Day 35 April 06


Day 35 April  06

Passage: Isaiah 52:7-12
God’s people might be longing for a Davidic king, but more so their true ideal would be for God himself to reign. So if anyone were to announce this good news to them, though the messenger’s feet might be caked in mud, the receivers would see them as lovely. Because the message was “God is king”. Such occasions always imply the deliverance and restoration of God’s people. But is not God always reigning? How can any matter escape his control? How would such an announcement be “good news”? But from Israel’s perspective, God’s reign should imply his orders are completed and his wishes fulfilled. So when the world is in disorder, when evil runs rampant, God seems not to reign. Other times, God reigns but in the mode of punishing them, so that would not be “good news”. Therefore, if God in goodwill reigns to save them, that is good news indeed.

Reigning should not mean the ceremonial title of kingship. Only when the directives and policies are followed, that is truly reigning. Thus the people shouted for joy, indicating that they witnessed something good worth celebrating. When the prophet proclaimed God reigning, it meant that the situation would transform according to God’s will. The prophet gave the final call, this time to the Jews exiled in Babylon. Do not be seduced by the prosperity there and settle down, instead be ready to depart (verse 11), to return to Jerusalem to rebuild their home. God reigns! God will save and intervene in history! The arms of the Lord and Jerusalem have both awakened. To see the new Jerusalem, they shall depart from Babylon who awaits judgment. We can never predict when God chooses to act, but when he reigns, there is always a herald. Our appropriate action is to respond accordingly.

Prayer: The Lord reigns, what good news! Hallelujah!

第三十五天April 06

经文：以赛亚书 52:7-12
与其说神的子民盼望着一位如同大卫的君王，倒不如说他们真正的理想是要耶和华本身掌王权。如果有人把这美好的消息宣告出来，即便这位使者的双脚可能泥迹斑斑，但却是收信人最向往的美丽身影。因为这人捎来的消息是--耶和华是王。每逢这样的时刻，都意味着子民的救赎与复兴。可是，耶和华难道不是一直都掌王权吗？又有什么事件能够逃离他的手掌心？这样的宣告如何是好消息呢？但是，从以色列人的观点，耶和华的掌权应该代表祂的旨意得以成全，祂的心意充分实现。所以，当世界混乱的时候，当罪恶无法无天的时候，耶和华看似还未掌权。又有时，耶和华是掌权，不过因他刻意降祸与他们，这消息当然不受欢迎。所以，若神出手相救，善意地掌王权，那的确是好消息。

说回作王，不该是在乎那个称号而徒有虚名。只有当施政方针得以执行的时候，那才是真正作王。百姓之所以会有欢唱，那显然他们见证了值得庆贺的好事。所以先知此刻宣告耶和华作王，肯定局势将按神的心意而改变。先知做最后一次的呼唤，对象是被掳于巴比伦的犹太人。请不要贪图那里的繁荣而安逸下来，反而应当准备离开（11节），准备回去耶路撒冷重建家园。耶和华要掌权了!耶和华要施行拯救，干预历史了!耶和华的膀臂（10节）和耶路撒冷城都被唤醒起来了。他们要看见新的耶路撒冷，他们必须离弃将受审判的巴比伦。神出手的时间并非人所能预料，但掌权之时必先作预告。而人所应当做的，是相应的回应。
祷告：耶和华作王，这是佳美的信息!哈利路亚! 

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