讀經-日程 | 聖經-研經 | 福音-傳播 | 信仰-生活 | 大光網路書房 | 主頁

讀經日程
(Daily Bible Study)
» 大光人物讀經日程
(Bible Character)
» 大光應許讀經日程
(God's Promises)
» 大光禱告讀經日程
(Prayer)
» 大光聖靈讀經日程
(Holy Spirit)
» 大光信心讀經日程
(Faith)
» 兩年讀完一遍聖經 (1)
(Bible in 2 Years 1)
» 大光讚美讀經日程
(Praise)
» 一年讀完一遍聖經 (1)
(Daily Walk 1)
» 大光苦難讀經日程
(Suffering)
» 一年讀完一遍聖經 (2)
(Daily Walk 2)
» 大光等候讀經日程
(Waiting)
» 兩年讀完一遍聖經 (2)
(Bible in 2 Years 2)
» 大光順服讀經日程
(Obedience)
讀經搜索:
(Bible Study Search)

 
» 大光簡介
(About Glory Press)
» 評語建議
(Comments & Suggestions)
每日靈修
(One Year Devotion)
» 荒漠甘泉
Streams in the Desert
» 慕安德烈每日靈修
God's Best Secrets by Andrew Murray
» 信心的支票簿
Faith's check book
» 司布真每日靈修(日)
Morning by Morning
» 司布真每日靈修(夜)
Evening by Evening
www.GloryPress.com
glorypress@glorypress.com

© 2024 Copyright
Glory Mission Center.
All Rights Reserved.
 


05-06讀經日程搜索:
日期搜索 (Date):
or
   
 

Chinese2/20/2006English
經文:以斯拉記九至十章
鑰節:「現在當向耶和華你們列祖的上帝認罪,遵行祂的旨意,離絕這些國的民和外邦的女子。」(10:11)
提要

        以斯拉歡抵耶路撒冷,向上主獻祭之後,突然聽到一個消息使他憂心如焚,就是上帝的百姓和異族人雜混通婚的事。這個悲哀的事實是一些謹守自己、追求聖潔、不娶異邦女子的人告訴他的。五十年之前,聖殿剛完工獻上的時候,以色列百姓十分謹慎,切求除掉自己在異教中沾染的污穢,尋求以色列的上帝(6:21)。曾幾何時,百姓與上帝的情誼漸漸冷淡,也不順服祂了。你看,撒但不能阻止上帝的兒女建殿,牠就用這種看似輕微,其實卻更危險的法子潛入百姓的生活中。與不聖潔之民通婚的確很危險,若任其發展下去,猶太人極有可能受誘再去拜偶像,或被異邦同化,從而絕跡。因此上帝即時興起以斯拉,帶領百姓悔改,保留「聖種」(參出19:5~6;賽4:3),彌賽亞才能承續這個血脈誕生。

        以斯拉撕裂衣服,扯下頭髮、鬍鬚,以此表示心中的悲痛和義憤。由於這番舉動是出於關心和愛,反而比大發烈怒或使用強迫的方式更有效,許多百姓都感到扎心而認罪了。一方面以斯拉的生活正直,足堪表率(7:10),百姓都帶著敬畏的心聽從他。

        到了獻晚祭的時候,他便跪在主前,大聲傾吐,並為以色列人代求。他向上帝傾吐,他們全族人,包括他自己在內,在公義聖潔的上帝面前,都是不配蒙恩的罪人。他承認國人先前所犯的罪,導致被擄的慘劇。如今他們又再犯罪毀約,背信忘義,實在難逃懲治,除非上帝開恩憐憫。以色列人的罪行難逃以斯拉的法眼,因他精通摩西的律法。律法中一再警告以民不得與異教之民通婚,必須從不聖潔的異邦中分別出來(參申7:1~7)。不與世界妥協(參彼前2:9),才能成為歸上帝為聖的國民。無論是從前的選民或今日的信徒,都不該愛世界或世上虛幻的東西,惟獨遵行上帝的旨意,才能得到永恆的獎賞(約壹2:15~17)。

        就連祭司及領袖也娶了拜偶像的妻子,真正難辭其咎!祭司本當率先遵守及教導律法,做眾人的好榜樣。摩西還曾特別指示祭司該娶什麼樣的女子為妻。祭司娶了異教之妻,將會「在民中辱沒他的兒女」。因為他們將不再歸耶和華為聖(利21:7,13~15)。

        把異邦妻子和兒女打發走的作法,乍看似乎很絕情(10:3;申24:1),但卻是維護以色列後代的必要之舉。正如示迦尼所說:「然而以色列人還有指望」。立即動手解決問題仍不嫌遲,但解決之道卻不免為整個社區,尤其是那些當事的妻子及兒女們帶來憂傷。

        示迦尼也注意到,以斯拉不僅有責任,亞達薛西王也賦與他權力來執行他的建議(10:4;7:26)。再說他的身份是祭司,比亞達薛西王權威更高的上帝也已經授權給他了。因此以斯拉急於改革,便臨時召集了全國大會。若有人不出席的話,財產要充公,個人也將從會眾中被除名。三個月之內,這件事就辦妥了。以色列因而擺脫了撒但的攻擊。以斯拉為以色列靈性的復興做好了鋪路工作,唯有當百姓認罪、順服上帝、擺脫任何不討上帝喜悅的事物時,靈性復興才會來到(參林前6:14~18)。

禱告

        主,我們承認己罪,也信靠您的赦罪應許。主啊,請幫助我們在您面前保持純全,也幫助我們脫離各種型式的罪。奉耶穌基督的名禱告,阿們。

English

Scriptures:Read Ezra 9&10
Key Verse:"Now therefore, make confession to the Lord God of your fathers, and do His will; separate yourselves from the peoples of the land, and from the pagan wives."(Ezra 10:11)
Overview

        After Ezra arrived in Jerusalem and joyously offered sacrifices unto the Lord, he was suddenly struck with much grief as he heard about the problem of pagan intermarriage among the people of God. This sad report was told to him by those who had not transgressed by taking pagan wives and who were desiring purity. It had been about half a century earlier, at the time of the Temple's completion and dedication, that the children of Israel were careful to separate themselves from "the filth of the nations of the land in order to seek the Lord God of Israel" (6:21). Over the years, however, they had grown cold in their relationship with God and were living in disobedience to Him. Satan could not stop the children of the Lord from building the Temple, so in a subtle, more dangerous way, he crept into their lives. A sin such as mixed marriage was very dangerous indeed, for if it was allowed to continue, the Jews would have been led into idolatry and would have been assimilated into the pagan nations — thus no longer a distinct people. Ezra was God's man of the hour to bring them to repentance and preserve the "holy seed" (cf. Exodus 19:5-6; Isaiah 4:3) from which would come the promised Messiah.

        Ezra expressed his grief and moral indignation by tearing his clothes and plucking out parts of the hair on his head and beard. This reaction, which sprang from his love and concern for the people, had more of an effect on them than would anger and force, for many were convicted of their sin. Since Ezra's life was a good example, (he practised what he preached, 7:10), the people listened to him with respect.

        At the evening sacrifice, he fell before the Lord, poured himself out in prayer, and interceded on behalf of the Israelites. He expressed to God that they, including himself, were all unworthy sinners before the righteous and holy God. He confessed the nation's guilt, which had caused the captivity in the first place. Now they were once again in breach of the covenant and deserving punishment — but for the mercy of God. Israel's sin was clear to Ezra because he had a thorough knowledge of the Mosaic Law, which repeatedly warned them to keep separate from the unclean nations, including a strong prohibition against heathen intermarriage (cf. Deuteronomy 7:1-7). To be a pure nation consecrated to God, they had to remain separate from the heathen nations and were not to compromise with the world (cf. 1 Peter 2:9). They, like believers today, were not to love the world nor the things of the world, but rather to love to do the will of God, which brings eternal rewards (1 John 2:15-17).

        Even the priests and leaders had married idolatrous wives! They certainly had no excuse. Priests were to enforce and teach the Law; therefore, they especially should have set good examples. Moses had specifically instructed the priests concerning the type of wife they were to have; a noble, pure Israelite woman. By intermarriage with the heathen, the priest would "profane his posterity among his people", since they would no longer be sanctified unto the Lord (Leviticus 21:7, 13-15).

        It may seem harsh that all the foreign wives and their children were to be "put away" (10:3; Deuteronomy 24:1), but this was essential for Israelite posterity. As Shechaniah said: "yet now there is hope in Israel in spite of this." It was not too late to do something about it, but the solution caused much sadness for the community and, of course, for those wives and children involved.

        As Shechaniah was aware, Ezra had the responsibility and legal authority from Artaxerxes to enforce his suggestion (10:4, 7:26). He also had the authority as a priest, as well as a higher commission from God, a much higher power than Artaxerxes. Ezra was anxious to bring reformation, and he called an immediate national gathering. The punishments of confiscation of property and excommunication would be inflicted upon those who failed to appear. Within three months, the task was completed. Israel was now safe from this attack of Satan against her. Ezra had paved the way for revival in Israel, which could come only after confession of sin (in this case, it was a public confession) and obedience to God in the separation from that which is not pleasing to Him (cf. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18).

Prayer

        Lord, we confess our sin and trust Your promise of forgiveness. Please keep us pure before You, O Lord, and help us to turn away from sin of any kind.


上一篇      下一篇


宣教 日程


奉獻 Offering

     


讀經日程免費訂閱
Email Subscription


最新消息
Newsletter

©2024 Copyright Glory Mission Center. All Rights Reserved.