經文: | 約伯記29-31章 |
中心思想: | 約伯記29:1-7;30:1-8;31:5-15 |
提要
為了不要重覆那些陳腔濫調的控訴,瑣法保持緘默。雖然約伯的心理輔導們都江郎才盡了,但約伯的景況依然令人困惑,一如從前。比造成目前景況更使約伯鬱鬱寡歡的是對過去的追想,過去上帝以保護、引導、家庭、財富、尊嚴和智慧祝福他,「但如今──」一切都改變了!蔑視、疾病、貧窮和眼淚成為他的全部,反覆了二十次之後,約伯說:「如果我犯錯偏離了上帝的道,願我受罰。」上帝用天平秤度他生活的時候,他毫不懼怕那結果。 |
第29章
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第30章
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第31章
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過去光榮的嚮往
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今日痛苦的呻吟
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全然無辜的宣告
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追想
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怨尤
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重申
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每日與主同行
「完」或「劇終」經常出現在一本書的最後一頁,或一部電影的最後一幕,表示故事結束。
以約伯來說,這些字是他自述苦況的終結(31:40),但這劇神蹟劇並末就此結束,「苦難聖徒的畫像」似乎還沒有找到解決之道,這時約伯做了一件極有智慧的事,就是服事主。
經過這二十九章的爭執之後,約伯想「解脫」一會而,遂仿詩人的榜樣:「要休息,要知道我是上帝」(詩46:10)。
急促的謊話;辯護、要求解釋,常是我們心中最想做的,但要從約伯身上記取教訓,有些時候這才是合適的──也是較有智慧的──就是保持緘默,只須傾聽那從上帝來的微小聲音,「現在」是否就是「有時候」呢? |
默想
來自特殊之地的產物
第一眼看出二十九章六節時,可能不會有什麼感覺,什麼「奶多可洗我腳,磐石為我出油成河」?如果你知道古代近東地區大戶人家的財富,就不足為奇了!「奶多」意指牛群、羊群數量極多,「出油成河」則指橄欖樹廣植成林,茂盛的生長在磐石地上,製油只須從堅硬的磐石上砍伐橄欖樹,壓榨即可。約伯並未把財富的龐大歸功自己,而是歸榮歸給上帝。 |
金言
今日上帝還是會來到一個安靜、傾聽,而且是留心傾聽的人身邊。 |
English |
5/27/2013 Job's Final Plea |
Scriptures: | Job 29-31 |
Heart of the Passage: | Job 29:1-7; 30:1-8; 31:5-15 |
Overview
Rather than repeat his well-worn accusations, Zophar maintains his silence. But though Job's counselors have run out of words, Job's condition is just as perplexing as before. What makes the present predicament even more unpleasant for Job is his recollection of the past. In days gone by God had blessed him with protection, guidance, family, prosperity, dignity, and discernment. But now—all that has changed. Derision, disease, poverty and tears have filled his life. And yet, 20 times over, Job affirms, "If I have erred in any way from God's law, let me be punished accordingly." Job does not fear the outcome when it is God who weighs his life in the balance. |
Chapter 29
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Chapter 30
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Chapter 31
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Job's Desire for
Past Glory
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Job's Distress over
Present Groaning
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Job's Declaration of
Perfect Innocence
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Remembrance
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Resentment
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Reaffirmation
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Your Daily Walk
"The End." Those words are often seen at the close of a book or movie. They mark the last page or the last scene. The story's over.
In Job's case, those words lower the curtain on his attempts to explain his predicament (31:40). The mystery remained unsolved; "The Case of the Suffering Saint" seemed as far away from a solution as ever. Then Job did a very wise thing—he waited upon the Lord (Psalm 46:10).
The urge to talk, to defend, to demand explanations, is strong in us all. But take a lesson from Job. Sometimes it is preferable, and wiser, to say nothing, and merely to listen for the still small voice of God. Is one of those "sometimes" right now? |
Insight
Prosperity from a Peculiar Place
At first glance, 29:6 may not make sense, what with its buttery steps and oily rocks! Think of these as ancient Near Eastern imagery for prosperity. An abundance of butter indicates large herds of cows and goats. Streams of oil indicate large forests of olive trees that thrive in rocky soil, the oil being extracted in presses hewn from solid rock. Job did not attribute his prosperity to personal achievement, but rather to the providence of God (29:2-5).
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Adage
God still comes where He can find someone quiet enough to listen and alone enough to heed. |
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