用來審判的也受到審判

用來審判的也受到審判

「你們要哀號，因為耶和華的日子臨近了！這日來到，好像毀滅從全能者來到。」 - 賽13:6


　　這個世界是否已失去控制了呢？任何收聽新聞報告的人都會有這樣的想法。世界歷史彷彿像一輛無人駕駛、搖搖晃晃衝下山坡的公共汽車。如果你也為此擔憂，你可以從今天的經文看看很久以前的一些歷史片段。

　　神竟然使用信奉異教的國家來懲罰祂的子民。不過，神的性情和行動仍是始終一致的。巴比倫雖然是神用作審判的工具，但其實它和以色列或猶大一樣，也必會因犯罪受審判的。耶和華說：「我必因邪惡刑罰世界，因罪孽刑罰惡人，使驕傲人的狂妄止息，制伏強暴人的狂傲。」

　　接著，神又藉著另一個民族施行祂的公義，他們就是瑪代人：「我必激動瑪代人攻擊他們…巴比倫…傾覆。」然後便輪到瑪代人降卑被神使用，來協助以色列餘民返國，以準備迎接以馬內利的降臨了（參看但以理書8-9）。

　　我們的主是掌管歷史的神，無論是在昔日或在今天，祂對世界前面的路已有清楚的計劃，這世界的終點就是祂平安的國度，在裏面人人都和平安康。今天，如果你是這個國度的子民，你大可以安心了，因為你知道，神會叫萬事互相效力來成就這件事的（參看羅馬書8:28）。




THE INSTRUMENT OF JUDGMENT IS JUDGED

“Wail, for the day of the LORD is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty. ” - Isaiah 13:6

Is the world out of control? Anyone who listens to the news might think so. The bus of world history seems to be careening down a mountain road with no one at the wheel. If that’s your fear, take a look at the snapshot from ancient history in today’s passage.

God used pagan nations to bring judgment on his people. But God is consistent in his character and in his actions. Babylon, which served as God’s instrument of punishment, is no better than Israel or Judah. It too must be judged for its sin. The Lord says, “I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless.”

Later, the interests of God’s justice would be carried out through yet another people, the Medes: “I will stir up against them the Medes . . . . Babylon . . . will be overthrown.” The Medes in turn would also be humbled by God and used to assist the remnant to return to prepare for the coming Immanuel (see Daniel 8-9).

Our Lord is the God of history. He has, then and now, clear intentions about where the world is headed. The destination is his kingdom of shalom (peace and well-being for all). If you are a citizen of that kingdom today, you can find confidence in knowing that God works all things for this ultimate good (see Romans 8:28).