QT 23/08/2024 Fri. Ezekiel 15. Feel His Pain. 感受祂的痛苦。
QT 23/08/2024 Fri. Ezekiel 15. Feel His Pain.
READ http://www.esvbible.org/eze15
MEDITATION: Ezek 15:6 referred to the serious matter of how the LORD viewed Judah and Jerusalem in those times: "... So have I given up the inhabitants of Jerusalem" (Ezek 15:6), as "fire for fuel" (Ezek 15:4,6).
The vine could not be made into a useful "peg from it to hang any vessel on it" (Ezek 15:3) even when not charred nor burnt. How much less worth would it be when "the fire has consumed both ends of it, and the middle of it is charred" (Ezek 15:4)?
The LORD's anguish against idolatry was highlighted here. His people should have been "like a vine in a vineyard ... fruitful and full of branches" (Ezek 19:10). But now, regrettably, they resembled charred vines. Thus the LORD said that "I will set my face against them" (Ezek 15:7), such that they would be consumed and the land made desolate (Ezek 15:7-8).
REFLECTION: Other than the LORD, what keeps occupying your mind from Monday to Sunday is most probably your "god" or idol. It might unknowingly be your reputation, glory or just mere self-grandiose, self delusion.
This thing takes centre-stage in your mind, calendaring and financial decisions. When alternative matters compete for your attention and resources, your idol (if any) would always win. Do we have idols like these?
APPLICATION: Cultivate the fear of the LORD. Fear Him and flee from idols.
星期五 2024年8月23日 今日读经：以西结书15章。 感受祂的痛苦。
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ezekiel 15&version=CUVS
默想：以西结书15:6指出耶和华在那个时候如何看待犹大和耶路撒冷是件严重的事。“我怎样把树林中的葡萄树拋在火里当作燃料，也必照样对待耶路撒冷的居民”(结15:6)，就如同“抛在火里当燃料”(结15:4,6)。
葡萄树的枝子无法做成有用途的“钉子挂器皿”(结15:3)，即便它没有焦毁或烧焦。如果“火烧毁了两端，连中间也烧焦了”，那不是更没有价值了吗(结15:4)？
耶和华对偶像崇拜的悲痛在这里被突显出来。他的子民本应“像葡萄园里的一棵葡萄树……结果累累、枝叶茂盛”(结19:10)。但现在，很遗憾的是，他们就如同烧焦的枝子。所以，耶和华说“我必变脸攻击他们”(结15:7),以致他们被火吞灭，这地也要荒凉(结15:7-8)。
反思：除了耶和华，我想从礼拜一到礼拜天，占据了你的心的或许就是你的“神”或偶像。你可能不自觉，但那或许是你的名誉、荣耀又或是纯粹的自我浮夸、自欺。
这样东西或许在你的心里、计划里和财务上的决定已占据了很大的空间。当其他的事情分散了你的专注力和财力，你的偶像(若有的话)一般都会胜出。我们的心里是否有这样的偶像？
应用：当养成对耶和华的敬畏之心。敬畏祂并远离偶像。
