Home昔日真理報2012年 真理報文章2012 年 4 月【苦難的預防針】約伯記 (3)--極端忌妒的撒但

【苦難的預防針】約伯記 (3)--極端忌妒的撒但

 

編者按:本文曾在台灣《基督教論壇報》連載過,近日經作者重新整理,在此刊出,供各位願對《約伯記》作深入研讀的弟兄姊妹參考。本期接續上期所刊部份,首次讀到本文者可參閱本刊2012年1、2、3月號本欄文章。

撒但是控告者﹔啟示錄十二章10節所說的﹕「......那在我們神面前晝夜控告我們弟兄的」,就是這東西。撒但這名字的原意就是「抵擋」(參馬太福音四章10節)。在約伯記中,撒但的名稱和牠的詭詐﹑惡毒的作為,表露無遺,可說是全部聖經書卷中描述得最為清楚﹑完整的了。神看為完全正直的人﹑美好的事物,牠就來毀謗﹑控告﹑破壞,使人受苦,而最終目的,則是想要完全「毀滅」﹗

撒但的作為是不務正業﹑遊手好閒,「......我從地上走來走去﹑往返而來」(約伯記一章7節)﹔從牠自己的角度來看,那卻是牠的「正業」,是神兒女們要警惕的﹗「務要謹守﹑儆醒,因為你們的仇敵魔鬼,如同吼叫的獅子,遍地游行,尋找可吞喫的人。你們要用堅固的信心抵擋牠,因為知道你們在世上的眾弟兄,也是經歷這樣的苦難。」(彼得前書五章8-9節)

撒但質疑神的正直

撒但對於約伯的「完全正直﹑敬畏神﹑遠離惡事」,有極端的忌妒﹔因為牠這「惡者」,在約伯這樣子的人身上,沾不到一點邊﹑一點點便宜。牠的告狀裡,不提說神稱讚約伯的「完全正直」和「遠離惡事」二項,因為牠受不了﹑見不得任何人有這樣子的美德(因為冷落了牠)。牠質疑約伯之所以會「敬畏神」,是因為他嚐到甜頭。

撒但這樣的表達方式,也等於是在質疑神的正直。牠認為是神偏袒約伯,給約伯一切的好處,又用籬笆四面圍護著他,他才「敬畏神」﹔他是被神收買了......。就等於是說,神在徇私舞弊,拿約伯作作秀。

撒但的目的,說得清楚一點,是想要叫神,以後不能夠再拿約伯在牠面前誇耀﹔也就是想要叫神的百姓,從此以後,完全屈服在撒但的魔爪之下。這樣子形容撒但,一點都不誇張,待會兒我們就可以看到牠有多麼狠毒。

其實,約伯的「完全正直﹑敬畏神﹑遠離惡事」,不是以自私自利為目的,不是因為有好處才正直,也不是因為環境﹑一切都順利才敬畏神,而是因為他專一敬畏神。他知道天地間所以有公理﹑正義的存在,是因為有一位神存在的緣故。他知道神的本性是正直的﹑公義的﹑善良的,神也喜愛人們如此,所以他就追求正直﹑公義﹑善良,要得神的喜悅。(約伯在四十二章5節所說的﹕「我從前風聞有你,現在親眼看見你」,以及其他的表白,都可以解釋﹑證實這是他一貫的想法和做法。)

公義與敬畏神不可分
約伯不斷地修正﹑調整自己的思想﹑觀念﹑行為,朝向神所喜悅的方向努力,而終竟全功﹗他的眼光已經看透萬事﹑萬物的本質﹑真相,不受世上事物之短暫﹑虛幻的表象所迷惑﹔他所追求的,是永恆﹑有價值之事物的源頭─神自己﹗這就像是使徒保羅所說的﹕「屬靈的人能看透萬事,卻沒有一人能看透了他。」(哥林多前書二章15節)

在這裡也表達出一件很重要的事實,就是﹕真正的公義﹑完全正直,是不可能與「敬畏神」分開而得到的﹗不是單靠人自己的聰明﹑才智或良心﹔只有靠著敬畏神,認識神是最高的主宰,靠著神所賜給我們的恩典﹑智慧﹑能力,努力去追求,才可以完全得著的。

因為全能的神是一切智慧﹑公義﹑聖潔﹑美善事物的源頭和標竿。因此,敬畏神,是約伯能夠完全正直的真正原因,而不是因為其他任何眼見的利益。

約伯就表明他對神有這樣的認識﹕「神明白智慧的道路,曉得智慧的所在。因他鑒察直到地極,遍觀普天之下......他對人說﹕敬畏主就是智慧﹔遠離惡便是聰明。」(約伯記廿八章23-28節)

從這樣的討論,我們知道了約伯的「完全正直﹑敬畏神﹑遠離惡事」的人格,是三合一﹑緊密不可分的。(作者現在素里聖道堂牧會)(待續)

 

      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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