God’s Calling

耶利米書01：01-10

1:1 這部書是耶利米的語錄。耶利米的父親希勒家是便雅憫境內亞拿突城的一個祭司。1:2 猶大王亞們的兒子約西亞統治猶大國的第十三年，上主向耶利米說話；1:3 約西亞的兒子約雅敬統治猶大國期間，上主又向耶利米說話。那時以後上主常常向他說話，一直到約西亞的另一個兒子西底家作王統治猶大國的第十一年五月，那時候耶路撒冷的住民被擄到巴比倫去。1:4 上主對我說：1:5 「在我賜生命給你以前，我已經選召了你；你還沒有出生，我就指定你作萬國的先知。」1:6 我回答：「至高的上主啊，我太年輕；我沒有口才。」1:7 但是上主對我說：「你不要自以為年輕，儘管到我差派你去的人當中，向他們宣佈我命令你說的一切話。1:8 你不要怕他們；因為我與你同在，要保護你。我─上主這樣宣佈了！」1:9 於是上主伸手摸我的嘴唇，對我說：「你看，我把你該說的話放在你口中。1:10 我今天授權給你；你要向萬國萬民做根除、拆毀、破壞、推翻、重建，和種植的工作。」

Jeremiah 1:1-10

¹ The words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, one of the priests at Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin. ² The word of the LORD came to him in the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah, ³ and through the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, down to the fifth month of the eleventh year of Zedekiah son of Josiah king of Judah, when the people of Jerusalem went into exile. ⁴ The word of the LORD came to me, saying, ⁵ "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." ⁶ "Ah, Sovereign LORD," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child." ⁷ But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. ⁸ Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD. ⁹ Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "Now, I have put my words in your mouth. ¹⁰ See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant."

一、中心內容：

內容： Content:
1>介紹先知耶利米的背景。An overview of Prophet Jeremiah（v1）
2>歷年來上帝經常向耶利米說話。What God has told Jeremiah over the years（v2-3a）
3>上帝正式呼召耶利米當先知。God officially appointed Jeremiah to become a prophet to the nations（v3b-5）
4>耶利米以年輕、口才不佳為理由推辭。Jeremiah rejected this offer because he claimed that he did not know how to speak as he is and only a child（v6）
5>上帝應許與他同在，賜給他話語，並交付使命。（v7-10）

主題：上帝的呼召。Theme: God’s Calling

二、上帝、耶穌基督、聖靈是誰？

1>向人類說話的上帝。The God that speaks to people（v1-6、v7-10）
2>創造人、賜人生命的上帝。The God that creates people and provides life（v5）
3>完全（徹底）認識人的上帝。The God that knows His people completely（v5）
4>揀選人，將人分別為聖的上帝。The God that appoints people and calls them holy（v5）
5>計劃周全（永世計劃）的上帝。The God that provides the ideal plan that lasts forever（v5）
6>分派人，完成祂旨意的上帝。The God that calls on people to complete His will（v5）
7>應許與祂僕人同在的上帝。The God that keeps promises with His servants（v8）
8>賜祂僕人話語的上帝。The God that provides discourse for His servants（v9）
9>賜祂僕人權柄的上帝。The God that provides power for His servants（v10）

三、給我的教訓（命令、應允、榜樣、責備、警告）是什麼？

前言：當所羅門王去世之後，以色列民族立刻分裂為南、北兩國。南國稱為猶大，北國稱為以色列。耶利米出生在南國猶大屬地，即耶路撒冷北方約五公里處的亞拿突，蒙上帝呼召他當先知之後，便非常忠心的傳講上帝的話語。
當時南國猶大，在政治、道德、靈性等各方面都相當腐敗。他歷經四十年，不斷的說上帝所啟示的預言，力勸領袖與百姓離棄罪惡，但是卻沒有人願意聽從。

Preface: After the death of King Solomon, the Israelites immediately broke up into two nations: south and north. The South Nation is also known as Judah, whereas the North Nation is known as Israel. Jeremiah was born in the South Nation, the land of Judah – a distance of approximately five kilometers north of Jerusalem, Anathoth. By the grace of God, He appointed him as the prophet; and Jeremiah faithfully spreads the Word of God. At that time, the South Nation, Judah had terrible politics, ethics, spiritualities, etc. He experienced forty years of spreading God’s revelation led the people out of this nation to escape the corruptions and sins; unfortunately, no one was willing to listen.

1>上帝用人的原則 God’s Principles of Using His People
第一節特別交代耶利米的身世，就是：耶利米的父親希勒家，是便雅憫境內亞拿突城的一個祭司。便雅憫是雅各最小的兒子，也是十二支派當中，最小的一個支派。（士師記20-21章）這樣一個上帝大大使用的先知，竟然不是從雅各最大的大兒子，或以色列民族最大的支派當中挑選，反而從小兒子與小支派中產生。顯然，上帝揀選、使用人，有祂所持守的原則，跟一般世人的習性非常不一樣。因此，不分貧賤富貴，任何人都有可能被上帝呼召並使用。
反省：在上帝的國度裏，我是否曾經因為自己的身世、學歷、相貌、家財不如人，而小看自己？

In verse one, God especially gives an account on the identity of Jeremiah, that is – Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, one of the priests at Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin. Benjamin youngest son of Jacob, is also the smallest tribe among the twelve (Judges 20-21). The prophets appointed by God, are neither the eldest son of Jacob nor anyone from the largest tribe of Israelites. Evidently, God has his own principle of appointing and using people, very differently from the ways that people are accustomed to. Hence, despite the social statues of the rich and poor, anyone has the potential to be called and used by God.

Reflection: In God’s Kingdom, did I ever look down on myself because of my identity, education, appearances, poor family background?
2>至高上帝的呼召 The Calling of Almighty God
當上帝的呼召臨到時，就對耶利米說：在我賜生命給你以前，我已經選召了你；你還沒有出生，我就指定你作萬國的先知。（v5）顯然，上帝在每個世代、每個地方，不斷呼召人，成為祂的同工，以期完成祂的旨意。
如：呼召亞伯拉罕、呼召摩西、呼召大衛、呼召歷代先知、呼召保羅、呼召戴德生、呼召馬偕、呼召馬雅各----等人。今天同樣呼召我們成為祂的同工，以期完成祂的旨意。
反省：我是否已經預備好，要回應上帝的呼召？又：是否清楚上帝對我個人的呼召？
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations" (v5). Obviously, in every generations and places, God continuously calls on people to become His co-workers and accomplish His will.

For example: God called Abraham, Moses, David, ancient prophets, Paul, Hudson, Mackay, Maxwell, and so on. Similarly, He calls on each and every one of us today to become His co-workers to complete His will.

Reflection: Am I ready to respond to God’s calling? Do I even know what my personal calling from God is?
3>上帝認識蒙召者 God Knows Who Has Been Called
當上帝的呼召臨到時，就對耶利米說：在我賜生命給你以前，我已經選召了你；你還沒有出生，我就指定你作萬國的先知。（v5）顯示：上帝對祂所呼召的人，有著非常透徹的認識。上帝在當時，非常透徹認識耶利米，今天同樣非常透徹的認識你、我。甚至是當我們還在母腹的時候，祂就已經認識我們、關心我們、呼召我們、計劃好我們的一生。
反省：我是否知道，上帝徹底認識我？我是否明白，個人生命的意義？我是否看清，上帝在我身上，早已畫好的藍圖？

As the time of God’s calling approaches, He said to Jeremiah: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations" (v5). It demonstrates that God knows very well about the people He has called. At that time, God completely knows Jeremiah; likewise today, He knows utterly well about you and me. Moreover, since our times in the mother’s womb, He already knew about us, cared for us, called on us, and planned our lives.

Reflection: Do I know the fact that God knows me entirely? Do I understand the purpose of my life? Am I able to see clearly the blueprint that God has already drawn for me?

4>上帝永世的計劃 God’s Eternal Plan
當上帝的呼召臨到時，對耶利米說：在我賜生命給你以前，我已經選召了你；你還沒有出生，我就指定你作萬國的先知。（v5）顯示：上帝的呼召，並非朝夕之事。亦即：並非臨時起意，而是早有預備，也就是永世的計劃。
根據聖經的記載，包括：先知以賽亞（以賽亞書49:1.5）、使徒保羅（加拉太書1:15）都是在母親腹中，就已經被上帝呼召，成為傳達上帝信息的人。
反省：我是否清楚上帝在我身上的計劃？如果上帝給我特別的使命，我是否盡力去完成？

When God called on Jeremiah, He said to him: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations" (v5). Evidently, God’s calling is not just any ordinary issue in which He acts spontaneously; but upon closer look, He had already planned our eternal life long beforehand.

According to the Bible, including prophet Isiah (Isiah 49:1.5), Apostle Paul (Galatians 1:15) were both called when they were still in their mother’s womb to later spread the Word of God.
5>面對呼召的反應 Respond Towards the Calling
面對從上帝而來的呼召，耶利米的回應是：至高的上帝啊，我太年輕；我沒有口才。（v6）
當耶利米得到上帝的呼召之後，直覺反應就是：以「太年輕」以及「沒有口才」來推辭。事實上，他並不像約拿那樣刻意叛逃，而是因驚訝而辭謝。因為他認為自己的條件，尚不足以承擔「上帝代言人」這麼重要的任務。
事實上，今天有許多人，也跟耶利米一樣。就是當面對來自上帝的呼召時，總是先以人的眼光來評估，一旦認為自己無能為力時，就以百般理由來推辭。
反省：面對上帝的呼召，我都是欣然接受，或自認能力不足，導致驚訝、害怕而推辭？

Facing God’s personal calling, Jeremiah’s respond was, "Ah, Sovereign LORD," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child” (v6). After receiving the calling from God, Jeremiah’s immediate respond illustrates that he used the excuses of being “a child” and “not knowing how to speak”. In fact, he was unlike Jonah who immediately escaped from the calling, Jeremiah was so astonished that he declined God’s calling with appreciation. Jeremiah truly believed that he was yet adequate to take on the important task of spreading the Word of God.

Truly, the respond of many people in today’s world are similar to that of Jeremiah’s. That is – whenever God calls on us, we often think that how people look at us is the most essential. Consequently, we would think that we are yet ready and decline His calling entirely.

Reflection: Facing God’s calling, do I willingly accept it or often decline His calling thinking of myself as insufficient in which I become astonished and afraid?
6>上帝話語代言人 Advertiser for the Word of God
但是上帝對我說：「你不要自以為年輕，儘管到我差派你去的人當中，向他們宣佈我命令你說的一切話。（v7）先知的職責非常清楚，就是：上帝啟示什麼，就傳達什麼。上帝的話語絕對不能加油添醋，或加入自己的意思，導致偏離上帝心意。應該忠心轉述上帝的話，也就是成為上帝話語的代言人。
今天事奉上帝的人也應該如此，就是要照著上帝的心意，而不是照著人的意思。也就是說聖經怎麼說，我們就怎麼做。不要參雜個人意見，或社會習俗。
反省：我是否天天讀聖經，尋求明白上帝的心意？不僅遵行，而且廣泛宣揚？

But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you (v7). The duty of a prophet is very clear, that is – whatever God tells you do to, do it without questioning and doubts. The Word of God must be original. We must not add our own opinions and cause ourselves to be misled. We must humbly spread God’s message word by word to becoming a faithful advertiser for God’s Word.

Likewise in today’s world, we must do things according to God’s will and not according to that of other people. In other words, we must live accordingly whatever the Bible says. Do not add your personal opinions or cultural traditions.

Reflection: Do I read the Bible daily and thirst for God’s calling? Not only obey them but also spread His Word?

7>艱難中上帝保護 God Protects During Times of Hardship
上帝又對耶利米說：你不要怕他們；因為我與你同在，要保護你。我─上主這樣宣佈了！於是上主伸手摸我的嘴唇，對我說：你看，我把你該說的話放在你口中。（v8-9）
當一個人蒙召之後，在往後事奉的歲月當中，上帝並沒有保證不會遇到任何艱難險阻，但是卻應許：在艱難險阻當中，會與他同在，而且保護他。
反省：當我回應來自上帝的呼召之後，是否全然依靠上帝，不畏艱難險阻，勇敢向前邁進？

“Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD. ⁹ Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "Now, I have put my words in your mouth (v8-9). Once a person is called upon by God, He never promised that there will be no more sufferings during this time of offering. Instead, God promised that He will be with you and protect you during times of suffering.

Reflection: When I respond to God’s calling, do I fully put my trust in Him? And despite the difficulties, I continue to go forward in my life?

8>既呼召便負全責 Once He Called, He Will Take Responsibility of Everything
你不要怕他們；因為我與你同在，要保護你。我─上主這樣宣佈了！於是上主伸手摸我的嘴唇，對我說：你看，我把你該說的話放在你口中。（v8-9）
耶利米推辭的理由之一是沒有口才，上帝立刻伸手摸他的嘴唇，對我說：你看，我把你該說的話放在你口中。顯然，上帝既然呼召了我們，就必定負責到底。
反省：如果今天上帝呼召我，將一個特別任務交付給我，我還會擔心自己能力不足嗎？

Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD. ⁹ Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "Now, I have put my words in your mouth (v8-9).

One of the reasons that Jeremiah declined God’s calling was that he did not know how to speak. God immediately reached out his hand and touched Jeremiah’s mouth and said to him, “Now, I have put my words in your mouth. Surely, once God calls on us, He will take responsibility of everything.

Reflection: If God calls on me today and gives me a special mission, will I still be worried that I do not have the strength?

9>無可推託的使命 The Indeclinable Mission
上主對我說：你不要自以為年輕，儘管到我差派你去的人當中，向他們宣佈我命令你說的一切話。你不要怕他們；因為我與你同在，要保護你。我─上主這樣宣佈了！」於是上主伸手摸我的嘴唇，對我說：「你看，我把你該說的話放在你口中。我今天授權給你；你要向萬國萬民做根除、拆毀、破壞、推翻、重建，和種植的工作。」（v7-10）
當上帝的呼召臨到時，蒙召的人雖然百般推辭，但是上帝卻堅定祂自己的呼召，同時賜他當說的話，以及應許必定保護他，使得蒙召者完全沒有推託的理由。除了耶利米之外，還有先知以利亞（列王記上19:4）也曾經推辭，先知約拿（約拿書4:3）甚至曾經逃跑。
顯然，上帝的呼召一旦臨到，是沒有辦法推託的。
反省：當面對上帝的呼召時，我像耶利米推辭嗎？或甚至像約拿逃跑？或欣然接受？

⁷ But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. ⁸ Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD. ⁹ Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "Now, I have put my words in your mouth. ¹⁰ See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant" (v7-10).

Although many people tend to decline God’s calling, God still firmly sticks to His own calling and grant those ones the words they should say. Furthermore, God protects these people in order for them not to have anymore reasons to decline the calling. Besides Jeremiah, there is also Prophet Elijah (1 Kings 19:4) who also once declined, and Prophet Jonah (Jonah 4:3) had even escaped far away. Truly, once God’s calling reaches the people, there is no way that people can decline it.

Reflection: When facing God’s calling, do I react like Jeremiah and decline the calling? Or am I like Jonah who ran far away? Or perhaps I accept it wholeheartedly?

10>生命塑造的工作 The Work of Molding Life
上帝最後對耶利米說：我今天授權給你；你要向萬國萬民做根除、拆毀、破壞、推翻、重建，和種植的工作。（v10）此處所謂：根除、拆毀、破壞、推翻；重建、種植，並非指有形的建物或樹木、花草，而是指人的生命，也就是指：在道德、靈命方面的重造工程。
拆毀----根除、拆毀、破壞、推翻。
重建----重建、種植。
反省：我個人的生命，是否經過根除、拆毀、破壞、推翻，以及重建、種植的過程？

¹⁰ See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant” (v10). Words that we commonly know – to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant, are not necessarily only describing objects with shapes or trees and plants. It is talking about a person’s life, that is – the reconstruction of ethics and spirituality.

Tear down – to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow.

Build – to build and to plant.

Reflection: Have I ever experience the process of uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant?

四、我的禱告 / 實際應用

Translated by Hilary Chen