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拿細耳人之願

〈民數記〉6:1-2     耶和華對摩西說:「你曉諭以色列人說:無論男女許了特別的願,就是拿細耳人的願,要離俗歸耶和華。」

在〈民數記〉之前,《聖經》一般都偏重於神和男人的立約。但是在這裡,神立了一個特別的約,就是男人和女人都可許的願,就是拿細耳人之願。拿細耳就是歸主的意思,歸主就是與世俗分開,即分別為聖。

神揀選利未人去服侍祂,那麼若有其他人也想要服侍神,豈不是沒辦法了嗎?這會不會是神立下拿細耳人之例的原因呢? 神看到在其他支派中也有許多愛祂的人,因此立下這個約,讓所有愛祂的人,都可以一償服事神的心願。

從利未人身上,我們看到分別為聖的生活並不容易,是要付代價的。利未人不能為自己選工作,他們的工作都已經被指定了;利未人不能有自己的產業,要等其他人分給他們。如雅各臨終的預言,他們被分散在各支派之中,不能聯合在一起生活;利未人要分別為聖,所以他們的生活必須比其他人更嚴謹,等等。

因此想做拿細耳人,離俗歸耶和華的人要有心理準備:一,要遠離一切葡萄樹上所結的果子,自核至皮所做的物,都不可吃,也不可喝。二,在他一切許願離俗的日子,不可用剃頭刀剃頭,要由髮綹長長了。三,不可挨近死屍。即使父母或兄弟姐妹死了,也不可以挨近死屍,而使自己不潔淨。若是他旁邊出其不意,有人死了,那麼他的願就必須重頭再算起。

神的揀選

〈民數記〉2:34   以色列人就這樣行,各人照他們的家室、宗族歸於本纛,安營起行,都是照耶和華所吩咐摩西的。

根據維基百科,〈民數記〉(Numbers)這個名字採自《通俗拉丁文本聖經》中紐米利(Numeri)一詞,而這個字詞則從希臘文《七十士譯本》的阿利夫摩依(Arithmoi′)演變而來。然而,猶太人更貼切地將這本書稱為必密巴(Bemidhbar′),意即「在曠野裏」。密巴(midh•bar′)這個希伯來字是指一個沒有城鎮的曠野之地。這卷書的拉丁名是Numeri,希臘名是Arithmoi「在荒漠」,希伯來語Bemidbar,「in the wilderness of” [Sinai] 」在西乃的曠野。數點民衆這件事發生於此曠野,本書內容講述以色列百姓「在曠野」歷時 38 年漂流遷徙「信心拉扯」的經歷。

〈出埃及記〉的第19章第1節說:「以色列人出埃及地以後,滿了三個月的那一天,就來到西奈的曠野。」而在〈民數記〉的第1章第1節已經是「第二年二月初一日」,他們在西乃山下已經住了整整十個月了。在這段時間裡,神沒有急急忙忙地把他們帶到迦南地,而是要他們停下來,學習神的律法,做好會幕,建立與神的關係。

這是我們在聖靈裡經常要學習的功課,便是停下來。我們渴望成功,巴不得立刻就離開曠野到迦南。但是神要我們先建立和祂的關係,學習聆聽神的聲音,等候神的帶領。神並不把“成功”作為人生的里程碑,因為在神有什麼成功不成功,只要是在神的手裡,就沒有失敗。在今年的疫情裡,我們都在學這個功課,停下來,等待神的帶領。

A Focused Heart

Jesus’ heart was so focused that his last words were “It is finished.” God wants us to have focused hearts like Jesus. Here are four simple questions to help us stay on course:

Am I fitting into God’s Plan? His plan is to save his children, and we are to tell others about the God who loves them.
What are my longings? Our assignment is found at the intersection of God’s plan and our pleasures. You are created to serve God in a unique way.
What are my abilities? Identify your strengths and major in them.
Am I serving God now? As a young boy, Jesus sensed the call of God, but he went home and learned the family business. Do the same. Go home, love your family, be a good employee, and get your life on course.

在曠野裏

〈民數記〉2:34   以色列人就這樣行,各人照他們的家室、宗族歸於本纛,安營起行,都是照耶和華所吩咐摩西的。

根據維基百科,〈民數記〉(Numbers)這個名字採自《通俗拉丁文本聖經》中紐米利(Numeri)一詞,而這個字詞則從希臘文《七十士譯本》的阿利夫摩依(Arithmoi′)演變而來。然而,猶太人更貼切地將這本書稱為必密巴(Bemidhbar′),意即「在曠野裏」。密巴(midh•bar′)這個希伯來字是指一個沒有城鎮的曠野之地。這卷書的拉丁名是Numeri,希臘名是Arithmoi「在荒漠」,希伯來語Bemidbar,「in the wilderness of” [Sinai] 」在西乃的曠野。數點民衆這件事發生於此曠野,本書內容講述以色列百姓「在曠野」歷時 38 年漂流遷徙「信心拉扯」的經歷。

〈出埃及記〉的第19章第1節說:「以色列人出埃及地以後,滿了三個月的那一天,就來到西奈的曠野。」而在〈民數記〉的第1章第1節已經是「第二年二月初一日」,他們在西乃山下已經住了整整十個月了。在這段時間裡,神沒有急急忙忙地把他們帶到迦南地,而是要他們停下來,學習神的律法,做好會幕,建立與神的關係。

這是我們在聖靈裡經常要學習的功課,便是停下來。我們渴望成功,巴不得立刻就離開曠野到迦南。但是神要我們先建立和祂的關係,學習聆聽神的聲音,等候神的帶領。神並不把“成功”作為人生的里程碑,因為在神有什麼成功不成功,只要是在神的手裡,就沒有失敗。在今年的疫情裡,我們都在學這個功課,停下來,等待神的帶領。

Others are Watching

A vibrant, shining face is the mark of one who has stood in God’s presence. After speaking to God, Moses had to cover his face with a veil. But not only does God change the face of those who worship; he changes those who watch us worship.

Paul told the Corinthian church to worship in such a way that if an unbeliever entered, “he would find…the secrets of his heart revealed; and…would fall down on his face and worship God…” (1 Corinthians 14:25 NKJV)

Seekers may not understand all that happens in a house of worship. They may not understand the meaning of a song or the significance of communion. But they know joy when they see it. And when they see your face changed, they may want to see God’s face. People, including your family, are watching. Believe me. They are watching.

Prepare for Worship

Do you prepare for church worship? We’re sadly casual when it comes to meeting God. Suppose you were invited to a Sunday morning breakfast at the White House? How would you spend Saturday night? Would you think about your questions and requests? Should we prepare any less for an encounter with the Holy God?

Come to worship prepared to worship. Pray and read the Word of God before you come, and come expecting God to speak. Then you’ll discover the purpose of worship—to change the face of the worshiper.

Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 3:18, “Our faces, then, are not covered. We all show The Lord’s glory, and we are being changed to be like Him” (EXB). God wipes away our tears, softens our furrowed brows and touches our cheeks. He changes our faces as we worship.

挺身而走

〈利未記〉26章13節    我是耶和華─你們的 神,曾將你們從埃及地領出來,使你們不作埃及人的奴僕;我也折斷你們所負的軛,叫你們挺身而走。

現在我們己經讀到〈利未記〉的尾聲,你可以猜猜看,以色列人現在在哪裡嗎?你有沒有發現從到了西乃山下之後,以色列人到現在都還沒有動。所以〈利未記〉是何意呢?就是在西乃山下,神把律法和典章傳給以色列人的一段時期。

為何神要在西乃山下做這件耗時耗力的工作呢?因為這個地方人煙稀少,以後越走,敵人越多,要考慮的事也更多。之前是埃及,之後是迦南,只有在曠野裡,神能跟祂的百姓好好交心。

試想神若不把這些典章律例都教他們,那他們中間的判斷從何而來?所以神的律法典章就是以色列立國的根基。神做事情很有計劃,都先把話講在前頭,順不順服由你,後果自付,這就是成長和成熟要付的代價。

有的人不要信神,因為怕束縛。但是提摩太.凱勒牧師說:「To insist doctrine doesn’t matter is really a doctrine itself. 」堅持不要教義(教條或學說),這本身就是一種教義或教條。另外一種說法是,跟隨耶穌要付出代價,不跟隨耶穌也要付出代價。你可以想像這兩種代價是什麼嗎?你願意付出哪種代價?一種是今生遠離罪惡的代價,一種是遠離神的家,進入撒旦權勢領域,最後跟著牠下地獄的代價。

安息年和禧年

〈利未記〉25章21-22節    我必在第六年將我所命的福賜給你們,地便生三年的土產。第八年,你們要耕種,也要吃陳糧,等到第九年出產收來的時候,你們還吃陳糧。」

在〈利未記〉24章裡記載了一個不幸的例子。有個以色列但支派的婦人嫁給一個埃及人,很有可能是在埃及歌珊地時,埃及人看上以色列女子而娶來為妻。他們跟著以色列人出埃及,有可能因為在十個神蹟裡看到耶和華神的大能,因此一起跟著摩西出埃及;也可能在逾越節的神蹟之後,埃及人催趕以色列人離開,眾怒難犯,因此那個埃及丈夫不得不跟著出埃及,但是心裡並不是真的跟隨神。

他們生了一個兒子,有一天這個兒子跟一個以色列人爭鬥,這以色列婦人的兒子褻瀆了聖名,並且咒詛。因此被送到摩西那裡。想想看,這個以色列婦人的兒子為何膽敢褻瀆神的聖名,並且咒詛?會不會是在家裡聽到父親如此說話而學起來呢?父母都是兒女學習的榜樣,有好榜樣,也有壞榜樣。因此在爭鬥時,他不自覺地就褻瀆了聖名,並且咒詛。當然,也有可能是他自己不好,不能都怪父母。

我們看到摩西的謙卑和敬虔,在這樣的事上,他先把那人收在監裡,再等候神的指示。摩西的謙卑和尊神為大,永遠是我們學習的功課。我們都太著急,想要憑著自己的聰明去決定事情,不願意等候。但我們的神是不著急的神,凡事在祂永不誤時。

Give God Your Thoughts

How do I detect God’s unseen hand on my shoulder and his inaudible voice in my ear?

Give God your waking thoughts. Before you face the day, face the Father. Psalm 5:3 (NCV) says, “Every morning, I tell you what I need, and I wait for your answer.”

Give God your waiting thoughts. Spend time with him in silence.

Give God your whispering thoughts. During your lifetime, you will spend six months at stoplights, eight months opening junk mail. Give these moments to God. Simple phrases, such as “Thank you, Father,” can turn a commute into a pilgrimage.

Give God your waning thoughts. Conclude the day as you began it: talking to God. If you fall asleep as you pray, don’t worry. What better place to doze off than in the arms of your Father.

Ever in His Presence

2 Corinthians 6:1 says we are “God’s fellow workers.” Rather than report to God, we work with God. We are always in the presence of God. There is never a nonsacred moment!

Is it possible to live—minute by minute—in the presence of God? Jesus enjoyed unbroken communion with God, and God wants that same abiding intimacy with you and me. He wants to be as close to us as a branch is to a vine. You know it’s impossible to tell where one starts and the other ends. What good news! We are NEVER away from God! And He is NEVER away from us!

As we search the Bible, we realize that unbroken communion with God is the intent and not the exception. Within the reach of every Christian is the unending presence of God.