士师记［第十二章］
Book of Judges 12
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士师记第十二章|Book of Judges 12【人蒙拣选乃是神的恩典】
13/01/2023
引言：
士师也有不足和软弱。神使用他们，不是因为他们超人一等，乃是因着神的恩典！
一、怒杀同胞的士师（V1-7）
1.以法莲出言挑衅（V1-3）
以法莲人因着好大喜功，曾用同样的理由：为什么‘没招’而‘与基甸大大地争吵’（士8:1），但被基甸用智慧的话语平息了争吵。这次以法莲人比上一次更过分。他们不只是争吵，还出言威胁耶弗他要烧他的房子，并挑衅攻打基列人。
恶人先告状，出言挑衅威胁，是败坏的人性在争权夺利时常见的表现。
2.耶弗他恼怒追杀（V4-6）
耶弗他被以法莲对基列人的讥讽，大大地激起他的怒气，要击杀以法莲人。就算以法莲人想否认自己的身分，他也要追杀到底。耶弗他在此役共杀了四万二千人，令他成为屠杀同胞的凶手！
肢体相争只会是‘双输’结局！面对别人无理的攻击、恶意的质问，能够柔和的回应，不但需要有智慧，更需要有忍耐包容的力量！
3.耶弗他盖棺定论（V7）
虽然耶弗他有许多的缺点，但仍然被列为信心的榜样（来11:32）。因为神要借着耶弗他向我们显明，像耶弗他这样有软弱缺点的人，也能因着神所赐的信心而蒙拯救被使用。
二、一带而过的士师（V8-15）
1.以比赞（V8-10）
以比赞应该是一个很富有，并和其他地方的人有好关系的士师。他作了七年的士师。
2.以伦（V11-12）
士师中以伦的资料最少。只记录他作了十年的士师。
3. 押顿（V13-15）
三代同堂的押顿，应该也是一个有钱有势的士师。作了八年的士师。
这三位士师在位的时间都很短，也没有提到他们有任何的伟大事迹。但神还是把他们的名字记录下来。所以，不要以为我们在教会的事奉微不足道，其实神早已把我们的名字记录下来了！
总结：
不管我们怎样评估耶弗他、比赞、以伦、押顿的的成败，我们都不能否认是神拣选了他们；神的拣选不在乎人的贵贱，乃在乎神的恩典！同样的，神使用我们这些‘小人物’，不是因为我们无瑕疵，而是因着祂怜悯和恩典，给我们服事的机会。所以，我们当尽心尽力的服事神服事人！
Judges 12: It is by the grace of God that man is chosen
GK611 Morning Devotion
13/1/2023
Speaker: Ps. Daniel Kew
Introduction:
The judges also had shortcomings and weaknesses. God uses them, not because they are superior, but because of His grace!
1. The judge who angrily killing of a fellow friend (V1-7)
(1) Ephraim spoke out to provoke (V1-3)
The Ephraimites had 'quarreled greatly with Gideon' (Judg. 8:1) for the same reason: why 'there was no move', but the quarrel was quelled by Gideon with words of wisdom.This time the Ephraimites went even further than the last time. They did not just quarrel, but they threatened Jephthah with burning his house and provoked an attack on the Gileadites.
It is a common manifestation of corrupt human nature to make threats and provocations in the struggle for power and profit.
(2) Jephthah's anger and pursuit (V4-6)
Jephthah's anger was greatly aroused by Ephraim's mockery of the Gileadites, and he wanted to kill the Ephraimites. Even if the Ephraimites tried to deny their identity, he pursued them to the end. Jephthah killed a total of 42,000 people in this battle, making him a murderer of his countrymen!
attacks and malicious questioning, to be able to respond gently requires not only wisdom, but also the strength to be patient and tolerant!
(3) Jephthah's conclusion on the coffin lid (V7)
Although Jephthah had many weaknesses, he was still listed as an example of faith (Heb. 11:32). For God wanted to show us through Jephthah that a weak and flawed man like Jephthah could be saved and used through the faith God gave him.
2. The judges that were skimmed through (V8-15)
(1) Ibzan (V8-10)
Ibzan was supposed to be a very rich and had good relations with people in other places as a taxi driver. He was as a judge for seven years.
(2) Elon (V11-12)
There is the least information about Elon among the judge. It is only recorded that he was a judge for ten years.
(3) Abdon (V13-15)
The three generations of the same family, Abdon, must have been a wealthy and influential judge as well. He was a judge for 8 years.
All three of these judges reigned for a short time, and they are not mentioned as having any great deeds. But God still recorded their names. So, don't think that our ministry in the church is insignificant, but God has already recorded our names!
Conclusion:
No matter how we evaluate the success or failure of Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon, we cannot deny that God chose them; God's choice does not care about the worthiness of a man, but about God's grace! In the same way, God uses us 'insignificant people' not because we are flawless, but because of His mercy and grace to give us the opportunity to serve. So, let us serve God and serve people with all our heart and soul!
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