Psalm 107 and Nehemiah 2

Psalm 107:1-43

It is Monday and time for another Psalm! 
The past few weeks we have read about praising God; God’s acts as Creator; His continuing redemptive acts in the world’s history; human sin and today – Giving Thanks.

Verses 1-3 This is the third week in a row we are called specifically to ‘Give thanks to the Lord!’  The redeemed of the Lord are to say so, because He has redeemed His own from trouble.  (Praise to God for the redemption we receive because of His Son, Jesus Christ!)

Verses 4-43 break into four sections and it is very good study how the Israelites ‘wandered away’, because we do the same.  Below are the four ‘wanderings’:

　　1.  Verse 4 – Some wandered into desert wastes and their souls fainted within them.  Their sin took them to the wilderness with no city to be found. They had no safe place to dwell.

　　2.  Verse 10 – Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death – prisoners in affliction and irons because of their rebellion.  They became slaves.

　　3.  Verse 17 – Some were fools because they refused to face the reality that the Lord is God and they too faced affliction – this one seems to be a physical malady.

　　4.  Verse 23-25 – Some were on troubled seas – storms and waves buffeted them.

As we read the verses following each wandering, we see how God rescues His people from each situation when they cry out to Him.  That is why we are to give thanks.  He is our rescue and redemption.  Some examples of His rescue in these verses are:

He leads His own to a safe place to dwell.  He satisfies the longing and hungry soul with good things.  He delivers His followers from darkness, shatters prison bars and frees the captives. He heals the maladies.  He calms the winds and waves.  He controls all things.  He punishes and blesses His people.

Verse 43 says ‘Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things, let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord’.

It is good to humbly remember where we had ‘wandered’ from God and were rescued when we turned back to Him.  We need to give thanks for His rescue.  It is also good to consider where we are right now and honestly cry out to Him to redeem us from the present sin in our life.  And if one thinks they are without sin, they are deceived and in sin.  Let us turn quickly to Him so we do not wander far into a dangerous, dark place.

Nehemiah 2:1-20

This is a beautiful chapter of God’s love for Nehemiah and for the Hebrews.

　　Verses 1-8 – Nehemiah is in Persia and is heartsick when he hears of the condition of Jerusalem. King Artaxerxes see this in the face of  his cupbearer.  The King has compassion on Nehemiah and sends him to Judah, gives him letters and access to the supplies he needs to rebuild the wall.  Nehemiah says in verse 8 ‘the good hand of my God was upon me.’ 

The ‘letters’ are very important, as were the letters in Ezra.  Written words stopped and started the work on the temple. A letter gave Ezra the authority to carry out reforms (Ezra 7:25-26).  Letters are an effective instrument used by God to accomplish His redemptive purpose.  Consider there was a period of silence from God for approximately 400 years from the last old testament prophet to John the Baptist. The people of God were governed exclusively by the written word.

　　Verses 9-20 – Nehemiah secretly inspects Jerusalem’s walls and sees the shambles they were in.  The city had laid in ruin for almost 150 years.  He has God’s plan for rebuilding the wall and the King’s letter.  Nehemiah knew God’s hand was upon him.  The leaders of Judah joined wholeheartedly with Nehemiah and they prepared to begin the rebuilding.  Nehemiah stood strong in God against the Arab opponents and in chapter 3 the work begins.

Conclusion:

We see God’s rescue and redemption in Psalm 107 and it is vividly obvious in Nehemiah as we see God at work – enabling the work on the wall to begin as He had promised in the past.  I am so thankful for the Redeeming King of Kings we serve and we give thanks to the Lord for He is good – His steadfast love endures forever – Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!            —- Mary Mauderer

尼希米记1:1-11

以斯拉记和尼希米记查阅中了解到，二卷书是不可分割的一段历史，以斯拉记是以色列人被掳归回耶路撒冷的第一，二批人，在尼希米记中应该就是第三批人了。
那么尼希米是个“酒政”，上帝要我们明白什么呢？卷首告诉我们尼希米是哈迦利亚的儿子，尼希米不是祭司，拿现在的话来说，他不是在教会中的传道人，而是深得王信任的很重要的人。
从本章看到虽然尼希米身处波斯帝国最繁华的首都书珊城，在王宫里工作稳定、生活安逸，却惦记着破败荒凉的耶路撒冷城（2节），心中向往神的见证、关心远方的弟兄（2节）。虽然留在巴比伦的百姓已经过了一百四十多年属灵荒凉的生活，但神仍然在这里维持着祂的见证，为自己保留了一批关心耶路撒冷、关心国度和圣殿计划的人。

神先后兴起了所罗巴伯、以斯拉和尼希米三位领袖，当时他只是个酒政，但是从尼希米的1:4~9节的禁食祷告中，让我看到一个敬畏神的人和一般人的不同点。
而且「到那日，以色列所剩下的和雅各家所逃脱的，不再倚靠那击打他们的，却要诚实倚靠耶和华——以色列的圣者。所剩下的，就是雅各家所剩下的，必归回全能的神」（赛十20-21），而这正是本书的重要主题。
也让我想起诗篇中大卫，他们一样和上帝有一个很近的关系，时时依靠主，而不是依靠人，虽然尼希米不是祭司一样成为上帝纪念的人成为了领袖人物。
感谢主又一次从在重新回到耶路撒冷的以色列人如何才能过是圣洁安宁的日子！再一次提醒我们。

让我们一起再来读一下尼希米的禁食祷告文吧，它可以让我们得到许多启发和安慰，也可以顿时感觉亲近神和提醒我们对神的敬畏之心：
“1:4 我聽見這話，就坐下哭泣，悲哀幾日，在天上的神面前禁食祈禱，說：5 耶和華─天上的神，大而可畏的神啊，你向愛你、守你誡命的人守約施慈愛。6 願你睜眼看，側耳聽，你僕人晝夜在你面前為你眾僕人以色列民的祈禱，承認我們以色列人向你所犯的罪；我與我父家都有罪了。7 我們向你所行的甚是邪惡，沒有遵守你藉著僕人摩西所吩咐的誡命、律例、典章。8 求你記念所吩咐你僕人摩西的話，說：你們若犯罪，我就把你們分散在萬民中；9 但你們若歸向我，謹守遵行我的誡命，你們被趕散的人雖在天涯，我也必從那裡將他們招聚回來，帶到我所選擇立為我名的居所。”

感谢赞美主！ —- Yulian Zhu

以斯拉記10:1-44 

以斯拉千山萬水帶了猶大人歸回耶路撒冷，又特別打發人召領「為我們神的殿帶使用的人來」（8:17），可見以斯拉重建信仰的全面性，不但要建殿，還要帶出能協助祭司並管理聖殿一切事物的利未人。
但卻沒想到將這些人帶出後，他們卻又犯了同樣的錯誤，與當地外族人通婚；上帝的憐憫慈愛讓猶大人70年後歸回卻又重蹈覆轍，這可讓以斯拉的心中悲苦至極。 
第1節以斯拉俯伏在神殿前禱告、認罪、哭泣，雖然以斯拉並沒有犯罪，但他卻為犯罪的猶大人向上帝認罪，他的認罪不是為他行為的本身，而是哀哭人們總是忘記了上帝對我們的恩典是何其多，而我們卻總是一次又一次的辜負了上帝的美意。
以斯拉是愛上帝敬畏上帝的人，他的哀哭是感受到上帝的痛徹心扉，不捨人們一再犯罪軟弱，他的行為完全感動了愛上帝卻又不小心走偏路了的以色列人，他們一起哀哭認罪。 

第2-6節
但光是感動是不夠的，因為日子依然要過，感動稍縱即逝。當地的以色列人示迦尼就是身處在異族通婚的家族中，他深切感受異族通婚所帶來的混亂與邪惡， 當他看到以色列人聚集在以斯拉那裡，成了大會，眾民無不痛哭，示迦尼立刻選擇在對的時間做對的事，他告訴以斯拉不要灰心，因為以色列人還有指望，他明確的提供具體行動：與神立約、休這一切的妻、離絕他們所生的，照著我主和那因神命令戰兢之人所議定的，按律法而行（3）。有了示迦尼的謀略、支持與鼓勵，以斯拉由原本的悲傷失望轉為起身而行。教導智慧人，他就越發有智慧；指示義人，他就增長學問（箴言9:9）。 

我們一心一意的渴望神的話、追求神的義，但內在的罪與軟弱、外在撒旦仇敵的攻擊，總是不斷的考驗著我們，我們既是屬教會的肢體，我們有屬靈的領袖帶領，我們有聖靈充滿的弟兄姊妹隨行，以基督為首，一起遵行神的話、走神的道，就算一時的迷失了方向也能及時發現、勸勉、認罪、悔改，再次歸回神的面前，重建與神的關係。  

第7-12節
從以斯拉發佈的通告中可以清楚的感受他情緒的轉折，此時，他立定要清除在耶路撒冷裡所有的罪惡，帶領以色列人回到神的面前認罪悔改，故以斯拉所行是帶著神的權柄、遵行神的旨意、按神的律法，命令以色列人遵行照辦，否則必將他們所有的財產充公並流放他鄉。這個意味將面臨妻離子散的公告不但沒有遭到反對，反而會衆一致的回答我們必照著你的話行，他們知罪且立刻順服。 

感謝主! 這是神給他們最大的祝福，看起來很矛盾，妻離子散怎麼會是祝福呢? 但摩西律法早已清楚規定，強調不可與迦南人通婚，因為信仰的不同所帶來的混亂、流亡、滅國，是自古以來就不斷出現的切膚之痛，上帝不斷勸人歸回，同樣的歷史卻仍然不斷重新上演，而這次被教訓70年後的以色列民，由以斯拉迫切重建信仰的帶領下，他們立刻看清罪惡、認罪、悔改，這樣的行動，無論代價是什麼，我們只要單單的相信，神的手就會緊緊地拖住我們、幫助我們，這豈不是神給我們最棒的恩典與祝福，雖然管教很嚴厲卻是充滿恩慈。 

第13-44節
接下來可以看到以斯拉有智慧、有條理，且抱著一顆謹慎的心一一清查娶外邦女子的人口數，並清楚的列出娶外邦女子的名單，其中更是包含了懂律法又為神掌執的祭司及利未人。這份名單不是罪人的名單，不是受建造的家譜，卻是神所愛的人、賜恩典給他們的名單。

 讀完這一章，內心充滿了感恩，正好對應著感恩佳節，感謝主的權柄與公義，清楚的律法、嚴厲的管教，讓我們不至一意孤行、迷失方向；
感謝主的慈愛與憐憫， 只要我們單純的信靠、認罪、悔改，神的列怒就轉離我們；
感謝以基督為首的教會、肢體的連結，在牧師一家人的帶領下，主內彼此勸勉、造就、成長；
感謝主把我放在這裡，沐浴晨間的陽光，感受歡樂的風聲、鳥聲、笑聲；
感謝主，祢穩穩的坐在寶座上，居高臨下眷顧著每一個愛你的子民，一切的恩典與榮耀都來自於祢也歸向於祢，感謝主！ —- Tracy Chou

Ezra 9:1-15

It has been almost 80 years since the return of the first group of exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem led by Zerrubbabel. Ezra, the priest and teacher of the law led the second group of exiles’ return. Not too long after his arrival in Jerusalem the leaders reported to him the intermarriage between the Israelites and the foreigners, namely the Cannanites, Hittites, Perrizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians and Amorites. Most were the very people God had prohibited the Israelites from making treaty with or intermarrying (Exodus 34:11-16, Deuteronomy 7:1-4). 
Sadly it was the leaders and officials of God’s people who were the culprits in leading the people into this state of syncretism (v.2).
It is a sober reminder to me that everyone is prone to sin and no one is secured from falling. “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”- 1 Corinthians 10:12

When I ponder on the great start of the first group of exiles’ faith to their current disregard of God’s command, it also reminded me of man’s sinful nature. “Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins.”- Ecclesiastes 7:20. Praise God for sending Jesus to wash away my sins.

Ezra, a priest and teacher of the law of God was very familiar with the intricate details of the word of God (Ezra 7:10).  He understood the gravity of sin that the Israelites had committed when they disobeyed God’s command in intermarrying the foreigners. The reports distressed him to the point that he tore his tunic and cloak, pulled his hair from his head and beard (probably a cultural thing) and then he sat flabbergasted until evening sacrifice. Ezra’s commitment to God and His words brought about a personal sickening toward sin.
Nowadays when I hear of sins around me, it is so easy to brush it off and go on with my life. It is a sad reality that Christians are becoming more desensitized to sin. May God help me to hate sin and to take actions within my power to influence people in my circle particularly my sons.

Ezra’s manner of prayer revealed his contrite spirit. Even though he was not the one who was guilty in breaking faith with God, he included himself with the exiles as he confessed the sins of intermarriage with the foreigners. He acknowledged the consequences of their sins and he recounted God’s grace, mercy and kindness. He reasoned that their direct disobedience of God’s command deserved a more harsh punishment than what was given. Ezra’s prayer displayed a sacrifice of a broken and contrite spirit which God will not despise (Psalm 51:17). 

Throughout the passage, Ezra did allow any excuse as to why the people could have intermarried, such as maybe there were less women among them, so they had to take foreign wives, etc. He basically took God’s command at face value without any twisting and turning in order to justify their disobedience. Too often Christians explain away the reasons for not following God’s clear command in order to fulfill their fleshly desire. This should not be, for this is not how we should repay God who gave us His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ to save us from our wretched self. Thank you God for giving us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!             —- Lai Yee Leong

以斯拉记8:1-35

上一章讲到神差遣熟悉律法的文士以斯拉带领第二批百姓回耶路撒冷。外面的圣殿建好了，神就进一步带领百姓里面的恢复，把祂的百姓带回到神话语的管理之下。因此，在「神的手帮助」下，以斯拉在属灵的荒凉之地巴比伦，却以「通达耶和华以色列神所赐摩西的律法书」（七6），成为被神使用的器皿。

8章1-14节，记录了第二批归回耶路撒冷的百姓，大约有一千五百个男丁。加上许多妇人孩子同行（21节），队伍可能多达五、六千人，又随身携带巨额财物，在四个月的长途跋涉中随时可能招来盗匪。以斯拉本来可以接受波斯王派兵护送，正如尼希米所做的（尼二9）。但他却「以求王拨步兵马兵帮助我们抵挡路上的仇敌为羞耻」（22节），因为他曾对王作见证说：「我们神施恩的手必帮助一切寻求祂的」（22节）。如果求王派兵，表明对神并没有信心。重要的不是派兵或不派兵，而是能不能让神得荣耀。

所以，他单单藉着「禁食祷告，求祂使我们和妇人孩子，并一切所有的，都得平坦的道路」。他借着信心的操练，让回归的百姓学习完全的信靠。当百姓真实地经历到「我们神施恩的手，必帮助一切寻求祂的」，也就会确信「祂的能力和忿怒必攻击一切离弃祂的」。因为越是经历和认识神恩典的人，越会战兢降服在神的权柄之下，正如诗人所说：「但在祢有赦免之恩，要叫人敬畏祢」（诗130:4）。

虽然未求兵马，但以斯拉也并没有“裸奔”。而是凭着缜密的心思，在启程前秤了金银、器皿，又要求祭司长们「警醒看守」。在到了耶路撒冷后，又在三位见证人的见证下将这些贵重物品清点、记录、移交祭司。这些都给我们服事教会做出了榜样。这章圣经并没有费多少笔墨在旅途上，因为「我们的神手保佑我们」。而是对启程前的祷告，和和抵达后物品的清点，做了一个详尽的“述职报告”。

以斯拉对神的信靠令人敬佩，本章22节也因此成为了我本章最有领受的一段经文。试问我们在生命里有无这样把旅程全然交给神的信心？这让我不由得想起不久前一位基督徒弟兄分享的关于信心的见证：

他来自我离开北京前去的一家中国教会，是教会的敬拜领袖，优秀的键盘手、架子鼓、领唱，是我键盘伴奏的启蒙老师。在数年前经历九死一生的血液病后归主。

不熟悉中国大陆房地产政策人可能不知道“经济适用房”的概念。也就是说，在房价高居全国榜首的北京，如果按现有住房面积和收入水平申请到“经济适用房”的指标，那么购房的单价会比市场价低上几倍，

申请标准非常严苛，但他申请成功了。这在房价贵得离谱的北京，可能意味少奋斗几年或十几年吧。就当他跟家人高兴地准备接手他们的房子时，突然被告知，因为他刚刚结婚，那么原来的申请条件变化了，所以，他到手的指标就飞了。

他想，这不符合逻辑呀！原来的申请条件是他跟母亲（父亲早逝），现在多了一个无房的妻子，按理应该更需要房子了呀。无奈规定就是规定，谁也改变不了。在交涉过程中，他被或明或暗地告知，如果他与新婚妻子离婚，那么申请条件又与原来一样了，指标还是有效的！

面对着这条“喜讯”，他陷入了彷徨。在北京，在高房价和各种限购政策的双重夹击下，“假离婚”并不是不常见的。为了得到较低的贷款利率，本来过得很好的夫妻会“假”离婚（其实也是走了法律手续的真离婚，只是随后再复婚而已），房子归一方之后，无房的一方再购房可以享受第一套商品房较低的贷款利率。有的夫妻甚至为此离好几次，以低贷款利率买多套房子。在与旁人分享的时候，还充满了成功的沾沾自喜，不仅喜于自己赚了差价，还喜于自己的婚姻为“经过了钢铁般的锤炼”。

那么，他该怎么做呢？有人说，甚至双方的父母都说，反正你们的感情也是真的，不妨假离一下，房子拿到，第二天就去复婚，一切都变得轻松了。面对这种轻松，他没有轻松起来。两个人本能地不想离婚，但在双方家庭施加的压力下，他也动摇过。在无助的时候，他来到神的面前。他说，耶稣基督，如果是你，你会怎么样做呢？他听到耶稣回答说，如果是我，我不会否认我认识你，我不会否认我的新妇。

他说：“耶稣基督对教会是这样的心，他的爱是那样。我以前没有这个爱，但现在我感受到了，我永远不会否认我的妻子。圣经上对婚姻的教导，是没有隐藏和妥协的。”

他的主内的妻子也不愿意妥协。顶着双方家庭的压力，两个人做了决定。不离婚。

在去做“放弃”指标的时候，他站在台阶上。一阵风吹过，他听到主说：当我再来的时候，我不会让你没有房住。

然后他的心得到了大大的释放，真正“轻松喜悦”地签了字。工作人员都说，你们基督徒真了不起，连房子都不要了。他说，我只是做了我应该做的事情。回家的路上，“我感受到从天而来的喜悦，感受到上帝在对我微笑。是神对我大大的点赞。”

后来，后来，「我们神施恩的手必帮助一切寻求祂的」。他们重新递交的经济适用房指标审核通过了。虽然从两居室变了一居室，但是户型是以前他与妈妈看中的。因为棚顶比较高，还可以做复式。这样，其实花了较少的钱，得到差不多一样的面积。他们全家都很高兴。

这件事，从基督徒从圣经里学到的道理来说，做不离婚的决定很简单。但是面对着世上一套房耗尽两代人积蓄的现实，做不离婚的决定也很难。在我们经历这样的试炼的时候，我们能否完全依靠主，哪怕自己没有一兵一马，也敢于凭着对神的信心踏上艰难的旅程？希望以斯拉给我们勇气，希望我分享的这位弟兄的故事给大家勇气。最后我想以我最喜爱的经文来结束我的文章，世上的路百转千回，但“你要专心仰赖耶和华，不可倚靠自己的聪明，在你一切所行的事上都要认定他，他必指引你的路。”（箴言3:5-6）                          — Daisy Peng

以斯拉记7:1-28

　　1-6章中，以大卫之裔所罗巴伯带领第一次归回，他们是重建圣殿，因为他们需要恢复亲近神敬拜神。
建殿并不顺利，当时有异族人干扰他们，雇请波斯宫廷的谋士游说王，迫使犹太人停止建殿工作。百姓遇到难处就有点心灰意冷，神却藉先知先知哈该和易多的孙子撒迦利亚说劝勉的话，并使亚述王的心转向。
圣殿的根基虽已建好，犹大百姓却忽略了建造他们属灵的殿宇。
现今充满了各样混杂声音的时代里；我们应该学习在混乱中，分辨神的声音。我们必须在神话语上下功夫，有一个学习听神的话的经验，追求明白神话语的心。

　　本章神给以斯拉重要的使命就是重颁律法。以斯拉要以色列人在神的话语上扎根、要他们严谨遵行神的话、要他们在心灵上得重建。我们看到神要复兴一个人会用不同的方式：

本章3次提到耶和华神的手帮助以斯拉 (6, 9, 28节)，他并不依靠的出生背景（大祭司亚伦的后代），而是他积极去寻求神的心意并按着神的心意去做去求。

1 以斯拉专心考究神的道（拉7:10）。

　　以斯拉专心研究神的律法，“考究”，有竭力寻求的意思。以斯拉爱慕神的话语，立志让神的话语引导他人生的方向，操练自己更能担任他应负的责任。以致他的一生都很细心来考究查证神的话语，将他自己身体力行所得转用来教导别人。

　　今天我们读经欠缺认真，若我们单靠己力而没有意识到我们需要倚靠圣灵的帮助和启发，读经也不会为我们带来甚么益处。刚开始按教会读经计划阅读圣经，就像例行公事一样读读经文，但是既没读明白，也没记住，第二天早上起来，早就忘了前一天读了些什么。
对圣经的认识，仅限于一周一次的主日讲台上的信息，或是与弟兄姐妹们交流时听到的片言只语。这样的日子，平时倒也过得去。可是一旦出点什么事情，或者属灵上有了需要，就没有办法自己从圣经里得到神的话语，必须依赖别人的帮助。更不用提明白主的旨意并且遵守了。当你立下心志想追求爱神，但总不能真实的去爱神，是因为真理明白太少，你想爱也爱不起来。

　　谢谢今天的网络时代，圣经资源，解经资源。各种的圣经版本，解经材料，杂志书籍，神学著作，甚至牧师讲道视频，都已经被有心的弟兄姐妹放在网络上了。让读经变得更轻松更有趣。许多以前费时费力也不一定能得到的条件，现在轻轻松松，键盘鼠标一打就来到眼前，花在逛网页上的时间完全可以用来读经。刚开始操练读经有点类似锻炼身体，长期不练的身体刚开始锻炼，必定是到处酸痛，等到一周过后，才慢慢体味到舒畅的感觉。读经坚持过了几个难过的坎，就会慢慢迈入甜美舒畅的境地，得到神的话语真实的滋润喂养。这时候，每天都会渴望读到神的话语，读经就会变得享受，自然成为生活中的一部分。那个时候才看见神的良苦用心哪，看见神真实的爱、真实的拯救，爱神的心才能生发出来。

2 以斯拉专心仰赖神

　　在27、28节以斯拉称颂神。他称颂神使王起这心意，修饰耶路撒冷耶和华的殿，他说神在王和谋士，并王的一切大能的军长面前施恩宠于他。然后以斯拉宣告，他因耶和华他神的手帮助他，他就得以刚强。
以斯拉做了很多的事情，动机是出于对神的爱，对祂的话语的服从，他没有把一切的荣耀归给自己，而是归于神，这是以斯拉生命当中的优秀品质，他愿意将荣耀归给神。
我们以纯正的动机去做，最微弱的努力也会蒙神悦纳。神掌管我们一切，不要忘记感谢和赞美祂。

　　亲爱的天父，我们感谢你。谢谢你让我们了解以斯拉蒙召的过程，也让我们了解以斯拉愿意放下一切来侍奉你。祈求你给我们这样的心志，让我们不要纠结，使我们能够更多地参与，也让我们常常为着自己是否领受上帝的呼召，在神的面前迫切寻求。祈求你带领我们，让我们知道这一切的荣耀，我们的生活、工作、家庭，一切的恩典都是从神而来，让我们带着感恩的心去生活。祷告奉主耶稣的名，阿們！          —- Lusheng

Psalm 106 and Ezra 6

Psalm 106:1-48

Two weeks ago we read Psalm 104 regarding God’s acts in creating the world. Last week we read Psalm 105 which meditated on God’s acts in continuing history and today we will read Psalm 106, which focuses on human sin.

Chris Tomlin has recorded a beautiful worship song called ‘Forever’. The lyrics quote scripture and verses from this Psalm are some that are used. I encourage us all to find it on YouTube and worship the LORD in song today as He is ‘Forever’ and the solution to all our sin.

Verses 1-3 Praise to God and steadfast love!

Verses 4-5 The writer knows God will aid His people and prays for his personal aid.

Verse 6-39 – WE have sinned and here begins the list of the Israelites’ deliberate and consistent sin against God. Their sin shadows our own. Below are a few of the sins against our Father given in the Psalm. We will all relate to items on this sobering list. I am stating them in present tense.

　　vs 7 – We do not remember His steadfast love and rebel.
　　vs 13 – We forget His works and do not wait upon Him.
　　vs 14 – We test God.
　　vs 16 – We are jealous of others.
　　vs 19 – We worship idols and false gods.
　　vs 21 – We forget our Savior and His works.
　　vs 24-25 – We despise what He has given us and murmur against Him.
　　vs 28 – We yoke ourselves to evil things and commit evil acts.
　　vs 33 – We do not trust God for our survival.
　　vs 34 – We allow others who do not know God influence our behavior. We do as they do.
　　vs 37-39 These verses are very harsh and yet sadly very true. I will leave you to your own reading here.

Verses 40-43 – God’s anger and its consequences led to captivity of the Israelites. We too become captive – in our sin.

Verses 44-48 – HOPE!! – God hears our distress calls and remembers, rescues and redeems His people.
‘Save us, O Lord our God’, gather us and we will give thanks to your Holy name and praise you!
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel and us – from everlasting to everlasting.
Let us all say: ‘Amen! Praise the Lord!’
I am reminded of Tomlin’s song again.

Ezra 6:1-22

Darius’ Decree, The Temple Finished and Decorated, Passover Celebrated.

Remembering the Saving God we just studied in Psalm 106, we now read Ezra 6: The God of Israel had again heard the cries of Jewish exiles and though they were still under Persian rule, their Sovereign God was continuing His redemptive work and reestablishing true worship among them.

Verses 1-12 Darius’ Decree: King Darius ordered a search for the records of King Cyrus, and the official record was located. Cyrus had issued a decree regarding the house of God and its rebuilding. Darius affirms this temple construction and reinforces it with a strongly worded decree of his own. Provision was made for the continuing temple services and God’s people were granted irrevocable support in the rebuilding. The re-gathering of the Israelites continued.

Verses 13-18 The Temple Finished: Haggai and Zechariah prophesied/ preached to the people and the people were moved to start the work again and complete it.
(It is good when we listen to our Pastors sharing of God’s Word. God will use the words of His servants to teach and motivate us.)
The temple was finished four years after the work was begun and almost exactly 70 years after the Solomonic temple was destroyed in 586. Sacrifices were made and in particular, a sin offering was given, indicating the Israelites had an awareness of sin and faith in God who keeps His covenant of love.

Verses 19-22 The Passover Celebrated: What an amazing time this must have been! The exiles celebrated the Passover and kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy for the Lord had turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, so that he aided in the work of the house of the God of Israel.

In closing, these scriptures remind of us of how lost (full of sin) we are and how much God desires to find (save) us. He moves nations and kings, preachers and people to bring us to worship Him. He is our Creator and Savior and worthy of all worship. I pray His sanctification process makes us more like Him every day as we study His Word. Praise be to the Son, the Father and Holy Spirit who love us and work in us. —- Mary Mauderer

以斯拉记 5:1~17

上一章我们看到了以色列人建造圣殿的工程受到许多拦阻，不得已只好先暂停建造的工程。
这一停就是好几年，导致百姓们渐渐心灰意冷，各人只顾着自己家的事。

当时有二位先知哈该和撒迦利亚就对这样的境况忧心忡忡。今天上帝就要派这二位先知去到所罗巴伯那里为他们打气，鼓励他们继续带领圣殿的工作。
【5:1】「那时，先知哈该和易多的孙子撒迦利亚奉以色列神的名向犹大和耶路撒冷的犹大人说劝勉的话。」
【5:2】「于是撒拉铁的儿子所罗巴伯和约萨达的儿子耶书亚都起来动手建造耶路撒冷神的殿，有神的先知在那里帮助他们。」

在许多经文中我们已经非常明白，上帝的工作终必成就，因为神的意念高过我们人的意念，这一章是对应前一章的，这完全是上帝在掌控，神要将被掳的以色列人归回耶路撒冷，所以建圣殿也是上帝的计划 。

【5:3】「当时河西的总督达乃和示他·波斯乃，并他们的同党来问说：『谁降旨让你们建造这殿，修成这墙呢？』」
面对这样的问话，我看到了4节中看到他们用了 “我们” :
【5:4】「我们便告诉他们建造这殿的人叫什么名字。」

当人生起敬畏的心依靠主，上帝就是会给我们非常刚强的心来，让我想到自己的生活中这样的见证也是很多的，于是
【5:5】「神的眼目看顾犹大的长老，以致总督等没有叫他们停工，直到这事奏告大流士，得着他的回谕。」

上帝的大能使总督并没有为难他们，就这么容易的，真是不可思议，也可以看到都是神要透过刚强壮胆的人去做神的工。

在【5:7-17】是文書的內容記載，其性質是報告式的，好像是一種調查結果。
文書的內容这份調查報告是友善的，高度評價他們所造的工程，只不過他們要用法侓角度，來調查這件事。

在这一章感受到重建圣殿是上帝的计划，要将以色列人重归耶路撒冷，是回归，而我们在这个纷乱的世界里，疫情越来越严重，使人混乱，基督徒也时常迷失方向，但是今天上帝透过以斯拉记重建圣殿所做的工也是提醒我们基督徒，我們要回歸，要復興，其實不是只有我們在工作，神一直在工作，我們只是配合神、跟隨神，到我們做不下去了，都读圣经，来到主面前便会激勵，繼續做下去。神所看見的是我們看不見的，而且祂要做更大的事。
我们不能失去信心而要渴慕真理，基督徒更不能不遵循上帝的诫命活着。
感谢主!
“你的话是我脚前的灯，是我路上的光。”（诗119:105） —- Yulian Zhu

以斯拉記3:1-13；4:1-24

上帝的審判是公義也是信實的，他懲罰不順服的以色列人，導致最終猶大遭巴比倫所滅擄去，耶和華也說：你們被擄到巴比倫70年期滿後我就要眷顧你們，成就我充滿恩典的應許，把你們帶回這地方（耶29:10）。
我們可以看到當這一群被神懲罰的以色列人，也就是最後被巴比倫滅亡擄走的南國猶大人，在流亡他鄉70年滿後，第一批歸回的猶大人，他們如何緊緊抓住神的恩典重建與神的關係？

3:1-9  在那地上雖有令他們懼怕的外邦人，但他們仍同心合意在原有聖殿（所羅門聖殿）的根基上築壇、按律法獻祭、守住棚節，絲毫不敢怠慢。向神築壇獻祭讓歸回的猶大人得著了心靈上的安慰與平安，他們刻不容緩的開始籌備重建聖殿一事。
築壇獻祭就像我們每日生活中的靈修讀經與神親近，用神的話澆灌我們，我們的屬靈生命也因此日漸茁壯。

聖殿是為神所打造的居所，除了需要各式各樣的人才外，打造的時甚長，所用的物資也都極其寶貴(6)。我們的身體就是神的殿，在信仰裡我們不要輕看神賦予我們的任何能力，在肢體中我們樂於更多的服侍，在試煉中我們裝備完善自己，神的聖靈充滿，讓自己成為一個合神心意寶貴的基督徒。

3:10-13  當以色列人將已被摧毁的聖殿重新立起根基時，我們看見了祭司穿著禮服吹著號，利未人敲鈸，盛大莊嚴讃美神的儀式，我感受到了他們內心激動著大聲哭嚎著並交雜著歡呼聲，這是多麼感動的時刻，尤其是那曾經見過舊殿的老年人，他們歷經一個時代的輝煌與墮落，現在又回歸到主的面前，看見這根基重新站立，親眼見証了耶和華是掌權的神，也是那永發慈愛的神。

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當一切看似走向成功復興的路上（立根基建聖殿），更別輕忽歡喜之後帶來的憂愁，撒旦仇敵總是藉著各種方式阻攔我們的順境。

第四章記載了兩大主軸：一是第一批由所羅巴伯帶領歸回的猶大人，他們在重建聖殿的過程中所遭受的阻礙；一是第二批由以斯拉帶領歸回的猶大人，他們在耶路撒冷建城牆卻遭仇敵污陷與控告，讓建城牆的工程無法繼續。

4:1-5及24  在古列王晚期到大利烏登基年間（主前538-520），猶大人回歸耶路撒冷開始動工建立聖殿，首先遇到的仇敵是亞述王以撒哈頓帶來安置這地的人，他們用看似溫和的態度詢求領導建聖殿的所羅巴伯一同參與建造聖殿，但所羅巴伯用了堅決無情的態度一口拒絕了請求，仇敵便立刻改變原有溫和的態度，改向波斯王的謀士行賄，干擾他們，使他們手發軟無法再繼續建殿的工程。於是，在耶路撒冷神殿的工程就停止了，直停到波斯王大利烏登基第二年(24)。

主前536 立根基重修聖殿 （3:8）
主前530 停工 （4:24）
主前520 恢復工程 （4:24）
主前516 聖殿完成 （6:15）

「亞述王以撒哈頓帶來安置這地的人」是指北國被亞述帝國滅亡而留在北國的以色列餘民與亞述人通婚的後代，他們拜各種偶像，現在他們也想藉著與猶大人建造聖殿的方式混入其中，進行融合通婚，使猶大人離神越來越遠，進而同化他們。
所羅巴伯非常明白他們信仰的混亂，若敞開胸懷接受了他們，那只會為猶大人帶來更多的毁壞與煩惱，卻不會帶來任何建設。所羅巴伯堅定地拒絕是符合神的心意。這也說明一個屬神的領導者是能夠快速的洞察仇敵的詭計，堅定地拒絕非符合神心意的人事物，不給任何機會讓仇敵有機可趁。

4:6-23  作者以斯拉在這段經文裡用了另外一件事來描述猶大人歸回耶路撒冷後的生活，他們雖為主做工，興建耶路撒冷，卻處處面臨仇敵的攻擊與陷害。這裡是指第二批歸回的猶大人。

在波斯亞哈隨魯王及亞達薛西王年間（主前486-423），猶大人為耶路撒冷建造城牆，在這些章節中出現了各式各樣的官名族名地名，簡言之，就是這些仇敵的範圍甚廣，從波斯高官到各地外邦族人，他們一同簽署聯名向波斯王上本控告、污陷猶大人、定猶大人預謀反叛、若城牆建好將不再與波斯進貢交稅等莫須有的罪名。

在這裡我們清楚的看見，當我們齊聲歡呼哈利路亞、稱頌神、讚美神，稱謝這一切都如此美好時，仇敵撒旦也就在黑暗處窺伺見隙，沒有任何基督徒一信了主就從此無往不利、萬事亨通，面對詭譎多端的世代變動、是是非非的人際關係，我們要選擇隨波逐流任憑自己載浮載沉，或安靜等候主的再來？

親愛的主耶穌，我們知道所有撒旦仇敵的詭計都是暫時的，因為你是掌權的神，所有的罪惡、混亂都掌握在你的權柄之下；唯有專心仰望你，在艱難之時，因你的話得享安息；唯有專心仰望你，在平順之際，竭力追上，以進入你為我們預備那美好的家鄉，永恆的國度。感謝主！阿們！           —- Tracy Chou

Ezra 2:1-70

This chapter is a daunting passage to share as it is filled with unfamiliar names of the exiles returning to Jerusalem and Judah.  Even familiar names such as Nehemiah and Mordecai were not necessarily the same person as I first thought: “Nehemiah” in verse 2 was not thought to be the one who rebuilt the walls 80 years later, and the name “Mordecai” in the same verse may not be the same Mordecai in the book of Esther.  Aside from the actual name of the persons who came up from Babylon in verse 2, the rest of the others were referred to as “the descendants of…” or “the men of…” (v. 21-35).  Upon pondering the significance of these names and places where they originated, I remembered the covenant God made with the Israelites- the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in Genesis 12:7, 17:19, 21, Exodus 2:24.  Because of their unfaithfulness to God, the Israelites were carried off to Babylon as captives. For 70 years they were to be in captivity as prophesied by Jeremiah (Jer 25:11). Since the Israelites were the chosen people of God, the names of their ancestors were their means of tracing their heritage back to the lineage of Jacob, Isaac and Abraham whom God had a covenant with. Not only did they have a legal claim to the land (because God promised the land would be theirs), it was also a great testament of their faith in who God was (their belief in God). It also strikes me what kind of character I would project if down the years should my descendant be linked to me.  Would I be able to pass on a spiritual legacy to my off springs?

Verse 21-35 were likely cities and towns where some of the ancestors of the exiles originated from. There was an entourage of returning exiles who could serve in the temple of God namely the priests (v. 36-39), the Levites (v. 40), the singers (v. 41), temple gatekeepers (v. 42), temple servants (v. 43-54). This first wave of returning exiles numbered 42,360 people (v. 64). They were ready to rebuild their homeland, and reestablish the glory of the temple of God.

It is interesting to note that there were also those with questionable genealogies (v.59-60), but had the faith to endure the journey and undertake the task of rebuilding the city and temple of God.  Because God is also a God to the aliens, these people who put their faith in Him will also find their place of inheritance among the Israelites. “You are to allot it (the land) as an inheritance for yourselves and for the foreigners residing among you and who have children. You are to consider them as native-born Israelites; along with you, they are to be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel”.- Ezekiel 47:22.

Priests’ credentials were also of utmost importance as those who could not produce family records to certify them as priests were excluded from priesthood and forbidden to eat the most sacred food (v. 61-63) until they could be verified later by means of the Urim and Thummim (a set of object in the ephod worn and used by the priest to reveal the will of God). This is consistent with God’s command that priests are to be blood descendants of Aaron as outlined in Exodus 28:1,42 and Leviticus 8. The office of priest is a privilege and it is a calling from God Himself.

More importantly, it revealed to me God is a faithful God- He kept his covenant with His people. Just as he had promised he would banish them to other nations for their unfaithfulness (God punishes those whom He loves), but He is still a faithful God who keeps His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands- Deuteronomy 7:9. What promises specifically has God given to us? It is comforting to know, we can count on Him to fulfill every single one. Praise be to God for His faithfulness!

Moreover, these returning exiles had the honor of having their names or their ancestors’ names recorded in the Bible. They left the comfort of Babylon and returned to the land promised to their ancestors. They were the first wave of people who took steps of faith by moving back and starting to build the temple of worship. Their faith was also exemplified by their freewill offerings toward the rebuilding of God’s temple (v.68-69). 

As we tread on this earthly journey, may each of us pass on the “baton of faith” to our children, grandchildren and subsequent generations, so that in time we can be assured all our names will be found in the Lamb’s book of life.            —- Lai Yee Leong