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尼希米记生命读经 · 第1篇

介言及在尼希米的带领下

An Introductory Word and the Rebuilding of the Wall of the City
重建耶路撒冷城墙
of Jerusalem under Nehemiah
1读经：尼希米记一至七章。
1Scripture Reading: Neh. 1—7
壹 介言
I. AN INTRODUCTORY WORD
一 尼希米记是重建耶路撒冷城墙的历史
A. The Book of Nehemiah Being a History of the Rebuilding of the Wall of the City of Jerusalem
2以斯拉记所载的历史，乃是关于以色列人从被掳归回，以及重建神的殿，作为神选民中间照著祂的经纶，为著祂在地上见证之恢复的开始；尼希米记所载的历史，乃是关于重建耶路撒冷的城墙，作为神选民中间祂见证之恢复的继续，以完成祂的经纶。
2The book of Ezra is a history of the return of Israel’s captivity and the rebuilding of the house of God as the initiation of God’s recovery among His elect for His testimony on the earth according to His economy. The book of Nehemiah is a history of the rebuilding of the wall of the city of Jerusalem as a continual recovery among His elect for His testimony for the accomplishment of His economy
二 作者
B. The Writer
3本书作者是尼希米，他的名意思是『耶和华的安慰』。他是王的酒政。（一１１下。）全书记载尼希米在受试炼和仇敌攻击时，信靠神作他的安慰。
3The writer of this book was Nehemiah, whose name means “comfort of Jehovah.” He was the cupbearer to the king (1:11b). The whole book is a record of Nehemiah’st rust in God for his comfort in the trials and attacks of his enemies
三 时间
C. The Time
4本书内容涵盖的时期约为十二年，从主前四四六年至主前四三四年。
4The contents of this book cover a period of about twelve years, from 446-434 B.C
四 内容
D. The Contents
5本书内容是重建以色列仇敌所毁坏的耶路撒冷城墙，并更进一步恢复以色列人向神的事奉与敬拜。在这些信息中，我要用『构成』这辞包括事奉与敬拜这两件事。事奉加上敬拜等于构成。
5The contents of this book are the rebuilding of the wall of the city of Jerusalem, which was destroyed by the enemies of Israel, and the further recovery of Israel’s services and worship to God. In these messages I will use the word constitution to include the two matters of services and worship. The services plus worship equal constitution
五 重点
E. The Crucial Point
6尼希米记的重点是：耶路撒冷城是城内之神殿的守卫和保护。这表征神的家（殿）作为祂在地上的居所和家，需要祂的国得以建立作为范围，以守护祂在地上行政的权益，而完成祂的经纶。重建神的殿，豫表神恢复堕落的召会；重建耶路撒冷的城墙，豫表神恢复祂的国。神建造祂的家和建造祂的国是并行的。（太十六１８～１９。）神在地上的家需要祂的国来保护，也需要祂的国来完成神永远的经纶。
6The crucial point of the book of Nehemiah is that the city of Jerusalem was a safeguard and protection for the house of God, which was in the city. This signifies that the house of God as His dwelling and home on the earth needs His kingdom to be established as a realm to safeguard His interest on the earth for His administration, to carry out His economy. The rebuilding of the house of God typifies God’s recovery of the degraded church, and the rebuilding of the wall of the city of Jerusalem typifies God’s recovery of His kingdom. God’s building of His house and His building of His kingdom go together (Matt 16:18-19). The house of God on the earth needs His kingdom to safeguard the house and to carry out His eternal economy.
六 分段
F. The Sections
7尼希米记有两段：在尼希米的带领下重建耶路撒冷的城墙，（一～七，）以及神选民之国的重新构成。（八～十三。）
7The book of Nehemiah has two sections: the rebuilding of the wall of the city of Jerusalem under Nehemiah (chs. 1—7) and the reconstitution of the nation of God’select (chs. 8—13
贰 在尼希米的带领下重建耶路撒冷城墙
II. THE REBUILDING OF THE WALL of the City of Jerusalem under Nehemiah
一 关于耶路撒冷光景的报告
A. The Report of the Condition of Jerusalem
8一章一至三节是关于耶路撒冷光景的报告。照著这报告，被掳归回的余民，景况恶劣，大遭凌辱。（３上。）耶路撒冷的城墙拆毁，城门被火焚烧。（３下。）
8In 1:1-3 we have a report of the condition of Jerusalem. According to this report the remnant of the returned captivity were in an exceedingly bad state and reproach (v. 3a). The wall of Jerusalem was broken down and its gates had been burned with fire (v. 3b
二 尼希米禁食祈祷
B. Nehemiah’sPray er by Fasting
9尼希米在禁食祷告中，（４～１１，）首先为神的所是赞美祂，赞美神向那些爱祂，守祂诫命的人，守约施慈爱。（５。）然后他承认以色列人的罪，（６～７，）并求神记念所吩咐摩西的话，说，祂必将祂被掳的民，从天涯招聚回来，带到祂居住的地方。（８～９。）尼希米站在神的话上，并照著神的话祷告。因此，神被祂自己的话所约束。尼希米继续求神听他的祷告，听喜爱敬畏神名之人的祷告，使他亨通，在波斯王亚达薛西面前蒙恩。（１０～１１上。）
9In his prayer by fasting (vv. 4-11), Nehemiah first praised God for what He is, praising Him for His keeping of His covenant and lovingkindness with those who love Him and keep His commandments (v. 5). Then he confessed the sins of the children of Israel (vv. 6-7) and asked God to remember His word to Moses that He would bring the captivity of His people even from the ends of heaven back to the place of His dwelling (vv. 8-9). Nehemiah stood on God’sword and prayed according to it. Thus, God was bound by His own word. Nehemiah continued by begging God to hear his prayer and the prayer of those who took delight in fearing His name and to cause him to prosper and to find compassion before Artaxerxes the king of Persia (vv. 10-11a
三 王施恩允准尼希米
C. The King’s Favor in Giving Permission to Nehemiah
10在二章一至八节，我们看见王施恩允准尼希米。
10In 2:1-8 we see the king’s favor in giving permission to Nehemiah
四 尼希米到耶路撒冷的行程，和他亲身的观察
D. Nehemiah’s Journey to Jerusalem and His Personal Observation
11九至十六节说到尼希米到耶路撒冷的行程，和他对耶路撒冷城墙光景的亲身观察。摩押人和亚扪人的首领对尼希米为以色列人求好处，极为不悦。（１０。）摩押人和亚扪人是罗得所生之子的后裔，他们恨恶并藐视以色列人。
11Verses 9 through 16 speak of Nehemiah’s journey to Jerusalem and his personal observation of the condition of the wall of the city of Jerusalem. The leaders of the Moabites and Ammonites were greatly displeased about Nehemiah’ss eeking the good of the children of Israel (v. 10). The Moabites and the Ammonites, descendants of sons born of Lot, hated and despised the children of Israel.
五 重建耶路撒冷的城墙
E. The Rebuilding of the Wall of Jerusalem
12尼希米二章十七至二十节说到重建耶路撒冷的城墙。摩押人和亚扪人的首领嗤笑、藐视以色列人，问他们这样作，是否要背叛王。（１９。）尼希米回答他们说，『天上的神必使我们亨通；我们作祂仆人的，要起来建造。你们却在耶路撒冷无分，无权，无记念。』（２０。）这答覆指明尼希米非常进取。他不胆怯。任何胆怯的人，都无法作神的仆人。
12Nehemiah 2:17-20 is a word concerning the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem. The leaders of the Moabites and Ammonites mocked and despised the children of Israel and asked whether they would rebel against the king by doing this (v. 19). Nehemiah answered them by saying, “The God of heaven Himself will make us prosper; therefore we His servants will rise up and build. But you have no portion nor right nor memorial in Jerusalem” (v. 20). This answer indicates that Nehemiah was very aggressive. He surely was not cowardly. Anyone who is cowardly cannot be a servant of God
六 分段依次建造城墙的记载
F. A Record of the Building of the Wall in Consecutive Sections
13三章是以色列众人同祭司和利未人分段依次建造城墙的记载。
13Chapter three is a record of the building of the wall in consecutive sections by all the children of Israel with the priests and Levites
七 仇敌的破坏
G. The Frustration of the Enemy
14四章描述仇敌的破坏。
14Chapter four describes the frustration of the enemy
１ 仇敌发怒
1. The Enemies Becoming Angry
15仇敌发怒，大大恼恨，嗤笑犹太人，藐视他们的建造。（１～３。）
15The enemies became angry and greatly enraged, and again they mocked the Jews and despised their building (vv. 1-3
２ 尼希米信靠神
2. Nehemiah Trusting in God
16尼希米信靠神，祷告神使他们的毁谤归于他们自己；这样，犹太人修造城墙；城墙就都连络，高至一半，因为他们专心作工。（４～６。）今天无论我们多么受讥诮并藐视，我们都该有心建造，也该进取。
16Nehemiah trusted in God by praying that God would return their reproach to themselves. Thus the Jews built the wall, and all the wall was joined together to half its height, for they had a heart to work (vv. 4-6). Today, no matter how much we may be mocked and despised, we should have a heart to build and should be aggressive
３ 仇敌因为修造的工作
3. The Enemies Being Angry
17正在进行，就甚恼怒
17Because the Building Work Was Advancing
18仇敌因为修造的工作正在进行，就甚恼怒；他们同谋要来攻击耶路撒冷。（７～８。）
18The enemies were angry because the building work was advancing, and they conspired to come and fight against Jerusalem (vv. 7-8
４ 犹大人祷告他们的神，派人守望，防备仇敌
4. The Jews Praying to Their God and Setting a Watch against the Enemy
19犹大人祷告他们的神，在尼希米的指示和指挥下派人守望，昼夜防备，豫备好用兵器争战，因为尼希米鼓励他们，指示他们要记念大而可畏的主，并要为他们的家人争战；尼希米的仆人一半作工，一半拿兵器，豫备好争战。修造城墙的，扛抬重物的，都一手作工，一手拿兵器。有一人站在尼希米身旁吹号，聚集他们争战，信靠他们的神必为他们争战。这指明尼希米作总司令，领头守望。这样，他们劳苦作工，一半拿枪，从天亮直到星宿出现；尼希米和他的弟兄与仆人，并跟从的护兵，都不脱衣服，各人右手带著兵器。（９～２３。）
19The Jews prayed to their God, and under Nehemiah’s instruction and direction set a watch against the enemy day and night, ready to fight with weapons under the encouragement of Nehemiah, who instructed them to remember the great and awesome Lord and fight for their families. Half of Nehemiah’s servants labored in the work, and half of them held weapons, ready to fight. Some built the wall and some carried burdens, taking the loads with one hand doing the work and with the other hand holding a weapon. The one who would sound the trumpet was beside Nehemiah, to gather them to fight, trusting that their God would fight for them. This indicates that, as the commander- in-chief, Nehemiah took the lead to watch. Thus, they labored and half of them held spears from the start of dawn until the stars came out, and Nehemiah and his brothers, servants, and the men of the guard, none of them took off their clothes. Each had his weapon at his right hand (vv. 9-23).
20一面，以色列人豫备好争战，另一面，他们信靠神要为他们争战。在这事上他们也是进取的。胆怯的人也许说，神既为我们争战，我们就不需要作甚么。但实在说来，神要帮助那些帮助自己的人。你若不帮助自己，神就不会帮助你。照著历史，神不帮助胆怯的人。从神得著帮助的人，乃是进取的人。
20On the one hand, the children of Israel were prepared to fight; on the other hand, they trusted in God that He would fight for them. In this matter also they were aggressive. Those who are cowardly might say that, since God will fight for us, there is no need for us to do anything. But in a very real sense, God will help those who help themselves. If you do not help yourself, God will not help you. According to history, God does not help the cowardly. It is the aggressive ones who have received help from God
八 内部问题的解决
H. The Settlement of the Interior Problem
21五章与解决内部的问题有关。常常我们在外面争战的时候，也有内部的问题。
21Chapter five is concerned with the settlement of the interior problem. Often as we are fighting outwardly, we have an interior problem
１ 百姓埋怨
1. The People’s Complaint
22百姓埋怨贵胄和官长向他们取利。（１～５。）
22The people complained concerning the nobles’ and rulers’ imposing interest on them (vv. 1-5
２ 尼希米的斥责和决断
2. Nehemiah’s Rebuke and Resolution
23六至十三节告诉我们尼希米的斥责和决断。他招聚大会攻击贵胄和官长，告诉他们，他们行事不敬畏他们的神，因为他们的仇敌外邦人毁谤他们。（７～９。）他们该敬畏神，因为外邦人毁谤并反对他们。尼希米、他的弟兄和他的仆人，设立榜样，免利将银钱粮食借给百姓；他吩咐贵胄和官长这样免去利息。（１０～１１。）贵胄和官长答应说，他们必照尼希米的话行。尼希米就召了祭司来，叫众人起誓，严严的警告他们说，凡不成就这应许的，神必抖他离开自己的家和产业。（１２～１３上。）会众说，『阿们，』又赞美耶和华，照著所应许的去行。（１３下。）
23Verses 6 through 13 tell us about Nehemiah’s rebuke and resolution. He set a great assembly against the nobles and rulers and told them that they did not walk in the fear of their God because of the reproach of the nations their enemies (vv. 7-9). They should have feared God because of the reproach and opposition from the nations. Nehemiah, his brothers, and his servants had set an example by lending money and grain to others freely, and he charged the nobles and rulers to abandon such taking of interest (vv. 10-11). The nobles and rulers responded, saying that they would do what Nehemiah had said. Then Nehemiah called for the priests and took an oath from them with a solemn warning that God would shake out every man from his house and from his possessions who did not perform this promise (vv. 12-13a). The assembly said, “Amen,” praising Jehovah, and acted according to their promise (v. 13b).
３ 尼希米的好榜样
3. Nehemiah’s Good Example
24在十四至十九节，我们看见尼希米的好榜样。ａ没有吃省长的俸禄尼希米与他弟兄因敬畏神，十二年之久没有吃省长的俸禄。（１４～１５。）
24In verses 14 through 19 we see Nehemiah’s good example. a. Not Eating the Food Appointed for the Governor Nehemiah and his brothers did not eat the food appointed for the governor for twelve years because of the fear of God (vv. 14-15
ｂ他恒心修造城墙
b. Applying Himself to Work on the City Wall
25尼希米恒心修造城墙。他和他的弟兄，并众仆人，聚集在那里作工，并没有置买田地。这就是说，他们没有接受任何一种报酬。反而他在席上丰盛的供养一百五十个犹大平民和官长，此外还有从四围外邦中到他这里来的犹大人；然而，他并不要省长的俸禄，因为百姓为建造服役甚重。（１６～１８。）
25Nehemiah applied himself to work on the city wall. He, his brothers, and all his servants, who were gathered there for the work, did not acquire fields. This means they did not receive any kind of payment. Rather, he fed richly at his table one hundred fifty Jews and rulers, besides those who came to him from the surrounding nations, not demanding the food appointed for the governor, for the building service was heavy on the people (vv. 16-18
ｃ求神记念他为百姓所行的一切事，善待他
c. Asking God to Remember for Good All That He Had Done
26尼希米求神记念他为百姓所行的一切事，善待他。（１９。）他有立场为此求神。这里我们该留意，省长尼希米在王的地位上，在重建耶路撒冷的城墙，以完成神经纶的事上，居心纯全，不自私，不寻求自己的利益，也不像诸王（包括大卫）一样放纵性欲。所以他有资格享受神向祂选民所应许之美地最高的分，就是君王的职分。他没有只顾自己，反而𫗪养别人，目的是为建造城墙。在人类历史中，他可能是惟一这样行的国家首领。结果，他就为神所用。
26Nehemiah asked God to remember for good all that he had done for the people (v. 19). He had the standing to ask God for this. Here we should note that Nehemiah, as the governor, in the position of a king, was a man with a pure heart for the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall in carrying out God’secon o my. He was not selfish, he did not seek his own interests, and he was not indulgent in sexual lust like all the kings, including David. Therefore, he was qualified to enjoy the top portion, the kingship of the good land promised by God to His elect. Instead of being self-seeking, he fed others for the purpose of building up the wall. In human history he might have been the only leader of a nation to behave in such a way. As a result, he was used by God
九 仇敌进一步的破坏
I. The Further Frustration of the Enemy
27尼希米六章一至十四节描述仇敌进一步的破坏。首先，他们假装妥协，要密谋杀害尼希米；（１～４；）又毁谤、威吓，使他们的手软弱，不能作工；但尼希米祷告神：『求你坚固我的手！』（５～９。）最终，仇敌藉著假的男女申言者的叛逆，要使尼希米犯罪，使他们有藉口，好传扬恶言毁谤他；但尼希米祷告神，求神记念他们所行的这些事。（１０～１４。）
27Nehemiah 6:1-14 describes the further frustration of the enemy. First, they pretended compromise as part of a conspiracy to kill Nehemiah (vv. 1-4). They also slandered and threatened to weaken their hands from working, but Nehemiah prayed to God, saying, “Now strengthen my hands!” (vv. 5-9). Finally, the enemy acted by treachery with the false prophets and a false prophetess to cause Nehemiah to sin that they would have cause for an evil report in order to reproach him. However, Nehemiah prayed to God, asking Him to remember what they were doing (vv. 10-14
十 建造完工
J. The Completion of the Building
28六章十五节至七章四节是建造完工的记载。建造于以禄月二十五日完工，共五十二天。（六１５。）一切仇敌，四围的外邦人，都惧怕，在自己眼中显为低微，知道这工完成，是得神的帮助。（１６。）十七至十九节说到多比雅的威胁；他与犹大人因通婚而有了关联。在七章一至四节，尼希米派他的弟兄哈拿尼和城堡的指挥哈拿尼雅，管理耶路撒冷。（１～４。）哈拿尼雅是『忠信的，又敬畏神过于众人』。（２。）最后，神感动尼希米的心，要照家谱登记被掳归回的人，使耶路撒冷人口加增。（七５～７３，参拉二１～７０。）
28In 6:15—7:4 we have a record of the completion of the building. The building was completed on the twenty- fifth day of the month of Elul, in fifty-two days (6:15). All the enemies and all the surrounding nations were afraid and fell very low in their own eyes, knowing that this work was done with the help of God (v. 16). Verses 17-19 speak of the intimidation by Tobiah, who had relationships with the Jews in their intermarriage. In 7:1-4 Nehemiah gave his brother Hanani and the commander of the citadel charge over Jerusalem. Hanani was “a faithful man and feared God more than most” (v. 2). Lastly, God put it into Nehemiah’she art to enroll the returned captives by genealogy for the increase of the population of Jerusalem (vv. 5-73; cf. Ezra 2:1-70
29尼希米从神得著帮助，在重建耶路撒冷城墙上大大成功。今天我们，尤其是众召会中领头的人，思想他的榜样，的确是值得的。
29Nehemiah received help from God to carry out a great success in the work of rebuilding the wall of the city of Jerusalem. It is surely worthwhile for us today, especially the leading ones in the churches, to consider his example