Home昔日真理報2012年 真理報文章2012 年 7 月【進入應許之地】 耶和華上帝掌管日月星辰

【進入應許之地】 耶和華上帝掌管日月星辰

 

PromisLand250x176耶路撒冷王亞多尼洗德(書10:1、2):耶路撒冷在迦南中部,王的名字意「仁義王」或「我王是仁義的」,與麥基洗德(創14:18)相同,麥基洗德為亞伯蘭祝福,此耶路撒冷王卻感受到以色列人的威脅,乃由於聽見約書亞毀滅了耶利哥城和艾城,基遍的居民又與以色列人立了和約,他們已控制了中部高原地帶,將迦南地一分為二。在政治上亞多尼洗德也自認為擁有管治基遍諸城的權利,因此他以為臣服於以色列人是一種背叛行為,乃聯合諸王,旨在奪回基遍。

當基遍人向宗主國以色列求援時,耶和華再度領軍(不要怕他們,10:8),約書亞也盡保衛他們的責任,毫不懈怠(終夜從吉甲上去,猛然臨到他們那裡,10:9),從吉甲到基遍東約三十公里,要爬過峻峭的山路。約書亞在日落前出發,清晨抵達,耶和華降下大冰雹(原文「石頭」)擊殺(11節),約書亞發動攻勢直到日落前(13、14節),但一天廿四小時仍不足以完成殺敗敵人的任務,約書亞竟在以色列人眼前向耶和華上帝作出這樣的禱告:
日頭啊,你要停在基遍;月亮啊,你要止在亞雅侖谷。

這禱告即蒙應允:於是日頭停留,月亮止住,直等國民向敵人報仇。這事豈不是寫在雅煞珥書上嗎?日頭在天當中停住,不急速下落,約有一日之久。而這禱告被稱為「在這日以前,這日以後,耶和華聽人的禱告,沒有像這日的」,是因耶和華為以色列爭戰。

《約書亞記》記載了多個神跡,其中最引人注目的是基遍一役中為要「直等國民向敵人報仇」,約書亞向耶和華禱告求白晝延長二十四小時的神跡。根據「不急速下落約有一日之久」(13節),似在說明該日地球並非停止自轉,只是減速至該日有四十八小時。其後在中國、埃及、印度這三個文明古國中,都查出一次「長日」的記載。而「在這日以前,這日以後,耶和華聽人的禱告,沒有像這日,是因耶和華為以色列爭戰」(14節),這神跡記載在一本全用詩體寫成的以色列早期戰史雅煞珥書中。

迦南五王聯合攻打以色列人的盟邦基遍。約書亞將他們殺敗於迦南地西邊山麓亞西加城,
(1)將藏匿在瑪基大山洞中的封住;
(2)再派人擊殺後邊的仇敵,不讓他們再進自己的城邑;
(3)而其餘的以色列人則都進了堅固的城。當眾百姓安然回到瑪基大營地時,再將五王處死。其後,「約書亞和以色列眾人從伊磯倫上希伯崙去,攻打這城,就奪了希伯崙和屬希伯崙的諸城邑,用刀將城中的人與王,並那些城邑中的人口,都擊殺了,沒有留下一個,是照他向伊磯倫所行的,把城中的一切人口盡行殺滅。」(書10:36、37)
這在屬靈的意義上是「除去一切罪惡,堅守聖潔」的做法。這是因為耶和華以色列的上帝,為以色列爭戰(42節)。是故整個記述的方式,並不須要我們討論上帝的做法是否殘酷,因為這種討論方向不是《舊約聖經》的主題,在屬靈的意義上,耶和華上帝不單只是掌管日月星辰的真神,也是要求祂的子民,步步為營「除去一切罪惡,堅守聖潔」的真神。

當一些讀者讀到例如《約書亞記》這一類戰爭的記載時,總以為不符合基督教的道德倫理:他們將這一類戰爭與「愛人如己,愛仇敵」(太5:38-48)相提並論。事實上,這些記載不是在討論「用戰爭為手段以達目的」的問題,也不是以色列民族轟轟烈烈的史記,更不是在耶和華上帝幫助之下征服迦南的故事。而是那位掌管宇宙的神,如何在救恩歷史的某一段時期裡,從這世界的權勢中,重新征服(奪回)一部分'失地'的故事。

直到今日,我們仍舊負有主耶穌的大使命,從這拜偶像、荒淫無度的世界中,去奪回(征服)那些靈魂失喪者,從《創世記》的失去樂園,回到《啟示錄》的尋得樂園。

 

      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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