11.3.10

God is in love and anger

耶利米書 (Jeremiah ) 12:7-17

God’s answer (神的回答)

12:7 上主說:我拋棄了以色列,棄絕了我揀選的國。我把我所愛的子民交給敵人。12:8 我的選民背叛我;他們像森林中的獅子向我怒吼,因此我厭惡他們。12:9 我的選民像鳥兒被老鷹圍攻;老鷹呼喚野獸來分享獵物。12:10 列國的統治者摧毀了我的葡萄園;他們踐踏了我的田園,使我所愛的田園荒廢。12:11 他們使田地成為曠野;我眼前一片淒涼。山河都荒廢了,卻沒有人關心。12:12 毀滅者爬山越嶺而來。我使戰禍蔓延大地;沒有人能安享太平。12:13 我子民種的是小麥,收的是荊棘;他們辛苦耕耘,卻徒勞無功。我一發出烈怒,他們就沒有收穫。12:14 上主這樣說:「至於那些鄰國,因侵佔了我賜給我子民以色列的土地,我要從本土把他們連根拔除;我要從他們中間把猶大搶救出來。12:15 但是,我拔除了他們以後,要再憐憫他們,讓他們回歸故土。12:16要是他們誠心接受我子民的信仰,指著我─永生上主的名發誓,正像他們教我子民指巴力的名發誓,他們就能跟我子民共存,共享繁榮。12:17 要是他們不聽從我,我就把他們連根拔除,徹底消滅。我─上主這樣宣佈了。」


7 "I will forsake my house, abandon my inheritance; I will give the one I love into the hands of her enemies. 8 My inheritance has become to me like a lion in the forest. She roars at me; therefore I hate her. 9 Has not my inheritance become to me like a speckled bird of prey that other birds of prey surround and attack? Go and gather all the wild beasts; bring them to devour. 10 Many shepherds will ruin my vineyard and trample down my field; they will turn my pleasant field into a desolate wasteland. 11 It will be made a wasteland, parched and desolate before me; the whole land will be laid waste because there is no one who cares. 12 Over all the barren heights in the desert destroyers will swarm, for the sword of the LORD will devour from one end of the land to the other; no one will be safe. 13 They will sow wheat but reap thorns; they will wear themselves out but gain nothing. So bear the shame of your harvest because of the LORD's fierce anger." 14 This is what the LORD says: "As for all my wicked neighbors who seize the inheritance I gave my people Israel, I will uproot them from their lands and I will uproot the house of Judah from among them. 15 But after I uproot them, I will again have compassion and will bring each of them back to his own inheritance and his own country. 16 And if they learn well the ways of my people and swear by my name, saying, 'As surely as the LORD lives'-even as they once taught my people to swear by Baal—then they will be established among my people. 17 But if any nation does not listen, I will completely uproot and destroy it," declares the LORD.

一、中心內容:Core Message

內容:Content

1>上帝表明:祂將拋棄以色列百姓,將所愛的子民交給敵人。(v7

God said that He will abandon his inheritance; He will give the one He loves into the hands of enemies”. (v7)

2>上帝說明拋棄以色列百姓的原因,就是因為他們像森林中的獅子一樣,兇惡的向祂發出怒吼。(v8

God said the reason why He abandoned his inheritance is because His inheritance has become like a lion in the forest. She roars at Him. (v8)

3>上帝描述祂的子民即將面臨的悲慘遭遇。(v9-13

God depicts that His people will soon face the tragic experience. (v9-13)

4>上帝表示:欺負以色列百姓的國家將受審判,以色列百姓將被拯救。(v14

God said that whoever seizes the inheritance that He gave his people of Israel, He will uproot them from their lands and their houses. The people of Israel will be saved. (v14)

5>上帝表示:將憐憫欺負以色列百姓的國家,使他們回歸故土。(v15

God said that after He uproots them, He will again have compassion and will bring each of them back to his own inheritance and his own country. (v15)

6>上帝也給那欺負以色列百姓的國家蒙恩得救的機會。(v16

God gives the salvational opportunity to the countries who are wicked neighbors to seize the inheritance He gave his people Israel. (v16)

7>上帝表示:那欺負以色列百姓的國家,要是不聽從他,同樣要遭受毀滅(v17

God said that who seizes the inheritance He gave his people Israel and that do not obey Him will suffer destruction. (v17)

主題:愛怒交織的上帝。Theme: God is in love and anger

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

1>深愛祂子民的上帝。(v7God loves His people deeply. (v7)

2>將所愛子民拋棄的上帝。(v7God will abandon the people that He loves. (v7)

3>遭祂子民背叛的上帝。(v8 God had been betrayed by His inheritance. (v8)

4>大發烈怒的上帝。(v13 God is furious. (v13)

5>掌管國度權柄的上帝。(v14-15God is in charge of the Kingdom of Heaven.

6>永生的上帝。(v16God is eternity. (v16)

7>施行拯救的上帝。(v16God is salvation. (v16)

8>施行審判的上帝。(v17 God is justice. (v17)

三、給我的教訓(命令、應允、榜樣、責備、警告)是什麼?What lessons (command, covenant, role modeling, rebuking and warning) are God teaching us?

1>由愛引發的憤怒 Anger by love

上主說:我拋棄了以色列,棄絕了我揀選的國。我把我所愛的子民交給敵人.(v7

上帝對猶大(以色列百姓)的愛,可以用「款款情深」來形容。因為上帝將他們稱為:我的產業,我心裏所愛的,我的葡萄園,我美好的份---等。顯示:他們全是屬於上帝的,是上帝所欣賞的,也是上帝所鍾愛的。他們跟上帝之間,關係是極其親密的。但是由於猶大(以色列百姓)徹底背逆,而且屢勸不聽,導致讓上帝徹底失望,由愛產生憤怒。說:我拋棄了以色列,棄絕了我所揀選的國,我把我所愛的子民交給敵人。

God said: "I will forsake my house, abandon my inheritance; I will give the one I love

into the hands of her enemies. (v7)

We may use “Tender Love" to describe God’s love to Judah (Israeli people), because God regarded them as His property, the one He loves, His vineyard, His beautiful people --- and so on. Obviously, they all belong to God, they are God's beloved. The relationship between God and them is extremely close. But, due to Judah (Israeli people) who repeatedly didn’t listen to God’s calling and opposed God’s will, led to God’s complete disappointment and changed His love to anger. God said: “I will forsake my house, abandon my inheritance; I will give the one I love into the hands of her enemies”

反省:上帝愛我,如同愛當時的以色列百姓一樣。我是否曾經如同以色列百姓一樣,背逆祂,作出令祂憤怒的事呢?

Reflection: God loves me as He loved the people of Israel at that time. Am I in the same situation as the people of Israel, who were against Him and did things made Him angry?

2>上帝憤怒的原因 Why is God angry?

我的選民背叛我;他們像森林中的獅子向我怒吼,因此我厭惡他們。v8

以色列百姓是上帝的摯愛,但這位對他們用情至深的上帝,為什麼會演變成大發烈怒呢?原因就是:祂的子民不僅背逆祂,甚至以「如同在森林中吼叫的獅子」一般兇惡的態度來對待祂。意思就是說,他們對上帝,不僅藐視而已,甚至是敵視。因此,深深的刺痛了上帝的心,才引來上帝的憤怒。

My inheritance has become to me like a lion in the forest. She roars at me; therefore I hate her. (v8)

Israeli people are God's beloved; how come God’s profound love to them became a great anger? The reason is: His people were not only against Him, they were "like a roaring lion in the forest” with a ferocious attitude towards Him. Not only did they contempt God, they were hostile towards God. Therefore, it hurt God's feeling; it brought the wrath of God.

反省:在我的生涯當中,是否曾經作過哪些事,是令上帝大發烈怒的?我是一個討喜的孩子?還是一個惹是生非、麻煩不斷、常常激怒天父的孩子?

Reflection: In my life, have I ever done things that make God angry? Am I a lovable child? Or a troublesome child that often irritates God?

3>領袖未善盡職責Leaders did not fulfill the duties

我的選民像鳥兒被老鷹圍攻;老鷹呼喚野獸來分享獵物。列國的統治者摧毀了我的葡萄園;他們踐踏了我的田園,使我所愛的田園荒廢。他們使田地成為曠野;我眼前一片淒涼。山河都荒廢了,卻沒有人關心。毀滅者爬山越嶺而來。我使戰禍蔓延大地;沒有人能安享太平。(v9-12

上帝接著責備選民的領袖(牧人),因為他們不僅未盡引導百姓的責任,甚至縱容百姓行在乖謬、背逆當中。導致原本美好的葡萄園,竟然成為荒蕪的曠野。甚至當全地都成為廢墟時,竟然還沒有人關心這件事。顯示:屬靈光景已經相當低落。如此,更加速國家的敗亡。

Has not my inheritance become to me like a speckled bird of prey that other birds of prey surround and attack? Go and gather all the wild beasts; bring them to devour. Many shepherds will ruin my vineyard and trample down my field; they will turn my pleasant field into a desolate wasteland. It will be made a wasteland, parched and desolate before me; the whole land will be laid waste because there is no one who cares. Over all the barren heights in the desert destroyers will swarm, for the sword of the LORD will devour from one end of the land to the other; no one will be safe. (v9-12)

God then blamed the leaders (shepherds), because they did not fulfill their responsibility of guiding the people, and even allowed the people to walk on the wrong path and betray God. It is the cause of the beautiful vineyards becoming the barren wilderness. When the whole land is in ruins, surprisingly, no one was concerned about this matter.

反省:身為領袖(國家、教會、家庭---等)的我,是否善盡上帝所託付的使命?對於上帝所託付的,我是否善盡管理、牧養的責任?

Reflection: To be the leader (country, church, the family --- and so on), am I fulfilling the mission entrusted by God? Do I fulfill the management and pastoral responsibilities?

4>國度權柄掌管者 The authority of the Kingdom of Heaven

上主這樣說:至於那些鄰國,因侵佔了我賜給我子民以色列的土地,我要從本土把他們連根拔除;我要從他們中間把猶大搶救出來。(v14

上帝宣佈:祂也掌管那欺負猶大國(以色列百姓)的鄰邦國家。那些國家能夠奪取猶大國的人民與產業,也是出自上帝的允許,也就是暫時撒手,他們是上帝管教祂子民的工具。因為上帝是公義的,所以凡欺負猶大國(以色列百姓)的鄰邦國家,也將為擄掠、傷害的惡行受審判。上帝也將使他們受到另外鄰邦國家的侵犯。上帝要重新將猶大國(以色列百姓)搶救出來。

This is what the LORD says: "As for all my wicked neighbors who seize the inheritance I gave my people Israel, I will uproot them from their lands and I will uproot the house of Judah from among them. (v14)

God said: He is also in charge of the wicked neighbors who seize the people of Israel. There were countries that looted Judah (Israel people) with God's permission. God used them temporarily to discipline His people, because God is just, those that bullied Judah (Israel, the people) will also be looted, and hurt by the justice trial. God will make them subject to violation by other neighboring countries. God will re-build Judah (the people of Israel) to rescue them.

反省:我是否曾經看不見上帝,甚至企圖憑己力超越上帝?或者完全降服於祂?

Reflection: Have I ever not seen God, or even attempted to rely on myself to surpass God? Or do I submit myself completely to Him?

5>相信就蒙恩得救 To believe is to be saved and blessed

但是,我拔除了他們以後,要再憐憫他們,讓他們回歸故土。要是他們誠心接受我子民的信仰,指著我─永生上主的名發誓,正像他們教我子民指巴力的名發誓,他們就能跟我子民共存,共享繁榮。(v15-16

針對那些欺負猶大國(以色列百姓)的鄰邦國家,當上帝懲罰他們、拔除他們之後,卻要再度憐憫他們,讓他們回歸故土。要是他們誠心接受上帝子民的信仰,指著永生上主的名發誓,正像他們教上帝的子民,指著巴力的名發誓一樣,他們就能跟上帝的子民共存,共享繁榮。顯然:上帝是普天之下,萬國、萬民的上帝;這福音也是普天之下,萬國、萬民的福音。正如同約翰福音1:12所說:凡接待他的,就是信他名的人,他就賜他們權柄作上帝的兒女。

But after I uproot them, I will again have compassion and will bring each of them back to his own inheritance and his own country. And if they learn well the ways of my people and swear by my name, saying, 'As surely as the LORD lives'-even as they once taught my people to swear by Baal—then they will be established among my people.(v15-16)

When God punishes and uproots the neighboring countries who bullied Judah (Israel, the people), God will once again have mercy on them and allow them to return to their homeland. If they sincerely accept to believe in God, swear in the name by Baal, they will be able to coexist with God's people and share prosperity. All people and nations belong to God, The Gospel is for all people and all nations, Just as John 1:12 says “Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”

反省:我是否真正接待主耶穌,相信主耶穌的名?我是否確定已經得著上帝兒女的名份?

Reflection: Have I really received the Lord Jesus? Do I believe the name of the Lord Jesus? Have I already become a child of God?

6>慈愛公義的上帝 God is full of love and righteousness

要是他們誠心接受我子民的信仰,指著我─永生上主的名發誓,正像他們教我子民指巴力的名發誓,他們就能跟我子民共存,共享繁榮。要是他們不聽從我,我就把他們連根拔除,徹底消滅。我─上主這樣宣佈了。(v16-17

因為上帝是普天之下,萬國、萬民的上帝。所以,包括那些曾經欺負猶大國(以色列百姓)的鄰邦國家,甚至是外邦國家,上帝也都給予他們蒙恩得救的機會。因此,只要他們誠心接受上帝子民的信仰,指著永生上主的名發誓,他們也能跟上帝的子民共存,共享繁榮。反過來說,要是他們不肯聽從上帝的話,上帝就把他們連根拔除,徹底消滅。顯然,上帝是慈愛的上帝,也是公義的上帝;祂將得救的機會,均等留給每一個人。

And if they learn well the ways of my people and swear by my name, saying, 'As surely as the LORD lives'-even as they once taught my people to swear by Baal—then they will be established among my people. But if any nation does not listen, I will completely uproot and destroy it," declares the LORD. (v16-17)

Because God is everywhere, all people and all nations belong to God, including those neighboring countries that have bullied Judah (Israel, the people), even Gentile countries. God also gives them the chance to be saved. As long as they sincerely accept to believe in God, swear to the name of the eternal Lord, they will be able to coexist with God’s people and shared prosperity. Conversely, if they refuse to obey the word of God, God will uproot them, eliminate them. God is full of love, he is also the God of justice; He leaves the opportunity of salvation to everyone.

反省:以上兩種人,我是屬於哪一種?我的選擇是傾向永生?還是傾向滅亡?

Reflection: In the two kinds of people mentioned above, which group do I belong to? Does my preference tend to eternal life or to extinction?

Translated into English by Teresa Yang

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