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卅八年的惩罚

2026-05-31 in , /by

〈民数记〉13:30  迦勒在摩西面前安抚百姓，说：「我们立刻上去得那地吧，我们足能得胜！」

离开西乃山之后，没有用很多时间，以色列就到达迦南地的边境巴兰的旷野，加低斯。这是西乃半岛中最肥沃的一块绿洲。虽然神曾经再三跟摩西介绍迦南地，但是为了让以色列人更放心，神叫摩西派人去窥探迦南地。每个支派要派出一个首领，要窥探三件事：一，要看那地所住的民是强或弱；二，所住之地如何，是营盘是坚城（camps or strongholds帐棚或堡垒）；三，看那地土是肥美是瘠薄，有没有树木，有的话就带些果子回来。

在迦南地，葡萄初熟时是大约阳历七月，以色列人从西乃山走到此地，大约是两个月的时间。所以他们真正走旷野的时间不是很长。到目前为止，最长的时间就是在西乃山下的装备，神不仅颁布律法，并且让以色列人造了会幕，设立了军队。神让以色列人从埃及的奴隶，变成一个独立自主的民族，不仅有了法律，还有自己完整的军队体系。即使在现今，要成立一个国家，也没有这样的速度吧！现在我们回头看，会觉得当时以色列人只要再多忍耐一下，那么就不必再多走旷野38年。但是设身处地的想，若换成我们天天在干燥无比的旷野行走，前不见村，后不见店，日复一日是荒凉的沙漠和旷野，我们是否也会失去盼望？我们有没有可能相信，迦南就快到了？我们有时形容自己在困境时，好像在旷野行走，那么就要相信，神必然领我们到迦南地，只要再忍耐一下就好了，迦南就快到了。

米利暗和亚伦的挑战

2026-05-29 in , /by

民数记 12: 7-8   我的仆人摩西不是这样，他是在我全家尽忠的，我要与他面对面说话，乃是明说，不用谜语，并且他必见我的形像。你们毁谤我的仆人摩西，为何不惧怕呢？

摩西的古实妻子是指谁？解经家有三种解释：一，就是摩西在米甸娶的妻子西坡拉。二，是摩西在埃及地当将军时娶的妻子。三，西坡拉死后，摩西另娶。「Cush」古实，是希伯来文；在希腊文则称为「Ethiopian」依索匹亚，是挪亚儿子含的后裔之一。每一种解释都有说法，所以我们不用在这事上多费心。问题是，为何摩西的古实妻子会给米利暗和亚伦有毁谤的理由？

根据百度百科：「诽是背地议论，谤是公开指责。毁谤，指以言语相攻击或嘲讽丑化，将不好的事夸大化，故意捏造事实，以诋毁和破坏他人名誉。」摩西有何事可以让他们毁谤呢？若是因为他的妻子，这其中有什么利害关系？摩西是当时以色列人的领袖，摩西的年记越来越大了，年记大了会让人关心何事？既然神拣选亚伦做大祭司，亚伦的儿子是大祭司的接班人；那么，谁是摩西的接班人？摩西的妻子既是古实人，不是以色列人，她生的儿子有没有资格接摩西之位呢？除了这件事，还有何事让摩西会因为妻子的缘故被毁谤？

A Life of Joy and Abundance

2026-05-29 in /by

Jesus was accused of much, but of being a grump, sourpuss, or self-centered jerk? No. People didn’t groan when he appeared. They didn’t duck for cover when he entered the room. He called them by name. He listened to their stories. He answered their questions. He visited their sick relatives and helped their sick friends. He fished with fishermen and ate lunch with the little guy and spoke words of resounding affirmation. He went to enough parties that he was criticized for hanging out with rowdy people and questionable crowds.

People were drawn to Jesus! Thousands came to hear him. Hundreds chose to follow him. They shut down their businesses and walked away from careers to be with him. His purpose statement read, “I came to give life with joy and abundance” (John 10:10 The Voice). Jesus was happy and wants us to be the same.

Finish the Race

2026-05-28 in /by

The Christian race is demanding, grueling, and sometimes agonizing. It takes a massive effort to finish strong. But many don’t. They may come to church and warm a pew, but their hearts aren’t in the race.

Jesus is the classic example of one who endured, in spite of temptation, accusations, and shame. The devil tempted Jesus nonstop for forty days. Jesus’ own family called him a lunatic. And, on the cross, he bore the collective shame of all humanity. How did he endure? By focusing on “the joy that God put before him”—that was the prize of heaven. And what he saw gave him strength to finish—and finish strong.

Someday we will be seated, and Christ will christen the meal with these words: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” And in that moment, the race will have been worth it.

摩西求死

2026-05-28 in , /by

〈民数记〉11:23 耶和华对摩西说：「耶和华的膀臂岂是缩短了吗？现在要看我的话向你应验不应验。」

在西乃山下，神的军队秩序井然地向着迦南地走去。神的云彩白天为他们遮蔽炎阳，夜里变为火柱，给他们保暖，并且防止野兽的侵袭。清晨有吗哪降下，日复一日。以色列人才走了三天，离西乃山不远，兴奋感却在面对「大而可畏的旷野面前」而消失了，取而代之的可能是失望、懊恼、不舒服……等等，无论甚么样的情绪，引出的是对神的埋怨而非感谢。

百姓在此发怨言，耶和华听到后怒气发作，使火在他们中间焚烧，直烧到营的边界。经摩西一再哀求，火才熄灭。该地因此得名「他备拉 Taberah 」，意思是 「耶和华的火在燃烧」。(民11:1-3；申9:22)

有一股怨气在他们中间蔓延开来。除了吗哪，还是吗哪，以色列人开始哭号：「谁给我们肉吃呢？我们记得，在埃及的时候不花钱就吃鱼，也记得有黄瓜、西瓜、韭菜、葱、蒜。现在我们的心血枯竭了，除这吗哪以外，在我们眼前并没有别的东西。」

What Jesus Celebrates

2026-05-27 in /by

In Luke 15, Jesus tells three stories of something lost and something found. A lost sheep. A lost coin. And a lost son. At the end of each story, Jesus describes a celebration. The point is clear. Jesus is happiest when the lost are found.

Jesus rejoices because he knows what awaits the saved. In Heaven, you will at long last, have a heart just like his. Guiltless. Fearless. Tirelessly worshiping. Flawlessly discerning. Jesus also rejoices that we are saved from hell. He says there’s only one sound there, and that is the “weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Every person you meet has been given an invitation to dinner. When one says yes, celebrate! When one hesitates, urge him to get ready. You don’t want anyone to miss the party.

云彩下的人生

2026-05-27 in , /by

〈民数记〉9: 17 云彩几时从帐幕收上去，以色列人就几时起行。云彩在哪里停住，以色列人就在哪里安营。

旷野里的逾越节在这里有两个意思，一是指从第一次出埃及前过逾越节算起，这是旷野里第一次过逾越节；另一个意思是指若有人因为不洁净而不能和大家一起过逾越节，那么一个月之后可以补过逾越节，是一年之中的第二个逾越节。所以神的意思是，逾越节是一个以色列人非参加不可的节日，若有人找借口推辞不守逾越节，那人要从民中剪除。在逾越节里，以色列人要记念神借着被杀的羔羊拯救他们出埃及，对基督徒而言，也是信徒非记念不可的受难节。因为借着耶稣的受难，我们的罪得以被遮盖；借着祂完成的救恩，我们能与神和好。

逾越节也是一个寄居的、本地人和外人都可以向神守的节日，因为神的救恩属于万民，并不局限在以色列人身上。在耶稣的受难节里，我们更看出这件事的实质，神的救恩属于万国万民。守逾越节必须先洁净自己，因此沾染了污秽的人不能参加，要延后一个月补过。不洁净的人不能守逾越节，那么我们若心里有罪孽，可否守受难节？所以受难节也是基督徒自我省察的时刻。因为守节是向神守的。

旷野里的逾越节

2026-05-26 in , /by

〈民数记〉9: 4-5  于是摩西吩咐以色列人守逾越节。 他们就在西奈的旷野，正月十四日黄昏的时候，守逾越节。

逾越节在这里，一是指从第一次出埃及前过的逾越节，二是指这是旷野里第一次过逾越节。若有人因为不洁净而不能和大家一起过逾越节，那么一个月之后可以补过逾越节，是一年之中的第二个逾越节。所以神的意思是，逾越节是一个以色列人非参加不可的节日，若有人找借口推辞不守逾越节，那人要从民中剪除。在逾越节里，以色列人要记念神借着被杀的羔羊拯救他们出埃及，对基督徒而言，也是信徒非记念不可的受难节。因为借着耶稣的受难，我们的罪得以被遮盖；借着祂完成的救恩，我们能与神和好。

逾越节也是一个寄居的、本地人和外人都可以向神守的节日，因为神的救恩属于万民，并不局限在以色列人身上。在耶稣的受难节里，我们更看出这件事的实质，神的救恩属于万国万民。守逾越节必须先洁净自己，因此沾染了污秽的人不能参加，要延后一个月补过。不洁净的人不能守逾越节，那么我们若心里有罪孽，可否守受难节？所以受难节也是基督徒自我省察的时刻。因为守节是向神守的。

The Outlook of Christ

2026-05-26 in /by

Jesus said, “Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank cellar.”

In Gethsemane, Jesus faced betrayal on all levels. The disciples ran away. The people rejected him. And God didn’t answer his anguished appeal to avoid “the cup of suffering.” So, what did Christ do? He found enough good in the face of Judas to call him friend, and he can help us do the same with those who hurt us. He found purpose in the pain, seeing it as a necessary part of God’s greater plan.

Wouldn’t you love to have a hope-filled heart? God never promises to remove us from our struggles. He does promise, however, to change the way we look at them.

The Doorway to the Heart

2026-05-25 in /by

Proverbs 4:23 advises, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”

Think of your heart as a greenhouse and consider your thoughts as seed. We must be selective about the seeds we allow to come into the greenhouse. To have a pure heart, we must submit all our thoughts to the authority of Christ. You see, your mind is the doorway to your heart. The Holy Spirit stands with you on the threshold, helping you manage and filter the thoughts that try to enter. If Jesus agrees with the thought, then let it in. If not, kick it out.

How do you know if Jesus agrees or disagrees? You open your Bible. Armed with the opinion of Christ and the sword of the Spirit, guard the doorway of your heart. The more selective you are about seeds, the more delighted you will be with the crop.