[今日經文 Today’s Reading: 以西結書 Ezekiel 9-12]
3 在基路伯之上，以色列 神的榮耀從那裏上升，到殿的入口處。 神召那身穿細麻衣、腰間繫着墨盒的人前來。 4 耶和華對他說：「你去走遍耶路撒冷全城，那些為城中所做可憎之事嘆息哀哭的人，你要在他們額上做記號。」3 Now the glory of the God of Israel had gone up from the cherub on which it rested to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed in linen, who had the writing case at his waist. 4 And the Lord said to him, “Pass through the city, through Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed in it.”
以西結書 Ezekiel 9:3-4
當耶路撒冷全城都犯下並慶祝激怒上帝憤怒的可憎之事時，上帝正在尋找那些「那些為城中所做可憎之事嘆息哀哭的人」。當殺死胎兒不僅成為我們的選擇，而且成為一種權利時，我們的反應是什麼？當我們的孩子在學校被教導他們可以選擇任何他們喜歡的性別時，我們的反應是什麼？當上帝在奧運慶典中被褻瀆了，我們的反應又是什麼？我們是否「為城中所做可憎之事嘆息哀哭」？但這不只是為別人的罪嗎？我們是否為自己的罪嘆息、哀哭？ 詩篇 51:17, 「神所要的祭就是憂傷的靈；神啊，憂傷痛悔的心，你必不輕看。」聖奧古斯丁說：“承認惡行是善行的第一步。”
那些額頭上沒有印記的人都會面臨嚴重的後果（5-7節）。沒有耶穌的拯救，我們都會滅亡。我們是那些為城中所做可憎之事嘆息、哀哭的人還是那些容忍甚和全城ㄧ起慶祝的人？
禱告：
親愛的上帝，請幫助我們成為「為城中所做可憎之事（包括我們自己）嘆息哀哭的人」，並藉著耶穌基督的寶血拯救我們脫離祢的審判！奉耶穌的名，阿們。
When the whole Jerusalem commits, and even celebrates, the abominations that provoke the wrath of God, God is looking for those “who sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed in it.” When killing a baby becomes not only a choice but a right in our society, what is our response? When our children are taught at school they can be whatever sex they like, what is our response? When God is mocked at the Olympics opening ceremony, what is our response? Do we “sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed in it”? Do we sigh and groan not just over other people’s sins but also over our own sins? “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” Psalm 51:17.
The confession of evil works is the first beginning of good works.
Saint Augustine
There are severe consequences for those who are without the mark on their forehead (vv. 5-7). Without salvation through Jesus we are all doomed. Are we the ones who sigh and groan over sins or do we tolerate and even celebrate it?
Prayer:
Dear God, please help us to sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed in our land (including those we ourselves have committed). Save us from Your judgement, through the blood of Jesus Christ! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Amen!