【教養兒女】新年新道路

 

2016又是新的一年。看著過去這一年的世界,我真正為了我的兒孫煩而害怕。這幾天一連串的恐怖事件,在全球的不同地方發生,禍及全球不同國家的人。真正叫人不知道何處是安身之處。正如在巴黎的有些敘利亞難民所說的,他們從恐怖的家鄉,輾轉流離到西方國家,就是希望有個比較平安的地方安頓下來﹐誰知還是那個樣子﹐連出去聽一場音樂會,在附近的咖啡館吃個便餐,都有可能莫名地喪生。多數的恐怖分子,還是本地人。他們不少更是年輕人,被蒙騙成為犧牲品。根據聖經的預言,這個狀況只會變本加厲,啟示錄告訴我們,從中東出來的恐怖分子,可以有兩億那麼多﹐他們可以殺全球人口的三分之一。這場災難正是方興未艾!

面對這種社會狀況,連送自己的孩子出國深造,都可能會提心吊膽戰的。巴黎的受害者不是有不少年輕的交換學者嗎?出去旅遊渡假,也可能無辜地犧牲了。俄羅斯載滿了渡假旅客的飛機,不是被一罐汽水炸下來嗎?馬里的五星級酒店被殺的旅客中還有我們中國人呢。

2016 要帶來怎樣的一年?誰掌管明天?屬神的人有什麼不同?摩西所面對的前途,就有一點這樣的無奈。他滿腔熱情地要為著本族的兄弟伸冤,誰知道卻落得個走投無路,孤身一人地落荒而逃。血氣的熱情不少會帶來害己害人的結果﹐特別如果所相信的有錯誤,那更是彷徨無助,就像不少這些恐怖分子所經歷的。還好摩西所信的是創造宇宙萬物的真神耶和華。就算自己做錯了,對神的心意是正確的話,神還是在掌權的。這是摩西所學的功課。

「法老聽見這事,就想殺摩西,但摩西躲避法老,逃往米甸地居住。一日,他在井旁坐下。米甸的祭司有七個女兒,她們來打水,打滿了槽,要飲父親的群羊。有牧羊的人來,把她們趕走了,摩西卻起來幫助她們,又飲了她們的群羊。」(出埃及記2:15-17)

一日

從埃及去米甸,需要橫跨西奈半島。聖經沒有說摩西為什麼要去米甸﹐或者他為了逃避法老,就盡量往曠野走,到了這些遊牧民族的地方。米甸人原是遊牧民族,主要是牧羊的,正是埃及人最討厭的部落。這一位長在皇宮裡面嬌生慣養的年輕人,落魄在這種地方都不知道有多久﹐聖經並沒有明說。這一段漂流的日子一定不容易過的。不過還好,他在埃及皇宮裡面的運動和健身,有得派上用場。年輕人起碼還可以幹一些體力勞動的工作。一個真正依靠神的人,不是坐在那裡等著天上掉下來的供應。摩西明顯是一個肯幹的年輕人。落魄的時候,總之要養活自己,工作不論高低,有能力就幹。


「一日,他在井旁坐下。」「坐下」,原文跟「居住」是同一個字。這叫我想起在聖地亞哥,我經常見到有墨西哥人坐在購物商場的停車場,等候有人雇他們做臨時工。自然他也不知道,哪一天神要為他開路。總之活一天,信靠神一天,有什麼事可幹就幹著。「那一天」的機會,什麼時候來到,只有神知道。

見義勇為

這一天,出現的人不一定是他平常遇到,可以用他的人。確實七個女孩子,還是牧羊的,並且是被欺負的弱勢群體﹐能對摩西那裡有什麼幫助?一般功利主義的人,必定會說:這些是沒用的人。那些欺負她們的牧羊人們,還是多數的呢。摩西卻單槍匹馬,赤手空拳,一點不怕地見義勇為,把牧羊人們趕走,還幫助她們飲了她們的群羊。之後,也沒有要求什麼報酬,連一個名字都沒有給她們。

今天多少人在這種光景之下,先是怨天尤人,後是顧影自憐,覺得都自顧不暇,還理得了別人的事情?而且這些牧羊人還是人多勢眾,好漢何必自討苦吃,受眼前虧?而且就算幫助了人家之後,多少人起碼都會要求一點的報酬。我們在東南亞,就常常見到有些人,車子一停下來,沒叫他,就拿了黑黑的破布擦車子的玻璃﹐自然之後一定伸長手過來要錢。沒給他,還有可能刮花了你的車子!摩西的見義勇為卻是大大方方地一無所求。正如主耶穌所說的:「要叫你施捨的事行在暗中,你父在暗中察看,必然報答你。(馬太福音6:4)天父的報答才是真正有功用。

米甸祭司

原來這米甸祭司是敬拜耶和華的。在那個拜偶像的陌生社會,摩西哪裡會想到這些年輕女子,是一個敬拜耶和華的祭司的女兒。這就是摩西人生第二段受訓的地方﹐他必須離開埃及的偶像和因為他的地位帶來的享受﹐就是希伯來書所說的 "罪中之樂"。但是他也不可以落在米甸地的拜偶像裡面﹐這米甸祭司是神安排來訓練摩西的人。他所要建立的家庭,也是在這裡。他遇到神,領受神的差派,也是在這裡開始。

一位單純跟從神的人,雖然開始在無知的光景裡面,可以用了血氣,成事不足敗事有餘,但是這一點心意,神是了解的。所以,一個微不足道的行動,原來是要將摩西帶進人生中的一個最大的轉變當中!

 

      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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