Posted on Oct 26, 2015 in Devotions, Malachi |
Scripture Reading : Malachi 3-4
Theme : The Coming Messiah
Messenger Before The Messiah (3:1-5). This passage is about the coming Messiah, but does not make any distinction of His first and second coming, but views the two comings as one unit and describes two aspects regarding His comings. The first aspect is the messenger whom God will send to prepare the way of the Messiah, just as forerunners are sent before a king to prepare his path. This is fulfilled during Jesus’ first coming when John the Baptist was sent by God (Matt.3:3; Is. 40:3). The second aspect is in vv. 2-4 which is about His terrifying second coming when He will come to judge with righteousness (Rev. 6-19). In light of such terrifying judgment against sin, the Jews of Malachi’s time, and people everywhere, need to repent of their sins and commit themselves to God for salvation.
Unchangeable Faithfulness of the Messiah (3:6-18). The reason God will not completely wipe out the Jews for their gross and stubborn sins is because of God’s unchangeable faithfulness to fulfill His promises to the nation. The Jews sin greatly by robbing God of His tithe, wearying God with their sinful attitude by thinking there is no profit for being faithful to God. Those who rebel against God will be destroyed but those who are faithful to God will be remembered by Him in a book forever (Rev. 20:12). They will graciously receive mercy from God and enter His kingdom/heaven.
Future and Complete Victory of Messiah (4:1-6) When the Messiah returns again, there will be final victory of righteousness over idolatry and sin. Those who do not worship God and do evil will be condemned by Him, but those who worship God and serve Him will shine like the sun. This glorious future will be preceded by the coming of Elijah, which will be fulfilled during His second coming, most likely as described in Revelation 11:3.
Praying the Scripture
- The Jews of Malachi’s time serve God heartlessly without love for God. If you serve God without pure love and thankfulness to Him, He is not pleased by such evil, empty service. Pray that God will revive your heart by convicting you of your ugly sins and drive you to the glory of the cross. Apart from Jesus, you deserve to be punished for your ugly and shameful sins in hell. Be thankful for your salvation and be thankful for your future glory in a restored world when Christ comes back.
- Praise God He is not fickle like us. He is unchangeably faithful. His glorious character never changes. It is on this solid ground that we can stand firm. We can never stand firm if we rely on our own strength. God is an unbendable steel rod, we are flimsy wires that can only find stability and strength when we wrap ourselves around the steel rod of God. We wrap ourselves around God when we trust in His unchangeable truth, love and faithfulness.
- God does not need your money, but your offering is a form of worship. For Jesus says where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matt. 6:21). Money means time and effort, when you offer money to God, you are offering your time and effort. This is worship. Such worship should be done with a pure and willing heart to honour God, never try to get rich through giving of offering like prosperity gospel, which is a false gospel. God hates this idolatry. If you think giving offering is burdensome, you dishonour God and despise His love and glory. Repent and ask for forgiveness. May God give us a joyful and thankful heart when we give our offering.
经文：玛拉基书3-4
主题：将要来临的弥赛亚
在弥赛亚之前的使者（3:1-5）。这段经文叙述的是未来将到的弥赛亚，但没分辨是首次或第二次的到来，乃二合为一，描写祂降世的两个层面。第一个是神将差派使者在弥赛亚前预备祂的道路，如君王差派前导一样，在他面前先预备好要行的路。这在耶稣的首次来临时应验了，即神差派的施洗约翰（太3:3；赛40:3）。第二层面是2-4节，也就是神二次降临时将以公义审判世界的可怕画面（启6-19）。神必然对罪施行可怕的审判，所以玛拉基时代的犹太人及全世界既然知道，就必须从罪中悔改，投靠神的拯救。
弥赛亚由始至终的信实（3:6-18）。神之所以不会为犹太人的倔强与丑陋之罪完全除灭他们，是因着祂永不改变的信实，必要履行祂对以色列的承诺。犹太人犯下的罪甚大，不但夺取神的供物，还心怀恶念，以为对神忠心是无益的。凡悖逆神的必灭亡，但神必在祂的纪念册上记录思念祂名的人（启20:12）。他们会尝到神的恩，蒙神怜悯，进入祂的国或天堂。
弥赛亚未来全然的胜利（4:1-6）。当弥赛亚再度归来时，祂将一劳永逸地战胜外邦偶像和罪孽。凡行恶，不敬拜神的必被咒诅，但敬拜侍奉神的要像太阳一样发亮。以利亚将在这个荣耀未来之前显现；这将在弥赛亚二次来临时应验，如启示录11:3所形容的。
用经文祷告
- 玛拉基时代的犹太人是无心侍奉神的。你若不以纯洁的爱心和感谢侍奉神，神不会悦纳这种邪恶虚空的服侍。祈求神能复兴你的心，定你丑陋的罪，催逼你到十字架前的荣耀。若没有耶稣，你当为你丑陋和羞耻之罪在地狱受惩罚。要为你的救赎感恩，感谢基督归回时在全新的世界里能得享荣耀。
- 赞美神，因为祂不像我们一样善变。祂的信实始终如一。祂的荣耀永不更改。我们因有如此稳当的根基才能站立得住。我们若依靠的是自己的力量，我们绝对站不稳。神如坚硬的钢条，我们弯曲的电线——唯有环绕神的钢条后，我们才能坚固稳定。当我们信靠神不变的真理、慈爱与信实的时候，我们便是环绕神了。
- 神不需要你的金钱，但你的奉献就是敬拜，因为耶稣说：“你的财宝在哪里，你的心也在哪里”（太6:21）。金钱就是时间和努力；当你献上钱财时，你献上的是自己的时间和付出。这就是敬拜。我们当以纯洁乐意的心献上这样的敬拜荣耀神，而不是像致富福音所传的，为发财而奉献。这是假福音。神憎恨这种偶像敬拜。你若认为奉献是种负担，你是在羞辱神，蔑视祂的爱和荣耀。你要悔改，向神请求饶恕。愿神在我们奉献的时候赐予我们喜悦感恩的心。
Posted on Oct 26, 2015 in Devotions, Malachi |
Scripture Reading : Malachi 2
Theme : Dishonouring God
Corrupted Priesthood (1-9). God’s covenant with the priesthood was His gracious way to bless them with true life and peace. They did not fear God and did not marvel at His great character, but blasphemed God by corrupting His commandments. The priests were being partial, being a stumbling block to people instead of being a guide; therefore, God will treat them like dung and take them away.
Marrying People Outside of Faith (10-12). The people and the leaders dishonour God by marrying foreigners. Then they naturally are influenced by foreign gods. Ezra and Nehemiah dealt with the same sin in Nehemiah 13:23–28. Such sin is a serious violation and idolatry in God’s eyes. God threatens to cut them off for such serious sin because it denies faith in God.
Divorces and Unfaithfulness (14-16) When people heard that God will not accept their offerings and will withhold blessings from them, they flooded God with tears. But instead of being sorrowful over their sin of unfaithfulness, they were only sorrowful over the withholding of blessings. God commands them to repent of their adultery. God hates the shameful sin of unfaithfulness and divorce because He is a faithful God and He desires His people to be faithful to their spouse and produce faithful children.
Praying the Scripture
- God is a God of faithfulness. This is His greatness. He desires His children to reflect this greatness. Unfaithfulness is ugly and shameful in God’s eyes. May we take this truth to heart and be sorrowful over any unfaithfulness. Comparing your spouse to others is unfaithfulness. Love hopes for all things that are good (1 Cor. 13:7) and labors humbly to make your spouse better for God’s glory. May God bless us with patience and joy as we seek to love our spouse.
- God forbids His people to marry outside of the faith. This is true for OT believers and for Christians (1 Cor. 7:39). It is a serious sin to marry outside of the faith, but many pastors, especially in Chinese churches, compromise on this because there are far more females then males. Please pray that God will raise up more godly and responsible men for our godly women. Pray for extra grace for godly Christian women to wait on the Lord, instead of chasing unbelievers, which is idolatry. Pray for Christian men to be men, especially in a culture where males are prized more than girls and are spoiled. This is a rampant problem in China.
经文：玛拉基书2
主题：对神的羞辱
腐败的祭司制度（1-9）。神与利未所立的约是祂予祭司真平安与生命的方式；这是神的恩典。可是，他们不敬畏神，也不以神伟大的品格为奇，反倒亵渎神，败坏神的诫命。祭司偏待人，成为众人的绊脚石，不作律法上的引导。因此，神会视他们如粪一样，将他们除掉。
娶外邦女子为妻（10-12）。以色列子民与领袖羞辱了神，娶外邦女子为妻。接着，他们自然而然地受到外邦神的影响。以斯拉和尼希米在尼希米记13:23-28也处理了同样的罪。这项罪在神看来是严重的悖逆和淫乱之罪。神告诫他们自己会因这极为严重的罪剪除他们，因为他们违背了神。
离婚与不忠（14-16）。当人们知道神不收纳他们的祭物，也不会降下祝福时，他们就以眼泪遮盖耶和华的坛。他们不为自己的不忠哀恸，只为神所保留的祝福哭泣。神吩咐他们要悔改他们淫荡之罪。神憎恨不忠和离婚的可耻行为，因为祂是信实的神，并渴望祂的子民也能对自己的配偶忠心，有敬虔的孩子。
用经文祷告
- 神是信实的神。祂为此而伟大。祂渴望自己的儿女能反映这种品格。在神的眼中，不忠贞是丑陋与可耻的罪。愿我们能将这个真理铭记于心，对凡不忠诚的行为哀恸。拿妻子与他人作比较是不忠实的。爱盼望所有良善的事（林前13:7），并为神的荣耀存谦卑的心劳苦，使妻子圣洁。愿神赐予我们耐心和喜悦，叫我们更爱自己的配偶。
- 神禁止祂的子民与外邦人结婚。旧约信徒和基督徒都是如此（林前7:39）。与非信徒结婚是一项极为严重的罪，但许多牧师，尤其中国教会的，却作妥协，因为女性比男性多。请为我们敬虔的姐妹祷告神会兴起更多敬虔与负责人的弟兄。求神为敬虔的主内姐妹赐予额外的恩典，叫她们能仰望神，而不是追寻非信徒，因为那是罪。请为信主的弟兄祷告他们能作男子汉，以免被宠坏，因为这是在重男轻女之社会的现象。这在中国便是个大问题。
Posted on Oct 19, 2015 in Devotions, Malachi |
Scripture Reading : Malachi 1
Theme : Love and Honour
Along with Haggai and Zechariah, Malachi wrote during the period after the Jews returned from exile. He most likely prophesized in the 5th century B.C., about one century after Haggai and Zechariah. The whole society again started to rebel against God; therefore, God sent Malachi to correct them. After Malachi, Israel did not have any prophets for almost 400 years until John the Baptist arrived around 27 A.D.
Repudiating God’s Love (1-5). The Jews doubted God’s love for them. But God demonstrates His love by reminding them that He elected them, but not Esau, which is tantamount to “hating” Esau. Paul uses this in Romans 9:13 to prove God’s sovereignty in election. God freely elects us because He freely loves us, not because there is something special about us compared to others. If God were to elect someone based on something inherent in a person, then He would never elect anyone because we all fall short of His glory. We all belong to the same fallen “lump” (Rom. 9:21), unwilling to commit to God until God enables us. So God demonstrates His love for the Jews by graciously electing them. God graciously redeems one beggar, but not another. He did not have to redeem anyone, especially in light of the high cost of redemption: the sacrifice of His son. This is highest love and mercy. A right view of God’s love is critical to our relationship with God; therefore, God addresses this problem first with the Jews.
Refusing God’s Honour (6-14). God loves Israel. He is like a master and a father to Israel. But Israel dishonours God by not treating God with the proper respect He deserves. The Jews disrespect God by offering blemished animals for sacrifice. They would never do this to their governor, how can they do this to God, the King of the world? The Jews complain these sacrifices are too burdensome. Such complain profanes the honour of God before the world because His honour is as good as the blemished animals; therefore, God has no pleasure in their outward rituals that is empty of inward love for Him.
Praying the Scripture
- If you have heard the gospel and believed then you are elected by God and loved by Him intimately. Never doubt God’s faithful love for you. This doubt is from Satan and it is a common method by which Satan will lead you astray from God, just as he caused Eve to doubt God’s love for her by suggesting God is withholding the fruit because God does not love her and does not want the best for her. God’s love has been conclusively and decisively demonstrated through the sacrifice of His most precious Son: Jesus (Rom. 8:32). No matter what situation or trial you are in, never doubt God’s love for you. But always go before the throne of grace, trust Him and plead with Him who loves you beyond measure (Matt. 7:11). Pray that God will strengthen your faith in His love.
- God is humble and reasonable. God only demands reasonable service and honour to Him. He told David that He never demanded the Israelites in the wilderness to build Him a temple because it would be burdensome to the people, even though He had the right to do it (2 Sam. 7:6-7). This is humility. All the commandments that God has given to us in the Bible are our reasonable worship of Him. God does not need our services as if He is lacking something, just as He does not need animal sacrifices and a temple. But our loving and sacrificial service demonstrate our honour for Him, which is a proper response to His love for us through Jesus. Our loving and sacrificial service also reflect the greatness and beauty of the image of God.
经文：玛拉基书1
主题：爱和尊敬
玛拉基与哈该和撒迦利亚一样，是在犹太人流放归回时预言的。他最有可能在公元前第五世纪开始预言，晚哈该和撒迦利亚一个世纪。那时，整个社会又开始对抗神，所以神差玛拉基纠正他们。以色列在玛拉基后便没有先知的出现，直到四百年后施洗约翰在公元后27年的诞生。
拒绝神的爱（1-5）。犹太人质疑神对他们的爱；神提醒他们说自己已拣选了他们，不是以扫（也就是“恶”以扫的意思）；这就是祂的爱。保罗便在罗马书9:13引用这个例子证明神在拣选人这件事上的主权。神自由地拣选我们是因为祂自由地爱我们，并非我们比别人特别。如果神要凭人的特质或成就拣选人，祂就不会选任何人，因为我们都亏缺了神的荣耀。我们同是那堆堕落的泥团（罗9:21），是无法自愿来到神面前的，除非神领我们。因此，神以恩典拣选犹太人，从而彰显了祂的爱。神在恩典中拣选一个乞丐，却不选另一个。祂不需要拯救任何人，尤其当祂必须附上赎罪的重价：牺牲自己的儿子。这是至高的爱与怜悯。若要与神建立良好的关系，我们就必须对神的爱有正确的认识。因此，神首先向犹太人解释这件事。
拒绝尊敬神（6-14）。神爱以色列。祂犹如以色列的父亲和主人，但以色列却不以神所配得的尊敬崇拜祂，从而藐视神。他们甚至献上污秽或残缺的祭物给神。倘若他们不会如此对待自己的省长，他们怎能如此轻视神，世界的王呢？犹太人埋怨献祭是种负担；这种怨言是在世人面前对神的藐视，使祂的尊贵同等于污秽的祭物一样。因此，神不喜悦他们外在的礼仪形式，因为他们的心是空虚的。他们不爱神。
用经文祷告
- 你若听了福音并信靠神，你就是神所拣选的，是神密切所爱的。不要质疑神对你信实的爱。这种疑虑源于撒旦，是撒旦普遍使用的手段，叫你离开神，如同牠在夏娃心里产生疑虑，说神之所以保留那个果子是因为神不爱她，不要把最好的东西给她。神的爱借着祂最宝贝的儿子耶稣之牺牲，坚定地、彻底地向世人展现（罗8:32）。不论你处在何等境遇或试炼中，请不要质疑神对你的爱，乃要来到那施恩的宝座前，相信、祈求那位极其爱你的神（太7:11）。祈求神会在祂的爱中坚固你的信心。
- 神是谦卑的，也很合理。神只要求我们在所能的范围内侍奉、尊敬祂。神告诉大卫祂没有要求以色列人在旷野中为祂造殿，因为即便祂有权力这么做，这只会造成人民的负担（撒下7:6-7）。这就是谦卑的表现。神在圣经中所给予的一切诫命都是我们对祂合理的敬拜。神不需要我们侍奉祂，好像祂缺了什么似的，就如祂不需要祭物或圣殿一样。然而，我们在爱中舍己的侍奉展现了我们对祂的尊敬，而这是他借着耶稣对我们之爱的妥当回应。我们的爱与舍己的侍奉也反映了神的伟大和荣美。
Posted on Oct 19, 2015 in Devotions, Zechariah |
Scripture Reading : Zechariah 14
Theme : Glorious Return of the Messiah
Return of the Messiah (1-15). Just before the Messiah returns, the nations of the world will attack Israel and Israel will be exiled again. But their Messiah, Jesus, will physically and literally come down on Mount Olives (fulfilling also the prophecy in Acts 1:11) with His holy ones, angels (Matt. 22:31), to save Israel physically and spiritually. Those who attack Israel will literally melt away. Then the topography of the world will be altered. Israel will be completely flat except for Jerusalem itself (Micah 4:1). Then the glorious Messianic Kingdom will be ushered.
Messianic Kingdom (16-21). The survivors from all the nations after Jesus judges the world will be required to worship God and go to Jerusalem every year to celebrate the Feast of Booths, aka Feast of Tabernacles, where they would dwell in temporary makeshift places. If they do not worship God, God will withhold rain. This description of the Messianic Kingdom clearly tells us there is a near-paradise kingdom for one thousand years (Rev. 20:1-6), where sin still exists, that is different from the complete paradise of the new heavens and new earth (Rev. 21-22), where no sin exists. Isaiah 65:20 also speaks of this near-paradise kingdom, “No more shall there be in it an infant that lives but a few days, or an old person who does not live out a lifetime; for one who dies at a hundred years will be considered a youth, and one who falls short of a hundred will be considered accursed.”
Praying the Scripture
- People crave for world peace and a perfect environment, but they do not believe that only the Messiah can bring such glorious world. Sadly, people who do not believe in Jesus will weep when they miss out on such glorious world (Luke 13:28). They do not believe because they love their sins. We pray God will open their hearts to believe. We also pray that God will help us to set our eyes on this eternal glory and align our lives according to this glorious, eternal world. We do not work for this salvation, but work out of this salvation with reverent fear and thankfulness (Phil. 2:12).
- We pray, God, that we will constantly desire the return of our Lord who will usher in righteousness and rid the world of evil. When we see the sickness of this world: abortion, human trafficking, murder, rape, and sexual perversion; we are grieved and we long for the Messiah to come and set this world right. We long also for the redemption of our bodies, to be set free from the presence of sin (Rom. 8:23).
经文：撒迦利亚书14
主题：弥赛亚的光荣归来
弥赛亚的归来（1-15）。就在弥赛亚归来之前，世界万国将攻击以色列，导致以色列再次被流放。然而，他们的弥赛亚耶稣将与祂的圣者降临（太22:31），并亲自站在橄榄山上（从而也应验了使徒行传1:11），拯救以色列的国与灵魂。凡攻击以色列的必遭消没。接着，世界的地形将改变。除了耶路撒冷（弥4:1），以色列将夷为平地。之后，以色列将迎来弥赛亚荣耀的国度。
弥赛亚的国度（16-21）。耶稣审判世界后的生还者，不论从哪国，都要敬拜神，并每年到耶路撒冷守住棚节，住在临时凑合的住所。他们若不敬拜神，神就不降雨。这段对弥赛亚国度的描写清楚表示千年国度将与天堂极为相似（启20:1-6）；罪仍存在，而这便是与新天新地的完美天堂的主要区别（启21-22）。以赛亚65:20也叙述了这似天堂的国度：“其中必没有数日夭亡的婴孩，也没有寿数不满的老者，因为百岁死的仍算孩童，有百岁死的罪人算被咒诅。”
用经文祷告
- 人总渴望世界能和平，环境能完美，但他们就不愿相信唯有弥赛亚能迎来这等荣耀的世界。可悲的是，不信耶稣的将在错过这荣耀的世界时哭泣哀号（路13:28）。他们爱自己的罪，所以不愿相信。我们也求神能使我们定睛这永恒的荣耀，并按这荣耀、永恒的世界调整自己的生活。我们不是要积德得救，乃恐惧战兢，做成我们得救的工夫（腓2:12）。
- 神啊，我们祈求自己能持续渴望主的归来，迎来正直，除尽世上的罪孽。当我们看到世界的恶行时：堕胎、贩卖人口、谋杀、强奸和性变态，我们满怀悲愤，渴望弥赛亚归来改革世界。我们也渴望身体得赎，摆脱罪性（罗8:23）。
Posted on Oct 19, 2015 in Devotions, Zechariah |
Scripture Reading : Zechariah 13
Theme : The Death of the Messiah
Cleansing Sin and idols (1-6). In the end times, the fountain of Jesus’ atoning blood will cleanse all the filthy sins of Israel. No one will try to be a fake prophet to deceive others. They will be so spiritual sensitive to sin that even parents will put their children to death for such apostasy as false prophesizing. Everyone’s ultimate loyalty will be to God. Fake prophets would hide themselves and their wounds, which they would inflict on themselves in order to practice the occult.
Salvation through Judgment (7-9). The cleansing of all sins once and for all is through the death of the shepherd—Jesus, who intimately stands close to God in the trinity. Since God is holy and will not acquit the guilty, every penalty due to sin must be paid for; therefore, Jesus must pay for every penalty of justified sinners. Salvation of Israel must be through the substitutionary judgment on the Messiah; therefore, God must strike down the shepherd during His first coming. This was fulfilled in Matthew 26:31. In the end times when the shepherd comes again, He will save one third of Israel. The two-thirds will be destroyed for their evil.
Praying the Scripture
- Prophesizing falsely on behalf of God is a serious sin. So serious that it requires the death penalty in OT time (Deut. 18:20-22). The rampart abuses of the charismatic church is partial due to a low view of prophecies. Some even think it is ok to make wrong prophecies. This is such a gross violation of God’s word that it must be completely rejected. People who prophesy falsely must be church disciplined. God, we pray that you will vindicate your name and rid the church of false prophets who profane your glorious name.
经文：撒迦利亚书13
主题：弥赛亚之死
洗除罪与偶像（1-6）。末日时，耶稣赎罪的宝血将洗除以色列众罪与污秽。无人会试着作假先知欺哄他人。他们会对罪如此敏感，以致作父母的也会因孩子说假预言将他们治死。每个人对神是忠贞不渝的。假先知会隐藏自己及所受的伤，也就是他们在进行邪教仪式时对自己造成的伤害。
藉着审判的救恩（7-9）。罪之所以能一次便得洁净是因为牧人耶稣的死；在三一神的关系中，祂与神非常亲密。既然神是圣洁的，绝不以有罪的为无罪，每一项罪行必然要受处罚，因此耶稣必须为每一个在神面前得以称义的罪人偿还他们所有的罪债。以色列的救赎必须建立在弥赛亚所担当的审判之上，所以神必须在牧人的首次降临时击打祂。这在马太福音26:31应验了。当牧人末日时再度降临，祂会拯救以色列的三分之一。其余的要为自己的罪遭毁灭。
用经文祷告
- 滥用神的名说假预言是一项极为严重的罪。在旧约时代，人可以因此被治死（申18:20-22）。灵恩教会严重滥用预言也是因为他们不晓得预言价值。有人甚至认为说假预言是可以被接受的，但这是对神话语的藐视，必须完全被拒绝。教会必须管教说假预言的人。神啊，我们祈求您能使你的名显为圣，清除教会中亵渎您荣耀之名的假先知。
Posted on Oct 19, 2015 in Devotions, Zechariah |
Scripture Reading : Zechariah 12
Theme : The Pierced Messiah
Physical Deliverance (1-9). God encourages His covenant people by contrasting His initial judgment on Israel with their ultimate deliverance. God is faithful and will ultimately fulfill His promise to rid Israel and the world of sin. . In the end times, the nations will attack Israel, but through the Messiah, God will strengthen Israel so that even the weakest Jew will be as strong as David and their attackers. V.8 is a reference to the Messiah who will sit on the throne of David so that the house of David will be like God (1 Chron. 17:11-15). It will also be like the Angel of the Lord, which is another reference to the pre-incarnated Messiah. This verse is also an implicit reference to the trinity.
Spiritual Deliverance (10-14). God is not just concerned about their physical deliverance, but also their spiritual deliverance, which will come when God pours out His Spirit to open the hearts of spiritually dead Jews to embrace Jesus, whom they had pierced. Physical blessings cannot come without first receiving spiritual blessings. 12:10 is one of the most stunning prophecies about the death of Jesus and the trinity. God speaks in the first person, and then refers to himself in the third person as Jesus, whom the Jews had pierced on the cross. This is fulfilled in John 19:37. This verse alone can demonstrate the incredible divine nature of Scripture. No man can ever make up such out-of-this-world prophecy and fulfill it in the most incredible way: through the cross of Jesus. Glory and praise be to God.
Praying the Scripture
- It is clear from Scripture that salvation is ultimately from the Holy Spirit, not from man. For man are all dead in sin and unable to open their hearts to God. Only God can open their hearts to believe. Jesus rebuked Nicodemus, as a great teacher of the OT, for not knowing this (John 3:10). We need to be responsible to make the gospel clear when we evangelize (Col. 4:4), but we should also pray with equal fervency for God to shower His mercy on unbelievers because it is God alone who can open people’s hearts. Heavenly Father, we pray you will cause us to pray more when we evangelize. Let us pray before, during and after evangelizing unbelievers. We pray for your gracious mercy to open their hearts to believe, not for our sake, but for the sake of your glorious name.
经文：撒迦利亚书12
主题：被扎的弥赛亚
外在的拯救（1-9）。神将祂对以色列起初的审判和最后的拯救作对比，从而鼓励祂的子民。神是信实的，必要履行祂的承诺，除尽以色列和世界的罪。末日时，列国将攻击以色列，但神会藉着弥赛亚保护她，使最软弱的犹太人也能与大卫和他的烈士一样坚定。第八节指的是将坐在大卫宝座上的弥赛亚，叫大卫的家必如神（代上17:11-15）。大卫的家也如耶和华的使者，即未道成肉身的弥赛亚。这一节也暗示了三一神的运作。
属灵的拯救（10-14）。神在乎的不但是以色列国的拯救，更在乎祂子民的灵性拯救。神将在这些灵里已死的犹太人身上浇灌祂的灵，打开他们的属灵之窗，叫他们能拥抱自己所扎的耶稣。人首先要得灵性的祝福，才能蒙受外在的祝福。第十节是有关耶稣之死和三一神其中最令人惊叹的预言之一。神先用第一人的角度说话，接着又用第三者的身份（耶稣）指自己，即犹太人在十架上所扎的那一位。这在约翰福音19:37应验了。这一节经文本身就能体现经文奥妙的神圣性质。无人能制造如此破天荒的预言，又以最巧妙的方式应验预言，就是藉着耶稣的十字架。愿荣耀和赞美都归于神。
用经文祷告
- 我们从经文中能清楚看到救恩最终是从圣灵而来，不是从人而来，因为人人都死在罪恶过犯之中，无法向神敞开他们的心。唯有神能解开人心，叫他们投靠神。耶稣曾经为此责备一名旧约大师尼哥迪慕，因为他不晓得这事（约3:10）。我们必须负责任，向他人传福音时清楚地传讲（西4:4），同时也要热切祷告，叫神能怜悯这些非信徒，因为唯有神能敞开人心。天父啊，我们祈求您能叫我们在传福音时能多祷告。让我们向非信徒传福音的前、中、后都在祷告。我们求您荣耀的怜悯能敞开他们的心，不为自己，乃为您荣耀的名信靠您。。
Posted on Oct 19, 2015 in Devotions, Zechariah |
Scripture Reading : Zechariah 11
Theme : The Rejection of the Messiah
Destruction of Israel (1-3). The returned exiles who are the original recipients of this oracle are loved by God (8:15). However, God prophesizes He will reject Israel again in the future because of their rejection of the Messiah. Shepherds and lions represent Israel and their leaders, just as Lebanon and Bashan represent the land of Israel. The prophecy speaks of the destruction of Israel. Vv.4-17 tell the readers the reason for the destruction is because Israel rejects the Messiah. The destruction of Israel after they rejected Jesus was also prophesized by Jesus in two different places: Luke 23:28-31 and 21:6. The destruction was fulfilled when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem in 70 A.D.
Rejection of Messiah (4-17). God calls Zechariah to play the role of a shepherd in order to represent and prophesize about the true shepherd—Jesus, and His rejection. He holds two staffs: favour and union, meaning blessing and unity for the nation. Zechariah shepherds for one month but had conflict with three other shepherds so their relationship was broken. Most likely, one month represents the time Jesus was on earth shepherding Israel, but the three shepherds (most likely the three types of leaders: elders, priests and scribes) hated Jesus so His relationship with Israel was broken. Zechariah asks the shepherds what he is worth to them. The shepherds say 30 pieces of silver, the price of a slave. This was fulfilled when the leaders gave Judas 30 pieces of silver to kill Jesus (Matt. 27:9-10). Because of their rejection of the Messiah, God will withhold His blessings and peace, and let the Romans destroy Israel. God will also appoint a foolish shepherd for Israel since they rejected the true Shepherd. This foolish shepherd is the antichrist.
Praying the Scripture
- All who reject the glorious, gracious God of the Bible deserves punishment in hell. For it is He who gives life and good things in life. To reject Him is to commit the ugly and shameful sins of being unthankful and adulterous. Such ugly sins deserve an ugly end. When we share the gospel, we must speak of sins of self-worship and guilt against God. Only through the glorious cross can our guilt be cleansed and our sins be forgiven. The Christian message is very simple: holiness and love. We pray God that you will convict us of the seriousness of sin and not to be ashamed of the gospel but preach it with boldness, humility and love.
经文：撒迦利亚书11
主题：对弥赛亚的拒绝
以色列的毁灭（1-3）。归回以色列的余剩子民，也就是原来领受预言的人，是神所爱的（8:15）。然而，神预言祂将在未来再度拒绝以色列，因为他们会拒绝弥赛亚。牧人和狮子分别代表以色列和她的首领，而黎巴嫩和巴珊代表了以色列的土地。这个预言叙述的是以色列的毁灭。第4-17节告诉读者以色列之所以会被消灭是因为她拒绝弥赛亚。耶稣也在两处预言以色列会因拒绝祂而将遭毁灭（路23:28-31, 21:6）。罗马在公元后70年消灭了耶路撒冷，从而应验了预言。
对弥赛亚的拒绝（4-17）。神要撒迦利亚扮演牧人的角色，以便代表并预言未来的真牧人——耶稣，与祂所遭的拒绝。他拿着两根杖：“荣美”与“联索”，表示予以色列的祝福及合一。撒迦利亚牧羊了一个月，但与其余三个牧人有冲突，导致关系破裂。那一个月的时间大有可能代表耶稣在地上牧羊以色列的时光，而有三个牧人（很有可能是以色列的三类领袖：长老、祭司和文士）憎恨耶稣，所以耶稣与以色列的关系也破裂了。撒迦利亚问那三个牧人他在他们心中有什么价值。牧人们回答三十块钱，即一个奴仆的工价。当以色列的首领为要杀害耶稣而给予犹大三十块钱时（太27:9-10），预言便应验了。因着他们对弥赛亚的拒绝，神会向他们保留自己的祝福与平安，让罗马消灭以色列。由于以色列拒绝了那位真牧人，神也会为她设立一个愚昧的牧人。这个愚昧的牧人便是敌基督。
用经文祷告
- 凡是拒绝圣经中那位荣耀并满有恩典的神应当下地狱受惩罚，因为赐予生命及生命中的美好的是神。拒绝耶稣，就好比犯下忘恩负义、通奸淫荡之罪，非常丑陋，极为羞耻。如此丑陋的罪应当有丑陋的结局。当我们传福音时，我们必须告知别人崇拜自己的罪孽以及在神面前的羞愧。唯有藉着荣耀的十架，我们的罪与愧疚才能得洁净和宽恕。主啊，我们求您能定我们的罪，让我们晓得罪的严重性，并不以福音为耻，乃要大胆、谦卑并凭着爱心传福音。
Posted on Oct 19, 2015 in Devotions, Zechariah |
Scripture Reading : Zechariah 10
Theme : Messiah as Cornerstone and Tent Peg
Real Hope (1-4). Idols are nonsense and give false comfort through lies. Just as money and other things of the world cannot give ultimate security and true peace (1 Tim. 6:17). The only hope of the world is in the Messiah: Jesus. He is the cornerstone and the tent peg of true security, peace, and fulfillment. Cornerstone is the foundational stone of a building. The tent peg is referring to the middle pole of a large tent that acts as the foundation of the tent. Only the Messiah is the solid foundation of life, all else is sinking sand.
Real Salvation (5-12). Through the Messiah, God will strengthen the nation of Israel and defeat their enemies against overwhelming odds in the end times. After defeating their enemies, God will then bring the Jews back from exile from the land of Egypt and Assyria, which figuratively mean all land of captivity and slavery where Jews are located. Egypt and Assyria were no longer independent states, but were under Persian rule when Zechariah received the prophecy; therefore, Egypt and Assyria figuratively refer to the land of captivity as mentioned in Hosea 9:3.
Praying the Scripture
- God is the cornerstone, the foundation of life. This foundation is demonstrated through the power of His word as the standard of truth. His word is the means of creating and sustaining the world (Gen. 1:3) and His word determines the future course of world history. All who have God as their foundation will be blessed. We have God as our foundation when build our lives on His word. Jesus quotes Deut. 8:3 in Matt. 4:4, “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” We pray God, that you will graciously give us more and more wisdom to understand and apply your truth so that we can strengthen the foundation of our live every day (James 1:5). Please give us more confidence and love for your word.
经文：撒迦利亚书10
主题：弥赛亚作房角石和钉子
真实的盼望（1-4）。偶像是虚空的，借着谎言给予虚假的安慰。钱财与世上的其余事物也如此，是无法给予真实的保障与平安的（提前6:17）。世上唯一的盼望是弥赛亚：耶稣。祂是真保障、和平与满足的房角石和钉子。房角石是为一个建筑物奠基的石头；钉子则指一个大帐篷中间的栏杆，是帐篷的总支柱。唯有弥赛亚是生命的稳当根基；其余全是沙土。
真实的拯救（5-12）。神将在末日借着弥赛亚坚固以色列国，冲破重重障碍，战胜仇敌。之后，神将把犹太人从埃及与亚述领回以色列；埃及与亚述象征的是犹太人被囚作奴的地方。当撒迦利亚领受这个启示时，埃及与亚述不是独立的国家，而是由波斯统治。因此，埃及与亚述比喻的是犹太人被囚之地，如何西阿书9:3也提到的。
用经文祷告
- 神是房角石，是生命的根基。这个根基便藉着祂话语的大能作真理的标准显现。神的话是创造与维持世界的方式（创1:3），而祂的话立定了世界未来的走向。凡有神为根基的人便为有福。当我们按着神的话生活时，神就作我们的根基。耶稣在马太福音4:4引用申命记8:3，说：“人活着不是单靠食物，乃是靠神口里所出的一切话。”神啊，我们祈求您能恩待我们，赐予我们更多智慧，叫我们能理解并应用你的真理，使我们每日都能坚固生命的根基（雅1:5）。求您加添我们对你话语的信心和爱。
Posted on Oct 12, 2015 in Devotions, Zechariah |
Scripture Reading : Zechariah 9
Theme : The Coming Peaceful Messiah
Prophecy of Future Judgment (1-8). This passage is referring to God’s coming judgment against Israel’s neighboring enemies. This prophecy was fulfilled when Alexander the Great conquered Damascus, Tyre and Philistines (cf. Ezekiel 26:3–14; 28:20–24), but Jerusalem was miraculously spared. As prophesized in v. 7, the Philistines never existed again after Alexander’s conquest, but was absorbed into Israel, just as the Jebusites were absorbed into Israel when conquered by king David.
Prophecy of Future Joy (9-17). Israel’s ultimate deliverance from their enemies must come from their Messiah who will enter Jerusalem on a donkey, a symbolism of peace and humility. This was fulfilled during His first coming in Matt. 21:5. When Israel worships the Messiah during His second coming, He will conquer all of God’s enemies and then usher in everlasting world peace. No nation will have military equipment. There will be agricultural and environmental blessing, a near utopia before the ultimate utopia. Zechariah’s prophesies about Israel’s future exile and exodus were not fulfilled when the exiles returned to Israel from Babylon, neither were they fulfilled when the state of Israel was established in 1948. Israel will experience its ultimate and last exile and exodus in the end times (14:2-3). This means there will never be lasting peace in the Middle East until Israel recognize its Messiah whom they have pierced (12:10).
Praying the Scripture
- The world is full of evil doers: organized criminals, druglords, human traffickers, murderers, gangster governments. No amount of human engineering can get rid of all evil and bring in everlasting peace. Human efforts can only restrain evil. Let us pray that our Lord Jesus will return soon and rid the world of all evil. Be thankful that Jesus will usher in utopia and has graciously allow you to be in it, through faith in His death and resurrection. Honor and glory be to Him.
- God is a peacemaker, Jesus is God’s ultimate revelation of His character as a peacemaker. Jesus is the ultimate peacemaker. This is part of His glorious character. Christians are called to share in this glory by being peacemakers. Jesus says blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God (Matt. 5:9). As far as we can, let us make peace with all men, especially believers (Rom. 12:18).
经文：撒迦利亚书9
主题：未来和平的弥赛亚
未来审判的预言（1-8）。这段经文描写的是神对以色列周遭敌人未来的审判。当亚历山大大帝占领大马士革、推罗和非利士时（参结26:3-4；28:20-24），却奇迹般的幸免以色列——这是预言的应验。如第七节所预言的，非利士在亚历山大大帝的侵略后就不复存在，而是归以色列的一部，就如耶布斯被大卫王占领后归以色列一样。
未来喜乐的预言（9-17）。以色列最终脱离仇敌的拯救必然是从他们的弥赛亚而来；祂将骑着驴驹入耶路撒冷，象征和平与谦卑。这在马太福音21:5应验了，即基督首次降临时候。当以色列在弥赛亚二度降临时敬拜祂，祂会征服神所有的仇敌，并给世界带来永恒的和平。无国将持有军事武器。大地将在农业和环境上蒙福，在最终的理想国度前享受这般美境。撒迦利亚对以色列未来的驱逐在流放者从巴比伦归回以色列时还未应验；以色列国在1948成立时，预言也还未应验。以色列将在末日时经历她最后、最大的一次驱逐（14:2-3）。这表示中东不会有永久的和平，直到以色列认识他们所扎的弥赛亚（12:10）。
用经文祷告
- 世界充满了行恶者：组织性的罪犯、毒枭、人贩子、谋杀者、歹徒政府等。再大的人类工程也无法除尽一切罪恶，并带来永恒平安。人只能阻止罪行的发生。让我们祷告主耶稣会尽快归来，除尽世界众恶。我们要感谢神会建立一个理想的国度，并恩待你，借着祂的死和复活叫你能参与其中。愿荣耀和尊贵都归于神。
- 神喜爱和睦，而耶稣是神对自己喜爱和睦之属性的最佳启示。耶稣是最大的中保；这是祂荣耀属性之一。基督徒被召要参与这份荣誉，要作使人和睦的人。耶稣说：“使人和睦的人有福了！因为他们必称为神的儿子”（太5:9），又“若是能行，总要尽力与众人和睦”（罗12:18）。
Posted on Oct 12, 2015 in Devotions, Zechariah |
Scripture Reading : Zechariah 8
Theme : Encouragement to Exiles
God’s Favor to Israel (1-17). God assures the exiles of His love and jealousy for Israel. God’s jealousy is a pure, unchanging love for Israel, not a sinful husband’s jealousy of his wife because he does not trust her and is always suspicious. Because of His jealous love, God will bring back the exiles from the east and west countries (a merism for everywhere) and bless them in the land. They have no reason to be suspicious of God’s love for them. Instead, they ought to be filled with courage to build the temple and Jerusalem because God is totally for them. As long as they do not provoke God with their sins, but continue to love God’s truth and be at peace with their neighbors, God will bless them.
God’s Exaltation of Israel (18-23). God answers the original question about whether to continue to fast for the temple by saying in His future kingdom, Israel will not fast but will be rejoicing. In that kingdom, there will be world peace. All nations of the earth will want to go to Jerusalem to seek the Lord and worship Him. A new world order will be established by Jesus. Israel will be a kingdom of priests (Ex. 19:6). People will seek out Jews and go with Jews to seek the Lord in Jerusalem. This is the glorious future that faithful Jews can expect to inherit. All Christians will also inherit this glorious future because of our union with Jesus. Believers are complete in Christ.
Praying the Scripture
- God, we can be completely confident of your love for your people because you are jealous for us. You are faithful to those who humble themselves and take refuge in Jesus. Once you have chosen to love us freely in Jesus, we are completely safe in your arm. No enemy, neither satan or evil humans, can snatch us from your hand (John 10:29). We can be completely filled with courage and obey your commandments. Thank you for your salvation and thank you for preparing your future kingdom for both believing Jews and non-Jews. Let us live courageously in light of this glorious kingdom that you have prepared for us.
- It is incredible to think that lowly Israel will be the center of the world in the millennial kingdom. But this is the beautiful work of God so that all will be humbled. He humbles the proud and exalts the lowly (Deut. 7:7; 1 Cor. 1:28-29). He will transform lowly Israel so that everyone will know the power is not from man, but from God. Jeremiah 9:24, “Do not let the wise boast in their wisdom, do not let the mighty boast in their might, do not let the wealthy boast in their wealth; but let those who boast boast in this, that they understand and know me, that I am the Lord; I act with steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord.” Highest honor and praise to the King of Kings, Lord of Lords.
经文：撒迦利亚书8
主题：对流放者的鼓励
神对以色列的恩（1-17）。神保证自己是爱这些余剩的子民的，并为以色列极其火热，即对以色列有纯洁、不变的爱。因着这份爱，祂会把放流至东方和西方（比喻各地）的子民带回来，在那里祝福他们。他们没有理由怀疑神对他们的爱。反之，他们当壮胆建造耶路撒冷与圣殿，因为神完全与他们同心。只要他们不以罪恶激怒神，继续爱神的真理，与邻舍和睦共处，神会祝福他们。
神对以色列的升高（18-23）。神回应了是否要继续为圣殿禁食的这个问题：在神未来的国度里，以色列无需禁食，乃要欢呼。在那个国度里，世界将有和平。世界各国将到耶路撒冷寻求并敬拜主。耶稣将创立一个新世界秩序。以色列将会是祭司之国（出19:6）。人们会寻找犹太人并要求与他们一同到耶路撒冷寻求主。这是忠实的犹太人可以期待领受的一个荣耀未来。所有基督徒也会因着与耶稣的联合领受这个荣耀的未来。信徒在基督里是完整的。
用经文祷告
- 神啊，我们能完全信赖您对您子民的爱，因为您对我们是极其火热的。您对凡虚己投靠耶稣的人忠实。一旦您选择在耶稣里无条件地爱我们，我们在您的怀里是完全安稳的。不论是仇敌、撒旦或恶人都无法从您的手里把我们夺去（约10:29）。我们可以充满胆量去服从您的道。感谢您赐予的救恩，也感谢您为信您的犹太人和外邦人预备将来的国度。让我们因着您已为我们预备的荣耀国度勇敢生活。
- 卑微的以色列将在千禧国度里成为世界的中心，这是何等奇妙啊！这是神美妙的工作，叫人都能谦卑。祂使骄傲的人谦卑，并使卑微的人升高（申7:7；林前1:28-29）。祂会使卑微的以色列转变，叫人晓得势力不在于人，乃在于神。耶利米书9:24说：“‘夸口的却因他有聪明，认识我是耶和华，又知道我喜悦在世上施行慈爱、公平和公义，以此夸口。’这是耶和华说的。”让我们向这位万王之王，万主之主献上最高的尊荣与赞美。
