平靜安穩 IN QUIETNESS AND TRUST
求主安靜我心, 讓我可以在煩囂和疲憊中可以享受你在話語中的安息.
Dear Lord, please calm my heart, allow me to enjoy rest in Your words amidst chaos and exhaustion.
讀經: 以賽亞書 卅 1~17
SCRIPTURE READING: Isaiah 30:1 - 17
釋義 : 主前715年沙巴谷成為埃及法老後, 亞蘭與迦南諸小國曾要求結盟以抗衡亞述。猶大似乎也加入這個聯盟(廿5)。以賽亞j針對這個秘密聯盟，發出災禍的預告，說明這個聯盟必定徹底失敗的原因:
INSIGHT: After Shabaka became Pharaoh in 715 BC, Aram and the small nations in the Canaan region had sought to form alliances to resist Assyria. Apparently, Judah had joined (20:5). In regards to this secretive alliance, Isaiah issues a prophecy of calamities, speaking of the reasons for the sure and complete failure of the alliance:
他們尋求謀略，卻不要耶和華的計謀(1-2)。他們結盟以遮蓋自己，卻不求祂的靈來庇護；他們下到埃及，向法老王求援，卻沒有求問耶和華。
They devised strategy on their own instead of seeking the Lord’s plan (1-2). They formed an alliance to seek refuge instead of asking for His spirit for protection. They went down to Egypt, asking for help from Pharaoh, instead of from the Lord.
以賽亞斥責這個聯盟，因為它必使他們蒙羞(3-5)。猶大是向一個不不願意提供援助的國家求援。埃及接見猶大使臣「並非幫助，也非利益，只作羞恥凌辱」。
Isaiah denounces the alliance, for it will surely put them to shame (3-5). Judah is seeking protection from a nation that is unwilling to offer help. The Egyptians’ meeting with the Jewish officials will “bring neither help nor profit, but shame and disgrace”.
「論南方牲畜的默示」的一段話(6)，是插進來作補充說明,用譏諷的語調描述那些使臣所經過的旅程。他們經過艱難困苦之地，一路上盡是豺狼猛獸。他們滿載寶物，前往不利於他們的民那裏去。
The passage of “an oracle on the beasts of the Negev” (6) is inserted as a supplement to describe the journey of the Jewish officials in a sarcastic tone. Through a land of hardship and distress where wild animals roam free, they carry their treasures to a people that cannot profit them.
這趟旅程必然徒勞無功，因為即使埃及提供援助，也是一無用處，毫無結果的。他形容埃及是「坐而不動的拉哈伯」，顯然他們只會在口頭上援助，卻沒有實際的行動。(7)
This journey will surely be futile; even if Egypt offers help, it will still be useless, yielding no benefit at all. Isaiah describes Egypt as “Rahab who sits still”; obviously they will give only lip service, nothing in action (7).
這個盟約是在悖逆中籌劃的(8-11)。他們不聽耶和華的訓誨，叫他們的先見閉眼不看，又命令他們的先知只說柔和的話，不要提神的事。這樣作當然不能得到神的祝福。
The treaty was planned in a rebellion (8-11). They refused to follow the Lord’s instruction, told the seers to close their eyes, and even ordered their prophets to tell only smooth things and nothing about God. The way they acted will certainly not gain God’s blessing.
他們根本不是為國家利益打算(12-13)趁機欺壓和乖僻，這罪要像一座高牆，在耶和華的攻擊前坍塌。
They simply did not care about the welfare of the nation (12-13); they just took the opportunity to oppress and turn away from God. This iniquity, like a high wall, will collapse upon a strike from the Lord.
其實耶和華向以色列人發出一個解決他們困境的祕方: 用信心安靜等候神為他們作工(15)。就像摩西那樣說: 「不要懼怕，只管站住！看耶和華今天向你們所要施行的救恩……耶和華必為你們爭戰；你們只管靜默，不要作聲。」(出十四13-14)
In fact, the Lord gave a secret formula to deliver the Israelites: Stay still and trust that God will work for them (15). Just like Moses said, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will work for you today…..The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” (Exodus 14:13-14)
前美國參議員在參院申明要發言, 卻沒說什麼。
A senator had indicated that he would speak on the Senate floor but didn’t really say much:
他站起身來, 輪到他講話, 便說: 「我沒有話要說。我認為, 我們這個國家現在最用得著的就是沉默一下。」
When it was his turn, he stood up and said: “I don’t have anything to say. I think that at this point in time, this country can use some silence.”
「你們得救在乎歸回安息;你們得力在乎平靜安穩」。
“In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”
你肯安靜嗎？
Are you willing to be still?
每日讀經 by 洪同勉牧師 Rev. Tommy Hung
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