Manna74-I Will Make You a Fortified Bronze Wall 我必使你成為堅固的城牆
此標題出自耶利米書15章20節：我必使你向這百姓成為堅固的銅牆．他們必攻擊你、卻不能勝你．因我與你同在、要拯救你、搭救你．這是耶和華說的。
"Then I will make you to this people a fortified wall of bronze;
And though they fight against you, They will not prevail over you;
For I am with you to save you And deliver you," declares the Lord.
Persist by God’s strength. 靠神的力量堅持下去
Vincent Yeung—Cambridge, U.K.
著：楊志宏弟兄-劍橋，英國
譯者：Bloomwitz
“You are but a poor soldier of Christ
if you think you can overcome
without fighting, and suppose you
can have the crown without the
conflict.”1
如果你認為自己能不戰而勝並得著冠冕，你就只是基督的窮士兵。-約翰一世
（John Chrysostom）約翰一世為君士坦丁堡主教，擅長辯論與演說故又名『聖金口若望』
This statement illustrates how
human beings naturally tend to avoid
conflict: we often prefer to go with
the flow and keep our head down so
that life will be easier.
這段話闡述人類天生趨向免於衝突，我們往往低頭順應世界潮流，覺得這樣讓人生簡單些。
We do not want to upset others,
be it at church, at work, or with our
friends and family. We find it easier
to preach to strangers: we can simply
walk away if they do not like to listen,
knowing that we will not see them
again. In contrast, when we preach
to loved ones, we fear rejection and
opposition, and worse, we cannot
escape; we have to continue to live
in their midst.
我們不想讓別人失望，不論是在教會、工作場合或者跟親朋好友。
我們認為向陌生人傳講道理較為容易，要是他們不接受，一走了之便是，反正又不會再見面。
相反地，當我們向所愛之人傳道，我們深怕他們拒絕抑或反對，更甚者，我們無法逃離；我們必須繼續活在他們當中。
When we see wrongdoings among
our friends and colleagues, we just
keep quiet, not wanting to rock the
boat and offend others. Once we
have raised the issue, we do not want
to repeat it, as we do not wish to be
seen as troublemakers. Sometimes,
certain situations at church may
require that we speak the truth in
love. Yet, when we do so, we are
often criticized and rejected by others.
當我們看見朋友與同事的不良行徑時，我們沈默，以免得罪他人。
或者一旦我們開啟道德話題，我們不會想再重複，因為不想當掃把星。
有時候，教會裡的某些情況需要我們本著愛與真理提醒。
然而，當我們如此行，我們往往受到批評與孤立。
Now we have to make a choice:
do we regress to our passive stance,
compromise to make peace, give up
totally, or do we stand firm for what
is right in God’s eyes? A passive
approach contradicts the active
stance of the Bible, which reminds
us that we “are the light of the
world” (Mt 5:14); that we should
“make disciples of all the nations”
(Mt 28:19), “contend earnestly
for the faith” (Jude 3), and “speak
[the] truth with [our] neighbor”
(Eph 4:25). The actions of shining,
making, and contending inevitably
lead us on to a collision course. When
speaking the truth, divisions between
friends and within the family may
become inevitable (Lk 12:49–53).
Prophet Jeremiah knew this dilemma
all too well, as he faced enormous
challenges during his ministry.
事到如今我們必須做出抉擇，完全放棄，回歸到消極立場，妥協以求平和，或者我們應該站在神那邊，行神看為正的事？
被動的處理態度與聖經的立場相左，聖經要我們「做事上的光」（馬太福音5章14節）
我們應該「使萬民作神的門徒」（馬太福音28章19節）
「為真道竭力爭辯」（猶大書3節）
並且「個人與鄰舍說實話」（以弗所書4章25節）
榮耀神、強迫和衝突無可避免的引導我們進入碰撞的過程。
當提及真理，親友間的疏離是無可避免的。（路加福音12章49-53節）
耶利米先知清楚的知道這種窘境，尤其當他在職務上面對巨大的挑戰時。
DELIGHTED YET DEPRESSED 既喜樂又愁煩
Jeremiah was targeted for speaking
the truth (Jer 18:18). When he
preached God’s message of judgment
and repentance, people retaliated
and mocked him (Jer 20:7,10). He
became a reproach to the people
(Jer 20:8). His friends waited for his
downfall (Jer 20:10), and his own
family mistreated him (Jer 12:6). He
was told to speak no more, or his life
would be threatened (Jer 11:21).
耶利米為義受逼迫（耶利米書18章18節）
當他傳講神審判和悔改的信息，人們反擊並嘲笑他（耶利米書20章7、10節）
他成了眾矢之的（耶利米書20章8節）
他的朋友等著看他垮台的好戲（耶利米書20章10節）
，而他自己的家人凌虐他（耶利米書12章6 節）。
他受脅迫，閉嘴，否則要他的命（耶利米書11章21節）
Jeremiah rejoiced in God’s word
(Jer 15:16), and yet became dejected.
He asked God for deliverance (Jer
15:15), yet he cursed his own
birth (Jer 20:14,15) and lost hope,
claiming, “My wound is incurable”
(Jer 15:18a). He also questioned
God’s faithfulness, contending that
God was an “unreliable stream” (Jer
15:18b). The God whom he had
once trusted became a potential
“terror” (Jer 17:17) and one who
would put him to “shame” (Jer
17:18). He derided his own ministry
for being in the wrong place and at
the wrong time. He lamented that
it was filled with labor, sorrow, and
shame (Jer 20:18). The juxtaposition
between fear and hope, elation and
sorrow, faithfulness and accusation,
illustrate the contradictions of the
human mind.
耶利米先是以神的話為樂（耶利米書15章16節）而後轉為沮喪。
他先是求神拯救（耶利米書15章15節）
之後詛咒自己的出生（耶利米書20章14、15節）
然後失去希望，嚷著「我的傷無法可醫」（耶利米書15章18節上）
他也質問神的忠貞，辯稱神是「不可靠的細流」（耶利米書15章18節下）
他所信的神成為潛在的「驚恐」（耶利米書17章17節）
且使耶利米「蒙羞」（耶利米書17章18節）
耶利米嘲弄自己的職分，覺得自己身處不對的時間與地點，他哀慟這個時間地點充滿的勞苦、哀傷和羞恥（耶利米書20章18節）
恐懼和希望、得意和憂傷、忠貞和指控並列，說明了人心的矛盾。
Jeremiah typifies believers who
want to follow God’s words and
partake in His ministry. When they
encounter difficulties and setbacks,
they suppress their emotions,
believing they can cope. But there
comes a point when they can no
longer contain the build-up of
feelings, and they vent their anger.
It is normal to feel angry when we
have been mistreated or wronged,
especially when we are in the right.
However, waiting for the wrong to be
put right can be frustrating. Hence,
Jeremiah accused God of filling him
with “indignation” (Jer 15:17). With
such a negative mindset, we may
find that we are no longer able to
continue to practice God’s word and
to serve Him: we may retire to our
mundane life, or else persist with
bitterness.
耶利米是遵守神道並承擔職分的信徒的典型。
當他們遇到困境和挫折時他們壓抑自己的情緒，相信自己能忍耐。
但他們總有無法繼續忍耐的時後，於是他們洩憤。
當我們被虐待或冤枉時生氣是很正常的，尤其當我們是正確的一方時。
不論如何，等待誤會解除的歷程可以是很令人洩氣的。
因此，耶利米指控神讓他充滿「憤恨」（耶利米書15章17節）
存如此消極的心態，我們會發現自己無法繼續實行神的道並且服侍他，我們可能會回歸世俗的生活，或者繼續承受苦難。
ROAD TO DELIVERANCE 得救贖之道
Jeremiah was troubled by the same
question that plagued many ancient
saints. He asked, “How long?”
(Jer 12:4). Promises were made by
God, but they did not materialize
in Jeremiah’s lifetime. God’s reply
was to question Jeremiah’s strength,
which was based on his own ability. If
Jeremiah was wearied by mere men,
how could he overcome horses (Jer
12:5)? And if he could not cope with
the little suffering in a “peaceful”
Jerusalem, how could he cope with
the plain of Jordan, where the lions
hid around willows and shady banks,
ready to pick their prey (Jer 12:5)?
耶利米遭受和所有古聖人一樣的問題。他問：「要多久？」（耶利米書12章4節）
神許下諾言，但這些諾言並未在耶利米活著時兌現。
神的回應晚是基於耶利米本身的能力來試驗他的力量。
如果耶利米和步行的人同跑尚且覺得累，他怎麼能戰勝馬（耶利米書12章5節）
還有，如果他不能承擔小苦難在「和平的」耶路撒冷，他怎能忍受約旦河邊叢林那些躲藏在柳樹後和河提暗處，等著吞吃獵物的獅子呢？（耶利米書12章5節）
Rely on God 依靠神
Jeremiah proclaimed his trust in God,
yet God questioned his wholehearted
devotion. Jeremiah’s reliance on his
own strength had adulterated his
trust in God. He was fighting his own
fight, with his own ability, tenacity,
and strength. Ultimately, he became
worn out by the opposition. Today,
Satan and his forces are constantly
aiming at the heart of believers, ready
to strike secretly (Ps 11:2). We need
to withstand this constant onslaught
by relying on God.
耶利米聲明他相信神、全心的奉獻，然後神試驗他。
耶利米對自己力量的依賴攪混了他對神的信心。
他為自己而戰，用自己的能力、頑強和力量。
結果，他給魔鬼留地步了。
現今，撒旦和他的武力不斷的針對信徒的心，準備好秘密的襲擊（詩篇11章2節）。
我們需依靠神才能在魔鬼不斷的猛攻下站立得住。
Jeremiah had veered off course
and was overwhelmed by the terrors
that surrounded him. It is ironic that
Jeremiah committed the very mistake
that he had rebuked Israel for: “You
have forsaken me; you have gone
backward” (Jer 15:6).
耶利米偏離了方向，被恐懼淹沒。諷
刺的是耶利米犯下了與他所斥責的以色列人相同的錯誤；
耶和華說：「你棄絕了我，轉身退後。」（耶利米書15章6節）
Persist by God’s Strength 靠著神剛強
Even so, God offered him a way back;
but Jeremiah had to take the first
step. God said, “If you return, then
I will bring you back” (Jer 15:19a).
The way of return required him to
stand firm and not compromise:
“[Y]ou must not return to them” (Jer
15:19b). Similarly, it is only when we
trust in God (Jer 17:7) that we can
endure and have “no fear when heat
comes” (Jer 17:8). When we persist
in doing God’s will, His promises will
follow (Heb 10:37–38).
即使如此，神仍然替他安排了轉回的道路，只要耶利米願踏出第一步。
神說：「你若歸回，我就將你再帶來。」（耶利米書15章19節上）
轉回的道路需要他堅持不妥協：「你卻不可歸回他們」（耶利米書15章19節下）
同理，只有當我們相信神（耶利米書17章7節）我們才能承受「炎熱來到，並不懼怕。」（耶利米書17章8節）
當我們堅守主道，他的應許必定相隨。（希伯來書10章37-38節）
Purify Our Hearts and Minds 淨化心靈
The second condition for Jeremiah’s
return was to “take out the precious
from the vile” (Jer 15:19), that is to
purify himself. Jeremiah was holding
grudges against man and against
God. His bitterness was both open
and insidious, manifesting through
the words that had been hidden in
his heart.
耶利米的第二個回歸條件是「將寶貴的和下賤的分別出來。」（耶利米書15章19節）淨化他自己。
耶利米抱持著對人類和神的積怨。他心中深藏的痛苦和陰險透過話語表露無遺。。
God searches our hearts. The
impurities in our minds are like filth
that poisons us and prevents God’s
word from working in us. We should
be truthful to ourselves and search
out the impurities that we pick up
consciously or subconsciously in
our daily life: the grudges we hold
against others (Mt 5:22–23), selfrighteousness
(Job 40:2–4), jealousy,
and anger (Gal 5:20–21)—all these
prevent us from drawing near to God.
Like Jeremiah, we should remove the
vile from our heart—the source of all
uncleanness (Mt 15:19).
神查驗我們的心。
我們心中的不潔就像毒物讓神的話無法在我們的心理動工。
我們需誠實的面對自己，查驗自己生活中意識與潛意識中的不潔之處，我們對他人的怨恨（馬太福音5章22-23節）
自以為義（約伯記40章2-4節）
嫉妒和憤怒（加拉太書5章20-21節）
這些都讓我們遠離神。就像耶利米，我們須從心裡除去邪惡—污穢的源頭。（馬太福音15章19節）
SERVICE WITH PEACE AND JOY 平安喜樂的服侍
We do not want to share in Jeremiah’s
plight, having to dig ourselves from
the nadir of faith. When we suffer
for the sake of God and encounter
obstacles, we should be aware of
warning signs: doubt, mistrust,
anger, and the loss of joy. Do we feel
lonely, thinking that no one is able
and willing to help us? Do we feel
frustrated because no matter how
hard we try, we do not get the right
response or outcome? Have we lost
the will to fight and find it hard to
continue?
我們不想承受耶利米的那種困境，我們需要挖掘自己深層的信仰。
當我們為了神遭受困境時，我們需要警覺到警告：懷疑、不信任、憤怒和不喜樂。
我們是否覺得孤獨並覺得沒有人有能力與意願相助？
我們是否在連連嘗試失敗或失落後感到挫折？
我們是否失去了持續奮鬥的意願？
We should realize that God’s
work is not about us—success or
failure does not depend on our
abilities or reputation. We are only
God’s instrument—an instrument of
righteousness—created to do good
works for His glory.
我們需要明白我們不論成功或者失敗，都不是依靠勢力亦非才能，乃是靠神。
我們是神的器具—公義的器具—為成就神的榮耀而造。
Elijah was hiding in a cave, feeling
lonely and frustrated because his
great work was not recognized (1 Kgs
19:1–3, 9). He thought he was the
only prophet in Israel (1 Kgs 19:14).
This self-centeredness blinded him
from seeing the bigger picture.
以利亞曾藏身於山洞，感到挫折與孤獨，因為他的工並未受到認同（列王記上19章1-3、9節）
他以為自己是以色列唯一的先知（列王記上19章14節）
這樣的自我中心蒙蔽了他的雙眼，使他忽略了全面。
On the opposite end, the apostles
rejoiced because they were counted
worthy to suffer shame for Jesus’
name (Acts 5:41). Paul considered
himself to be merely a fellow worker;
he was happy to build and leave it
to God to give the increase (1 Cor
3:5,6,9). He was neither worried
about how others saw him (1 Cor
4:3) nor perturbed by their motives;
he rejoiced as long as the gospel was
preached (Phil 1:18). Paul’s clarity
over his position and mission defined
his ministry. He did not preach himself
(2 Cor 4:5), and he understood that
the power was not his own but came
from God (2 Cor 4:7). Whether he
experienced glory or dishonor, good
or evil reports, riches or poverty,
Paul could rejoice. Even when his
troubles, the conspiracy against him,
and his own fears remained, he was
exceedingly joyful and took comfort
in the Lord God (2 Cor 7:4–6; 11:28).
He could rejoice because he had the
right mindset to do all things through
Christ who strengthened him (Phil
4:11–13).
相反的，使徒歡欣自己配得為耶穌基督的名受辱（使徒行傳5章41節）。
保羅自認為只是同工的一員；他歡喜搭建並相信只有神能使它興旺（哥林多前書3章5、6、9）。
他既不擔心他人的眼光（哥林多前書4章3節）亦不受他人的動機煩擾，他因播揚福音而喜樂（腓立比書1章18節）保羅明確的定為了他在事工的職分和任務。
他不自誇（哥林多後書4章5節），他知道能力從神而來（哥林多後書4章7節）。
不論他得尊榮或被羞辱、好消息或壞消息、富裕或貧窮，保羅都得了喜樂的秘訣。
甚至當他煩心並害怕惡人聯合的計謀，他仍然極其喜樂，並從神得安慰（哥林多後書7章4-6節、11章28節）。
他能喜樂因為神賜他力量（腓立比書4章11-13節）。
When Stephen was brought before
the Sanhedrin, he remained at peace
(Acts 6:15). He was not perturbed
by the crowd and the uncertain
future that confronted him. He
neither shrank from speaking the
truth (Acts 7:51) nor was he upset
by the recalcitrance of his accusers.
He peacefully accepted his fate and
forgave those who inflicted pain on
him (Acts 7:55, 60).
當司提反被帶到公會堂前時，他依然平靜（使徒行傳6章15節）。
他不因人群和未知的未來煩惱。他繼不畏卻傳講真理（使徒行傳7章51節）
也不為控告者的執拗而心煩。他平靜地接受了命運並饒恕了施加傷害於他的人（使徒行傳7章55節、60節）
Paul and Stephen followed the
path of passion laid down by Jesus (1
Pet 2:21); they willingly suffered for
righteousness’ sake, without fear and
trouble (1 Pet 3:14), because they
relied on God.
保羅和司提反跟隨耶穌的腳蹤行（彼得前書2章21節）；
他們願為義受逼迫，不害怕也不擔憂（彼得前書3章14節）
因為他們依靠神。
STAND FIRM 堅立堅意
God promised to make Jeremiah a
fortified bronze wall (Jer 15:20a)—
a wall so strong that it could not
be breached by his enemies. This
strength would not be based on
Jeremiah’s ability, tenacity, and strong
will; it would come from God, for He
said, “I am with you” (Jer 15:20b).
神應許使耶利米成為堅固的城牆（耶利米書15章20節上）一個無敵手可破的堅固城牆。
這股力量並非基於耶利米的能力、堅持和強烈的意念，能力來自神，神說：「我與你同在。」（耶利米書15章20結下）
This promise of divine presence is
the assurance of victory, reminiscent
of God’s words to Joshua: “[D]o not
be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the
Lord your God is with you wherever
you go” (Josh 1:9). This assurance
is reiterated throughout the ages
and before every great mission (Josh
1:6,9; Mt 26:19,20). This power is
from above. No matter how hard we
try, we cannot outrun or outwit our
enemy; only God can open the way
to help us stand firm.
這個出於神的勝利保證讓人想起神同約書亞說的話：
「你當剛強壯膽，不要懼怕，也不要驚惶，因為不論你往哪裡去，耶和華你的神必與你同在。」（約書亞記1章9節）
這個保證載每個時代被不斷重申，並且在每個重大的任務前。（約書亞記1章6、9節、馬太福音26章19、20節）
這力量是從神而來。不論我們多努力，我們無法逆轉或智取我們的敵人；唯有神開啟道路，並使我們堅立。
Many of us know what God wants
us to do, yet we procrastinate because
we are afraid to fail, to be marginalized
by our peers, or ostracized by society.
大多數的信徒知道神想要我們做什麼，然而我們因害怕失敗而卻步，怕被同事孤立，怕被社會驅逐。
We do not openly object to God’s
commandments, but past unpleasant
experiences have deterred us from
doing the right things. Out of fear,
mistrust, and indignation, we fail to
uphold the truth and to persist in
our ministry. Only when we remove
the vile from our thoughts, stop our
backsliding, and start to rely on God,
can we truly overcome the challenges
that we face in our faith and service.
我們並未公然反對神的命令，但是過去不愉快的經驗已然阻擋我們去做正確的事。
出於害怕，不信任和填膺義憤，我們在堅守職分和真理上失職了。
唯有當我們從心中去除邪惡、不重蹈覆轍並且開始依靠神，我們才能真正克服所面臨的信仰及服事的挑戰。
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
歡迎主內同靈來信加入英翻中的事工
目前英文嗎哪雜誌為二個月出版一刊
每位譯者會是二個月翻譯一篇英文稿
Manna 嗎哪 56 (1)