Nehemiah 8 2004-11-21
尼希米记第8章
Good Morning dear B&S in the hope of our Father.
怀着对父神的盼望祝亲爱的弟兄姐妹早晨好
For our exhortation this morning we will be considering one of the most wonderful Bible Schools ever held. Most of us have been blessed to be able attend a Bible School or week. We know the wonderful feeling of joy we have by being together and studying the wonderful things of God's word. These are always very special occasions.
今天的讲道词让我们念及举办过的最美好的圣经学习之一。我们大多数人有幸能够参与圣经学习周。我们都体会过在一起学习圣经时的美好感觉。那总是非常特别的时刻。
In the book of Nehemiah we are shown the events of the building of the ecclesia in Jerusalem and the great Bible School they held. Nehemiah was written about the time of the return of the Jews from Babylon. After they had been in captivity in Babylon for many years the Persian king Cyrus made a decree that the Jews were able to return to Jerusalem. They returned under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua. They were encouraged by Haggai and Zechariah to build the Temple of God. After many years the people in Jerusalem became lazy and began to mix with the people of the land and they stopped building Jerusalem.
尼希米记记述了建立耶路撒冷教会的活动以及在那里举办的伟大的圣经学校。尼希米记写于犹太人从巴比伦回国的时代。在掳掠犹太人到巴比伦若干年后，波斯王居鲁士颁布命令允许他们回到耶路撒冷。他们在所罗巴伯和约书亚的领导下回国。哈该和撒迦利亚鼓励犹太人重建神殿。许多年后耶路撒冷的犹太人变得懒惰，开始和当地其他民族通婚并停建耶路撒冷。
It was at this time that Nehemiah returned and built the walls of Jerusalem with the people. We have been reading about this time in the early part of Nehemiah. Chapter 2 is in the first month of the year, the month Nisan and in it Nehemiah receives permission from the king to return to Jerusalem. He arrives in the fifth month and the rebuilding of the walls starts. The walls are finished in the sixth month after just 52 days! Chapter 8 brings us to the seventh month.
这时尼希米回来和人们一道修建了耶路撒冷的城墙。我们在尼希米记的开始部分读到这些。第二章就是当年的第一月，尼散月，尼希米得到亚达薛西王的允许回到耶路撒冷。他在五月到达，并开始重建城墙。城墙六月完工只用了52天！第8章开始描述到了7月份。
We must try to imagine the excitement that was in the Jerusalem ecclesia. They had all just helped in completing the massive rebuilding even though the nations around them had tried to stop them. They had been strengthened by the example that Nehemiah had set of trusting in God whose good hand had helped him (2v18)
我们一定想象得出耶路撒冷教会的兴奋之情。他们在强邻环伺百般阻挠的情况下完成了巨大的工程。尼希米相信 神施恩的手帮助了他，这给了工人们巨大的鼓舞。（尼希米记2：18）
This excitement motivated the people to all gather together as one man in 8v1. This is very similar to the time of the new ecclesia in Acts 2v1. Here all the brethren were gathered together because they understood the work Jesus had asked them to do and they were ready to do it. It is when we are working together on the things of God that we are able to get the most from our relationships in the truth. If we are all concerned only about ourselves we cannot come together with one mind. When we are working together preaching and studying God's word (even if we are many miles apart) when we come together we will be as one man. This is often what we feel at our Bible Schools.
这样的兴奋激励所有人拧成一股绳。（尼希米记8章1节：他们如同一人聚集在水门前的宽阔处）这很类似使徒行传时代的教会。（使徒行传2章1节：五旬节到了,门徒都聚集在一处。）所有的弟兄聚在一起，因为他们理解耶稣交给他们的工作并准备完成。此时我们也在一起为神做工，这样我们能靠真道缓和与神的关系。如果我们完全考虑自己就不会一条心。我们一起传道和学习（尽管不远万里），我们来到一起就如同一个人。这是我们在圣经学校里经常感到的。
We find that the people gathered together at the street or square before the water gate. This was a very impressive gate in the eastern walls of Jerusalem. The gate was newly completed by the Nethanim and priests and would have been very grand to look at. It was probably the largest open space in the city where all the people could meet. It is significant as well that is was at the water gate that the Bible was to be read to the people. The people were to hear the living water read that day!
我们发现人们聚在水闸大门前的街头或者广场。这是耶路撒冷东墙非常显眼的大门。大门刚刚由尼希米和祭司们完成，看起来非常壮观。可能是特别开阔的城市空间，在这里所有人都在。在水闸门阅读圣经也很有意义。人们边听着流水边阅读！
We find that the leaders of the nation had chosen Ezra to read the Bible. Why did they do this? Why didn't they use the high priest Eliashib?
领袖们选择以斯拉阅读圣经。为什么呢？为什么不让大祭司以利沙读？
When we consider Ezra we can understand why he was chosen.
了解以斯拉记就明白原因了。
In Ezra 7 verse 1-5 we are given the family history of Ezra. From this list we see that Ezra was a priest. He was of the line of the greatest of the priests - the high priest, and we could trace his family right back to Aaron the first priest. From this we can learn that even after the many years of idolatry and false worship in Israel and Judah, Ezra's family had remembered they were priests. They had taught their children to follow in the example of Aaron the high priest so that all these hundreds of years later when there was no Tabernacle or Temple to worship in, Ezra was born and taught from young that he was a priest of God.
以斯拉记7章1-5节讲了以斯拉的家族历史。我们知道以斯拉是个祭司。他是大祭司的一员。我们追溯到第一个祭司亚伦。即使以色列和犹大历经多年偶像崇拜。以斯拉家族依然忠实祭司的职责。他们教育后代以亚伦大祭司做榜样。尽管几百年后当时已经没有帐幕或者神殿。以斯拉打小就受教育成为神的祭司。
Reading further in Ezra 7v6 we find that Ezra was also a scribe. A scribe was someone who studied the word of God and wrote it out for others to read and learn from. At this time the most common thing that was copied was the Law of Moses so that the Jews knew how God wanted them to live. The verse also says that Ezra was a ready or diligent scribe - he was fully committed to his work.
以斯拉记7章6节还介绍说以斯拉是个文士。文士是研究圣经并教育他人阅读学习的老师。当时最普遍的是抄袭摩西律法，犹太人从此了解神对生活的规定。以斯拉也是甘心或勤奋的文士-他完全忠于工作。
Ezra did more than just write out the Bible though. In verse 10 we find that he did three things. First Ezra prepared his heart to seek the Law of Yahweh. Reading and understanding the Bible is not something that we can just do naturally without any effort. We have to first prepare our minds to read God's word. We need to make time to read the word, to clear our minds of the worldly things around us and carefully pray that God will open our minds so that we can understand the Bible. Bible reading and study cannot be rushed if we want it to be effective.
以斯拉做的比写的多。第10节说他做了三件事。一是定志考究遵行耶和华的律法。阅读和理解圣经不是一件不付出努力就自然明了的事情。我们必须立志研究神的话语。我们需要安排时间，清理掉头脑的杂念，悉心祷告上帝让我们开窍，理解圣经。如果我们想讲效率的话，圣经阅读和学习就不能仓促。
Next Ezra did what the law of Yahweh commanded. It is no good understanding everything God wants us to do and not doing them. When we read the Bible we must try to find lessons which we can use to change our lives to make them more like Jesus. In the time of Jesus there were many scribes but these were not like Ezra. They understood the Law and loved to speak about it but never did what they said. In Matthew 23v1-3 Jesus tells his true followers not be like these scribes, so we also must read and understand what God wants us to do, and then do it.
二是以斯拉通达耶和华的诫命。神要我们做的和不要我们做的一切并不好理解。我们要找到圣经里的教训，以改变我们的生活，更接近耶稣。耶稣时代有很多文士并不象以斯拉那样。他们好为人师却背道而驰。马太福音23章1-3节说耶稣的真门徒不象那些文士。所以神要我们怎么做就怎么做。那时,耶稣对众人和门徒讲论说:"文士和法利赛人坐在摩西的位上,凡他们所吩咐你们的,你们都要谨守遵行；但不要效法他们的行为,因为他们能说不能行。
The third thing that Ezra did in v10 was to teach in Israel the statutes and judgments of God. He made sure he did not keep his knowledge and way of life to himself. He encouraged others to do as God commands. It is very important that we too teach those around us who will listen about what God requires of us. Brothers and sisters we must all take note of the way in which Ezra taught.
三是以斯拉将律例典章教训以色列人。（以斯拉记7章10节）他决定不保守自己的知识和生活方式。他鼓励他人遵守神的戒命。这对于教育我们周围对圣经感兴趣的朋友非常重要。弟兄姐妹们，我们应该注意以斯拉的教育方式。
If we are to be teachers of each other and those around us there are two things we must do first. First we need to prepare our heart to understand Gods law, we need to read, study and understand the Bible for ourselves or else we can never teach anyone. Then we need to do it. We cannot teach people to do what God wants without doing it ourselves or they will not listen. Only when we have done these two things can we be effective teachers.
如果我们是彼此的老师，也是周围朋友的老师，我们首先要做两件事情。首先我们要立志研究神的律法，学习圣经。其次我们要身体力行。我们得以身作则，自己都做不到怎么能教育他人呢？做到这两点才是称职的。
Ezra was already known by the people because in Ezra 9v3-4 we read that he led a great repenting of all the people. This was only 13 years before the day we are talking about. Ezra at this time was very old possibly over 120 years! The people respected him as a man that knew his Bible. He had lived it all his life and now was to read it to the people.
以斯拉享有名望。在以斯拉记9章3-4节说他为所有人献晚祭。这仅仅是在我们所说的当天（选择以斯拉给大家读圣经）13年前。以斯拉当时可能都120岁了！人们敬重他。他毕生学习圣经，现在给所有人阅读。
We find that Ezra was wanted to make sure that all the people understood the Bible. It says this in v2, v3, v7, v9, v12. This should always be the reason we talk about the Bible. We should never try to show off our knowledge by speaking in words that others do not understand. Ezra wanted ALL the people to hear and understand the Bible. And the people really wanted to understand as well. In v3 they stood and listened from the dawn until midday. This was possibly six hours! Would we stand that long to hear the Bible read?
我们在第2，3，7，9，12节中都注意到以斯拉希望所有人都能明白圣经。“七月初一日，祭司以斯拉将律法书带到听了能明白的男女会众面前。在水门前的宽阔处，从清早到晌午，在众男女、一切听了能明白的人面前读这律法书。众民侧耳而听。耶书亚、巴尼、示利比、雅悯、亚谷、沙比太、荷第雅、玛西雅、基利他、亚撒利雅、约撒拔、哈难、毗莱雅，和利未人使百姓明白律法；百姓都站在自己的地方。省长尼希米和作祭司的文士以斯拉，并教训百姓的利未人，对众民说：「今日是耶和华你们神的圣日，不要悲哀哭泣。」这是因为众民听见律法书上的话都哭了；众民都去吃喝，也分给人，大大快乐，因为他们明白所教训他们的话。”这也是我们一直阅读圣经的理由。我们可不要只是夸夸其谈，外人却一窍不通。以斯拉要所有人明白。大家也想明白。尼希米记8章第3节说从清早到晌午，众民侧耳而听。大概6个小时！我们会这样长时间听讲吗？
There had been careful preparation for this day. In v4 we read that there was a special platform built so that all the people could see Ezra open the book and read. This was to be a great spectacle for the nation. At the dawn when Ezra stood to read from the Bible all the people were so moved that they stood up. Do we feel this respect for the Bible? When a brother stand to read the Bible do we really feel that we are about to hear the most important words in our life? Or do we sometimes get tired of hearing the bible read and spoken about? This is an exhortation for us to think about this morning.
为了这一天以斯拉做了悉心的准备。第4节说文士以斯拉站在为这事特备的木台上。大家都能看见以斯拉展开圣经和阅读。这是以色列民族一个伟大的时刻。黎明时分，以斯拉站在众民以上，在众民眼前展开这书。他一展开，众民就都感动地站起来。我们如此尊敬过圣经吗？当一个弟兄站在面前读经我们会感到这是生活中重要的听讲吗？或者我们有时会不会厌倦听讲？这是今天早上我们要思考的。
Ezra was very careful to show that the occasion was a great one because of God's work. He offered a prayer and blessed the great God before he read the Bible. It is just like our meetings today where we open with a prayer before we read together.
以斯拉很小心做神的工作，因为这是不平凡的工作。他读经以前做了祈祷和称颂。这很像我们今天读经以前的祷告。
The reaction of the people in v6 is something we can learn from. They all worshipped God and thanked Him for the opportunity to read His word. It really makes us think about how much we love the word of God. Do we always read from his Bible every day? Do we love to talk about the Bible together? Do we respect those who are teaching us the Bible?
第6节说众民都举手应声说：「阿们！阿们！」就低头，面伏於地，敬拜耶和华。他让我们思考我们有多听神的话。我们是每日读经吗？我们乐意一起讨论圣经吗？我们尊敬讲道的人吗？
Ezra used other men to help him deliver the message that day. They are listed in v7. The leaders did everything they could to help the people understand the words of God. And the people did understand the words. At the end of v9 the people were weeping because they understood they had not been obedient to the law God had given to Moses. This is often our reaction to the Bible isn't it? We find that we are sinners. This morning we come to the meeting because we are sinners who need the help God has given by Jesus. As we realize this we can become very upset and sad, just like the people in Nehemiah's time.
第7节说当天以斯拉有一些人帮忙。领袖们尽力帮助大家明白圣经。大家确实明白了。第9节众民悲哀哭泣是因为他们知道没有顺从摩西律法。这也是我们经常对圣经的反应吧。我们是罪人。我们需要信靠神所赐的耶稣，所以早上聚会在这里。我们意识到这些会感到混乱和伤感，如同尼希米时代的人们。
Nehemiah and Ezra had to assure the people that this was a time to rejoice because they had gathered together after building the walls. It was a time to be happy with what God had done with them. This is an exhortation for us too. We cannot always be sad that we have not done what is perfect. We also need to rejoice in the work that God has done with his son. This morning we need to be filled with joy that Jesus Christ was able to defeat sin and is now able to save us!
尼希米和以斯拉要确保让大家此刻感到喜乐，因为城墙完工了。此刻应当为神和他们一起完工而高兴。我们今天的讲道也是如此。我们不能总是因为所作的不完美而难过。我们同样要为神和他儿子的工作喜乐。今天早晨我们充满喜悦，耶稣基督战胜了罪，拯救了我们。
When Nehemiah and Ezra were able to explain this to the people they rejoiced! The Hebrew word for how happy they were in v12 is used of the joy at a wedding. The people were very happy and wanted to share this with others. They sent food to those who were in need so that all the nation could rejoice together. This is an excellent example for us to care for all others that we all may rejoice about the Bible.
当尼希米和以斯拉向大家解释之后，所有人都很高兴。12节写的话是犹太人在婚礼上用来表达喜悦心情的。人们彼此分享快乐。他们把食物给需要的人。这是一个榜样，我们应该互相关心，在圣经学习中共同欢乐。
This is the most important thing about this celebration. The people were so happy it was like a wedding BECAUSE they understood the Bible. It is the same for us. When we gather together at a Bible School we are happy. This is not because we are on a holiday. It is not because we get to live in a hotel. It is because we together understand more of the Bible!
这是庆典中最重要的部分。人们高兴得像参加婚礼因为他们明白了圣经。我们同样如此。我们相聚在圣经学校里时很快乐。这不是因为我们度假，住在酒店里，是因为聚会帮助我们更理解圣经。
As we remember take the bread and wine this morning we can think of the man who was much greater that Ezra. Jesus was the perfect teacher. All who listened to him were able to understand the Bible. And today we rejoice because we have been blessed to understand the grace of God. So let us rejoice together as we talk about the Bible and always help each other to understand it. If we do we will realize that "the joy of the LORD is our strength"v10
我们掰饼喝酒时，就想起比以斯拉更伟大的人。耶稣是完美的教师。所有听他教训的人都能理解圣经。今天我们高兴是因为有福理解神的恩典。让我们欢聚一堂，互相帮助。如此我们就能够理解第10节的话"因靠耶和华而得的喜乐是我们的力量"