Home昔日真理報2012年 真理報文章2012 年 11 月【教養兒女】承受神的祝福

【教養兒女】承受神的祝福

 

在秋天的時候,北美的兩個國家,美國和加拿大,都有一個感恩節的傳統。加拿大在十月中,美國在十一月底。西班牙的移民和法國的移民,都有類似的慶祝,如今都成了一個暴飲暴食的機會。

但是,當初歐洲的新移民到達北美洲,開始感恩節的意義卻並非如此。當時候,這些新移民因為信仰的原因,勇敢地離開本地父家,遠渡重洋經過沒有經歷過的大海洋,要往一個完全沒有認識的陌生地方。他們要面對的是一個新的環境。特別是在波士頓的移民,經過了一個風雪的寒冬,艱辛的耕種季節,在第一個秋收的季節,都不肯定有足夠的食物供應給那102位居民一半的所需。還是因為當時的原住民慷慨分享,才得足夠。因此,感恩節便是回應創造主豐盛的供應之季節,也是回想人與人之間慷慨助人的心態。可惜不少人在這恩典上卻失落了。

「我必叫你成為大國,我必賜福給你,叫你的名為大,你也要叫別人得福。為你祝福的,我必賜福與他;那咒詛你的,我必咒詛他,地上的萬族都要因你得福。」(創世記12:1-3)

神的祝福
積極方面,神的祝福第一樣,總是叫一個人「為大」。亞伯蘭的意思是:父親是崇高的。這裡提到的兩個大是「國」和「名」。國是權勢和控制。名是榮耀和尊貴。正如神對狂傲的巴比倫王尼布甲尼撒所說的:「等你知道至高者在人的國中掌權,要將國賜與誰,就賜與誰。」(但以理書4:32)又說:「現在我尼布甲尼撒讚美尊崇恭敬天上的王,因為祂所作的全都誠實,祂所行的也都公平。那行動驕傲的,祂能降為卑。」(但以理書4:37)

但是神的祝福不單單在乎本人。這個福份也會延伸到旁邊的人。第一位自然是自己家裡面的人。亞伯蘭的妻子撒萊是第一位跟著他蒙福的。那同蒙應許的以撒一定要從撒萊生的。第二是他的兒女。以撒和他的後代自然不在話下。連那一位因著撒萊缺乏信心,而從使女夏甲生下來的以實瑪利都蒙了祝福,成為大國:「至於使女的兒子、我也必使他的後裔成立一國、因為他是你所生的。」(創世記21:13)「我必使他的後裔成為大國。」(創世記21:18)

又說:「地上的萬族都要因你得福。」這話自然是應驗在亞伯蘭的後代,我們的主耶穌基督,全人類救恩源頭的身上。亞伯蘭也得以稱為「信心之父」。

不但如此,「為你祝福的、我必賜福與他」!不單單亞伯蘭所領受的福,會傳遞到他旁邊的人,凡求他的好處的人,也要得到那個好處。這樣的人,誰不喜歡跟他在一起?誰不想求他的好處?他的人際關係自然是好的,真正是人見人愛,吉人天相。

除此以外,從反面來說;「那咒詛你的、我必咒詛他」。神好像給了他一個護身的勢力範圍。真正是百邪辟弈。正如詩篇所講:「雖有千人仆倒在你旁邊,萬人仆倒在你右邊,這災卻不得臨近你。」(91:7)任何人的咒詛都碰不到這蒙福的人,反而反彈到那咒詛他的人,落在這咒詛人的人自己的頭上。這樣完完全全的祝福,誰不想要?

亞伯蘭的回應
「亞伯蘭就照著耶和華的吩咐去了,羅得也和他同去。亞伯蘭出哈蘭的時候,年七十五歲。亞伯蘭將他妻子撒萊和姪兒羅得,連他們在哈蘭所積蓄的財物,所得的人口,都帶往迦南地去。他們就到了迦南地。」(創世記12:4-5)

亞伯蘭是一位有行動的人。並且他是「照著耶和華的吩咐去了」,不折不扣。上回我們提過,那個時候,他的父親應該還是活著的。上一代我們管不著,但是下一代是我們的責任。所以亞伯蘭將他的全家一切都帶往迦南地去。全家同心與否常常是看一家之主的見證。並且這一回,他並不像他的父親半途而廢:「他們就到了迦南地」。聖經的神是一位現在的神,祂既然是超越時間,一切對祂來說都是現在。所以祂的名就是「我是」,現在進行式的。(羅馬書12:1)所說的是:「獻身」,不是單單獻心。亞伯蘭是一位說幹就幹的人。

聖經說他到了迦南地的第一件事就是:
「耶和華向亞伯蘭顯現,說,我要把這地賜給你的後裔。亞伯蘭就在那裡為向他顯現的耶和華築了一座壇。從那裡他又遷到伯特利東邊的山,支搭帳棚。西邊是伯特利,東邊是艾,他在那裡又為耶和華築了一座壇,求告耶和華的名。」(創世記12:7-8)他與神交通求告神的名。

聖經告訴我們,當時代的迦南人是極其地拜偶像,並且仇視外地人。耶和華把他帶到一個這樣四面楚歌的地方,卻應許要把這地賜給他的後裔。身為一個陌生人,他竟然大膽地築壇給耶和華,並且不單築一個,還繼續地築壇,求告耶和華的名。這是一個見證,若站一個立場也是一個宣告!神的應許需要我們信心行動的回應。難怪神賜大福給他啦!

 

      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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