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When God Prunes You?

2023-02-21 in /by

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is Isaiah 17:12-18:7.  Let’s go!
 
Isaiah 17:12-14 (NIV)
12  Oh, the raging of many nations– they rage like the raging sea! Oh, the uproar of the peoples– they roar like the roaring of great waters!
13  Although the peoples roar like the roar of surging waters, when he rebukes them they flee far away, driven before the wind like chaff on the hills, like tumbleweed before a gale.
14  In the evening, sudden terror! Before the morning, they are gone! This is the portion of those who loot us, the lot of those who plunder us.
 
On verses 12-14:  Isaiah has just written an oracle against Aram and Israel (v1-11).  He follows up with these verses, the message being that no matter how fierce, how powerful, how loud a nation or a group of nations may seem, there are nothing compared to the LORD.  The one we are to fear is not an alliance of nations or people but the LORD.

論巴比倫的預言(上)

2023-02-21 in , /by

以賽亞書13:9   耶和華的日子臨到，必有殘忍、憤恨、烈怒，使這地荒涼，從其中除滅罪人。

閱讀經文：以賽亞書 13:1-16

1亞摩斯的兒子以賽亞得默示論巴比倫。2 「應當在淨光的山豎立大旗，向群眾揚聲招手，使他們進入貴胄的門！ 3 我吩咐我所挑出來的人，我招呼我的勇士，就是那矜誇高傲之輩，為要成就我怒中所定的。」 4 山間有多人的聲音，好像是大國人民。有許多國的民聚集鬨嚷的聲音，這是萬軍之耶和華點齊軍隊，預備打仗。 5 他們從遠方來，從天邊來，就是耶和華並他惱恨的兵器，要毀滅這全地。

從第十三章開始，先知的信息轉而論到列國，這要到廿三章為止。每一個被述及的國家或民族，都有一個主要的論題，總計被論及的對象包含耶路撒冷共有十個。每一篇信息都強調耶和華神的統治權，並祂支配列國的事實。

第一個被述及的國家是巴比倫，因為先知要為10:5-19所記亞述的被審判作交代，指出巴比倫乃是神興起審判亞述的工具。

在論到巴比倫的預言中又分為兩部份，第一部份記在13:2-22，第二部份則是14:4b-23，兩部份均為詩歌體裁。

今天的信息是第一部份，預言巴比倫將在神的欽命下興起，但之後它必受到新霸主瑪代軍隊的傾覆。先知一開始論到巴比倫被神揀選的經過，他們是神眼中的「貴冑」（先知藉由預言神對亞述出兵，來暗示祂揀選巴比倫，使它得以擠身霸主之位）、「勇士」（先知註解此勇士乃是矜誇高傲之輩），他們被呼喚召聚做為耶和華神的軍隊。

救恩的泉源

2023-02-20 in , /by

以賽亞書12:16   所以你們必從救恩的泉源歡然取水。

閱讀經文：以賽亞書 12:1-16

1到那日，你必說：「耶和華啊，我要稱謝祢！因為祢雖然向我發怒，祢的怒氣卻已轉消，祢又安慰了我。 2 看哪！神是我的拯救，我要倚靠祂，並不懼怕。因為主耶和華是我的力量，是我的詩歌，祂也成了我的拯救。」 3 所以你們必從救恩的泉源歡然取水。 4 在那日，你們要說：「當稱謝耶和華，求告祂的名，將祂所行的傳揚在萬民中，提說祂的名已被尊崇。 5 你們要向耶和華唱歌，因祂所行的甚是美好。但願這事普傳天下！ 6 錫安的居民哪，當揚聲歡呼，因為在你們中間的以色列聖者乃為至大。」

“到那日”，那日有很多方面的意思。那日可以說是主再來的日子；那日，可以說是最後的審判大日；那日，也可以是以色列十二支派回歸，讚美感謝神的日子。在那日尚未臨到時，先知已被神感動，開始稱謝神。所以稱謝是一種靈裡的看見之反應；稱謝，不是因為現在所面臨的一切，而是進入了神的計劃，神的藍圖裡，因而與神一起為將來要完成的事而歡呼而讚美，而稱謝。

Are You a Crisis-Driven Believer?

2023-02-20 in /by

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is Isaiah 17:1-11.  Let’s go!
 
Isaiah 17:1-11 (NIV)
1  An oracle concerning Damascus: “See, Damascus will no longer be a city but will become a heap of ruins.
2  The cities of Aroer will be deserted and left to flocks, which will lie down, with no one to make them afraid.
3  The fortified city will disappear from Ephraim, and royal power from Damascus; the remnant of Aram will be like the glory of the Israelites,” declares the LORD Almighty.
4  “In that day the glory of Jacob will fade; the fat of his body will waste away.

On verses 1-11:  Isaiah’s next oracle is for the nation of Aram (represented by its capital city Damascus).  But as we can see starting from verse 3, really this is a message not only for Aram but also for Israel (aka “Ephraim” (v3), “Jacob” (v4)).  That is because Aram and Israel were working together as an alliance against Assyria and were putting pressure on Judah to join their alliance.  Isaiah’s message is that the glory and power of Israel and Aram will be taken away (v3-4), just like when grain is harvested (v5).  Playing still with the image of a harvest, Isaiah says that all the hard work that Aram and Israel put into planning their strategy and defense will come to nothing, just like a farmer who works so hard to plant and grow crops but is not able to harvest them (v9-11).  That is because Israel and Aram had forgotten about God and stopped trusting in Him (v9).

剩餘的歸回

2023-02-19 in , /by

以賽亞書11:16   為主餘剩的百姓，就是從亞述剩下回來的，必有一條大道，如當日以色列從埃及地上來一樣。

閱讀經文：以賽亞書 11:11-16

11 當那日，主必二次伸手救回自己百姓中所餘剩的，就是在亞述、埃及、巴忒羅、古實、以攔、示拿、哈馬並眾海島所剩下的。 12 他必向列國豎立大旗，招回以色列被趕散的人，又從地的四方聚集分散的猶大人。 13 以法蓮的嫉妒就必消散，擾害猶大的必被剪除；以法蓮必不嫉妒猶大，猶大也不擾害以法蓮。 14 他們要向西飛，撲在非利士人的肩頭上，一同擄掠東方人，伸手按住以東和摩押，亞捫人也必順服他們。 15 耶和華必使埃及海汊枯乾，掄手用暴熱的風使大河分為七條，令人過去不致濕腳。 16 為主餘剩的百姓，就是從亞述剩下回來的，必有一條大道，如當日以色列從埃及地上來一樣。

一、前言－－－以色列將由各地歸回

今天所讀的這段經文特別告訴我們，以色列就像主耶穌所說，它像無花果樹，並要發嫩長葉；所以在1948年他們終於復國了，而且也回到他們的家鄉；這個無花果樹一面指著以色列國，同時也指著以色列地；那塊地乃是　神所賜給他們的迦南美地；因著這個緣故，一面來講是政治的歸回，二是實質的回到家鄉。所以從1948年以後，果然就像聖經所預言的，他們陸陸續續的回到迦南地。

The Good King

2023-02-19 in /by

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is Isaiah 16:1-14.  Let’s go!

Isaiah 16:1-5 (NIV)
1  Send lambs as tribute to the ruler of the land, from Sela, across the desert, to the mount of the Daughter of Zion.
2  Like fluttering birds pushed from the nest, so are the women of Moab at the fords of the Arnon.
3  “Give us counsel, render a decision. Make your shadow like night– at high noon. Hide the fugitives, do not betray the refugees.
4  Let the Moabite fugitives stay with you; be their shelter from the destroyer.” The oppressor will come to an end, and destruction will cease; the aggressor will vanish from the land.
5  In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it– one from the house of David– one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness.

On verses 1-5:  Isaiah 16 continues Isaiah’s oracle concerning Moab.  In Isaiah 15, the Moabites were pictured fleeing from their own country because of an attack, possibly by Assyria.  Now in Isaiah 16, the Moabites are pictured as refugees fleeing to their neighbours in Judah for safety.  To show that they come in peace and in exchange for protection from Judah, the Moabites are urged to “send lambs as tribute…to the daughter of Zion [i.e. Judah]” (v1), much like the king of Moab did in 2 Kings 3:4.  In verses 2-3, the Moabite women are pictured looking to Judah for protection.

Hope In God Alone

2023-02-17 in /by

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is Isaiah 14:28 to 15:9.  Let’s go!

Isaiah 14:28-32 (NIV)
28  This oracle came in the year King Ahaz died:
29  Do not rejoice, all you Philistines, that the rod that struck you is broken; from the root of that snake will spring up a viper, its fruit will be a darting, venomous serpent.
30  The poorest of the poor will find pasture, and the needy will lie down in safety. But your root I will destroy by famine; it will slay your survivors.
31  Wail, O gate! Howl, O city! Melt away, all you Philistines! A cloud of smoke comes from the north, and there is not a straggler in its ranks.
32  What answer shall be given to the envoys of that nation? “The LORD has established Zion, and in her his afflicted people will find refuge.”

On verses 28-32:  Earlier in Isaiah 6, Isaiah described the vision he saw in the year that King Uzziah died (approximately 739 B.C.)  Now here in Isaiah 14:28, Isaiah describes the message he received many years later in the year when King Ahaz had died and his son Hezekiah is taking over the throne in Judah.

耶西之根

2023-02-17 in , /by

以賽亞書11:2 耶和華的靈必住在他身上，就是使他有智慧和聰明的靈，謀略和能力的靈，知識和敬畏耶和華的靈。

閱讀經文：以賽亞書 11:1-10

1從耶西的本必發一條，從他根生的枝子必結果實。 2 耶和華的靈必住在他身上，就是使他有智慧和聰明的靈，謀略和能力的靈，知識和敬畏耶和華的靈。 3 他必以敬畏耶和華為樂，行審判不憑眼見，斷是非也不憑耳聞； 4 卻要以公義審判貧窮人，以正直判斷世上的謙卑人，以口中的杖擊打世界，以嘴裡的氣殺戮惡人。 5 公義必當他的腰帶，信實必當他脅下的帶子。

「從耶西的本必發一條」，這一句話中的本字下有小字「原文作不」，這個不字非不字，音墩，其意指木禿其上，而僅餘留的根株（六13）。粵人以截木作墊為不。文理本聖經譯為「耶西之根株必將萌蘖」。呂振中譯本作「從耶西的樹墩子必生出一根枝條來」。在粵語本及客話本譯為樹頭。但最容易使人明白的譯詞為樹墩，就是樹被砍伐或鋸斷所留下樹根的禿出部分，英文聖經譯為Stump，亦即為木頭墩或樹樁之意。中英譯法，意音都很相近，在原文上是一個字，其他中文譯本多譯為樹幹（參伯十四8）。這裡所說從耶西的本或稱為樹不（墩）所發的枝條，乃是豫言彌賽亞基督，他是從耶西的根而生，是大衛的苗裔，這事早已應驗。―― 李道生《舊約聖經問題總解》

從這一章裡，我們可以看出神創世的本意。神把管理世界的權柄交給神子耶穌，也就是彌賽亞基督，耶西的根。在〈約翰福音〉第十三章第3節裡記載：“耶穌知道父已將萬有交在他手裡，且知道自己是從神出來的，又要歸到神那裡去”；在第十四章裡耶穌說：“你們若認識我，也就認識我的父。從今以後，你們認識祂，並且已經看見祂”。耶穌不斷地強調：“我在父裡面，父在我裡面”。

Satan’s Fall and Our Rescue

2023-02-16 in /by

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is Isaiah 14:1-27.  Let’s go!

Isaiah 14:1-11 (NIV)
1  The LORD will have compassion on Jacob; once again he will choose Israel and will settle them in their own land. Aliens will join them and unite with the house of Jacob.
2  Nations will take them and bring them to their own place. And the house of Israel will possess the nations as menservants and maidservants in the LORD’s land. They will make captives of their captors and rule over their oppressors.
3  On the day the LORD gives you relief from suffering and turmoil and cruel bondage,
4  you will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon: How the oppressor has come to an end! How his fury has ended!

On verses 1-11:  I know these verses are technically part of Isaiah’s oracle against Babylon that started in the previous chapter.  But when I read these verses from Isaiah 14, I can’t help but think about how well these verses describe what God did for us through Jesus Christ: how God, through Jesus Christ, set us free from the burden of the “king of Babylon”, from Satan the king of false religion who once held us captive (v4).  In fact, the entire Isaiah 14 seems to speak in much bigger, more cosmic, more spiritual terms than just talking about the fall of one ancient kingdom.

斧鋸和棍

2023-02-16 in , /by

以賽亞書10:15    斧豈可向用斧砍木的自誇呢？鋸豈可向用鋸的自大呢？好比棍掄起那舉棍的，好比杖舉起那非木的人。

閱讀經文：以賽亞書 10:1-34

1 禍哉，那些設立不義之律例的和記錄奸詐之判語的， 2 為要屈枉窮乏人，奪去我民中困苦人的理，以寡婦當做擄物，以孤兒當做掠物。 3 到降罰的日子，有災禍從遠方臨到，那時你們怎樣行呢？你們向誰逃奔求救呢？你們的榮耀[a]存留何處呢？ 4 他們只得屈身在被擄的人以下，仆倒在被殺的人以下。雖然如此，耶和華的怒氣還未轉消，他的手仍伸不縮。

中國傳統帝制的官箴，概以宋太宗的〈誡石銘〉為典範，其上寫著：“爾俸爾祿，民膏民脂，下民易虐，上天難欺” 來警戒官員，可惜用了那麼多年，看來成效並不顯著，貪官污吏彼彼皆是。在〈以賽亞書〉第十章的第一段，神對那些設立律例和記錄判語的人做出了如下的定罪：一,他們屈枉窮乏人；二, 奪去困苦人的理。他們以寡婦當做擄物，以孤兒當做掠物，也就是欺負弱勢者。因此，有一天，神要讓他們變成弱勢者，成為被擄之人，仆倒被殺。

人所設的律例和神所定的律例相比較，我們就知道神和人之不同。神的律例不管經過幾千年，仍然立定天下，到處都可以應用；但是人訂的律例不同，因為都是因應時勢潮流而定，因此經常要改。何況擁有統治權的人自己並沒有公義和公平，訂起律例也都有私心，因此對一些人有利，對一些人不利。