Home昔日真理報2016年 真理報文章2016 年 11 月【雙語園地】為何神對數目有興趣？

【雙語園地】為何神對數目有興趣？

Written by J.B. Lim

 

為何神對數目有興趣？
作者： J.B. Lim 翻譯：以恩

你可曾想過，為何在《民數記》裡有那麼多的數目？有那麼多人數和統計？還有，為何聖經裡記載有多少人在這個群體、那個群體裡？讓我用一個故事來回答這個問題。

當我在讀小學時，有時老師會帶我們去郊遊，我記得搭巴士去又搭巴士回學校。我的老師總是邊算數目，邊把她的手放在我的頭上。事實是，她對每一個學生都這樣做，因為她要確定沒有一個學生在郊遊時不見了。就像一個牧羊人，要碓定所有的羊都跟她在一起，所以她要數算。我們數算，因為每一個都很重要。

不要被那些 "神對數目沒有興趣" 的說法愚弄了。俏若 神對數目沒有興趣，祂就不會把整本書稱之為《民數記》。更重要的是，倘若 神對數目沒有興趣，祂就不會叫摩西、亞倫和其他支派的領袖去數算並記錄下所有的人數。

你知道 神為何叫摩西、亞倫和其他支派的領袖去數算所有的人數嗎？（例如，在《民數記》4章34-49節裡，為何 神要摩西和亞倫去數點並記錄哥轄、革順、米拉利的子孫，從30-50歲的都要到會幕服侍？）因為你的數算對你很重要。對 神而言，最重要的是人，每一個人都代表一個靈魂。每一個人對 神而言都很寶貴，因為耶穌為每一個人被釘死， 神要使用每一個生命。所以數目對 神很重要，也因而我們要做一個好管家，就要數點 神所給我們的，並且為他們新生命的成長和質量而禱告。

數目是否代表一切？當然不是。但它是一個好管家負責任的部份表徵，因此 神數點，我們也應當數點。

思想：在你的生命中，有沒有你需要更好地數點和記錄的事？

 

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Why God Is Interested in Numbers ?
Written by  J.B. Lim

Have you ever wondered, "Why is there such a focus on numbers in the book of Numbers? Why so many figures and stats? In fact, why does the Bible contain so many records of how many people were in this group or that group?" Let me answer that question with a story.

When I was in elementary school and we would go on school field trips, I can remember walking onto the bus to go back to school. My teacher would always put her hand on my head and count a number. In fact, she would do that with every student. It's because my teacher wanted to make sure she didn't lose a single student on the trip. Like a shepherd, she wanted to make sure all her sheep were with her. That's why she counted. We count what is important to us.

Don't ever be fooled by those who say "God is not interested in numbers". If God wasn't interested in numbers, He wouldn't have named an entire book in the Bible "Numbers"! More seriously, if God wasn't interested in numbers, He wouldn't ask Moses, Aaron and other leaders in Scripture to count and record the number of people they have been given.

Do you know why God commands Moses, Aaron and other leaders in the Bible to count the people? (For example, why did God command Moses and Aaron in Numbers 4:34-49 to count and record the number of men in each of the Kohathite, Gershonite and Merarite clans aged 30 to 50 who came to serve at the tent of meeting?) It's because you count what is important to you. For God, what is important is people. Every number represents a soul, a person that is precious to God, a life that Jesus died for, and a life God wants to use. That's why numbers are important to God, and that's also why, if we want to be good stewards of what we have, we should count what God has given us as well and pray for growth, both in quality and quantity.

Are numbers everything? Definitely not. But they are an important part of being a good and responsible steward of what God has given us. That's why God counts, and so should we.

Question: Is there an area of your life where you need to do a better job of counting and keeping good records?

 

      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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