耶利米书［第三章］
Book of Jeremiah 3
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耶利米书 第三章 |Book of Jeremiah 3【谁是我的唯一？】
引言：
一、何等恩典竟然糟蹋（v1-5）
神将自己与选民的关系预表成夫妻关系。根据律法，被休的妻子若已经嫁给别人，即使她的第二任丈夫已经逝世或休了她，前夫也不能把她再次娶回。耶利米先知说，跟神仍然拥有婚约犹大，拜偶像背叛神，是不可挽回的罪。理当永远被休，不配再作神的妻子。然而，慈爱的神却越过了律法的要求，愿意收回淫乱失节的以色列，这是何等浩大的恩典！圣洁的神竟然不嫌弃以色列的污秽，以永远的爱来爱以色列，不但没有撇下，反而顾惜行淫之妻，再给机会她归回自己。
当我们回头看自己过往的败坏，若不是神何等的恩典，给机会我们归回，我想我们每个人的结局应该都是在火湖里。
神以妓女来形容与偶像淫乱的百姓。她们坐在道旁等待顾客，并且他们的行淫心态就好像阿拉伯人在旷野埋伏，一见到人就扑上去。不但如此，百姓也糟蹋神的恩典。认为神是他们的恩主，不会永远怀怒。一定会饶恕并帮助他们。所以，没有认真悔改，继续随自己的私意而行。
我们是否与以色列百姓一样的糟蹋神的恩典呢？忽视了悔改和追求圣洁的必要性？认为只要错了就来到神面前说“sorry”，神是会一再赦免我们的？
二、藐视教训假意悔改（v6-11）
1.对罪麻木（v6-8）
约西亚王在为的时候在全国推行的宗教改革。但却只限官方表面的努力，并深入民间彻底改革民心。背道的以色列依然与偶像行淫。他们已经对罪麻木了。结果神让亚述掳走北国。
我们对神所不喜悦的事物会儆醒而刻意避免吗？还是我们信主久了就渐渐的麻木了。很多时候当我们明明知道是神所喜悦的却体贴肉体不去做，很快我们就变麻木。最终就会像慢火煮青蛙一样，死到临头已经太迟了。
2.假意悔改（v9-11）
耶和华指责犹大比以色列还堕落，因为她虽有北国沦亡的前车之监，却还一意孤行地拜偶像。更糟的是，他们口是心非，假意悔改。所以神说他们是奸诈的。
我们都听过“不知者无罪”。今天我们已经知道很多神的真理，并神对我们生命的要求。但我们有否奸诈的一面敬拜神，一面又敬拜变相的偶像？或暗地里做一些神不喜悦的事后，还以为神没有看到？
三、神主动呼唤回来吧！（v12-19）
1.情深呼唤真实悔改（12-13）
神深爱祂的百姓。不管是当时已经被掳的北国，或是正在步向灭亡的南国，神都主动情深呼唤他们“回来吧”！神知道人的软弱，知道人没有办法自己行义。所以主动呼唤，主动赦免他们的罪。并教导他们到祂面前真实的悔改，再次与祂恢复正常关系。
心版十戒，神是唯一创造我爱我的天父爸爸。爱永不断绝，长阔高深。让我们更体贴神的心，不让任何偶像霸占我们的心。就是一点点也不要。但是，如果真的不小心得罪了神，让我们永远记得，人生的道路只有两个转向，不是离开神，就是回到神面前。让我们选择快快回到神面前真实的悔改。
2.主动医治背道的病！（v14-25） 慈爱的天父就是如此的心软。当看到心爱百姓受苦，找不到出路时，就于心不忍。因此主动的呼唤背道的百姓“回来吧”！更是主动应允要医治他们背道的病。
神怎么医治背道的病呢？
a）得救在乎耶和华（v20-23）
神子民以为能靠偶像得救、得帮助。但是，神就让他们明白将得救的希望寄托在各种势力和偶像上，到最后都是徒然的。神才是他们的神，唯独依靠神才能得救。
b) 牧者引领归向神（v15-19）
神应许赐给以色列合祂心意的牧者。这些牧者将以知识和智慧来牧养他们，带领他们走在正路上。神也必亲自与他们同在，所以百姓也不需要像在旧约时代那样，再靠外在的约柜来确认神的同在。神更应许将犹大与以色列再度合一，把他们带回应许之地。且让耶路撒冷成为列国的祝福。他们也必称神为父，不再背离祂。
神给以色列的应许也是给我们的。要得此应许，我们要认定神是我们的唯一，不离弃神。
总结：神是我们的唯一
•爱神就不要糟蹋神恩。
•神是我们得救的保障。
•认定神、忠心爱主、服事主。
Jeremiah 3 Who Is My One and Only?
GK611 Morning Devotion
22/08/2024
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Ps Deborah
I. What Amazing Grace We Squander (v.1-5)
God likens His relationship with His chosen people to that of a marriage. According to the law, if a wife who has been divorced remarries and her second husband either dies or divorces her, the first husband is not allowed to take her back. The prophet Jeremiah explains that Judah, still in a covenant with God but having betrayed Him through idolatry, has committed an unforgivable sin. Judah deserves to be divorced forever and is unworthy to be God’s wife again. However, the loving-kindness God surpasses the demands of the law and He is willing to take back the unfaithful Israel. This is an immense act of grace! The holy God, despite Israel’s impurity, loves her with an everlasting love. Instead of abandoning her, He cherishes her and gives her another chance to return to Him.
As we reflect on our past sins, we realise that if it weren’t for God’s incredible grace that gives us a chance to return, we should all end up in the lake of fire. God describes His people, who have committed spiritual adultery with idols, as prostitutes waiting by the roadside for customers. Their mentality is compared to that of Arabs ambushing in the wilderness, ready to pounce on anyone they see. Moreover, the people of God squander His grace, believing that He will not remain angry forever and will surely forgive and help them. As a result, they do not sincerely repent and continue to follow their own desires.
Are we like the Israelites, squandering God’s grace? Do we overlook the necessity of repentance and the pursuit of holiness, assuming that as long as we say “sorry” to God, He will continually forgive us?
II. Despising Rebukes with Insincere Repentance (v.6-11)
1.Numbness to Sin (v.6-8)
During King Josiah’s reign, a nationwide religious reform was implemented. However, this reform was superficial, limited to external behaviour and not changing the hearts of the people. The backslidden Israelites continued to engage in idolatry, becoming numb to sin. Consequently, God allowed Assyria to capture the northern kingdom.
Do we remain vigilant against and deliberately avoiding things that displease God? Or have we become numb over time, as we become complacent in our faith? Often, when we know what pleases God but choose to indulge our flesh instead, we quickly become numb to sin. Eventually, like a frog being boiled slowly, it will be too late when death strikes.
2.Insincere Repentance (v.9-11)
The Lord condemns Judah as more corrupted than Israel because, despite witnessing the downfall of the northern kingdom, Judah persisted in idol worship. Worse still, they pretended to repent while continuing to sin. Thus, God calls them deceitful.
We have all heard the saying “those who do not know are not guilty” Today, we know many truths of God and His demands on our lives. But do we deceitfully worship God on one hand while secretly engaging in things that displease Him, thinking that God doesn’t see?
III. God Actively Calls Us Back! (v.12-19)
1.A Deep Call for Genuine Repentance (12-13)
God loves His people deeply. Whether they are the northern kingdom already in exile or the southern kingdom on the brink of destruction, God actively and compassionately calls out to them, “Return!” God understands human weakness and knows that people cannot live righteously on their own. Thus, He actively calls and forgives their sins, teaching them to genuinely repent and restore their relationship with Him.
On the Heartified Commandments, God is revealed as the only Creator and loving Heavenly Father. His love is unending, deep, and wide. Let us align our hearts with God’s heart intimately and allow no idols to occupy our hearts, not even a little. However, if we do sin against God, let us always remember that there are only two directions in life: away from God or back to Him. Let us choose to return to God quickly with genuine repentance.
2.Actively Healing the Backsliding Illness (v.14-25)
The compassionate Heavenly Father is soft-hearted. His heart aches when He sees His beloved people suffering and unable to find a way out. Thus, He actively calls out to His backslidden people, “Return!” and even promises to heal their backsliding illness.
How does God heal the backsliding illness?
a) Shepherds Who Lead Them Back to God (v.15-19)
God promises to give Israel shepherds after His own heart. These shepherds will guide them with knowledge and wisdom, leading them on the right path. God will also be present with them, so the people no longer need to rely on the physical Ark of the Covenant to confirm God’s presence as they did in the Old Testament. God further promises to reunite Judah and Israel, bringing them back to the promised land and making Jerusalem a blessing to all nations. The people will call God “Father” and will no longer turn away from Him.
b) Salvation Comes from Yahweh (v.20-23)
God’s people believed they could find salvation and help through idols. However, God leads them to realize that placing their hope for salvation in various powers and idols is ultimately in vain. God alone is their God, and only by relying on Him can they be saved.
The promises God made to Israel also apply to us. To receive these promises, we must recognize God as our only God and never forsake Him.
Conclusion: God is Our One and Only
- Loving God means not squandering His grace.
- God is our assurance of salvation.
- We must recognize God, love Him, and serve Him faithfully