18 May 2017, Ex 20 出20 章, Ten Commandments 十诫

Posted on May 14, 2017 in Devotions, Exodus |

Scripture Reading        : Ex 20

Theme                            : Ten Commandments

 

The Law does not save sinners (Gal. 2:21; 3:21); it reveals God’s holiness and man’s need for salvation (Rom. 3:20). It is a mirror that shows us how bad we are (James 1:22–2), but it does not provide the cleansing we need. Only Christ can do that.

Under the old covenant, God’s law was written on tables of stone (Exod. 24:12), but under the new covenant, God writes His word on our hearts (2 Cor. 3:1–3). As you meditate on the Word, the Spirit makes it a part of your inner being, and you become more like the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 3:18). The Holy Spirit enables us to fulfill the righteous demands of God’s law (Rom. 8:1–4).

The first four commandments deal with our relationship with God, while the last six deal with our relationship with others. If we love God and obey Him, we will also love others and serve them. (See Matt. 22:34–40).

Some people obey God because of fear (vv. 18–21). Others obey only because they want His blessing. The highest motive for obedience is our love for the Lord. But what if we disobey the Lord? God made provision for Israel in the prescribed sacrifices (vv. 22–26). He has made provision for believers today through the work of Christ (1 John 1:9–2:2). Believers are not under law but under grace. This is not an excuse for sin but an encouragement for loving obedience to His will.

Both nudity and intercourse with temple prostitutes were a part of many pagan religious ceremonies, and these were expressly forbidden by the Lord. God commanded the Jewish priests to wear special garments to cover their nakedness (Ex. 20:226; 28:42–43; Lev. 6:10), and if they failed to obey, they were in danger of being killed (Ex. 28:35, 43).[1]
 
 
Praying the Scripture
  1. The privilege of freedom brings with it the responsibility to use that freedom wisely for the glory of God and the good of others. The law was never given as a way of salvation because “by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified” (Gal. 2:16). Salvation is not a reward for good works but the gift of God through faith in Jesus Christ (Rom. 4:5; Eph. 2:8–9). The Law reveals the nature of God. Knowing who God is, do you know how to live your life to please Him? Pray that you do.
  2. God is a “jealous God,” not in the sense that He’s envious of other gods, for He knows there is no other gods. The word “jealous” expresses His special love for His people because He wants the very best for them. Just as parents are jealous over their children and spouses over their mates so God is jealous over His beloved ones and will not tolerate competition (Zech. 1:14; 8:2). God desires and deserves the exclusive love of His people (Ex. 34:14; Deut. 4:24; 5:9; 6:15). Let’s pray that you love God with all your heart, soul and might.

[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Delivered, “Be” Commentary Series (Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor Pub., 1998), 116.

 
 

经文：出20 章

主题：十诫

 

律法并不能使一个罪人得救（加2:21；3:21）；它显现的是神的圣洁与人得救的需要（罗3:20）。它是一面镜子，反映我们的败坏（雅1:22-2），但它无法使我们洁净。唯有基督才能这么做。

在旧约，神把律法写在石版上（出24:12），但在新约，神把祂的话语刻在我们的心版上（林后3:1-3）。当你默想祂的话时，圣灵会使真理成为你内心的一部分，叫你能越来越像主耶稣基督了（林后3:18）。圣灵使我们能够完成神律法公义上的要求（罗8:1-4）。

前四个诫命讲述我们与神的关系，而后六个则讲述我们与他人的关系。如果我们爱神并顺服祂，我们也会去爱别人，并服事他们。 （见 太22:34-40）。

有些人因惧怕神而顺服祂（18-21节）；有些人是想得到神的祝福才顺服祂。然而，我们顺服主的最大动机是爱。但是，我们若犯罪了该怎么办呢？神为以色列预备并规定了赎罪祭（22-26节）。祂也通过基督的工作为今天的信徒预备了赎罪祭（约一1:9-2:2）。信徒已不在律法之下，乃在恩典之下活着。这并不是给予我们犯罪的借口，而是鼓励我们由爱顺服神的旨意。

寺庙妓女在寺里袒露、与寺庙妓女性交是许多异教仪式的一部分，而这些都是主明确禁止的。神吩咐犹太祭司穿戴特殊的衣服以遮掩下体（出20:26；28:42-43；利6:10），而他们若不听从，他们有可能被神击死（出 28:35，43）。

 

用经文祷告

  1. 自由的特权也附带责任，这责任就是要我们明智地使用这自由来荣耀神，并为别人的益处着想。法律从来就不是救赎的一种方式，“因为凡有血气的，没有一人因行律法称义”（加 2:16）。救恩不是好行为的奖励，它是神借着人对耶稣基督的信靠所赐下的恩典（罗4:5;弗2:8-9）。律法启示了神的属性。我们若晓得神是谁，那是否也已知道如何过一个讨神喜悦的生活呢？让我们祷告我们确实知道。
  2. 神是一个“忌邪的神”（英译“嫉妒”），这不是说神羡慕偶像，因为祂晓得世上别无它神。“嫉妒”这词表达了祂对子民特殊的爱，因为祂要祂的子民们得到最好的。正如家长为子女、配偶为对方嫉妒一样，神也为所挚爱的嫉妒，所以祂绝对不容许任何竞争对手的存在（亚1:14；8:2）。神渴望也配得到祂子民单一的爱（出34:14；申4:24；5:9；6:15）。让我们祈祷，能够尽心、尽性、尽力爱我们的神。