一夫当关

创世记十八17－33

亚伯拉罕祈求神不要毁灭所多玛

耶和华神说：『所多玛和蛾摩拉的罪恶甚重，声闻于我。我要下去，察看他们所行的。』（20-21节）

神是公义的，他憎恶罪恶，审判罪人，甚至毁灭他们。亚伯拉罕和神的关系很密切。他被称为神的朋友。神应许过亚伯拉罕，列国必因他得福。因这缘故神说：『我所要做的事岂可瞒着亚伯拉罕呢？』（17节）

神容许亚伯拉罕参与行动，充当了刑罚的代求者，甚至和他讨价还价。

亚伯拉罕向神申诉：『神审判恶人是可以的，难道也一起将义人剿灭吗？如果城里有50个义人，难道神不因为这些义人，饶恕城里其他的恶人吗？』（23-25节）

亚伯拉罕最关注是，义人不应遭受与恶人相同命运，这是有损神的公义。况且神应该因着有义人存在而饶恕恶人。在此，亚伯拉罕从神的公义和公平，转移到神的怜悯和恩典。公义和恩典都是神的属性。

亚伯拉罕为所多玛代求情词迫切，这城最终能逃过被毁灭吗？

恩典与力量不是必然的，可以透过祷告和祈求获得

耶和华说：『若有50个义人，我饶恕那地方众人。』

亚伯拉罕接着说：『如果有45个义人，你会毁灭全城吗？……』

亚伯拉罕紧紧抓着神的恩典，大胆地跟神讨价还价，由50个减到45、40、30、20、一直到10个义人。神很有耐心地听亚伯拉罕的祈求，他答应纵然城里只有10个义人，就饶恕这城。原来10个义人对一个城市有很大的影响力！

亚伯拉罕以谦卑和敬畏的态度恳求这位公正神赐下恩典。公正的神也是怜悯的神。他按所多玛罪恶满盈加以刑罚，但他也有能力中断审判下死亡的枷锁。他愿意为义人的缘故而放过恶人。

亚伯拉罕整个代求行动，提醒我们应当勤于祷告祈求。我们祈求神，因他满有恩典，他听祷告。我们更加应该多多祷告祈求，因为神的恩典和力量来到不是必然的，是可以借着警醒祷告，祈求而获得。

你是一位祷告勇士吗？

当你看见周遭出现贫穷、艾滋病泛滥、国与国之间战争、社会充斥暴力和贪污腐败、地震、水灾等自然灾害；看见教会领袖软弱、信徒灵命衰退，你是代求者，还是无动于衷继续忙自己的事？

可能我们已经很少俯伏在神面前祷告，自己也不察觉。我们觉得没什么特别的事可以祈求，我们满足了。这隐含我们是自负，觉得自己可以解决问题，没什么大不了的事；或反映我们的不信，因我们以为祷告也没有用，神不听祷告的；或反映我们的惰性，要等到悲剧发生时才想到来亲近神，寻求神。

耶稣这么斥责睡着了的门徒：『你们不能同我警醒一小时吗？总要警醒祷告，免得陷入试探……』（太二十六41）

彼得提醒信徒：『务要谨守，儆醒，因为你们的仇敌魔鬼，如同吼叫的狮子，遍地游行，寻找可吞吃的人。你们要用坚固的信心抵挡他，因为知道你们在世上的众弟兄也是经历这样的苦难。』（彼得前书五8-9）

魔鬼很高兴看见信徒不警醒祷告，不祈求神，依靠神。这样的信徒会逐渐地远离神。当信徒不住的祷告，与神亲近，祈求神，魔鬼一定会远离他们。让我们来向神祈求，在危难面前祷告，为着自己和他人的灵性祷告，求神的恩典降下。现在我们在哪方面最需要神的恩典和力量，向神祈求吧！

通过祷告和祈求，人更加认识神

为什么亚伯拉罕上诉到10个义人就停止了？

他为何不继续求到5个，或1个义人呢？我们从神怎么回答亚伯拉罕看到端倪。

神第一次回答说，『我就饶恕这地方』（26节）。饶恕是很正面，主动施恩典。然后神的回答转变到，『我也不作这事』（29、30节）『不作这事』是中性。最后神说，『我也不毁灭那城』（31，32节）。『毁灭』是负面，严厉的字眼。事到如今，亚伯拉罕知道应该停止了。

神说，若城里有10个无辜者，他会饶恕全城。这点已经足够反映神是有公义和恩待全城的人。亚伯拉罕越向神祷告祈求，就越明白神的属性和心意，因此知道什么时候该停止了！

这么看来，神将毁灭所多玛和蛾摩拉的意思告知亚伯拉罕，是给予亚伯拉罕机会去充当一位列国的仲裁者和代求者。借此，亚伯拉罕可以认识神有公义和怜悯的属性，而自己的灵命得以成长，以致也能够以公义和怜悯待人。

祷告使人和神保持紧密的关系，人自然对神有正确的认识，不会把他当成暴君。圣经是神的话语，它阐明神的旨意和属性。然而，通过祷告，人对神心意特别敏感，了解神的旨意，这是直观式的认识神。人越发懂得神的心意，进而改变自己的心意来符合神的旨意。

今天你在哪方面拿捏不稳，犹豫不决？你忘记了祷告与交托。

今天你是否觉得自己和神的关系不是那么踏实？你忘记了祷告与交托。

今天你是否觉得无能改变自己，突破生命的局限？你忘记了祷告与交托。

成为中流砥柱

旧约里有提到一人犯罪，连累其他人受罪。亚干犯罪导致以色列战败死亡；亚当犯罪，拖累了全人类，都是明显的例子。亚伯拉罕在这里发挥义人的祷告，使到以上的观念被逆转过来！他展示一夫当关之勇，大胆挑战神，当因着城中少数义人而恩待全城，而不是因为有恶人而施行毁灭。

亚伯拉罕恳切，不住的代求，反映他的态度坚决、严肃和全力以赴。最后神听亚伯拉罕的祈求，一直把价码降低到10个义人，就不毁灭所多玛。亚伯拉罕的行动应验了他是使列国得福的中介。很可惜所多玛城连基本10个义人都没有，最终劫数难逃！

下文19章记述，两位天使在晚上进入所多玛，住在罗得的家。城里的人知道有寄居者来到，就连老带少都来围住罗得的房子，呼叫罗得把人交出来，任凭他们淫辱。所多玛真是恶贯满盈！天使叫众人眼睛昏迷，摸来摸去，寻不到房门。天明时，天使把罗得一家人强行救出城。然后神将硫磺与火，从天降下毁灭了所多玛和蛾摩拉。

我们时常被恶劣环境影响，看见身边恶人和恶事，或者不称职的信徒和领袖，就感到灰心丧志，选择退出或者同流合污。这是很负面的态度，使人走不出内心的阴霾、苦毒和连环伤害。

人们经常投诉：如果大多数人这么不负责任，行事败坏，还得享光环，那我为什么要继续坚持岗位，尽本分？；如果大多数人聚会时迟到，我还要准时到吗？；如果大多数人对奉献不忠心，为何我还要做傻子，忠心奉献？

这些都是真实的挣扎，不是三言两语就能够疏解和开导。然而，我们应该朝正面去想，坚持正确的态度，仅守自己的岗位，做好自己的本分。与其咒诅黑暗，不如燃烧自己！这是仿效亚伯拉罕，以个人扭转时局。

我们相信就算只有少数忠心于神的人，神就会施恩怜悯，保守全体人，叫一切得到改善。无论面对如何恶劣环境，在职场，教会或者家庭里，我们可以充当一位中流砥柱。一个义人的存在，能够叫全城蒙恩典！一位忠心于神的人，能够带给整个群体的转化！你愿意成为这个人吗？

今天你是否意志动摇了？求神帮助我们坚持信念，坚定的实践神交托我们的使命，与神保持密切的关系，不要受到别人的影响，不要受到环境的波动而自我放逐，却要一夫当关，为恶劣形势带来逆转！

From Assasin to Peace Maker

Judges 3:12-30

Ehud Assassinates the King of Moab

The book of Judges records the immediate period following the Israelites’ settlement in the land of Canaan. In those days, there were no kings in Israel. From time to time, the LORD raised tribal leaders to be “judges”. At the micro level, the judges were entrusted to administer internal affairs. At the macro level, they were tasked to lead the people out of foreign oppression.

In the days of Judges, the Israelites were tragically assimilating into Canaanite idolatrous culture, which resulted in moral decay. They disobeyed God and broke their covenant with Him. So God raised Eglon, the king of Moab, to invade Israel. The Moabites brutally oppressed the local Israelites for eighteen years (vv. 12-14).

From Messenger to Assassin

When the Israelites cried out to the LORD, He raised a deliverer for them. The deliverer was Ehud the son of Gera, from the tribe of Benjamin. “Benjamin” means “son of right hand” but Ehud was left-handed. In those days, being left-handed was a form of disability. Can Ehud really succeed in becoming a great warrior?

Ehud was entrusted by the Israelites to present a tribute to the king of Moab (v. 15). They did not order him to assassinate Eglon. But this mission gave Ehud an opportunity to assassinate the king of Moab.

Now Ehud had fashioned a two-edged sword. The sword was a cubit (35 cm) long – just long enough to be strapped to his right thigh under his clothing. In general, a weapon is usually strapped to the left side of the body so that the wielder can quickly draw it with the right hand. But Ehud was left-handed. So, he strapped the sword to his right thigh instead. This way, his concealed weapon went undetected by the king’s guard.

Ehud was given the security clearance for an audience with King Eglon to present Israel’s tribute (vv. 16-17). Having presented Israel’s tribute, Ehud left the palace together with those who helped him carry the gift. They did not stop until they reached a safe place, that is, the stone images near Gilgal (vv. 18-19). There, he dismissed his companions but he alone returned to Eglon’s palace.

But why did he send his companions away?

Ehud did not inform anyone of his plans in advance. He was prepared to be the only one bearing the risk of assassinating the king of Moab. He went back to King Englon and petitioned, “Your Majesty, I have a secret message for you.”

Eglon was an astute man but he had no inkling of what Ehud’s “secret” was about. Instead, he was so drawn by the “secret” that he dismissed his attendants, which gave Ehud the opportunity to strike (v. 19).

Ehud said to the king, “I have a message from God for you.”

The king rose from his seat, which made it easier for Ehud to assassinate him (vv. 20-21). In the blink of an eye, Ehud reached with his left hand, drew the sword from his right thigh, and plunged the sword, including its handle, into the king’s belly.

The sword was enclosed by Eglon’s fat. It pierced through the king’s body (vv. 21-23). Ehud did not even recover the sword from the king’s belly. The fattened calf had been slaughtered! The fat closed in over the sword and even the contents of his bowels were discharged.

The scene was gory but, at the same time, there is humour in it. What is represented here were the plunging of Eglon’s wealth and empire-building dreams. The tyrant was humiliated and shown to be full of filth. An oppressive king is not to be honoured!

Then Ehud calmly went out to the porch; he shut the doors behind him and locked them. He did this to deceive the Moabites so that his “secret” would not be so quickly exposed to give him enough time to escape from dangerous territory.

After Ehud was long gone, the king’s attendants came and found the doors locked. They said, “He must be relieving himself in the inner room of the palace” (v. 24). They waited to the point of embarrassment, but when he did not open the doors of the room, they took a key and unlocked them. There they saw their lord fallen to the floor, dead (v. 25).

From Assassin to General

Ehud passed by the stone images and escaped to Seirah. When he arrived there, he blew a trumpet in the hill country of Ephraim. This was Israel’s call to arms (v. 27). He led the Israelite army and gave them orders. “Follow me for the LORD has given Moab, your enemy, into your hands” (v. 28).

The Israelites followed Ehud and descended from the hills. Ehud went from being a messenger to being an assassin and now he became a general! The Moabite army had just lost their commander-in-chief. Ehud seized the initiative to attack them before they could reorganise their command structure.

So, the Israelites followed Ehud down and took possession of the fords of the Jordan. The Moabite army fled helter-skelter in an attempt to cross the Jordan to go back eastward to the land of Moab. But the Israelites had set up a blockade to prevent the Moabites from going home. “At that time they struck down about ten thousand Moabites, all vigorous and strong; not one escaped” (v. 29).

That day Moab was made subject to Israel, and the land had peace for eighty years (v. 30).

Conclusion

By coupling his physical defect with an intricate plan, Ehud deceived King Eglon and his guards, which paved the way for his successful assassination of the king. Some may question Ehud’s use of underhanded tactics. In the course of history, God allowed the use of such extraordinary ploys to execute His judgment and subvert the status quo.

The king of Moab’s assassination was the retribution of his wickedness. Those who do evil in the sight of the LORD will attract tragic consequences. God judged both the Israelites and the Gentiles. God’s judgment upon King Eglon of Moab shows that He is against oppressive and repressive regimes of the world.

Ehud’s accomplishment of his mission was not merely due to his brilliance. The will of the LORD was to deliver His people out from being in bondage to their enemy. Ehud’s actions were in line with God’s will and, thereby, received God’s approval. This was the main reason for Ehud’s success. If anyone repents, seeks for God’s help, and marches to God’s cadence, God will lend a helping hand.

Application

Ehud’s right hand was disadvantaged, which meant that he could only use his left hand. Yet God used his weakness to accomplish the mission. Through Ehud’s weakness, God displayed strength. The LORD was the one who did the fighting. The LORD God can use ordinary people. Regardless of what pressure we are placed under, or what danger we are facing, or how desperate our situation may seem to be, God is always our way out. Nothing is too difficult for God!

Ehud did resort to trickery. He breached Eglon’s trust by leading the king to believe that he had a word from God. But he actually brought a sword. His success does not justify his fraudulent means. He was not an ideal judge like Othniel. Yet, an imperfect person can still be used by God to accomplish His will.

The whole episode of assassination shows that Ehud made extensive preparations. If we are to serve God, then we must fashion our spiritual swords (Heb. 10:12), which is to have God’s word planted deep in our minds (Col. 3:16). As servants of God, especially as leaders, we must be equipped and have the clarity of vision to evaluate current events and circumstances, so that we may seize the opportunity to accomplish the work that God has entrusted to us.

Ehud’s killing of Eglon was only a small victory. He did not lose perspective in the euphoria of this small victory. His real goal was to end the oppression of Israel. He displayed the spirit of leadership by calling the people to arms to attack the enemy.

Ehud took advantage of the situation. He gathered Israelite troops to attack the Moabites while the enemy were in disarray due to the loss of their king. He also exhibited mastery of strategy by sending troops to occupy the fords of the Jordan River. The outcome was, Ehud led the whole body of the Israelite army to rise up and annihilated 10,000 Moabite elite warriors. This was a wonderful display of team work.

Ehud had great leadership skills and was adept in integrating manpower. He took charge and led the troops to accomplish the goal. A leader must be a good shepherd. The good shepherd whom the Lord Jesus spoke about also led from the front (John 10:4). Only hired hands flee in the face of danger (John 10:12-13).

A good leader must be able to integrate the team and harness its strength, and then the whole will be greater than the sum of its parts. It does not matter how capable a leader is as an individual. He is to mobilise the people and delegate the tasks to them.

Ehud did everything well and so the nation had peace for 80 years. 18 years under Moabite oppression is short-lived but 80 years signifies prosperity under God’s presence, enjoying the peace, blessing, and freedom to worship God for a very long period. This is the meaning of shalom.

The Lord Jesus is the perfect and righteous “Judge”—deliverer. He is the Word of God from the very beginning. He then was sent by God the Father to become a human being. He died on the cross and, three days later, rose from the dead. With that He utterly defeated Satan, broke the chains of evil, redeemed sinners, and gave them new life. This is the mystery of God’s plan of salvation from the beginning.

Now the Lord Jesus is calling His body of redeemed people to rise up and reap the harvest of his victory. Despite our shortcoming and limitation, we are to be equipped and make proper plans in the service of the church and in the service of society, so that lost souls are won for the Lord; the environment is transformed, ushering in an era of peace and well-being.

Let us serve God in a way that is pleasing to Him, that is, to seek His will wholeheartedly and revere Him. Let us read the Bible every day, meditate upon God’s truth, pray unceasingly, and draw near to Him. Then in everything that we do, God will guide our way. He will help us to overcome difficulties and temptations, so that we may experience His long-lasting blessing and shalom!

Destined to Reign

1 Samuel 17:32-51

David Kills Goliath

This is a popular story of the shepherd boy David who slaughtered the giant Goliath.

The armies of Israel and the Philistines were encamped on opposite hills, separated only by the Valley of Elah. The Philistine champion, Goliath, was dressed in full armour and stood in the valley, for forty days challenging any Israelite to a duel. No one among Israel’s ranks dared to accept Goliath’s challenge.

There had been many previous encounters between these two armies. Since the Philistines mastered the technology of ironworks, they held the military advantage over Israel. Israel was on the verge of defeat!

The hearts of the Israelite sank at the sight of Goliath. Finally, the youthful David stepped forward and said to King Saul, “There is no need to be afraid of that Philistine because I will engage him in a duel.”

Saul proceeded to equip David with his own armour, a bronze helmet, and a coat of mail. David strapped his sword over his armour but he couldn’t move properly under the weight of everything he had put on. The armour of a king who was rejected by God was not fit for David!

So David picked up his shepherd staff and collected five smooth stones from the brook into his shepherd pouch. He approached the Philistine with a sling in his hand. This was an asymmetrical fight!

When Goliath looked and saw David, he disdained him, for he was only a youth, with a ruddy and unseasoned appearance. Goliath said to David, “Am I a dog that you come to me with sticks?” The Philistine cursed David by his gods and said, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the beasts of the field” (vv. 43-44).

Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the battle is the LORD’s” (vv. 45-46).

When Goliath arose and came and drew near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone and slung it and struck the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground (vv. 48-49).

There was no sword in the hand of David. Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled (vv. 50-51).

What is the main point of this narrative?

We will interpret this story from its plot structure. Chapter 17 consists of two main trajectories that reach their climax when David beheaded Goliath.

First, Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth” (v. 33).

But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him. Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God” (vv. 34-36).

The narrator is highlighting that David was a good shepherd who did not hesitate to lay down his own life to strike down bears and lion in order to save his flock. Today he stepped forward, in full view of the Israelite assembly, to kill Goliath. David saved Israel from the paws of the enemy. The narrator’s goal is to declare that a king, the saviour of his people, has emerged! David was the great shepherd and the ruler of the nation. The people were his flock.

From that time onwards, the word spread, “Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands!” Earlier on, the prophet Samuel anointed David in secret, but now was the time for David to display his royal flair in public.

Secondly, David was clothed in his shepherd attire, held to his shepherd staff, and armed with smooth stones to fight Goliath. David was using the techniques he employed against wild animals to battle Goliath. Goliath’s own words highlight this point, “Am I a dog that you come to me with sticks?” (v. 43)

Here, the narrator is emphasising David’s extraordinary vision. People regarded Goliath as a fearsome warrior, but David saw him as a mere barking beast. Such extraordinary vision is the basis for David’s royal demeanour.

So here’s what this narrative is about – a chronicle of the emergence of God’s chosen king! The chosen king’s royal demeanour was based on his extraordinary vision. So what can we learn from this today?

Christians Are Royal Priests

Have you considered that we too are God’s chosen people, a royal priesthood, and co-rulers with Christ? Did you know that we are to enjoy an abundant and victorious life to testify God’s abundance?

1 Peter 2:9 says, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.”

Perhaps we do not see how we fit into the image of a king. Perhaps we know of some non-believers who, like Goliath, seem to be more magnificent and successful. They are the ones who look more like kings. But from God’s perspective, which is the perspective of spiritual reality, we are God’s royal priests. We have a royal status. The problem is whether our lives today reflect our status as kings.

How does your life match up with your status as a king?

Let us be confident in our Christian confession. In every field, we should step forward and do our best to shine for the Lord and be His testimony. As kings, we should be neither servile nor overbearing. We should not be hesitant or feel unworthy. At the same time, we are not to be domineering or arrogant. We should not be calculative with God and with people.

Royal priests are God’s representatives on the earth who co-work with Him. We are stewards of God’s deputised authority. We have the responsibility to resist evil, carry out justice, do God’s will, build our communities with righteousness and love, and govern the earth. This was the original purpose when God created human beings in His image and placed them in the Garden of Eden. Human beings were made to represent God and carry His authority to govern the earth. But our ancestor, Adam, rebelled against God and did not fulfil his mission.

Today we who believe in Jesus are united with Christ. This is the recovery of our royal status and life. Let us all treasure this healthy and positive picture of a royal priest. Every day, by the power of the Spirit, let us live out this wonderful life and not cultivate the negative attitudes that are filled with complaints, low self-esteem, and self-destruction!

Royal Vision

If we are to have the “royal swag,” so to speak, then we ought to have a royal vision of seeing things. The royal perspective transcends that of the commoners. The difference is in values of life. The royal demeanour is founded upon extraordinary vision!

When a businessman, an artist, and an environmentalist look at the same tree, they all see different things because they have different perspectives. Let us now compare our perspective with the perspectives of the people of the world. Is there a difference?

In every stage of our lives, it is inevitable that we face various kinds of “Goliaths” clamouring around us. The devil attempts to frighten us with life’s difficulties. The devil also tempts us so that we may compromise on matters of sin. Perhaps we may even abandon the faith!

Today you need to confront the “Goliaths” in your life. God wants to give us a transcendent vision so that we may see through the problems that beset us. He wants to give us a transcendent vision so that we may see through the devil’s temptations and deceptions. God wants us to transcend these obstacles so that we may enter into the abundance of His good pleasure.

David’s slaughtering of Goliath to save Israel prefigures Jesus Christ who saved sinners by overcoming Satan and sin through His death on the cross. The salvation afforded to us by Jesus Christ enables each and every one of us who are in Christ to reign with Him. We are given this extraordinary vision to defeat the devil.

We must not give any ground to sin. We should not use the values of the world to weigh our decisions. In our daily life, we should evaluate every problem and base our decisions on the principles of the Bible. That is why we are called “a holy nation”, separated and different from the other people of the world.

When we adhere to God’s laws and cling to His power, all the “Goliaths” will become small. We can defeat them and knock them down! The Lord Jesus has overcome the evil one and we who rely on Jesus will likewise be victorious.

Do you have that “royal swag” about you? May you realise your status and have your perspective lifted up so that you may engage your daily life positively. We can depend on the authority and grace given by the Lord Jesus to knock down “Goliath” and live out the Davidic “royal swag.”

狂飙后的微声

列王纪上十九1-18

先知以利亚求死

以利亚先知的事奉生涯充满色彩和人性化，正反映我们服侍神所经历的起起落落。当时的背景是北国以色列的亚哈王朝。亚哈是不敬虔的君王。他娶了外邦女子耶洗别当王后。以色列王室积极鼓励国人敬拜偶像巴力，同时又迫害耶和华神的先知。耶和华神这时候呼召以利亚出来抵抗邪恶的王室，以及唤醒国人，认定耶和华神才是真神。

以利亚事奉的高峰就是在迦密山以寡敌众，与450巴力先知比拼，测试哪一方信奉的是真神（王上18章）。当时巴力的先知用尽一切办法，都无法令到祭物着火，接着以利亚祷告祈求耶和华神降下火来，火就降下来！结果，450巴力先知全被以利亚杀死，而三年的旱灾停止。这一切证明耶和华是神，而以利亚是神的仆人。

没有轰轰烈烈的事奉功效又如何？

以利亚乘胜回到城里时候，期望亚哈与耶洗别在他面前悔改认罪，接着耶和华信仰的复兴之火席卷全国。事与愿违，邪恶的亚哈和耶洗别没有因为这件事而悔改，礼待先知。耶洗别反而发出命令，明天就要杀死以利亚（2节）。

以利亚获悉噩耗之后，竟然害怕起来，起来逃命。更荒谬的是，他跑到迦南地最南部的别是巴。这里离开北国以色列很远了，应该是安全的，但以利亚在旷野走了一天，然后坐在一颗罗腾树下求死，说：『耶和华啊，现在够了！求你取我的性命吧！因为我不比我的列祖好。』（4节）

为何以利亚这么快从高峰跌下来，甚至到了求死的地步？

以利亚听闻耶洗别发出格杀令，开始感到害怕，接着立刻逃生，这是出自人性的本能。他接着在罗腾树下求死，是因为对自己的事奉生涯感到绝望。他觉得自己不胜于亚伯拉罕、以撒、雅各等祖先，没有成就有功效的事奉。他对自己失望，对顽梗的国人失望。

以利亚也对神失望。他很自义的认为，只有他一个人大发热心追随耶和华，没有向巴力屈膝变节（10节）。因此耶和华神应该赐予他更大的祝福与能力，去证明耶和华是真神，以利亚是神的伟大先知。为何耶和华神竟然容许耶洗别这样对待他呢？

以利亚说，『现在够了』，表示他对耶和华绝望，也对自己绝望。他不一定真的有必死的决心，但他决定放弃先知的职分，选择逃避。

以利亚的困境事奉也是我们的情况？当我们努力服侍神，期望神得着荣耀的同时，也盼望自己的事奉被人认同，被人肯定。我们深信是神拣选自己在这个岗位事奉他，但是多少时候，却又期望神按着我们的计划和期望来行事，好说明我就是他的仆人。

我们期望神可以显出他的大能，好叫我这个在他荫庇下的小人物也可以沾点光彩。但是，当我们发现原来神不一定会按着我们自己的心意行事的时候，我们便沮丧、迁怒于神；灰心，惧怕，失望等负面情绪，一拼涌上心头。

这时候我们对整个群体失望，因此离群独处，逃避事奉，情愿把自己孤立在旷野，或躲在洞穴内。我们觉得生命再没有意义，失去方向，甚至产生求死的念头。

耶和华神没有责备以利亚的软弱，而是差派天使来到拍醒他，给他水和饼，要他起来吃。神先处理他的肉体软弱！以利亚吃喝过后，又再躺下。天使第二次带来水和饼，再次吩咐他起来吃，『因为你要走的路很远』（7节）。

『要走的路很远』意思是，神提醒以利亚必须坚持下去，勇敢面对自己生命的软弱，仰赖从上而来的力量与恩典，走完全程！神要以利亚学习，从信仰生命的历程的角度来看自己，而不是把注意力集中在某次成或失败的经历上。我们若纠缠在自己某次成功或软弱失败的经历中，我们的生命就只会陷入死胡同内，在没有前景，也没有将来。

今天你是否觉得事奉没果效，不符合自己的期望；会众不听话，软弱？觉得自己孤军作战，神的教会好像没有改变？觉得信仰已经不能带给你预期的亢奋了？觉得信仰好象脱离了生活的实际需要？

不要放弃！神知道你累了，需要好好休息，补充体力。神的恩典是够你用的，他要引领你走更远的路！不要把自己看得过高，纵然没有你，神的国是要继续的。然而，当你选择退下来时，最终损失的是你自己。不要把注意力集中在某次成功或失败的经历上，因为要走的路很远，最后的战役还未打完，加油！

你在这里做什么？

以利亚继续路程，跑了四十天，到了何烈山。这里是当年摩西遇见神，从神那里领受律法的西乃山。摩西曾经轰轰烈烈地带领以色列人出埃及，过红海，进入应许之地迦南。摩西在旷野飘流四十年，在西乃山盘留四十天！神要以利亚重新走一遍摩西的事奉历程。

神在西乃山呼召摩西，今天他也重新在那里呼召以利亚，让他经历神的同在，并且从新寻着生命的意义与方向。

以利亚来的何烈山后，却是躲在山洞内，他再次把自己封闭起来。于是神的话临到他：『以利亚，你在这里做什么？』（9节）

以利亚将自己心底的不满表达出来后，神向以利亚显现，说：『你出来站在山上，在我耶和华面前。』（11节）

这时烈风大作，崩山碎石，神却不在其中。然后地震，地震后有火，神也不在其中。火后有微小的声音，神在其中向先知说话：『以利亚啊，你在这里做什么？』（13节）。

原来神是一位行事吊诡，以隐藏的方式来启示自己的神！这是什么意思呢？

显然，耶和华神要以利亚臣服在他的主权。以利亚期望在诸般神迹大能中看见神的同在，但神却不一定以这种方式显现，反倒是发出微小的声音。耶和华神要纠正以利亚的问题。他的失望，正是因为把自己的期望等同了神的期望。

神最后帮助以利亚的方法，就是在再次给他新的使命。神差派以利亚做三件事：膏立哈薛作亚兰王，因为神要借着外邦的王来惩罚以色列的罪。然后膏立耶户，好叫耶户从以色列内部，动工除灭所有敬拜巴力的人。最后膏立以利沙作伙伴人与接班人，在以色列民众里，继续燃烧复兴的火。

最后，神重申以利亚不是孤单的，而且也不该看自己过高。原来他在以色列民中存留七千人，未曾向巴力屈膝的（18节）。

神给以利亚新的托付，乃是以行动向以利亚证明他还是在工作，还是控制大局！而且说明，他没有放弃以利亚，因此以利亚也不要自暴自弃，不要把眼目看在自己的失败与软弱之上，而是聚焦在神的使命，做他的仆人。

许多人和以利亚一样，以为神一定在轰轰烈烈，耀人眼目的情景下工作。然而，神往往选择在柔和，不起眼的地方，或在微声中启示他自己。在人们以为平淡无奇，没有人在意的情景下，原来神还在工作，还是在控制着大局的！

今天神也挑战你，从『山洞』里出来，面对世界的不完美，接受现实的世界和现实的自己。信仰和事奉生命不是每天都在亢奋状态的。迦密山之役终会过去，明天你还是要过着平凡，自然的生活。在信仰及事奉生命遇到波折或障碍的时候，神仍然在暗中主管这一切。

神向你发出微小的声音：『路还是有很远，你在这里做什么？』

让我们重新振作，起来忠心服侍神。

The Kingdom Game Theory

John 5:1-15

Jesus Healed 

the Paralytic at Bethesda

There was a place called Bethesda near the Temple in Jerusalem. It was dubbed the “Sheep Gate” because sheep were led through here to their slaughter place. It had a pool with a fountain beneath it. Every once in a while, the fountain would emit bubbles and the water in the pool would be stirred. People believed that angels were stirring the pool water. Whoever got into the pool first while the water was stirring would have their sickness or disease healed.

Excavation around the Pool of Bethesda revealed that it was surrounded by four pillars, which divided the place into five colonnades. Modern archaeology proves the accuracy of the biblical record that the Pool of Bethesda was located at the Sheep Gate.

There was a man lying beside the Pool of Bethesda for a long time. He had been sick for 38 years. Jesus took the initiative to approach him and asked, “Do you want to get well?”

The invalid man did not give a direct answer. Instead, he replied, “Sir, I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” (v. 7)

This man was a paralytic. He was simply too weak to compete with others physically. So, he could never be the first to jump into the pool to be healed. Now that Jesus came to talk to him, he thought that Jesus intended to help him into the water as it stirred. But Jesus did not do it his way. Jesus was certainly willing to help and heal the paralytic but the approach He used was far beyond what the man could imagine.

Then, Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once, the man was healed – he picked up his mat and walked (vv. 8-9)! God’s amazing grace came upon the paralytic through Jesus Christ!

Be Gracious and Courageous for God is Gracious to Us

The Pool of Bethesda was a place where the hope for healing was offered to the sick, who were helpless and in despair. The blind, the lame, and the paralyzed would definitely want to give it a try.

Yet, the Pool of Bethesda was also considered a cursed place. There were many sick people lying there groaning and gazing sorrowfully at the pool. The sound of sorrow, anguish, and tears of disappointment resounded among the colonnades, birthed from hearts craving to be healed.

All of a sudden, there was a stir in the pool and everyone rushed for it! They stepped on one another. They tussled, pushing and pulling, in order to be the winner. Yet, ironically, the water in the pool might become still the moment the winner got into it!

Everybody wanted to be the first to get healed. Nobody paid attention to the others. The sick were tormented and defeated inwardly again and again before they could receive their physical healing.  As a result, the sick may have shifted their trust from God to the Pool. They became rivals instead of fellow countrymen.

The Pool of Bethesda was supposed to be a place where God’s love and mercy could be experienced, but it was turned into a platform for human cruelty and selfishness.

In summary, the Pool of Bethesda reveals to us the religiosity and rigidity of Jewish tradition. It became a routine and was useless in touching lives. The logic behind its operation was “first come first served; winner takes all.” Whoever got into the water first would be healed.

Certainly, the one who eventually got healed would neither be the one who suffered from the most critical condition nor the weakest among all. It would not be the one who needed healing the most. Jesus came to overthrow and to pronounce His judgment upon the rigidness of this Jewish tradition, which was derived from man-made religion.

The paralytic believed in the words of Jesus and he was healed. He responded to Jesus, who was the Word, and “the Word was with God in the beginning” (John 1:2). What Jesus said was the Word of God. His truth brings life to us for “grace and truth come from Jesus Christ” (John 1:17).

Our society is like the Pool of Bethesda. It is fraught with weak and helpless people. People are suffering and struggling. Unfortunately, they are all bound by worn-out traditions and legalistic beliefs. They abandon themselves to sin and drift along in the sea of failures and dejections in life. Still, people are fighting against one another. They are stepping on each other so that they may end up the winner.

Those who received healing in the Pool of Bethesda were the strongest among the sick. These are the self-righteous. They were healed by virtue of their physical superiority. They found themselves indebted to nobody. Those who have this type of attitude will not be grateful. They will find it hard to be compassionate towards the sick. They will be responsible to neither God nor society.

In contrast, the salvation that Jesus offered to the paralytic reflected the free grace and sovereignty of God. The paralytic was healed even though he did not place his trust in Jesus. He had no idea from the outset that Jesus was the Healer.

The Jews saw the formerly paralyzed man carrying his mat. Apparently, it was not lawful for him to do that on a Sabbath. So, they rebuked him harshly. He replied, “The man who made me well said to me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’” But he had no idea who was his Healer (v11-13).

Jesus gives us His salvation free of charge but it is not cheap grace. It is priceless grace from God. The Son of God gave Himself up as a living sacrifice in order to save the world. We should not boast that we have received salvation. It is God who chose us from the multitude. He freely grants us mercy and grace.

We are men and women redeemed by His mercy! May this understanding take root in our hearts, so that we may be inspired to take on our Kingdom responsibilities to show love, mercy, and compassion toward others.

How do you see yourself before God today? Are you the self-righteous and strong one? Or, are you the weak one who is blessed by God’s mercy? Are you merciful and gracious to your neighbours? May the Spirit of God move our hearts and open our eyes to see that we are indebted to our neighbours.

Let’s go all out this day to show mercy to the needy and the weak. Let us extend the grace we have received from God to others because we too are merely sinners who received the grace of God. Be gracious to people particularly those who are near us. We often neglect or act merciless to them.

On the other hand, we need not worry about our own weaknesses, limitations, or difficulties to the extent that we dare not embark on new undertakings or accept new challenges. God’s grace is sufficient for us to overturn the rules of the game, which are “first come first serve,” “the fastest is the victor,” and “the survival of the fittest.”

God’s grace enables the weak to be strong and the poor to be rich. The Lord Jesus said to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me” (2 Cor. 12:9).

Persevere to the End and You Shall be Saved

What else can we do since we are saved solely by the grace of God?

Although the paralytic did not place his trust in Jesus and did not even know Jesus personally, he did not succumb to his situation. He had a strong desire to live on. It is true that he did say that no one helped him to get into the pool as the water stirred. We can translate what he said to mean, “I am not able to compete with others.” It is true that this carried the undertones of complaining, murmuring, and accusation.

Nevertheless, he did not leave the Pool of Bethesda throughout the years. He maintained a strong believe that a miracle would ultimately happen to him. This serves as a strong reminder to those of us who give up easily when we are frustrated, weakened, and distracted by our circumstances.

God’s sovereignty, His mercy, and human faith are what it takes for God’s miracle to happen. These prerequisites are not mutually exclusive. Jesus is the one who takes the initiative to invite men and women to experience God’s great power and mercy as long as they persevere and do not give up or despair even if their faith is small and possess only a nodding acquaintance with Him.

It is not difficult for us to describe what it means to live in a perfect world, or be part of a perfect church, or have the perfect physical appearance. But it will be far more difficult for us to live responsibly and persevere in the reality of imperfection. However, we have to assume our responsibility and live our lives to the full by faith. We need to be filled with determination, hope, and courage regardless of what situation we may face.

In reality, what seems to be imperfect is actually perfect. Flaws and defects found in one’s appearances are sometimes where the attraction lies! This is a paradox! It is in the midst of an imperfect world where honorable character traits are forged. For example, courage, accountability, spirit of self-sacrifice, mutual help and support, the joy of repentance and the forgiveness of sins, mutual acceptance (including seemingly imperfect outward appearances), gratitude, compassion, hope, etc.

Therefore, it is pointless for us to blame God for not creating a perfect world that is undefiled by sin.

No matter how helpless you feel, how pathetic your situation now, Jesus is always there to care for your deepest concerns. Jesus meets your every need whenever you are downcast. Do not lose hope in the midst of the difficulties and discouragements you are encountering. God has His perfect will even if the circumstances are gloomy.

Miracles will happen if we persist in waiting upon the Lord. There will be reward for us. Just as Jesus healed the paralytic at the Pool of Bethesda, He will do it unto us. Persevere until the end and we shall be saved! God will grant us His mercy so that our conditions will improve. We shall break free from our predicament and our lives shall be renewed by Him.