Entries by

祭司的一天

2021-09-13 in , /by

〈歷代志〉上 24:19  這就是他們的班次，要照耶和華以色列的神藉他們祖宗亞倫所吩咐的條例，進入耶和華的殿辦理事務。

閱讀經文：〈歷代志 〉上 24章

亞倫和子孫被神揀選去供祭司的職份。在西乃曠野時，亞倫和兒子們承接聖職，因為拿答和亞比戶沒有按著神的吩咐，擅自取用凡火獻給神，當場被從神那裡出來的火燒死（利10:2）。拿答和亞比戶那時還年輕，沒有兒子；因此亞倫只剩兩個兒子以利亞撒和以他瑪，及其後裔來服侍神。以利亞撒的子孫中有十六個族長，以他瑪的子孫中有八個族長，加起來共有廿四個族長，負責帶領各族在每週和安息日時，輪流進去聖殿中服侍。他們採用掣籤的方式來安排各班（族）的工作時間，因為用掣籤的方式可以避免紛爭和不滿。

在前一章（代上23章）裡有提到，大衛數點了卅歲以上的利未人共有三萬八千人，其中有二萬四千人管理耶和華殿的事，有六千人做官長和士師，有四千人做守門的，又有四千人用大衛所做的樂器頌讚耶和華。 聖殿究竟有多少工作，需要用這麼多人呢？今天我們要借用以色列聖殿學院的一些資料，和大家一起來看看祭司的工作內容。所以我們稱其為“祭司的一天”。祭司的一天從輪班前住進去開始。聖殿兩旁有祭司的宿舍供值班的祭司們住宿。

祭司起床後，要漱洗潔淨自己，然後彼此幫助，換上祭司服。我們來看看祭司們的工作有哪幾方面。昨天我們也談到為何有的經文說利未人廿歲就要去參與耶和華殿的事務，有的經文說卅歲。有的聖經學者指出，那是因為廿歲是開始當“學徒”，卅歲才能正式任職的原因。那麼他們要學哪些事情呢？從他們早上起床後就要掣籤分工開始，就曉得工作的分配十分公平，必須什麼都會做，不能只會一兩樣，抽到什麼工作都要去做。

Find The Big BUT In Every Problem

2021-09-12 in /by

Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is 2 Corinthians 4:7-12.  Let’s go!

2 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV)
7  But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

On verse 7:   The Corinthians were aware to some degree of Paul’s trials, hardships and weaknesses and some Corinthians would even say that these trials, hardships and weaknesses are evidence that Paul is not a “super apostle”.  Paul responds by likening his faith and God’s Holy Spirit inside to a treasure that resides in a weak, brittle jar of clay – i.e. himself.  This is consistent with Paul’s point in verse 5 that he is not here to preach about how good and strong he is but about how great and strong God is.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NIV) 
8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 
9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 

On verses 8-9:  I love Paul’s attitude.  No matter how many problems Paul faced, Paul was found a big BUT in every problem. “We are hard pressed on every side, BUT not crushed; perplexed, BUT no in despair; persecuted, BUT not abandoned; struck down, BUT not destroyed.”

利未人之職任

2021-09-12 in , /by

〈歷代志上〉  上 23:26 利未人不必再抬帳幕和其中所用的一切器皿了。

閱讀經文：〈歷代志 〉上 23章

在〈歷代志上〉的廿三章裡給了我們一個明確的概念，以色列人面臨一個敬拜的轉型，利未人面臨新的事奉方式的挑戰。這些組織和重整都是大衛在位時所做的安排。大衛王不僅是軍事家，使外邦各國都臣服，對內他也有很週密的思考，使利未人的事奉比以前更加的完備。大衛既然有建造聖殿的計劃，就不能不考慮到利未人在事奉上的轉型。以前約櫃在會幕裡，每到一處，利未人就要負責抬帳幕和其中所用的一切器皿；但是現在大衛已經把會幕搬到耶路撒冷，而且要蓋聖殿作為約櫃永久的居所，因此事奉的轉型是無可避免的。

利未是雅各的第三個兒子，原本性情十分暴躁凶狠。當示劍沾污他的妹妹底拿後，他和西緬欺騙了示劍的家人，叫他們的男人全部要行割禮。趁著他們在疼痛之際，把他們全部殺掉。因此雅各論到利未時說：“西緬和利未是弟兄；他們的刀劍是強暴的器械。 我的榮耀阿，不要與他們聯合聚集；因為他們趁怒殺害人命，任意砍斷牛腿大筋。”但是這個咒詛在摩西時被更改為祝福：“耶和華啊，你的土明和烏陵都在你的虔誠人那裡。這是因利未人遵行你的話，謹守你的約。他們要將你的典章教訓雅各，將你的律法教訓以色列。他們要把香焚在你面前，把全牲的燔祭獻在你的壇上。求耶和華降福在他的財物上，悅納他手裡所辦的事。那些起來攻擊他和恨惡他的人，願你刺透他們的腰，使他們不得再起來。（節錄自申33:8-11）”

土明和烏陵是祭司用來尋求神的心意之物，“把香焚在你面前，把全牲的燔祭獻在你的壇上”，更是祭司的職責。神把為以色列人事奉神的責任交給利未人，把利未人從一個被咒詛的景況下，變成蒙祝福的一個支派，並且還成為教導以色列民遵循神的典章和律法的支派。因為利未人遵行神的話，謹守神的約，就有這樣的轉變。所以我們不要因為自己的祖輩曾做過何事而在神面前自慚形穢。事實上，有越來越多曾經服事假神或偶像的人，因著神的救恩而變成傳道人，到處宣揚主的福音。

When God Turned On The Lights

2021-09-10 in /by

Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is 2 Corinthians 4:1-6.  Let’s go!

2 Corinthians 4:1 (NIV) 
1 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 

On verse 1:  It’s only because of God’s mercy that we get to serve God and represent Him on this earth.  It’s a privilege and an honour that we never earned or deserved, just one of the many benefits that comes from receiving God’s gift — Jesus Christ — by faith.  If don’t feel worthy to serve God or you feel inadequate, remember: God in His mercy has saved you, chosen you and qualified you to serve Him.  So serve Him with confidence, joy, perseverance and without fear.

2 Corinthians 4:2 (NIV) 
2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 

On verse 2:  Since it is because of God’s mercy that we can serve God and be called ministers in His kingdom, we don’t need to pretend to be someone we’re not, or act as if it all depends on us.  Rather, we can just “set forth the truth plainly”.  The truth of what?  The truth of who God is as revealed in Jesus Christ and the truth of who we are, mere sinners who have been saved by His grace, who still make mistakes but who are loved, accepted and chosen by God through Jesus Christ.

《聖經中各種審判》—— 導論

2021-09-10 in , /by

審判、畏懼與改變

真神所行的真正的審判，誰能擔當得住呢？當主顯現的時候，誰能站立得住呢？真正了解這句話的人，知道審判這件事是很可怕的，因有了警戒，產生非常機動性生活上的改變。這不是在宗教中想像空無一物的神話，而是實際與上帝有一個相對性存在的關係，在互動上有應盡的責任，因敬畏上帝產生行為上的果子。

真實的上帝執行真正的審判的時候，人會產生懼怕、敬畏與改善的動力。我們沒有辦法因為動機上的敬畏改變我們的生活，我們要恐懼顫驚來到上帝面前，因上帝的審判產生的畏懼而有改變。摩西寫下最古老的人生之詩──〈詩篇〉九十篇，比大衛所寫的詩早五百年，「有誰按你當受的敬畏懼怕你，照你公義審判有所覺悟，過一個該有的公義生活呢？」（參：詩 90:11）盼望上帝藉著這項真理帶給你我生命的改變，成為我們活在上帝面前的一大動力。

上帝不僅是有公義、有真理的上帝，上帝乃是公義的本體、真理的本體，這不是本質上與上帝迥然有別的被造者所能想像的。上帝就是那聖者、那義者，祂不是有聖潔、有公義而已。〈使徒行傳〉第七章，司提反說：「那義者到你們中間來，你們竟然殺死他」（徒 7:52），表示人多麼痛恨上帝，不敬畏上帝；袒護犯罪的自己，抗拒上帝干涉我們的生命，這就是我們因不敬畏上帝所產生的態度。

上帝不但有公義、有聖潔，祂是那聖者、那義者。本體與客體不同的地方，在於追求真理的人，應當降服於公義的上帝，作為降服於上帝權威之下的敬拜者。當上帝的公義發出光來，我們從祂的審判得著警惕、光照與改正，也得到上帝的悅納。

Why You Can Be Bold and Hopeful

2021-09-09 in /by

Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is 2 Corinthians 3:7-18.  Let’s go!

2 Corinthians 3:7-12 (NIV)
7  Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was,
8  will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?
9  If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!
10  For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory.
11  And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!
12  Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.

On verses 7-12:  What is Paul talking about in verse 7?  Paul is alluding to an incident from Exodus 34:29-35 where Moses carried two stone tablets containing God’s law (in particular, the Ten Commandments) to the people.  As Moses came down the mountain carrying God’s law, Moses’ face radiated with God’s glory so much so that the people were afraid and asked him to cover his face with a veil.  

Paul recalls this incident as a way to say that the old covenant, represented by Moses and the Ten Commandments, was glorious even though it was temporary (v7, 11), performance-based, and brought death (v7) and condemnation (v9) to people. 

大衛囑所羅門建殿

2021-09-09 in , /by

〈歷代志〉上 22:11 但願耶和華賜你聰明、智慧，好治理以色列國，遵行耶和華你神的律法。

閱讀經文：〈歷代志 〉上 22章

因為〈撒母耳記〉／〈列王紀〉／〈歷代志〉這三卷書有的記載同樣的事情，所以我們讀完〈撒母耳記〉／〈列王紀〉之後，不會再去讀〈歷代志〉。因此〈歷代志〉有記載，而〈撒母耳記〉／〈列王紀〉沒有記載的，我們會在此補充。〈歷代志上〉22-29章可以幫助我們對聖殿有更深一層的認識。因此在進入〈列王紀〉之前，我們會先把〈歷代志上〉這幾章也稍微讀一遍。在這一章裡記載了大衛對建造聖殿所做的預備。

在〈撒母耳記下〉七章裡，大衛住在自己的宮殿，想到神的約櫃尚在會幕之中，便興起想為神建殿的心意。先知拿單也覺得這是一件美事，以為神必喜悅。沒想到，神告訴拿單，祂不要大衛為祂建殿，因為大衛在多次的戰爭裡流了多人的血，因此神要大衛的兒子所羅門做和平之王，在和平的時代裡為祂建殿。大衛雖然有遺憾，卻並不氣餒。反而更積極地為建殿的事工做各方面的準備。

大衛的心態很值我們學習，有時我們有熱心，想為主做一些事，但那些事是不是主要我們去做的？以前有位朋友和他的太太每年都去大陸傳福音，後來有一年，他們突然發現，神已經把許多國內的同胞都送到溫哥華了，為何捨近求遠？當他們開始在本地傳福音後，發現那些信主的人很自然就回去向家人和朋友傳福音了，這樣的效果是他們始料未及的。我們想做的事，不一定就是神要我們做的；所以我們有什麼感動，都要在神面前好好禱告，求印證。若是憑熱心事奉，一旦熱度減低，就很難繼續事奉；反而是尋求了神的印證和帶領的事奉，即使受到挫折，也能持續下去。

“New Covenant” Versus “Old Covenant” – What’s the Difference and Why Does It Matter?

2021-09-08 in /by

Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is 2 Corinthians 3:1-6.  Let’s go!

2 Corinthians 3:1-3 (NIV)
1  Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you?
2  You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody.
3  You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

On verses 1 to 3:  When Paul wrote 2 Corinthians, a number of people in his church were questioning his authority as an “apostle”, that is, as a leader who plants and leads a church. They compared Paul to other individuals who were known as “super apostles” (2 Corinthians 11:5 and 12:11), who looked more impressive than Paul was, and who brought with them letters of recommendation talking about their credentials.  They thought, “Look at Paul.  He faces problems, defeats and disappointments all the time, and he doesn’t have any letters of recommendation.  So he mustn’t be a legitimate apostle.”  Paul understandably was hurt that the very church he planted was now questioning his authority and competence as an apostle.

In response, Paul says, “We don’t need letters of recommendation, degrees or certificates, because the best proof of our competence as apostles is you!  The fact that you continue to follow Christ as a community — is that not proof that God has been working through us?” (vv2-3).

Ironically, in the end it was Paul — the guy whose authority was questioned because he went through so much criticism, opposition and difficulty and wasn’t afraid to share about it  — who ended up having the lasting legacy, whereas those super apostles faded out of history.

大衛數點百姓

2021-09-08 in , /by

〈撒母耳記〉下 24:14 大衛對迦得說：「我甚為難。我願落在耶和華的手裡，因為他有豐盛的憐憫，我不願落在人的手裡。」

閱讀經文：〈撒母耳記〉下 24章

我們要先思考一個問題，因為〈撒母耳記〉／〈列王記〉和〈歷代志〉上下這幾卷書都有許多記載雷同之處，所以讀這幾卷書時，若互相對照，就可以有更清楚的理解。當然其中也有的記載同一件事，但有不同的角度和看法。例如在本章中，大衛數點人數後的數目和〈歷代志〉上21章的數目不一樣。根據聖經學者的看法：由于代上21:6 特別提到利未人和便雅憫人沒有數在其中，所以我們可以推斷兩本書在記載上有的包括某些人，有的不包括某些人。代上21:5 的數字包括了以色列的常備軍，288,000人（代上27:1 – 15 的十二班，每班24000人），以及守衛耶路撒冷的特別部隊，和在屯車的城邑里的12000人（代下一：14）。從一百一十萬減去這些數字，就得到撒下24:5 的八十萬了。代上21:5的猶大人可能沒有包括正規軍三萬（撒下六：1）。

第二個要思考的問題是，在本章裡說是神向以色列人發怒，所以激動大衛去數點百姓；在代上21章則記載是撒旦起來攻擊以色列人，所以激動大衛去數點百姓。新譯本把此處的“激動”，譯為“引誘”。既然不是神就是撒旦，那怎麼可以處罰大衛或百姓呢？這是一個很困難的問題，筆者也不打算在這裡解釋，因為我不是他們當中的任何一位，無法代答。但是有一件事，本章裡提到神向以色列人發怒。為何神會向以色列人發怒呢？從歷史（例如：士師記）來看，都是在以色列人開始拜偶像時，神就會向他們發怒。撒旦又怎樣能引誘大衛呢？最簡單的就是大衛的驕傲。神也曾經要摩西數點以色列人，以便劃分軍隊；但是當大衛要數算時，連約押都反對，以致於沒有去算利未人和便雅憫人。連約押都覺得不該去做的事，可見當中有問題，動機的問題。不是為了需要，而是為了自己的榮耀。當一個人功成名就時，要不驕傲還真的很困難。以色列人和大衛有沒有罪，大家一起想想看。

How to Serve God Well

2021-09-07 in /by

Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is 2 Corinthians 2:12-17.  Let’s go!

2 Corinthians 2:12-13 (NIV)
12  Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me,
13  I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said good-by to them and went on to Macedonia.

On verses 12-13:  Have you ever anxiously awaited a response from someone – maybe a text, an e-mail, a phone call – and found yourself unable to focus much on anything else until you get their response?  That was Paul’s situation.  Paul had gone to the city of Troas to preach the gospel and found that people were responding positively to his message (“the Lord had opened a door for me” – v12).  But Paul was distracted because at the same time he was waiting for Titus to give him an update on how the Corinthian church was doing, especially after Paul had written a strong letter rebuking them.   When he did not Titus in Troas, Paul decided to leave Troas despite the good work that was going on there, and go to Macedonia. 

What can we learn from this?  Because Paul was distracted by the state of his relationship with the Corinthian church, Paul couldn’t really focus on the mission to share the gospel with people in Troas.  The state of our relationships can have a real impact on our ability to focus on our work and do our work well.  It can also affect our ability to bless and lead others.  It’s no wonder that Jesus tells us to seek reconciliation and peace in our relationships before offering our gift at the altar.  It’s also no wonder that Paul says that an overseer of a church needs to have a good and healthy life at home, for if my private life is out of order, I will not last or be as effective as I could be in helping others.