經文: | 撒母耳記上4-8章 |
中心思想: | 撒母耳記上4、6、8章 |
提要
人對上帝的信心一旦動搖,就想要有個人手所造的偶像來依靠,如同以色列民當初在西乃山拜金牛犢,他們把約櫃運到戰場,以為這樣就可打敗非利士人,誰知竟遭慘敗,三萬人陣亡(包括以利的兩個兒子),連同約櫃都被擄去。乍聞敗訊,以利往後跌倒,摔斷頭頸而死──這真是一幕國破家亡、令人傷心落淚的景象。收拾殘局的工作只好留給撒母耳,他帶領百姓向上帝懺悔。但是他的晚年也不比以利好,他的兒子收受賄賂,屈枉正直,使得舉國喧鬧著要有個君王治理他們,「像列國一樣。」(8:20) |
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第4章
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第5章
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第6章
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第7章
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第8章
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約櫃被擄
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約櫃被棄
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約櫃運回
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百姓悔改
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民求立王
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重獲約櫃
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重建邦國
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每日與主同行
對或錯:想要趕上鄰居的生活水準是現代人才有的通病?
答案:錯!早在數千年前,以色列人就要像鄰邦那樣,有個王統領他們。
「人家有什麼,自己也想擁有什麼」原是人類的通病。你可以叫它是嫉妒、貪婪或口慾,俗話說:「外國的月亮比較圓」,但上帝說這是罪。知足是屬上帝子民生活的特徵。
檢查一下你的知足指數,這個月來你的花費有多少是出於虛榮心而非實際的需要?有否挪用奉獻的錢作他用?若有,你要想想那些花費的心態及習慣要改變,才能成為上帝有用的管家。千萬記得,耶穌曾說:「你們要先求上帝的國和上帝的義,……。」(太6:33)
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默想
在戰敗不光榮的時刻,以利的兒婦非尼哈產下一子
她死前為他取名以迦博(榮耀在那兒?),這名字很適合這個由不順命的父母所生,卻即將成為孤兒的他。(4:19-22)
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金言
不滿使富足人貧窮,知足使貧窮人富足。 |
English |
3/18/2013 Israel’s Defeat |
Scriptures: | 1 Samul 4-8 |
Heart of the Passage: | 1 Samul 4,6,8 |
Overview
When faith in God wavers, faith in man-made objects increases. In a scene reminiscent of the golden calf at Mount Sinai, [he people of Israel carry the ark of the covenant into battle, confident that its presence will ensure victory over the Philistines. Instead, they suffer a shattering defeat in which 30,000 lives are lost (including the two sons of Eli) and the ark of the covenant is captured. Upon hearing the news, Eli falls backward and breaks his neck—a pathetic picture of a broken man and a broken nation. It remains for Samuel to assume the reins of leadership and guide the people back to repentance. But his declining years prove no more successful than Eli's as Samuel's sons once again corrupt the priesthood, causing the nation to clamor for a king "that we may be like all the nations" (8:20). |
CHAPTER 4
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CHAPTER 5
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CHAPTER 6
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CHAPTER 7
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CHAPTER 8
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The Ark Captured
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The Ark Unwanted
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The Ark Returned
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The People Repenting
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The People Demanding
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Returning the Ark
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Rebuilding the Nation
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Your Daily Walk
True or False: The desire to keep up with the Joneses began with the Joneses' neighbors.
Answer: False! It was present thousands of years ago when the people of Israel demanded a king just like their neighbors had.
It's a human tendency to want what someone else has. Call it what you may—covetousness, lust, envy, the "grass-is-greener-on-the-other-side" syndrome—God calls it sin. Contentment, not covetousness, should mark the lifestyle of God's children.
Check up on your "CQ"—your "Contentment Quotient." What purchases made in the last 30 days were prompted more by envy than by genuine need? Has a desire for material things diverted funds that should be going into the Lord's work? If so, what needs to change about your spending habits and attitudes it" you are to be a good steward of the resources God has given you? Remember what Jesus said: "But seek [you] first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness..." (Matthew 6:33)! |
Insight
An Inglorious Birth at an Infamous Moment —
Moments before her death, Phinehas's wife gave birth to a son and named him Ichabod ("where is the honor?")— a fitting title for a child suddenly left orphaned by disobedient parents (4:19-22).
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Adage
Discontent makes rich men poor, while contentment makes poor men rich. |
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