Thursday, 28th October 2021
Rev Daniel Xi An Poon
Section One V1-7 Experience the Belief
V1-2 ‘In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Azariah the son of Amaziah, king of Judah, became king. He was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem.’ This this chapter, we can see that generation by generation, the kings were still living in sins, following their forefather’s wicked way, and doing things that displeased God. Azariah was also named Uzziah, he was able to reign 52 years in Jerusalem, it was not easy to be the king for so long during that time.
V5 ‘Then the Lord struck the king, so that he was a leper until the day of his death; so he dwelt in an isolated house. And Jotham the king’s son was over the royal house, judging the people of the land.’ Despite that Azariah reigned for 52 years, he still died as a leper and lived shamefully in his last days. He had a good reputation and was doing things pleasing to God, but why did he end up in leprosy?
In II Chronicles 26, we see that with the help of his mother, Jecholiah, and the high priest, Zechariah, Azariah, also named Uzziah, was able to reign as the king of Judah and made Judah a great kingdom. ‘He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God; and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper.’ (II Chronicles 26:5) Uzziah listened to his mother and the high priest, restored the peace between Judah and Israel, and he became famous among the nations. ‘Also the Ammonites brought tribute to Uzziah. His fame spread as far as the entrance of Egypt, for he became exceedingly strong.’ (II Chronicles 26:8)
We can see traits of king Solomon in Uzziah’s life, not only he prospered in his reign, but he also built up a strong nation. ‘And Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the Corner Gate, at the Valley Gate, and at the corner buttress of the wall; then he fortified them. Also, he built towers in the desert. He dug many wells, for he had much livestock, both in the lowlands and in the plains; he also had farmers and vinedressers in the mountains and in Carmel, for he loved the soil.’ (II Chronicles 26:9-10) How important it is for a mother to teach her child? Uzziah’s success was contributed a lot by Jecholiah, and his name was made great because of the things he had done. But with such favours from God and from people, how come he ended up in leprosy?
‘But when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction, for he transgressed against the Lord his God by entering the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense.’ (II Chronicles 26:16) After Uzziah received so many blessings and experienced so many favours from God, he became proud and transgressed against God. God prospered Uzziah, but it did not mean that he could burn incense on the altar, which was the job of the priest. We must know our position, God put us in different position with His purpose, therefore, do not think we are better than others, because we are all sinners, and everything we can do is not because of how good we are, but because of God’s favours.
Without God, we couldn’t be where we are, and without the Holy Spirit, we wouldn’t be able to understand His Word. We must believe God in reign, in good times and in bad times, God is always in control. Are we willing to follow and obey? Uzziah thought he knew everything, and he could do everything, so, he burnt the incense instead of the priest, and God broke out His anger and made him a leper for the rest of his life. We must finish well, because we don’t know when will be our last day on this earth, therefore, every day we must think about how we can finish well. Do not think we still have time to make things right, but live every day for God, starting from today.
Section Two V8-31 Men had No Repentance until Death
V12 ‘This was the word of the Lord which He spoke to Jehu, saying, “Your sons shall sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation.” And so it was.’ God talked to Jehu long time ago, but he and his sons did not listen, they continue to live in sin and worshipped the golden calf. They didn’t believe in God’s promise, so at the end, their kingship ended in four generations.
Section Three V32-38 God Still Gave Grace
God continued to use the environment and people to teach His people. God wanted to wake them up from living in sins, and to seek Him. But they still did not listen and brought destructions upon themselves. God is faithful, at the end God still give grace to David’s generations as He promise, and at the end, God still did not give up on the people of Israel. Can we really see God’s favours and blessings in our lives, and live our life every day for God?
列王纪下 15 – 人的愚昧 神的真实
2021年10月28日 星期四
潘锡安牧师
为什么以色列分裂成南国（犹大）和北国（以色列）后，虽然过了一代又一代，他们的王却一直在罪中打转，走不出来？我们身处这个人心惶惶的末世，面对漫天的负面消息和动荡的环境，该以如何的态度存活并跟从神? 在困难的时刻，人若没有选择敬拜神，就没有智慧, 陷入愚昧。
一、经历信仰（v.1-7）
V1-2“亚撒利雅”就是“乌西雅”，他登基时很年轻，做犹大王五十二年。他的母亲是圣殿所在地耶路撒冷人，说明她是一个有信仰的人，她的名字“耶可利雅”意思是“耶和华是大能的”。“亚撒利雅”意思是“耶和华已帮助”，他能执政掌权如此之久，是有从神而来的恩惠。
V3-5 亚撒利雅（乌西雅）虽然“行耶和华眼中看为正的事”，但还是落到“长大麻风直到死日，他就住在别的宫里”的下场。历代志下26章详细叙述了这件事的背景和原因。乌西雅（亚撒利雅）有母亲耶可利雅和祭司撒迦利亚的帮助，得到神的祝福。从耶可利雅对乌西雅王的影响可以看出一位母亲（妻子）在家里的重要性 – 她可以帮助下一代成长为走在神心意里的人。当一个王愿意走在生命树的气息里，神就出手帮助他，使他的国度强盛。“通晓神默示撒迦利亚在世的时候，乌西雅定意寻求神，他寻求耶和华，神就使他亨通”（代下26:5），乌西雅有强大的军队，又坚固了耶路撒冷的城楼，得到神给他“非常的帮助”，所以“名声传到远方……甚是强盛”（代下26:15）。乌西雅的信仰不是只是有母亲告诉他，而是可以自己去经历的。然而，这样一位敬畏神的王因着自己强盛“就心高气傲，以致行事邪僻，干犯耶和华他的神”（代下26:16）。乌西雅有神的恩宠, 不代表他能凌驾在神的法则之上，他被胜利冲昏头脑，想要在圣殿里面代替祭司做“给耶和华烧香”的事（代下26:17）。我们每一个人都是罪人，能够站在祭司或者教会主任牧师位份上的人并非因为他们很好，而是有神的带领和祝福，我们“不在其位不谋其政”，不要论断权柄，而要忠于神在地上设立的伦理次序，相信神掌权。乌西雅没有尊重神的伦理法则，身为犹大国的王，还想做圣殿里的王，所以长了大麻风，“直到死日”。
我们要从乌西雅的例子引以为戒，“因为神能助人得胜，也能使人倾败”（代下25:8）。我们不知道自己什么时候离开世界，所以每一天都要finish well（善始善终），预备好自己随时被神接走时能向神交账，而不是以“还有时间”为借口让自己虚度光阴。
二、死不悔改（v.8-31）
V12 “这是从前耶和华应许耶户说：’你的子孙必坐以色列的国位，直到四代。’这话果然应验了。” 神一早已经跟耶户家的人说了这个预言，可惜耶户家四代的人都没有懊悔死行，“不离开尼八的儿子耶罗波安使以色列人陷在罪里的那罪”（V9），不愿意跟从神，所以到第四代就被人击杀篡位。
三、还是恩典（v.32-38)
虽然乌西雅王背叛、顽梗，神还是愿意给犹大机会、恩典，因为神纪念自己与大卫所立的约。以色列和犹大不断遇到攻击，其实神是在用环境让人醒起来。当我们经历困境的时候，不要以为靠自己可以解决，而要去谦卑寻求神。
我们的信仰是可以经历的，生或死、祝福或咒诅是我们可以选择的。要相信，神对我们所怀的意念是赐平安的意念。