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Chinese2/16/2006English
經文:以斯拉記一至二章
鑰節:「……一切被上帝激動他心的人,都起來要上耶路撒冷去建造耶和華的殿。」(1:5)
提要

        以斯拉記是歷代志的延續,很可能原先是同一本書的前後部分。尤其明顯的一點,歷代志下最後兩節也在以斯拉記一章開頭處重現,說到:波斯的古列王被上帝所用,刑罰了巴比倫(耶25:12),把土地還給以色列忠心的餘民,讓他們返鄉建造主的聖殿。後世考古學家證實,古列王確曾下詔,遣送被巴比倫所擄的各國百姓重返故園,恢復各自的信仰。所要求的,不過是各百姓向自己的神祇禱告,好讓古列王得以長壽。雖然古列是異教人士,上帝仍用他來完成計劃(參箴21:1;但2:20~21),相對的,古列也相當尊敬以色列的上帝。這很可能是他和但以理有接觸之故(參但6:1~3;大利烏是古列的岳父),因而認識了真神上帝。古列也可能知悉以賽亞早在兩百年前預言到有關他的事。在那預言中,他被提名指定為上帝的工具,藉以釋放被擄之民,並下令重建聖殿(參賽44:26~28;45:1、13)。

        為了應驗耶利米的預言(1:1),被擄期只持續了七十年(耶25:12;29:10)。耶利米的這番預言不但在巴比倫敗亡時,激動了但以理的心,使他切切禱告求上帝的拯救;一方面主上帝的靈也運行在好些忠心餘民的心裡,激動他們都想「上」耶路撒冷去重建聖殿(1:5;耶城雖處於南方,但由於地勢較高,必須走上坡路才能到達)。凡忠信的餘民皆不曾向外邦偶像下跪,反倒是急著想脫離這塊偶像充斥之地,歸向上帝。僅管耶路撒冷此刻仍荒涼、百廢待興,他們卻渴望回到這立有上帝聖名的聖城,在此敬拜祂。他們憑信出發,並懷抱一堅定目標:重建主的聖殿。

        不過,大部分以色列民卻不願離開被擄之地,他們在異邦已安頓下來,好些變得相當富有,也娶了外國妻子,生了子女。但他們願意拿出錢財資助返鄉者及建殿事宜。許多非以色列人士也幫了忙,就連古列本人也盡了心,把巴比倫王奪走的聖殿器皿,全數交還給「猶大的首領設巴薩」,由他全權負責。此人有可能是所羅巴伯,只不過用的是巴比倫名,就如但以理也有個巴比倫名;伯提沙撒(但1:7)。所羅巴伯是猶大王約雅敬的孫子(代上3:17~19;也是耶穌養父約瑟的祖先,太1:12)。當時以色列人不可以再立王,設巴薩因他的皇家血統,就被任R為省長(5:14),當然也就成為返鄉者的行政首領。

        第二章記載返鄉者的名單。大部分出自猶大、便雅憫、及利未支派(包括:祭司、歌唱、守門的)。不過,後來有些名單顯示,返鄉者中十二支派的後裔都有。有些非以色列人也回到耶路撒冷,包括「所羅門僕人的後裔」,可能是一些戰俘和迦南人的後裔,所羅門王曾指派他們服勞役,興建聖殿;也包括「尼提寧人」(即殿役),他們則是基遍人的後裔,所羅門指派其在聖殿裡服事利未人(參書9:1;王上9:21;代上9:2)。這些異族子弟想必都已歸向真神,帶著誠摰的心返鄉,渴望重新在耶路撒冷服事祂。

        族譜明確是很重要的,有三家人因無法證明自己從亞倫的譜系而出,雖口稱具有祭司身份,卻不得供祭司之職,因無法確定上帝是否選召了他們來參與服事。同樣的,我們今天蒙上帝選召為聖潔、有君尊的祭司(彼前2:9),也必須顯出確實蒙召的證據。而我們外表結出的「果子」(加5:22、23)便是我們心靈更新的最佳證據。

禱告

        主,您曾使用古列王完成您的計劃,我們深信您也可以善用我們目前的政治領袖,惟願他們皆蒙您的引導。噢主,激動我們的心靈,使我們願意和基督同工,建造您的教會。奉耶穌基督的名禱告,阿們。

English

Scriptures:Read Ezra 1&2
Key Verse:"... all those whose spirits God had moved, arose to go up and build the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem."(Ezra 1:5)
Overview

        The book of Ezra is a continuation of Chronicles, and it is probable that they were initially one book. This is evident in that the first two verses of Ezra are the same as the last two verses of 2 Chronicles. King Cyrus of Persia was used by God to bring judgment upon Babylon (Jeremiah 25:12) and restore to the land of their inheritance the faithful remnant, who would rebuild the Lord's House. As archeological finds have proven, Cyrus declared that the people of the various nations whom Babylon had captured and displaced could return to their homelands and practise their own religion; in return, he asked them to pray to their gods for him to have a long life. Though Cyrus was a heathen, God used him to fulfill His plan (cf. Proverbs 21:1; Daniel 2:20-21), and Cyrus had great respect for the God of the Israelites. It is probable that Cyrus had contact with Daniel (cf. Daniel 6:1-3; Darius was Cyrus' father-in-law) and learned of the God of Israel from him. Cyrus may also have been aware of Isaiah's prophecy concerning himself, which had been written 200 years before. In that prophecy, he was named as God's instrument to liberate the exiles and initiate the restoration of the Temple (cf. Isaiah 44:26-28; 45:1, 13).

        In fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy (1:1), the Exile lasted only seventy years (Jeremiah 25:12; 29:10). This prophecy of Jeremiah stirred Daniel to fervently pray for God's deliverance at the time of Babylon's fall (Daniel 9:2-4). The Lord, through His Spirit, was also working in the hearts of His faithful remnant to stir them to "go up" to Jerusalem and repair His House (1:5; Jerusalem was southward, but due to the elevation of the land, one must go upward to get there). Those faithful few did not bow down to the foreign idols but were anxious to leave the worldly, idolatrous country and separate themselves unto God. They longed to worship Him in the city where He had put His Name, Jerusalem, even though it was desolate and in ruin at that time. Their going was a step of faith, and they had a set purpose: to rebuild the House of the Lord.

        The majority of the Israelites did not leave. They were well settled and many had become prosperous, married foreign wives, and raised families. They were, however, able to support and encourage those who did go by giving many gifts and provisions, as well as offerings for the Temple. No doubt many Gentiles also helped. Cyrus himself did his part and set an example by giving them all the many articles of the Temple that had been taken by the Babylonians. He gave them into the trusted hands of "Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah". This may have been the Babylonian name for Zerubbabel, just as Daniel also had been given an official Babylonian name, Belteshazzar (Daniel 1:7). Zerubbabel was the grandson of King Jehoiachin (1 Chronicles 3:17-19; an ancester of Joseph, Matthew 1:12). Since Israel was no longer allowed kings, Zerubbabel was appointed governor because of his royal ancestry (5:14). He was the undisputed leader of the returned exiles.

        Chapter two lists the names of some of those who returned to Israel. Most came from the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and Levi (priests, singers, and gatekeepers included). However, in later lists we learn that among those who returned, there was representation from all the tribes. Some of those who went to Jerusalem were non-Israelites. Among these were "Solomon's servants", who were likely descendants of his prisoners of war and Canaanites whom he had organized as a labour force in the construction of the Temple; also, there were the Nethinim (meaning "given ones") who were Temple servants from the descendants of the Gibeonites whom King Solomon organized as a work force to help the Levites (cf. Joshua 9; 1 Kings 9:21; 1 Chronicles 9:2). They had probably been converted to the true worship of God and returned with sincerity and a longing to once again serve Him in Jerusalem.

        The importance of accurate genealogical records is evident in the problem that faced three families who claimed to be priests but could show no proof of their ancestry from the line of Aaron. They had to be excluded from the priesthood, because it was not certain that God had chosen and ordained them to serve Him. Similarly, those of us who have been called by God today as a part of His holy priesthood (1 Peter 2:9) must show evidence that we have indeed been called by Him. Our transformed hearts within must show from without by our "fruit" (Gal. 5:22,23).

Prayer

        Lord, because You featured Cyrus in Your plan, we know that You also have a purpose for our political leaders. We pray Your guidance upon them. Move our spirits, O Lord, to be labourers together with Christ in building Your church.


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