QT 06/09/2024 Fri. Ezekiel 23. Drastic measures for drastic times. 非常时期的非常措施。

QT 06/09/2024 Fri. Ezekiel 23.
READ http://www.esvbible.org/eze23

MEDITATION: The story of Oholah and Oholibah is a story that depicted vividly the history, conduct and destiny of Samaria and Jerusalem respectively (Ezek 23:4).

When a sick person in hospital does not respond to medical attention but comes nearer to death or unconsciousness, it would take more drastic measures to resuscitate him. Here, Ezekiel recounted more potent words meant for Israel's ears, hoping that she would remember the LORD and put the LORD before them rather than forgetting the LORD or casting him "behind your back" (Ezek 23:35).

No one in their right mind would enjoy using harsh and brute words connected with sexual immorality, adultery and promiscuity to prod listeners into sensible behaviour. Using Ezekiel as His mouthpiece as a last resort, the LORD wanted Samaria to repent, but to no avail. Jerusalem did not learn from Samaria's fall, but "became more corrupt" (Ezek 23:11).

APPLICATION: Take advice and direction from our spiritual shepherds within the community. This might just be what is required to avoid the use of drastic measures or sharp words to sensitize hearers, and urge them to flee repugnant sins and spiritual dullness.

星期四 2024年9月5日 今日读经：以西结书23章。非常时期的非常措施。
http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/eze/23/

默想：阿荷拉和阿荷利巴的故事生动地描绘了撒玛利亚和耶路撒冷的历史、行为和命运（结23:4）。

一个躺在医院的病人若对医药治疗毫无反应，当面临死亡或失去意识时，医生就须要采取极端的措施进行抢救。在这里，以西结对以色列引述了一番用词激烈的话，希望她会记得耶和华并把耶和华摆在他们之前而不是忘记耶和华或把祂丢在“背后”(结23:35)。

一个正常的人不会喜欢用与淫秽、奸淫和淫乱有关，这种强烈或粗俗的言语，来刺激他的听众、导正他们的行为。耶和华不得已，只好让以西结成为祂的传话筒，要撒玛利亚悔改，但无济于事。耶路撒冷不但没有从撒玛利亚的失败中吸取教训，反而“更腐败”(结23:11)。

应用：听取我们的属灵牧者的意见和接受引导。这也许正是为了避免采用极端的措施或犀利的言语来刺激听者，以促使他们远离令人厌恶的罪恶和灵命的枯燥。