11:18 上主把敵人陰謀殺害我的事告訴我。11:19 我像一隻馴良的小羊被拉到屠宰場，卻不曉得他們的陰謀。他們說：
12:1 上主啊，我向你申辯我的案情，每次都是你對。但我還是要問你：
18 Because the LORD revealed their plot to me, I knew it, for at that time he showed me what they were doing. 19 I had been like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter; I did not realize that they had plotted against me, saying, "Let us destroy the tree and its fruit; let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name be remembered no more." 20 But, O LORD Almighty, you who judge righteously and test the heart and mind, let me see you vengeance upon them, for to you I have committed my cause. 21 "Therefore this is what the LORD says about the men of Anathoth who are seeking your life and saying, 'Do not prophesy in the name of the LORD or you will die by our hands'- 22 therefore this is what the LORD Almighty says: 'I will punish them. Their young men will die by the sword, their sons and daughters by famine. 23 Not even a remnant will be left to them, because I will bring disaster on the men of Anathoth in the year of their punishment.' "
1 You are always righteous, O LORD, when I bring a case before you. Yet I would speak with you about your justice: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease? 2 You have planted them, and they have taken root; they grow and bear fruit. You are always on their lips but far from their hearts. 3 Yet you know me, O LORD; you see me and test my thoughts about you. Drag them off like sheep to be butchered! Set them apart for the day of slaughter! 4 How long will the land lie parched and the grass in every field be withered? Because those who live in it are wicked, the animals and birds have perished. Moreover, the people are saying, "He will not see what happens to us." 5 "If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan. 6 Your brothers, your own family— even they have betrayed you; they have raised a loud cry against you. Do not trust them, though they speak well of you.
一、中心內容：
內容： Content:
1>上帝向先知耶利米透露，敵人即將殺害的陰謀。God revealed the plot to prophet Jeremiah, and showed them what the enemies are about to do.（v18-19）
2>先知耶利米藉著禱告，將敵人殺害的陰謀，交託在上帝手中。T
3>上帝對先知耶利米的回應，表示：
4>先知耶利米向上帝求問：惡人為何亨通？ Prophet Jeremiah asked, “Why does the way of wicked prosper?”（v1-2）
5>先知耶利米向上帝表明：自己誠心愛祂，而且求上帝懲罰那些「
6>上帝對先知耶利米的鼓勵。God’s encouragement for prophet Jeremiah.（v5-6）
主題：Topic:
1>惡人為何亨通？ Why does the way of wicked prosper?
2>求上帝主持正義。Asking God to bring justice.
二、上帝、耶穌基督、聖靈是誰？
1>啟示人的上帝。 The God that reveals（v18）
2>垂聽禱告的上帝。The God that listens to prayers（v20）
3>按公義（公正）審判的上帝。The God that judges with righteousness (justice)（v20）
4>鑒察人心的上帝。The God that examines the heart of His people（v20、c12v3）
5>為人申冤的上帝。The God that calls upon justice for His people（v20）
6>施行審判（懲罰）的上帝。The God that brings punishments（v22）
7>鼓勵人的上帝。The God that encourages people（v5）
三、給我的教訓（命令、應允、榜樣、責備、警告）是什麼？
1>面對被殺危機 Facing the Crisis of Death
上主把敵人陰謀殺害我的事告訴我。
這段經文的內容談論到：上帝告訴先知耶利米，
反省：忠心傳講上帝的話語，而不傳講討好人的虛偽信息，
Because the LORD revealed their plot to me, I knew it, for at that time he showed me what they were doing. I had been like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter; I did not realize that they had plotted against me, saying, "Let us destroy the tree and its fruit; let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name be remembered no more." (v18-19)
In these verses of the Bible, God revealed to prophet Jeremiah that his life has been fatally threatened. That is because prophet Jeremiah’s message about God’s judgment has angered the people of Israel, especially the people from his home of Anathoth. So, the people of Anathoth gathered together and secretly planned to kill him.
Reflection: When we authentically share God’s message and not try to please other people with an unfaithful one, we often need to face the danger of attacks by others. Did I ever had this kind of experience? Am I ready to face these attacks?
2>尋求上帝報仇 Searching God for Vengeance
於是我禱告說：上主─萬軍的統帥啊，你是公正的審判官；
但是上主啊，你認識我；你知道我的行為，知道我誠心愛你。
當先知耶利米，從上帝口中得知，他同鄉的亞拿突人，
反省：主耶穌被釘時，曾經向上帝禱告說：父啊！赦免他們，
But, O LORD Almighty, you who judge righteously and test the heart and mind, let me see you vengeance upon them, for to you I have committed my cause. (v20)
Yet you know me, O LORD; you see me and test my thoughts about you. Drag them off like sheep to be butchered! Set them apart for the day of slaughter! How long will the land lie parched and the grass in every field be withered? Because those who live in it are wicked, the animals and birds have perished. Moreover, the people are saying, "He will not see what happens to us." (v3-4)
When prophet Jeremiah heard about the attack by his own people, his reactions were the same of any ordinary person, that is – he asked God to redress the injustice and revenge for him. Especially his second request, he said it very straightforward: “Drag them off like sheep to be butchered! Set them apart for the day of slaughter!” All in all, prophet Jeremiah asked God to personally punish the wicked and unrighteous.
Reflection: During the Crucifixion of Jesus, he prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Was prophet Jeremiah able to attain this kind of prayer? If it was I, would I be able to attain such prayer?
3>上帝應允所求 God Responds to the Request
以上主、萬軍的統帥這樣說：「我要懲罰他們！
當聽完先知耶利米的求告之後，上帝果然應允他的祈求，
反省：正如所多瑪城的遭遇一樣，耶路撒冷城的命運也沒有例外。
Therefore this is what the LORD Almighty says: 'I will punish them. Their young men will die by the sword, their sons and daughters by famine. 23 Not even a remnant will be left to them, because I will bring disaster on the men of Anathoth in the year of their punishment.' " (v22-23)
After hearing prophet Jeremiah’s request, God responded to Jeremiah, “'I will punish them. Their young men will die by the sword, their sons and daughters by famine. Not even a remnant will be left to them, because I will bring disaster on the men of Anathoth in the year of their punishment.” This incident was also prophesized that Jerusalem would be destroyed in 587 B.C.!
Reflection: Like the incident happened to city of Sodom, the fate of Jerusalem was no different. Do I believe that the fate of a city and the fate of the people are closely related? To think of it: what are the fate of my country and my city? How can I pray for my country and my city?
4>耶利米的疑惑 Jeremiah’s Doubt
上主啊，我向你申辯我的案情，每次都是你對。但我還是要問你：
先知耶利米跟先知哈巴谷，經常面對同樣的情境，就是：
反省：「義人遭難、惡人亨通」的情境，我是否經歷過？
You are always righteous, O LORD, when I bring a case before you. Yet I would speak with you about your justice: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease? You have planted them, and they have taken root; they grow and bear fruit. You are always on their lips but far from their hearts. (v1-2)
Prophets Jeremiah and Habakkuk often face similar incident, that is – they do not understand how can the wicked prosper, and so they ask God for justice. He said, “You are always righteous, O LORD, when I bring a case before you. Yet I would speak with you about your justice: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease? You have planted them, and they have taken root; they grow and bear fruit. You are always on their lips but far from their hearts.” (v1-2)
Reflection: Have I experienced a similar situation where the wicked prosper? Did I feel unjust? Or did I still persistently rely on God, truly believing that God will bring justice?
5>絕望中的鼓勵 The Encouragement in Midst of Hopelessness
上主說：耶利米呀，如果你跟人賽跑會疲倦，你怎麼能跟馬賽跑呢？
當先知耶利米瀕臨絕望谷底時，頻頻詢問上帝：這種行惡的人，
反省：天將降大任於斯人也，必先苦其心志、勞其筋骨
"If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan. Your brothers, your own family— even they have betrayed you; they have raised a loud cry against you. Do not trust them, though they speak well of you. (v5-6)
When prophet Jeremiah felt completely hopeless, and asked God, “When will these wicked be punished for their deeds?” God replied him, “The difficulties that you have gone through are incomparable to the things you are about to face.” Meaning that if Jeremiah had fell so easily by the destruction of his people, how can he face and endure the greater challenges in Jerusalem? How will he be able to handle these greater missions? So God encouraged him, to prepare his heart, and to must stand firm!
Reflection: Before an important task is called unto someone, he or she must face difficulties and challenges of many kinds – how do I face the challenges before me? How can I embrace these challenges? How can I stand firm in the midst of adversities? How can I become a useful tool for God?
四、我的禱告 / 實際應用
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