Lose opportunity

耶利米書06：16-30

張貼者： bengchi 位於 下午7:30

6:16 上主勸告他子民說：「你們要站在十字路口觀察。要探問那些舊路，查一查那條最好的路在哪裏。走那條路，你們就有平安。」但是他們回答：「不！我們不走那條路。」6:17 上主又為他們指派守望者，替他們聽警報的角聲，但是他們說：「我們不聽！」6:18 因此，上主說：「列國啊，仔細觀看我子民的遭遇！6:19 大地呀，聽吧！為了我子民的詭詐，我要降災禍給他們；因為他們拒絕我的教訓，不聽從我的話。6:20 他們獻給我示巴的乳香，帶給我遠方的香料，我不稀罕！我不接受他們的燒化祭，也不喜歡他們的牲祭。6:21 因此，我要使這些人絆倒。父子都要死去，鄰人親友也都要滅亡。」6:22 上主這樣說：「有一個民族要從北方來；在遠方的一個強悍國家準備要作戰。6:23 他們用箭用刀裝備自己；他們蠻橫殘暴。他們騎馬奔馳，像浪濤怒吼澎湃。他們準備好要攻擊耶路撒冷。」6:24 耶路撒冷人說：「我們聽到戰爭的風聲，手腳發軟。我們非常痛苦，像產婦陣痛。6:25 我們不敢到郊外去，也不敢上街；因為到處都是武裝的敵人，周圍充滿著恐怖。」6:26 上主對他的子民說：「你們披上麻衣，在灰中打滾吧。你們要悲傷哀號，像喪失了獨子，因為毀滅者要突擊你們。6:27 耶利米呀，你要考驗我的子民，像提煉金屬一樣。6:28 他們都是頑劣的叛徒，像銅鐵那樣剛硬。他們到處造謠，非常腐敗。6:29 即使風箱猛吹，爐火旺盛，廢鐵也不鎔化，不流動。繼續考驗我子民是徒然的，因為作惡的人還沒有清除。6:30 人家要把他們當渣滓，因為我─上主拋棄了他們。」

Jeremiah 6:16-30 (NIV Holy Bible)

¹⁶ This is what the LORD says:
"Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls.
But you said, 'We will not walk in it.'

¹⁷ I appointed watchmen over you and said,
'Listen to the sound of the trumpet!'
But you said, 'We will not listen.'

¹⁸ Therefore hear, O nations;
observe, O witnesses,
what will happen to them.

¹⁹ Hear, O earth:
I am bringing disaster on this people,
the fruit of their schemes,
because they have not listened to my words
and have rejected my law.

²⁰ What do I care about incense from Sheba
or sweet calamus from a distant land?
Your burnt offerings are not acceptable;
your sacrifices do not please me."

²¹ Therefore this is what the LORD says:
"I will put obstacles before this people.
Fathers and sons alike will stumble over them;
neighbors and friends will perish."

²² This is what the LORD says:
"Look, an army is coming
from the land of the north;
a great nation is being stirred up
from the ends of the earth.

²³ They are armed with bow and spear;
they are cruel and show no mercy.
They sound like the roaring sea
as they ride on their horses;
they come like men in battle formation
to attack you, O Daughter of Zion."

²⁴ We have heard reports about them,
and our hands hang limp.
Anguish has gripped us,
pain like that of a woman in labor.

²⁵ Do not go out to the fields
or walk on the roads,
for the enemy has a sword,
and there is terror on every side.

²⁶ O my people, put on sackcloth
and roll in ashes;
mourn with bitter wailing
as for an only son,
for suddenly the destroyer
will come upon us.

²⁷ "I have made you a tester of metals
and my people the ore,
that you may observe
and test their ways.

²⁸ They are all hardened rebels,
going about to slander.
They are bronze and iron;
they all act corruptly.

²⁹ The bellows blow fiercely
to burn away the lead with fire,
but the refining goes on in vain;
the wicked are not purged out.

³⁰ They are called rejected silver,
because the LORD has rejected them."

一、中心內容：Message

內容：Content
1>以色列拒行古道（拒絕上帝的道路）。The Israelites refuse to follow God（v16-21）
2>北方侵略者帶來的恐懼。The fear of the rising of the North（v22-26）
3>上帝設立耶利米為試驗（煉淨）的人。God chose Jeremiah to observe and test His people （v27-30）

主題：Theme
1>聽命勝於獻祭。Obey > Sacrifice
2>失去最後機會。Lose opportunity

二、上帝、耶穌基督、聖靈是誰？Who is God? Who is Jesus? Who is the Holy Spirit?

1>諄諄教誨、聲聲呼喚的上帝。（v16-19）God who teaches us and calls us
2>賜人安息（平安）的上帝。（v16）God who brings peace
3>為祂的子民設立守望者的上帝。（v17）God who watches over for His people
4>施行審判的上帝。（v21）God of justice
5>考驗（煉淨）祂子民的上帝。（v27）God who tests His people and delivers them from sin

三、給我的教訓（命令、應允、榜樣、責備、警告）是什麼？What is God teaching me (command, promise, model, rebuke, warning)?

1>行古道必得安息 Follow the path and will find ways（v16a）
上主勸告他子民說：「你們要站在十字路口觀察。要探問那些舊路，查一查那條最好的路在哪。走那條路，你們就有平安。」但是他們回答：「不！我們不走那條路。」This is what the LORD says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, 'We will not walk in it.'（v16a）
此處所謂的古道（舊路），就是指：上帝頒佈給他們祖先的律法In this case is to look at the ancient, but good paths 。因此，上帝呼籲以色列百姓遵行古道，意思並不是要他們固執、守舊，不接受任何新事物，而是要他們遵行上帝的律法，行在公義的道路上。However, God does not mean to stay old-fashioned and to drive away from anything new but to follow God’s law and walk in the way of righteousness. 當時以色列百姓，因為行在背逆的路上，所以必然面對強敵攻擊、遭遇各樣禍患。The Israelites were not obeying God and were on the wrong path which lead them to many sufferings. 但是如果回歸遵行古道，就是遵行上帝所頒佈的律法，就必得著安息（平安）。However, if returning to God’s way and follow His law, peace will be brought.
反省：聖經的教訓我追求嗎？我明白嗎？我是否遵行？我的生命中有安息（平安）嗎？Reflection: Do I follow what’s written in the Bible? Do I understand? Do I act accordingly to it? Have I experienced peace?

2>上帝設立守望者 God appointed watchmen（v17a）
上主又為他們指派守望者，替他們聽警報的角聲---。I appointed watchmen over you and said, 'Listen to the sound of the trumpet!'（v17a） 接著上帝提醒他們，就像「城市設有守望者，提醒百姓將知道有危險」一樣，上帝同樣差派先知，成為以色列百姓的守望者，為以色列百姓作屬靈的守望，以避免遭遇禍患。Then God reminded them that they are being watched and had sent prophet to them. 身為守望者，如果盡責的吹響號角，但是人民不肯聽，那麼罪不在先知。Even if at the sound of the trumpet, they decided not to listen, then prophet cannot be found guilty. 反過來說，如果忘了吹，或沒有盡責的吹，上帝將究其罪責。On the other hand, if the trumpet was not blown by the prophet then God would judge the wrongs. 當時，上帝為以色列百姓設立守望者，以免他們遭遇禍患；今天同樣為我們設立守望者，以免我們遭遇禍患。At that time, God appointed watchmen so the people would avoid sufferings. Today, we are still being watched so we would not get hurt.
反省：上帝在這個時代為我所設立的守望者，我能夠體會嗎？我是否聽從？Today, do I understand the guardian that God had sent for me? Can I feel it? Am obeying the watchman?

3>聽從神勝於獻祭（v20）Obeying God over sacrificing
他們獻給我示巴的乳香，帶給我遠方的香料，我不稀罕！我不接受他們的燒化祭，也不喜歡他們的牲祭。（v20）What do I care about incense from Sheba or sweet calamus from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable; your sacrifices do not please me.
以色列百姓由於抗拒上帝，不肯遵行上帝的律法，所以他們的祭祀和所獻上的禮物，上帝全然不悅納，即便再昂貴也是一樣。No matter how expensive and elegant the sacrifices were being offered to God by the Israelites, they do not please God and God does not accept them. 這種情境，就是所謂「聽命勝於獻祭」。This is what “Obeying God over sacrifices” means.
「聽命勝於獻祭」的信息，在聖經當中比比皆是。如：撒母耳記上15:22、以賽亞書1:10-20、
何西阿書6:6、阿摩司書5:21-24、彌迦書6:6-8。1^st Samuel 15:22, Isaiah 1:10-20, Hosea 6:6, Amos 5:21-24, Micah 6:6-8. 就以今天來說：若是不順服上帝，不遵行祂的旨意，空有熱誠的服事，以及大把金錢的奉獻，同樣得不到上帝的悅納。Nowadays, if disobeying God and not following His orders, no matter how large the amount of the money offered would still not be accepted by God.
反省：聽命（順服）與獻祭（奉獻）這兩樣，在我生命中的優先次序如何？Reflection: In my life, what am I placing first? Obeying or offering?

4>即將來臨的審判（v22-26）The upcoming judgment
上主這樣說：「有一個民族要從北方來；在遠方的一個強悍國家準備要作戰。他們用箭用刀裝備自己；他們蠻橫殘暴。他們騎馬奔馳，像浪濤怒吼澎湃。他們準備好要攻擊耶路撒冷。」耶路撒冷人說：「我們聽到戰爭的風聲，手腳發軟。我們非常痛苦，像產婦陣痛。我們不敢到郊外去，也不敢上街；因為到處都是武裝的敵人，周圍充滿著恐怖。」上主對他的子民說：「你們披上麻衣，在灰中打滾吧。你們要悲傷哀號，像喪失了獨子，因為毀滅者要突擊你們。（v22-26）God said: “Look, an army is coming from the land of the north; a great nation is being stirred up from the ends of the earth. They are armed with bow and spear; they are cruel and show no mercy. They sound like the roaring sea as they ride on their horses; they come like men in battle formation to attack you, O Daughter of Zion.”They answered: “We have heard reports about them, and our hands hang limp. Anguish has gripped us, pain like that of a woman in labor. Do not go out to the fields or walk on the roads, for the enemy has a sword, and there is terror on every side.” God then said: “O my people, put on sackcloth and roll in ashes; mourn with bitter wailing as for an only son, for suddenly the destroyer will come upon us.”
先知耶利米再度警告以色列百姓，將有殘酷的敵人從北方而來，這群兇暴殘忍的敵人，雖然造成百姓極大的恐慌，但是依然不能激起他們悔改的心。Jeremiah, the prophet once again warned the Israelites the coming of the enemy from the North. It brought panic into their hearts but they did not change. 耶利米看見四面有驚慌，百姓應該穿上麻衣，而且在灰中打滾，好像作父母的喪失獨子一樣的悲哀，因為毀滅就要臨到。Jeremiah saw people’s terror, they should be putting on sackcloth and rolling in ashes; mourning with bitter wailing as for an only son, for suddenly the destroyer will come upon them.
反省：在這個背逆的世代，我是否看到哪些預兆？我是否敏感到上帝的心意？Reflection: In today’s context, What prodigy do I see? Do I see God’s purpose for me?

5>失去最後的機會（v17-30）The loss of the final chance
耶利米呀，你要考驗我的子民，像提煉金屬一樣。他們都是頑劣的叛徒，像銅鐵那樣剛硬。他們到處造謠，非常腐敗。即使風箱猛吹，爐火旺盛，廢鐵也不鎔化，不流動。繼續考驗我子民是徒然的，因為作惡的人還沒有清除。人家要把他們當渣滓，因為我─上主拋棄了他們。」（v27-30）"I have made you a tester of metals and my people the ore, that you may observe and test their ways. They are all hardened rebels, going about to slander. They are bronze and iron; they all act corruptly. The bellows blow fiercely to burn away the lead with fire, but the refining goes on in vain; the wicked are not purged out. They are called rejected silver, because the LORD has rejected them." 來自巴比倫的威脅已經兵臨城下，整個耶路撒冷已經危在旦夕，就在這千鈞一髮之際，上帝再度吩咐先知耶利米，成為試驗（煉金）的人，就是如同以爐火煉淨金屬的雜質一樣。Under the danger circumstances, God commanded Jeremiah once again to observe and test the Israelites, as tester of metals. 然而，無論是警告是管教，對以色列百姓來說，都起不了任何作用，因為他們一直不肯離棄罪惡。因此，以色列百姓，就像無法煉淨雜質的金屬一樣，最後只好丟棄。However, either warnings nor teachings change the mind of the Israelites. They are like the metals that cannot by purified which end up being thrown away.
反省：由於上帝的慈愛，不斷給予悔改的機會，我是否明白？是否把握？還是輕看？甚至糟蹋？Reflection: Through God’s love, He gives us many chances to repent, but do I understand? Do I grasp that opportunity or bounce away from it? Or do I even ruin it?

四、我的禱告 / 實際應用 Prayer / Life application


Translated by Janet H.