QT 30/06/2025 Mon. Jeremiah 41. God is present, even in life’s chaos. 即使是在混乱的生活中，上帝仍然与我们同在。

QT 30/06/2025 Mon. Jeremiah 41. God is present, even in life’s chaos.
READ http://www.esv.org/jer41

What was going on in the messy politics of Jeremiah’s day?

📖 Scripture Focus: Jeremiah 41:3–5
[3] Ishmael also struck down all the Judeans who were with Gedaliah at Mizpah, and the Chaldean soldiers who happened to be there. [4] On the day after the murder of Gedaliah, before anyone knew of it, [5] eighty men arrived from Shechem and Shiloh and Samaria, with their beards shaved and their clothes torn, and their bodies gashed, bringing grain offerings and incense to present at the temple of the LORD. (ESV)

In Jeremiah 41, we encounter one of the darker moments in Judah's history. Ishmael, of royal blood but acting outside of God’s will, murders Gedaliah—the appointed governor of Judah—and slaughters the Judeans and Babylonians who were with him. This brutal act of political betrayal throws the already fragile remnant of Judah into further disarray.

It’s tempting to look at a passage like this and wonder? Where is God in this? Why would this be recorded in Scripture?

The truth is, God never turns away from the brokenness of humanity. He doesn’t sanitise history for His people. Instead, Scripture shows the raw reality of sin’s consequences and the deep need for redemption.

🔍 Reflection Points:
(1) Sin corrupts deeply – Ishmael’s actions are driven by pride, ambition, and possibly nationalism. But they lead to death and fear, not freedom or restoration. This reminds us how easily even a “righteous” cause can become sinful when detached from God’s purposes.

While “sincerity” is required in serving God, the degree of “sincerity” in doing a supposedly good deed does not by itself determine finally whether that deed is in accordance with God’s will and Word, or not.

(2) God sees and remembers – While God's actions were not specifically mentioned in this chapter, His watchfulness is implied. The chaos does not go unnoticed. Even in political betrayal, God is still sovereign.

(3) Faithful remnant matters – Despite Ishmael’s violence, people like Johanan rise up to resist evil. There is always a faithful remnant in God's story.

🙏 Prayer:
Lord, even in the darkest chapters of history, You are present. Help me trust You when things seem out of control. Teach me to be faithful like the remnant who stood against evil. Purify my motives and keep my heart close to Yours. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

QT 30/06/2025 星期一. 耶利米书 41 即使是在混乱的生活中，上帝仍然与我们同在。
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/Jer/41/

耶利米时代混乱的政治是怎么回事？

重点经文： 耶利米书 41:3-5
[3]  以实玛利也击杀了所有在米斯巴和基大利一起的犹大人，以及在那里所遇见的迦勒底军兵。4 他杀了基大利以后，没有人知道；第二天，5 有八十个人从示剑、示罗和撒玛利亚前来，胡须剃去，衣服撕裂，身体割破，手里拿着素祭和乳香，要带到耶和华的殿里去。

在耶利米书 41 章中，我们遇到了犹大历史上最黑暗的时刻之一。拥有王室血统却违背上帝旨意行事的以实玛利谋杀了基达里亚--犹大的委任总督--并屠杀了与他在一起的犹大人和巴比伦人。这一残暴的政治背叛行为使本已脆弱的犹大残余势力进一步陷入混乱。

看到这样一段话，我们不禁会问：上帝在哪里？圣经中为什么要记载这些？

事实是，上帝从不回避人类的破碎。祂不会为祂的子民净化历史。相反，圣经揭示了罪恶后果的残酷现实以及救赎的深切需要。

🔍 思考要点：
(1) 罪恶使人深深堕落 --以实玛利的行为是受骄傲、野心和可能的民族主义驱使的。但他们导致的是死亡和恐惧，而不是自由或恢复。这提醒我们，如果脱离了上帝的旨意，即使是 “正义 ”的事业也很容易变成罪恶。

虽然侍奉上帝需要“诚心”，但在做一件所谓的好事时，“诚心 ”的程度本身并不能最终决定这件事是否符合上帝的旨意和话语。

(2) 上帝看见并记念 --虽然本章没有特别提到上帝的行动，但暗示了祂的儆醒的观察局势。混乱不会被忽视。即使在政治背叛的情况下，上帝仍然是至高无上的。

(3) 忠心的余民很重要 --尽管以实玛利使用暴力，但像约哈难这样的人仍奋起反抗邪恶。在上帝的历史中，总有忠心的余民。

祷告：
主啊，即使在历史最黑暗的篇章中，你也在。当事情似乎失去控制时，请帮助我相信您。教导我像对抗邪恶的余民一样忠实。净化我的动机，让我的心与您紧紧相连。奉耶稣的名。阿门。