你要休息，知道我是神！

创世记一1至二3

从空虚混沌到井然有序(From Chaos To Order)

宇宙万物是神从空虚混沌(formless and void)，由他的话语创造出来。神的创造可以顺序地排列成下图的平行对列结构。

	层面Form （混沌formless）	创造方式		实物Substance （空虚void）	创造方式
第一天	光	分开	第四天	大小光体	加添
第二天	天和水	分开	第五天	鸟与鱼	加添
第三天	地（生出青草、菜蔬、果树）	分开	第六天	动物和人	加添

第七天

安息日

神在第一天造光，划分白昼与黑夜；对照第四天造光体，管理白昼与黑夜。这两天的创造是用光解决了黑暗，使可怕的黑暗成为可休息的夜晚。第二天用空气将诸水分开，产生海洋和天空；对照第五天造飞鸟与各样的水族。这两天的创造界定诸水，解决生命，以及深渊大水的问题。第三天将空气以下的水聚在一起，产生陆地，长出各种植物（作为活物的食物，预示活物的出现）；对照第六天，生出各样的活物，并且造人。

神透过『分开』使地成形，解除『混沌』。接着神叫创造物『各从其类』，『加添』到居住层面，解决了『空虚』。这样就成就了井然有序，和谐统一的整体创造界。这个宇宙本质上拥有和谐和统一的规律，因此科学研究可以成立。

宇宙的和谐规律提示我们，神的创造是有目的和预定功能。他有计划地创造一个整齐，有系统，有秩序的宇宙万物。神是艺术家和科学家。

第七天『安息日』是创造的最高峰

到了第七天，神歇了一切工，将这天分别为圣。『圣』的意思好像圣殿里的『圣物』，被分别出来属于神。『圣』不是道德无暇的意思。

我们留意到，『第七天』完全打破前面六天创造的经文结构，当中没有公整的带命令式子句。在经文的平行结构中，安息日也没有相对应的单元。它是独特的，处于被强调的位置。神没有称其他日子或受造物为『圣』，唯有他休息那一天。在所造的东西里，他只祝福了人（一28）和第七天（二3）。

还有，叙述者以『这是第N天』结束每一天的叙事，重复六次。重复的目的是要带出主题，就是要带我们从第一天到最重要的，最后的第七天，见证神如何遵守他将要设立的安息日。

所以，安息日是整个『创造工程』的最高峰，成为全章的总结！

很吊诡的，神用了六日创造天地，到第七日，创造的最高峰，神却停止，安息了。我们要问，神在第七天所宣示的『安息』，意味着什么？

我们要休息，因为尊崇神的主权，凡事信靠神

安息或休息，在希伯来文的意思是停止。神在第七天停下来，不再有创造，不再有他的声音，只是安静、满足和甜美的休息。这不是说神累了，需要休息，而是意味着他安居在自己创造的殿宇里，坐着为王，宣示主权！

整个宇宙就好像神亲手创造的圣殿，神安居在其中，显示他对于宇宙或受造界的主权和掌控。神在以赛亚书六十六1说：

『天是我的座位，地是我的脚凳。你们要为我造何等的殿宇，哪里是我安息的地方呢？』

这好像我们今天兴建了新居，刚落成后，坐下来安息了，很放心地欣赏这居所，深信一切都在自己的掌控中。这是宣告创造的成就，一个完成的胜利，是一个胜利的休息！

人虽然是神创造的重点，但不是神创造的中心，也不是宇宙的中心点。神在天地掌权，神的荣耀彰显在诸天，才是创造的中心点。神休息也是他创造的其中一个动机。

因着有神大能主权的护理，宇宙历史的进程都在他的掌握之中，子民大可放心和安息于他的主权里。我们当全心地信靠神，相信神必然保守他忠心的子民。我们可以安息在神里面。

神创造人的目的就是要人安息在他里面，过一个蒙福的生活。生命并非靠人不停的工作而维持，生命的存在是在乎神。世界在神的手中是安全的，不会因人的休息而受影响。神是最不需要休息的，但他选择休息。更何况是我们呢？

我们也当效法神，在这一日停止手上所作的工。

神在创世的第七天安息，成为遵守安息日的神学依据，深化子民守安息日律法：『当记念安息日，守为圣日。六日要劳碌做你一切的工，但第七日是向耶和华你神当守的安息日。这一日你和你的儿女、奴婢、牲畜、并你城里寄居的客旅，无论何工都不可做，因为六日之内，耶和华造天、地、海和其中的万物，第七日便安息，所以耶和华赐福与安息日，定为圣日。』（出二十8-11）

犹太子民遵守安息日，成为『永远的约』（出三十一12—18），忠于耶和华的基石，是顺服与神所立之约的特殊标志（结二十12，20）。守安息日也成了犹太人的族群标志性的生活方式，塑造犹太人的族群和宗教的身份认同。这个身份认同使到犹太人在两千年失去家园，经历国家灭亡，遭受多次民族灾难后（特别是处于流放巴比伦的多元族群处境中），仍然保持族群的身份免于消失在历史洪流里，并且使到耶和华信仰得以延续至今。

结论

神的子民必须遵守安息日来认同神的创造及照管，并且表现出自己是真的信靠这位对创造界有绝对主权的神。

应用

今天我们为何不能全心地守安息日？（教会传统是以守主日代替守安息日；停下工作，将一整天的主日献给主。）或只愿意将主日崇拜的一个半小时献给主？

我们深恐在主日停下来，休息和敬拜神，就使到自己对周遭失去掌握？（譬如：生意或学业受影响）

我们是不相信神的主权与能力，能够保守我们吗？犹太人没有因为遵守安息日，就失去竞争力或优势。相反的，他们在外邦众民族当中，脱颖而出成为最优秀的生意人和学问家。

适当的安息使我们重新得力，工作更有效率。对于有工作狂倾向的人，更要学习休息的意义。工作不是生命的全部。工作的目的是为了能进入真正的安息，享受劳苦所得的。在神的创造，工作与休息，乃是合适的生命节奏。

不单止守安息日，我们的人生，无法避免在不同的关键时刻，必须作出某些抉择。在这些抉择里，我们因着遵从神的旨意而失去眼前的利益。我们经历挣扎和考验。譬如：是否要在考试里作弊？以贿赂来获得利益？进神学院或医学院？多些超时工作，减少教会的服事？不例行十一奉献……。

然而，无论作出什么抉择，我们要问自己：『我真的相信神的主权吗？我的神真的是大有能力，正如他在创造的第七天安息所宣示的？我真的相信神能够保守他忠心的子民吗？』

今天我们来踏出信心的一步，付出代价来回应神。我们深信，神迹和恩典将会临到我们，是超过我们的计算的，是需要我们一生一世，长久来体会的。耶稣应许给我们：『凡劳苦担重担的人，可以到我这里来，我就使你们得安息。』（太十一28）

我们要信靠神的主权与护理。我们当走在讨神喜悦的道路上，无论什么事上（教会的服事、奉献、求学目标、经营事业、伴侣的关系、祷告等候神的答复……）都不偏离神的道路半步。为了信仰的缘故，为了跟从神的缘故，我们愿意付上代价。

我们不惧怕以行动来证明我的信心，因为我们深信，我们可信靠这位大能的神，他必然有能力保守他忠心的子民。神的恩典是够我们用的！真正的信心，不单是口头上的宣认，而是以生命投入的信靠。当我们真的相信神是那位在宇宙间唯一行使主权的创造的神，我们必然有平安和喜乐地作出合乎神心意的决定。

比梭溪的天空

撒母耳记上三十1－25

亚玛力人洗劫洗革拉城

上文，撒母耳记上27章，讲到大卫逃避扫罗王的追杀，去到投靠非利士王亚吉。很讽刺的，非利士人正是以色列人的宿敌。亚吉将大卫和他的六百个随从，安顿在一座城，名叫洗革拉。

大卫和随从成了亚吉王的雇佣兵。有一次他们出征后回到洗革拉，想和家人相聚。到达家门发现城里被敌人亚玛力人洗劫一空，全部人的妻儿也全数被掳。看见人去楼空，前路茫茫，大卫和随从就『放声大哭，直哭得没有气力……。大卫甚是焦急，因众人为自己的儿女苦恼，说要用石头打死他。』（4-6节）

面对苦难的时刻，魔鬼总是引诱我们怀疑神的真实，叫我们失去信心。魔鬼以困境来否定神给我们的引导，控诉说：『如果有神，你怎么会落到这个地步？』

我们相信神是我们及时的帮助，信靠神的人必不至羞愧。眼前的困难只是一种磨练。我们从大卫的经验里，看看如何在逆境中扭转乾坤！

在危机中向神呼求，顺服神的带领

大卫不幸的经历叫『火烧后门，顾前失后』！

我们生活在现代化都市，难免忙于事业、应酬和个人精深，因此忽略了自己的家庭，也忽略了神的家。当人得着全世界时候，可能后门已经着火了，自己还惘然无知，最后所拥有的一切化为灰烬！

家庭和教会都是我们的『大后方』，是我们得力和养息之处，我们必须要好好地照料和经营。

今天可能你的『后门』真的失守了，亮起红灯了，正如大卫当时面临绝境，差点被人用石头打死。『亮红灯』就是一个讯号，提醒你应当回头挽救……

大卫却倚靠耶和华神，心里坚固。他将危机看为转机，在绝境中求告神。他没有怨天尤人、或怀疑的态度。他即使失去一切，还是依靠神，这是我们面对困境时十分重要的原则。

神就给大卫指示，可以立刻追上那些暴徒（6-8节）。神给大卫勇气，起来解决问题。今天神也愿意帮助你，给你勇气。你是否愿意谦卑下来，向神呼求，顺服他的话语指示？神能够帮助你挽救危机，甚至把那些被撒旦掠夺了的追赶回来。

绝处逢生，怜悯人的必蒙怜悯

大卫带领六百人出发追赶敌人。他们走到比梭溪的时候，有两百人太疲乏，无法渡过。这是一条在峡谷中的干河床，没有足够体力的人是无法越过这条河。大卫没有大发脾气，却怜恤他们的软弱，让他们留在那里。

有时候，我们在工作或教会事奉，甚至一般人际关系里，很迫切要取得成果，为了达到目标，不惜牺牲了彼此间的关系。我们失去了怜悯，失去了起初的爱心。大卫也迫切的要得回所失去的妻子、财物，但当有队友疲乏跟不上，他不是无情的鞭笞，他的原则是，『你们好好休息，让我们来顶住！』

大卫知道肢体的功用，他善于引发团队的精神，让大家归属于一个团队，各尽其力。

大卫一路追赶，在田野遇见一个昏迷无助的埃及奴隶。大卫不忍心见死不救，就给这少年人饼干吃和喝水。换了别人，可能会说：『我都这么可怜，又有谁来可怜我？』

大卫不是看到埃及奴隶能够提供军情才供给他，因为这个少年人病倒了又没吃喝三天，根本不能说话。

很多时候我们的处事方式是非常自我防卫，不宁愿吃一点亏。但是主耶稣说：『怜恤人的人有福了，因为他们必蒙怜恤。』（马太福音五7）

这少年人原来是敌人亚玛力人的奴隶，因为生病而被主人丢弃。他从鬼门关被挽救，能够站立起来行走，预示大卫围剿敌人 也必然旗开得胜！大卫再次发挥怜恤人的气概。这少年起来充当大卫的线人，帮助大卫很快地找到亚玛力人的匪巢。

当大卫到达亚玛力人的营地时，敌人正在庆祝胜利，载歌载舞，喝到醉醺醺！他们夺来的财物越多，就越被腐蚀，失去战斗力（16 节）。结果他们在毫无防备下被大卫一群人杀个落花流水！

最后，大卫和随从们将家眷和财物全数救护，功成身退。经文说：『凡亚玛力人所掳去的，无论大小、儿女、财物，大卫都夺回来，没有失落一个。』（19节）

神喜悦我们以善意待人，对别人慷慨大方。我们能够透过乐于助人而建立许多友谊，日后为我们人生带来许多惊喜！大卫的乐意助人叫他终于经历失而复得的惊喜。亚玛力人为了自保，丢下生病的奴隶，结果反而为自己种下恶果。

你是『大卫』或是『亚玛力人』呢？有人称赞过你慷慨大方，乐于助人吗？

既是神的恩典，必须与人分享

大卫一伙人成功的扭转了局面。他们带着战利品归回，到达那逗留在比梭溪的两百人那里。跟随大卫人中的匪类说：『这些人既然没有和我们同去，我们所夺的财物就不分给他们，只将他们各人的妻子儿女给他们，使他们带去就是了。』

这些匪类的提议，不是合乎世界公平的逻辑吗？然而，叙述者一再提醒，那二百人是『疲乏不能跟随』的人，不是他们贪生怕死（21 节）；又称呼那些作出上述提议的是一群匪类。叙述者言下之意是同情前者的软弱，反对后者冷漠无情。

大卫也反对匪类的提议说：『今天我们能够得胜回来而无损任何生命，乃是因为神的介入和保守。神的恩典是不能被独占的，应该和人分享。而且那些在后方看守兵器的人 也是有贡献的, 因該得到相同待遇。』（２３－２４节）

大卫是神喜悦的属灵领袖，因为他懂得与人分享。匪类是只懂得『能者居之』。他们没有怜悯，没有分享，只有应得。我们都是蒙神怜恤的罪人，无从赚取什么，所以不讲『应得』，而是要大方与人『分享』。

我们看见，第一、在处于富足和恩典时候，除了向神感恩之外，还要与他人分享神的恩典；第二、神的国和神的教会的『家的观念』。在一个家，每个成员付出的都不一样，也不均匀，但目的是让大家享受同样的幸福。应该没有一个家庭出国旅行时，赚钱多的父母坐商务舱或头等位，让爷爷、奶奶，孩子们坐经济舱的吧？

在教会里，那些富足的，要与缺乏的弟兄姐妹分享恩典，好让神的家成为更加的体面。我们是否只是口说『感恩』，但是双手紧紧抓住神的赐福，只想独享？

神的恩典白白给了我们，不是我们应得的，因此与人分享本是神的心意。对身边有缺乏的人，我们必须伸出援手。对在家里默默贡献的家人，配偶或佣人，也别忘了应当照顾他们。

结语

大卫经历苦难的磨练的时候呼求神、顺服他的带领。大卫在困苦或丰盛或恩典中，有怜恤人的心，并且主动与人分享神的恩典；都是我们应当效法的榜样。

我们本是无望的罪人，因为相信耶稣基督，在基督里蒙了神无比的恩惠，因此没什么可夸的，也当成为神恩典的管道，祝福和恩待身边的人。

但愿今天讲述大卫在经历苦难逆转到丰盛时候所采取的行动，启发我们如何在今世变幻莫测的命途里，遵从神的心意处事为人，以致获得神赐给我们真正的平安与幸福。

Tapping In The Hidden Power of God

2 Kings 5: 1-14

Naaman Healed of Leprosy

Naaman was the commander of the army of Syria. He was a great man and in high favour with his master because through him the Lord had given Syria great victories. But life is never perfect. Even though he was a mighty warrior, Naaman suffered from leprosy.

Naaman had captured a little girl from Israel and made her a maid of his wife. And this little girl told Naaman's wife, “My lord can go to see the prophet in Samaria! He would cure my lord of his leprosy.” (v.3)

She was merely a nameless maid of a defeated nation Israel, could what she said be reliable? And if the prophets of Israel were so powerful, would Israel be defeated?

However, Naaman gave it a try.

Naaman first sought consent from his king, the king of Syria. The king loved Naaman so much, and he sent Naaman away with a letter of recommendation to the king of Israel.  So Naaman went to Israel, taking along with him money and treasures.

The king of Israel, after reading the letter from the Syrian king: “I have sent to you Naaman my servant, that you may cure him of his leprosy”, immediately tore his clothes and said, “How could I cure a man of his leprosy. I think he just wants to create trouble.” (v.7)

Though Israel had a prophet from God, its king ignored him, not seeking God through the prophet. Alas it was the Syrian king who took Naaman seriously and Naaman sought God through the prophet Elisha!

When Elisha heard that, he sent a message to his king, saying, “Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come now to me that he may know that there is a prophet in Israel. “(v.8)

So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha’s house. Elisha did not come to meet Naaman, but sent a messenger to tell Naaman, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean.” (v.10)

Elisha’s not coming out to greet Naaman demonstrated that the prophet was not subjected to Naaman's request, but Naaman had to humbly listen to the words of the prophet.

Naaman was angry and went away, saying, “Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper. And are not the rivers of Damascus better than all the waters of Israel. Could I not wash in them and be clean?” (vv.11-12)

Of course, the Jordan River was no magical river. Jordan’s water could heal because the healing power came from God’s words and man's obedience to God's words.

Today, God's free grace is for everyone. It is up to you if you are willing to submit yourself to God.

Here, apparently, Elisha not only wanted to heal Naaman of leprosy but also of his misconceptions. Naaman had two pre-conceived ideas: (i) unhappy with Elisha seemingly dishonouring him; and (ii) God must heal in the way he thinks fit.

So Naaman turned and went away in a rage. But his unnamed servants came near and said to him, “My father, if something great the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Now that he said “wash and be clean” which is a simple thing to do, so you should give a try.”

So Naaman reluctantly went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the words of Elisha. And now we see, what happens?

Naaman's flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean! (v.14)

The whole healing episode revealed an army commander being forced to humble himself and be obedient to the word of God. Only then the healing could take place.

Even more importantly, healing took place not in a gradual manner, but instantly after seven times of bathing. Old skin was peeled off, the flesh was transformed, and leprosy rolled away, a new life as that of a pure child came into being.

The Hidden Power of God

We can discover an interesting contrast of scenarios in the narrative.

High and Significant	Low and Hidden
Syria was victor	Israel was defeated
Naaman is commander of victory	Elisha is from a defeated nation
Israel king was not seeking God	Little, unnamed captive servant sought God
Damascus rivers are grand	Insignificant Jordan River
Prayed standing and waving upon the place	Washed in Jordan River seven times
Commander who had leprosy	Transformed to Pure flesh and skin of a child

From this comparison, we can induce that the “low and hidden” is superior to “high and significant”, and the "low and hidden" redeems "the high and significant".

Naaman was the commander of the mighty Syria, yet he had to go to the defeated nation Israel to seek healing. The unnamed young little girl had faith in God, and it was her words that gave her master an opportunity to be healed. However, the king of Israel ignored his own God.

Here we see that God can use humble people to preach His Word. No matter where God places you, you are to find the opportunity to speak forth the Word. As the Scripture says, "If no one preaches, how could people hear the word and believe?"

Naaman walked away in anger, but his wise and unnamed servant persuaded him to bathe in Jordan River. The Jordan River is filthy and humble, but it is a place of healing, not the spectacular rivers in Damascus.

Treatment method is simple and boring washing, because it needs to be repeated seven times; no provocative standing and waving of hands upon the inflamed place.

The conclusion is that, God's power is hiding in the low, ordinary and implicit. And through these places, God touches us in the most unexpected ways.

Today, we often look down on the low, insignificant and ordinary. We tend to give high regard to the spectacular; glamour and highly applauded. We turn our focus on charming leaders with charismas or spectacular churches, thinking that, that is the only venue where we could find God’s power and working.

But to our surprise, paradoxically, God's power is hiding in the lowly places. And through humble characters and seemingly insignificant ways, He gives us His healing touch.

Let us ponder over the Theology of the Cross:

The emblem of salvation, the cross, is also the emblem of suffering and shame. Christ was humiliated and defeated dying on the cross, but that was God's saving power to save whosoever believeth in Christ.

Paul in I Corinthian 1: 18-24, said:“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.  

Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.

For the Jews demanded signs and the Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”

Today we have to let go of our pre-conceived ideas; and obey God’s command so that we can be touched by God.

You ask for sickness to be healed, but God might just give you love and care through family members and church members. You pray for wealth and great achievement, but God may be sending you to remote places as a missionary.

You think only glamorous churches radiant in the city have the anointing, but God places you in a lowly, small church, to minister and experience his workings.

We must believe that God's ways are higher than ours. We cannot fathom His way, but as we remain humble and obedient to him, we will be blessed by God.

Meeting God in the Ordinary and Boring Routines

"Wash in Jordan seven times" is an intriguing act!

Jordan’s water is not clean, and bathing seven times is repetitive and boring. But Naaman submitted himself to such a command from God and completed the dull and repetitive act of washing seven times.

Then and only then, he suddenly found himself transformed into a child's skin delicate white as snow! This illustrated that a new life, as pure as that of a child, has been born, in contrast to his old life which was arrogant and presumptuous and unclean due to leprosy.

Today we worship and serve God in church. These could be dull and repetitive things. As a matter of fact, there is no never-ending excitement of “happy hours”, or retreats, or talk shows, or frenzy of miracles.

We must humble ourselves before God, and obey God's command to worship Him and serve Him in our everyday lives, in the ordinary way, with diligence, seeking God seven times or seventy-seven…….

There will come the "moments" where we suddenly find ourselves being peeled off in the spirit, returning to the childlike purity and godliness. Our lives then take on a great leap forward in many ways!

Prayer meetings, small groups, Bible studies and singing praises can be routine and boring. However, we must persist in them. Hearing God’s words and ministering may look unfruitful for a period of time, but we have to attend every week.

Just like after decades of being married to each other, the romance between couples may fade away but we must strive to love each other as we had pledged ourselves in the marriage vow.