Devotional/灵修 – Ezekiel 以西结书

Ezekiel

9 May 2016, Ezekiel 6 以西结书 6, Destruction of Idols and Idol Worshippers 偶像与拜偶像者的毁灭

Posted on May 23, 2016 in Devotions, Ezekiel |

Scripture Reading  : Ezekiel 6

Theme                      : Destruction of Idols and Idol Worshippers

 

Ezekiel prophesies against the mountains of Israel because that is the primary place for idol worship. Even though God punished them for their evils, at the same time His was sad over their idolatry (cf. Gen. 6:6). The tender heart of God and His punishment against sin are designed to lead them to repentance. God is loving and holy. Christians ought to be holy and tender hearted like God.

Praying the Scripture
 
One way God causes people to repent is to punish them and make their sinful lives difficult (Prov. 13:15). God’s punishment is not designed only to cause fear, but it is also designed to cause the sinner to loathe his sins and agree with God’s righteousness standard (v. 9). If you only fear God’s punishment and never loathe your sins, then you have not truly repented. That is worldly sorrow that lead to death (2 Cor 7:10). Pray that you will not only fear God’s punishment, but also see your sins as ugly, disgusting and turn away from them. See that true beauty, joy and love is in God’s righteousness.
 
 
 

经文：以西结书6

主题：偶像与拜偶像者的毁灭

以西结向以色列的众山说预言，因为那是偶像敬拜的主要场所。虽然神要因他们的恶惩罚他们，但祂同时也为他们的罪行忧伤（参：创6:6）。神温柔的心与祂对罪的惩罚都是要叫以色列人悔改。神是慈爱、圣洁的神。基督徒也当像神一样圣洁，并有温柔的心。
 

用经文祷告

神使人悔改的其中一个方式就是施与惩罚，叫他们罪恶的道路崎岖难行（箴13:15）。神的惩罚不但要使我们的心产生惧怕，也要使罪人痛恨自己的罪，并认同神公义的标准（9节）。你若只怕神的惩罚却不痛恨自己的罪，这证明你还未真正悔改；这仅是领人步入死亡的世俗忧愁（林后7:10）。祷告你不但会害怕神的惩罚，还要看到自己的罪行是丑陋、令人厌恶的，并回转归神。我们要看到真实的美善、喜乐与爱是在神的公义里的。

 

7 May 2016, Ezekiel 5 以西结书 5, The Certainty of a Destroyed Jerusalem 耶路撒冷被毁的肯定

Posted on May 2, 2016 in Devotions, Ezekiel |

Scripture Reading  : Ezekiel 5

Theme                      : The Certainty of a Destroyed Jerusalem

 

Shaving the head and beard was a pagan ritual for the dead (27:31; cf. Isa 22:12; Jer 16:16; Amos 8:10), which the law forbade (Deut 14:1), and a sign of humiliation and disgrace (7:18; cf. 2 Sam 10:4). If an Israelite priest shaved his head, he was defiled and no longer holy to the Lord (Lev 21:5). Ezekiel defiled and humiliated himself as a symbol of the humiliation of the people of Judah who were defiled and no longer holy to the Lord. Nothing was left to do but to mourn their death as a nation. Ezekiel’s hair symbolized the inhabitants of Jerusalem. One-third of them would be burned when Jerusalem would be burned after the siege (v.2a; 2 Kings 25:9). Part of these people would have already died through famine and distress during the siege (v.12a). The second third of the inhabitants would die by the sword when Jerusalem fell (vv.2b, 12b; 2 Kings 25:18–21a; 2 Chronicles 36:17). The final third would be scattered to the wind in exile (vv.2c, 12c; 2 Kings 25:11, 21b). A portion from this last group would be judged by fire (which affected all Israel) as they left Jerusalem (v.4), while some would die by the sword in captivity (v.2d). Out of this final third, the Lord would deliver a remnant of Jerusalem’s citizens, as depicted by Ezekiel’s placing a few hairs from this group securely into the hem of his garment (v.3).

[1] Alexander, R. H. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary.

 

Praying the Scripture

God is a jealous God in the sense that He demands complete allegiance to Him. This is not egoistic. Since God created humankind and are their Father, it is righteous and good to give a great God our highest loyalty and praise, just as it is right and good for children to love and honor their wonderful parents. It would be ugly and disgraceful for children to reject their parents and give their filial piety to others. The Jews sinned greatly by worshipping idols and committing horrific sins such as children sacrifice, cultic prostitution and violence. God’s judgement on them is righteous and just. Agree with God’s righteous judgement and warn sinners of God’s punishment against their idolatry, but do it with respect and gentleness (1 Pet. 3:15).

经文：以西结书5

主题：耶路撒冷被毁的肯定

 

剃头发和胡须是外邦人为离世之人所举行的仪式（27:31；参：赛22:12；耶16:16；司8:10），是犹太律法中所禁止的（申14:1）；这也是蒙受羞辱迹象（7:18；参：撒下10:4）。倘若一个以色列祭司剃了头发，他便是污秽的，不再是为主分别为圣的（利21:5）。以西结玷污了自己，使自己蒙羞，为要象征蒙受羞愧的犹大子民——他们已被玷污，不再为主分别为圣。他们如今什么都做不了，唯有举国哀号自己的死亡。以西结的头发象征耶路撒冷的居民。其中三分之一将在耶路撒冷围困后被焚烧时烧死（2节上；王下25:9）；其中一部分人早已在耶路撒冷被困时所经历的饥荒和苦难死去（12节上）。另外三分之一的居民将在耶路撒冷沦陷后死在刀下（2, 12节中；王下25:18-21上；代下36:17）。最后的三分之一将任风吹散，被放逐（2, 12节下；王下25:11, 21下），而其中一部分人则要在离开耶路撒冷时面临火的审判（4节；这火影响全以色列）；有些则将在被掳时死在刀下（2节）。神要在这最后一组人里面救一部分余民；这就是以西结从其中取几根头发包在衣襟里所象征的（3节）。

[1] Alexander, R. H. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary.

 

用经文祷告

神是一位忌邪的神——祂要我们对祂完全忠诚。这不是自大的表现。神既然创造了人类，祂就是人类的天父，所以我们理当向这位伟大的神给予我们最大的忠诚和赞美，就如孩子当爱与孝敬他们出色的父母一样。倘若孩子拒绝他们的父母，反倒孝敬别人，这是丑陋与可耻的行为。犹太人因拜偶像犯下重大的罪，还继而将自己的儿女焚烧归偶像，行邪教卖淫和暴力的可憎之罪。神对他们的审判是公义、公平的。我们要认同神公义的审判，并告诫罪人神必要惩罚他们拜偶像的罪，可同时以温柔、敬畏的心如此行（彼前3:15）。

 


6 May 2016, Ezekiel 4 以西结书 4, Dramatizing the Siege of Jerusalem 将耶路撒冷的围困戏剧化

Posted on May 2, 2016 in Devotions, Ezekiel |

Scripture Reading  : Ezekiel 4

Theme                      : Dramatizing the Siege of Jerusalem

 

Chapters 4–24 combine a series of oral messages and symbolic acts designed to warn the people of Judah that judgment was coming. It is also designed to warn the exiles to listen to God and submit to His lordship. God wants to rid Israel of idolatry and turn them back to His kingship. Ezekiel begins his role as watchman in this chapter by warning the Jews of the coming fall of Jerusalem. His message is preached through symbolic acts. First through a model that depicts the siege of Jerusalem and then through lying on his side. He did not literally lie on his sides the whole day since other texts mentioned he sat with elders and perform other symbolic acts. He only lied down for most of the day. During his bed confinement, he also eats and drinks by measurement to symbolize the scarcity of food and water in Jerusalem during the siege. All the punishment that God is giving to Israel is clearly stated in the Mosaic Covenant in Deut. 28.

 

Praying the Scripture

Sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4). The essence of sin is breaking the first and most important law in the Bible, which is the first Commandment: to not worship idols in your heart (Ex. 20:3), but to love God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might (Deut. 6:5). The Jews sinned in many shocking ways, but the root of their sins is the sin of idolatry. Pray for God to strengthen your faith in God as your king and the greatest treasure or portion in your life (Ps. 16:5-11).

经文：以西结书4

主题：将耶路撒冷的围困戏剧化

 

第四至二十四章包含了一系列的口述信息以及象征性的举动，其目的是要警戒犹大有关即将到来的审判。这也是为了劝告被掳之民要听从神并降服于祂做主。神要除尽以色列的偶像，叫他们归回自己的主权。以西结从此刻开始作以色列的守望者，而首件事就是告诫犹太人有关耶路撒冷不久后的沦陷。他的信息是借着象征性的举动传达的。首先，他造了一个象征耶路撒冷被困的模型，然后侧卧。他并不是一整天都侧卧着，因为其他经文也有提到他与众长老同坐，并行了其他象征性的举动。他只是大部分时候是侧卧着的。在这段期间，他也必须按分量吃喝；这象征了耶路撒冷被困时饮食的缺乏。神向以色列所实行的一切惩罚已在申命记28的摩西之约中清楚列下了。


用经文祷告

违背律法就是罪（约一3:4）。罪的本质就是违背圣经里首要的诫命，即第一条诫命：内心不可敬拜偶像（出20:3），乃要尽心、尽性、尽力爱耶和华你的神（申6:5）。犹太人确实行了不同骇人听闻的罪，但其根源是拜偶像之罪。要向神祷告，求祂坚固你的信心，叫神能永远作你的王以及生命中最大的宝藏或产业（诗16:5-11）。


5 May 2016, Ezekiel 2-3 以西结书 2-3, The Commissioning of Ezekiel 以西结的呼召

Posted on May 2, 2016 in Devotions, Ezekiel |

Scripture Reading  : Ezekiel 2-3

Theme                      : The Commissioning of Ezekiel

 

Commissioning of Ezekiel (2:1-3:15)

At the start of Ezekiel’s commissioning, God tells him in detail his task. He is to go to his own people in exile, who are spiritually stubborn, rebellious and feisty. His message will not be God loves you and you can do whatever you want. His message is God loves you and He is also holy, if you don’t repent He will judge you but if you return to Him, He will forgive you. This job will be a very tough job, but there is sweetness to the job, as symbolized by the sweet taste of the scroll, because God is amazingly pure, gracious, and despite His judgment on the rebellious, God will continue to be faithful to His promise to restore Israel in the future no matter what the current generation of Jews will do. Because the job is so tough, Ezekiel actually was bitter and did not want the job. So God sat him among his people for seven days in order to discipline him and for him to wrestle with his feelings.

Ezekiel as Watchman (3:16-27).

Ezekiel’s prophetic role is liken to a watchman who warns a city of coming invasion or danger. If the watchman does not warn people of danger, he is liable for their death. Ezekiel is to warn the people to be faithful to the Mosaic Covenant. It is not specified whether death is spiritual or physical or both. In any case, if one truly has faith in God as his master, then he is secure spiritually, but if he sins he will incur God’s discipline, even physical death (1 Cor 11:30). Interestingly, God did not allow Ezekiel to preach regularly, but confined Ezekiel to his house for about 7 years until the fall of Jerusalem (33:21–22). He was also bounded with cords by his compatriots. Ezekiel only preached when God told him. Most of the time, people came to him to hear God’s word (8:1; 14:1–4; 20:1). This strange setup is most likely a way to deal with this rebellious people. Also, seven years of silence most likely corresponds to Ezekiel’s 7 days of rebellion against God (cf. 4:4-8).

 

Praying the Scripture

Sometimes, it may seem like God’s work is strange. This is because we do not understand the circumstance as well as God. Drastic times calls for drastic measures. The Jews were extremely rebellious and apathetic toward God. God used Ezekiel in an unusual way in order to get their attention. In all times, pray that you will trust the wisdom of God and be marveled by His counsel. Even if God’s wisdom were to be foolish it is still wiser than any human wisdom (1 Cor. 1:25).

经文：以西结书2-3

主题：以西结的呼召

 

以西结的呼召（2:1-3:15）。

以西结一开始被召，神就详述了他的任务。他要到自己被掳之民那里去，而他们本是一群属灵顽固、悖逆与反叛之民。他要传达的信息并非神爱你，你可以为所欲为。他要传的信息是神爱你，但祂也是圣洁的；你若不悔改，祂会审判你，但你若愿意回转归神，祂会饶恕你。这个任务非常艰巨，但其中也有甘甜，如书卷的甜蜜所象征的，因为神的恩典与纯洁是超乎人的想象的；神虽然会审判悖逆的人，但祂仍会坚守承诺，日后复兴以色列。无论现今的犹太人会做什么，祂仍会如此。由于任务确实非常艰巨，以西结心里产生了苦毒，不想接这份工作。因此，神为了管教以西结并让他胜过内心的挣扎，神要他在他的子民中间坐七日。

以西结是守望者（3:16-17）。

以西结作先知好比城有了守望者，警戒人民即将降临的危险或攻击。守望者若不警戒人有关眼前的危险，他就得为他们的死亡负责。以西结当劝诫以色列民遵守摩西律法。经文并没说明这个死亡是灵性上的，肉体上的，还是两者都是。无论如何，倘若人真的信靠神为他的主，他的灵命就有了保障，但是他若犯罪，他仍会受到神的管教，甚至因此而死（林前11:30）。有趣的是，神并不允许以西结常常传道，乃将他限制在自己家中七年，直到耶路撒冷的沦陷（33:21-22）。他是被同胞用绳索捆绑的。以西结唯有受到神吩咐时才传道；多数时候，人们主动到他那里想听神的话（8:1; 14:1-4; 20:1）。这种不寻常的做法很有可能是一种对待悖逆之人的方式。再者，七年的沉默也大有可能与以西结和神七天的对抗有关。

 

用经文祷告

有的时候，神的做法看似奇怪。这是因为我们不比神了解状况。非一般的时刻需要非一般的手段。犹太人极度悖逆神，对神非常冷漠，因此神以非一般的方式用以西结，好引起他们的注意。我们要祷告无论何时都信靠神的智慧并敬服神的教导。就算神的智慧是愚拙的，它总比人的智慧大（林前1:25）。


4 May 2016, Ezekiel 1 以西结书 1, The Vision of God’s Glory 神荣耀的异象

Posted on May 2, 2016 in Devotions, Ezekiel |

Scripture Reading  : Ezekiel 1

Theme                      : The Vision of God’s Glory

 

Background: Ezekiel and his wife (who is mentioned in 24:15–27) were among 10,000 Jews taken captive to Babylon in 597 B.C. (2 Kin. 24:11–18), before the final captivity and fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. They lived in Tel-Abib (3:15) on the bank of the Chebar River, probably SE of Babylon. Ezekiel was both a prophet and a priest (1:3). His ministry extended over at least twenty-three years. He was a contemporary of both Jeremiah and Daniel, whom he names in 14:14, 20; 28:3. Ezekiel spoke mainly about God’s holiness and Judah’s sinfulness; and God’s pledge to fulfill His promise to restore Israel and to usher in the millennial kingdom and temple. Chapters 1-24 is a message of gloom and doom for Israel, which contradicts the exiles’ hope that Jerusalem would be delivered. Chapters 25-48 is a message of hope and restoration for Israel.

Ezekiel’s Calling (1-3)

Chapters 1-3 is mainly about Ezekiel’s commissioning as a prophet by divine calling and as a priest by birth. He was called by God when he was thirty years old to minister to the exiles in Babylon.

God’s Glory (4-28).

Ezekiel’s mission will be very difficult because of the stubbornness of the Jews. So God starts his ministry by reminding him of His glorious power and authority over the universe in order to strengthen him. The vision of four living creatures is mostly likely mighty angels called cherubim (10:15, 20). The mighty cherubim are pictured to carry the throne of God (cf. 2 Samuel 22:11). The one who seats on the throne is no other than Jesus, who is described as in the likeness of a human appearance (cf. Dan. 7:13-14). Other elements such as fire, stormy wind, gleaming metal, emphasize God’s judgment on sin because He is a holy, pure God. Ezekiel was so awestruck by the vision of God’s glory that He fell on his face. It is this awe, this fear that will help him to fulfill his mission.

 

Praying the Scripture

When you are afraid and are discouraged to obey God’s command to evangelize the lost, what you need is a good dosage of God’s awesome, glorious authority over the universe and His judgment on sin. This is why before giving the Great Commission to the disciples, Jesus first reminded the disciples that all authority in the universe has been given to Him (Matt. 28:18-20). A great sense of people’s need for forgiveness from sin will also help you to overcome your fear. If fear is preventing from witnessing, then pray that God will fill your heart with a firm foundation of His glorious authority and purity.

经文：以西结书1

主题：神荣耀的异象

 

背景：以西结和他的妻子（24:15-27有提到）是公元前597年被掳去巴比伦的一万个犹太人之一（王下24:11-18），即耶路撒冷在公元前586年最终的沦陷之前。他们在迦巴鲁河边的提勒亚比居住（3:15）；这或许属巴比伦的东南部。以西结是先知，也是祭司（1:3）。祂的事工至少有23年之久。他与耶利米和但以理属同时代的人，而他也在14:14. 20；28:3提及他们。以西结讲述的主要是神的圣洁和犹大的罪恶；以及神要应验自己应许的承诺，日后复兴以色列，并招进千禧国度和圣殿。第1至24章经文论道以色列即将面临的黑暗和灾祸；这与被逐之民对耶路撒冷将得解救的希望是冲突的。第25至48章经文的信息则是关乎以色列未来的盼望与复兴。

以西结的呼召（1-3）。

第1至3章经文主要与以西结的呼召有关：他有神的呼召作先知，也生来就是祭司。他在30岁时被神呼召服事被逐到巴比伦的以色列人。

神的荣耀（4-28）。

由于犹太人倔强顽固，以西结的任务将因此变得很艰难。为此，神一开始就向以西结彰显自己主宰宇宙万物的荣耀大能和权柄，叫他能刚强起来。四活物的异象很有可能是拥有大能的天使基路伯（10:15, 20）。这些强大的基路伯还曾承载神的宝座（撒下22:11），而坐在宝座上的就是耶稣；祂被形容拥有人的形象（参：但7:13-14）。其他元素，如火、狂风和光耀的金精都强调了神对罪的审判，因为祂是圣洁、纯正的神。以西结对神荣耀的异象感到如此惊艳，他俯伏在地。他所叹为观止的——这份敬畏，能助他完成任务。
 

用经文祷告

当你感到害怕，对于听从主命，向失丧之人传福音感到气馁时，你需要重新看到神对宇宙万物之权柄的伟大、荣耀，以及神对我们罪孽的审判。这就是为何耶稣在给予门徒大使命之前，祂先提醒门徒天上地下所有的权柄都赐给祂了（太28:18-20）。警觉到人对罪之饶恕的莫大需要能助你胜过你的恐惧。倘若你的恐惧制止了你为神作见证，要祷告神荣耀的权柄和纯洁能充满你的心。


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