5 May 2017, Ex 5-6 出 5-6 章, Knowing God 认识神

Posted on Apr 28, 2017 in Devotions, Exodus |

Scripture Reading        : Ex 5-6

Theme                            : Knowing God

 

When Moses and Aaron began their work in Egypt, their first problem was with Pharaoh (5:1–9). Not only did Pharaoh refuse to let the people leave Egypt but he made their work more difficult. That gave Moses a second problem—his own people, who blamed him for their plight (5:20–21). He had a foretaste of the criticism and rebellion he would experience for the next forty years. Often, the people you help the most will appreciate you the least. Moses’ third problem was with the Lord Himself (5:22–23)! God had promised success but Moses had failed. Even the Jews didn’t believe him!

But God gave Moses the assurance that He needed (6:1–8) and told him to return to his job and stay with it. God doesn’t solve every problem immediately, nor does He follow your schedule. When you think you have failed, even when you have obeyed God’s will, ponder on Isaiah 55:8–9 and Jeremiah 29:11.[1]

 

Praying the Scripture

  1. The Egyptians were the most polytheistic people known from the ancient world. Even today, the historians and archeologists are not completely sure the total number of gods they worship. However, most lists include somewhere in the neighborhood of 80 gods including lion, ox, ram, wolf, dog, cat, cobra, frog, locust and other insects. They will have no problem adding one more god to their collection. So when Pharaoh said, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice (Ex 5:2), he is despising the Lord “God of the slave.”  So when the Lord sent the ten plagues to judge and destroy the idols/gods of Egyptians (Ex 12:12) He is showing them who the God of this universe is. Ultimately the Egyptians will know the LORD and worship Him (Isa 19:21). Do you have idols in your hearts? The Lord will destroy them one by one.
  2. Not only the Pharaoh not know God, Moses and the Israelite also did not truly know him (3:11; 6:3, 7). Do you know the Lord is the mighty great “I AM”? Furthermore, He is the merciful, compassionate and faithful God? Can you list out all the verses that indicate the attribute of God in these beginning chapters of Exodus? Let’s pray that we know God and know him well.

[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, With the Word Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), Ex 5:1.

 
 
 

经文：出5-6章

主题：认识神

 

当摩西和亚伦在埃及开始了他们的工作时，他们遇到的第一个问题就是法老（5:1-9）。法老不但拒绝让犹太人离开埃及，他甚至加重了他们的工作。这带给摩西第二个问题，就是自己的族人，他们责怪摩西使他们的处境更糟糕（5:20-21）。他事先尝到了他在未来40年所要经历的，亦是族人的指责和反抗。这也难怪，因为往往你所给予帮助最多的人，是最不会感激你的。摩西的第三个问题就是主本身！（5:22-23）神应许他会成功，但摩西却失败了。就连犹太人也不相信他！

但神向摩西保证（6:1-8）并要他回到岗位上坚持下去。神并不会立即解决你的每一个问题，祂也不会按照你的时间表来行事。当你认为你已听从神的旨意了，但是还是失败了，这时请思考以赛亚书55:8-9 和耶利米书 29:11。


用经文祷告

  1. 埃及人是古代世界拥有最多神的民族。即使在今日，历史学家和考古学家估计他们所崇拜的偶像不少过80个，这些包括狮子、牛、羊、狼、狗、猫、眼镜蛇、青蛙、蝗虫和其他昆虫。就算要再添加一个偶像，应该问题不大。所以，法老说：“耶和华是谁，使我听他的话”（出5:2），他是在藐视这位“奴隶的神” 耶和华。所以，当主降下十灾来审判和摧毁埃及人的神（偶像）时（出12:12）祂是在告诉他们这宇宙的神到底是谁。最终埃及人确实认识道耶和华并敬拜祂（赛19:21）。你的心中是否有偶像呢？耶和华必将它们一一毁掉。
  2. 不仅法老不认识神，摩西和以色列人也没有真正的认识祂（3:11；6:3，7）。你是否知道主是那伟大的“我是”？此外，祂也是一位仁慈、富有同情心和信实的神呢？你是否能从出埃及记前面几章的经节找出所有表明神属性的经文呢？让我们祷告，我们认识神，完全的认识祂。