約書亞記 第19章 中英摘要

  約書亞記第19章,是12支派分地的完結篇。在這一章我們看到,每個人都擁有來自神的產業,或大或小、或多或少,怎麼去承接、去看守、治理,是神給每個人必須學習的課題與責任。

  我們在這一章讀到很多城邑、地名,如果沒有經過培訓,相信很多人看到這邊就想跳過去了,然而其實聖經中每個字都有其用意。試著假想一下,現在有一個財主,要將土地豪宅分給眾人,大家會不會聚精會神地留意自己分得的地業?就像公司尾牙抽獎,也會公布獎品的項目,表示是真實的東西。神為什麼將這些地名列在聖經裡?就是要我們了解,神賜產業是事實,神給的產業更是無比確切與實際。

  譬如說在教會中有的人擅長講道,有的人會敬拜、有的人當招待。不管你手中握的是一千兩、兩千兩,還是五千兩,都是神賜與的寶貴產業。如果你跟隨神的計畫、善加使用來自神的產業,那些你所求所想的,都會再加添上去。反之若是你不好好利用神的恩賜,神將連你有的都拿走。

  其實從亞伯拉罕開始,神就應許我們如天上的星、地上的沙那麼多的財富、子女,和產業了,神做每件事都有規劃。12支派不管最後獲得多少土地、村莊多大多小,每個支派都分得到。當我們看到別人得的多時,不要羨慕嫉妒,而要為他感謝神,並且感恩自己的手中的擁有。神給的產業,我們要利用福音、給出去,恩賜將越用越多,產業也將越給越大。

  神要求的事情,人常常做不到、或是打折扣。然而得著產業的秘訣,其實非常簡單。就是照著神說的去行,不用任何方法。意思是說,不要隨人的想法,而是要跟從神的教導,神怎麼說,你就怎麼執行。照著人的想法將惹紛爭,照著神的想法則是得祝福。

  跟從教導行事,有如聰明的工頭,將房子蓋在磐石上;而那些聽到而不照著做的,就像愚昧的工頭,將房子蓋在沙土上,風吹雨打就垮了。我們做每件事都從最基本去學習,有些人事物我們不懂的,跟著教導邊走邊校正;因為我們不是神,我們受到環境或其他因素的影響,看東西沒有那麼正確,但只要一步一步跟著神的計畫走,就不致偏離。

  神創造亞當,編派的第一個任務,就是管理產業。我們都是蒙神揀選的子民、我們都已得著產業,下一步就是去行動。當個忠心良善的管家,管理神賜下的產業,盡心、盡性、盡意、盡力愛主。以謙和與智慧、遵守神的律例典章,將神的產業治理得當,幫助更多人來信主,一同享受永世的富足。

2015/12/3 葉長老 風美小組信息 / 孝偲 摘錄整理

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Joshua 19

  In Joshua 19, the Israelites finished allotting the land to the twelve tribes. In this chapter, we see that God gives everyone a part of the inheritance, be it large or small, and it is a lesson we must learn, as well as a responsibility we must take, to receive, guard, and to manage our inheritance.

  Many names of cities and places were recorded in this chapter, it is understandable and thinkable that most of the untrained readers would be tempted to skip this part. However, please keep in mind that every single word in the Bible has its significance. Imagine that a wealthy man is giving his land and houses away, would people pay attention to what they get? The gifts at the year-end banquet are listed to signify that the gifts are real. So why did God have all the names documented in the Bible? He did it to make us understand that He indeed gave the Israelites their inheritances, and that their inheritances are precise and actual.

  Some people are good at preaching, some are good at leading worship, and still others are good at receiving and ushering people. It doesn’t matter if you have one, two or five bags of gold; they are all precious gift given by God. If you follow God’s plan and make good use of the property God has entrusted to you, you will get everything you’ve ever dreamed of, if not, you’ll get what’s best for you. On the contrary, if you fail to make good use of your gifts, God will take everything away from you.

  In fact, God had promised, from the time of Abraham, that we would be as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. God had promised countless offspring, great wealth and uncountable properties. God does everything with purpose and plan. Although some tribes may get smaller parts of the land, and others may get larger parts, yet all twelve tribes of the Israelites got their share of the inheritance. Don’t be jealous or envious if someone gets more than you do, instead, thank God for him/her and for what you have. Be a good and faithful servant, and make good use of God’s gifts to spread the Gospel. The more you use your gift, the more you will receive.

  People often fail to obey God’s orders completely. However, it is quite simple to acquire one’s inheritance: to do as God commands. There is no other tricks. Do not follow the thinking of man, but the teaching of God. Do everything exactly as God orders. Man’s way lead to strife, and yet God’s way lead to blessings.

  Those who follow Jesus’ teachings are like wise men who build his house on the rock. Those who hear God’s words but do not put them into practice are like foolish men who build his house on sand. The house would crash when the rain and wind strike. We need to learn everything from the foundation. There are things and people we don’t understand, so we need to follow God’s lead and learn as we move along. We are not God, we are easily affected by our environment and other factors, and we make mistakes in our judgments, but we would be on the right track as long as we follow Jesus’ footsteps.

  After God created Adam, the first task given to Adam is to rule. We are all chosen by God. We have received our inheritance, and the next step is to take action! Be a good and faithful servant, and manage the property God entrusted to you with care. Love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and strength. Keep God’s decrees and laws with humbleness and wisdom. Take good care, and make good use, of God’s gifts. Lead people to Jesus. This way, we may enjoy eternal life together!

2015/12/3 Message by Elder Yeh