in a dungeon. Zedekiah is so afraid of his officials and others that he had to secretly meet with Jeremiah. He knows Jeremiah is a true prophet, but still he is too weak to do the right thing by obeying God. However, Jeremiah, because of his faith, was faithful to God and proclaim His words humbly and confidently. He humbly pleads with Zedekiah to not send him back to the dungeon. Zedekiah grants his request. Zedekiah is like Pilate, who knew the truth about Jesus but was too afraid to believe in Him. This led Pilate to eternal death.

 

Praying the Scripture

  1. Jeremiah is an example of how God faithfully preserves His servants even in times of trouble. God promised to save Jeremiah physically and He faithfully fulfilled His promise to Jeremiah. God will always fulfill His promise to His people. May you find comfort and peace in God no matter what your situation is, because God is faithful and He promises to give us grace when we trust Him.
  1. The fear of man is a snare (Prov 29:25). Such paralyzing fear of man in the face of death can be overcome by a greater fear: the fear of God (Matt 10:28). Such a fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (Prov 9:10). When you are weak in faith, remember the fear of the Lord and do not let the fear of man lead you to faithlessness and eternal death like Zedekiah.

经文：耶利米书37

主题：坚决的耶利米与软弱的西底家

 

第37-39章是关于西底家统治期间的预言，记述的是耶路撒冷被围攻与占领时的事件与相关信息。随着哥尼雅被放逐后，西底家开始相信耶利米是真先知，其余的则是骗子；这也是他为什么想聆听耶利米口中的信息。然而，他仍不愿意顺服神，只是希望神会在百姓不愿悔改的情况下改变原有的审判。就在巴比伦暂停对耶路撒冷的围攻时，耶利米为了处理一些事情决定回到自己的家乡。可是，他却被误解，因投降敵人之嫌而被拘禁。耶利米在牢房里被锁，也被打。由于西底家害怕自己手下的首领与臣仆，他必须私下与耶利米见面。西底家晓得耶利米是真先知，但他过于懦弱，不愿顺服神，行正确的事。然而，因着耶利米对神的信心，他始终对神忠心，并谦卑地、自信地宣告神的话。他恳求西底家不要让他回到地牢里，西底家也应允了。西底家与彼拉多一样；他们都明白有关耶稣的真相，却因胆怯而不信靠祂。由此，彼拉多面对永恒的死亡。

 

用经文祷告

  1. 即使在患难中，神必信实地保守祂的仆人，而耶利米就是一个实例。神应许拯救耶利米的性命，因此祂必成履行这份承诺。神也必然成就祂对百姓的诺言。无论你的境况如何，但愿你能在神里面找到安慰和平安，因为神是信实的。我们若信靠祂，祂必赐予恩典。
  1. 惧怕人的，陷入网罗（箴29:25）。人在面临死亡时总有巨大的恐慌，但我们若有敬畏神的心，便能胜过这样的恐惧了（太10:28）。敬畏神是智慧的开端（箴9:10）。当你信心软弱时，谨记要敬畏神，不要效法西底家，因惧怕人而不信神，终而陷入永恒的死亡里。

2 Apr 2016, Jeremiah 36 耶利米书 36, Jehoiakim Burns God’s Words 约雅敬烧毁神的话

Posted on Mar 28, 2016 in Devotions, Jeremiah |

Scripture Reading  : Jeremiah 36

Theme                      : Jehoiakim Burns God’s Words

 

Writing and Reading of God’s Words (1-19)

God told Jeremiah to write his Holy Spirit inspired prophecies into words through a secretary, Baruch. This is the same as the writing of Paul’s Holy Spirit inspired letters through a secretary (Rom. 16:22). The purpose for writing the prophecies was to spur the people to repentance. Written word indicates the seriousness of God’s warning. This warning affected some people (v. 16), but not on Jehoiakim.

Jehoiakim Burns God’s Words (20-32).

Instead of repenting in dust and ashes, Jehoiakim burns God’s words and tries to kill God’s messengers. For such serious sin God judges him and promises that none of his descendants will occupy the throne of David. This punishment was also mentioned in Jer. 22:28. See the BRG comments on chapter 22 to understand how Jesus can still fulfill God’s promise of being God’s forever king from the line of David and yet circumvent this curse on Jehoiakim.

 

Praying the Scripture

Destroying or twisting God’s written words are serious sins that have serious consequences. Revelation 22:18-19 also stipulates serious consequences for those who tamper with God’s word. Many prophets from the charismatic movement are tampering with God’s word by claiming direct revelation from God that often contradict the Bible, such people will receive severe punishment from God. Let us grow in discernment and stay away from such false prophets. Let us also warn other of such danger.

经文：耶利米书36

主题：约雅敬烧毁神的话

 

书写与阅读神的话（1-19）。

神告知耶利米要藉着文士巴录将圣灵向他默示的预言写成文字。这与保罗通过一名文士书写圣灵所默示的书信是相同的（罗16:22）。记载预言的目的是为了激起人们悔改之心。话语的记载显示神之警戒的严重性。这个警戒影响一部分人（16节），却不是约雅敬。

约雅敬烧毁神的话（20-32）。

约雅敬烧了神的话并试图杀害神的使者，却不在尘土与灰烬中悔改。因着他极大的罪恶，神审判了他，并应许其后裔将无一人能坐上大卫的宝座。这惩罚在耶利米书22:28中有所记载——请查阅《每日读经计划》第22章的注解，以便理解耶稣如何仍算为大卫的支派，却绕过了降在约雅敬身上的诅咒而成为神永恒的王，以此实现了神的应许。

 

用经文祷告

毁灭或扭曲神的话是严重的罪；其后果是很严重的。启示录22:18-19对于那些篡改神话语的人列下了严重的后果。灵恩派的许多“先知”通过宣称拥有从神而来的直接启示篡改了神的话。然而，这些话常常抵触圣经，而这些人将受到神严厉的惩罚。让我们在话语中成长，愈加有分辨是非的能力。让我们远离这些假先知，并警告他人避开这样的危险。


1 Apr 2016, Jeremiah 35 耶利米书 35, Faithfulness of Rechabites 利甲族人的信实

Posted on Mar 28, 2016 in Devotions, Jeremiah |

Scripture Reading  : Jeremiah 35

Theme                      : Faithfulness of Rechabites

 

Faithfulness of Rechabites (1-11)

In contrast to the unfaithfulness of the slave owners and leaders, God points to the faithfulness of the Rechabites. Their forefather, Jonadab son of Rechab, commanded his descendants to live a nomadic life and not to drink wine in order to honor God. Jonadab lived during the apostate time of the northern kingdom, Israel (2 Kgs. 10:15-23). His descendants willingly obeyed Jonadab’s command. By their own choice, they were convicted to live a nomadic life and stuck to their conviction like their father Jonadab.

Unfaithfulness of Judah (12-19).

Unlike the faithful Rechabites, the Jews in Jerusalem were faithless. They covenanted themselves to free their slaves but then they rescinded their promise later. For their treachery, they deserve to die. However, as for the Rechabites, their family line will exist forever.

 

 

Praying the Scripture

This chapter is not about God desiring believers to live a nomadic life. It is about God’s desire for us to be faithful by fulfilling our commitment. This principle is again upheld in Romans 14:5-9, 22-23. In the area of Christian freedom, that is, in areas that are not prohibited by God, one can covenant with God to perform something in order to honor God. For example, Paul covenanted with God in Acts 18:18 to cut his hair because he made a vow with God for some unstated reason. His vow was a way to honor God. God is not approving Paul’s hair cut, nor does He desire every believer to cut his hair. However, He is pleased by Paul’s vow to honor Him. Christians can still make such vows to God, but make sure you fulfill it because it is a serious sin to not fulfill your vow to God. Making vows to God is a serious thing, do not foolishly and hastily make vows to God or you will end up feeling the pain of Jephthah (Judg. 11:29-40). Jonathan Edwards’ resolutions were not vows to God, but to himself and he depended on God’s grace to fulfill his resolutions in order to honor God. This is the type of vow that Christians make most of the time. It is the Christian equivalent of freewill offering in the OT (Lev. 7:16). Pray that you will make such vows in order to honor God and depend on His grace to fulfill them. Such vows are done out of thanksgiving and dedication to God. This is pleasing to God.

经文：耶利米书35

主题：利甲族人的信实

 

利甲族人的信实（1-11）。

与那不信实的奴隶主人和领袖相比，神表扬了利甲族人的信实。他们的先祖利甲的儿子约拿达曾吩咐其后裔要过游牧生活，并且要敬畏神，不能喝酒。约拿达是在北国以色列不信神的时期生活的（王下10:15-23）。他的后裔乐意顺服约拿达的吩咐。因其自身的选择，他们甘愿过游牧的生活并坚持其父亲约拿达的信念。

犹大的不信实（12-19）。

在耶路撒冷的犹太人却不忠不信，不像信实的利甲族人那样。他们立定盟约要释放其奴隶，之后却反悔。因他们背信弃义，他们罪有应得。相反的，利甲族人将永远长存。

 

用经文祷告

这个篇章的主要内容并非神渴望信徒过游牧生活；神渴望的是我们忠心履行个人的承诺。罗马书14:5-9, 22-23支持同样的原则。至于基督徒的自由，只要不是神禁止的事，人可以与神立约行事荣耀祂。例如在使徒行传18:18中，保罗为了某些缘故与神立约许愿后，剪了头发还愿。他的愿是敬畏神的一种方式。神不是在赞赏保罗剪头发，也不渴望每个信徒都剪头发。然而，神喜悦保罗因着敬畏祂而做的事。基督徒仍可以向神许愿，但也要确保你还愿，因为不向神还愿可是严重的罪。向神许愿是严肃的事，不要愚昧地或冒然地向神许愿，否则你将尝到如耶弗所受的痛苦（士11:29-40）。爱德华兹（Jonathan Edward）

的决志并不是向神所许的愿，乃是对自己的承诺，并依靠神的恩典实践心志荣耀神。这是基督徒多数会许的愿。这同等于旧约的甘心献祭（利7:16）。祷告你会为了荣耀神许下这类承诺，并恳求神施恩，使你能履行所立的愿。

完成此愿是出于对神的感恩与奉献。这是蒙神喜悦的。

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