18 Feb 2016, Jeremiah 4 耶利米书 4, Destruction from North 从北方来到的毁灭

Posted on Feb 14, 2016 in Devotions, Jeremiah |

Scripture Reading  : Jeremiah 4

Theme                  : Destruction from North

 

Call to Genuine Repentance (1-4)

In the end of chapter 3, the Jews sound like they have repented, but in reality, it is superficial. Josiah’s reforms are not enough. They only change their outward behaviors because of their fear of punishment. However, inwardly they still love their sins and have not turned to God. God calls them to change their heart and attitude toward sin and God. He wants them to plough (soften) their hard hearts and to circumcise (cleanse) themselves so that they will love God, His character and thus practice His character of truth, justice and righteousness (v. 2). When they do this, all the nations will worship God.

Coming Destruction from the North (5-18).

If they continue in their pretense to be under God’s lordship, then God will send the Babylonians, the invaders from the north, to punish them for their gross sins. It will be a time of bitterness and doom.

Jeremiah’s Sorrow (19-31).

Jeremiah’s reaction to his countrymen’s impending doom is sorrow, self-righteousness or indifference. This is similar to Paul’s reaction for his people in Romans 9:2. This is also the reaction of Jesus toward sinners (Mark 3:5). Sorrow is a mark of love for the people. Jeremiah is in anguish because he saw the impending destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon and also the apocalyptic destruction of Jerusalem in the end times in vv. 23-31.

 

 

Praying the Scripture

  1. Jeremiah is a great prophet of God because he loves his people, even though they are sinners. He has compassion on them and desires them to repent and be saved. Jeremiah has the same heart as God who does not wish anyone to perish (1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9). Pray that you will have the same heart of love for people as God. God judges, but we are called to love people and warn them of coming judgment and the only way of salvation through Jesus. We should not look at them with self-righteousness or indifference.
  1. There are many professing Christians who are deceptively under God’s lordship. They proclaim God to be their king but they do not act like one. Inwardly they are not resolved to be under His rule. Thy bless God under prosperous circumstance but curse God under difficult times. They are not worshipping God, but only seek to make transactions with Him. This is true of prosperity gospel Christians. To be under God’s lordship is to love not just the blessing of the physical world, but also to trust God in hard times and to allow God to build our Christ-like character during hard times (James 1:2-4). Pray that you will embrace all of God’s lordship for His glory and for the good of building your Christ-like character.

经文：耶利米书4

主题：从北方来到的毁灭

 

呼召要真实悔改（1-4）。

在第三章的结尾中，犹太人似乎已经悔改，但那实际上只是表面的。约西亚的改革是不足够的。由于犹太人害怕受到惩罚，改革只能改变他们的外在行为。然而，他们仍暗自喜爱罪恶，心还没有转向神。神呼召他们要改变对罪与对神的心志以及态度。祂希望犹太人能开垦（软化）坚硬的心，自行割礼（洁净自己），叫他们能爱神与神的品格，从而操练神诚实、公平和公义的品德（2节）。当他们能如此行，列国将会敬拜神。

从北方即将来临的毁灭（5-18）。

如果犹太人持续伪装自己已降服于神的主权，神就会派从北方到来的侵略者巴比伦人惩罚他们重大的罪。那将会是苦独与祸害的时期。

耶利米的哀痛（19-31）。

对其同胞即将面临的祸害，耶利米的反应是哀痛、自义，还是漠不关心？保罗在罗马书9:2对其百姓的反应也是相似的。耶稣对罪人的反应亦是如此（可3:5）。哀痛是对百姓爱的标志。由于耶利米看到巴比伦即将对耶路撒冷进行毁灭，又看到23-31节中耶路撒冷在末日时的毁灭，因此他感到极其悲愤。

 

用经文祷告

  1. 即便犹太人是罪人，耶利米仍然爱他的百姓，所以他是神伟大的先知。耶利米对他们有怜悯，并渴望他们能悔改、得救。耶利米与神有相同的心，不希望看到任何人沉沦（提前2:4；彼后3:9）。祷告你能拥有与神一样爱人的心。神会审判，但我们被召要去爱人，并对即将到来的审判警告他们，让他们晓得耶稣是唯一得救的途径。我们不应该以自义或冷漠的眼光看待他们。
  1. 许多自称是基督徒的自以为他们是活在神的主权下的。他们宣告神是他们的王，但却言行不一。他们内心里还未立志按神的律生活。他们在顺境时感谢神，在逆境时却诅咒神。他们并不是敬拜神，乃是与祂进行交易。致富福音的信徒就是如此。归于神的主权并不单是爱物质上的祝福，还要在困境中信靠神，并让神在这段时间塑造我们更有基督的品性（雅1:2-4）。祷告你会为了神的荣耀，以及为塑造你更有基督的品格欣然接受神在你生命中的一切主权。

17 Feb 2016, Jeremiah 3 耶利米书 3, A Call to Repentance 悔改的呼召

Posted on Feb 14, 2016 in Devotions, Jeremiah |

Scripture Reading  : Jeremiah 3

Theme                  : A Call to Repentance

 

Faithless Judah (1-10)

. Based on God’s law and justice, God legally should not reconcile with Judah, but God’s amazing grace overcomes the law, but does not circumvent the law. This ultimately achieved because of Jesus. God’s grace is demonstrated by not rejecting Judah but calls her to return to Him. His amazing grace is even more amazing in light of the treachery of Judah who is even worse than her sister, Israel, which is hard to imagine given Israel’s gross idolatry and immorality (Hosea 4-12). Judah sinned egregiously because they took sin lightly.

Faithful God (10-25).

God calls Judah to return to His lordship (v. 14). When they return, God will forgive them and bless them among all the nations. This blessing is applicable to all believers of every age, including all Christians who will reign with Christ in Jerusalem. In contrast to such great future blessing, idol-worshippers are truly delusional. They think worshipping wood and stones will give them true, everlasting happiness and greatness, when in reality they will only receive shame and desolation.

 

Praying the Scripture

Repentance essentially means returning to His lordship. It is not the perfection of our behavior. Our works cannot save us, since we are fallen humans who cannot be perfect until we meet Jesus. Repentance is like faith; it is acknowledging our sins and submitting ourselves to His lordship. This submission is displayed through trusting God’s grace to forgive our sins and to desire to please God out of thankfulness, not out of desire to earn our forgiveness. We will continue to struggle with sin but we seek God’s help to overcome our sins, not to ignore our sins (Mark 9:24). God did not call the Jews to be perfect, but to return to His lordship and grow in His grace. Pray that after you have submitted to God’s lordship, grow in His grace so that you will be more like God in His character of compassion, forgiveness, love, and righteousness. This is what He wanted the Jews to do.

经文：耶利米书3

主题：悔改的呼召

 

背道的以色列（1-10）。

按照神的律法和公平，神是不当与犹大和好的，但神奇妙的恩典却高过律法，同时又不废除律法。这最终因耶稣成就了。神并没有拒绝犹大，反而召她重新归向自己，由此彰显了祂的恩典。鉴于犹大背道淫乱的程度，神奇妙的恩典显得更为奇妙了，因为以色列的偶像崇拜和道德败坏已经很严重（何4-12），但犹大却比她姐姐犯下更大的罪；其罪孽实在令人难以想象。由于犹大轻忽罪的严重性，所以她睁着眼犯罪。

信实的神（10-25）。

神呼召犹大重新认祂做主（14节）。当他们归回时，神会原谅他们，并在万国中向他们赐福。这福分是每个世代的信徒都会领受的，包括将在耶路撒冷与基督一同统治的基督徒。与这未来莫大的福分相比，偶像崇拜者的确犯下了重大的错误。他们以为敬拜木头石头将会给予他们真实、永恒的快乐和名分，但在现实中，他们只会蒙羞，变为凄凉。

 

用经文祷告

悔改实质上意味着重新认神做主。它不是我们行为上的完善。我们的工作并不能使我们得救，因为我们是堕落的人，不能自身完善，直到我们见主面。悔改与信心是相似的；悔改就是承认自己的罪，并服从神的主权。这样的服从是藉着信靠神赦免我们众罪的恩典而来，并且出于感恩的心渴望讨神的喜悦。我们会继续与罪恶争战，但我们能寻求神的帮助胜过自己的罪，而不是忽视我们的罪（可9:24）。神并没叫犹太人做完善的人，乃召他们重新认祂为主，并在祂的恩典中成长。祷告你在服从神的主权后会在祂的恩典中成长，叫你更有神怜悯、宽恕、仁爱和公义的心肠。这就是神希望犹太人能做的。


16 Feb 2016, Jeremiah 2 耶利米书 2, God’s Contends with Judah 神与犹大的争辩

Posted on Feb 14, 2016 in Devotions, Jeremiah |

Scripture Reading  : Jeremiah 2

Theme                  : God’s Contends with Judah

 

Israel’s Ingratitude (1-8)

. Immediately after the commission of Jeremiah, God pronounces indictment upon Israel through Jeremiah. This chapter focuses on God’s sacred love for His people and Israel’s love of idols. To show how far Israel has plunged into apostasy, God reminds them how much they had loved Him during the time of Exodus (vv. 2-3; cf Hosea 1-3). But the whole nation, including priests, rulers and prophets, is now worshipping worthless gods and they will become worthless themselves.

Israel’s Idolatry (9-19).

The root sin of Israel is idolatry. They sought out the nations, like Egypt and Assyria for protection and other perceived needs and desires. They also worship their debased idols and they have become even worse than their pagan neighbors.

Israel’s Immorality (20-28).

Because of Israel’s idolatry, it also commits gross immorality, of which, sexual immorality and child sacrifice are often mentioned. They performed ritualistic sex under green trees and on mountains. The people have become hopelessly idolaters. It is in their nature. They are like a wild female donkey in heat seeking out a male donkey to mate. They are corrupted to the very core of their nature.

Israel’s Irrationality (29-37).

They are so corrupted, but yet they deny any wrong doing, instead they put the blame on God (v. 29a). Not even punishment can change them. Because they will not admit any wrong, they either deny any future punishment by God or they think God is an unreasonable, angry scrooge whose ultimate desire is not to love them but to desolate them. They are incorrigibly irrational.

 

Praying the Scripture

Idolatry is the root sin of people. It is the first sin forbidden in the Ten Commandments. Idolatry is anything that we trust to give us pleasure, security, identity and meaning in life, instead of trusting in God’s lordship to define and give all these things. Idolatry is the nature state of all non-believers. But even for believers, God continues to re-orientate our hearts to Him so that we would get rid of remaining idols in our heart (1 John 5:21). Pray that whenever you disobey God or when your sin pops up, ask yourself what lies or lust are you pursuing that causes you to disobey God. Pray that God will convict you of the ugliness of your idolatry and to get rid of your idols in your heart.

经文：耶利米书2

主题：神与犹大的争辩

 

以色列的忘恩负义（1-8）。

在委任耶利米之后，神迅速地通过他宣告对以色列的谴责。这段经文的重点是神对其子民神圣的爱以及以色列对偶像的爱。为了显明以色列离经叛道之深，神提醒他们在出埃及时期，他们是多么地爱神（2-3节；参考何1-3）。但是，以色列全国，包括众祭司、君王和先知，都在敬拜虚无的神，而他们自己也将会成为虚妄的人。

以色列的偶像崇拜（9-19）。

以色列犯罪的根源是偶像崇拜。他们向埃及和亚述这样的国家寻求保护及满足自己其他的需要和欲望。他们也敬拜他国败坏的偶像，变得比自己的外邦邻国更糟糕。

以色列的道德败坏（20-28）。

因着偶像崇拜，以色列也严重地触犯了道德规则，其中以淫乱和儿童献祭最为普遍。他们在青翠树下和高岗上行仪式性的性行为。这些人成为无望的偶像崇拜者。偶像崇拜存于他们的本性中。他们好像雌性的野驴，欲心发动时寻找雄性的驴交配。他们的败坏及至内心深处。

以色列的无理性（29-37）。

以色列如此败坏，但却否认有罪，甚至还责怪神（29节上）；惩罚也无法改变他们了。由于他们不肯承认错误，他们不是拒绝神未来的任何惩罚，就是认为神是不及人情又愤怒的吝啬鬼，以为神最终渴望的不是要爱他们，而是将他们变为凄凉。他们已经失去理性，无可救药了。

 

用经文祷告

偶像崇拜是人之罪的根源。它是十诫中所禁止的第一项罪。任何使我们相信能在生活中给予我们快乐、安全感、身份和意义的东西，叫我们无法全然信靠神的主权，不相信祂对那一切的定义，不相信祂能给予我们那一切的都是偶像。偶像崇拜是所有非信徒的本性。但是，即便是信徒，神也持续在引导我们的心归向祂，叫我们能除尽心中残余的偶像（约一5:21）。祷告神会使你看见偶像崇拜的丑陋性，除尽你心中的偶像。


15 Feb 2016, Jeremiah 1 耶利米书 1, God Calls Jeremiah 神呼召耶利米

Posted on Feb 14, 2016 in Devotions, Jeremiah |

Scripture Reading  : Jeremiah 1

Theme                  : God Calls Jeremiah

 

Background details of Jeremiah’s times are portrayed in 2 Kgs. 22–25 and 2 Chr. 34–36. He is from a priestly family. His prophetic ministry lasted about 50 years and took place during the reigns of Judah’s final 5 kings. Judah was in spiritual and moral decline with the exception of king Josiah’ reign. However, Josiah’s reforms could only change people’s outward behavior, but not their heart. Judah’s spiritual decline continued after Josiah’s death. For Judah’s sin, God will exile them to Babylon, but God also promises to restore Israel after the exile and to completely heal Israel in the Messianic Kingdom. Jeremiah is nicknamed the weeping prophet because of his sorrow over the persistent message of God’s judgment on Judah. His contemporaries were Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Ezekiel and Daniel.

His Calling (1-10)

. While Jeremiah was in his 20s, God called him to be a prophet. His message will be about both destruction and construction, but the emphasis is on destruction because of Judah’s idolatry. God says He foreknew Jeremiah even before he was born. This theology of foreknowledge is also taught in the NT (Rom. 8:29). Every believer is foreknown by God. This revealed truth is designed to comfort believers in trials by assuring them that nothing will separate them from God. Jeremiah needed such assurance since his message is not a popular one. He was so scared that he tried to convince God he is incapable of fulfilling God’s calling. But the secret to his success will not be in his own limited ability but faith in God’s unlimited ability (v. 19).

His Visions (10-31).

Two visions were given to Jeremiah to authenticate his ministry. The first vision is an almond tree, which sounds like watch in Hebrew. It is to emphasize the certainty that God will fulfil His words because He will watch over His word to perform it. The second vision of boiling pot is a prophecy about the near future judgement on Judah through the Babylonian Empire, which will attack Judah from its northern border.

 

Praying the Scripture

No one is ever sufficient to accomplish what God has called us to do. This includes evangelism and church ministries. Even the great apostle Paul understands his insufficiency (2 Cor. 3:5-6). We must always depend on God to enable us to fulfill our duties. We demonstrate our dependence on God through our prayers and through following His revealed truth, not by following our own innovation and gimmicks that are contrary to God’s word. Do not be timid because you think you are not capable. If you have a passion for God and to serve Him according to His truth, then He will equip you and make you capable. He promises to give wisdom to those who lack it (James 1:5). Pray that your sense of insufficiency will never get in the way of you serving God, but seek God to equip you and make you sufficient.

经文：耶利米书1

主题：神呼召耶利米

 

关于耶利米的时期背景细节在列王记下22-25和历代志下34-36已有描写。他来自祭司之家。他作先知约有50年之久，就是在犹大最后五个君王的统治期间。除约西亚王的统治期间，犹大在灵命上和道德上都在衰退。虽然如此，约西亚的改革也只能单单改变人们的外在行为，不是他们的内心。犹大的灵命衰退在约西亚去世以后一直延续。对于犹大的罪，神将会放逐他们到巴比伦，但是神也应许了在放逐后复兴以色列，并在弥赛亚国度里完全医治以色列。由于耶利米对神向犹大持续发出审判的信息哀伤，因此他有了“哭泣先知”的外号。与他同时代的人物有哈巴谷，西番雅，以西结和但以理。

 

他的呼召（1-10）。

耶利米20多岁就被神呼召作先知。他的信息将与犹大的毁灭和重建有关，但因于犹大的偶像崇拜，其重点会在毁灭这方面。神说祂在耶利米出生以前就已预知他。这个预知神学理论在新约（罗8:29）里也有所教导。每一个信徒都是神所预知的。神启示这真理的目的是要安慰凡在经历试探的信徒，以向他们保证任何事都不能将他们与神隔绝。由于耶利米的信息不受欢迎，所以他需要这样的保证。他曾深感害怕，以致尝试说服神自己是无法完成神所召他的任务。然而，耶利米成功的秘诀将不是凭着他极为有限的能力，而是对神无限能力的信心 （19节）。

他的异象（10-31）。

神赐予耶利米两个异象来认证他的事工。第一个异象是关乎一个杏树枝；杏树则在希伯来文与“钟表”的读音相似。它要强调的是神肯定会履行祂的话语，因为祂必看顾，将祂的话应验。第二个烧开的锅之异象是有关犹大在不久的将要藉着巴比伦帝国受到神的审判；巴比伦将会从北部边境攻击犹大。

 

用经文祷告

没有一个人有足够能力完成神所呼召他做的事。这包括传福音和教会的事工。即使伟大的使徒保罗也明白他的能力是不足的（林后3:5-6）。 我们必须一直依靠神才能完成自己的任务。我们能藉着祷告并遵行神所启示的真理表明自己对神的依靠，而不是跟从违背神话语的“创新思想”或花招。不要自以为你的能力不足而胆怯。如果你对神满有热情并按祂的真理来侍奉祂，祂必然装备你，使你有能力。祂应许把智慧给予缺乏智慧的人（雅1:5）。祷告你对自己能力不足的认识不会成为你侍奉神的阻碍，乃驱使你寻求神装备你，叫你有能力。


30 Jan 2016, Isaiah 66 以赛亚书 66, Birth of the New Creation 新天地的诞生

Posted on Jan 24, 2016 in Devotions, Isaiah |

Scripture Reading  : Isaiah 66

Theme                  : Birth of the New Creation

 

Birth of New Creation (1-18).

Sinful people limit God to a finite temple and they also limit God’s ability to do glorious, miraculous things to fulfill His promises. Because they think God is small and they are big, they pay no attention to God and only worship Him out of motion, not from a heart of awe. Some even sarcastically mock God and His people (v. 5). But God will truly show Himself to be big, to be much bigger than they think. Though God is big, He loves small people, those who are contrite and humble (v. 2). Such is our big and high God. As surely as mothers give birth at the time of labour, so God will surely give birth to a new Israel in the time of labour pain, aka end times trouble for Israel. He will ultimately comfort Israel as a mother comforts her child. God will show Himself to be very, very big.

Serious Judgement and Blessing (15-24).

This prophetic book ends with a reminder of the seriousness of God’s judgement and the seriousness of God’s blessing. It is similar to what Moses told the Jews in Deuteronomy 28. Through both warnings and blessings, God urges the people to repent and be under His Lordship right now. After one dies, there are no second chances to be saved. There is no purgatory or a temporary place of punishment (Heb. 9:27).

 

Praying the Scripture

Rewards and punishments are just one way that God teaches people to be under His Lordship joyfully. They are not the only way that God trains us. In fact, in order to move us to a higher level in our relationship with Him, God trains our sense of greatness and love for Him. (1 John 4:18; Luke 22:24-27). Rewards and punishments serve to prompt us or to encourage us to draw to God. They are not the climax of this relationship. The climax is our awe and love for God (Ps. 42; 73:25). When God rewards us, pray that you do not idolize the rewards in this life. Worship the Giver, not the gifts. The gifts show us His love for us and His desire to see us genuinely happy. Highest honour, glory and praise to our great God.

经文：以赛亚书66

主题：新天地的诞生

 

新天地的诞生（1-14）。

罪恶之人将神局限于一个有限的殿中，也将神的大能仅限于行荣耀奇事，只为履行自己所应许的。由于他们认为神很小，自己很大，所以他们并不理会神，仅行礼仪之事，也不以敬畏的心崇拜神。有些人还甚至嘲讽神与祂的子民（5节）。然而，神会显明自己才是真正的大，且要比他们想象中的更大。虽然神很大，但祂爱卑微的人，就是虚心、痛悔之人（2节）。这就是我们伟大、至高的神了。如母亲分娩时必然生下孩子，神也要在产痛之时，即以色列在末日遇难之时，生出新以色列。神最终会安慰以色列，像一名母亲安慰自己的孩子似的。神会显明自己是非常、非常的大。

慎重的审判和祝福（15-24）。

这本先知书总结时提醒读者要慎重对待神的审判和祝福的应许。这与摩西在申命记28章中所告知犹太人的信息是相同的。藉着警告和祝福，神促使人要悔改，即刻就认神做主。人一旦离世就无法再有求救的第二次机会。炼狱或暂时受惩罚的地方是不存在的（来9:27）。

 

用经文祷告

惩罚和奖赏仅是神教导人要在主的带领中喜乐的一个方式。这不是神磨练我们的唯一方式。实际上，为要使我们与祂的关系提到更高的层次，神不断地加深我们对祂的爱意，不断地使我们视祂为大（约一4:18；路22:24-27）。惩罚与奖赏的目的只是要鼓励我们亲近神。这并非是我们与神之关系的高峰；其高峰是我们对神的敬畏和爱（诗42；73:25）。当神赏赐我们时，祷告我们不会在今生爱恋这种奖赏。我们要敬拜赏赐者，不是奖赏。愿至高的尊贵、荣耀和赞美归于我们伟大的神。


29 Jan 2016, Isaiah 65 以赛亚书 65, New Creation 新天地

Posted on Jan 24, 2016 in Devotions, Isaiah |

Scripture Reading  : Isaiah 65

Theme                  : New Creation

 

Salvation to Gentiles (1-12).

Ironically, Israel will not trust God even though God constantly reaches out to them, but gentiles (referred as a nation in v. 1) who do not know God will know God. This is because Israel will reject the Messiah, so God went to the gentiles (Luke 14:15-24; Rom. 10:19-20). God describes the sins of the Jews that keep Him from answering their prayers. They eat unclean food that is associated with their idol worship, which they sacrifice unlawfully in gardens, on bricks and mountains. Their idols are prosperity idols nicknamed Fortune and Destiny. Their sense of greatness and glory are perverted and they worship such perverted greatness. God will judge them, but He will also redeem a remnant from Israel (v. 8).

New Creation (13-25).

Because the Jews worship money, prosperity and pleasure, in the end they will get neither. This is one of the reasons why they will be tormented and in pain in hell. But those who worship God, His Lordship and His righteous character will enjoy abundance and everlasting joy in the new heavens and new earth. Verses 17-25 describe the two phases of the Messianic Kingdom in one context with no distinction. The distinction is only detailed in Revelation 20-22.

 

Praying the Scripture

  1. One reason for the Jews to sin so badly is because they have the law of God. Romans 5:20 and 7:8-12 states the rebellious nature in fallen humans causes all of us to rebel even more when rules are given to us. Humans rebel because it gives pleasure to their rebellious nature. It gives them a sense of power, control and identity. Such is the wicked, insane, foolish nature that we all inherit from our parents. It is truly a delight to know that when we put our faith in Jesus and His Lordship, God cuts off our rebellious nature and gives us a new nature (Col. 2:13). May we treasure this new nature and seek to put to death our old nature. Happy is the man who is not enslaved by sin, but enslaved by righteousness. We must also have a correct view of God’s laws. God’s laws cannot save us, but they do reveal His character and they lead us to spiritual well-being, not salvation. We can only appreciate God’s laws when we have a new nature given to us through Jesus.
  1. Our sinful society, led by the lies of Satan, constantly assault our sense of righteousness or greatness. For Jews, their sense of greatness was prosperity. Now, it is common to hear that what is heroic, great or glorious is an individual trying to find his or herself. Is it great if you find yourself to be selfish, lustful, or murderous? Or should you lose your ugly self and find a better self? Which one is more heroic? Another popular perversion of righteousness is the right for any two persons to be married as long as they love each other, even homosexual marriage. God hates such perversion and wants Christians to lovingly help these people to see the truth by pointing out the foolishness of their logic. Can fathers marry their daughters because they love each other? How about polygamy or bestiality? Pray that you will have wisdom to share the truth with unbelievers.

经文：以赛亚书65

主题：新天地

 

予外邦人救恩（1-12）。

讽刺的是，神整天伸手招呼以色列，以色列却不愿信靠神；然而，不认识神的外邦人将认识祂（即指第1节的“没有称为我名下的”）。这是因为以色列会拒绝弥赛亚，所以神转向外邦人那里（路14:15-24；罗10:19-20）。神形容了阻止祂应允犹太人祷告的罪：他们吃了在祭坛献给偶像的不洁之食，就是在园中、砖上和山上献的不法之祭。“时运”和“天命”是以色列所敬拜的财神爷。他们曲解了伟大和荣耀的真正定义，竟以为所崇拜的最大。神会审判他们，但也同时将从以色列拯救祂的余民（8节）。

新天地（13-25）。

由于犹太人敬拜的是财富和宴乐，他们最终将什么都得不到。这也就是他们为何要在地狱遭受折磨与痛楚的其中一个原因。可是，凡敬拜神、神的主权与神公义属性的将在新天新地享有丰盛与永恒的喜乐。17-25节叙述的是弥赛亚国度的两个阶段，但对二者不作明显区分。这个区分只有在启示录20-22有详细的叙述。

 

用经文祷告

  1. 犹太人之所以会犯下那么大的罪，其中一个原因是他们拥有神的律法。罗马书5:20与7:8-12说明堕落人性中的悖逆倾向能导致我们在拥有或了解了律法规则后更为叛逆。人会叛逆，因为这能给他们叛逆的本性一种快活感。这给他们带来一种权力、掌控能力和身份感。这是我们每一个人都从父母遗传的邪恶、无理和愚昧的本性。然而，当我们信靠耶稣并认祂做主时，神除尽了悖逆的心理，让我们心意更新（西2:13）——这当是我们的喜悦。愿我们能珍惜这个更新的心，不断致死我们的老我。不被罪捆绑，乃作义之奴的有福了。我们也必须对神的律法有正确的认识。神的律法不能拯救我们，但律法能彰显神的品性，并能让我们有良好的灵命。唯有当我们藉着耶稣心意更新后，我们才能欣赏神的律法。
  1. 我们这个主要因撒旦谎言被误导的罪恶社会将持续抨击我们对于何为大与何为义的标准。对犹太人而言，富裕的人就是伟大的。现在，人若说自己正尝试寻找自己，这在世人看来也是伟大和荣耀的事。我们若发现自己是自私、淫荡或杀气重重的，这有什么伟大？又或者你要抛开自己丑陋的一面，寻找更好的自己？那一个更伟大？另一个对义的普遍曲解就是二人只要是彼此相爱的就可以结婚，同性恋者也是。神痛恨这样的歪曲，并渴望基督徒能帮助这些人看清真理，用爱心点出他们逻辑上的错误。父女俩若彼此相爱，他们能结婚吗？我们又要如何看待一夫多妻或与兽相交的行为？祷告你能有智慧与非信徒分享真理。

28 Jan 2016, Isaiah 64 以赛亚书 64, Eagerly Praying 急切地祷告

Posted on Jan 24, 2016 in Devotions, Isaiah |

Scripture Reading  : Isaiah 64

Theme                  : Eagerly Praying

 

Eager Prayer (1-6).

As Isaiah looks up to heaven to pray to God, he implores God to look down on His people on earth and give mercy. He is eager for God to come down right now and judge unrighteousness. Jesus has the same eagerness, but trusts God for the timing (Luke 12:49). No matter how long God delays in coming, those who wait for Him and joyfully works righteousness (v.4) will not be disappointed. God will vindicate them in the Messianic Kingdom.

Sin Delays (7-12).

God wishes to restore the nation, but the nation does not seek after Him. In the Mosaic Covenant, God stipulates that He will give them death if they cast away His Lordship (Deut. 28:15-68). The whole nation rebels against God so that God does not hear their prayers to forgive them. Their righteousness is but a filthy rag. Isaiah sees the destruction of Israel in the future and prophecies about it. This prophecy of general destruction of Israel has been fulfilled twice in history, one being the Babylonian Captivity and the second being the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D. It will again be fulfilled in the end times. Isaiah asks God whether He will keep silent forever? The answer is of course not. He will act in the end times as He has promised repeatedly. He will graciously give spiritual life to the whole nation in the end times (Eze. 37:1-14).

 

Praying the Scripture

  1. God requires us not just to do righteous deeds but also do it joyfully. He does this because He wishes us to worship Him in both spirit (from the heart) and truth (John 4:24). He wants us to worship Him with a genuine heart that leads to righteous deeds (cf. 1 Tim. 1:5). Pray that when you do righteous deeds, you do it joyfully. If you do not do it joyfully, examine yourself why and prayerfully seek to change your evil heart. Often times, we do not serve joyfully because we are selfish, lazy, prideful, lustful or self-centered. We have not acknowledged the glorious character of God and seek to imitate Him. Our sense of greatness is still ungodly. That is why we don’t rejoice in such greatness. Pray that you will see righteous deeds as glorious and do it with joy.
  1. Prayer is effective and it does affect God’s actions. He even answered the prayer of Ahab, an unbelieving and evil king, because he humbled himself (1 King 21:29). If he hears the prayers of an unbeliever who humbled himself, how much more will He listen to the prayers of His children when they humble themselves and pray righteously (James 5:16; Luke 11:5-13)? God is a gracious God whose inclination is to give mercy. Do not be dejected, but come to God confidently and humbly through Jesus (Heb. 4:16). Never appeal to God based on your own righteousness, which is a filthy rag, always appeal to God based on His grace (Luke 17:10).

经文：以赛亚书64

主题：急切地祷告

 

急切祷告（1-6）。

当以赛亚仰望着天向神祷告时，他恳求神眷顾祂地上的子民，怜悯他们。以赛亚渴望神立刻下来审判世界的不义。耶稣同有这急切的心，但相信神所安排的时间（路12:49）。无论神延迟多久才来，凡等候祂并喜悦行义的（4节）必不会失望。神将在弥赛亚国度里为他们申冤。

罪的耽搁（7-12）。

神想要复兴以色列，但以色列并不寻求神。在摩西之约里，神明确指出以色列若离开神，不认祂做主，他们必死（申28:15-68）。因此，当全国悖逆神的时候，神不听他们求饶的祷告。他们的义都像污秽的衣服。以赛亚看到以色列未来的灭绝，所以口出预言。这个关乎以色列灭绝的总预言已经在历史中二度应验了，即被巴比伦掳去时及公元后70年圣殿毁灭时。这预言要在末日再度应验。以赛亚问神祂是否将永远保持静默？答案当然不是。祂在末日时必采取行动，正如祂一再应许的。末日时，祂将施恩，让以色列的灵命全然复兴（结37:1-14）。

 

用经文祷告

  1. 神不但要我们行义，还要我们乐于行义。神这么要求是因为祂希望我们能用心灵（从心里）和诚实（约4:24）敬拜祂。祂要我们以真诚的心敬拜祂，而这颗心会使我们生发义行（参提前1:5）。祷告当你行义时，你是喜乐地去行。你若没有喜悦，就要省察自己为什么如此，并藉着祷告求神更新你邪恶的心。很多时候，我们不以喜乐的心侍奉是因为我们是自私、懒惰、心存欲望或只顾自己的。我们不承认神荣耀的品格，也不想效法神。我们对何为大的定义还是不敬虔的；这就是我们为什么无法因神的伟大喜悦。祷告你能视义行为荣耀的，并以喜乐的心去行。
  1. 祷告是有效的，而它的确会影响神的行为。祂甚至应允了邪恶与不信神的亚哈之祷告，因为他谦卑自己（王上21:29）。神已垂听了一个自卑的非信徒，更何况是垂听祂虚心并按公义祷告的孩子（雅5:16，路11:5-13）！神是恩慈的神，喜悦施与怜悯。不要沮丧，乃要藉着基督坦然无惧并谦卑地来到神面前（来4:16）。千万不要凭自己的义祈求祷告神，因为那都是污秽的衣服；总要凭着神的恩典向神祷告（路17:10）。

27 Jan 2016, Isaiah 63 以赛亚书 63, New Victory 新胜利

Posted on Jan 24, 2016 in Devotions, Isaiah |

Scripture Reading  : Isaiah 63

Theme                  : New Victory

 

Messiah’s Vengeance (1-6).

Isaiah sees the Messiah returning from battling with Edom, one of the nations the Messiah will defeat in the end times. The battle is at Armageddon (Rev. 19:11-21). He will crush His enemies like crushing grapes in a winepress, which was a hollow hole in stony ground. He will defeat His enemies all by Himself, with no human help (v.3).

Praise and Prayer to God (19-22).

After seeing the victory of the Messiah, Isaiah looks back at God’s goodness to Israel starting from Moses. The Angel of the Lord (aka Jesus, Ex. 14:19) delivered them from bondage of slavery in Egypt, but instead of being thankful to God, the people rebelled against Him. God showed them both grace and discipline. Even in their affliction, God identified with them (v. 9). After looking back at God’s goodness to Israel, Isaiah looks up to pray for mercy. He prays to God to graciously act upon His promise to save Israel much like Daniel’s prayer in Daniel 9:3-19.

 

Praying the Scripture

In all our troubles, such as death and suffering, we must see the final victory of Messiah in the end times. He will get rid of everything that is wrong in the world including death and suffering. Death and suffering do not have the final victory, Jesus does. In our struggles, we also need to remember God’s mercy in the past and His promises of daily grace to us (Matt. 28:20). Such remembrance should lead us to pray to God persistently, knowing that He loves us (Luke 18:1-14). Pray to God in all your troubles. He is compassionate to answer.

经文：以赛亚书63

主题：新胜利

 

弥赛亚的报复（1-6）。

以赛亚见到弥赛亚与以东争战后回来；以东是弥赛亚末日时将打败的其中一国。这场斗争就是大决战（启19:11-21）。祂将彻底击败祂的仇敌，如在酒醡中踹葡萄一样（酒醡是石头地上的一个中空的洞）。祂将独自打败自己所有仇敌，无需人类帮助（3节）。

向神的赞美和祷告（19-22）。

见到弥赛亚得胜后，以赛亚回顾神自摩西以来对以色列的良善。神的使者（即耶稣；见出14:19）救以色列脱离埃的困锁，不再作奴役，但以色列没感激神，反倒悖逆了祂。神向他们既施恩又管教。即便在苦难中，神仍与他们同在（9节）。回顾神对以色列的良善后，以赛亚抬头祷告神怜悯他们。他求神发恩慈，按祂的应许拯救以色列。这与但以理在但以理书9:3-19的祷告相似。
 

用经文祷告

在我们所有的困难中，如死亡和苦难，我们必须看见弥赛亚在末日时的最后胜利。他会除去世上一切坏事，包括死亡和苦难。死亡与苦难并没有最后的胜利；耶稣才是得胜者。我们在挣扎中也需要回想神过去的怜悯，并祂每日向我们施恩的应许（太28:20）。这样的回想当促使我们坚持向神祷告，因为我们晓得祂是爱我们的（路18:1-14）。我们遇难时要向神祷告。祂有恩慈，必会回应。


26 Jan 2016, Isaiah 62 以赛亚书 62, New Name In Messiah 因弥赛亚得新名

Posted on Jan 24, 2016 in Devotions, Isaiah |

Scripture Reading  : Isaiah 62

Theme                  : New Name In Messiah

God is jealous for Jerusalem/Zion. He has sworn to put His glory in it; therefore, it is with 100% certainty that this will happen in the future. It will surely be the center of the world when the Messiah returns (Eze. 38:12). Jerusalem will have a new name with its new beginning. Jerusalem is nicknamed Desolate and Forsaken many times throughout its history, especially during the Babylonian captivity and end times captivity, but in the end it will be called Married and My Delight Is In Her (cf. Hosea 1:10). In this context, Married is opposite of Desolate so it means occupy (v 5). In the Messianic Kingdom, Jerusalem will never be pillaged again by foreigners. When Jesus returns He will make a signal for all nations to see, so that they will return all Jews to Jerusalem and come to Jerusalem to worship the Messiah.

 

Praying the Scripture

Whatever our suffering may be, we can always be comforted because our current state of trouble is not our final destination. There will always be a light at the end of the tunnel. Believing Jews had to suffer much, such as Jeremiah and Daniel, but they persevered because they knew their ultimate destination is in the Messianic Kingdom. This comforted them. Whatever our suffering may be, it is not comparable to the glory that awaits us. This should help us to endure. This mindset also helped the apostle Paul to endure suffering (Rom. 8:18). Pray that you will cultivate such mindset to enable you to endure suffering or trials. Pray that it will bring a smile to your face.

经文：以赛亚书62

主题：因弥赛亚得新名

 

神为耶路撒冷/锡安发热心。祂已誓言要将祂的荣耀显于以色列，因此这件事在未来百分之百肯定发生。当弥赛亚归来时，耶路撒冷必然是世界的中心（结38:12）。耶路撒冷将得新名，重新开始；她在历史中曾多次被昵称为“荒凉的”与“撇弃的”，尤其在巴比伦和末日被掳去时，但最后，她将称作“有妇之夫”和“我所喜悦的”（参何1:10）。这里，“有妇之夫”是与“荒凉的”相对的，因此其意思是居住（5节）。在弥赛亚国度里，耶路撒冷永不再被外人占领。当耶稣归来时，祂将制造大旗给万民看，叫他们将所有犹太人归还给耶路撒冷，并到耶路撒冷去拜弥赛亚。

 

用经文祷告

我们无论受到怎样的苦难也能得到安慰，因为眼前的现状并不是最后的结局。深夜后总有黎明。信神的犹太人，如耶利米和但以理，都承受了不少苦难，但他们仍坚持到底，因为他们晓得最终的去处是弥赛亚国度。这给他们带来安慰。无论我们遭受什么苦难，这与等待我们的荣耀是微不足道的。这能助我们承受患难。这样的意念也曾帮助使徒保罗承受苦难（罗8:18）。祷告你会建立这样的思想，使你能承受苦难或试炼。祷告这会使你脸上露出微笑。


25 Jan 2016, Isaiah 61 以赛亚书 61, Beginning of a New Life 新生命的开始

Posted on Jan 24, 2016 in Devotions, Isaiah |

Scripture Reading  : Isaiah 61

Theme                  : Beginning of a New Life

 

New Life through Messiah (1-9).

This chapter continues the larger theme of comfort within chapters 40-66. This section describes Jesus’ two comings in one context without any clear distinction. When Jesus came the first time, He quoted only vv. 1-2a in Luke 4:18-19 because His first coming is about saving people spiritually, not about wrathful, righteous judgment on sinners or ushering in the physical Messianic Kingdom on earth. These await His second coming. When Jesus comes the second time, He will make Israel and the whole world righteous. Israel will finally fulfill God’s original purpose by becoming priests to the world (Ex. 19:6). The Messiah will comfort Israel and the world with righteousness.

New Praise to Messiah (10-11).

Most likely this section is a personification of Israel when it has received salvation from God. Israel is referred in first person, singular form. Israel will be clothed with salvation. Clothing of righteousness refers to an imputed salvation/righteousness because it is not from the sinner, but from God. Israel will respond to God in praise for this imputed/alien righteousness.

 

Praying the Scripture

It is important to understand that our spiritual strength comes from delighting in God and praising His goodness to us. Sorrow over our failures should function to lead us to God and then cause us to rejoice in our Lord because He has covered our guilt and continues to give grace to us in order to conform us into the image/character of Jesus. Sorrow is not the source of our strength, joy in the Lord is (Neh. 8:10). Sorrow is just the beginning of the journey, not the final destination. The proper, concluding response to God’s salvation and goodness is praise, not sorrow. Nehemiah prevented the people from grieving when they were supposed to rejoice in God’s grace. Let us rejoice in the Lord daily and live for Him out of our thankful hearts. Let us not wallow in our sorrow.

经文：以赛亚书61

主题：新生命的开始

 

靠着弥赛亚的新生命（1-9）。

这个篇幅延续了第40-66章中安慰的主题。这段经文则一次形容了耶稣两回降世，没有作明显区别。当耶稣首次来临时，祂在路加福音4:18-19只引用了这里第1-2节上的经文，因为祂首次降世的目的是要拯救人的灵魂，并非对罪人降下愤怒、公义的审判或在地上建立肉眼能见的弥赛亚国度。后者要等耶稣二次降世才能应验。那时候，祂将使以色列及全世界入公义。以色列终于会履行神原来为他们打造的角色，作世人的祭司（出19:6）。弥赛亚将以公义安慰以色列及全世界的人。

全新颂赞归给弥赛亚（10-11）。

这段经文大有可能描述的是以色列被神拯救时的回应。这里的第一人称指的是以色列，是单数的。以色列将以拯救为衣。公义的袍指的是被披上的拯救或公义，因为这不是罪人所拥有的，乃从神领受的。以色列会因着被披上的公义赞美神。

 

用经文祷告

我们必须明白：属灵力量是因喜悦于神，赞美祂对我们的良善而来。对自己失败的忧愁当领我们转向神，接着使我们在主里喜乐，因为祂已遮盖我们的众罪，并继续向我们施恩，叫他们更能效法耶稣的模样与性情。忧愁不是我们的力量；靠耶和华而得的喜乐才是我们的力量（尼8:10）。忧愁仅是一段旅程的开始，不是终点。我们对神的拯救和良善当有的最后回应是赞美，不是忧愁。当以色列应该在神的恩典里喜乐时，尼希米阻止他们心里感伤。让我们天天都要在主里喜乐，凭着感恩的心为祂而活。让我们不沉溺于自己的忧愁中。


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