Home昔日真理報2012年 真理報文章2012 年 3 月【開卷有益】我們在天上的父

【開卷有益】我們在天上的父

 

APrayerToFather釋經書總是提不起讀者的興趣,給人艱深難懂、枯燥乏味的感覺。《我們在天上的父》(A Prayer To Our Father—Hebrew Origins Of The Prayer)卻是少有的例外,全書從歷史考古、希伯來語言和文化逐句探討主禱文的精義。一位猶太聖經學者郭希尼(Nehemia Gordon)和一位美國黑人牧師莊傑夫(Keith Johnson)放下了傳統的枷鎖,衝破語言的障礙,同心携手追尋昔日耶穌教導當代的猶太群眾如何向天父禱告的真實場景,讀來就像一本緊張刺激的偵探小說,讓人直追不捨。

無論你是否基督徒,大概都曾經聽過甚至背誦過主禱文,正確地說,是耶穌親自教導猶太人,而且被記錄下來的唯一禱文,首先記載在聖經新約馬太福音內,現時已被翻譯成超過一千四百種語言,成千上萬的信徒時刻謹記於心的禱告典範。

兩位作者不怕艱辛走遍了耶路撒冷及加利利各大小山嶺,追蹤二千年前耶穌教導主禱文的真實所在地,親身體驗當時一大批群眾跟隨耶穌到達一個小山坡上,席地而坐,野外天然的風吹鳥鳴,伴隨耶穌鏗鏘有力的講論,震撼著當時每個人的心靈。

直到今天,當我們仔細研究主禱文,明白原來的意義,同樣使人心情激動。從考古推斷耶穌當時是用希伯來語向猶太人講述這個重要的訊息,主禱文雖然只有九句看似簡單的說話,但在猶太文化裡卻蘊含著豐富而深遠的意義,在翻譯和傳遞的過程中被埋沒而失落了,殊為可惜。

主禱文第一句是:「我們在天上的父」,稱上帝是我們的父,對猶太人一點不陌生,先知以賽亞、耶利米和瑪拉基都認識上帝就是他們的父,不但猶太人,甚至外邦人,都是由同一位上帝創造的,如果我們遵行祂的話,我們全部也是祂的兒女。上帝賦與人類生命,並藉著養育、教導和供應來建立祂的兒女,祂是失去世上父親保護的孤兒的天父,也是全人類的父。

願你的名被尊為聖,尊崇上帝名字的方法是向全世界宣告祂的名,正如所羅門王說:「使天下萬民都認識你的名。」其次是以好行為來榮耀全能者的名;相反,我們不好的行為會讓上帝的名蒙羞,就是褻瀆上帝的名。

願你的國受到尊崇,中文的譯文是「願你的國降臨」,讓人誤解上帝好像是一位被放逐的君王,暫時不能管治祂的屬土。原文所說的國並不是一個將來末世的國度,而是今天的國度,祂是全世界現在的君王,祂有大能大力管理宇宙的萬事萬物。法利賽人曾問耶穌:上帝的國幾時來到?祂回答說:上帝的國就在你們心裡。你是否從心裡尊崇上帝的國度?

上帝的旨意要成就在天上和地上,這是一句呼召人行動的句子,要人遵從上帝的旨意。世上所有的事情都在祂的控制之下,我們應祈求祂的旨意可以完全地成就在我們的生命之中,活出真正的意義和目的。

不斷賜給我們生命所需的食物,對當時的人而言,祈求穩定和不斷的食物供應,是解決基本生計的現實問題。今天豐衣足食的年代,我們更應明白:人活著不是單靠食物,乃是靠上帝口裡所出的一切話。祈求上帝用祂的話語來養育靈魂,得著心靈的滿足。

赦免我們的罪債如同我們赦免那些向我們犯罪者的罪債,「赦免」在希伯來語字面的意思是取消債項,用今天的說話,就是:天父啊,求你取消我的樓宇按揭!對大多數人來說,不再需要負擔房屋貸款,是多麼輕省的一回事。我們祈求上帝赦免,唯一的條件就是要像上帝一樣以恩慈對待那些得罪我們的人,放下仇恨,等於釋放自己。況且,最後的終審權是屬於上帝的,我們暫且忍耐,等待祂公平的判決。

不要將我們放在試驗之下,耶穌經歷過最嚴峻的試驗,深明其間是如何的艱辛,祂祈求上帝施恩,讓祂的兒女不要身處於試探之中。

最後,祈求上帝保護我們脫離一切的邪惡。活在世上,等於不時暴露於凶險之下,只有天父有能力保護我們免受所有邪恐的侵害,包括出自撒但的邪惡,潛伏在人內心的邪惡,和自然世界的災害。

作為天父的兒女,可以時刻向天父發出以上的禱告,是多麼珍貴的權利啊!

 

      聖經金句 (Bible Verses)

喜樂 Joy

喜樂的心乃是良藥;憂傷的靈使骨枯乾。箴言 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

然而,我要因耶和華歡欣,因救我的 神喜樂。哈巴谷書 3:18
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:18

要常常喜樂,不住的禱告,凡事謝恩。帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16-17
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

饒恕 Forgiveness

主啊,你本為良善,樂意饒恕人,有豐盛的慈愛賜給凡求告你的人。詩篇 86:5
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:5

你不要說:“我要以惡報惡”;要等候耶和華,他必拯救你。箴言 20:22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you. Proverbs 6:14

你們饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必饒恕你們的過犯;馬太福音 6:14
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14

你們不饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必不饒恕你們的過犯。馬太福音 6:15
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15

你們各人若不從心裡饒恕你的弟兄,我天父也要這樣待你們了。馬太福音 18:35
This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart. Matthew 18:35

謙卑 Humility

敬畏耶和華是智慧的訓誨;尊榮以前,必有謙卑。箴言 15:33
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33

敬畏耶和華心存謙卑,就得富有、尊榮、生命為賞賜。箴言 22:4
Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

凡事不可結黨,不可貪圖虛浮的榮耀;只要存心謙卑,各人看別人比自己強。腓立比書 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

驕傲 Pride

驕傲來,羞恥也來;謙遜人卻有智慧。箴言 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

驕傲只啟爭競;聽勸言的,卻有智慧。箴言 13:10
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Proverbs 13:10

驕傲在敗壞以先;狂心在跌倒之前。箴言 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

忍耐 Patience

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

並且你們要為我的名,被眾人恨惡,惟有忍耐到底的,必然得救。馬可福音 13:13
Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13

不但如此,就是在患難中也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance. Romans 5:3

我們行善,不可喪志;若不灰心,到了時候就要收成加拉太書 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

你們也當忍耐,堅固你們的心,因為主來的日子近了。雅各書 5:8
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:8

溫柔 Meekness

回答柔和,使怒消退;言語暴戾,觸動怒氣。箴言 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

溫柔的人有福了,因為他們必承受地土。馬太福音 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

用溫柔勸戒那抵擋的人;或者 神給他們悔改的心,可以明白真道。提摩太後書 2:25
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 2:25

只要以裡面存著長久溫柔、安靜的心為妝飾;這在 神面前是極寶貴的。彼得前書 3:4
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:4

嫉妒 Envy

不要為作惡的心懷不平,也不要向那行不義的生出嫉妒。詩篇 37:1
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong. Psalm 37:1

心中安靜是肉體的生命;嫉妒是骨中的朽爛。箴言 14:30
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30

在何處有嫉妒、紛爭,就在何處有擾亂和各樣的壞事。雅各書 3:16
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16

生氣 Anger

當止住怒氣,離棄忿怒;不要心懷不平,以致作惡。詩篇 37:8
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. Psalm 37:8

好生氣的人,不可與他結交;暴怒的人,不可與他來往。箴言 22:24
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered. Proverbs 22:24

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

生氣卻不要犯罪.不可含怒到日落。以弗所書 4:26
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26

我親愛的弟兄們,這是你們所知道的,但你們各人要快快的聽,慢慢的說,慢慢的動怒,因為人的怒氣並不成就 神的義。雅各書 1:19,20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19,20

災難 Calamity

謹守口與舌的、就保守自己免受災難。箴言 21:23
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

民要攻打民、國要攻打國、多處必有地震、饑荒.這都是災難的起頭。馬可福音 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. Mark 13:8

憂愁 Worry

你們不要憂愁、因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是你們的力量。尼希米記 8:10
Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

主雖使人憂愁, 還要照他諸般的慈愛發憐憫。耶利米哀歌 3:32
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. Lamentations 3:32

凡勞苦擔重擔的人,可以到我這裡來,我就使你們得安息。馬太福音 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

我留下平安給你們、我將我的平安賜給你們.我所賜的、不像世人所賜的.你們心裏不要憂愁、也不要膽怯。約翰福音 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

應當一無掛慮,只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝,將你們所要的告訴神。神所賜出人意外的平安,必在基督耶穌裡,保守你們的心懷意念。腓立比書 4:6,7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

因此, 你們是大有喜樂, 但如今, 在百般的試煉中暫時憂愁。彼得前書 1:6
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6

患難 Trouble, Suffering

義人多有苦難,但耶和華救他脫離這一切。詩篇 34:19
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19

神是我們的避難所,是我們的力量,是我們在患難中隨時的幫助!詩篇 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

耶和華本為善,在患難的日子為人的保障,並且認得那些投靠他的人。那鴻書 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7

為義受逼迫的人有福了,因為天國是他們的。馬太福音 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

不但如此,就是在患難中,也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Romans 5:3

我想現在的苦楚,若比將來要顯於我們的榮耀,就不足介意了。羅馬書 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

因為你們蒙恩,不但得以信服基督,並要為他受苦。腓立比書 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. Philippians 1:29

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