Day 10 March 07



Day 10 March 07

Passage: Isaiah 42:1-9
“I have placed my spirit on him; he will make just decrees for the nations.” These words describe the Servant of the Lord. God’s servant would spread God’s name in the nations and establish his justice (42:1,6-7). This was because Cyrus’ army would make people in the neighbouring countries live in fear. The prophet emphasized that they fear because they know that their gods cannot fight nor protect them, making them victims instead.

Though these Gentiles might be like a bruised reed or a smoldering wick (v.3), they were also created by God and given life. God would extend His merciful hand to them through his servant, so that they might experience His faithfulness and love.

But based on the descriptions of the Bible, one may be worried. Israel-Jacob as a servant was described as deaf and blind, a lost servant in need of guidance. How would a servant as weak as the Gentiles fulfill such a prophecy? As we read one, we shall see God’s righteousness and mercy.
Verses 5 to 9 prophesized that the servant would bless the nations, verse 6 said it would be fulfilled. “I, the Lord, … make you a covenant mediator for people, and a light to the nations.” This says that the faithful God would restore relations with Israel, so that they might be blessed, to become a mediator, and be a witness to the happiness of a covenant with God. This would spur all to seek God.

God’s willingness to use a weak servant to bless the people brings enlightenment to our Lenten reflection. Lent focuses on penitential prayer because of the weakness of believers. Today’s reflection reaffirms:

God is willing to use those who are weak to bless others. God willingly restores relations with his servants, so that they may bless others as a mediator.

This also reminds us that in the period of Lent, we must remember the death and resurrection in Christ of our spiritual lives through baptism (Baptismal spirituality). Lent reminds us to be constantly in union with Christ.

Prayer: May the loving Father continue to stretch out his hands to us to strengthen our will, to send us to spread His holy name on earth, now and forever.



第十日 Mar 07

经文：以赛亚书 42:1-9
"我已将我的灵赐给他；他必将公理传给外邦"，这两句在形容上帝的仆人。上帝的仆人要在外邦人当中传扬祂的名，并设立公理(42:1，6-7）。这是因为古列的军力，让周边国家的人活在惧怕当中。文中，先知同时强调，外邦人会如此惧怕的根本原因是，他们的神明完全无法为他们征战，保护他们，反倒让他们成为受害者。

即便这些外邦人有如压伤的芦苇和将残的灯火（3节），但他们也是由上帝所造，并给予生命气息的。上帝愿透过仆人向他们伸出慈恩之手，让他们经历祂的信实及坚定的爱。

从圣经中的描述来看，有一点却令人担心。仆人以色列-雅各，按以赛亚的描绘是既聋又瞎，是已走失且需要被带领的仆人。试问和外邦人一样软弱的仆人将如何完成所预言的一切 ？  但继续阅读经文之后，我们会看见上帝的信实与慈爱。
5至9节继续预言仆人要造福列国，第6节更说明预言将必定实现。“我—耶和华...必...使你作众民的中保，作外邦人的光”这段话指的是，信实的耶和华将修复与以色列－雅各的关系，好使其再度蒙福，能成为中保，见证与上帝立约的美好，从而激励众民也来寻求上帝。（注：神和人的中间人称为“中保”。）

上帝愿使用软弱的仆人造福众民，为大斋节的反思注入亮光。大斋节注重忏悔祷告是因为信徒的软弱，而今天的反思则再次肯定:

上帝愿意使用仍旧软弱的我们造福他人。 上帝愿意与仆人修复关系，让这些仆人成为中保去造福他人。

这也提醒我们要在大斋节期间，要永远记得，我们是通过洗礼预表与主同死同复活的属灵生命。简言之，大斋节催促我们要时时与上帝合而为一。

祷告：愿慈爱的天父继续向我们伸出双手，刚强我们的意志，差遣我们在地上传播祂的圣名，直到永远。

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