1. Manna issue 88 - A Joyful Life In The Fear Of God 敬畏神喜樂度日
Steven Shek—Edinburgh, UK 英國愛丁堡 Steven Shek
GOD’S MESSAGE OF GODLY FEAR 虔誠敬畏神的啟示
We rarely hear of joy and the fear of God spoken in the same breath.
Most want to receive joy from God, without cultivating the fear of Him.
But if we do not seek after godly fear, then the joy we experience will be short-lived.
Any individual concerned with his salvation must have the motivation to fear God.
A progressive relationship with God is rooted not only in God’s love, but also in godly fear.
我們很少會聽到，有人會同時提到喜樂和敬畏神。
大多數人希望從神那裡得到喜樂，而沒有養成對神的敬畏。
但若我們不尋求虔誠敬畏神，那麼我們所體驗到的喜樂，將是短暫的。
任何關心自已救恩的人，都必須有敬畏神的動機。
與神的關係能漸漸親密，不僅源於對神的愛，也源於虔誠敬畏神。
A lack of godly fear can lead to sin and, as a result, punishment from God.
Through God’s word, Jeremiah foresaw the devastation
that God’s children would bring upon themselves through sin
(Jer 33:1–26).
But God also revealed that, once His people fear Him and repent, He would have mercy:
若缺乏虔誠敬畏神，就會導致犯罪，並因此受到神的懲罰。
耶利米通過神的話，預見了這場災難
神的子女，會因為他們的罪惡，而導致遇到災難。
（耶 33：1-26）。
但是神也透露了，一旦他的子民開始敬畏示，並且悔改，祂就會施憐憫：
“Behold, I will bring it health and healing;
I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth.
… Then it shall be to Me a name of joy, a praise, and an honor before all nations of the earth,
who shall hear all the good that I do to them;
they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and all the prosperity that I provide for it.”
(Jer 33:6–9)
6看哪，我要使這城得以痊愈安舒，使城中的人得醫治，又將豐盛的平安和誠實顯明與他們。
9這城要在地上萬國人面前使我得頌讚，得榮耀，名為可喜可樂之城。
萬國人因聽見我向這城所賜的福樂、所施的恩惠平安，就懼怕戰兢。
(耶 33：6-9)
This prophesy speaks truth to those who,
when they realize the error of their ways, repent and return to God.
Those who acknowledge God’s discipline will turn to God in fear of Him.
And He will heal.
God will do many things for His returned people,
such that they will joyfully magnify His holy name!
這個預言是向那些人訴說，
就是當他們意識到自己的錯誤，悔改之後，並回到神的人。
那些承認神管教的人，會抱著敬畏神的心，而回到神身邊。
神會治療他們。
神會為祂的歸來的子民，做很多事情，
這樣，他們就可以大大快樂地讚美祂的聖名！
When one has the fear of God at the center of his life,
he will have a foretaste of heavenly joy.
The relationship between godly fear and joy is evident throughout the Bible.
Let us look at how God’s word is fulfilled from generation to generation,
and how we, too, can live a joyful life.
當人們於生活中心，抱持著敬畏神的心，
他就能預先品嘗到天國的喜樂。
聖經裡可以清楚地看到，虔誠敬畏與喜樂之間的關係是很明顯的。
讓我們來看看，世代相傳的神話語，是如何得以實現，
以及我們也可以過著喜樂的生活。
FEAST OF THE PASSOVER 逾越節的宴席
When the Israelites observed the Passover in Egypt, they knew what God was going to do
—He would destroy all the Egyptian firstborn and lead His people out of Egypt
(Ex 12:1–14, 29–42).
Indeed, they witnessed God’s salvation and almighty power through this event.
After they received the Law of Moses,
the Israelites continued to keep the Passover out of the fear of God
(Deut 16:1–8).
And by observing this feast, they rejoiced in God’s deliverance.
以色列人在埃及守逾越節的時候，就知道神將要做什麼事，
-神要擊殺所有埃及地的長子，並要帶領祂的子民出埃及。
（出12：1-14、29-42）。
的確，他們通過這一事件，見證了神的救贖和無所不能。
他們領受了摩西律法之後，
以色列人因為對神的敬畏，而繼續遵守逾越節，
（申 16：1–8）。
藉由遵守逾越節的宴席，他們因著神的拯救，而感到高興。
On the first anniversary of the Passover,
during their walk in the wilderness,
the Israelites were to observe the feast again
(Num 9:1–14).
However, it became known that a group of people had been defiled by touching a human corpse.
These individuals confessed their defilement,
and they also asked why they could not partake in the Passover.
They were keen to present the offering,
but did not want to break God’s law by doing so while unclean.
God, in His mercy, allowed them to keep the Passover a month later,
giving them time for ceremonial cleansing before partaking in this most holy feast
(Num 5:2).
We can see the fear of God ruling in their hearts, to act according to God’s commandments.
當他們在曠野中行走時，
遇到了逾越節的第一周年，
以色列人就再次舉行逾越節宴席的活動
（民 9：1-14）。
但是，眾所周知，有一群人因為觸摸人的屍體，而被沾污了。
這些人坦誠了自己沾污的行為，
並且他們還詢問了，為何他們不能參與逾越節的原因。
他們很急切想要獻祭，
但不想在自已不潔的時候，前去獻祭，而違反神的律法。
神憐憫他們，允許他們在一個月後，再來守逾越節，
給他們一點時間，可以進行潔淨儀式，然後才參加這個最神聖的宴席。
（民 5：2）
我們可以看到，他們心中有敬畏神的想法，所以會按照神的誡命行事。
During the kingdom years,
after a period of spiritual decline under a series of ungodly kings,
Hezekiah led a reformation to turn the people back to God
(2 Chr 30).
He proclaimed that the Passover was to be observed
—a message sent not only to his own people of Judah, but also to Israel.
The messengers ran to every locality,
commanding the people to return to God so that God would return to them.
The people were called to yield to God,
to prevent the same fate of desolation that befell those who had transgressed God’s law.
Those who did not fear God laughed and mocked,
but others humbled themselves and went to Jerusalem.
The hand of God was upon Judah.
Those who gathered throughout the Feast of Unleavened Bread were filled with great joy.
We can see the relationship between having the fear of God, leading to humble obedience,
and the joy that comes from observing His commandments.
在王國時期
經過一系列不敬虔國王的統治，百姓靈性墮落之後，
希西家啟動了一場改革，使人們重回到了神的面前
（代下 30）。
他宣布要遵守逾越節，
不僅向他自己的猶大子民傳達，也向以色列發佈了信息。
信使走遍了各地，
命令人民回歸神，神才會回到他們身邊。
人們被要求，要服從神，
這樣才能防止遭受到同樣悲慘的命運，像那些違反神律法的人所遭遇的情況一樣。
有些不怕神的人一直嘻笑和嘲笑，
但另有其他人謙卑自己，上耶路撒冷去。
神的手臨到猶大人。
那些聚集守無酵節的人，大大充滿了喜悅。
我們可以發現，敬畏神，以致謙卑順從，
及遵守神誡命而帶來喜樂之間的關係。
Decades later, after returning from captivity,
the Jews again kept the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread
(Ezra 6:19–22).
They had the fear of God, as those who
“returned from the captivity ate together with all
who had separated themselves from the filth of the nations of the land
in order to seek the Lord God of Israel”
(Ezra 6:21).
In the process of seeking God, they observed the Passover,
and in keeping God’s commandment, they departed from evil.
The wonderful testimony for us today is that those
who kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread did so with joy.
This joy did not arise because Darius assisted them in rebuilding God’s temple,
but was bestowed on them by God because they observed His will.
幾十年後，被虜之後歸來，
猶太人再次守逾越節和無酵節
（拉 6：19-22）。
他們敬畏神，下面這些人一樣，
21從擄到之地歸回的以色列人和一切除掉所染外邦人污穢、
歸附他們、要尋求耶和華─以色列神的人
（拉 6:21）
在尋求神的過程中，他們遵守了逾越節，
為了遵守神的誡命，他們脫離邪惡。
今天對我們來說，最奇妙的見證是，
守無酵節的人，是以喜樂的心來守節。
他們並沒有因為皇帝大流士（Darius）協助他們重建了神的殿，而感到很高興，
但是因為他們遵守了神的旨意，而感到喜樂。
Each time the children of God observed the Passover,
they did so out of the fear of God.
This is especially true when, after periods of spiritual darkness, they rediscovered God’s word.
And each time, their spiritual lives were revived with joy from God.
We know the Passover prefigures the Holy Communion,
because Jesus is the Lamb of God and our Passover
(Jn 1:29; 1 Cor 5:6–8).
We are to keep the feast with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Each time we partake in the Holy Communion,
let us reflect on the truth of Christ’s sacrifice and allow godly fear to reign in our hearts.
Then, obedience to His commands and heavenly joy will follow.
每次神的子民守逾越節的時候，
他們是抱著敬畏神的心守節。
在經歷了屬靈黑暗時期之後，他們再重新發現了神的聖言，特別有內心喜樂的情況。
每一次，他們的屬靈生命，都因從神而來的喜樂，而更加活潑。
我們知道，逾越節預表了聖餐禮，
因為耶穌是神的羔羊，是我們的逾越節，(為我們代死，讓我們逾越了死去的命運)
（約 1：29；林前 5：6-8）。
我們要用虔誠和真理的無酵餅，遵守逾越節。
每次我們參加聖餐禮的時候，
讓我們回想基督犧牲的真理，並讓自已虔誠敬畏神的心作主宰。
因而，服從神的誡命，而天國的喜樂將流淌心中。
FEAST OF TABERNACLES 住棚節的宴席
The Feast of Tabernacles is another Old Testament feast
that holds prophetic significance for us today
(Lev 23:33–44; Num 29:12–40; Deut 16:13–17).
During the feast, the Israelites would make offerings and live in tents for seven days,
to remember how the Lord brought them out of Egypt.
This was a time of rejoicing, not only in looking back,
but also in looking forward to how God would bless them.
Everyone was invited to this sacred feast of the Lord.
住棚節是另一個舊約的節日，
對今日的我們而言，具有預言性的重要性。
（利 23：33-44；民 29：12-40；申 16：13-17）。
住棚節的時候，以色列人會獻祭，並在帳篷中居住7天，
用來紀念主是如何將他們帶出埃及。
這是一個歡樂的時刻，不僅回首過去的一切，
而且也期待著未來神會祝福他們。
每個人都會邀，參加了這個神的聖宴。
After Nehemiah led the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s city walls,
Ezra, the scribe, read the Law of Moses to the people
(Neh 8:9–18).
When they heard God’s law,
the people were broken-hearted and wept over their sins.
However, the Levites quieted them and said,
“Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved”
(Neh 8:11).
The people understood what they were taught, and continued to study the law.
They discovered that God had commanded them to dwell in booths (tents) during the feast of the seventh month.
The people followed the instructions of the spiritual leaders,
and “there was very great gladness”
(Neh 8:17b).
Throughout the feast, God’s word was read to the whole congregation of Israel.
We can see that they experienced godly fear, as well as joy.
尼希米帶領耶路撒冷的城牆重建之後，
文士以斯拉（Ezra）向百性宣讀了摩西律法
（尼 8：9-18）。
當他們聽到神律法的時候，
百姓都感到心碎，為自己過去的罪過哭泣。
然而，利未人安撫了百姓，說：
“今日是聖日；不要作聲，也不要憂愁。”
（尼 8:11）。
百姓明白了他們所學的知識，並繼續研究法律。
他們發現，神命令他們在第七個月的節期中，要住在棚子裡。
人民聽從了屬靈領袖的指示，
“於是眾人大大喜樂”
（尼 8：17b）。
在整個節期間，宣讀神的道理給以色列全體會眾。
我們可以看到，他們體會到虔誠敬畏和喜樂。
FEAR AND JOY IN THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH 使徒教會的敬畏和喜樂
The apostolic church also experienced the joy that comes with knowing and following God’s word.
After the Pentecost, three thousand souls were added to the fold,
and the believers
“continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship,
in the breaking of bread, and in prayers”
(Acts 2:42–47).
In those days, hearing God’s word was enough to put godly fear into the believers.
Having received the Holy Spirit,
this newly established and expanding church had the fear of God among them
(Isa 11:1–2).
As in the days of the Feast of Tabernacles,
they were taught God’s word through the doctrine of the apostles.
This cultivated their fear of God, which in turn brought them joy in the Lord.
They “ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God”
(Acts 2:46b–47a).
使徒教會也體會到，因為認識和遵守神的道，所隨之而來的喜樂。
五旬節之後，有三千個人加入了神的羊圈，
眾信徒
“42都恆心遵守使徒的教訓，彼此交接，擘餅，祈禱。”
（徒 2：42-47）。
在那些日子裡，聆聽神的道理，就足以使虔誠敬畏，灌輸進眾信徒的心裡。
因為領受了聖靈，
這個才新成立又擴大的教會，其中就懷抱著對神的敬畏
（賽 11：1–2）。
就如同住棚節期間一樣
他們經由使徒教義的學習，學習神的道理。
這培養了他們對神的敬畏，反而接著給他們帶來主裡的喜樂。
他們
“46存著歡喜、誠實的心用飯，
47讚美神”
（徒 2：46b–47a）。
Spiritually speaking, we have always been dwelling in tents.
The apostle Paul describes our present perishable bodies as “our earthly house, this tent”
(2 Cor 5:1–4).
The apostle Peter also spoke the same truth:
從屬靈上來說，我們一直都是住在帳篷裡。
使徒保羅，將我們目前會腐壞的肉體，形容為“我們這地上的房屋，帳棚”
（林後 5：1-4）。
使徒彼得也陳述了同樣的道理：
“Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent,
to stir you up by reminding you, knowing that shortly I must put off my tent,
just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me.”
(2 Pet 1:13–14)
13我以為應當趁我還在這帳棚的時候提醒你們，激發你們。
14因為知道我脫離這帳棚的時候快到了，正如我們主耶穌基督所指示我的。
（彼後 1：13-14）
We may be living in tents,
but we have departed from the spiritual Egypt,
having been saved by our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Therefore, we look forward to “a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens”
(2 Cor 5:1b).
We observe the weekly Sabbath
in anticipation of eventually putting off our tents
and entering into this eternal Sabbath rest
(Heb 4:8–10).
As we are one with the apostolic church
(Jn 17:20–24),
we ought to have the same fear and joy, arising from God’s word.
我們可能住在帳篷裡，
但是我們已經離開了屬靈的埃及，
已經被我們的救主耶穌基督所拯救。
因此，我們期待著“不是人手所造，在天上永存的房屋。”
（林後 5：1b）
我們每週遵守安息日「
就是期望著，最終可以脫去我們的帳篷，
進入那永恆的安息日休息
（來 4：8-10）。
因為我們與使徒教會，是一體的，
（約 17：20-24），
我們應該從神的道理中，產生同樣的敬畏和喜樂。
CONCLUSION 結論
The above examples highlight the fact that
God’s word alone is sufficient to induce the fear of Him in our hearts.
In turn, this fear leads us to receive joy from God.
We should avoid trying to generate joy through other means;
if we are not perfecting our fear of God through keeping His commandments,
then this is not true joy.
When God sees that His children truly fear Him,
He will personally give them joy.
So, whenever we have a joyful experience,
we should discern whether it is from God, through godly fear.
上面的例子要強調一個事實：
單是神的道，就足以引起我們內心對祂的敬畏。
接著，敬畏反而使我們，從神那裡得到喜樂。
我們應該避免，想要通過其他方式來得到喜樂；
如果我們不是通過遵守神誡命，而純粹形塑出對神完全的敬畏，
那就不是真正的喜樂。
當神看到，祂的子女們真正敬畏祂的時候，
他就會親自給他們帶來歡樂。
因此，每當我們有快樂的體驗時，
就應該審視，這是不是來自於神，來自虔誠敬畏神。。
May God bless us all to seek the fear of God,
so that we can obey God’s will and receive true joy from Him.
Amen.
願神保佑我們大家，來尋求對神的敬畏，
這樣，我們才能順從神的旨意，並從祂那裡得到真正的喜樂
阿們。
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
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