Ezra 9:9-15 (NIV)
9 Though we are slaves, our God has not deserted us in our bondage. He has shown us kindness in the sight of the kings of Persia: He has granted us new life to rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins, and he has given us a wall of protection in Judah and Jerusalem.
10 "But now, O our God, what can we say after this? For we have disregarded the commands 11 you gave through your servants the prophets when you said: 'The land you are entering to possess is a land polluted by the corruption of its peoples. By their detestable practices they have filled it with their impurity from one end to the other. 12 Therefore, do not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters for your sons. Do not seek a treaty of friendship with them at any time, that you may be strong and eat the good things of the land and leave it to your children as an everlasting inheritance.'
13 "What has happened to us is a result of our evil deeds and our great guilt, and yet, our God, you have punished us less than our sins have deserved and have given us a remnant like this. 14 Shall we again break your commands and intermarry with the peoples who commit such detestable practices? Would you not be angry enough with us to destroy us, leaving us no remnant or survivor? 15 O LORD, God of Israel, you are righteous! We are left this day as a remnant. Here we are before you in our guilt, though because of it not one of us can stand in your presence."
9:9 我們原是奴隸，但你沒讓我們一直作奴隸。你使波斯的皇帝們善待我 們，准許我們生存，並且能重建那毀壞了的聖殿，使我們在猶大和耶路撒冷找到安全。9:10 「可是，上帝啊，現在這事竟然發生了，我們還能說甚麼呢？我們違背了9:11 你藉你的僕人─先知們所給我們的命令。他們曾經告訴我們，說我們要去佔領的地方是一塊污穢的土地；因為當地居民那醜惡可憎的行為 弄髒了每個角落。9:12 他們告訴我們：如果我們要強盛，享受這塊土地的產物，永遠傳給子孫，我們絕對不可跟那些人通婚，不可幫助他們繁榮興旺。9:13 我們的上帝啊，即使臨到我們的每一件事都是因我們的罪惡過犯引起的，我們知道，你對我們的懲罰仍然是少過我們所應得的；你還是讓我們 存活。9:14 我們怎麼可以再不理你的命令，跟那些邪惡的人通婚呢？如果我們這樣做，你一定要發怒，滅絕我們，使我們不留下一人，沒有殘存。 9:15 上主─以色列的上帝啊，你是公義的；然而你竟讓我們這些亡命的人得以殘存。我們向你承認我們的過錯；我們無權來到你面 前。」
一、中心內容：
內容：
1>在禱告中，以斯拉感念上帝救贖的恩典。（v9） In prayer, Ezra remembered God’s redemptive grace. (V9)
2>在禱告中，以斯拉流露「無言以對」的態度。（v10）In prayer, Ezra held a speechless attitude. (v10)
3>在禱告中，以斯拉回顧上帝（藉著先知）所給的命令。（v11-12）In prayer, Ezra recalled God’s commands given through prophets. (v11-12)
4>在禱告中，以斯拉感念上帝的憐憫。（v13）In prayer, Ezra remembered God’s mercy. (v13)
5>在禱告中，以斯拉述說上帝的公義。（v15）In prayer, Ezra described God’s righteousness. (V15)
主題：
1>屬靈領袖的氣質。Spiritual leader’s demeanor
2>中保禱告。Mediator’s prayer
二、上帝、耶穌基督、聖靈是誰？
1>垂聽禱告的上帝。 God hears prayers.
2>掌管一切（包括外邦君王）的上帝。（v9）God reigns over all things (v9)
3>拯救釋放人的上帝。（v9）God saves and liberates. (v9)
4>呼召先知的上帝。（v11）God calls out prophets. (v11)
5>頒佈命令的上帝。（v11）God gives commands. (v11)
6>慈愛憐憫的上帝。（v13）God loves and cares.(v13)
7>公義的上帝。（v14-15）God is righteous. (V14-15)
三、給我的教訓（命令、應允、榜樣、責備、警告）是什麼？
1>感念神恩的禱告 Prayer that remembers God’s grace
我們原是奴隸，但你沒讓我們一直作奴隸。你使波斯的皇帝們善待我們，准許我們生存，並且能重建那毀壞了的聖殿，使我們在猶大和耶路撒 冷找到安全。（v9）
9 Though we are slaves, our God has not deserted us in our bondage. He has shown us kindness in the sight of the kings of Persia: He has granted us new life to rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins, and he has given us a wall of protection in Judah and Jerusalem. (v9)
這是以斯拉禱告詞的一部份，內容在回顧過去從上帝所領受的恩典。也就是禱告說：他們原在外邦當奴隸，但是上帝並沒有讓他們永遠作奴 隸。乃是使波斯的皇帝們善待他們，准許他們生存，並且能重建那毀壞了的聖殿，使他們在猶大和耶路撒冷找到了安全。
以斯拉藉著禱告，述說上帝的作為，感念上帝的救恩。
In his prayer, Ezra recalled God’s grace of the past. Despite the fact of being slaves in exile, they were not forgotten by God and were not slaves forever. God put them under the favor of the kings of Persia that allowed them to survive, they were granted permission to rebuild the ruined temple and thus found safety and comfort in Judah and Jerusalem. For this, Ezra thanked God by recalling His redemptive deeds.
反省：在我個人的禱告生活中，是否每逢開口就祈求？還是有多一點思想上帝的作為，並且感謝上帝的救恩？
Reflection: In my personal prayer, do I always open with requests? Or do I recall Gods’ deeds and His redeeming grace?
2>無言以對的態度A speechless attitude
可是，上帝啊，現在這事竟然發生了，我們還能說甚麼呢？我們違背了。（v10）
10 "But now, O our God, what can we say after this? For we have disregarded the commands. (v10)
上主--以色列的上帝啊，你是公義的；然而你竟讓我們這些亡命的人得以殘存。我們向你承認我們的過錯；我們無權來到你面 前。（v15）
15 O LORD, God of Israel, you are righteous! We are left this day as a remnant. Here we are before you in our guilt, though because of it not one of us can stand in your presence." (v10)
面對同胞所犯「證據確鑿」的罪狀，在上帝面前，以斯拉根本不能為百姓求什麼，甚至連來到上帝面前都深感不配、無權。因此，他只能無言 以對的舉手、低頭、俯伏等候。
因此，他懇切的禱告說：可是，上帝啊，現在這事竟然發生了，我們還能說甚麼呢？我們違背了。又說：我們向你承認我們的過錯；我們無權 來到你面前。
Because of the firm evidences of people’s transgressions before God, Ezra felt inadequate to beseech God for his people. He felt unworthy and not entitled to pray before God. Therefore, he could only lift his hands with his head bowed and prostrated speechlessly before God. Thus, he sincerely prayed, “What more can we say after this? We have rebelled. We confess our transgressions before You and we cannot stand in Your presence.”
反省：我是否曾經因為犯罪，導致無言以對的俯伏在上帝面前，等候上帝開恩憐憫？
Reflection: Have I ever been in a situation of being speechless before God due to my own sins, prostrating in His presence waiting for His mercy?
3>思想上帝的命令 Meditate on God’s commands
你 藉你的僕人─先知們所給我們的命令。他們曾經告訴我們，說我們要去佔領的地方是一塊污穢的土地；因為當地居民那醜惡可憎的行為 弄髒了每個角落。他們告訴我 們：如果我們要強盛，享受這塊土地的產物，永遠傳給子孫，我們絕對不可跟那些人通婚，不可幫助他們繁榮興旺。（v11-12）
11 you gave through your servants the prophets when you said: 'The land you are entering to possess is a land polluted by the corruption of its peoples. By their detestable practices they have filled it with their impurity from one end to the other. 12 Therefore, do not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters for your sons. Do not seek a treaty of friendship with them at any time, that you may be strong and eat the good things of the land and leave it to your children as an everlasting inheritance.' (V11-12)
以斯拉在禱告中，回顧上帝藉著先知，所給予的命令。就是先知們曾經說：他們要去佔領的地方，是一塊污穢的土地。因為當地居民那可憎的 行為，弄髒了那塊地的每一個角落。
同時告訴他們說：他們如果想要強盛，要享受那塊土地上所出產的產物，甚至要永遠傳給他們的子孫，就絕對不能跟那地方的通婚。
In prayer, Ezra recalled God’s word through the prophets, “11 you gave through your servants the prophets when you said: 'The land you are entering to possess is a land polluted by the corruption of its peoples. By their detestable practices they have filled it with their impurity from one end to the other. 12 Therefore, do not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters for your sons. Do not seek a treaty of friendship with them at any time, that you may be strong and eat the good things of the land and leave it to your children as an everlasting inheritance.'
反省：我是否明白上帝所頒佈的律例典章？在我的禱告中，是否經常提起？
Reflection: Do I know God’s precepts? Do I often relate to them in my prayer?
4>分別為聖的生活 Consecrated living
你 藉你的僕人─先知們所給我們的命令。他們曾經告訴我們，說我們要去佔領的地方是一塊污穢的土地；因為當地居民那醜惡可憎的行為 弄髒了每個角落。他們告訴我 們：如果我們要強盛，享受這塊土地的產物，永遠傳給子孫，我們絕對不可跟那些人通婚，不可幫助他們繁榮興旺。（V11-12）
11 you gave through your servants the prophets when you said: 'The land you are entering to possess is a land polluted by the corruption of its peoples. By their detestable practices they have filled it with their impurity from one end to the other. 12 Therefore, do not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters for your sons. Do not seek a treaty of friendship with them at any time, that you may be strong and eat the good things of the land and leave it to your children as an everlasting inheritance.' (V11-12)
上帝藉著先知告訴他 們說：他們要去佔領的地方，是一塊已經遭受污穢的土地；因為當地的居民，那可憎的行為，弄髒了每一個角落。同時 告訴他們說：如果他們想要強盛，要享受那塊 土地所出產的產物，甚至要永遠傳給子孫，就絕對不能跟那地方的人通婚。意思就是：上帝的子民，應該過著分別為聖的生活。
In verses 11-12, emphasized on God’s people should lead a consecrated life.
反省：在這異教鼎盛、罪惡暢行的世代當中，身為基督徒的我，是否跟這個世界有分別？也就是說，是否過著分別為聖的生活？
Reflection: As a Christian, am I any different from the sinful world which is full of heresies ? Do I lead a consecrated life?
5>感念上帝的憐憫 Being grateful for God’s mercy
我們的上帝啊，即使臨到我們的每一件事都是因我們的罪惡過犯引起的，我們知道，你對我們的懲罰仍然是少過我們所應得的；你還是讓我們 存活。（v13）
13 "What has happened to us is a result of our evil deeds and our great guilt, and yet, our God, you have punished us less than our sins have deserved and have given us a remnant like this. (V13)
以斯拉在禱告中，也深深感念上帝的憐憫，所以就對上帝說：我們的上帝啊， 即使臨到我們的每一件事，都是因我們的罪惡過犯所引起的。
接著又禱告說：我們知道，你對我們的懲罰，仍然是少過我們所應得的；你還是讓我們存活。上帝的懲罰，少過所應得的，顯示上帝的憐憫！
Ezra was greatly thankful to God in his prayer, “What has happened to us is a result of our evil deeds and our great guilt, and yet, our God, you have punished us less than our sins have deserved and have given us a remnant like this.” Showing His mercy toward us, God punishes us less than what our sins deserve.
反省：回顧一下，在過去的歲月當中，曾經得到哪些上帝的憐憫？是否為此獻上恩？
Reflection: In the past, have I ever received God’s mercy and was thankful for it?
6>述說上帝的公義 Saying of God’s righteousness
我們怎麼可以再不理你的命令，跟那些邪惡的人通婚呢？如果我們這樣做，你一定要發怒，滅絕我們，使我們不留下一人，沒有殘 存。（v14）
14 Shall we again break your commands and intermarry with the peoples who commit such detestable practices? Would you not be angry enough with us to destroy us, leaving us no remnant or survivor? (V14)
在禱告中，以斯拉也述說了上帝公義的屬性，也就是對上帝說：我們怎麼可以再不理你的命令，跟那些邪惡的人通婚呢？如果我們這樣做，你 一定要發怒，滅絕我們，使我們不留下一人，沒有殘存。因為以斯拉深知上帝的屬性與作為，所以在禱告中，不僅感念上帝的救恩與憐憫，同 時述說上帝公義的屬性。
In his prayer, Ezra said of the righteous attribute of God: “14 Shall we again break your commands and intermarry with the peoples who commit such detestable practices? Would you not be angry enough with us to destroy us, leaving us no remnant or survivor?”
Ezra knew of God’s righteous attribute and deeds, therefore in his prayer, he described it by giving thanks to God’s saving grace and mercy.
反省：上帝不僅是慈愛的上帝，同時也是公義的上帝，在我的生涯當中，是否曾經看過，甚至親自歷過上帝公義的作為？
Reflection: God is not only a loving God, but also is a righteous God. In my life, have I ever seen or even experienced God’s righteous deed personally?
四、我的禱告 / 實際應用
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