Month: March 2024

08/03/2024

引言：

现在各个支派都已经安营摆阵。神的会幕在全部人的中间，每一个人都对准神、敬畏神。现在大军兴起、阵营强盛、也有神的指示，大家都要准备前进了。但这预表者神的帐幕、约柜、神的荣耀也要向前行，神就在这里特别把抬神的约柜心意和标准都讲出来，让以色列民都可以跟随祂、让神的荣耀在他们当中。这非常重要，也是非常危险的的任务，因为有人确实用手扶约柜就死了。

一、第一数点：按神心意敬拜神

在这一段的经文里是对利未人职务的描述，会幕的职务是由三批人来执行的。

1.哥辖子孙的职分（V1-20）

他们在会幕里主要的职务乃是“搬运至圣之物”，提到六件圣物包括法柜、施恩座、陈设饼、金灯台、金香炉和铜祭坛。圣所有七件圣物，这里提了六件，除了洗濯盆。即会幕所用的家私和器具。

每一样的器具都有神的其意义，虽然这看起来是一个死物，但这些圣物都是引导人亲近神、敬拜神。所以即使是搬运至圣之物的工作，这都是非常有意义的，因为他们所作的有间接引导人到神面前的属灵意义。哥辖族的职责是要把神的圣物包好，按照神的方式、神的心意、神的圣洁去做，并且不可以摸，只有祭司可以摸。

2.革顺子孙的职分（V21-28）

革顺子孙所作的与哥辖子孙所作的完全不相同，他们的主要职务就是抬和办会幕里面的事。他们要抬帐幕，帐幕的幔子、会幕的盖、海狗皮、会幕的门帘，还有院子里面的帷子和门帘、绳子等所有的器具，并且由以他玛是来看守。

3.米拉利子孙的职分（V29-33）

他们的职责同样是按照上面的格式记载，他们所作的是关乎会幕里的“根基”──“板、闩、柱子、座”。

二、数点再数点（V34-45）

这里再一次数点利未支派男丁的统计。

三、再三数点（V46-49）

经文的最后一段落仍然不断地在讲数点。这就如神一直再三叮咛一样，因为要抬着约柜、在神的会幕里服事都有神的次序与心意。

经文重复了十次“数点”，“数点”原文的意思是 “ visit (造访) ”，抬着神的荣耀往前行的人，要有神的数点【造访】、神的触摸。

每个服事的人，都是神再三数点，是神拣选的，并且做什么、摆阵扎营在哪里、起行是第几个起行、要拿什么，神都有特别吩咐，不可以掉以轻心。并且，大家是一起同心前行的，没有人是留在后面或是走在更前，每一个人所搬的都是重要的，缺一不可。

总结：

预备我们的心，回应我们的神，按神的心意，我们要一起兴起，同心抬起神的荣耀前进！

Numbers Chapter 4: “Arise and Advance According to the Will of God”
GK611 Morning Devotion
08/3/2024
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Co -worker Asher Chang

Introduction：

Now all the tribes have set up camp. The tabernacle of God is in the midst of everyone, and everyone is oriented toward God and reverent to God. Now that the army is rising, the camp is strong, and there are instructions from God, everyone must be ready to move forward. But this is a sign that God’s tabernacle, the ark, and the glory of God will also move forward. God specifically stated his intention and standards for carrying Ark of Covenant here, so that the Israelites can follow Him and let God’s glory be in them. This was a very important and dangerous task because some people died while holding the Ark of the Covenant with their hands.

1. The first point: Worship God according to His will

In this passage is a description of the duties of the Levites. The duties of the tabernacle were performed by three groups of people.

(1) The duties of the sons of Kohath (V1-20)

Their main duty in the tabernacle was to “carry the most holy things.” The six holy objects mentioned include the ark of the testimony, the mercy seat, the showbread, the golden lampstand, the golden censer, and the bronze altar. There are seven holy objects in the sanctuary, six of which are mentioned here, except the laver. That is, the furniture and utensils used in the tabernacle.

Every utensil has its meaning from God. Although it seems to be a dead object, these holy objects guide people to get close to God and worship God. Therefore, even the work of carrying the most holy things is very meaningful because what they do has the spiritual significance of indirectly leading people to God. The Kohathites have to wrap up God’s holy things, do them according to God’s way, God’s will, and God’s holiness, and they are not allowed to touch them. Only the priests can touch them.

(2) The duties of the sons of Gershon (V21-28)

What the sons of Gershon did was completely different from what the sons of Kohath did. Their main duties were to carry the curtains of the tabernacle and the tabernacle of meeting with its covering, the covering of badger skins that is on it, the screen for the door of the tabernacle of meeting, the screen for the door of the gate of the court, the hangings of the court which are around the tabernacle and altar, and their cords, and these duties shall be under the authority of Ithamar.

(3) Duties of the Sons of Merari (V29-33)

Their duties are also recorded according to the above format. What they do is related to the “foundation” of the tabernacle – “boards, bars, pillars, and sockets.”

2. Count again and again (V34-45)

Here again is the statistics of the males of the tribe of Levi.

3. Count again (V46-49)

The last paragraph of the scripture continues to talk about numbers. This is just like God’s repeated instructions because carrying the Ark of the Covenant and serving in God’s tabernacle all have God’s order and intention.

The verse repeats the word “numbered” ten times. The original text of “numbered” means “visit”. Those who carry God’s glory forward must have God’s numbered [visit] and God’s touch.

Every person who serves has been carefully counted by God and has been chosen by God. He also has special instructions regarding what to do, where to set up camp, which number to set out on, and what to take. God has special instructions, do not take them lightly. Moreover, everyone moves forward together, no one stays behind or goes ahead. Everything that everyone moves is important and indispensable.

Conclusion：

Prepare our hearts to respond to our God. According to God’s will, we must rise together and move forward with the glory of God in one heart!

07/03/2024

引言：

一、承接圣职、不献凡火（v1-4）

亚伦4个儿子，拿答，亚比户、以利亚撒、以他玛，都是受膏作祭司。祭司是在会幕中代表百姓向神献祭赎罪，为百姓代求。所以是一份非常神圣的职分和服事。但是，v4拿答、亚比户在西乃的旷野向耶和华献凡火时，就当场被神用火烧死。

祭司的事奉是非常神圣的职分。不能凭自己的喜好或热心，甚至是为了贪图虚浮的掌声。事奉必须要按神的心意去服事神和服事人。事奉不能脱离工作，但工作不一定是事奉。凡火的‘凡’意思是‘疏离’。当我们的服事是与神疏离，所做的不但会带不出果效，更是带来属灵的灭亡。

同工、小组长们，在服事上，让我们不献凡火。而是按神心意，依靠圣灵去完成神交付的使命，并且将服事和使命传承给下一代。

二、按神拣选、圣别归主（v5-13）

在神所给我们的位份、职责上尽心事奉外，很重要的一点是不可越过神给我们的权限。按神的拣选，分别为圣归神。

V11-13神把以色列百姓带出了埃及，神便宣告以色列中凡头生的，无论是人是牲畜，都要分别为圣归祂” 作为蒙拯救的纪号。因此，以色列死里逃生的头生长子的生命都不再属于自己，全要分别为圣归给神，在会幕中事奉祂。

三、各尽其职、同心事主（v14-38）

1．生命的事奉（v14-20）

神要摩西按利未人的宗族、家室，凡一个月以外的男子，都要数点他们。并把他们分成团队，分配不同的工作让他们负责。

真正的事奉是不受年纪和经历的限制。在一般人的眼中，服事的条件是学历、经历、恩赐。但在神眼里事奉讲究的是生命。

2．团队的事奉（v21-38）

革顺、哥辖、米拉利是对着会幕来安营。革顺在帐幕的西边安营、哥辖在南边、米拉利在北边。东边则由摩西、亚伦与儿子看守。

虽然革顺、哥辖、米拉利被分配与不同的工作，但都围绕着会幕来事奉。教会也当建立团队，各尽其职，但事奉的中心和对象都是神。

四、人人有份、人人有责（v39-51）
神接着要摩西从以色列人中数点头生的男子，并重提他拣选利未人归自己，代替以色列人所有头生的来事奉他。

“代替”的原文就是“救赎”

数点结果是以色列头生的男丁人数比利未人多了273人。神要他们按人丁，照圣所的平，每人取五舍客勒当成赎银，把他们全都赎出来。

基督的救恩是给所有人的。每一个人的都可以来领受主的救赎。还有22,000个利未人，每一个都必须代替以色列人中的头生。所以，全体是没有一个闲懒的人。今天你和我都是神所拣选的利未人，我们都要竭力将主的福音传扬出去，使人得救赎是我们的责任。

总结：你是君尊的祭司

我们都是被主耶稣所数点的利未人。是君尊的祭司。不伦我们今天是全职、还是带职的事奉，让我们都按神心意来事奉祂。积极的继续为主作代赎的工作。

Numbers 3 Serving According to God’s Will
GK611 Morning Devotion
07 March 2024
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Ps Deborah Tan

1. Taking up the Priesthood, not offering profane fire (v1-4)

The 4 sons of Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, were anointed as priests. The priests were the ones who offered sacrifices to God on behalf of the people in the tabernacle to make atonement for their sins and to make intercession for the people. So it was a very sacred office and ministry. However, v4 Nadab and Abihu were burned by God on the spot in the wilderness of Sinai when they offered the profane fire to the Lord.

The ministry of the priests was a very sacred office. It must not be done on the basis of one’s own preferences or zeal, or even for the sake of vain applause. The ministry had to be about serving God and serving people according to God’s heart. Service cannot be separated from work, but work is not necessarily serving. The ‘profane’ of where fire means ‘detached’. When our ministry is detached from God, what we do will not only bring no fruitfulness, but also bring spiritual destruction.

Co-workers and cell group leaders, in our ministry, let’s not offer the profane fire. Rather, let us fulfill the mission of God according to God’s heart and rely on the Holy Spirit to accomplish the mission of God, and pass on the serving and mission to the next generation.

2. According to God’s election, holy set apart to the Lord (v5-13)

In addition to serving with all our heart in the positions and duties given to us by God, it is very important that we do not exceed the authority given to us by God. Holy Separation to God according to God’s election.

V11-13 When God brought the people of Israel out of Egypt, God proclaimed that all the firstborn in Israel, whether they were men or cattle, were to be set apart and belong to Him” as a sign of salvation. Therefore, the lives of the firstborn of Israel who had been raised from the dead were no longer their own, but were to be set apart and holy to God, to serve Him in the tabernacle.

3. Each one does his part and serves the Lord with one heart (v14-38)

(1) The Serving of Life (v14-20)

God told Moses to count all the men of the Levites by their clans and families, every man beyond one month. And to divide them into teams and assign different jobs for them to be responsible for.

True serving is not limited by age or experience. In the eyes of ordinary people, the conditions for serving are education, experience, and gifts. But in God’s eyes, serving is about life.

(2) Serving Team (v21-38)

Gershon, Kohath, and Merari were camped against the tabernacle. Gershon camped on the west side of the tabernacle, Kohath on the south side, and Merari on the north side. The east side was guarded by Moses, Aaron and his sons.

Although Gershon, Kohath, and Merari were assigned different tasks, they all served around the tabernacle. Churches should also build up teams, each doing its own job, but the centre and subject of serving is God.

4. Everyone has a part and responsibility (v39-51)

God then asked Moses to count the firstborn men from among the Israelites and repeated that he had chosen the Levites for himself to serve him in place of all the firstborn of Israel.

The word “replace” is “redeem.”

The result of the count was that the number of firstborn males in Israel exceeded the number of Levites by 273. God asked them to redeem them all by taking five shekels for each of them, according to their number, according to the shekel of the sanctuary.

Christ’s salvation is for all. Every human being’s can come and receive the Lord’s salvation. There were also 22,000 Levites, each of whom had to take the place of the firstborn of Israel. Therefore, there is not one idle person in the group. Today you and I are God’s chosen Levites, and we must do our best to spread the gospel of the Lord, so that it is our responsibility to bring salvation to people.

Conclusion: You are a royal priest

We are all Levites counted by the Lord Jesus. We are royal priests. Regardless of whether we are serving full-time or part-time today, let us all serve God as He desires. Let us actively continue the work of substitutionary atonement for the Lord.

06/03/2024

引言：

第一章说到【兴起大军】；跟着就是要【安营摆阵】，以便面对未来的人生挑战，过个以神为中心的必胜人生。

一、子民当以神为中心（2:1-2）

2:1 耶和华晓谕摩西、亚伦说：
2:2 “以色列人要各归自己的纛下，在本族的旗号那里，对着会幕的四围安营。

人生充满了各种要命的争战，你若没有意识到这事，你就只能处于被虏掠和受辖制的地步。甚至被黑暗捆绑，醉生梦死还自以为是。就像恐怖份子以残暴杀戮为英雄之举，竟不知这是一种蒙蔽？

以色列民离开咒诅的埃及之后，神立刻把他们定位为神的军队，神亲自作他们的元帅。今天第二章要让百姓明白如何扎营摆阵，一个以神为中心的阵营，面对未来的人生争战，以神为中心的生活才是得胜的保障。

二、扎营摆阵按神指示（2:3-31）

神特别为选民中的12支派命名，而且吩咐各支派按照神的指定，各归各营，各就各位。不是随意分组，而是有特定安排。因此，我们从这12支派的名字意思，可以看出这阵容的方向与意义。

1.凡事【赞美】为先—既有【价值】又【高贵】！（V3-9）

扎营在东边，向着日出之地，这是整个军队起行之时的带头者。这到底有什么启示和意义呢？
从各支派大族的名字显然就显出神的意思。犹大的意思是【赞美】、以萨迦的意思是【有价值】、西布伦的意思是指【高贵的】。换句话说，人生之路要以赞美神作为开始，既是说神是带头的。跟着队伍中的以萨迦则表明这是有价值的，如此安排的人生是高贵的。换言之：高贵而有价值的人生就是以赞美神为一切行动的开始。

2.要作【儿子】且【听话】—才能成为主【大军】！（V10-17）

摆阵在南面的三个支派是行动时的第二队；流便是指【看哪儿子】、西缅的意思是【听见】、迦得的意思是【军队】！要作神的儿子就要会听，只有这样才能成为神的大军。这样才有力量战胜未来的战役。

3.得着【丰盛】则【忘忧】—才能成为【右手之子】！（V18-24）

紧跟着的第三大队是西边的队伍，他们是以【丰盛】为旗号的大军。因为丰盛而导致【忘记】了过去的羞辱和失败。而且都要成为【右手之子】，右手代表神的能力。按此名字所包含的意思，神子民的经历一定是丰盛的，因为丰盛而促使他们渐渐忘记了过去的羞辱。从而成为神的名下，大有能力的子民。

4.得蒙【伸冤】就【有福】—提防外来的【相争】！（V25-31）

最后是摆阵于北边的队伍，他们要成为末后的审判官，就一切受冤屈的得回公道。好让最终的快乐蒙福临到。守在最后的队伍名为【相争】。因为在他们的后面就不再是神的军队，而是世界的其他敌对者，因此会有属世的血气之权势要引发相争，因此得要特别的留心。

三、利未献身全职服事（2:32-34）

在12支派的四大队伍分四面环绕会幕，而代表神的会幕则由利未支派所环绕。表明他们是分别为圣，专门负责经营约柜与会幕的事。（民2:17 “随后，会幕要往前行，有利未营在诸营中间。他们怎样安营，就怎样往前行，各按本位，各归本纛。）

总结：这是神指示祂子民的人生模式

以色列百姓是神的子民，神给他们的生活模式即是他们得胜的法则。换成今天的注解，既是基督徒要以基督为中心，既是以教会为中心。我们要分成不同小组，并且各按各自的小组摆位。凡事以主为先，可是别忘记后方还是有争战。我们唯有保守自己在群队里，同心前行不分散，我们就会去到最后的全然得胜与荣耀。

Numbers 2 Setting up the camp
GK611 Morning Devotion
6 March 2024
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Rev David Tan

Introduction：

Chapter 1 talks about [raising up an army]; then it is time to [set up camp] in order to face the challenges of life in the future, and to live a victorious God-centred life.

1. The people should be God-centred (2:1-2)

V1 And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying: V2“Everyone of the children of Israel shall camp by his own standard, beside the emblems of his father’s house; they shall camp some distance from the tabernacle of meeting.

Life is full of all kinds of deadly battles, and if you do not realise this, you will only be in a position of captivity and bondage. You are even in bondage to darkness, drunkenness and self-righteousness. Just like the terrorists who are heroic in their brutal killings, not realising that this is a form of delusion?

Immediately after the people of Israel left cursed Egypt, God positioned them as His army, with God Himself as their general. Today’s chapter 2 is to let the people understand how to set up their camp, a God-centred camp, and how a God-centred life is a guarantee of victory in the battles of life to come.

2. Setting up camps and positions according to God’s instructions (V3-31)

God specifically named the 12 tribes of the elect and commanded each tribe to camp and take its place according to God’s designation. Not random groupings, but a specific arrangement. Therefore, we can see the direction and significance of this formation from the meaning of the names of these 12 tribes.

(1) Praise comes first in all things – both [valuable] and [noble]! (V3-9)

Encamped in the east, towards the place of sunrise, this is the leader of the whole army as it rises. What is the revelation and significance of this?
God’s meaning is evident from the names of the great tribes. Judah means [praise], Issachar means [valuable], and Zebulun means [noble]. In other words, the path of life begins with praising God, which means both that God is leading the way. Following the procession with Issachar then indicates that it is valuable and that the life so arranged is noble. In other words: a noble and worthy life is one in which praising God is the beginning of all actions.

(2) To be [sons] and [obedient] – to be in the Lord’s [army]! (V10-17)

The three tribes in the south were the second group in the action; Reuben means [behold the son], Simeon means [hear], and Gad means [army]! To be a son of God one must be able to hear, and only then can one become an army of God. Only then will you have the strength to overcome the battles ahead.

(3) If you have [abundance], you will [forget your worries] – only then can you become [a son of the right hand]! (V18-24)

The third large group immediately following is the group in the west, and they are the large army under the banner of [abundance]. Because of the abundance it leads to [forgetting] the humiliation and defeat of the past. And all will become [sons of the right hand], the right hand representing the power of God. According to the meaning contained in this name, the experience of God’s people must be abundant, and because of that abundance they are prompted to gradually forget the humiliation of the past. Thus they become a powerful people in the name of God.

(4) Blessed are those who have been [redressed] – Beware of foreign [rivalry]! (V25-31)

Lastly, there is the procession in the north, who will be the last judge and will bring justice to all who have been wronged. So that the final joy may be blessed. The procession at the end is called [contending]. Because behind them will no longer be the armies of God, but other adversaries of the world, there will be worldly powers of blood that will lead to strife, and therefore must be aware.

3. To have [abundance] is to [forget] – to become [a son of the right hand]! (V18-24)

The third large group immediately following is the group from the west, and they are a large army with [abundance] as their banner. Because of the abundance it leads to [forgetting] the humiliation and defeat of the past. And all will become [sons of the right hand], the right hand representing the power of God. According to the meaning contained in this name, the experience of God’s people must be abundant, and because of that abundance they are prompted to gradually forget the humiliation of the past. Thus they become a powerful people in the name of God.

4. Blessed are those who have been [redressed] – Beware of foreign [rivalry]! (V25-31)

Lastly, there is the procession in the north, who will be the last judge and will bring justice to all who have been wronged. So that the final joy may be blessed. The procession at the end is called [rivalry]. Because behind them will no longer be the armies of God, but other adversaries of the world, there will be worldly powers of blood that will lead to strife, and therefore must be aware.

3. Levi’s devoted full-time ministry (2:32-34)

The four main groups of the 12 tribes surrounded the tabernacle on four sides, while the tabernacle representing God was surrounded by the tribe of Levi. Indicating that they were separate and holy and dedicated to operating the Ark of God and the Tabernacle. (Num. 2:17 “And the tabernacle of meeting shall move out with the camp of the Levites in the middle of the camps; as they camp, so they shall move out, everyone in his place, by their standards..)

Conclusion: This is the pattern of life that God instructed His people to follow

The people of Israel were God’s people, and the pattern of life that God gave them was the law of their victory. Translated into today’s annotation, both Christians are to be Christ-centred and church-centred. We are to be divided into groups and positioned according to our groups. Put the Lord first in all things, but don’t forget that there is still a battle going on behind the scenes. Only if we keep ourselves in the group and walk in unity and do not scatter, we will go to the final victory and glory.

05/03/2024

前言：

民数记作者是摩西，记录了神带领以色列百姓离开西奈山，经过旷野，前往迦南应许之地的历史。民数记第一章的主题是讲述：神数点民数的心意。

一、数点男丁 编组成军（V1-3）

这是耶和华第一次命令摩西数点兵丁。数点的目是为了将以色列子民，按着各支派的二十岁以上男丁人数编组成军，预备以色列子进入迦南美地争战，得地为业。

在《出埃及记》的时候，其他国家看以色列是乌合之众，以色列看自己是痛苦可怜的人；但在神的眼中，看他们是军队，是要进入应许之地，得胜仇敌！得到美地的！

我们也是神的子民，不要再看自己是受苦无助的，每天满是牢骚怨言；要以属神的眼光，看自己是得胜仇敌的精兵！

二、从会众中 拣选领袖（V4-16）

神吩咐摩西在每支派里找出族长，来帮助他数点人口。这些族长是神亲自从会众中，拣选作本支派的首领，也是军队的统领。

在现今神也要拣选祂的子民做领袖，在职场、社区、学校、家庭，成为有影响力、祝福人的生命！在教会人人都是小组长，起来牧养主的羊！

三、遵守吩咐 执行任务（V17-46）

摩西对神的晓谕，他就传达；对神的吩咐，他就遵守。结果每个支派的人都被数点了，每个细节都遵守了神的命令，忠实地遵守神的吩咐，执行任务。

我们要学习以色列人的榜样，执行神的工作，要完全遵守神的吩咐，不能偷工减料。不然就成了一种走捷径的习惯和模式，渐渐就会偏行己路！

四、特别使命 在利未人（V47-53）

利未人的使命不是打战。他们是被分别出来为神看守会幕，看管属灵的事，要竭力地防止罪恶，避免神的义怒临到以色列。

圣经告诉我们每一位神的儿女，都有祭司的职分，我们也当分别为圣，蒙神的喜悦才能在争战中得胜。分别为圣的生活最大特征就是，听道行道！就像以色列人一样，V53 凡耶和华所吩咐摩西的，他们就照样行了。

总结：

民数记第一章通过神数点民数，让我们看见神的心意，是要祂的子民走出旷野进入美地，得地为业，成为应许之地的领袖。这也光照我们，只要完全遵守神的吩咐，我们必能被神兴起，与神前进；进入得胜，成为美好的见证！成为众人的祝福！

Numbers 1 God’s Intention in Numbering the People
GK611 Morning Devotion
05 March 2024
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Ps Daniel Kew

Introduction：

The author of Numbers is Moses, who records the history of God leading the Israelites from Mount Sinai, through the wilderness, and toward the Promised Land of Canaan. The theme of the first chapter of Numbers is about God’s intention in numbering the people.

1. Count the men and form an army (V1-3)

This was the first time Jehovah commanded Moses to number his soldiers. The purpose of counting was to organise the Israelites into an army according to the number of males over twenty years old from each tribe and to prepare the children of Israel to enter the good land of Canaan to fight and take possession of the land.

At the time of Exodus, other countries saw Israel as a ragtag crowd, and Israel saw itself as a miserable and pitiful people; but in the eyes of God, they were seen as an army that wanted to enter the Promised Land and defeat the enemy! Acquire the good land!

We are also God’s people. We should no longer see ourselves as suffering and helpless, full of complaints and grievances every day; we should see ourselves as elite soldiers who defeat the enemy from a God-like perspective!

2. Select leaders from the congregation (V4-16)

God told Moses to find the heads of each tribe to help him count the people. These tribe leaders were chosen by God Himself from among the congregation to be the leaders of their tribes and the commanders of the army.

Nowadays, God also chooses His people to be leaders, to become influential and to bless people’s lives in the workplace, community, school, and family! Everyone in the church is a cell group leader, rise to shepherd the Lord’s sheep!

3. Obey instructions and perform the tasks (V17-46)

Moses conveyed God’s instructions and obeyed God’s instructions. As a result, people from every tribe were numbered, and they obeyed God’s orders in every detail. They faithfully obeyed God’s instructions and performed their tasks.

We must learn from the example of the Israelites, carry out God’s work, obey God’s instructions completely, and not cut corners. Otherwise, it will become a habit and pattern of taking shortcuts, and you will gradually go your own way!

4. Special mission among the Levites (V47-53)

The mission of the Levites was not to fight. They were set apart to guard the tabernacle for God, to take care of spiritual matters, and to do their best to prevent sin and avoid God’s righteous wrath from coming to Israel.

The Bible tells us that every child of God has the post of a priest. We should also be set apart and please God to win the battle. The greatest characteristic of a sanctified life is to listen to the Word and do the Word! Just like the Israelites, V53 they did everything the Lord commanded Moses.

Conclusion：

In the first chapter of Numbers, God counts the people, allowing us to see God’s intention, which is for His people to come out of the wilderness and enter the good land, take possession of the land, and become the leaders of the Promised Land.

This also enlightens us that if we obey God’s instructions completely, we will be able to be raised by God and move forward with God; we will enter victory and become a beautiful testimony! Be a blessing to everyone!

01/03/2024

一、祝福人，不贪婪的口

1. 愿意祝福的心 (V1-3)

雅各在这里再一次提醒富足的人，即是有钱人。其实有钱并没有错，有钱可以是神的祝福，是好的事情，也是荣耀神的见证。这里提到财物坏了、衣服也被虫子咬了、金银都长了锈，是指当时候的有钱人只一味积攒钱财。这是有钱人的考验和试探。

财物收住不用久了也会坏，又或者收起来不用不就好像无用处之地。就像蒙恩得救的人如果不起来服事神，见证神，那也就成为“白占地土”，无用的人了。

我们的钱财都是神的，透过十一奉献、乐捐的奉献、慈惠的奉献、和敬拜时的奉献，让我们也可以成为蒙福的器皿。

2. 不亏待亏欠人 (V4)

当时候有许多收割庄稼的雇工倚靠当天的工资生活，亏欠工钱意味着他们手停，口也跟着停，让他们马上挨饿了。被亏待的人，神会为他们伸冤。这里提醒我们，若我们是为人老板的，要按时出粮，不要耽延，免得我们的得罪神。

3. 不贪婪别人的 (V5-6)

神赐给我们的财富，不是让我们不节制地去挥霍浪费，也不是为了闲置朽坏，而是让我们可以依靠神给我们的智慧，好好理财，成为分享神祝福的管道。以金钱欺压人的，最后必遭受神的审判。

二、相信祂，不埋怨的口 (V7-11)

我们要留心自己的口，不说埋怨、苦读的话。在任何的逼迫下，不急着用自己的方式为自己伸张正义。我们相信神是公义的神，也相信约伯的经历，有神我们真的可以不用去怕。神是公义的神，祂必帮助我们，神也会为我们伸冤。

三、有真诚，有爱心的口

1. 有真诚的话 (V12)

叫人相信的人，根本不需要起誓。我们口里每一句话，将来都会面对审判的。我们说话要诚实，是就说是，不是就说不是，不需要用发誓来证明自己所说的话。面对一切的挑战、艰难、逼迫，我们可以真诚待人，说诚实的话，成为可靠的人。

2. 有信心的话 (V13-18)

有受苦的人，他就该祷告，就是持续的祷告，直到神出手；有喜乐的人，他就该歌颂！这是对神的赞美，是更有力量的祷告。面对苦难的时候，让我们的口是持续感恩和赞美。我们在患难、逼迫中往往不喜乐，会发怨言，就生病了。有病的人，就可以请教会牧者和小组长奉主名为他抹油祷告，因为他们都是教会的属灵领袖。

3. 有爱心的话 (V19-20)

失迷真道的是指在试炼中软弱跌倒的弟兄。我们不要单顾自己的事情，也应该用爱心的话帮助身边的弟兄姐妹，使他悔改，领受救恩。

总结：

整卷雅各书都告诉我们在苦难中该如何做，特别是要勒住我们的舌头。我们的口可以说出彼此鼓励、互相代祷、有真诚、有信心、有爱心的话。

James Chapter 5: “The Mouth that Delights God”
GK611 Morning Devotion
01/03/2024
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Co-worker Asher Chang

1. A mouth that blesses people and not greedy

(1) A heart that is willing to bless (V1-3)

Here James once again reminds us that a wealthy person is a rich person. In fact, there is nothing wrong with having money. Having money can be a blessing from God, a good thing, and a testimony that glorifies God. The mention here that property is broken, clothes are bitten by insects, and gold and silver are rusty refers to the fact that the wealthy people at that time just kept accumulating money. This is the test and temptation of the rich.

If the property is not used for a long time, it will break down, or if it is not used for a long time, it will become useless. Just like if a person who has been saved by grace does not stand up to serve God and bear witness to God, he will become a useless person who “use up the ground.”

Our money belongs to God. Through tithes, charitable offerings, benevolent offerings, and offerings during worship, we can also become vessels of blessing.

（2） Don’t treat those you owe wrongly (V4)

At that time, many hired workers who harvested crops depended on the day’s wages. Failure to pay wages meant that they have nothing to eat when they stopped working, causing them to starve immediately. God will avenge those who have been wronged. Here we are reminded that if we are bosses, we must pay wages on time and not delay, lest we offend God.

（3） Don’t be greedy for others (V5-6)

The wealth God has given us is not meant for us to squander without restraint, nor is it meant to be idle and decay. It is meant to allow us to rely on the wisdom God has given us, manage our finances well, and become a channel to share God’s blessings. Those who oppress others with money will eventually suffer God’s judgment.

2. Believe in Him and have a mouth that does not complain (V7-11)

We must watch our mouths and not speak words of complaint or bitterness. Under any pressure, do not rush to seek justice for yourself in your way. We believe that God is a righteous God, and we also believe in Job’s experience. With God, we don’t need to be afraid. God is a righteous God, He will help us, and God will avenge us.

3. Have a sincere and loving mouth

(1) Sincere words (V12)

He who makes others believe does not need to swear at all. Every word we speak will face judgment in the future. We need to be honest when we speak. We say yes when we do, and we say no when we don’t. We don’t need to swear to prove what we say. In the face of all challenges, difficulties, and persecutions, we can be sincere to others, speak honest words, and become reliable people.

(2) Words of faith (V13-18)

If there is a person who is suffering, he should pray, that is, continue to pray until God takes action; if there is a person who is happy, he should sing praises! This is a praise to God and a more powerful prayer. When facing suffering, let us continue to express gratitude and praise. When we are in trouble or persecution, we often feel unhappy, complain, and become sick. If a person is sick, he can ask the church pastors and cell leaders to anoint him with oil and pray in the Lord, because they are the spiritual leaders of the church.

(3) Words of love (V19-20)

Those who have lost the faith refer to brothers who are weak and fall in trials. We should not only care about our own affairs, but also use words of love to help the brothers and sisters around us to repent and receive salvation.

Conclusion：

The entire book of James tells us what to do in times of suffering, especially to bridle our tongues. Our mouths can speak words of encouragement, prayer for each other, words of sincerity, faith, and love.