Nehemiah 8:9-18
8:9 民眾聽 到法律規定的事以後，都感動得哭了起來。於是省長尼希米、
9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, "This day is sacred to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep." For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.
10 Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
11 The Levites calmed all the people, saying, "Be still, for this is a sacred day. Do not grieve."
12 Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.
13 On the second day of the month, the heads of all the families, along with the priests and the Levites, gathered around Ezra the scribe to give attention to the words of the Law. 14 They found written in the Law, which the LORD had commanded through Moses, that the Israelites were to live in booths during the feast of the seventh month 15 and that they should proclaim this word and spread it throughout their towns and in Jerusalem: "Go out into the hill country and bring back branches from olive and wild olive trees, and from myrtles, palms and shade trees, to make booths"-as it is written.
16 So the people went out and brought back branches and built themselves booths on their own roofs, in their courtyards, in the courts of the house of God and in the square by the Water Gate and the one by the Gate of Ephraim. 17 The whole company that had returned from exile built booths and lived in them. From the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day, the Israelites had not celebrated it like this. And their joy was very great.
18 Day after day, from the first day to the last, Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God. They celebrated the feast for seven days, and on the eighth day, in accordance with the regulation, there was an assembly.
一、中心內容：
內容：Content
1>百姓因為明白律法，都感動到都哭了起來。（v9）The people weep as they listen to the words of the Law
2>經過領袖的勸勉之後，大家才化悲傷為喜樂，並學習彼此分享。
3>各宗族的族長，和祭司、利未人，
4>因著律法的教訓，百姓恢復過住棚節。（v14-18）Thr
二、上帝、耶穌基督、聖靈是誰？
1>頒佈律法的上帝。（v9、v18）God instructed the Law
2>稱為「聖」的上帝。（v10）God considered “holy”
3>賜給人快樂的上帝。（v10）God gave joy to people
三、給我的教訓（命令、應允、榜樣、責備、警告）是什麼？
1>因明白律法而感動 God touches our hearts as we understand the Law
民眾聽到法律規定的事以後，都感動得哭了起來。（v9a）
當以色列百姓聽到以斯拉所宣講上帝的律法之後，
反省：當我研讀聖經或聆聽講道的時候，是否曾經受到感動？
For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law (v9).
As soon as the Israelites heard Ezra instructing God’s Law, bearing in mind that they had disobeyed God, did not follow accordingly to the Law and all other instructions; they eventually felt extremely painful, not only did they mourn, they weep endlessly. Clearly, God’s words, God’s Law, and all His instructions can touch our hearts.
Reflection: When I read the Bible or listen to sermons, do they touch my heart? Did I ever mourn and weep through them?
2>因明白律法而快樂 The joy of understanding the Law
於是省長尼希米、祭司和經學專家以斯拉，
利未人安撫民眾，叫他們安靜，不要悲傷，因為這一天是神聖的。
並且跟別人分享自己所有的，因為他們聽懂了讀給他們聽的法律。（
原本因為明白律法而感動，甚至為此而哭泣。但是，
又說：今天是我們的主的聖日；你們不要難過，
利未人安撫民眾，叫他們安靜，不要悲傷，因為這一天是神聖的。
顯然，經過屬靈長輩的勸說之後，他們不僅化悲憤為力量，
反省：我是否擁有「明白上帝的律法，領受上帝的救恩，
9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, "This day is sacred to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep." 10 Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." 11 The Levites calmed all the people, saying, "Be still, for this is a sacred day. Do not grieve." 12 Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them (v9-12).
These people weep because as they listen and understand the Law and was touched deeply. However, according to the Bible, Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, "This day is sacred to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep! Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared.” Later he said, “This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
The Levites calmed all the people, saying, "Be still, for this is a sacred day. Do not grieve." 12 Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them. Clearly, through the comfort of experience elders, for they not only transform grieve to strength, from being touched in their hearts to outwardly actions; this is really to share with one another in spirit and in truth.
Reflection: Did I ever really understand God’s Law and accept his salvation, to share with others and eat and drink, to celebrate with great joy?
3>因明白律法而追求 Pursue because of understanding the Law
第二天，
當聽完以斯拉所宣講上帝的律法之後，眾人除了深受感動、
隔天，各宗族的族長跟祭司和利未人，
顯然，上帝的律例、典章，他們不僅聆聽、不僅領受，
反省：針對上帝的話語，我的態度如何？是否潛心研究、認真追求？
13 On the second day of the month, the heads of all the families, along with the priests and the Levites, gathered around Ezra the scribe to give attention to the words of the Law (v13).
After listening to Ezra instructing God’s Law, the people not only were touched, they weep. And through Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the Law, it eventually became a time of laughter where people drink and eat, to share with one another in spirit and in truth, and to celebrate with great joy.
The next day, the heads of all the families, along with the priests and the Levites, gathered around Ezra the scribe to give attention to the words of the Law; this passion to pursue is something that we ought to learn!
Reflection: According to God, how are my behaviors? Do I pursue with a serious mindset?
4>因明白律法而遵行 Act According after understanding the Law
他們發現，
有關「守住棚節」一事，還沒有領受律法之前，依然不明白。
於是民眾砍來許多樹枝，搭棚子在他們屋頂的平臺上，
反省：當我領受上帝話語，同時明白上帝話語之後，
14 They found written in the Law, which the LORD had commanded through Moses, that the Israelites were to live in booths during the feast of the seventh month 15 and that they should proclaim this word and spread it throughout their towns and in Jerusalem: "Go out into the hill country and bring back branches from olive and wild olive trees, and from myrtles, palms and shade trees, to make booths"-as it is written. 16 So the people went out and brought back branches and built themselves booths on their own roofs, in their courtyards, in the courts of the house of God and in the square by the Water Gate and the one by the Gate of Ephraim. 17 The whole company that had returned from exile built booths and lived in them (v14-17).
It is impossible to understand about living in booths during the feast of the seventh month before anyone accept and understand the Law. However, after they accepted the Law, the finally understood because God had commanded Moses to wrote it so in the Law. As a result, they should proclaim this word and spread it throughout their towns and in Jerusalem: "Go out into the hill country and bring back branches from olive and wild olive trees and from myrtles, palms and shade trees, to make booths.” So the people went out and brought back branches and built themselves booths on their own roofs, in their courtyards, in the courts of the house of God and in the square by the Water Gate and the one by the Gate of Ephraim.
Reflection: After I understand and accept God’s words, do I immediately take them into action?
5>因重溫節慶而喜樂 The joy that comes from celebration
自從嫩的兒子約書亞的時代以來，這是以色列人第一次這樣做。
當他們再一次守住棚節時，心中充滿無限的感動與歡欣。因此，
這段經文比較正確的說法，應該是說：他們已經很久沒有這樣真心、
反省：當我參加各樣聚會的時候，是否早已沒有感覺、失去熱情、
From the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day, the Israelites had not celebrated it like this. And their joy was very great (v14-17).
When they once again celebrate the feast of the seventh month, their joy was very great. Even the Bible recorded, “From the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day, the Israelites had not celebrated it like this. And their joy was very great.” A more optimistic way of saying is, “They have not celebrated with sincere hearts and passion for so long, so that this time, their hearts are deeply touched and eventually experienced the joy.”
Reflection: When I attend different gatherings, do I still have a fire of passion burning? Or have I already lost interest? Or am I touched differently each time?
四、我的禱告 / 實際應用
沒有留言:
張貼留言