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尼希米记生命读经 · 第5篇

尼希米为著神选民之国

The Leadership of Nehemiah for the
1重新构成的领导被掳归回之人的首领是君王家族的所罗巴伯，祭司家族的以斯拉，和平民家族的尼希米。在以色列历史上所有的首领当中，这三位是最拔尖的。尼希米是没有地位的普通人。圣经没有指明他的家族在社会上有崇高的地位，他也没有高等的职业。他虽然在波斯王宫服事，但只是个家仆。尼希米虽然是没有任何地位的平民，他却被置于非常崇高的地位，这个地位牵连到与君王亲密的接触。尼希米是王的酒政。（尼一１１下。）尼希米在王面前摆酒，拿起酒来奉给王。（二１上。）至终，王立这位酒政为犹大省长。尼希米特别的特征尼希米是被掳归回之人的一位首领，他有一些特别、特殊的特征。
1Reconstitution of the Nation of God’sElect The leaders of the returned captivity were Zerubbabel of the royal family, Ezra of the priestly family, and Nehemiah of a common family. Among all the leaders in the history of Israel, these three were the top ones. Nehemiah was very common with no rank. There is no indication that his family had a high standing in society, and he did not have a high profession. Even though he served in the palace of the king of Persia, he was just a household servant. Although Nehemiah was a common person without any position, he was placed in a very high position, a position which involved close contact with the king. Nehemiah was a cupbearer to the king (Neh. 1:11b). While wine was being set before the king, Nehemiah would take up the wine and give it to him (2:1a). Eventually, the king appointed this cupbearer to be the governor of Judah. NEHEMIAH’S PARTICULAR CHARACTERISTICS As one of the leaders of the returned captivity, Nehemiah had some particular and special characteristics
持有正确态度和行为的喜乐之人
Being a Pleasant Person with a Proper Attitude and Behavior
2尼希米作王的酒政，必是喜乐、甜美的人，一直持有合宜的态度和行为。他素来在王面前没有愁容。（１下。）尼希米若不是一个满足王要求的喜乐之人，王不会允许他继续作酒政。爱神和神在地上权益的人尼希米爱神，也爱神在地上关于祂经纶的权益。这权益包括美地、圣殿和耶路撒冷城，这一切都是尼希米所爱的。他虽然是平民，没有君王或军队元帅那样的地位，他却顾到神在地上的权益。
2As a cupbearer to the king, Nehemiah must have been a person who was pleasant and sweet and who was always proper in his attitude and behavior. He was never sad in the king’s presence (v. 1b). If Nehemiah had not been a pleasant person who fulfilled the king’s requests, the king would not have allowed him to continue serving as a cupbearer. A Person Who Loved God and God’sIn te rest on Earth Nehemiah loved God, and he loved God’sin te rest on earth concerning His economy. This interest included the good land, the temple, and the city of Jerusalem, all of which Nehemiah loved. Even though he was a common person without a rank such as that of a king or of a captain in the army, he took care of God’sin te rest on earth
在交通中祷告接触神的人
One Who Prayed to Contact God in Fellowship
3尼希米也是一直在交通中祷告神、接触神的人。他听见耶路撒冷的城墙拆毁，城门被火焚烧，就哭泣、悲哀、禁食、祈祷。（一２～４。）在十一节他祷告说，『主阿，求你侧耳听你仆人的祷告，听喜爱敬畏你名众仆人的祷告，使你仆人现今亨通，在王面前蒙怜恤。』这里尼希米祷告，要在王面前蒙恩。当王问及他的要求，尼希米就『默祷天上的神』。（二４。）
3Nehemiah was also one who always prayed to God to contact God in fellowship. When he heard that the people in Jerusalem were suffering and that the wall of Jerusalem had been broken down and that its gates had been burned with fire, he wept, mourned, fasted, and prayed (1:2-4). In verse 11 he prayed, saying, “I beseech You, O Lord, let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant and to the prayer of Your servants, who take delight in fearing Your name; and cause Your servant to prosper today, and grant him to find compassion before this man.” Here Nehemiah was praying that he would find favor with the king. When the king asked him regarding his request, Nehemiah “prayed to the God of heaven” (2:4).
信靠神并与神是一的人
A Person Who Trusted in God and Who Was One with God
4不但如此，尼希米也是信靠神并与神是一的人。神将负担放在他肩头上，当他背负这些负担时信靠神。尼希米知道，神至善的手帮助他，（８，１８，）他也求神记念他。（五１９，十三１４，３１。）这指明他信靠神并与神是一。神要得著尼希米这样的人并不容易。他的地位和职业非常低，但他爱神和神的权益，为著神的权益祷告，在交通中接触神，并且信靠神，与祂成为一。这些是尼希米在他与神关系上特别的特征。
4Furthermore, Nehemiah was a person who trusted in God and who was one with God. Burdens were placed upon his shoulder by God, but in bearing these burdens he trusted in God. Nehemiah knew that the good hand of God was upon him (vv. 8, 18), and he asked God to remember him (5:19; 13:14, 31). This indicates that he trusted in God and was one with God. It was not easy for God to gain such a person as Nehemiah. In rank and profession he was very low, but he loved God and God’sin te rest, he prayed for God’sin te rest, contacting Him in fellowship, and he trusted in God and became one with Him. These are Nehemiah’s particular characteristics in his relationship with God
全然不自私
Altogether Unselfish
5尼希米在他与百姓的关系上，全然不自私。他没有只顾自己。即使他得著如犹大省长的崇高地位－实际上他就是代理的犹大王，代表波斯王－他也从不为自己寻求甚么。尼希米没有利己主义。他始终愿意为百姓和国家，牺牲他所有的。他是省长，但他十二年之久没有接受任何俸禄，因为他知道建造城墙是百姓沉重的担子。（五１４～１８。）他不要加重他们的担子，所以他不接受俸禄，反而供给一百五十多人每日的需要。
5In his relationship with the people, Nehemiah was altogether unselfish. With him, there was no self- seeking. Even though he gained a high position as the governor of Judah— he was actually the acting king of Judah, representing the king of Persia—he never sought anything for himself. With Nehemiah there was no self-interest. He was always willing to sacrifice what he had for the people and for the nation. He was the governor, but he did not take any compensation for twelve years, because he realized that the building of the wall was a heavy burden on the people (5:14- 18). He did not want to increase the burden on them. Instead of receiving compensation, he provided for the daily necessities of more than one hundred fifty men
6尼希米也在那些豫备与仇敌争战的人当中，有分于夜间守望。（四１７～２３。）他没有将这些事留给别人作，乃是亲自参与其中。
6Nehemiah also was among those who were ready to fight against the enemy and he took part in the night watch (4:17-23). He did not leave these matters to others but participated in them himself
不放纵情欲
Not Indulging in Lust
7圣经没有说到尼希米的婚姻，这是相当显著的。我信尼希米与士师和列王不同，他只有一个妻子。他没有放纵性欲，但大卫和所罗门却都这样放纵。放纵性欲是大卫家腐败的主要因素，也是大卫和他后裔失去国度的主要因素。然而，尼希米则完全不同。我信在全部六千年的人类历史中，从来没有像尼希米这样的人。百姓对尼希米没有抱怨，人人都珍赏他，感激他。我们可以说，尼希米是位杰出的长老，他是一个上好的榜样，说出长老该如何行。我盼望今天众召会中所有的长老都像尼希米一样。
7It is quite striking that there is no word concerning Nehemiah’s marriage. I believe that, in contrast to the judges and the kings, Nehemiah had only one wife. He did not indulge in sexual lust. David and Solomon were both indulgent in this way. The indulgence in sexual lust was the main factor of the rottenness of David’s family and the main factor behind the loss of the kingdom for David and his descendants. Nehemiah, however, was altogether different. I believe that in the whole six thousand years of human history, there has never been such a one as Nehemiah. There were no complaints about Nehemiah from the people. Everyone appreciated him and was grateful for him. We may say that Nehemiah was an outstanding elder, the best example of what an elder should be. I hope that all the elders in the churches today will be like Nehemiah.
在重新构成神选民之国的事上，
NEHEMIAH GOING TO EZRA FOR HELP
尼希米到以斯拉那里得帮助
IN RECONSTITUTING THE NATION OF GOD’SELECT
8尼希米是一国的元首，治理者，但他全然没有野心。这由他承认自己需要以斯拉的事实所指明。在重新构成国的事上，尼希米知道他不认识神的话，但以认识神的话闻名的以斯拉仍活著，所以尼希米愿意到以斯拉那里得帮助。今天许多领头的人不愿这样寻求帮助，反而有野心要固守自己的地位，不愿带进以斯拉来帮助他们。但因为尼希米没有野心，他就带进以斯拉。尼希米知道，若没有以斯拉，他就无法重新构成神的子民。
8Nehemiah was a head, a ruler, of a nation, but he was altogether not ambitious. This is indicated by the fact that he recognized his need of Ezra. In reconstituting the nation, Nehemiah realized that he did not know God’sWord. But Ezra, who was famous for his knowledge of the Word of God, was still alive, and Nehemiah was willing to go to Ezra for help. Many of today’s leaders would not seek help in such away. Instead, being ambitious, they would hold on to their position and not bring in an Ezra to help them. But because Nehemiah was not ambitious, he brought in Ezra. Nehemiah knew that without Ezra he could not reconstitute the people of God
为著重新构成的重新教育
RE-EDUCATION FOR RECONSTITUTION
9要重新构成神的子民，需要用神口里所出，彰显神的话教育他们。这就是说，要重新构成神的子民，就要将他们放在神的话里，使他们被话浸透，藉此教育他们。以色列人在埃及至少有四百年。在那些年间，他们必定被埃及的学问所构成。然后他们被带到巴比伦七十年。所罗巴伯、以斯拉、尼希米，都是在巴比伦人当中出生并长大的。以色列人从巴比伦归回以后，因著通婚已经与迦南人搀杂了。因此，以色列人是被埃及、巴比伦和迦南的文化所构成。然而，他们归回作神的见证。但由埃及、巴比伦、迦南文化所构成的子民，如何成为神的见证，神人的彰显？这样的子民必定不是神人。他们如何能彰显神？要成为神的见证，神的彰显，他们就需要在神的话上重新受教育。
9In order to reconstitute the people of God, there is the need to educate them with the word that comes out of the mouth of God, which expresses God. This means that to reconstitute the people of God is to educate them by putting them into the Word of God that they may be saturated with the Word. The Israelites had been in Egypt for at least four hundred years. During those years they must have been constituted with Egyptian learning. Then they were brought to Babylon for seventy years. Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah were all born and raised among the Babylonians. After the people of Israel returned from Babylon, they mixed themselves with the Canaanites. Thus, the Israelites were constituted with the Egyptian, Babylonian, and Canaanite culture. Nevertheless, they returned to be the testimony of God. But how could a people with a constitution of Egyptian, Babylonian, and Canaanite culture be God’s testimony, the expression of the God - man? Such a people were not the God - men. How could they express God? In order to be the testimony of God, His expression, they needed to bere- educated in the Word of God.
归回的以色列人
THE RETURNED ISRAELITES
成为神的见证
BECOMING GOD’S TESTIMONY
10除了重新受教育以外，以色列人也需要像儿女被父母养育那样被养育。父母不但教育儿女，也自然而然、不知不觉的将他们自己，几乎他们全人，分赐到儿女里面。父母将他们所是的、所想的，灌输到儿女里面。至终，这将他们的儿女构成与他们一样。这是以色列人所需要的。在尼希米归回以前，以色列国一团糟。祭司的职任不明确，也无人顾到利未人和服事的人。歌唱的人在那里，但没有人为他们开歌唱的路，并将他们编组成队。尼希米在以斯拉的帮助下，将这国彻底的重新构成。这样，以色列人成为特别的国，圣别、分别归神、彰显神的国。他们被神的思想、神的考量、并神的一切所是灌输，使他们成为神的复制。藉著这种神圣的构成，人人都在生命和性情上成为神。结果，他们在地上成为神圣的国，彰显神圣的特性。他们是个别的并团体的被重新构成，作神的见证。归回的俘虏藉著在尼希米领导之下所进行的重新构成，至终成为神的见证。
10In addition to being re-educated, the people of Israel needed to be raised up in much the same way as parents raise their children. Parents not only educate their children but spontaneously and unconsciously impart themselves, nearly their whole being, into their children. Parents transfuse what they are and what they think into their children. Eventually, this constitutes their children to be the same as they are. This is what the children of Israel needed. Before Nehemiah came back, the nation of Israel was a mess. The duties of the priests were not certain, and no one was taking care of the Levites and the serving ones. The singers were there, but no one had opened the way for them to sing and to be formed into companies. Nehemiah, with the help of Ezra, totally reconstituted the nation. Then Israel became a particular nation, a nation sanctified and separated unto God, expressing God. They were transfused with the thought of God, with the considerations of God, and with all that God is, making them God’s reproduction. Everyone became God in life and in nature by this kind of divine constitution. As a result, they became a divine nation on earth expressing the divine character. They were reconstituted personally and corporately to be God’s testimony. The returned captives became God’s testimony through the reconstitution which took place under the leadership of Nehemiah
11恢复的书结束于尼希米记，其中心、重要的点，乃是正确、适当的领导。在士师记，撒母耳记上、下，列王纪上、下，和历代志上、下的领导是黑暗的，而以斯拉记和尼希米记里的记载是光明的。以斯拉记和尼希米记题起三位首领：所罗巴伯、以斯拉和尼希米。他们都是绝佳的首领，但三者之中最好、最高的是尼希米。尼希米是人类历史上完美的首领，上好的首领。惟有在所罗巴伯、以斯拉、尼希米这样的人领导之下，以色列才能重新构成为神的见证，神在地上的彰显，与外邦列国完全不同的子民。这也豫表神今天对召会的心意。
11The central and crucial point of the recovery books, which end with Nehemiah, is the matter of proper, adequate leadership. Whereas the record of the leadership in Judges, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, and 1 and 2 Chronicles is dark, the record in Ezra and Nehemiah is bright. In Ezra and Nehemiah three leaders are mentioned: Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah. They were all excellent leaders, but the best and the highest was Nehemiah. Nehemiah was the perfect leader, the best leader in human history. Only under the leadership of such persons as Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah could Israel be reconstituted to be the testimony of God, the expression of God on earth, a people absolutely different from the Gentile nations. This is a type of what God wants the church to be today.