各位弟兄姊妹平安，今天我们的读经进度是申命记第15章的1到23节。
整个第15章包含了一些非常重要的教训。这次我们要讨论的是关于社会福利和理财原则。在第15章中，我们也提到了社会结构的安全和稳定原则的重要性。首先，我们要谈论的是豁免年。
所谓的豁免年是指每七年的最后一年，这一年要实行豁免。这个豁免的概念与数字"七"和安息日的原则有关。每七天中有一天是安息日，而在七年中的最后一年是安息年，也称为休耕年。在这七年中，有一年是用来休耕的，这个原则在利未记的第25章1到7节中有详细的说明。
这个原则非常重要，我们来详细解释一下。首先，对于土地来说，如果不断地耕种而不休息，土地的养分会被耗尽，最终导致土地贫瘠，无法再生产出有价值的作物。因此，这一年的休耕时间让土地得以恢复，可以施肥并重新恢复养分，这样未来才能继续生产出优质的农产品。
同样，对于人来说，在七年的周期里，应该有一个好好休息的一年。这一年可以让我们离开工作岗位，或者放长假，来重视心灵、身体和健康，获得长时间的休息，重新审视自己的生活阶段、未来目标以及与家人、朋友和社会的关系。我们可以反思在过去六年中取得了什么成就，以及在未来的七年内我们打算做些什么。
对于牧者来说，安息年同样至关重要。牧师也是人，需要时间远离工作，反思自我，并与上帝共处。
这个条例背后蕴含着保护社会稳定的重要使命。在第14节中，我们提到了要拿出10分之一的收入来供养孤儿和寡妇，确保他们得以充分满足生活需求，这是一项福利政策。这措施的目的是确保贫困的人不会因为太穷而被迫求助于犯罪来获取食物。这是确保社会基本稳定的重要原则之一。
此外，这一条例也确保了许多无法偿还债务的人不会陷入永无止境的债务困境。如果一个人无法还清债务，他可能会被永远束缚在债务之中。上帝赋予了我们宽恕的原则，就如同他从我们无法偿还的罪债中宽恕了我们一样。因此，我们也应该释放他人，从债务的枷锁中赦免他们，使他们有机会重新站起来。正如主祷文所说：“免我们的债，如同我们免了人的债。”
当然，豁免年存在被滥用的可能性。有些人可能因为知道安息年即将到来而不愿意借钱给他人，也有人可能会借钱而不还，以利用豁免年来规避债务责任。然而，上帝的原则是，如果你的弟兄中有穷人，你应该尽力去帮助他们，不可忍着心不伸出援手。
我们需要以智慧的方式来理解如何帮助贫困的弟兄姐妹。
我曾經有過與社會底層的人長期打交道的經歷。他们生活在极度贫困或混乱之中，并且缺乏家庭的支持。他们的理财观念和家庭观念可能非常薄弱。在这种情况下，简单地给予金钱或赦免债务可能并不是解决问题的最佳途径。
需要注意的是，在提供福利时，我们应该考虑这些受援助的人的情况。我经常看到他们将得到的钱用在一些不應該的开支上，比如抽烟、喝酒、或者购买不健康的食品，甚至赌博。在这种情况下，仅仅提供金钱并不一定对他们有益。我们应该更深入地了解他们的需求，并提供真正有助于他们的支持。
因此，当我们考虑借贷时，我们需要仔细思考并理解借款人的真正目的。是他们有着正当的动机，还是他们只是利用借款的名义从事不正当的活动？如果是后者，我们应该具备智慧来辨别，不应该将钱借给那些没有正当动机的人。而也有一些人专门利用人的同情心，随意借钱挥霍，然后用博取同情的方式来耍赖，躲避债务。对于这样的人，上帝在地上的公义（社会的司法系统）就应该被使用来惩罚这些人。
第二个重点是关于释放奴仆。在这里，上帝要求以色列人如果他们的希伯来兄弟或姐妹因困难而不得不成为他人的奴仆才能生存，那么在六年内，他们必须服侍主人。然而，在第七年，主人必须无条件地释放这个奴仆，让他重新获得自由，不再作为奴仆。这个社会制度实际上非常重要，因为它防止了奴隶制度的兴起。在许多古代帝国中，如果一个人成为奴隶，他的一生甚至他的子女都可能被迫成为奴隶，永远无法获得自由。最终，这种情况会导致社会的崩溃和革命，完全颠覆整个社会秩序，这是历史上反复出现的悲剧。
而这个原则允许那些暂时成为奴仆的人有机会重新获得自由，恢复正常的生活，不再被迫作為奴隸。除非一个人自愿选择与好主人成为一家人，并且愿意終生侍奉，他可以选择在耳朵上钉上一个印记，表示他愿意成为主人家裡的一分子。这种选择给予了他们与主人之间甘心樂意的主仆关系。
此外，上帝要求还有一个原则，那就是当奴仆离开时，主人应该为他准备一些礼物，特别是牛羊等，作为送别的礼物。这是因为上帝告诉我们，我们曾經被世界，被我們的罪奴役，而上帝赦免了我們的奴僕身份，我們可以自由選擇做義的奴僕，就是上帝的僕人。
最后，回到奉獻頭生的動物的深层含义，当我们献给上帝的时候，我们应该思考要将最上等的東西献给上帝。通常，献身的动物都是頭生的，通常是最好的，这种行为代表着我们将这头羊或牛献给上帝。在以色列社会中，也有长子献身的传统，这意味着长子代表家族向上帝献祭。后来，我们看到了像先知撒母耳这样的榜样。这个例子提醒我们，努力工作是我们的责任，但最终的奖赏仍掌握在上帝的手中。我們當紀念上帝是祝福我們得上帝。
实际上，上帝通过这些原则强调了人性的关怀和社会公平的重要性。这些规定旨在避免负债循环，防止奴隶制度蔓延，从而保障社会结构的公平和公正。
上帝的旨意不是要人去管理或奴役他人，而是要人们在困难时期相互帮助，共同维护社会的公平和和谐。这些原则不仅适用于古代以色列，也可以为我们今天的社会提供宝贵的教训，教导我们如何在面对社会和经济挑战时，保持人道和公正，以便共同建立更美好的社会。
感谢各位的聆听，我们明天继续分享关于以色列节庆的条例，第十六章1-17节。
Dear brothers and sisters, peace be with you. Today, our reading progress is from Deuteronomy chapter 15, verses 1 to 23.
The entire chapter 15 contains some very important teachings. This time, we are going to discuss principles related to social welfare and financial matters. In chapter 15, we also emphasize the importance of social structure's security and stability. First, let's talk about the concept of the Year of Release.
The Year of Release, also known as the Sabbatical Year, is the last year of every seven years. During this year, the concept of release is applied. This concept is related to the number "seven" and the principle of the Sabbath. Every seven days, one day is the Sabbath, and within seven years, the last year is the Year of Release or the Sabbatical Year. It is also known as the Year of Jubilee. The details of this principle can be found in Leviticus chapter 25, verses 1 to 7.
This principle is essential, and let's explain it in detail. For land, continuously cultivating without resting can deplete the land's nutrients, ultimately leading to barren soil that cannot produce valuable crops. Therefore, this year of rest allows the land to recover, be fertilized, and regain its nutrients so that it can continue to produce high-quality agricultural products in the future.
Similarly, for people, within a cycle of seven years, there should be one year of proper rest. During this year, we can take time away from work or have an extended break to focus on our spiritual, physical, and mental well-being. It's an opportunity to reflect on our life stage, future goals, and relationships with family, friends, and society. We can reevaluate what we've achieved in the past six years and consider what we intend to do in the upcoming seven years.
For pastors, the Sabbatical Year is also crucial. Pastors are also human beings and need time away from work to reflect on themselves and spend time with God.
Behind this regulation lies a more profound mission of protecting social stability. In verse 14, we are instructed to set aside a tenth of our income to provide for orphans and widows. This ensures that the poor do not become so destitute that they resort to crime to obtain food. It is a crucial principle in ensuring the basic stability of society.
Furthermore, this regulation also ensures that many people burdened by insurmountable debts do not fall into perpetual debt. If someone cannot repay their debts, they may be bound by those debts for life. However, God's principle is that just as He forgives us from our unpayable sins, we should also release others from the bondage of their debts, allowing them to stand up again. As the Lord's Prayer says, "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors."
Of course, there is a possibility that the Year of Release can be abused. Some may withhold loans because they know the Sabbatical Year is approaching, while others may recklessly borrow money knowing they can avoid repayment during that year. However, God's principle is clear: if your brother is in need, you should help him as much as possible, not harden your heart.
In my experience, working with the underprivileged in society, I've seen that they often have poor financial and family values due to their difficult circumstances. In such cases, simply giving them money or forgiving their debts may not be beneficial. When providing welfare, we should consider the individual circumstances of those receiving assistance. I've observed individuals who received money and spent it on unhealthy habits like smoking, drinking, or gambling. In such situations, giving them money may not be the best solution. We should consider their actual needs and provide meaningful support.
Therefore, when it comes to lending and borrowing, we need to think wisely and understand the true intentions of the borrowers. Are they borrowing for legitimate reasons, or are they using loans as an excuse for activities that may ultimately lead to negative outcomes? In the latter case, we should have the wisdom to discern and not lend money to those without genuine motives.
The second focus is on the release of slaves. Here, God requires the Israelites that if their Hebrew brothers or sisters become servants due to hardship and need to serve another person for survival, they must serve for six years. However, in the seventh year, the master must unconditionally release the servant, allowing them to regain their freedom and no longer be a slave. This social system is of utmost importance because it prevents the establishment of a perpetual slave system. In many ancient empires, if a person became a slave, they and their descendants could potentially be enslaved for life, never to attain freedom. Eventually, this situation could lead to the collapse of society and revolutions, as seen repeatedly in history. This principle allows those temporarily serving as slaves to have the opportunity to regain their freedom and return to a normal life, no longer forced into servitude.
Unless a person willingly chooses to become a permanent servant to a good master, forming a familial relationship, and undergoing a symbolic ritual of having their ear pierced to signify their choice, they retain the option of freedom. This choice provides an opportunity for a voluntary and harmonious master-servant relationship.
Additionally, God requires that when a servant is released, the master should prepare gifts, particularly cattle and sheep, as parting gifts. This is because God instructs us to remember that we were once enslaved by the world, by our sins, and God released us from our bondage. We can choose to become willing servants, servants of God. Finally, returning to the deeper meaning of offering the firstborn animals, when we give to God, we should think about giving the best. Typically, animals offered in sacrifice are the firstborn and of the highest quality. This act represents that we are offering these sheep or cattle to God. In Israelite society, there was also a tradition of offering the firstborn sons, signifying that the firstborn represented the family to offer sacrifices to God. Later, we see examples like the prophet Samuel, who was dedicated in this way. This serves as a reminder that while hard work is our responsibility, the ultimate rewards are in God's hands. We should remember that God has blessed us.
In practice, you have been emphasizing the importance of these principles. They aim to avoid the cycle of debt and prevent the spread of slavery, thus ensuring as much fairness and justice as possible in the social structure. Understanding God's intentions, we recognize that He doesn't want us to manage or enslave others but rather to help one another in times of difficulty.
Thank you all for listening, and tomorrow we will continue sharing about the regulations of the feasts in Israel, from Deuteronomy chapter 16, verses 1 to 17.
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