上帝呼召一位新領袖God Calls a New Leader


[WOTS]
11/8/2018


Unit 1: God Calls a People上帝呼喚百姓

 Title: 上帝呼召一位新領袖God Calls a New Leader   Nov.11, 2018

經文Scriptures: 約書亞記Joshua 1:1-18

Worldwide Outreach Teaching School 賴美滿 校長

https://www.WorldwideOTS.org

 

前言PREFACE: 改變一位新領袖常遇到困難的經驗，當一位舊的領袖下台和新領袖交接之片刻，可能造成煩惱，沒確定，或甚至於懼怕感。 在教會裏新領袖團隊成立有如上帝之同在和應許感如同早晨新鮮露珠。但是上帝之應許比任何牧師，老師，或領袖偉大。在今天的經文裏，我們可向約書亞學習我們總是有上帝的同在，並可信任祂在我們失去或有所改變的事時，祂給了我們能力。It is often difficult to experience a change in leadership. When one leader steps down and a new leader is thrust into the spotlight, it can cause anxiety, uncertainty, an even fear. In the church, a change in leadership can feel like God’s presence and promises have evaporated like the morning’s dew. But God’s promises are greater than any pastor, teacher, or leader. In this session, we can learn with Joshua that God is always with us, and we can trust Him for strength in the midst of loss and change.

您可知道 “約書亞” 這名字在希伯來文和希臘文與 ‘耶穌’ 相同，此二名都很強壯，約書亞帶領百姓入上帝所應許之地 ; 耶穌帶領我們進入上帝應許的永生。 Do you know that the name “Joshua” is the exact same name in Hebrew and Greek as the name “Jesus”. The parallels between Joshua and Jesus are strong. Joshua led the people into God’s promise of land; Jesus leads us into God’s promise of salvation. - Faith Connection

 

上週This Week：我們發現經過忠誠的服從付託自己去愛上帝是很重要的事。 We explored the importance of committing ourselves to loving God through loyal obedience.

這週This Week：我們將看到我們參加於上帝所開展顯露的計劃，我們能很有信心的相信祂將完成祂的每一個計劃。We will see that we are participants in God’s unfolding plan, and we can be confident that He will accomplish everything He intends to do.

讀經文Scripture Reading: 約書亞記Joshua 1:1-9,

    “耶和華的僕人摩西死了以後、耶和華曉諭摩西的幫手嫩的兒子約書亞、說、我的僕人摩西死了。現在你要起來、和眾百姓過這約但河、往我所要賜給以色列人的地去。凡你們腳掌所踏之地、我都照著我所應許摩西的話賜給你們了。

    從曠野、和這利巴嫩、直到伯拉大河、赫人的全地、又到大海日落之處、都要作你們的境界。你平生的日子、必無一人能在你面前站立得住．我怎樣與摩西同在、也必照樣與你同在．我必不撇下你、也不丟棄你。你當剛強壯膽．因為你必使這百姓承受那地為業、就是我向他們列祖起誓應許賜給他們的地。

    只要剛強、大大壯膽、謹守遵行我僕人摩西所吩咐你的一切律法．不可偏離左右、使你無論往那裡去、都可以順利。

    這律法書不可離開你的口．總要晝夜思想、好使你謹守遵行這書上所寫的一切話．如此你的道路就可以亨通、凡事順利。

    我豈沒有吩咐你麼．你當剛強壯膽．不要懼怕、也不要驚惶、因為你無論往那裡去、耶和華你的　神必與你同在。

    Joshua 1:1-9, after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them--to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates--all the Hittite country--to the Great Sea on the west.

    No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." –

解經文: Joshua 1:1-9, Commentary from the Faith Connection:

1.  上帝呼召約書亞God calls Joshua: 上帝以前就跟摩西說過，現在也跟約書亞說要他領導以色列百姓。雖摩西已經過世了，但上帝關切祂子民的生活。God had previously spoken to Moses. He now spoke to Joshua, giving him instructions for the children of Israel. Moses was dead, but God was and concerned about the lives of His people.

上帝教導約書亞準備百姓過約旦河進入應許之地。摩西之過世並沒有改變上帝對於祂的百姓的目標計劃，上帝並不放棄，上帝仍然要完成與摩西之應許。God instructed Joshua to prepare the people to cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land. The death of Moses did not change the purpose God had for His people. God had not abandoned Israel and still wanted to fulfill all the promises He had made to Moses.

在約書亞記第一章第三至六節說道，上帝給了約書亞五個應許和一個命令，每一個應許給摩西和約書亞和百姓都是上帝給的卻據。上帝也給了約書亞一個命令: 當剛強壯膽．因為你必使這百姓承受那地為業、就是我向他們列祖起誓應許賜給他們的地 (第六節) 。清楚的，約書亞並不覺得很剛強或勇敢的人！約書亞聽到上帝的計劃要給以色列百姓應許之地應該是很興奮的。但當聽到上帝要他當百姓之領導者時，約書亞是受驚嚇和不安，。In verses 3-6, God gave Joshua five promises and one command. Each promise was an assurance to Joshua and the people that God would keep the promises He gave to Moses. God also gave Joshua a command: “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them” (v. 6). Clearly, Joshua was not feeling very strong or courageous! Joshua must have been thrilled to hear God’s plan to give the Promised Land to the Israelites. But he was overwhelmed and terrified to hear that God wanted him to be the leader of this mission.

上帝給約書亞力量，勇氣，和成功的秘訣。祂鼓勵約書亞服從上帝的律法，繼續讀和背記律法，服從上帝的律法其祝福是不可分離的。God gave Joshua the recipe for strength, courage and success. God encouraged Joshua to obey the laws of God, reading and meditating on them continually. The blessings of God are inseparably connected to obedience to His Word.

在約書亞記第一章九節說道，上帝再次呼召約書亞必須剛強和勇敢，不要害怕和失意，害怕和失意是破壞力量和勇氣，這些都是不合理的回應因上帝已經應許與他同在和不捨棄他了。In verse 9, God again called Joshua to be strong and courageous, and to shun fear and discouragement. Fear and discouragement undermine strength and courage. These would be inappropriate responses for Joshua because God promised to be with him and not to forsake him.

 

2. 約書亞為以色列百姓預備 Joshua prepares the people of Israel: 讀經文Scripture Reading: 約書亞記Joshua 1:10-15, “於是約書亞吩咐百姓的官長、說、你們要走遍營中、吩咐百姓、說、當豫備食物．因為三日之內、你們要過這約但河、進去得耶和華你們　神賜你們為業之地。約書亞對流便人、迦得人、和瑪拿西半支派的人、說、你們要追念耶和華的僕人摩西所吩咐你們的話、說、耶和華你們的　神使你們得享平安、也必將這地賜給你們。你們的妻子、孩子、和牲畜都可以留在約但河東摩西所給你們的地．但你們中間一切大能的勇士、都要帶著兵器、在你們的弟兄前面過去、幫助他們．等到耶和華使你們的弟兄、像你們一樣得享平安、並且得著耶和華你們　神所賜他們為業之地．那時纔可以回你們所得之地、承受為業、就是耶和華的僕人摩西在約但河東向日出之地所給你們的。

Joshua 1:10-15, So Joshua ordered the officers of the people:

"Go through the camp and tell the people, 'Get your supplies ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the LORD your God is giving you for your own.' " but to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, "Remember the command that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: 'The LORD your God is giving you rest and has granted you this land.' Your wives, your children and your livestock may stay in the land that Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all your fighting men, fully armed, must cross over ahead of your brothers. You are to help your brothers until the LORD gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving them. After that, you may go back and occupy your own land, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you east of the Jordan toward the sunrise."

解經: 約書亞記1:10-15, Joshua 1:10-15, Commentary from the Faith Connection

 “約書亞接受了上帝的教導就領導百姓準備過約旦河去取那上帝所應許要給它們的地。他沒有推遲或猶豫 立刻服從上帝，通知百姓拿定計劃。當我們推遲或延期就給破壞留地步了。 “after receiving instructions from the Lord, Joshua called the people to prepare to cross over the Jordan to take possession of the land God had promised them. Joshua did not hesitate or delay in announcing to the people the plan to enter and conquer the Promised Land. When God speaks, we need to obey immediately. When we delay or postpone our obedience to God, fear and discouragement can find a foothold to undermine our focus on God’s commands.                 Joshua obeyed immediately.   

流便部落 (以色列族派之一) ，給德，和瑪拿西　(以色列族派十二支派之一)　不需要跨過約旦河的，雖那樣約書亞還是叫這些部落參加打入上帝應許之地。上帝的子民團結一致是很重要的。以色列之支派之戰不只是他們十二支派之願意。上帝也供應力量和勇氣給所有的基督徒。當我們共同合作如基督之身子，我們增加了信心，我們的見證更能有效的驅使人。　The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh did not need to cross the Jordan River. Nonetheless, Joshua called these tribes to join in the battle for the rest of the Promised Land. The solidarity of God’s people was important. The tribes of Israel were fighting not only for their own interests, but for the interest of all the tribes. God provides strength and courage not for us alone, but for the sake of fellow Christians as well. When we work together as the body of Christ, we are strengthened in our faith, and our witness to others is more compelling and effective.”

 

3. 百姓向約書亞應許The people’s promise to Joshua: 讀經文Scripture Reading: 約書亞記Joshua 1:16-18, “他們回答約書亞說、你所吩咐我們行的、我們都必行．你所差遣我們去的、我們都必去。我們從前在一切事上怎樣聽從摩西、現在也必照樣聽從你．惟願耶和華你的　神與你同在、像與摩西同在一樣。無論甚麼人違背你的命令、不聽從你所吩咐他的一切話、就必治死他。你只要剛強壯膽。 Then they answered Joshua, "Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the LORD your God be with you as he was with Moses. Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey your words, whatever you may command them; will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!"

解經: 約書亞記Joshua 1:16-18, Commentary from the Faith Connection: 百姓不像他們的先父之埋怨，大家都回應要服從約書亞的領導，在約書亞的領導下表示要順服約書亞的教導以表服從上帝， 這證明百姓的心不同於上一代之埋怨等等所以上一代不能進入應許之地。The people responded by promising their obedience to Joshua. Unlike their forefathers who complained and disobeyed, the people under Joshua’s leadership displayed a willingness to obey God by obeying Joshua’s instructions. This demonstrated that their hearts were different from the previous generation that could not and would not enter the Promised Land.

當以色列百姓已經站在約旦河邊有四十年之久，當時他們所看到的是巨大的對手和困難重重。 這新的一代因信任上帝，而且誓言服從，百姓的心已經接受了上帝的應許。他們有信心上帝將會完成祂所要完成的計劃。上帝也要我們信心的參與在祂的計劃裡面，如果上帝是為我們，又誰能阻擋我們呢？沒有任何人能阻擋的！When Israel had stood on the banks of the Jordan 40 years earlier, they saw only obstacles and giants blocking their entrance. This new generation of God’s people trusted God, and they eagerly pledged their obedience. With their hearts right before God, the people were ready to receive God’s promised rest. They were confident He would accomplish everything He intended and promised to do. God also wants us to participate with trusting obedience in His purpose and plan. If God is for us, who can stand against us? Nothing and no one!

 

要點POINT: 信心、同心、服從: 這個上帝信心的故事，從約書亞和以色列百姓給我們全部的信心是 - 以上帝的同在，好目標，好將來和祂那固定不動搖的應許，當我們在生活中以信靠和服從來回應，並且與信心的弟兄姊妹牽手同心合作，在信心和服從上互相支持和鼓勵，並且要施以好的見證給世人看。This story of God’s faithfulness to Joshua and the people of Israel offer us in full confidence lesson that we can move forward into God’s good future based on God’s persistent presence, good purposes, and steadfast promises. When we respond to God’s movement in our lives with trusting obedience, and we are called to walk hand in hand with our brothers and sisters in faith, to support one another and encourage one another on to trusting obedience, and to offer a good testimony to a watching world.

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