Unit 1: God Calls a People上帝呼喚百姓
Title: 約翰的出生預言John's Birth Foretold 12/02/2018
經文: 路加福音Scriptures: Luke 1:5-25
Worldwide Outreach Teaching School 賴美滿 校長
https://www.WorldwideOTS.org
前言PREFACE:
Luke’s Preface 1:1-4
1.
當我們讀過路加福音有關於耶穌的早期生活，看到路加給了很詳細的記載。經一段時間我們發現上帝的確都在我們的生命中工作著。當我們服從上帝的應許時，請思想關於上帝的作為是如何!
As we read through the early stages of Jesus’ life from the gospel of Luke, who
gives careful attention to historical detail. Take time to notice the ways in
which God was at work in the people’s lives. Think about how God is active now
as we obey God’s promptings!
2.
施洗約翰出生的故事就是說他是一位叮嚀者，告訴我們上帝透過信實人工作或透過信實人的生命工作之。The
story of the birth of John the Baptist is a reminder to us that God works in and through the lives of faithful
people.
上週 Last Week：再次確定我們的信心和託付於神的呼召，祂的方法能穩定好我們基督徒的生活方式。We
reaffirmed our faith and commitment to God as a way of holding
steady in our Christian walk.
這週This Week：我們將發現上帝在信實人民的生命裏工作著。We
will see that God works in and through the lives of faithful people.
1.
一對正義夫婦A Righteous Couple (Luke
1:5-10)
請讀路加福音 1:5-10, 當猶太王希律的時候、亞比雅班裡有一個祭司、名叫撒迦利亞．他妻子是亞倫的後人、名叫以利沙伯。他們二人、在 神面前都是義人、遵行主的一切誡命禮儀、沒有可指摘的。只是沒有孩子、因為以利沙伯不生育、兩個人又年紀老邁了。撒迦利亞按班次、在 神面前供祭司的職分、照祭司的規矩掣籤、得進主殿燒香。燒香的時候、眾百姓在外面禱告。
Please read Luke 1:5-10, in the time of Herod
king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly
division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of
them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments
and regulations blamelessly. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was
barren; and they were both well along in years. Once when Zechariah's division
was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot,
according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord
and burn incense. And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the
assembled worshipers were praying outside.
解經COMMENTARY:
路加福音始於公元前37年大希律王開始統治時。他僅被認為“great”乃因希律王政治的能力，以及那有意義的設計以色列建築物。其實他是一個罪惡人。(參馬太福音2:1-23).
Luke’s gospel begins
in “the time of Herod.” Herod the Great ruled from 37 to 4 BC. We only think of
him as “great” because of his political power and significant buildings in
Israel associated with him. Herod was an evil man (see Matt.2:1-23).
路加開始報告一個孩子要誕生於一位祭司，撒迦利亞之家 (參考尼希米12:4, 17; 歷上24:10). 撒迦利亞與他妻子年紀老邁只是沒有孩子、但路加報告一個神蹟有關約翰出生於撒迦利亞這個家的預言，約翰是來預報耶穌誕生的職務。 Luke begins with a birth
announcement to Zechariah, “a priest” (Nehemiah 12:4, 17; 1 Chronicles 24:10).
Zechariah and his wife “were both very old” and “childless.” But Luke reports a
miraculous conception. Their child, John the Baptist, would herald the ministry
of Jesus.
在上帝的眼光中撒迦利亞與以利沙伯是正義的人。 在路加福音23章47節說， “百夫長看見所成的事、就歸榮耀與 神說、這真是個義人”。更有意義的事，耶穌死在十字架上被稱為成義 。(Luke
23:47 - The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said,
"Surely this was a righteous man.") Zechariah and Elizabeth were
“righteous in the sight of God.” Most significantly, Jesus, while dying on the
cross, is declared “righteous” (Commentary from the Faith Connection)
2.
上帝之天使來報告神的計畫God’s Messenger—God’s Plan (Luke 1:11-17)
請讀路加福音
1:11-17,有主的使者站在香壇的右邊、向他顯現。撒迦利亞看見、就驚慌害怕。天使對他說、撒迦利亞、不要害怕．因為你的祈禱已經被聽見了、你的妻子以利沙伯要給你生一個兒子、你要給他起名叫約翰。你必歡喜快樂．有許多人因他出世、也必喜樂。他在主面前將要為大、淡酒濃酒都不喝、從母腹裏就被聖靈充滿了。他要使許多以色列人回轉、歸於主他們的 神。他必有以利亞的心志能力、行在主的前面、叫為父的心轉向兒女、叫悖逆的人轉從義人的智慧．又為主豫備合用的百姓。
Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side
of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was
gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid,
Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son,
and you are to give him the name John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and
many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of
the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be
filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. Many of the people of Israel will
he bring back to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the
spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children
and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous--to make ready a people
prepared for the Lord."
解經COMMENTARY:
v. 11 -13, 天使加百利要將一個特別的消息傳遞給撒迦利亞 (路加福音1:19)。 天使以看得見的形體出現，必以聽得到之聲音向撒迦利亞講話。他一邊燒香一邊禱告，可能想求得一個孩子或彌賽亞之降臨。上帝應許他的禱告，按著撒迦利亞的時間，既使人看來是不可能之情況下，事情仍會成就。撒迦利亞的妻子本不能生育，卻應驗關於彌賽亞的預言。若我們希望禱告蒙應允，就要相信上帝在不可能的情況下所能夠做到的事情，同時當然，我們也要等候祂，因為上帝有祂的時間和方法。Here,
Gabriel (Luke1:19)
delivered a special message to Zechariah. The angel appeared in visible
form and spoke audible words to the priest (Zechariah),
while burning incense on the altar, was also praying, perhaps for a son or for
the coming of the Messiah. God answers prayer in His own way and in His own
time. He worked in an “impossible” situation- Zechariah’s wife was barren-to
bring about the fulfillment of all the prophecies concerning the Messiah. If we want to have our prayers answered, we must be open to
what God can do in impossible situations. And we must wait for God to work in
His way, in His time.
v. 13, “約翰”這名字的意思是 “主是仁慈的”，而耶穌的意思是“主是救人的。”這兩個名字都是從神而來，不是父母選擇的。 John means “the LORD is
gracious,” and Jesus means “the LORD saves.” Both names were prescribed by God, not chosen
by human parents.
v. 15, 約翰是分別為聖，特別要服侍上帝的人，約翰可能有許下要獻身給神的人 (民數6:1-8)。 路加第一次提到聖靈，就是三一神的第三位格。
神的靈曾賞賜給忠心的人，去完成特別的工作。
John was set apart for special service to
God. Luke first time mention of the Holy Spirit the third person of the
Trinity; God’s Spirit was given to the faithful for special tasks. We need the
Holy Spirit’s help to do God’s work effectively.
v.17, 為了預備人迎接彌賽亞，約翰要做內心移植的工作，取去人們剛硬的心裏，換上溫柔願改變的新心 (參考西11:19,20;36:25-29)。 您也需要換一個新的心嗎?
John’s role was to encourage people to turn away from sin and back to God. Do
you need a change of heart?
解經Commentary (Luke 1:11-17):
對這個愛禱告的家庭，上帝送來從天上的一個消息。相遇時天使立刻給他再確定“不要懼怕”。上帝自天上送來的消息給這禱告中的家庭。撒迦利亞和她的妻子將被神回應他們的禱告。天使應許這一對老年人將生子，被取名 “約翰”，他將帶喜樂來給許多人，而且他在主之前是偉大的，經歷到在他母親之胎盤內已受聖靈的充滿了。
To this praying family God sent a heavenly
messenger. The encounter brought “fear,” though the angel quickly provided
reassurance—“Do not be afraid.” The prayers of Zechariah and his wife will be
answered. The angel promises the aged couple will have “a son” to be named
“John.” He will bring “joy and delight” to “many” and “be great in the sight of
the Lord,” experiencing the fullness of the Holy Spirit while still in his
mother’s womb.
一個家庭之等待，期望，和禱告要生一個小孩子，相等於整國人民之等待。彌賽亞，雖約翰不是彌賽亞，但約翰有帶回百姓的心歸於上帝的能力。他將預備如有以利亞的能力和內在之靈。(第17節參考馬拉基書4:5-6).
講到有關以利亞的經文在馬太17:9-13和 馬可 9:9-13. 約翰的工作記載以賽亞40:3
(參看馬太3:3; 馬可1:3; 路加3:4; 和約翰1:23節).
A family
waiting, hoping, and praying for a child, parallels the yearning of a
nation/people waiting, hoping, and praying for a deliverer, the Messiah. While
John was not the Messiah, he had a crucial role to call people back to God. He
would prepare the way for God’s Messiah “in the spirit and power of Elijah”
(v.17; see Malachi 4:5-6). This Elijah connection appears also in Matthew
17:9-13 and Mark 9:9-13. John’s ministry draws on Isaiah 40:3 (see Matthew
3:3; Mark 1:3; Luke 3:4; and John 1:23). (Commentary from the Faith Connection
3.
疑惑無言Silenced by Doubt—Yet in
Silence God Speaks (Luke 1:18-25)
撒迦利亞對天使說、我憑著甚麼可知道這事呢、我已經老了、我的妻子也年紀老邁了。天使回答說、我是站在 神面前的加百列、奉差而來、對你說話、將這好信息報給你。到了時候、這話必然應驗．只因你不信、你必啞吧不能說話、直到這事成就的日子。
Zechariah asked
the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well
along in years." The angel answered, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the
presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good
news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this
happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their
proper time."
百姓等候撒迦利亞、詫異他許久在殿裡。及至他出來、不能和他們說話．他們就知道他在殿裡見了異象．因為他直向他們打手式、竟成了啞吧。他供職的日子已滿、就回家去了。這些日子以後、他的妻子以利沙伯懷了孕、就隱藏了五個月、說、主在眷顧我的日子、這樣看待我、要把我在人間的羞恥除掉。Meanwhile,
the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in
the temple. When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had
seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained
unable to speak. When his time of service was completed, he returned home.
After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in
seclusion "The Lord has done this for me," she said. "In
these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the
people."
解經(Commentary):
v. 18 -20, 天使告訴撒迦利亞他將要有一個兒子，他卻懷疑天使的話。從撒迦利亞人的角度來看，他的疑惑是可以理解的。從上帝的角度來說，沒有不可能成就的事情。雖然撒迦利亞和以利沙伯都已過了生育的年齡，上帝仍然給他們一個孩子。我們也會懷疑或誤解上帝，因為上帝的子民有時也會錯誤的只靠自己的智慧或經驗，而不信靠上帝。當我們受試探，懷疑上帝的應許不可能實現時，就要回想祂在歷史中的工作，祂的能力是不受限制和約束的，讓我們來完完全全的信靠祂吧!
祂必會遵守祂的諾言! 也許上帝不馬上成就，可是總會在最適當的時候完成。 若您正等候上帝的回應，請耐心等候! 無論上帝的應許看來是多麼的不可能，但總不會落空。When
told he would have a son, Zechariah doubted the angel’s word. From Zechariah’s
human perspective, his doubts were understandable-but with God, anything is
possible. Although Zechariah and Elizabeth were past the age of childbearing,
God gave them a child. It is easy to doubt or misunderstand what God wants to
do in our life. Even God’s people sometimes make the mistake of trusting their
intellect or experience rather than God. When tempted to think that one of God’s
promises is impossible, remember his work throughout history. God’s power is
not confined by narrow perspective or bound by human limitations. Trust him
completely.
v.21,百姓在外面等候撒迦利亞出來，因為照習慣他會為他們祝福。(參考民數記6:24-26). The people were waiting
outside for Zechariah to come out and pronounce the customary blessing upon
them as found in Numbers 6:24-26
v.25, 撒迦利亞和妻子都是對神忠心的人，然而卻沒有兒女。那時，有些猶太人不相信肉身復活，他們對永恆的盼望只在自己的兒女身上，因為兒女會在他們年老時照顧他們，兒女又能增加家庭的財富，和提高家庭的社會地位，所以當時的人認為有兒女是一種祝福，沒有子女是一種咒詛。撒迦利亞和以利沙伯多年來一直沒有兒女，現在他們已經太老了，不再期望這次境會有什麽改變，因而感到羞恥和絕望，然而，上帝卻在一個適合的時間祝福他們，除去他們的羞辱。
Zechariah and
Elizabeth were both faithful people, and yet they were suffering. Some Jews at
that time did not believe in a bodily resurrection, so their hope of
immortality was in their children. In addition, children cared for their
parents in their old age and added to the family’s financial security and
social status. Children were considered a blessing and childlessness was seen
as a curse. Zechariah and Elizabeth had been childless for many years, and at
this time they were too old to expect any change in their situation. They felt
humiliated and hopeless. But God was waiting for the right time to encourage
them and take away their disgrace.
以利沙伯經驗到詩篇127章第三節說的好， “兒女是耶和華所賜的產業．所懷的胎、是他所給的賞賜。過去感到羞恥和絕望，然而，以利沙伯現在有上帝恩慈的見證。上帝時常使我們驚喜的。
Elizabeth reflected a rather typical Hebraic view that children are a
“heritage” from God (Psalm 127:3). What had been a matter of
“disgrace” she now considered evidence of God’s grace. God often surprises us.
4.
結論 Conclusion : 撒迦利亞、以利沙伯二人在 神面前都是義人、遵行主的一切誡命禮儀、沒有可指摘的 (路加福音1:5-6)。故事之開始是他們已經老了，不能生小孩子。但上帝將作看來不可能的事，上帝祝福他們生一個小孩子，從他們的生命可看見上帝是可能的上帝!
Zechariah and Elizabeth are described as godly and
devout (Luke 1:5-6). Their story begins
with them being old and unable to have a child. Yet, God will do what seemed
impossible—-bless them with a son. From their
lives we can see that God is the God of possibilities!
上帝的作為在或經過那些有信心人的生命中，撒迦利亞、以利沙伯夫婦雖一直羞愧沒生小孩子，但當上帝安排的時間來臨時，他們被祝福成為最重要先知人物的父母，上帝能贖回我們已浪費的時間。 Zechariah and Elizabeth spent their whole adult lives living
with the shame of being barren; yet when the time of God’s plan came- they were
blessed to be the parents of a major prophet. God can and does redeem the time
we think might be lost.
我們曾經有時經驗到失望的時候，也經驗過懷疑、喜樂和慶祝的季節。我們應記得，上帝的計畫看來似乎可怕或不清楚;
但我們必服從上帝的計畫。We
all go through sometime of disappointment, through time of doubt, and through
seasons of joy and celebration. We should remember that God’s plan might seem
scary or confusing; however, we must allow God to help us move through the fear
and the questions to obedience.
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約翰的出生預言John's Birth Foretold
