各位弟兄姊妹，平安。今天我們的讀經進度是申命記第九章的13到29節。
昨天的經文提醒我們不可驕傲，上帝引導以色列人征服迦南地的民族。今天，祂也在我們的生活中幫助著我們。在這裡，摩西提到了以色列人在曠野中所犯的一個重大錯誤，就是在摩西在西奈山頂與上帝相會的四十天裡，以色列百姓偏離正道，製造了一個金牛犢，並將其當作神來崇拜。他們開始陷入崇拜偶像的罪中。和摩西一同服侍四十年，有同等地位的亞倫，卻因為害怕，沒有在這關鍵的時刻堅守原則，而縱容以色列人走偏。
屬靈的領袖對於一個群體、社群，甚至一個國家都至關重要。當一位領袖在位時，一個國家能夠正常運轉，但如果沒有領袖，這個國家就容易偏離正道。無論是古代的以色列還是今天的國家，一位真正的領袖並不一定會討人喜歡，但他們會堅守正確的事情。當摩西回到以色列後，他堅決責備以色列人，將原本的金牛犢摧毀成粉末並灑在水面上。他所堅守的事與以色列人的喜好是不同的，這也是為什麼摩西與以色列人之間存在很大分歧的原因。這正是一位真正的領袖應該堅守的態度。他不會因為人民的悖逆而離開真理。
摩西是一位真正的領袖。儘管他時常對以色列人感到不滿，甚至發怒，但當上帝真的發怒，要毀滅以色列人時，他成為了代禱者，不斷在上帝面前為以色列人祈求，求上帝記念祂的約，不要毀滅以色列人。從曠野一直到迦南地，他都堅守這個角色。屬靈領袖的責任既是愛，也需要用真理教育。在教育的過程中，他毫不留情地責備以色列人，但在愛的時候，他願意用自己的生命來守護這些人，甚至代求，使他們能夠蒙上帝的寬恕。
事實上，領袖在眾人中常常是相當少數的。然而，領袖的人數並非重點，而是他們堅持的原則才是關鍵。這個故事讓我們看到領袖的重要原則。一個真正的領袖不是為了討人喜歡，也不是追求多數人的同意，而是要勇敢地站出來，捍衛真理，堅決要求國家和人民履行應盡的責任，即使這可能並不總是受歡迎。他們必須在上帝和真理面前毫不妥協，堅定地持守。同時，領袖必須成為代禱者，為人民向上帝祈求，同時也是真理的信仰者，堅守神的誡命。
這段經文提醒我們一個非常重要的觀念，摩西代禱的重點，強調的是上帝的恩典，而不是以色列人配的些什麼。因此，我們都應該謙卑地認識到，我們所擁有的一切都是來自上帝的恩典，而不是我們應得的，也不應該視之為與上帝進行交易的結果。上帝堅守祂的約，這才是我們真正能夠把握住的事情。今天，耶穌在十字架上的救贖 – 這就是上帝堅守他的話語，上帝的恩典才是我們唯一能夠把握的東西，這不是基於我們自身的功勞或成就，也不是我們的意念，而是完全依賴上帝的恩典。
Dear brothers and sisters, peace be with you. Today, our reading takes us to Deuteronomy chapter 9, verses 13 to 29.
Yesterday's scripture reminded us not to be proud as God guided the Israelites in conquering the nations in Canaan. Today, He continues to help us in our lives. Here, Moses mentions a significant mistake the Israelites made in the wilderness. During the forty days when Moses was meeting with God on Mount Sinai, the Israelites deviated from the right path and created a golden calf, worshiping it as a god. They began to fall into the sin of idol worship. Alongside Moses, who served for forty years and held an equal status, was Aaron. Unfortunately, due to fear, he didn't uphold principles during this crucial moment and allowed the Israelites to go astray.
Spiritual leaders are crucial for a community, society, and even a nation. When a leader is present, a nation can function properly, but without leadership, it's easy to deviate from the right path. Whether in ancient Israel or in today's nations, a true leader is not necessarily one who seeks popularity but rather one who courageously stands up, defends the truth, and firmly demands that the nation and people fulfill their responsibilities, even if it's not always popular. They must not compromise in the face of God and truth, steadfastly holding their ground.
Moses was a true leader. Despite his frequent dissatisfaction and even anger towards the Israelites, when God truly became angry and intended to destroy them, he became an intercessor. He continuously prayed to God for the Israelites, asking God to remember His covenant and not to destroy them. From the wilderness to the land of Canaan, he maintained this role. The responsibility of a spiritual leader involves both love and the imparting of truth. During the process of education, he rebuked the Israelites without mercy when necessary but also protected them with his life when needed, even interceding for them, enabling them to receive God's forgiveness.
Indeed, leaders are often a minority among the people. However, the number of leaders is not the focus; it's the principles they uphold that matter. This story shows us the important principles of leadership. A true leader isn't concerned about being liked or seeking the agreement of the majority. Instead, they bravely stand up to safeguard the truth, resolutely demanding that the nation and people fulfill their responsibilities, even when it's not popular. They must not compromise in the face of God and truth, firmly holding their ground.
At the same time, leaders must become intercessors, praying to God on behalf of the people, and also believers in the truth, unwaveringly upholding God's commandments.
This passage reminds us of a crucial concept: the emphasis of Moses' intercession is on God's grace, not on what the Israelites deserved. Therefore, we should all humbly recognize that everything we possess is by God's grace, not something we merit, and we should not treat it as a result of bargaining with God. God keeps His covenant; this is what we should genuinely grasp.
Today, the completion of Jesus on the cross is the only thing we can truly hold onto. It's not based on our own merits or achievements, not on our thoughts, but solely relying on God's grace."
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