耶利米书［第二十三章］
Book of Jeremiah 23
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耶利米书 第二十三章 |Book of Jeremiah 23【借假先知的罪反思生命】
相信我们小时候都听过狗与骨头的寓言故事。当狗正在渡河的桥上，看到河里的狗嘴里也叼了一根骨头时，它专注的是那只狗口中的骨头。为了满足自己的私有，它并没有分辨和思考，到底河水有多深，跳下去会不会有危险？还有为了得到对方那虚无的骨头，会不会连原本所拥有的都失去？
从耶利米书的记载，其实当时的犹太君王、先知、领袖和百姓，与这只狗很相似。他们原本是神的选民，充满神的应许与祝福。但对先知说的话不去分辨，对神的提醒不去思考、反省生命，他们只在乎眼前的宴乐，为了私欲体贴肉体，追求虚无的，最终连原本所拥有的，全都失去。
一、大君王的救赎（V1-8）
1.神必审判失责的牧人（V1-2）
神斥责犹大末期的君王，政治和宗教领袖因没有尽责牧养所托付的羊，造成了神百姓的被掳，因此神说必追讨他们行恶的罪。
作为教会里的牧者、小组长、领袖和服事神的弟兄姐妹、包挂家中的父母，我们要尽责并忠于神所托付的，向神交账时能欢喜快乐。
2.应许兴起公义大君王（V3-8）
虽然说犹大的君王领袖失责，百姓最终是被掳到巴比伦去。但百姓的盼望不在于人。神应许要从大卫的根兴起公义的苗裔，就是弥赛亚耶稣基督来拯救他们。
神的心意绝对不会因人的不忠心或悖逆而受阻。同样的，神的呼召，神的计划也绝对不会因为我们的不顺服，不回应而作废。当我们不回应神的呼召时，不但失去了神为我们预备的永恒奖赏，更是走在不顺服的路上，为自己的生命打开了破口。
摩西带领以色列人出埃及，过红海是何等神迹。但末后当耶稣基督将祂的百姓从赶散的各国招聚归回时，场面要比出埃及更壮观浩瀚。但外邦人的数目要填满，以色列全家要归向主得救，耶稣才会再来。因此我们要为以色列回归圣城的‘阿利亚’呼召行动来代求。也要更积极的传福音。
二、不随从假先知（V9-32）
从神透过耶利米对假先知的责备，让我们检视自己的生命，以至不随从假先知的作为。
1.不让地被咒诅（V10-12）
人的罪不但影响人自己，也会让土地被咒诅。反之，当教会搬去一些犯罪率很高的地方，一段时间过后就发现，那地方就被转化，罪案也减少。
此外，大地也代表我们的工作和职场。在职场上的弟兄姐妹，不但不要随波逐流，反要带头转化职场。
2.懂得分辨真假（V13-32）
神比喻那些没有除灭罪恶，反而坚固恶人的手一起作恶的假先知为所多玛、蛾摩拉。
所多玛和蛾摩拉是亚伯拉罕时代两个罪大恶极的城。所多玛是一个亲娈童、同性恋盛行的地方。今天，教会中也有断章取义的牧者，不但没有把人带到神的面前，被神医治，反而扭曲真理的接受同性婚姻，在教会为同性恋的人举行婚礼。
假先知通常都不会公然反对或否定神，那要怎么认得出他们呢？
•他们表面上是宣扬神的道，生活的表现却和他们所说的不一致。
•他们会避重就轻的修改神的信息，使那些话听来更加顺耳、顺应人心意（一次得救永远得救的恩典神学）。
•他们往往有意无意的鼓励听众暗地里违抗神。（如果感到勉强，就不要给十一奉献了。你是为了他好，所以白色的谎言是OK的）
•傲慢自私，只求满足自己，讨好众人，却不忠于神的话。
要熟读圣经，明白真理。依靠内住的圣灵去观察和分辨所听到的是否出于神、还是出于满足人的私欲。
作为牧者和教师的，我们宁可分享审判的信息叫人悔改，也不可用虚假的平安让世人继续藐视神。
三、神审判假先知（V33-40）
这段经文多次提到假先知必受神的审判。所以我们不但要懂得分辨假先知的作为，更要小心，不掉入假先知的行列。
总结：
•认真的反思自己生命的属灵光景。对付生命，预备自己进入神的应许。
•15天的禁食祷告，求主帮助我们将失去的都赎回来，调整生命来对齐神。全教会一同经历突破翻转。
Jeremiah 23：Reflecting on Life through the Sins of False Prophets
GK611 Morning Devotion
26/09/2024
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Ps. Deborah
Introduction: The Dog and the Bone Most of us have heard the fable of the dog and the bone when we were young. While crossing a bridge, the dog sees its reflection in the water and focuses on the bone in the reflection's mouth. Driven by selfish desire, it fails to consider how deep the water is or the danger of jumping in. In the pursuit of a bone that doesn’t exist, it risks losing what it already has.
In the book of Jeremiah, the Jewish kings, prophets, leaders, and people were much like this dog. They were originally God's chosen people, filled with His promises and blessings. However, they did not discern or reflect on the words of the prophet or the reminders from God. They focused only on immediate pleasures and, driven by selfish desires, pursued what was empty. In the end, they lost everything they once possessed.
I. The Great King’s Redemption （V1-8)
1. God Will Judge the Negligent Shepherds （V1-2)
God rebukes the kings of Judah at the end of its period, as well as the political and religious leaders, for failing to properly care for the flock entrusted to them, leading to the exile of God’s people. Therefore, God declares that He will punish their wickedness.
As shepherds, cell group leaders, church leaders, and servants of God (including parents in the family), we must be responsible and faithful to what God has entrusted to us, so that we may rejoice when we give an account to Him.
2. The Promise of the Righteous King （V3-8)
Even though Judah’s kings failed, and the people were eventually exiled to Babylon, their hope was never in men. God promised to raise a righteous branch from David’s line—Jesus Christ, the Messiah, who would deliver them.
God's purpose is never hindered by human unfaithfulness or rebellion. Similarly, God’s calling and plan for us will not be nullified by our disobedience or lack of response. When we fail to respond to God’s call, we not only lose the eternal rewards He has prepared for us, but also open a breach in our lives by walking in disobedience.
When Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt and crossed the Red Sea, it was a great miracle. But in the end times, when Jesus Christ gathers His people from scattered nations, the event will surpass the exodus in its scale. However, before Jesus returns, the full number of the Gentiles must come in, and all of Israel must turn to the Lord and be saved. Therefore, we must pray for the 'Aliyah' movement—the return of the Jewish people to the Holy City—and also be more active in evangelism.
II. Avoid Following False Prophets （V9-32)
God’s rebuke of the false prophets through Jeremiah prompts us to examine our lives, ensuring we do not follow in the ways of false prophets.
1. Do Not Let the Land Be Cursed （V10-12)
Human sin not only affects individuals but also curses the land. Conversely, when churches move into high-crime areas, over time, those places are transformed, and crime rates decrease.
Moreover, the land also represents our workplace. Brothers and sisters in the workplace should not go with the flow but instead lead in transforming their work environments.
2. Know How to Discern True from False （V13-32)
God compares the false prophets, who did not purge evil but instead strengthened the hands of evildoers, to Sodom and Gomorrah.
Sodom and Gomorrah were two cities of great sin in the time of Abraham. Sodom, in particular, was infamous for pedophilia and rampant homosexuality. Today, there are pastors who, rather than bringing people to God for healing, twist the truth to accept same-sex marriage and even officiate at weddings for homosexuals in churches.
False prophets rarely openly deny God. So how can we recognize them?
•They appear to preach God’s Word, but their lives don’t align with what they say.
•They water down God’s message to make it more likeable (like preaching grace theology where "once saved, always saved").
•They subtly encourage listeners to disobey God (e.g., “If you feel forced, don’t give tithe” or “White lies are okay if you’re doing it for someone’s good”).
•They are arrogant, selfish, seeking to please people rather than faithfully preach God’s Word.
We must study the Bible diligently and understand the truth. Rely on the Holy Spirit to observe and discern whether what we hear is from God or caters to human selfish desire.
As pastors and teachers, we would rather share messages of judgment that lead people to repentance than offer false peace that causes people to continue disregarding God.
III. God’s Judgment on False Prophets （V33-40)
This passage repeatedly mentions that false prophets will face God’s judgment. Therefore, we must not only know how to discern their actions but also be careful not to fall into the ranks of false prophets.
Conclusion:
Reflect seriously on the spiritual condition of your life. Deal with your life and prepare to enter God’s promises.
Engage in 15 days of fasting and prayer, asking the Lord to help us redeem what has been lost, realign our lives with Him, and experience breakthroughs and transformation as a whole church.