(備註：這一集我是在露營的時候，在車子裡用耳機錄的，不僅是網路不太好用，音質應該也有點缺陷，請各位諒解🤣）
弟兄姊妹，平安。我們今天的讀經進度是申命記的第十章。
在這一章中，上帝對以色列人提出了明確的要求，尤其在第12和13節中，我們能夠看到上帝要求的是什麼。在經過一系列歷史事件，包括以色列人的悖逆和背叛，以及上帝的寬恕之後，我們不妨思考上帝對當年的以色列人提出了什麼要求。
12「以色列啊，現在耶和華－你神向你所要的是甚麼呢？只要你敬畏耶和華－你的神，遵行他的道，愛他，盡心盡性事奉他， 13遵守他的誡命律例，就是我今日所吩咐你的，為要叫你得福。 1
這些要求包括：
1. 敬畏：我們應該虔誠地敬畏耶和華－我們的神。
2. 遵行他的道：我們應該遵守上帝的教導，按照他的道路行走。
3. 愛他：我們應該全心全意地愛上帝，將他置於我們生活的中心位置。
4. 盡心盡性事奉他：我們應該全情投入地事奉上帝，不保留。
5. 遵守他的誡命：我們應該遵守上帝所賜的誡命和律例，正如他在當時所吩咐的，這樣我們才能得福。
這些要求不僅適用於當年的以色列人，也是我們今天的信仰生活中的重要原則。當我們仔細思考這五個要求時，我們可以發現它們是基督徒應該實踐的核心價值。讓我們逐一來看看這五個要求，並理解它們的意義：
首先，關於「敬畏上帝」。敬畏並不是指害怕上帝，而是一種對他的尊敬和尊重，就像對待一位偉大的尊者一樣。雖然我們在基督耶穌裡得到了赦免，不必害怕上帝的懲罰，但我們仍應以正確的態度對待創造宇宙的主宰。這也與敬拜有關，我們的敬拜不僅僅是在禮拜堂唱歌或參加儀式，而是通過我們每天的生活來彰顯，將上帝放在生命的中心位置。當我們將上帝看得高高在上，我們明白生命的真正意義在於敬拜他，活出榮耀的生活，並將所有榮耀歸給他。
其次，遵行他的道是指活出他的教導和原則，每天都在他的道路上行走，並將這些原則實踐在生活中，不僅在言語中，還在行為中。這是一個持續的過程，要將上帝的旨意融入生活的每個方面。
接著，愛上帝也是極為重要的。當我們真心愛一個人時，我們會不斷將他們放在心上，這對我們的關係至關重要。同樣地，當我們愛上帝，我們會將他放在我們的心中，這將有助於我們不偏離他的道路，而是持續地行走在他的旨意中。
接下來，讓我們思考專心事奉上帝的意義。在以色列的時代，事奉上帝意味著全心全意地遵守祂的誡命，愛祂，並且盡心盡性地事奉祂，這樣我們可以享受祂所賜給我們的一切福份。然而，在基督徒的新約時代，我們也需要明白上帝對我們的要求。在十章的18節中，他提到要憐憫孤兒、寡婦，並且憐愛寄居的人。這也是耶穌後來在約翰福音中教導我們的，要彼此相愛，因為祂愛我們，並且為我們樹立了愛的典範。因此，當我們事奉上帝時，最重要的是要像耶穌一樣去愛我們的鄰舍。
最後，我們應該謹守上帝的誡命。在舊約中，這包括遵守祂所賜給以色列人的誡命。對於基督徒來說，最重要的是全心全意愛上帝，也愛人如己，就像耶穌所教導的那樣。我們應該明白，上帝所要求我們做的一切都是為了我們自己的好處，為了使我們得到祂所應許的福份。
這五個要求確實是相輔相成的，它們一起形成了一個完整的生活方式，讓我們更親近上帝並更好地遵行他的旨意。十章告訴我們上帝的心意，要我們敬畏祂，遵行祂的道，愛祂，全心全意事奉祂，並且謹守祂的誡命，這樣是為了我們能得福份。感謝大家的聆聽，明天我們將繼續閱讀第十一章。"
Brothers and sisters, peace be with you. Today, our reading is from the tenth chapter of Deuteronomy.
In this chapter, God presents clear requirements to the people of Israel, especially in verses 12 and 13. Let's take a closer look at what God demanded from them after a series of historical events, including the disobedience and rebellion of the Israelites and God's forgiveness.
12 "And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the LORD your God, and live in a way that pleases Him, and love Him, and serve Him with all your heart and soul. 13 And you must always obey the LORD's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good."
These requirements include:
Fear of God: We should reverently fear the Lord our God, showing respect and awe, acknowledging His sovereignty. Although we have received forgiveness through Jesus Christ and need not fear God's punishment, we should maintain the right attitude towards the Creator of the universe.
Walking in His Ways: We must live according to God's teachings, walking in His ways daily, and putting His principles into practice in our lives, not only in words but also in deeds. This is an ongoing process of integrating God's will into every aspect of life.
Loving Him: Loving God wholeheartedly means placing Him at the center of our lives continuously. When we genuinely love someone, we keep them in our hearts, and likewise, when we love God, we keep Him in our hearts, helping us to stay on His path.
Serving Him Wholeheartedly: Wholehearted service to God means dedicating ourselves fully to His service without reservation. This is about giving our all to God in everything we do, not just in religious rituals but in our everyday lives.
Observing His Commandments: We should diligently keep and follow the commandments and statutes that God has given us. This includes not only the ethical and moral principles but also the specific instructions He has provided. By doing so, we can experience the blessings promised by God.
These requirements are not only relevant to the Israelites of that time but also serve as fundamental principles for our Christian faith today. When we carefully consider these five requirements, we can see that they form the core values that Christians should practice. Let's examine each of these requirements and understand their significance:
Firstly, "Fear the Lord Your God" does not mean being afraid of God but rather showing reverence and respect for Him, much like honoring a great authority. While we have been forgiven through Jesus Christ and need not fear God's punishment, we should maintain the right attitude toward the Creator of the universe. This also relates to worship; our worship is not limited to singing songs or participating in rituals but should be demonstrated through our daily lives, placing God at the center of our existence. When we exalt God to the highest place, we understand that the true meaning of life lies in worshiping Him, living a life that glorifies Him, and attributing all glory to Him.
Secondly, "Walking in His Ways" means living according to His teachings and principles, walking in His path every day, and putting these principles into practice in our lives, not just in words but also in actions. This is an ongoing process of incorporating God's will into every aspect of life.
Next, let's consider the importance of "Loving God." When we genuinely love someone, we constantly hold them in our hearts, and similarly, when we love God, we keep Him in our hearts, helping us to stay on His path.
Furthermore, let's contemplate the significance of "Serving Him Wholeheartedly." In the time of Israel, serving God meant wholeheartedly obeying His commandments, loving Him, and serving Him with all their heart and soul to enjoy all the blessings He had promised. In the New Testament era of Christianity, God's requirement for us is also clear. In verse 18 of chapter 10, it mentions showing compassion to orphans, widows, and foreigners. Jesus later teaches us in the Gospel of John that we should love one another because He loved us and set an example of love. Therefore, when we serve God, the emphasis is truly on loving our neighbors as Jesus loved us.
Lastly, we should "Observe His Commandments." In the Old Testament, this included obeying the commandments given to the Israelites. For Christians, the most crucial aspect is to love God wholeheartedly and to love others as ourselves, following the example of Jesus. We should understand that everything God requires of us is for our own good and to fulfill the promises He has made to us.
These five requirements are interrelated and form a complete way of life that brings us closer to God and helps us to better fulfill His will. Chapter 10 reveals God's intentions, urging us to fear Him, follow His path, love Him, serve Him wholeheartedly, and keep His commandments to receive His blessings. We thank you all for listening, and tomorrow we will continue with Chapter 11.
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