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历代志上[第七章]
Book of 1 Chronicles 7

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历代志上 第七章|Book of 1 Chronicles 7

【做个名副其实的大能勇士】

主讲:陈惠菁传道

20/06/2024



引言:

历代志上7记载了的是约旦河西、耶路撒冷以北5个半支派的家谱。5个半支派的家谱只用了40节经文来记载,真的很少。原因也许是被掳时期没有详细的记载,以至资料缺乏。从大部分支派家谱中都提到‘大能的勇士’来看,学者认为这家谱的数字很可能是来自撒下24章,大卫数点勇士的人数纪录。此外,从家谱记载的人中,更重要的是这些大能勇士中,大部分的勇士却没有记载他们任何的作为。所以就让我们从这章里记录来提醒自己,要‘做个名副其实的大能勇士’。

一、以萨迦支派(v1-5)

以萨迦和西布伦都是雅各的妻子利亚的儿子,并且所得的地业也相接。因此,学者认为以萨迦支派的人数其实也包括了西布伦支派在内。经文记载他们虽然都是大能的勇士,却没有提到任何的战绩。V4又突然冒出他们的妻和儿子众多。可见他们的勇士不打仗,却被多妻多儿给忙得团团转。

弟兄姐妹,我们会不会为许多人或事忙得团团转,可是所做的都不是神要的?甚至是不讨神喜悦的事?

二、便雅悯与但支派(v6-12)

V6-12是住在中部,便雅悯与但支派的家谱。这么多族长,又是大能的勇士,却不打仗。结果我们就看到一个萎缩的狀況。在创世纪记载了便雅憫一共有10个儿子,到了民数记是5个,这里却只剩3个儿子。V12也只提到有一個兒子戶伸。原本住中部的他们后来往北迁移,成为最早拜偶像的支派。

当人虚有其名,无所事事,又以偶像代替神时,在神的记录里是会被删减,从神的祝福也会面对萎缩的狀況。

三、拿弗他利支派(v13)

雅各临终前祝福拿弗他利出產豐富,如多產的母鹿生下美好的小鹿。摩西未死之先也祝福拿弗他利支派,足沾恩惠,满得耶和华的福,可以得西方和南方为业。可是这里只提了4个儿子的名字,连人数都没提。

支派中也有许多勇士,但在圣经中,除了士师记的巴拉与西布伦支派一同战胜迦南王耶宾的军队外,就没有其他显著的纪录。弟兄姐妹,我们希望自己只被记得是某某人的孩子罢了吗?

四、玛拿西半支派(v14-19)

这里是玛拿西居住在约但河西迦南中部的半个支派之家谱。女性在这个家谱中有重要的地位。之前在民数记我们读到西罗非哈没有儿子。女儿们为了让父亲的名在神的百姓永被纪念,要求继承父亲的产业。神应允了她们的祈求,

西罗非哈的女儿们看重被神纪念过于得着属地的好处。结果她们也在这份家谱中被纪念。这里也再次提醒,我们属灵的产业,神将来的赏赐,对神的事,我们要存渴慕恳求主的心。重视赐生命与丰富的神。

五、以法莲支派(v20-29)

v20-29这10节经文纪录了以法莲支派的一些后裔。从这一大堆的名字里,有几件事情的发生是可以作为我们属灵生命的提醒:

1.人的愚昧神的怜悯(v21b-23)

以法莲的家族后裔中记录的有男有女。以谢,以列,兄弟2人不去打仗,反而去偷牛羊。结果给人杀了,害父亲痛苦悲哀,也在外邦人中间留下了臭名声。

当我们站错位时就会做错事。结果不单是失败与羞辱,严重的话也会造成损伤或死亡。所以,不要轻看我们人生的抉择。

此外,以谢、以列,可能也看自己过高,以为单靠他们兄弟两就可以打败迦特人,结果连性命都失去。今天,有不少基督徒也会看自己过于所当看的。以为可以抵挡仇敌的诱惑,不逃避试探还找借口说是为了传福音。结果在自己的信心尚未成熟之前就被世界的诱惑所掳去。

2.智慧妇人建立神国(v24)

虽说儿子不争气,但怜悯的神却给了以法莲非常出色的女儿。v24舍伊拉巾帼胜须眉,有卓越的成就。就是建筑上下伯和仑与乌羡舍伊拉。是当时成功的建筑师。对国家社会有卓越的贡献。

神的女儿们要成为神智慧的妇人,不但在建立家室上无可指责,更要在建立神国上讨神喜悦,留下美名。

3.承接使命全家事主(v27-28)

v27约书亚承接了摩西的使命,引领以色列百姓进入迦南,得神所应许之地。战胜了亚玛力人后,他还是谦卑的默默成为摩西的帮手。是个名符其实忠心事奉神到底的勇士。他立志:“至于我和我家,我们必定事奉耶和华。” 相信这也是所有基督徒的渴慕,我们与所有家人都要一辈子,一起来忠心的事奉神。

六、亚设支派(v30-40)

v30-40 是亚设的子孙住在位于迦南地的西北部,包括迦密山以北的地区,靠近地中海肥沃的土地。在士师时代,亚设人在港口安居,过着非常安舒的日子。也因为没有完全赶出当地的迦南居民,导致他们虽然个个都是族长并且是勇士中的大能勇士,这批精锐部队在军事和政治上却相对弱势,也没有什么作为。

弟兄姐妹,在安舒的日子要额外儆醒。不然很容易掉入试探,只顾自我享受的忘了神的使命和托付。若是这样,不但完全不被神纪念,还会招来审判。

总结:

虽然在这章几个支派的家谱中都不缺乏大能的勇士,但北国以色列却是很早就亡国被掳。主前853年亚述王与亚兰联军攻打以色列北国时,亚述军的总兵力只有68,200人。然而这5个半支派,虽有23万多名的大能勇士,竟然无法抵挡远道而来的亚述军队,不止空有大能勇士的称呼,反而成了被掳的亡国奴。

今天,相信我们没有人会希望别人只记得我们是谁生的,某某人的孩子,甚至连名都忘了。作为神的儿女,我们都是神拣选的大能勇士。求神帮助我们活出命定和选召。成为名副其实的大能勇士。一生蒙福,也成为别人的祝福。


1 Chronicles 7 Be a Mighty Warrior Worthy of the Name
20 June 2024
The Morning Devotion
Speaker: Ps Deborah Tan

Introduction:

The genealogy of the five and a half tribes west of the Jordan River and north of Jerusalem is recorded in 1 Chronicles 7. The genealogy of the five and a half tribes is recorded in only 40 verses, which is really very little. The reason for this may be that the captivity period was not recorded in detail, so there is a lack of information. Judging from the fact that ‘mighty warriors’ are mentioned in most of the genealogies of the tribes, scholars believe that the number of this genealogy is most likely from the record of the number of warriors counted by David in 2 Sam. 24. Furthermore, what is more important from the people recorded in the genealogy is that most of these mighty warriors are not recorded as doing any of their deeds. So let us take the record from this chapter to remind ourselves to ‘be a mighty warrior worthy of the name’.

1. The Tribe of Issachar (v1-5)

Both Issachar and Zebulun were sons of Leah, Jacob's wife, and had adjoining land holdings. Therefore, scholars believe that the number of the tribe of Issachar actually included the tribe of Zebulun. Scripture records that although they were all mighty warriors, there is no mention of any battle accomplishments.v4 And then out of the blue, their wives and sons were numerous. It is evident that their warriors did not fight, but were kept busy with many wives and sons.

Brothers and sisters, do we get busy with many people or things, but what we do is not what God wants? Or even things that are not pleasing to God?

2. The Tribe of Benjamin and Dan (v6-12)

V6-12 is the genealogy of Benjamin and the tribe of Dan, who lived in the centre of the country. So many patriarchs and mighty warriors, yet no war. As a result we see a shrinking condition. In Genesis it is recorded that Benjamin had a total of 10 sons, in the Book of Numbers it is 5, but here there are only 3. V12 also mentions that there was only one son, Tushin. Originally living in the centre of the country, they moved northward and became the first tribe to worship idols.

When a person has a false name, does nothing, and replaces God with idols, he will be deleted from God’s record, and his blessings from God will face a shrinking condition.

3. The Tribe of Naphtali (v13)

Before Jacob died, he blessed the tribe of Naphtali to be fruitful, as a fruitful doe giving birth to a fine fawn. Moses also blessed the tribe of Naphtali before he died, that they would be rich in favour and full of the blessings of the LORD, and that they would be able to inherit the west and the south. But only the names of the four sons are mentioned here, not even the number of them.

There were also many warriors in the tribe, but there is no other notable record of them in the Bible, except for the Book of Judges's record of Barak's victory with the tribe of Zebulun over the army of Jabin, the king of Canaan. Brothers and sisters, do we want to be remembered only as someone's child?

4. The Half Tribe of Manasseh (v14-19)

Here is a genealogy of the half tribe of Manasseh who lived in central Canaan west of the Jordan. Women have an important place in this genealogy. Earlier in Numbers we read that Zelophehad no sons. The daughters asked to inherit their father’s property so that his name would be remembered forever among God’s people. God answered their prayers.

The daughters of Zelophehad valued the remembrance of God more than the benefits of earthly possessions. As a result, they too are mphasizes d in this genealogy. Here is another reminder that our spiritual inheritance, God’s future reward, and the things of God are to be done with a heart of longing and supplication to the Lord. It mphasizes the God who gives life and abundance.

5. The Tribe of Ephraim (v20-29)

These 10 verses, v20-29, record some of the descendants of the tribe of Ephraim. From this long list of names, there are a few occurrences that can serve as reminders for our spiritual life:

(1) The foolishness of men and God's mercy (v21b-23)

Ephraim’s family descendants are recorded as both male and female. Ezer and Elead, 2 brothers, did not go to war, but stole sheep and cattle. As a result, they were killed, causing their father pain and sorrow, and leaving a bad reputation among the Gentiles.

When we are on the wrong side of the fence, we do the wrong thing. The result is not only failure and humiliation, but also serious injury or death. So don’t take the choices we make in life lightly.

In addition, Ezer and Elead, probably also thought too highly of themselves, thinking that the two brothers alone could defeat the men fo Gad, and ended up losing even their lives. Today, there are many Christians who also look at themselves more than they should. They think they can resist the temptations of the enemy, and they make excuses for vangelizing instead of running away from temptation. As a result, they are taken captive by the temptations of the world before their faith has matured.

(2) The wise woman builds up the kingdom of God (v24)

Though the son was not worthy, the God of mercy gave Ephraim a very outstanding daughter. v24 Sheerah was a woman of outstanding accomplishments. It was the building of the Lower and Upper Beth Horon and Uzzen Sheerah. She was a successful architect of his time and had excellent contribution to the society of the nation.

The daughters of God are to be wise women of God, not only in building their families, but also in building the Kingdom of God, pleasing God and leaving a good name.

(3) Taking up the mission to serve the Lord with the entire family (v27-28)

v27 Joshua took up Moses’ mission to lead the people of Israel into Canaan to receive the land promised by God. After the victory over the Amalekites, he humbly and quietly became Moses’ helper. He was a true warrior who served God faithfully to the end. He resolved, “but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” I believe this is the longing of all Christians, that we, with all of our families, will serve God faithfully, together, for the rest of our lives.

6. The Tribe of Asher (v30-40)

v30-40 It was the children of Asher who lived in the fertile land near the Mediterranean Sea located in the northwestern part of the land of Canaan, including the area north of Mount Carmel. In the days of Judges, the Asherites settled in the harbour and lived in great comfort. The fact that the local Canaanite population had not been completely driven out led to the fact that although they were all tribe leaders and mighty warriors among warriors, this elite force was relatively weak militarily and politically, and did little.

Brothers and sisters, be extra watchful in the days of comfort. Otherwise, it is easy to fall into temptation and forget God's mission and entrustment by focusing on self-enjoyment. If this happens, not only will you not be remembered by God at all, but you will also attract judgment.

Conclusion:

Although there was no lack of mighty warriors in the genealogies of the tribes in this chapter, the northern kingdom of Israel fell into captivity at an early age. When the king of Assyria and the coalition army of Aram attacked the northern kingdom of Israel in 853 B.C., the total strength of the Assyrian army was only 68,200 men. However, these five and a half tribes, despite having more than 230,000 mighty warriors, were unable to resist the Assyrian army that came from afar, and not only did they have the name of mighty warriors in vain, but they became captive slaves of the dead.

Today, I believe none of us would want others to only remember who we were born to, someone's child, or even forget our names. As God's children, we are all mighty warriors chosen by God. Ask God to help us to live out our destiny and election. Let us become the mighty warriors worthy of the name and be blessed in life and be a blessing to others.