17 May 2017, Ex 19 出19 章, Set Apart 分别为圣

Posted on May 14, 2017 in Devotions, Exodus |

Scripture Reading        : Ex 19

Theme                            : Set Apart

 

A special people.

At the Red Sea, God separated His people from their old life; at Sinai. He brought them into a new life – a covenant relationship with Himself. It was like a wedding ceremony, with God as the Husband and Israel as the wife. Whenever the nation turned from God to idols, God accused them of committing adultery (Isa. 1:21; Jer. 3:1–5). Believers today must also beware of this sin (James 4:4). The church is a nation of kings and priests (1 Pet. 2:5, 9) called to glorify God.

A sanctified people.

Because we belong to God, we must be separated from sin (vv. 10, 14, 22). God’s people are set apart from the world and unto the Lord.

A submissive people.

To impress the people with the fear of the Lord, God demonstrated His power at Sinai and warned them not to come near. It was the childhood of the nation and the people, like children, learned from rewards and punishments. Hebrews 12:18–29 contrasts this experience with that of the New Testament believer today. We must still fear the Lord and respect the boundaries He establishes but we are invited to “draw near” (Heb. 10:19–25). The Israelites were not saved from Egypt by obeying the Law, but their obedience enabled them to enjoy all the blessings God had for them.[1]

 

Praying the Scripture

  1. Although Aaron and his sons would be consecrated later to serve as priests to the nation (Ex. 28–29), but it was God’s intent that all Israel live as priests, manifesting His truth and sharing His blessings with the world. Unfortunately, instead of Israel influencing the nations to worship God, the nations influenced Israel to worship idols! The Jews adopted the religions and lifestyles of the Gentiles and so desecrated themselves, their land and the temple so much so that God had to chasten them severely and send them into Babylonian captivity. Are you influencing the people around you or are you being influenced by them? Let’s pray that we are blessing to them.
  2. Exodus 19:6 tells us how a nation was born. It was the Lord who brought them out of the bondage of Egypt and make them free so that they can be holy people. Holy people means people who are set apart; people who are different. In every area of life, Israel’s activities were governed by the fact that they belonged to God and that included what they ate, what they wore, who they married, how they buried their dead and especially how they worshiped. Are you being set apart?
  3. Quoting Exodus 19:6, Peter said you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1Pe 2:9) Let’s pray that we proclaim his excellencies to all.

[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, With the Word Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), Ex 19:1.

 
 

经文：出19 章

主题：分别为圣

 

一群特殊的子民

在红海，神将祂的子民从以前的生活分别出来；在西乃山，祂把他们带进一个新的生命，就是一个与自己立约的关系里。这就像是一个婚礼仪式一样，神作丈夫，以色列作妻子。所以，每当以色列转而敬拜偶像时，神指责他们犯下奸淫之罪（赛1:21，耶3:1-5）。今日的信徒也必须提防这罪（雅4:4）。神呼召教会成为一个国度君王和祭司（彼前2:5，9）将荣耀归于神。

一群圣洁的子民

因为我们属于神，所以我们必须与罪隔绝（vv.10，14，22）。神的子民必须从世俗中分别出来，归回耶和华。

一群顺服的子民

为要使人确确实实的敬畏祂，神在西乃山上展示了自己的能力，并警告他们不要靠近。这民族好比正处于童年时期一样，犹如孩子，他们也需从奖惩制度中学习。希伯来书12:18-29也拿这个例子与今天的新约信徒做比较。我们必须敬畏耶和华，并尊重祂所立的界限，但神也要我们“亲近”祂（希10:19-25）。以色列人不是因为他们顺服、遵守法律而从埃及获救；他们的顺服乃使得他们能够享受神所预备给他们的祝福。

 

用经文祷告

  1. 虽然亚伦和他的儿子日后将被分别出来，作以色列国的祭司（出28-29），但神也要所有以色列人都像祭司一样，彰显祂的真理并与世界分享祂的祝福。不幸的是，以色列国并无影响其它国家来敬拜神，反倒受到他们的影响崇拜偶像！犹太人接纳外邦人的生活方式和信仰；他们是如此地亵渎自己、家园和神殿，以至神必须严厉管教他们，并让他们被巴比伦人囚禁为奴。你是否有在影响你周围的人呢？或是你受到他们的影响呢？让我们祷告，我们可以给身边的人带来祝福。
  2. 出埃及记19:6告诉我们一国是如何诞生的。主使以色列人摆脱埃及的束缚，让他们重获自由，成为圣洁的子民。圣洁的子民指的是分别为圣的人，有别于他人。在生活的各个方面，以色列人所做的一切都是因着他们是属神的缘故，而这包括他们所吃的、穿的、结婚对象、埋礼仪式，特别是他们如何敬拜神。你是否已将自己分别为圣呢？
  3. 彼得引用出埃及记19:6：“惟有你们是被拣选的族类，是有君尊的祭司，是圣洁的国度，是属神的子民，要叫你们宣扬那召你们出黑暗入奇妙光明者的美德”（彼前2:9）。让我们祈祷，能向所有人宣扬神的美德。