在申命记第5章中重申了十诫(见出 20),这里关于安息日的命令指出,神曾经把祂的子民从埃及的奴役中拯救出来。
这里再次提醒我们,我们的时间是从神而来的礼物。我们也被提醒,像埃及法老样式的人,或许就是我们的老板,无权声称拥有我们全部的时间。
此外,这条律法禁止我们成为严酷的监工。我们决不能苛求别人给我们更多额外的时间。这包括对我们的家人,我们的雇员,甚至为我们工作的动物。没有人可以霸占别人的时间,当然基督徒更不能。神在过去把祂的子民从奴役中释放出来,今天祂也照样释放祂的百姓。每周有一天要献给神,祂是我们的救赎者。
这个命令表明,神爱所有的人,还有动物。无论你是首席执行官、无薪实习生,还是服务业的职员,这都没关系。神是每个人时间的给予者和支配者,你有权每周有一天来记念你的救赎者。
主啊,如果我们滥用了你给我们的时间,请赦免我们。如果我们占用了别人的时间,请赦免我们。向我们显明如何尊重每个人的时间。帮助我们在你所设立的时间里有安息。阿们。
申命记 5:12-15
12‘当照耶和华你神所吩咐的守安息日为圣日。
13六日要劳碌做你一切的工,
14但第七日是向耶和华你神当守的安息日。这一日,你和你的儿女、仆婢、牛、驴、牲畜,并在你城里寄居的客旅,无论何工都不可做,使你的仆婢可以和你一样安息。
15你也要记念你在埃及地做过奴仆,耶和华你神用大能的手和伸出来的膀臂将你从那里领出来,因此耶和华你的神吩咐你守安息日。
"Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore, the LORD your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day." - Deuteronomy 5:15
In Deuteronomy 5 the Ten Commandments are repeated (see Exodus 20), and here the command about the Sabbath day points out that God delivered his people from slavery in Egypt.
Here we are reminded again that our time is a gift from God. We are also reminded that people such as the king of Egypt, or perhaps our employers, must not claim they own all of our time.
In addition, this law prohibits us from becoming taskmasters. We must not demand more time from others than we are allowed. This includes our family members, our employees, and even work animals. No one, and certainly not a Christian, may commandeer the time of others. God liberated his people from slavery in the past, and he continues to liberate his people today. One day a week is to be dedicated to God, our liberator.
This command shows that God loves all people—and animals too. It doesn’t matter whether you are a CEO, an unpaid intern, or a service industry employee. God is the giver and ruler of everyone’s time, and you are entitled to a day each week to honor your liberator.
Forgive us, Lord, if we abuse the time you have given us. Forgive us if we have taken the time of others. Show us how to honor everyone’s time. Help us to rest in your time. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳