Life construction is important

Nehemiah 8 (New International Version)

¹ all the people assembled as one man in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded for Israel.

² So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. ³ He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.

⁴ Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform built for the occasion. Beside him on his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam.

⁵ Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. ⁶ Ezra praised the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, "Amen! Amen!" Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

⁷ The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there. ⁸ They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear ^[a] and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read.

一、中心內容：Message

內容：Content
1>尼希米請文士以斯拉，前來教導百姓認識上帝藉著摩西 所頒佈的律法。Ezra the scribe brought out the Book of the Law of Moses and all the people were taught through the Book of Law（v1-4）
2>當百姓聽完上帝藉著摩西所頒佈的律法之後，眾人起立齊聲以「阿 門」來回應，並且立即俯伏敬拜上帝。After hearing the Book of the Law of Moses, the crowd rose and responded “Amen” in unison, they bowed down and worshiped the Lord（v5-8）

主題：生命建造工程。Theme

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

1>頒佈律法的上帝。（v1）God who commands the Book of the Law
2>配得頌讚的上帝。（v6）God who is worthy of praise
3>配得敬拜的上帝。（v7）God who is worthy of worship

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>從事生命的建造
到了第七月，以色列人在各人的城鎮都安頓好了。那月的第一日，他 們聚集在耶路撒冷，在水門前的廣場上。他們請經學專家以斯拉祭司把法律書帶來；這法律就是上主藉摩西頒給以色列人的。all the people assembled as one man in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded for Israel.（v1）
硬體（城牆）建造固然重要，軟體（生命）建造更為重要。Hardware (wall) construction is important, but the software (life) is more important to the construction. 尼希米真不愧是一位有眼光、有智慧的屬靈領袖。Nehemiah was someone who had visions and was a wise spiritual leader. 因為當他完成城牆重建工程之後，緊接著著手進行生命建造工程。After he was done with the wall construction, he proceeded to the reconstruction of life. 城牆建造工程，需要預備各樣的材料，但是生命建造工程，靠的就是上帝的律法。The wall construction needed all sorts of material objects, but the construction of life relies on God’s Law.
因此，根據經文所描述，到了第七月，以色列人在各人的城鎮都安 頓好了。那月的第一日，他們聚集在耶路撒冷，在水門前的廣場上。Thus, according to the scriptures’ description, the Israelites settle in July and on the first day of the month, they gather in Jerusalem in the square before the Water Gate. 他們請經學專家以斯拉祭司把法律書帶來；這律法就是上帝藉著摩西頒給以色列人的。They asked Ezra the priest to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded for Israel.
反省：我對生命的建造有多少認識？我是否相信上帝的話語，會改 變一個人的生命？我是否天天渴慕領受上帝的話語？，是否確實遵行？Reflection: What do I know about building a life that s pleasing to God? Do I believe that the Word of God could change a person’s life? Do I long for the Word of God? Do I really obey His Word?

2>乾渴已久的心靈
於是以斯拉把它帶到群眾聚集的地方；那裏有男有女，還有年紀較 大、能明白事理的兒童。
以斯拉在水門前的廣場上向他們宣讀法律，從黎明一直讀到中午；他 們都很注意聽。So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. ³ He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.（v2-3）
根據經文的描述，當祭司以斯拉宣讀上帝的律法時，百姓都是站著 聆聽，而且是從黎明站到中午，尤其在這段期間之內，一直都非常的專注。According to the passages, when the priest Ezra read the Book of the Law, the people stood up and listened attentively from daybreak till noon.
他們站立的時間，經估算大約有六個小時之久。六個小時，一直站 立，而且專心聆聽，實在不是一件容易的事。顯然，他們的心靈乾渴已久，因此，對上帝的律法，才如此的渴慕。They stood for 6 hours. Being attentive and standing up for 6 hours is not an easy task. The hearts of the people had a thirst for God’s Law and were longing for the Word of God.
反省：我對上帝的話語有何反應？渴慕嗎？還是視如催眠藥？聖經 一番開就想打瞌睡？Reflection: How do I react to the Word of God? Do I long for it? What is my attitude while studying the Bible?

3>包括兒童也聆聽
於是以斯拉把它帶到群眾聚集的地方；那裏有男有女，還有年紀較 大、能明白事理的兒童。So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. （v2）
當時聆聽上帝的律法，不只有大人而已，連兒童也一起聆聽。就今 日來說，領受上帝的話語，並非成人的專利，兒童也需要上帝的話語。兒童甚至更容易領受、遵行上帝的話語。Not only adults, but children were also listening to God’s Word. Nowadays, it is the same case. All adults and children need the Word of God. Yet the children are most likely to accept the Word of God.
反省：我如何讓家中的小孩，也能領受並且明白上帝的話語？Reflection: What should I do to guide my children to understand and accept the Word of God?

4>心敬畏態度虔誠
以斯拉站在高臺上，他們都注目看他。他一打開書，大家都站起來。以 斯拉說：「頌鑽上主─偉大的上帝！」所有民眾都舉起手，應聲說：「阿們！阿們！」然後跪下，臉伏在地上敬拜上 主。Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. ⁶ Ezra praised the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, "Amen! Amen!" Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.（v5-6）
經文當中，非常詳細的描述，當以斯拉宣讀律法時，會眾的反應與 肢體動作。也就是當以斯拉站在高臺上時，群眾都注目看他。當律法書一打開，眾人就都站了起來。The scriptures describe in detail the reaction of the crowd when Ezra read the Book of the Law out loud. When Ezra was standing above the people, they had all attention on him and as Ezra opened the book, all the people stood up. 接著，以斯拉宣 佈：願頌鑽上主----偉大的上帝！所有民眾都舉起手，應聲說：「阿們！阿們！」然後跪下來，臉伏在地 上敬拜上帝。Then Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, "Amen! Amen!" Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
這樣的態度，真令人感動。顯示他們的內心，對上帝是何等的敬畏，態 度是何等的虔誠！By this impressive attitude, we can see how they were sincere.
反省：看完當時百姓聆聽律法的態度，請回想一下：今天自己讀聖 經的態度又是如何？參加禮拜聆聽講道時的態度又如何？Reflection: After reading about how the people were sincere, let us think about ourselves. What is my attitude today and what about in the future times?

5>同心事奉神話語
以斯拉站在一個特別為這事而造的木臺上。他右邊站著瑪他提雅、示 瑪、亞奈雅、烏利亞、希勒家，和瑪西雅，左邊站著比大雅、米沙利、瑪基雅、哈順、哈拔大拿、撒迦利亞，和米書蘭。Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform built for the occasion. Beside him on his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam.（v4）後來，民眾起 來，站在他們原來的位置；有些利未人就向他們解釋法律。這些人是耶書亞、巴尼、示利比、雅憫、亞谷、沙比太、荷第雅、瑪西 雅、基利他、亞撒利亞、約撒拔、哈難，和比萊雅。The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there.（v7）
在這段經文當中，先後兩次出現團隊事奉的例子。In this passage, the example of serving as a group appeared twice.
第一次：看到在以斯拉的兩旁，右邊站著瑪他提雅、示瑪、亞奈雅、烏 利亞、希勒家，和瑪西雅，左邊站著比大雅、米沙利、瑪基雅、哈順、哈拔大拿、撒迦利亞，和米書蘭。The first time: Beside him on his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam.
第二次：又看到有些利未人向他們解釋法律。這些利未人是耶書亞、巴 尼、示利比、雅憫、
亞谷、沙比太、荷第雅、瑪西雅、基利他、亞撒利亞、約撒拔、哈 難，和比萊雅等人。The second time: the Levites - Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah
顯然，他們是以團隊的方式，一同事奉上帝的話語，讓領受的人得 益處。 They served the God together in unity and allow the people to receive the Word of God.
反省：我是否願意與人配搭團隊事奉？是否曾經以上帝的話語來事 奉他人？Reflection: Am I willing to serve God as a group with other people? Do I use God’s Word to serve?

6>今日講道的意義
他們向民眾口頭翻譯上帝的法律書，並加以解釋，使民眾能明白。They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear ^[a] and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read.（v8）
今天眾教會禮拜中，都有講道的事奉。講道不是講故事，也不是講 一套人所思想出來的理論，而是傳講上帝的道，講解上帝的話語，讓上帝的百姓明瞭，以便生活上有所遵循。Worships in the churches today include preaching. The church preaches and explains the Word of God for people to understand the Word of God and to follow it in everyday lives.
反省：我是否看重禮拜中的講道，我是否以一顆謙卑的心來領受？Reflection: How important is the preaching for me? Do I have a humble heart while receiving the Word of God?

四、我的禱告 / 實際應用Prayer / Life application