不像英雄的的英雄(记号:瓶子)
在这段经文接下来的故事中,基甸成了一位成功的军事领袖(参士师记7)。然而我们如果细想故事的开头,就会对此感到惊讶。
耶和华的使者这样问候基甸:“大能的勇士啊,耶和华与你同在。”但这时基甸在干什么呢?是在擦亮他的盔甲吗?还是在召集军队?都不是。在那段时期,米甸人长期压制以色列人。基甸正在酒榨那里打麦子,为要防备米甸人。所以,基甸的表现并不像大能的勇士,而更像一个懦夫。
我们一再看到基甸的胆小和不确定,但我们不应该对他太苛刻。他的焦虑和犹豫只凸显了一个事实:神分派给他的任务是众寡悬殊的。尽管一开始有好几万人可以上阵(士 7:3,8),神却只使用了基甸和一小支部队,为要教导祂的百姓,这场战役是属于耶和华的。到了晚上,基甸和跟随他的人进入米甸人的营中,打破瓶子,手拿火把,吹角;这时是神亲自将敌人赶出了以色列。
软弱的人和脆弱的瓶子,是指向那将要来的主和救主,祂是一个无助的、人类的婴孩。这场战役属于耶和华!
主啊,我们靠着自己就像那易碎的瓶子,唯有在耶稣里面,我们才能成为祢国度中大能的勇士。尽管我们脆弱,但求祢为了祢国度和荣耀的来临,使用我们。阿们。
士师记 6:1-14
1 以色列人又行耶和华眼中看为恶的事,耶和华就把他们交在米甸人手里七年。
2 米甸人压制以色列人,以色列人因为米甸人,就在山中挖穴、挖洞,建造营寨。
3 以色列人每逢撒种之后,米甸人、亚玛力人和东方人都上来攻打他们,
4 对着他们安营,毁坏土产,直到加沙,没有给以色列人留下食物,牛、羊、驴也没有留下。
5 因为那些人带着牲畜、帐篷来,像蝗虫那样多,人和骆驼无数,都进入国内,毁坏全地。
6 以色列人因米甸人的缘故,极其穷乏,就呼求耶和华。
7 以色列人因米甸人的缘故,呼求耶和华,
8 耶和华就差遣先知到以色列人那里,对他们说:“耶和华以色列的神如此说:‘我曾领你们从埃及上来,出了为奴之家,
9 救你们脱离埃及人的手,并脱离一切欺压你们之人的手,把他们从你们面前赶出,将他们的地赐给你们。
10 又对你们说:“我是耶和华你们的神。你们住在亚摩利人的地,不可敬畏他们的神。”你们竟不听从我的话。’”
11 耶和华的使者到了俄弗拉,坐在亚比以谢族人约阿施的橡树下。约阿施的儿子基甸正在酒榨那里打麦子,为要防备米甸人。
12 耶和华的使者向基甸显现,对他说:“大能的勇士啊,耶和华与你同在!”
13 基甸说:“主啊!耶和华若与我们同在,我们何至遭遇这一切事呢?我们的列祖不是向我们说,耶和华领我们从埃及上来吗?他那样奇妙的作为在哪里呢?现在他却丢弃我们,将我们交在米甸人手里。”
14 耶和华观看基甸,说:“你靠着你这能力,去从米甸人手里拯救以色列人。不是我差遣你去的吗?”
Unlikely Heroes (Symbol: Clay Jar)
"When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior." — Judges 6:12
In this story, Gideon goes on to become a successful military leader (see Judges 7). But that’s surprising when we consider how the story begins.
The angel of the Lord greets Gideon with the words, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.” But where is Gideon when the angel greets him? Polishing his armor? Mustering the troops? No. He’s threshing grain in a winepress, hiding out from marauding Midianites, who are a constant threat to the Israelites at that time. So Gideon is not acting like a mighty warrior but more like a coward.
Repeatedly we see Gideon as timid and uncertain, but we should not be too hard on him. His anxiety and hesitation simply highlight the fact that God is setting him up with impossible odds. By using Gideon and just a small army, even though many thousands of soldiers were available (Judges 7:3, 8), God is teaching his people that the battle belongs to the Lord. When Gideon and his men finally enter the Midianite camp at night, smashing clay jars, carrying torches, and blowing trumpets, God himself routs the enemies of Israel.
Weak men and fragile jars point to the coming of the Lord and Savior as a helpless, human baby. The battle belongs to the Lord.
By ourselves we are like clay jars, Lord, and only in you, Jesus, can we become mighty warriors of your kingdom. Frail though we are, please use us for the coming of your kingdom and your glory. Amen.
诵读: 楚云
片头: 张妙阳
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