Home昔日真理報2017年 真理報文章2017 年 4 月【上帝的幽默感】載重的駱駝

【上帝的幽默感】載重的駱駝

 

Boat

 

有一個以色列畫家畫了一幅圖,圖裡面有三隻駱駝,駱駝後面有一個趕駱駝的人。畫家從這三隻駱駝在曠野中的行走,希望人們可以回想到當年,摩西帶領以色列人出埃及的情形。因為逾越節快到了,今年的逾越節在西曆四月十日。一般而言,逾越節和受難節的時間都很相近,因為主耶穌是預表逾越節的羊羔。

以色列人很重視逾越節,在幾星期前就要開始清掃廚房,把所有含酵的東西都清掃出去;在除酵節的那個星期,只吃沒有發酵的無酵餅;藉著禁吃有酵的食物,來省思自己的酵的意義。我覺得猶太人過節很有意思,因為每一樣食物都和所過的節日有關係,而且這些節日都有真正的意義。

假如我們過粽子節時,把家人都叫來聚在一起,思想屈原是怎麼冤死的?丟給魚吃的粽子裡面要放什麼材料?孩子們可能會誤會大人是在教導他們,被人冤枉或有志不得伸時,是可以自殺的。把粽子丟到水裡,會不會是浪費食物呢?再說,魚可不可以吃肉啊?

華人過節有時只是為了放假和吃喝玩樂,很多跟歷史是沒有關係的;但是猶太人的逾越節,幾乎可以說是在 "吃" 歷史。所以從猶太人和華人過節的心態來看,我們多少可以明白,有些事是真的發生過,有些事只是傳說,並且歷史學家一直在更正。

正式的逾越節晚餐裡有羊脛骨、青菜、鹽水、苦菜、甜沙拉等等。每一樣菜都有代表的意義,例如:羊脛骨代表逾越節的羔羊。猶太人的家長會拿著羊脛骨來跟孩子們說,神怎樣藉著羔羊的血,讓以色列人逃過滅長子之災,拯救以色列人出埃及的歷史。

在晚餐開始不久,要拿青菜沾鹽水,鹽水代表在埃及所流的眼淚;青菜象徵春季,沒有死亡的生命。再拿無酵餅分別蘸苦菜和甜沙拉來吃。苦菜是為了提醒他們,他們的祖先曾經在埃及為奴的苦日子;甜沙拉由切碎的蘋果、堅果類、葡萄乾、肉桂,再加上甜酒或葡萄汁,提醒他們的先祖曾在埃及砌磚頭。砌磚頭本是辛苦的工作,為何用甜沙拉呢?因為有神的同在,即使環境困苦,神的祝福使他們的人數增多壯大,連埃及人也怕他們。

這使我聯想到受難節和復活節的來臨,我們是否也能像猶太人一樣,坐下來好好思想過這節日的意義。千萬不能再像過其他節日一樣,都只是為了吃喝玩樂。今年台灣的 2 月 28 日訂為國定假日,本是為了記念那天被國民政府殺害的台灣烈士。但是我看一般民眾都是為了放連假而興高采烈,努力計劃去旅行或遊玩,除了政府舉辦幾場演講,誰記念那些在 2.28 枉死的人?大陸的六.四,去年也幾乎沒人再提了。碰到年輕的一代,很多人已經不知道六.四是什麼意思。

猶太人過節,是記念神和他們的關係,記念神在他們的歷史中和生命中,所扮演的帶領者的角色;以期在自己的生命中,記得謹守自己與神的美好關係,而不致被外邦人同化。這就是選民的驕傲,他們有歷史,有神的同在。

因此,當我們過受難節和復活節時,也要記念主為我們所成就的一切,而明白我們是何等蒙恩地成為神的兒女。逾越節的羔羊--耶穌基督,為我們的罪孽被釘死在十字架上,並且死後三天復活,使一切相信祂的人,都可以從罪的綑綁中得到釋放。所以過逾越節時,猶太人是抱著歡樂、感恩、期盼的心來慶祝神帶領他們脫離苦難,並相信有一天,神要帶領他們打得勝的一戰。他們會故意擺出一副悠然自得的姿態,甚至斜躺在靠墊上,表明自己不再是奴隸,而是自由人。我們記念主的被釘時,也不要哭哭啼啼,因為救恩已經完成,主已經復活了。復活的主已經把永生賜給相信祂,並接受祂做救主的人。

當載重的駱駝駝著許多東西走向迦南地時,那些東西都是戰利品。曠野的路雖然難走,但是神的恩典藉著這些駱駝不斷地在提醒他們,神的應許永不落空。我們信主後,生命的道路有時也像曠野那麼難走,但是生活中有許多的恩典,讓我們知道神的同在是那樣的確實。載重的駱駝,提醒我們不再做罪的奴僕,不再被死亡所轄制,因為耶穌基督已經勝過死亡。猶太人記得他們的傳承,所以他們有信心等待神所應許的來到;基督徒也要傳承主託付給我們的大使命,福音才能傳到地極。載重的駱駝一直往前走,要走向神所命定的應許;載重的駱駝告訴我們,要記念神在我們身上的恩典,也讓我們的下一代把這故事傳下去。

 

      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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