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撒迦利亚书 第一章 - 回转,见证神对祂子民的热忱与大能

从古至今,神呼唤人悔改的声音从未停歇。你会如何回应?

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9 分钟阅读

撒迦利亚与先知哈该是同一时代的人,撒迦利亚书是写给那些已经归回的被掳者,鼓励他们继续重建圣殿的工作(以斯拉记5:1)。  

虽然百姓身体上已经回到耶路撒冷,但迫害和不忠使他们的心没有完全归向神。与其建造神的殿,他们选择专注于自己的追求(哈该书1:2-9)。

引言(1:1-6)——转向我,我就必转向你们  

在展开八个异象之前,《撒迦利亚书》首先发出悔改归向神的呼召——这主题在早期先知书中已多次出现。  

耶和华提醒百姓,祂曾向他们的列祖发怒,因他们不听从先前的先知(这等同于不听从神的声音)(亚1:1-4)。  

然而时光流逝,世人终有一死。无论是顽梗的神的子民,甚至神的先知,无人能长生不死(亚1:5)。  

然而,神借先知所说的话和命令,将超越那些古代世代的百姓,神的话语永远长存(诗篇119:89;以赛亚书40:8;马太福音5:17)!  

这对我们有何意义?  

一方面,这意味着神的公义标准,记载在祂的话语中,是永恒不变的,我们依旧被此衡量。

另一方面,这也意味着神在圣经中记下的应许,虽然已经写下了几千年,今天对我们来说仍然是真实的!

两千多年前,神就向祂的子民承诺:"你们要转向我,我就必转向你们"(亚1:3)。  

这悔改的呼召并非撒迦利亚时代独有,而是反复回荡在历史中(参申命记30:1-6;历代志下7:13-14)。  

如今,这呼唤仍向我们发出。  


让我们审视自己,认识到我们哪里有所欠缺。让我们在神面前谦卑悔改,回到过一种讨神喜悦的生活。

在前两幅异象中,我们看到神的应许应验了:当我们转向神,神必真的转向我们(亚1:3)!  


第一异象(1:7-17)——神对祂百姓的心  

撒迦利亚1:7-11记载的异象中出现几个角色:  

1)站在番石榴树中骑红马的人(后称"耶和华的使者");  

2)他身后的其他马匹;  

3)与撒迦利亚对话的天使。  

在夜色深沉时(亚1:8),那些马匹奉命巡行全地。它们回报说全地都安宁平静(亚1:11)。  

这意味着神要起来采取行动的时候到了(参哈该书2:20;西番雅书1:7;撒迦利亚书2:13)。  

1:12-17记录耶和华使者与万军之耶和华的对话。使者求问:主向被掳七十年的选民发怒,还要多久才施怜悯(亚1:12)?  

耶和华便以美善安慰的话回应(亚1:13),天使转而告知先知。  

先知被两次嘱咐要宣告(亚1:14,17):  神为耶路撒冷大发热心,必施怜悯归回(亚1:14-16)。这正应验1:3的应许——若百姓回转,神必转向他们。  

当神转向他们时,祂的殿必在耶路撒冷重建(亚1:16),这向祂的百姓保证,那个他们曾暂停的圣殿重建工程,将一定完成。

尽管耶路撒冷当时毫无繁荣景象(参尼希米记1:3;2:3),神却应许祂的城必再昌盛(亚1:17),并有准绳测量耶路撒冷(亚1:16)——特别是撒迦利亚书2:1-5,描述了耶路撒冷将会有多么广阔和无法衡量。

从第一异象可见神对子民的心意:  祂定意尽心尽力施恩相助(亚8:15;耶32:41),以炽热的爱为百姓燃烧(亚1:14;8:2)。  

即便我们(个人或教会)正经历黑夜般的试炼(亚1:8),也当坚信:神必按时动工,完成重建。祂以应许安慰我们——若真心归回,必蒙兴旺(亚1:13,17)。  

第二异象(1:18-21)——为子民掌管历史  

1:18-21的异象展现神绝对的至高主权——祂为选民行事时彰显的大能。  

虽然祂兴起四角(象征势力)击打分散祂的民,却另兴起四匠人制伏那些角。  

可见神为子民伸冤,掌控历史进程(箴言21:1)。  

既然列国兴衰皆在祂手中,今日我们还需惧怕什么?  

神全能的手正掌管世界一切(即使局势看似混乱)。祂精心安排每个地缘政治事件,全为我们的益处。  

而祂对教会的掌管更为周密。  

例如:真耶稣教会诞生的时代,正值圣经译本普及、航空技术爆发前夜,使工人能便捷地环球传道;  

又如:COVID-19如此严重的疫情,偏偏发生在视频会议技术成熟之时,使我们能持续敬拜。  

(当然,我们无法完全明白神的时间,但回顾神伟大的智慧和能力仍然令人心生敬畏。)  

因此,无论今日看见什么,总要刚强。不必忧虑,只要忠心侍奉。  


反思  

今日教会的光景或许令人沮丧,许多事令人困惑。  

但从这两个异象,当牢记:  满有怜悯的神为子民大发热心;  全能的神掌管万有。  

我们切不可效法那些只顾私欲、忽略建殿的以色列人。  总要竭力以热忱回应神,将这热忱投向祂与祂的教会。  

让我们紧握祂的应许:"你们要转向我,我就必转向你们"。

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但以理书 第四章(英文)

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The story in Daniel Chapter 4 is perhaps not unfamiliar to many of us. King Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of the great Babylonian empire, the king of kings, being turned into a beast, how spectacular is that? It's not until we read through this chapter for ourselves that we realise something even more spectacular: this whole chapter is told by King Nebuchadnezzar himself. Daniel Chapter 4 is King Nebuchadnezzar's own personal testimony! Isn't King Nebuchadnezzar the infamous evil king? How is it that in this chapter he gives praise to the almighty God? Perhaps the first thing that should catch our attention from today's chapter is the repeated phrase in verses 17 and 32. The Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He wills. This phrase can even be said to be the theme of the whole Book of Daniel. This book is mostly set in the time of exile, when there seemingly was no longer any king over the people of God. 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But for us Christians, the sovereignty and authority of God is something that we must be well-aware of and fully willing to submit to. If God doesn't let me get that job, are we able to accept it? If God closes the path towards our dreams, are we will to say "Let Thy will be done"? If God takes away all that we have, are we able to be like Job and say "Blessed be the name of the Lord"? If all this is causing us to struggle, remember this: God loves us. He knows what's best for us, He knows what we need. He has already given His life for us, and given us His precious Spirit to dwell within us. Having faith in God's love towards us gives us strength to submit to our King with full assurance that this is the best path for us, this is the way to blessing and to eternal life. Since our God is the highest and rules over the kingdom of man, what then should our response ought to be? Nebuchadnezzar begins and ends his testimony by praising and glorifying God. Giving praises to God is something that we have been often taught but perhaps we have not given enough thought to or taken seriously enough. Yet, throughout the Bible, it's clear that praises are a key part of our worship to God (just read the Book of Psalms). What might we praise God for? Like Nebuchadnezzar, we can praise God for His greatness and His almightiness. Just consider the stars, or the intricacies of the human body. We can praise God for His love and wisdom as seen in His creation as well as in His word. The more we study into the holy scriptures, the more we are filled with awe at how complete, connected, and wonderful these life-giving words are. We can also glorify God for His salvation which He has so freely given to us. Imagine how different our lives might be today if not for His grace and mercy! It's when we decide to finally take the importance of praising God seriously and intentionally set aside some time in our daily prayers to praise God, that we truly experience the blessing that comes along with it. We go through life being filled with joy and gratitude, knowing that we have such a great and powerful Heavenly Father who loves us. In fact, it was when Nebuchadnezzar took the glory for Himself rather than giving all glory to God, that the infamous transformation into a beast took place. This brings us nicely to the final point of reflection for this devotional. Pride - when we take glory for ourselves rather than giving glory to God. Nebuchadnezzar's testimony serves as a stark warning for us. Even just a sentence or thought of pride can greatly displease God. How often have we unknowingly taken credit for ourselves for any achievements we have, or for any divine work that we do? Being puffed up with pride and not keeping to one's proper domain is precisely the sin of satan (1 Tim 3:6, Jude 6-7). If we are filled with pride, what difference is there between us and satan? In fact, while satan exalted himself, God on the contrary lowered Himself, coming in the likeness of man and humbling Himself even to the point of death (Phil 2:5-8). Whose example do we want to follow, that of God or of satan? Let us take warning from the story of Nebuchadnezzar and carefully consider who's example we want to follow. Indeed, God opposes the proud while giving grace to the humble. He blesses the meek, that they might inherit the earth .

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We have four places of worship, and we gather for Sabbath and night worship services. We welcome you to join us for any of our in-person services!

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