Home昔日真理報2012年 真理報文章2012 年 7 月【苦難的預防針】約伯記 (6) - 約伯苦難的頌語

【苦難的預防針】約伯記 (6) - 約伯苦難的頌語

 

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。本期接續上期所刊本欄文章。

一般人遭遇的苦難,很大部份是源自於奢求的慾望,也就是去「抓」﹔手抓不到,就在「心」裡抓,這更麻煩,因為心裡的慾望是個無底坑。

相反的,約伯受苦不是這個原因。約伯是個很懂得「放」的人,他把東西放給有需要的人。在後面的對話裡面,約伯強調自己照顧孤兒﹑寡婦,救助貧寒﹑困苦,接待無宿路人......等等,不遺餘力﹔讓他們與他同享他所擁有的(三十一章16-40節)。他也絕不以黃金﹑財物作為倚靠,不因多得貲財而歡喜(三十一章25節)。

最重要的是,他懂得將一切「放」在神手裡面,也就是所謂的「交託給神」。約伯很清楚地認識到,他生命裡所有的一切,都是從神來的﹔他也清楚知道,終有一天,他會再度失去,「撇下」這一切,而這就是他自己生命情況的真實本質。

慾望的洞無窮大

他更知道神有絕對的權柄﹑智慧﹑與能力,來做最好的支配﹑處理他所擁有的這一切。難怪他在失去這一切之後,會伏在地上下拜,說﹕「我赤身出於母胎,也必赤身歸回﹔賞賜的是耶和華,收取的也是耶和華。耶和華的名是應當稱頌的。」(約伯記一章21節)約伯講的這番話,看來似乎只是一句話,其實是包含著三句話。

許多人在遭遇到苦難或死亡的時候,至多只能說得出約伯講的第一句話「我赤身出於母胎,也必赤身歸回」。奇怪的是,大家都知道沒有人能帶走任何財物,為什麼活著的時候,仍拚著老命去「抓」﹖抓所有地上看得見的事物﹑地位﹑財寶,抓看不見的權力﹑沽名釣譽,好像死了可以帶得走似的﹖做父母的人,就認為孩子再老也永遠長不大,永遠都需要自己的「卵翼」(養育庇護)才行。

在公司當老闆的人,也是緊抓著大權不放,不肯授權部屬﹑培養人才,放手給屬下歷練的機會。當國家元首的人,就認為自己是民族的救星之類的,一定要做到「中道崩殂」為止﹔而人們在猛抓﹑狠鬥的過程當中,使自己的生命勞苦﹑愁煩,往往心中就充滿著貪婪﹑揮霍﹑自私﹑猜疑﹑驕傲﹑自大﹑紛爭﹑結黨﹑挑撥﹑謊言﹑毀謗﹑惡毒﹑仇恨﹑兇殺﹑或淫亂......等種種的罪惡,至死不悟﹗人為什麼要這樣子呢﹖

緊抓權力不放

而教會界「抓」的情況,似乎也明顯可見。有一些的教會領袖﹑牧師﹑長老﹑主席等,認為唯有自己的存在才能維繫教會之「傳統」﹑「正統」於不墜﹔錢﹑權﹑人一把抓,耳聾目盲於聖經上自己所不懂﹑不喜歡聽的話,或別人的諍言,惟「順我者昌」,搞小圈圈﹑大圈圈﹑圈圈不已﹔眼中只有「我的」教會,「我們的」教會,而少見「耶穌基督的教會」與「神的國」﹗早已經忘了自己不過是「無用的僕人」。(路加福音十七章10節)

基督徒有的時候,也會說到約伯的第二句話「賞賜的是耶和華,收取的也是耶和華」(「收取」意為「取去」),因為還知道一切都是在神掌權之下。也有的人,一邊口裡說著「賞賜的是耶和華,收取的也是耶和華」,另一邊手裡拿著保險公司的理賠金,似乎損失還不是很多﹖但不論如何,口裡說著的時候,總帶著多少的無奈和委屈,心不甘﹑情不願。

不知道有多少的基督徒,會在苦難中用到約伯的第三句話「耶和華的名是應當稱頌的」,這時候,神還是應當稱頌的......﹖有沒有搞錯﹖真的在苦難中還要感謝神,稱頌神嗎﹖是的﹗一點都沒錯﹗我們不是要感謝苦難本身,好像有些其他宗教的人,藉著讓自己活著的時候吃點苦,可以彌補一些自己過去所做的罪孽﹔得了現世報,好像可以自我安慰一下,將來死了以後可以少受一點刑罰﹑惡報﹖

基督徒在苦難中感謝神﹑稱頌神,是因為我們知道,在苦難的背後,神是至高的掌權者,若不是神允許,沒有任何事會臨到我們的身上﹔臨到約伯的苦難,就都是經過神當面批准的。

居處死蔭幽谷時

而所有臨到我們的事情,都是為了造就﹑操練我們﹔並且在苦難當中,神仍然眷顧著我們。因此,我們應當照著新約聖經裡面告訴我們的行﹕「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,忍耐生老練,老練生盼望﹔盼望不至於羞恥,因為所賜給我們的聖靈將神的愛澆灌在我們心裡。」(羅馬書五章3-5節)。

神允許苦難臨到我們,為要叫我們的信心﹑愛心﹑忍耐﹑品格......可以鍛鍊得更加寶貴,並且聖靈也為屬祂的人祈求,要叫我們得益處﹕「鑒察人心的,曉得聖靈的意思,因為聖靈照神的旨意替聖徒祈求。我們曉得萬事都互相效力,叫愛神的人得益處,就是按他旨意被召的人。」(羅馬書八章27-28節)

歸結來說,約伯的第一句話就等於是說﹕「一切都不是我的﹗」第二句話等於是說﹕「一切都是屬於神的﹗」第三句更是說﹕「一切榮耀都歸於神﹗」(待續)(作者現在素里聖道堂牧會)

 

      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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