Ezra 8:21-36 (New International Version)
21 There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. 22 I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, "The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him." 23 So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.
24 Then I set apart twelve of the leading priests, together with Sherebiah, Hashabiah and ten of their brothers, 25 and I weighed out to them the offering of silver and gold and the articles that the king, his advisers, his officials and all Israel present there had donated for the house of our God. 26 I weighed out to them 650 talents [a] of silver, silver articles weighing 100 talents, [b] 100 talents [c] of gold, 27 20 bowls of gold valued at 1,000 darics, [d] and two fine articles of polished bronze, as precious as gold.
28 I said to them, "You as well as these articles are consecrated to the LORD. The silver and gold are a freewill offering to the LORD, the God of your fathers. 29 Guard them carefully until you weigh them out in the chambers of the house of the LORD in Jerusalem before the leading priests and the Levites and the family heads of Israel." 30 Then the priests and Levites received the silver and gold and sacred articles that had been weighed out to be taken to the house of our God in Jerusalem.
31 On the twelfth day of the first month we set out from the Ahava Canal to go to Jerusalem. The hand of our God was on us, and he protected us from enemies and bandits along the way. 32 So we arrived in Jerusalem, where we rested three days.
33 On the fourth day, in the house of our God, we weighed out the silver and gold and the sacred articles into the hands of Meremoth son of Uriah, the priest. Eleazar son of Phinehas was with him, and so were the Levites Jozabad son of Jeshua and Noadiah son of Binnui. 34 Everything was accounted for by number and weight, and the entire weight was recorded at that time.
35 Then the exiles who had returned from captivity sacrificed burnt offerings to the God of Israel: twelve bulls for all Israel, ninety-six rams, seventy-seven male lambs and, as a sin offering, twelve male goats. All this was a burnt offering to the LORD. 36 They also delivered the king's orders to the royal satraps and to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, who then gave assistance to the people and to the house of God.
一、中心內容：Message
內容：Content
1>為了旅途的平安與順利，以斯拉帶領百姓禁食禱告，並 確實經歷上帝的帶領。To be able to have a safe journey, Ezra led the people to fast and to pray for God’s guidance.（v21-23）
2>有關財務（聖具、貴重禮物），以斯拉運用智慧，妥善管理，以 期順利運回。Ezra used the wisdom he had to properly manage the possessions. （v24-30）
3>以斯拉將財務（聖具、貴重禮物），公開且清楚的點交出去，並 帶領百姓獻祭。Ezra delivered the king’s orders and assisted to the people and to the house of God（v31-36）
主題：Theme
1>信心之旅。Journey through faith
2>經歷上帝。Experience God
3>財務管理的典範。Managing financially
二、上帝、耶穌基督、聖靈是誰？Who is God? Who is Jesus? Who is the Holy Spirit?
1>引領我們的上帝。God that leads His people（v21）
2>賜福人（信靠祂的人）的上帝。God who blesses those who looks to Him（v22）
3>懲罰人（背棄祂的人）的上帝。God who punishes those who abandoned Him（v22）
4>垂聽禱告的上帝。God who listens to our prayers（v23）
5>將祂的子民分別為聖的上帝。God who separates the goods from the evil ones（v28）
6>配得獻祭、事奉的上帝。God who deserves our sacrifices and our services（v35）
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>憑著信心的旅程
在亞哈瓦河邊，我命令大家禁食，在我們上帝面前謙卑，求他在旅 程中引導我們，保護我們和我們的兒女，以及我們所有的財物。我覺得，向皇帝請求一隊騎兵沿途保護我們，使我們不受敵人侵害，這是一件 羞愧的事；因為我曾對皇帝說，我們的上帝賜福給每一個信靠他的人，但對那些背棄他的，他就發怒懲罰。21 There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. 22 I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, "The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him." （v21-22）
返鄉的隊伍所攜帶聖殿的器具，若以當今的幣值來換算，應有數千 萬元之譜，再加上有老弱婦孺隨隊，尤其歷經數個月的曠野旅程，途中非常容易受到攻擊、搶劫。They had a journey and brought along them high value possessions. There were also many elderly women and children that travelled along with them. During these several months of journey in the wilderness, they often encountered attacks and robbery.
為了旅途能安全與順利，以斯拉雖然可以藉助波斯皇帝的兵力，但 是他不願意這樣作。因為他認為這樣作，是一件羞愧的事（表示：所信靠的上帝，沒有辦法保護）In order to have a safe journey, Ezra could have asked for the king’s protection but he refused to do so because he was too ashamed。因 此，他堅持倚靠上帝的帶領。Therefore, he insisted on relying on God所以，帶領全民禁食禱告！So he led all the people to fast and to pray.
此外，在運送的過程當中，以斯拉也不敢馬虎，乃是將所有貴重的 物品、器皿，分配給十二個祭司負責，經過四個月的旅程之後，靠著上帝的恩典，終於平安的抵達目的地。In addition, in the process of the transportation, Ezra divided the possessions to offer to the twelve priests. After four months of the journey, he arrived safely to the destination through God’s guidance.
因此，這趟返鄉的旅程，確實是一趟信心的旅程！Hence, this is indeed a journey that requires faith to God!
反省：以斯拉的處事方式，尤其以斯拉所持守的原則、對上帝的信 心，對我有何啟示？Reflection: How am I inspired by Ezra’s ways of doing things and his faith in God?
2>經歷上帝的帶領
因此，我們禁食，祈求上帝保護我們；他聽了我們的禱告。23 So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.（v23）
正月十二日，我們離開了亞哈瓦河，往耶路撒冷去。我們的上帝與 我們同在，保護我們在途中不被敵人和埋伏的人攻擊。31 On the twelfth day of the first month we set out from the Ahava Canal to go to Jerusalem. The hand of our God was on us, and he protected us from enemies and bandits along the way. （v31）
這一趟為期四個月的旅程，最後並沒有依靠波斯皇帝差派兵力來護 衛，他們乃是藉著禁食祈禱，祈求上帝施恩保護。This four-month trip journey was not formed by the king’s protection but they fasted and prayed to God. 結果，上帝果然垂聽他們的禱告，帶領他們平安抵達。God listened to their prayers and looked after them.
當他們平安抵達目的地之後，以斯拉見證說：我們的上帝與我們同 在，保護我們在途中不被敵人和埋伏的人攻擊！When they arrived at their destination, Ezra made a testimony by saying: “The hand of our God was on us, and he protected us from enemies and bandits along the way”!
因此，不管對當時的領袖或百姓來說，都是一趟「經歷上帝帶領」的 旅程。Therefore, for every single one of them it was considered a journey where they had truly experienced God’s guidance.
反省：在我的人生旅途當中，有多少「因著上帝帶領，而獲得平安、順 利」的經歷？Reflection: In my life, have I ever experienced the kind of journey where I felt God’s guidance?
3>禁食禱告的功效
在亞哈瓦河邊，我命令大家禁食，在我們上帝面前謙卑，求他在旅 程中引導我們，保護我們和我們的兒女，以及我們所有的財物。21 There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. （v21）
因此，我們禁食，祈求上帝保護我們；他聽了我們的禱告。23 So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.（v23）
以斯拉再三強調「禁食」一事。---我命令大家禁 食，在我們上帝面前謙卑，求祂在旅程中引導我們，保護我們和我們的兒女，以及我們所有的財物。Ezra emphasized on fasting-- I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. 又說：因此，我們禁食，祈求上帝保護我們；祂聽了我們的禱告。顯然，禁食禱告是大有功效的。He also said: “So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.”
談到禁食，我們就想到主耶穌。在主耶穌的生涯當中，也離不開「禁 食」一事。We think of the Lord Jesus while mentioning the act of fasting. For example: 如：受試探之前，禁食四十晝夜。（馬太福音4:2）”After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry” (Matthew 4:2) 吩咐門徒，當祂離開之後要禁食。And "But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day.” (Mark 2:20)（馬可福音2:20）
也曾經提到：有一些鬼，若不藉著禁食禱告，就不能將牠趕出去。”But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting”(Matthew 17:21)（馬太福音17:21）
反省：我的禱告生活如何？當遇到急切、危難的事時，是否曾經禁 食禱告？
Reflection: How is my prayer devotion going? When I encounter challenged and troubles, have I ever fasted and prayed to God?
4>事奉上帝的態度
我對他們說：「你們在上主─你們祖先上帝的眼中 是神聖的；所有自願獻給他的金器銀器也是神聖的。你們要小心看守它們，一直到抵達聖殿。到了那裏，要在祭司室內秤過，轉交 給祭司和利未人的領袖，以及耶路撒冷的以色列人領袖。28 I said to them, "You as well as these articles are consecrated to the LORD. The silver and gold are a freewill offering to the LORD, the God of your fathers. 29 Guard them carefully until you weigh them out in the chambers of the house of the LORD in Jerusalem before the leading priests and the Levites and the family heads of Israel." （v28-29）
以斯拉在這裏提起一個非常重要的服事觀念，就是「聖」的觀念。Here, Ezra pointed out an important concept, the concept of “holy”. 他對被挑選出來攜帶貴重器材的祭司們說：你們在上主---你們祖先上帝的眼中是神聖的；所有自願獻給他的金器銀器也是神聖的。你們要小 心看守它們，一直到抵達聖殿。到了那裏，要在祭司室內秤過，轉交給祭司和利未人的領袖，以及耶路撒冷的以色列人領袖。He said to the priests: “You as well as these articles are consecrated to the LORD. The silver and gold are a freewill offering to the LORD, the God of your fathers. Guard them carefully until you weigh them out in the chambers of the house of the LORD in Jerusalem before the leading priests and the Levites and the family heads of Israel."
根據以斯拉的提醒顯示：事奉上帝跟一般社會上參與志工很不一樣，因 為上帝是神聖的，所以蒙揀選事奉祂的人，也是被分別為聖的。According to Ezra’s reminder, to serve God and general services to the community are very different because God is holy. So those who are chosen by Him are also consecrated. 甚至包括事奉上帝的器材，一旦經奉獻歸給上帝之後，都將成為聖具。Even the articles that are consecrated to the Lord become holy.
也因為包括：事奉的人以及使用的物，都已經被分別為聖。所以，當 然要非常慎重其事，而且小心翼翼的處置。
反省：我的事奉態度如何？每次都以「面對上帝」和「分別為聖」的 態度，慎重其事、小心翼翼？或馬馬虎虎、應付了事？Reflection: What is my attitude every time I do God’s work? Do I behave and act carefully with cautious or not?
5>乾淨的財務管理
以斯拉對財務的處置，不僅有良好的管理，而且保持手腳乾淨，沒 有留下任何令人疑慮的破口。Not only did Ezra manage properly all the financial disposals, he also caused no worries for anyone. 就是將皇帝所交代的財物，全數交給可靠的祭司管理，而且清清楚楚的列冊。He managed to put the financial possessions into reliable priest’s hands.
當平安回到耶路撒冷之後，且在眾長老與祭司面前，公開的送入聖 殿的府庫當中。以斯拉在財務處理的事上，為我們留下美好的榜樣。When Ezra returned to Jerusalem and successfully delivered the goods into the right hands, he gives us the good example to follow.
當今有不少事奉上帝的人，財務不乾淨，帳目不清楚，甚至留下破 口，進而使人跌倒。因此，事奉上帝的人，在財務方面應特別小心。Nowadays, many people who serve God fall and are being discouraged because of financial content. Therefore, those who serve God should be especially carefully in the financial domain.
尤其應該知道：世上財物不算什麼，唯有上帝才是我們的至寶。We should also know that the possessions and properties we own are nothing, only God is the treasure we have.
反省：我對財物的態度如何？是否乾淨俐落？是否曾經留下破口？Reflection: What is my attitude toward my possessions?
6>改善與神的關係
所有從流亡歸來的人都帶了祭物，作燒化祭獻給以色列的上帝。他 們為全以色列人獻上十二頭公牛，九十六隻公綿羊，七十七隻小綿羊，又為潔淨自己的罪獻上十二隻公山羊。這些牲畜都當作牲祭燒了獻給上 主。Then the exiles who had returned from captivity sacrificed burnt offerings to the God of Israel: twelve bulls for all Israel, ninety-six rams, seventy-seven male lambs and, as a sin offering, twelve male goats. All this was a burnt offering to the LORD. （v35）
當猶太人回到耶路撒冷之後，就藉著燒化祭與贖罪祭，來改善並促 進與上帝之間的關係。After the burnt offering to the Lord, and the return to Jerusalem, they got into a closer relationship with God. 這樣的情況，類似摩西時代，以色列眾首領，所行的獻壇禮儀。Many other similar cases of ritual are found. Such as in Numbers 7:84-88 and 1 Chronicles 29:1-35. It is always the same orders and ritual.（民數記7:84-88）也像希西家王的獻壇禮儀。（歷代至下29:1-35）就 是先獻上燒化祭，然後再獻上贖罪祭。
歷代志下七章十四節記載上帝如此吩咐說：只要他們向我禱告，並 且謙卑悔改，離棄他們所做的壞事，我就會從天上垂聽他們，赦免他們的罪，重新使他們的土地繁榮起來。2 Chronicles 7:14 says: “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
因此，藉著燒化祭與贖罪祭，可以改善並促進跟上帝之間的關係。Therefore, through sacrificing and offering, they can help us to have a better relationship with God.
反省：我是否常常藉著禱告（讚美、感謝、認罪），改善並促進與 上帝之間的關係？Reflection: Do I often get closer to God through prayers (praising, thanksgiving, confessing)?
四、我的禱告 / 實際應用Prayer / Life application
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