QT 07/07/2025 Mon. Jeremiah 47: A Call to Humility Under God’s Sovereign Hand 在上帝主权之手下谦卑的呼召

QT 07/07/2025 Mon. Jeremiah 47: A Call to Humility Under God’s Sovereign Hand
READ http://www.esv.org/jer47

Learning (1): God Is the Lord of History
When Jerusalem fell to Babylon and His people exiled, they questioned whether God was still in control. Yes. The Lord was not defeated—He was orchestrating events according to His justice and purpose.

Jeremiah 47 reinforces the truth that God is not just the God of Israel—He is the God of the nations. Philistia’s downfall was not simply geopolitical misfortune; it was a result of God's judgment. God was not blind to what happened outside of Israel’s borders. He was actively reigning over the affairs of every people group.

"See, waters are rising in the north; they will become an overflowing torrent. They will overflow the land and everything in it..." (Jeremiah 47:2)

The rising waters represent Babylon’s military force, which God uses as an instrument of judgment. God is not only concerned with His covenant people but with all peoples and kingdoms too. He is sovereign over global history. In a world where evil often appears to go unchecked, this brings profound comfort. Even when the righteous suffer and the wicked seem to prosper, God is in control, and His justice will not be delayed forever.

Learning (2): Avoid Pride—The Sin That Provokes God's Wrath
Though many sins could have been cited, pride stands out as the recurring reason for God’s anger in Jeremiah 47–49. In the broader context, nations like Moab and Edom are judged for their arrogance. Though it’s not explicitly mentioned in chapter 47, Philistia’s long history of exalting itself and defying God is clear. Their military might and false gods gave them a sense of invincibility. But that self-assurance was false.

This pattern is consistent throughout Scripture: God opposes the proud. From the fall of Satan to the collapse of Babel, from Nebuchadnezzar’s humiliation to the Pharisees’ rebuke—pride is consistently condemned.

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18)

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)

Many modern societies marginalise God’s Word and exalt human reason and autonomy. Alternative moralities are promoted with pride, setting God aside from their lives. History and God’s Word teach that this ends in inevitable judgment.

Both nations and individual believers might suffer from pride. When we raise our opinions higher than God’s truth, when we rely on our strength and not His, when we seek glory instead of humility—we tread dangerous ground.

Conclusion
God is sovereign, just, holy, and gracious. He judges pride but gives grace to the humble. He holds both Israel and the nations accountable, but He also offers salvation to all through Jesus Christ. Let us walk in humility, trust in God's righteous rule, and carry the good news of His grace to a world in desperate need.

Reflection Questions:
(1) In what areas of life are you tempted to rely on your own strength or wisdom instead of God’s?

(2) How does the message of God's fairness in judgment and grace challenge your view of salvation?

(3) Are there people or groups you’ve unconsciously excluded from the reach of the gospel?

Prayer: Lord, help us to see You as the sovereign ruler over all the earth. Forgive us for our pride and our tendency to trust in ourselves. Teach us to walk humbly with You, to rely on Your wisdom, and to share Your truth with all people. Thank You for Your justice and for Your grace, given freely through Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

QT 07/07/2025 星期一. 耶利米书 47 在上帝主权之手下谦卑的呼召
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/Jer/47/

学习 (1)： 上帝是历史的主宰
当耶路撒冷落入巴比伦的控制，祂的子民被流放时，他们质疑上帝是否仍在掌权。是的。耶和华并没有被打败--祂正在按照祂的公义和旨意安排事情。

耶利米书第 47 章强化了这一真理：上帝不仅是以色列的上帝，也是万国的上帝。非利士的灭亡不仅仅是地缘政治上的不幸，而是上帝审判的结果。上帝对以色列境外发生的事情并非视而不见。祂积极统治着每一个民族的事务。

"耶和华这样说：“看哪！有水从北方涨起，成为一股泛滥的洪流，淹没大地和地上的一切，淹没城镇和住在城中的居民。人必呼喊，地上所有的居民必哀号。"（耶利米书 47：2）

上涨的水代表巴比伦的军事力量，上帝将其用作审判的工具。上帝不仅关注与祂立约的子民，也关注所有的民族和王国。祂是全球历史的主宰。在这个邪恶似乎常常肆无忌惮的世界里，这一点带来了深深的安慰。即使义人受苦，恶人似乎兴旺，上帝仍在掌权，祂的公义不会永远拖延。

学习（2）： 避免骄傲--引发上帝愤怒的罪
虽然可以列举出许多罪，但骄傲是耶利米书 47-49 中上帝一再发怒的原因。在更广泛的背景中，摩押和以东等国都因其傲慢而受到审判。虽然在第 47 章中没有明确提及，但非利士人长期以来自高自大、藐视上帝的历史是显而易见的。他们的军事力量和假神给了他们一种不可战胜的感觉。但这种自信是虚假的。

这种模式在整个圣经中都是一致的： 上帝反对骄傲的人。从撒旦的堕落到巴别塔的倒塌，从尼布甲尼撒的羞辱到法利赛人的斥责，骄傲始终受到谴责。

“ 在灭亡以先，必有骄傲；在跌倒以前，心中高傲。”（箴言 16:18）。"但　神所赐的恩更大；所以圣经上说：“　神抵挡骄傲的人，赐恩给谦卑的人。”(雅各书 4：6）

许多现代社会将上帝的话语边缘化，推崇人类的理性和自主性。人们骄傲地宣扬另类道德，将上帝置于生活之外。历史和上帝的话语都告诉我们，这样做的结果必然是审判。

国家和信徒个人都可能因骄傲而受苦。当我们把自己的观点凌驾于上帝的真理之上时，当我们依靠自己的力量而不是上帝的力量时，当我们寻求荣耀而不是谦卑时，我们就会踏上危险的道路。

结论： 上帝至高无上、公义、圣洁、仁慈。祂审判骄傲的人，却赐恩给谦卑的人。祂对以色列和万国负责，但也通过耶稣基督为所有人提供救赎。让我们谦卑前行，信靠上帝公义的统治，将他恩典的好消息传给亟需帮助的世界。

思考题
(1) 在生活的哪些方面，你会被引诱去依靠自己的力量或智慧，而不是上帝的力量或智慧？

(2) (2) 神公正的审判和恩典这一信息如何挑战您对救赎的看法？

(3) 你是否无意识地把一些人或群体排除在福音之外？

祷告： 主啊，求你帮助我们看到你是全地的主宰。饶恕我们的骄傲和相信自己的倾向。教导我们谦卑地与您同行，依靠您的智慧，与所有人分享您的真理。感谢您的公正，感谢您通过基督白白赐予的恩典。奉耶稣的名，阿门。