經文: | 耶利米書50-52章 |
中心思想: | 耶利米書52章 |
提要
在描述這些拜偶像國家的命運時,耶利米宣佈了他們最可佈的結局!他足足用了兩章的篇幅為巴比倫的毀滅禱告──這國終將全然荒涼,以致於行經的過客都要「受驚駭,又因他所遭的災殃嗤笑」(耶50:13),在扼要的重述耶路撒冷的淪亡之後,先知就此掩卷結束預言。日後,當復興的先兆來臨之時,猶大被擄的國王約雅斤意外的獲得戰勝國的禮遇,榮華富貴的歡度了餘生。 |
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每日與主同行
耶利米書落幕的時候,正是猶太人受盡巴比倫擄掠欺淩的一段黑暗時期,猶大曾多次拒絕上帝的恩典,以致先知不再呼籲他們「悔改歸回」了!
耶利米和其他舊約先知都是上帝「預警系統」的一部份,他們的天職是:當上帝的百姓處於滅亡的時機,就發信號示警。他們都盡忠職守,按時發佈警告,但以猶大為例,聽到信息的百姓總是置若罔聞,全不當一回事。
今天上帝還是使用「預警系統」警告身陷危險的信徒,也許是聖經上的某一段經文正中要害的指出你生活需要調整、改變的地方,也許是一位基督徒、朋友、牧師或父母的「先知之聲」,警告你脫離危險之路。
今天花一點時間尋找你生命中的「預警信號」──可能是罪的悔改,也可能是良心覺醒,記住猶大的悲慘命運,千萬別讓今天的警告從你身邊輕輕溜過!
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默想
耶利米──成功或失敗?
米開蘭基羅在羅馬「細細聽小教堂」天花板上的名畫──耶利米肖像──充分表現出先知深切憂傷,而又極其堅強的特質。雖然他不能力挽狂瀾,把國家帶回上帝面前,但對上帝給他的使命而言,是十分成功的:他無畏無懼,忠貞不二的宣講上帝託付的訊息。你在地上的日子,也會自始至終的這麼做嗎?
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金言
最難持守忠誠的時候,也是最需要持守的時候。 |
English |
8/14/2013 Downfall of Babylon |
Scriptures: | Jeremiah 50-52 |
Heart of the Passage: | Jeremiah 52 |
Overview
Jeremiah saves the best—or rather the worst—for last. He devotes two full chapters to a litany of destruction for Babylon—of desolation so complete that passers-by would be "astonished, and hiss at all her plagues' (50:13). After briefly recounting the fall of Jerusalem, the prophet ends his book on a high note. As a foretaste of restoration to come, Judah's exiled King Jehoiachin receives unexpected kindness from his captors. |
Chapters 50-51
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Chapter 52
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Babylon's End Foretold
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Judah's End Retold
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God's Judgments Finalized
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Your Daily Walk
The concluding scene of Jeremiah's book is one of dark days of Jewish captivity in Babylon. Judah has rejected God's gracious offer one too many times. The cry of "Repent and return!" will never be heard from the prophet's lips.
Jeremiah and the other Old Testament prophets were part of God's "Early Warning System." Their job: to signal God's people when their actions were in danger of triggering their downfall. The prophets were faithful to their task—the warning went out But in Judah's case, the message was not heeded.
God still uses "Early Warning Systems" today to signal danger to His believing ones. Perhaps a page from this Bible reading guide has hit home in an area of your life that needs changing. Or maybe the prophetic voice of a Christian counselor, friend, pastor, or parent has alerted you to the danger of continuing down the path you're on.
Take a moment today to look for "early warning signals" in your own life—a conviction of sin, a tugging of conscience. Remember Judah's sorry fate ... and don't let today's warning pass you by!
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Insight
Jeremiah—Success or Failure?
Michelangelo's portrait of Jeremiah on the ceiling of die Sistine Chapel in Rome shows the prophet as a man of great sorrow and enormous strength. Though he failed to turn his nation back to God, he succeeded in his mission for God: declaring fearlessly and faithfully the message God had entrusted to him. Could the same be said of you when your days on earth are through?
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Adage
When faithfulness is most difficult, it is most necessary. |
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