QT 13/09/2024 Fri. Ezekiel 24. Pots and personal sacrifices. 锅和个人牺牲.
QT 13/09/2024 Fri. Ezekiel 24
READ http://www.esvbible.org/eze24
Ezekiel 24:10–11 [10] Heap on the logs, kindle the fire, boil the meat well, mix in the spices, and let the bones be burned up. [11] Then set it empty upon the coals, that it may become hot, and its copper may burn, that its uncleanness may be melted in it, its corrosion consumed. (ESV)
Firstly, chapter 24 discloses the boiling pot vision that pointed to the need to let fire burn all the filth away, in satisfaction of the fury of God. Ezekiel 24:14 [14] I am the LORD. I have spoken; it shall come to pass; I will do it. I will not go back; I will not spare; I will not relent; according to your ways and your deeds you will be judged, declares the Lord GOD.” (ESV)
MEDITATION: The LORD's determination to display the righteous side of His character should warn His worshippers to stay on the side of holiness, both in religious rites during worship service, as well as moral holiness that outflows from that proper worship in their daily lives.
Secondly, chapter 24 sets out one of the most difficult values for the modern generation—heavy personal sacrifices in proclaiming the message of the LORD. Ezekiel's wife dies as part of the prophetic message!
MEDITATION: The symbolisms that Ezekiel was told to reenact now took on an extreme form—the death of his wife. This formed part of the message to the listeners (Ezek 24:15-26). This symbolised the loss of Jerusalem (Ezek 24:1-14).
Ezekiel's wife was "the delight" of his eyes, but she was taken away "at a stroke" (Ezek 24:16) and Ezekiel was told, "Yet you shall not mourn or weep, nor shall your tears run down" (Ezek 24:16). Alas, "At evening my wife died" (Ezek 24:18). The prohibition to mourn linked to the previous message that the LORD "will not relent" (v. 14).
REFLECTION: If being messengers of the LORD requires the paying of a very high price in terms of relationships and loneliness, would we be willing to stand firm in that calling?
APPLICATION: Our life and ministry should reflect the LORD's mind, emotions and will. His love for His people should be mirrored in us. Reflect the LORD's attitude towards sin. This includes the control of our emotions to form the expression of the LORD's will towards what is happening before us. Isn't that what it means to be "in Christ?"
星期五 2024年9月13日 今日读经：以西结书24章。锅和个人牺牲。
http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/eze/24/
以西结书24:10-11 添上木柴，使火着旺，将肉煮烂，把汤熬浓，使骨头烤焦。11 把锅倒空坐在炭火上，使锅烧热，使铜烧红，熔化其中的污秽，除净其上的锈。
首先，第 24 章揭示了沸腾的锅的异象，指出需要让火烧掉所有的污秽，以满足上帝的愤怒。以西结书 24:14 [14] 我是耶和华。我已经说了，必成其事，我必行之。耶和华上帝说："我必不退后；我必不饶恕；我必不宽容；你们必照自己的行为受审判。
默想：耶和华决心展示祂属性中公义的一面，这应该警示祂的敬拜者要保持圣洁，无论是在敬拜仪式中的宗教礼仪，还是在日常生活中从适当的敬拜中流露出来的道德圣洁。
其次，第 24 章为现代人提出了一个最困难的价值观—在宣讲耶和华的信息时做出重大的个人牺牲。以西结的妻子在传递先知信息的过程中死去！
默想：耶和华吩咐以西结搬演的那些带有预表的片段现在以极端的方式来呈现---以西结痛失了爱妻。这件事也成了给听众的信息的一部分(结24:15-26)。这预表着耶路撒冷的沦丧(结24:1-14)。
以西结的妻子是他眼中“所喜爱的”，但她却被“夺去”了(结24:16)，而且耶和华对以西结说：“你却不可悲哀，不可哭泣，也不可流泪”(结24:16)。唉，“晚上我的妻子就死了”(结24:18)。禁止哀悼与之前耶和华 “必不宽容”（第 14 节）的信息有关。
反思：如果成为耶和华的使者必须付出很高的代价，好比说失去关系和承受寂寞，我们还会愿意在神的呼召中站稳脚步吗？
应用：我们的生活和事奉必须反映出耶和华的心思、心情和旨意。我们的身上必须反映出祂对子民的爱。我们也当反映耶和华对罪的态度。这包括控制自己的情绪以表达耶和华对眼前所发生的事的旨意。这不就是“在基督里”的意思吗？
