This week, we shall continue the
study of the Book of Judges of the Old Testament.
(1) Many scholars consider 40 years as a generation in the Old Testament and so it appears that the Israelites had a hard time passing their faith to the next generation. How can we ensure that the next generation would follow The Lord?
(2) How unique or unusual was their plight under the Midianites compared with what they experienced before? How does their plight resemble the life of a wayward Christian who can never have rest as he depends on his own effort apart from the Lord?
(3) Have you ever tasted a similar experience?
(4) Before giving them a deliverer, God made sure that they knew the reason for their demise. Though the rebuke is quite familiar, it’s worth reflecting upon: See if these words of rebuke have any contemporary meaning to our generation, including yourselves.
(5) How long did they wait this time before they cried out to the Lord and what was the reason given?
(6) How does the fact that they still had a prophet among them speak to their spiritual condition?
(7) Pause and reflect on the main message to you today. How may you apply it to your life?
請慢慢細讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反複思考問題。
(1) 不少解經家認為在舊約時代，一般以40年為一個世代。若是如此，底波拉的世代未能把他們對神的信仰傳給下一代了。究竟我們怎樣才能把相信、跟從主的心意傳給下一代呢？
(2) 這新一代的以色列人在米甸人手下所受的苦有什麼特別之處？今天活在神的旨意以外的信徒的生活，在什麼地方與這些以色列人相似？
(3) 你曾有類似的經歷嗎？
(4) 在拯救他們之前，神先派先知叫他們知罪；所發出的責備雖然是我們熟悉的，卻值得我們細思：你覺得先知這番話是否適用於我們這個世代，甚至在你身上？
(5) 這一次，以色列人等待了多久才呼求神？聖經所記的原因是什麼？
(6) 既然尚有神可用的先知在他們中間，他們屬靈的境況究竟如何？
(7) 請停下思想今日對你主要的提醒是什麼？你可以怎樣應用在自己的生命中？
“Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern peoples invaded the country.” (Jdg. 6:3)
This vicious cycle of rebellion against the Lord continued after the death of Deborah, and the generation under Deborah again failed to pass on their faith in Yahweh to their descendants.
Although there was still at least a prophet among them whom God could use to be His messenger, it appeared that not only the people in general but their leaders had taken the lead to rebel against the Lord. A case in point was the father of Gideon, Joash, who should be saddling between the former generation under Deborah and the current generation that blatantly turned away from God to idols. It was Joash, not Gideon, who built an altar to Baal (6:25). Joash could not claim that he did not hear of the mighty deed of deliverance by God under Deborah, although he might be a young lad at the time of the miraculous defeat of the Moabites.
The punishment by the Lord this time was rather unique. Instead of total domination by the Midianites and the “eastern peoples”, these enemies chose not to possess their land, but to raid them at the most inopportune time—the time when the Israelites planted their crops. In other words, all that had gone into their labor was totally wasted. But this is a most fitting picture for a people who belong to the Lord and yet have chosen to turn away from Him. We, Christians, should understand this perfectly.
Like a broken cistern (Jer. 2:13), all our own toil and labor, plans and energy could not give us any success. It appears that God is against us at every turn. Worse, the joy and peace we once knew has changed into unrest and anxiety. All because we have chosen to disobey God and His will. Frankly, it is grace. If things all work out for us, in spite of our lack of peace, our consciences will be so seared that we will walk farther and farther away from the Lord.
And so, the Israelites were “so impoverished” that they cried out to the Lord for help (6:6). Amazingly, the God of grace, once again, listened to their cry and gave them yet another chance. For some of us, it is time for us to cry out to the Lord and return to Him and His will.
「以色列人每逢撒種之後米甸人、亞瑪力人和東方人都上來攻打他們。」(士 6:3)
以色列人離棄神這惡性的循環在底波拉死後仍然繼續，連她和她世代的人也不能影響下一代，繼續的敬拜耶和華。
我們看到在這新一代的中間，雖然仍有神能使用的先知，似乎他們作帶領的是率先引導百姓離棄神。基甸的父親就是最好的例證。以他的年紀，他是跨越兩代的；當他年幼時，必親耳聽聞神怎樣藉著底波拉戰勝敵人。但他竟是為巴力築壇的那位(6:25) 。
不過，神這一次用來教訓他們的方法卻是很特別的。米甸人和其他的東方人並沒有佔領他們的土地，叫他們服苦、作奴隸；卻是在他們剛剛撒種之後攻打他們，使他們辛辛苦苦的耕耘化為烏有。這正是一個屬神的人，離開主、走自己的路的寫照。我們作基督徒的，應該深明此理。
像耶利米書2:13所喻的自鑿破裂的水池，我們憑自己的勞苦、經營，得來的是節節的失敗，好像神不斷的與我們作對；心靈因而失去喜樂平安，更換來憂慮與愁煩。這全因自己選擇不聽神的話，要走自己的路。其實這仍是恩典。若然我們事事順利，就會叫我們不顧心中不平安的警告，越來越離開神了！
故此，以色列人因「極其的窮乏」而向神呼求，這是恩典！神也是恩上加恩的，他們一呼求，祂就聽，更給予他們再一次回轉的機會。不曉得，現在是否你應向神呼求的時刻？
(1) Where normally did people in Israel thresh their wheat? (See Ruth 3:2)
(2) Why did Gideon thresh his in the wine press?
(3) How did the angel of the Lord address Gideon?
(4) How unusual was Gideon's reply? What does it tell you about Gideon’s state of mind?
(5) Were his doubts and complaints justified? Why or why not?
(6) Compare carefully v. 11 and v. 14. Who then is this angel of The Lord?
(7) How did The Lord frame His “calling” in v. 14?
(8) If you were Gideon, what might be your immediate response?
(9) How different is your “would-be” response from Gideon's?
(10) Compare Gideon’s response to say, Saul’s (1 Sam. 9:21). Were they genuine? Were they justified?
(11) God’s calling and His promised presence always go hand-in-hand. How does this fact speak to you?
(12) What did Gideon’s question and his action (in vv. 17-18) signify?
(13) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
Note:
Threshing floors were often on hills where the night wind could more easily blow away the chaff, while a winepress was a hole in the ground.
請慢慢細讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反複思考問題。
(1) 你曉得那時代的以色列人一向是在什麼地方打麥的呢？(可參路3:2)
(2) 基甸要在酒醡那裡打麥有什麼感受？
(3) 耶和華的使者怎樣稱呼基甸？為什麼？
(4) 基甸的回答有什麼特別之處？這叫我們對他的心情有什麼體會？
(5) 他的疑問和埋怨是否合理？為什麼？
(6) 試把第11和第14節作比較：你對這耶和華的使者有什麼認識？
(7) 耶和華神在第14節所說的話是什麼意思？
(8) 如果你是基甸，你立刻的回答會是什麼？
(9) 基甸的回答又是什麼？
(10) 試把基甸的回答與掃羅的回答相比(見撒上9:21) ：你認為他們所說的是真心的嗎？何以見得？
(11) 神的呼召往往與祂同在的應許是不能分開的：對你而言，這有什麼意義？
(12) 基甸在第17-18的請求和行動表明了什麼？
(13) 今日對你主要的提醒是什麼？你可以怎樣應用在自己的生命中？
註：打麥的禾場一般是在山丘上，讓晚風能吹去糠秕，而酒醡是在地上掘的洞。
“(I)f the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us…But now the Lord has abandoned us and put us into the hand of Midian.” (Jdg. 6:13)
As the angel of the Lord (who is the Lord Himself which v. 14 makes clear) called Gideon to be the next deliverer of Israel, He was met with a barrage of questions that bordered on blasphemy:
“(I)f the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all His wonders that our fathers told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and put us into the hand of Midian” (6:13).
These words of complaints and doubts followed the rebuke of the prophet which, I believe, everyone in Israel would have heard. How dare anyone, including Gideon put the blame on God for their own demise!
However, the response of the Lord was one of understanding, patience and encouragement. Why?
I believe it was because the Lord knew that Gideon had lived under a household that did not fear Him, and as a total stranger to the Lord, these questions, though wrong in themselves, were understandable. If Gideon still asked such questions after his personal encounter with the Lord, it would have been a different story.
Such is the case with the people of this Post-Christian era. I have heard over and over again similar challenges by non-Christians as I seek to introduce Christ to them: “If there is a God, why is the world so full of pain and sufferings?” Then they will cite famine in Africa, genocides, diseases and tsunamis as examples.
We should not be offended by their challenges, because they have yet to know the love of God personally. However, if similar complaints and doubts are expressed by Christians who have tasted the goodness of the Lord in His salvation, it is certainly a different matter.
I have heard personally a leader in a Christian community encourage other Christians to vent their frustrations and angers towards the Lord, saying that “He can take it.” At the time, I feared for her, because there is no way the children of God can take their heavenly Father so lightly, casually and disrespectfully. As much as He is our heavenly Father, He remains the holy and awesome God. As it turned out, some years later, it was reported in the news that she had a fight with her husband and both ended up in the hospital. Not being able to control one’s anger is one thing, to teach others that it is okay to vent their anger against God is another. Certainly, God cannot be taken lightly!
「耶和華若與我們同在，我們何至遭遇這一切的事呢？」(士6:13)
當耶和華的使者(按第14節所顯示，這使者就是耶和華) 呼召基甸作以色列的拯救者時，基甸向祂發洩心中的不滿，所言甚為不敬：「耶和華若與我們同在，我們何至遭遇這一切事呢？我們的列祖不是向我們說耶和華領我們從埃及上來麼？他那樣奇妙的作為在哪裡呢？現在他卻丟棄我們，將我們交在米甸人手裡」(6:13)
他這樣的質問和埋怨當然不對，神派先知責備的說話，應該人人都曉得的。誰可以將他們自作孽歸咎於神呢！但希奇的是，神的回答是充滿了體諒、忍耐和鼓勵的。為什麼？
我相信，神明白基甸是生長於已經離開神、敬拜偶像的家庭；他對神是完全陌生的，故此，他的說話雖然不當，卻是可以理解的。但及後，在他認識神，個人更嘗過神的真實時，尚這樣不敬的對神質疑，就當然不同了。
這正是今天「後基督教時代」的北美社會所常見的。當我試圖與非基督徒分享福音，屢次聽到類似這裡的質疑：「若果真的有神，神真是慈愛的話，為何世人會充滿這麼多的禍患？」他們就會以戰亂、饑饉、疾病、和海嘯為例，質疑神的存在！
我們不應因此對他們加以責備，因為他們尚未認識神，尚未嘗過祂的真實與慈愛。但若然這些仍出自信徒的口，就不同了。我們既然「嘗過天恩的滋味」(來6:4) ，若在苦難中向神質疑，甚至發怒，就絕對不該了。
我親耳聽到一位受人敬重的基督徒領袖，告訴年輕的神學生，我們是可以向神發怒的，祂是當得起的。當時我心中暗暗的替她擔憂。過了不多年，她與丈夫打架，兩人要入院求醫，竟成為報章主要的新聞。我立時提醒自己，神是輕慢不得的！自己不能控制自己的憤怒已是不當，竟然教導別人可以同樣的向神發怒。我們真的以神為可欺的嗎？
(1) What did Gideon’s action in vv. 17-19 signify as far as his recognition of who this messenger of the Lord was?
(2) What did the action of the “angel” show in vv. 20-21?
(3) What did this action mean to Gideon judging both from his fear and the building of an altar?
(4) Do you think that with this experience or encounter, Gideon was ready to carry the commission of the Lord? Why or why not?
(5) Before the act of deliverance, what did God instruct Gideon to do the same night?
(6) What was the significance of (a) the tearing down of the Asherah pole, (b) the building of a proper altar, and (c) the altar belonging to Gideon’s father or household?
(7) How did Gideon carry out this order of the Lord and why?
(8) What does it tell you about Gideon and his relationship with the Lord at this time?
(9) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
請慢慢細讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反複思考問題。
(1) 連同第17-18節，基甸在第19節的舉動表明他看這使者是誰？
(2) 這使者在第20-21所作的又表明些什麼？
(3) 使者此舉為何使基甸懼怕？他築壇的反應表明什麼？
(4) 這個經歷之後，你認為基甸已準備好去承擔這救民的使命嗎？為什麼？
(5) 實行這使命之前，基甸在晚間尚得到什麼吩咐？
(6) 這吩咐的重要性何在？特別是要除掉偶像的壇、另立一壇給耶和華、及所毀的壇原是基甸父親所建的？
(7) 基甸怎樣實行神這吩咐？為什麼？
(8) 到了這時刻，你可以怎樣形容基甸與神的關係？
(9) 今日對你主要的提醒是什麼？你可以怎樣應用在自己的生命中？
“Take down your father’s altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it…” (Jdg. 6:25)
We often think of the judges in Israel as mere heroes with brute force, and in the case of Samson, it certainly was true. But as we consider the many other judges whom God raised up, there was often a deeper spiritual dimension to these individuals. The way God chose to deal with them while raising them up as judges also shows that God was interested in both the restoration of the nation back to Himself and the bringing of the persons He raised to a personal relationship with Him.
In the case of Gideon, He could have just allowed His Spirit to come upon him one day and have him gather the people around him and rout the enemies who had been terrorizing them. But we see that God patiently carried out His plan in bringing Gideon to a personal relationship with Him:
- The appearing to him in the winepress was a personal invitation—a sign of Him extending His friendship to Gideon.
- Allowing Gideon to vent his frustrations and doubts towards Him was a great way to help Gideon to know himself and to express his passion for his people.
- The miraculous burning of the meat and the bread was not only an epiphany that proved who He is, and but also showed His acceptance of Gideon and his offering.
Now, it was time for Gideon to make a decision, not so much in terms of taking on the calling as the deliverer of Israel, but to make the Lord his God. The building of an altar to the Lord was a sign that he acknowledged the Lord as God, but God could not co-exist in his household with other idols. To truly make the Lord his God, he had to get rid of all the gods and idols he used to worship. Perhaps, in all the tests that God had given Gideon, this was the toughest, because the altar of Baal and the Asherah pole were not his, but his father’s (presumably Joash was the clan’s leader; these then were also the shrines for the whole town). Without any argument and without any delay, Gideon demolished all these shrines. He had truly made the Lord his God.
Some of the early missionaries to China have been criticized for being insensitive to Chinese culture and heritage as they forced the new converts to destroy their idols. The example of Gideon is a very clear answer to these criticisms. On the contrary, the continued practice of “Vo-dou” in Haiti by so-called Christians/Catholics is a sad testimony of so-called culturally sensitive evangelism.
「並拆毀你父親為巴力所築的壇，砍下壇旁的木偶。」 (士6:25)
我們常以為士師只不過是以色列民族的英雄，單有武力而已，以參孫為例，這是對的。但神所興起的士師也多有屬靈的品質，而神在興起他們的過程中，也顯出神看重他們個人和百姓靈性的復興。
就以基甸而言，神大可以單單叫祂的靈降臨在他身上，驅使其他人跟從他，施神蹟叫他們打敗敵人。但我們所看到的是神的忍耐，祂一步一步的引導基甸去認識、信靠祂：
- 藉著酒醡中的到訪，伸出了友誼之手；
- 容讓基甸舒發心中的疑問，讓他認識神自己和神對百姓苦況的關懷；
- 以火焚燒祭物，不但顯出祂是神，更是接納基甸和他的祭物的表示。
現在更是基甸「決志」的時刻—不但是正式承擔使命的時刻，更是公開歸向神的時刻。他雖然以築壇來表示他以耶和華為神(6:24)，但神絕對不能與偶像共存。他若真的歸向耶和華，就必須除掉偶像。或許，在神給予他的種種試驗中，這個是最困難的，因為所要除去的偶像和祭壇是他父親所建的，更已成為該城的人共用的祭壇！但是我們沒有讀到基甸像以前一般多多質疑，反而是默然不語的遵行。
不少人批評早期來華的宣教士，認為他們吩咐歸信基督的華人，要除去一切偶像，是沒有顧及文化與傳統。神在此對基甸的吩咐是對這些發出批評的人合宜的回答。其實，我們只要看看海地人多有繼續Vo-Dou的敬拜，就曉得傳福音時，對「文化傳統」的尊重的禍害。神豈能與偶像共存！
(1) What does the reaction of the people of the town tell us about the spiritual condition of the Israelites in general at the time?
(2) How does it speak to the action taken by Gideon?
(3) What was the response by Gideon’s father? Are you surprised by this response? Why or why not?
(4) In the course of the people’s investigation (v. 29), I am sure that Gideon’s father must have done his own investigation and heard from Gideon directly. What then did Joash show with his defense of his son who tore down “his” altar to Baal?
(5) Gideon belonged to the tribe of Manasseh. Can you remember the tribes from which the previous judges came?
(6) As much as Gideon had the clear calling of the Lord to deliver his people, what was the key to his act of deliverance and the timing?
(7) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
請慢慢細讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反複思考問題。
(1) 從城中的人對基甸所行的反應，我們可以看到以色列人當時屬靈的境況是怎樣的？
(2) 這也讓我們看到基甸順服神的吩咐除掉偶像的決定殊不簡單，你說對嗎？
(3) 基甸的父親的反應又是什麼？你感到意外嗎？為什麼？
(4) 為何約阿施會這樣維護兒子？所除掉的壇豈不是他所築的嗎？
(5) 我們曉得基甸是屬瑪拿西支派的。你還記得在他之前的士師是出自那些支派嗎？
(6) 基甸固然有神清楚的呼召，但在實行拯救一事，最重要的成功因素是什麼？
(7) 今日對你主要的提醒是什麼？你可以怎樣應用在自己的生命中？
“Then, the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon and he blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him.” (Jdg. 6:34)
Of all the Judges, I really like Gideon—he would not do anything unless clearly directed by the Lord. Yes, he might seem hesitant at times (and he probably was), but I would rather err on the side of slowness than presumptuousness.
If I had seen the Lord face to face, heard His calling as clear as daylight, witnessed the miraculous burning of my offering (not many in biblical history had witnessed such a sight), continued to be spoken to by the Lord either in dreams or in person, had taken the steps to destroy the altar of Baal and the Asherah pole, and even now see my father repent of his idol-worship, I would be ready to take on the world, and in the words of the Lord, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel…” (6:14).
From day one, Gideon had no illusion that by his own strength he could save Israel. He knew from the beginning that he by himself could not do it, and what he said in v. 15 was not words of false humility: “My clan is the weakest in Manasseh and I am the least in my family.” All these subsequent miraculous events did increase his faith in God, but not in himself. How precious!
He would not do it on his own or his own timing. But once the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, he blew the first trumpet to have the people follow him (6:34).
The Spirit of the Lord was not moving only in the time of Judges, He moves among us just the same today. We need to learn from Gideon in relying on God’s Spirit and His timing.
「耶和華的靈降在基甸身上，他就吹角，亞比以謝族都聚集跟隨他。」 (士6:34)
在眾多的士師中，我比較欣賞基甸—他是力求清楚是神的吩咐，才採取行動的。對，有時他的表現近乎拖延和遲鈍，但總比草率和任意妄為為佳。
如果我像他一樣—已面對面看見到訪的神、清楚聽到祂的呼召、目睹祭物被天火焚燒、繼而有神不斷的顯現或說話、也鼓起勇氣砍掉父親的偶像、亦經歷神的眷顧，連父親也回轉過來；相信我已準備好照神所吩咐的：「你靠著你這能力去從米甸人手裡拯救以色列人」 (6:14) 。
但是從開始，基甸就絕對曉得不是他「這能力」可以拯救以色列的。所以他在第15節所言，並非假裝的謙卑：「我有何能拯救以色列呢，我家在瑪拿西支派中是至貧窮的，我的父家是至微小的」。對，及後神所給予他的說話和經歷確實增加了他的信心，但這是對神，不是對自己的信心。你說這是多麼的寶貴！
故此，基甸學會單倚靠神，包括單單等候神的時間，要耶和華的靈降臨在身上，他才吹角，叫人跟隨他(6:34) 。
神的靈不是單單在士師的時候臨到我們，祂更在我們的時代中運行。我們同時需要像基甸一樣，不但完全的倚靠神，更要等候神的時間。
(1) Gideon had seen the Lord, heard His voice, saw His miraculous reception of his offering; he had the courage to tear down his father’s altar for Baal and witnessed the subsequent result; now the Spirit of the Lord came upon him and he recruited a huge army. Why then did he still need further proof of God’s promised deliverance?
(2) Was the Lord mad or impatient with his request? Why?
(3) What was his first request?
(4) What was the result of his first test?
(5) Why was he not satisfied?
(6) What was his next request?
(7) Do you think Gideon planned the two tests as one?
(8) Was the Lord mad or impatient with his further request? Why?
(9) Can we test the Lord like Gideon? Why or why not?
(10) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
請慢慢細讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反複思考問題。
(1) 到了此時，基甸已曾見過神的面、聽過祂的聲音、目睹祭物被神的火燒盡被悅納、作出了勇敢砍除偶像的舉動，亦經歷到神在這事上的眷顧；現在更有耶和華的靈降臨在身上，為何他還需要從神得到進一步的證據？
(2) 你以為神會因此感到不耐煩，甚至對基甸不悅嗎？為什麼？
(3) 基甸第一個的請求是什麼？
(4) 這一次試驗的結果如何？
(5) 為何他仍嫌不夠？
(6) 基甸第二個的請求是什麼？
(7) 你認為基甸早已想到或計劃好這第二個試驗嗎？為什麼？
(8) 神對祂再次的請求的反應是什麼？為什麼？
(9) 我們可以像基甸這樣的試驗神嗎？為什麼？
(10) 今日對你主要的提醒是什麼？你可以怎樣應用在自己的生命中？
“If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised…” (Jdg. 6:36)
Gideon’s testing of the Lord with the fleece is quite hilarious when you think about it. He has already blown his trumpet and seen these northern tribes respond in droves. He had gathered them to face their enemies, and now he chose to test the Lord one more time. What if, just what if, God failed the test? Or rather, what if he heard God incorrectly? What was he to do?!
But if we read his request to the Lord carefully—he was not testing to see if God would honor His promise to save Israel, he was testing to see if God would save Israel through him! He wanted to make unmistakably clear that he did not act presumptuously, because it was not only his life and his reputation at stake, but the entire nation's, and for that matter, God’s too!
And he dictated the test too—and I believe he planned the two tests as a set, well in advance. Perhaps, as some opine, the fleece represented Gideon himself—so little a thing on the threshing ground—but if God cared enough to make the little fleece happen as Gideon wished—be it dry or wet, He would care enough to use him in all situations!
And he did it reverently, in fear and trembling, asking God, “do not be angry with me”, because he revered the Lord.
Many have argued whether it is fitting for us to test the Lord as Gideon did. Drawing from the above thoughts, I think it is far more important for us to emulate Gideon’s attitude than his testing of the Lord in that we need to be very careful that we are doing God’s will and not out of presumption. We need to be mindful of God’s reputation not ours, and we need to fear God as the Holy One and the Sovereign One. If our attitude is right, our action will be pleasing to Him. I believe Gideon pleased God with the testing of the fleece.
「祢若果照著祢所說的話，藉我手拯救以色列人……」(士6:36)
想到基甸以羊毛試神，確是有點可笑！不是嗎？他已經吹角，北面的支派已多有跟隨，他已組織了大軍，向敵宣戰，現在才要弄清楚神真的應許拯救以色列嗎？若果這試驗的結果失敗，或不大確實，他怎樣辦呢！
若然我們仔細看看他對神的請求，就曉得他不是不信神拯救以色列的應許，乃是還不敢相信神會藉他的手成就這拯救。他是要確確實實知道，自己沒有聽錯，沒有任意妄為，因為不單是他自己的性命和名譽的問題，更是整個民族和神的名譽的問題！
我相信他是深思熟慮的計劃好這兩次相反的試驗。或許像一些解經家所認為，那團小小的羊毛，是象徵著渺小的基甸，被放在廣闊的禾場—如果神能顧念小團的羊毛，在或乾或濕相反的情況下，作成祂要作的神蹟，何況小小的基甸，神同樣能在任何相反的情況下使用他了！
還有，他不再是像起初遇見神的時候，隨意的開口，乃是戰戰兢兢的說：「求祢不要向我發怒」(6:39) 。
不少人問，我們是否能像基甸一樣的試驗神呢？從以上的思想，我覺得最重要學習的，是基甸的心態，而不是試驗神的舉動。若然我們看重的，是要清楚神的心意，不願任意妄為；看重的是神的名譽而不是自己的得失；又帶著敬畏神的心；這樣，心先較對了，自然所行的也討神的喜悅。我相信，基甸這樣做，是討神喜悅的。
(1) What does “Jerub-Baal” mean? What effect would it have on Gideon being called this name all the time? (Put yourself in his shoes.)
(2) Why did God want to trim Gideon’s army?
(3) What might it mean to Gideon?
(4) What excuse did God allow these Israelite “volunteers” have?
(5) How many took this opportunity to back out of the battle?
(6) What might be the message(s) to us today (a) as followers of Jesus Christ, and (b) in calling others to follow Christ and serve in His cause?
(7) What did this mean to Gideon who, not long ago, struggled with his trust in God’s promise?
(8) How many were left to follow Gideon and how many did God want to trim the army down to?
(9) What was the second means that God used to trim the army?
(10) What might be the difference between kneeling down to drink and lapping water from their cupped hands to their mouths?
(11) In essence, with the two eliminations, what kind of men did God want to have in His army? What kind of people did He not want?
(12) What is its implication to us as disciples of Jesus Christ?
(13) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
請慢慢細讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反複思考問題。
(1) 「耶路巴力」是什麼意思？人這樣不斷的稱呼基甸，會對他有什麼影響？
(2) 神為何要削減基甸的軍力？
(3) 這對餘下跟隨他的人會有什麼影響？
(4) 神給這些「志願軍」什麼藉口，可以退出？
(5) 這「藉口」豈不是非常叫人感到被辱，為什麼竟有22,000人這樣的退出？
(6) 神如此的削減軍力，給我們今天要跟從主耶穌的人有什麼重要的信息？這對我們呼籲別人跟從主、事奉主又有什麼提醒？
(7) 這對剛剛經歷信心掙扎的基甸有什麼意義？
(8) 第一次的削減，叫基甸的軍隊餘下有多少？神至終希望要減至多少？
(9) 第二次的削減的方法又是什麼？
(10) 像狗跪下餂水和用手捧著餂水分別何在？
(11) 從兩次削減過程中，我們可以看出，神要使用的是怎樣的戰士？祂不能使用的又是怎樣的人？
(12) 對今日要作基督耶穌精兵的人的提醒又是什麼？
(13) 今日對你主要的提醒是什麼？你可以怎樣應用在自己的生命中？
“There are still too many men…I will sift them for you there.” (Jdg. 7:4)
We have considered Gideon’s test of the Lord with the fleece. I wonder who was really testing whom!
When the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon, his trumpet call resulted in 32,000 men joining him to fight against the formidable allied army of the Midianites. It must have been a great morale booster, not only for Gideon, but for all of Israel! But wait, it was not a morale booster for God, it was just the opposite. He did not consider most of these men fit for His battle. Simply being skilled warriors was not good enough for Him. The two cuts that He ordered Gideon to make reflect God’s desire for the kind of people who could join His army.
Firstly, He does not want those who join His army simply because other people joined. In other words, they may not truly have a passion or a sense of mission to fight for the Lord. They may not be willing to risk their lives, to forsake their families or to put an interruption to their normal pursuit of life. They joined only because others joined and they did not want to look bad. But now, officially, you had a choice to back out: 22,000 of them—more than two-thirds of them, withdrew right away. Did they really leave because they “tremble[d] with fear”? I doubt it very much, because as warriors, the last thing you want is to be laughed at. But, since there was no real passion or sense of mission, it was the best opportunity to back out!
Then, the Lord does not want those who are not alert and disciplined for warfare to join. They may have a heart and desire to be part of God’s warfare, but their lives are such that they have never been prepared. The difference between drinking with their knees down and lapping water from their cupped hands to their mouths was about alertness and disciplined. The former drank in such a way that their focus was on the quenching of their thirst and not on being aware of possible enemy attack. The latter demonstrated their alertness and discipline as soldiers.
Both are such important criteria for us today as soldiers of the Lord. The Lord demands that we follow Him with a clear sense of mission to the point that we are willing to forsake even those who are dearest and closest to us and to carry our cross and follow Him (Lk. 14:26-27). And so He says, “any one of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciples” (Lk. 14:33).
Equally important is to live a life of discipline and alertness as the Apostle Paul reminds us, “The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber…the night is nearly over, the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexually immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy…” (Rom. 13:11-13).
If we think we can serve the Lord while slumbering in our spirit, we are not fit to be part of the army of the Lord.
「人還是過多……我要為你試試他們。」(士師記7:4）
我們剛剛思想過基甸用羊毛來試驗神。其實是誰在試驗誰呢？
當耶和華的靈降臨在基甸身上，他吹角號召了32,000人來跟隨他去對抗米甸的聯軍。這熱烈的響應，應該使基甸得到鼓舞，也叫以色列人士氣大增，但卻見不得給神帶來什麼的鼓舞。反而在神看來，他們只是烏合之眾！祂認為大部份是不合祂使用的。就算是驍勇善戰，也不就等如合神使用的。從祂兩次吩咐基甸削減人數，我們可以看見神對能為祂爭戰的人所要求的條件。
首先，祂不願意有人因看見別人入伍，也趁高興的加入。換句話說，這些入伍的人沒有真正的使命感或真情為神作戰。當遇到危險，需要作出生命的抉擇、要放棄家庭、或有所犧牲時，他們未必能堅持下去，因為他們只是跟著別人走。現在，機會來了，神主動的給他們退出的藉口；結果22,000人，即是超過三份之二的人立刻退出。他們是否真的因「懼怕膽怯」而歸家呢？堂堂男子漢，豈會如此羞家，承認自己膽怯呢！但因根本沒有使命感，也不願作出任何犧牲，此時不走更待何時呢！
然而，就是有使命感，甚至勇敢，若沒有紀律的生命和儆醒的心態，也不合神所用。這就是像狗跪下飲水和用手捧水的分別了。只因要止渴而失去警覺性，豈不是容易為敵所侵害！但用手捧水卻是紀律、警覺的表現。
這兩個條件同樣是今天合主使用的人所必具備的。主耶穌同樣要求我們要有清晰的使命感，甚至願意愛祂勝過一切、捨己背十架來跟隨祂(路14:26-27) 。祂更告訴我們：「你們無論甚麼人，若不撇下一切所有的，就不能作我的門徒」(路14:33) 。
同樣重要的是，神要求我們過一個有紀律、儆醒的生命，就如使徒保羅所提醒我們的：「現今就是該趁早睡醒的時候……黑暗已深、白晝將近，我們就當脫去暗昧的行為，帶上光明的兵器。行事為人要端正，好像行在白晝。不可荒宴醉酒，不可好色邪蕩。不可爭競嫉妒」(羅13:11-13) 。
若果我們沒有儆醒的生命，是不合，也不配作基督耶穌的精兵的。
(1) We read of many lively exchanges between Gideon and the Lord in the previous chapter. Did Gideon say anything to the Lord during the elimination process? What does this say about Gideon?
(2) What does it tell you about the training process that a person needs to go through before being greatly used by the Lord?
(3) How does the Bible describe the Midianite army?
(4) As much as Gideon appeared to have progressed quite a bit in his faith, how did God provide him with further encouragement and why?
(5) How might the dream affect the Midianite army and why did God use a “barley loaf” to denote the sword of Gideon?
(6) What did Gideon do upon hearing the dream? What does “worship” mean in this context?
(7) Have you ever worshipped God out of a similar experience? What does “worship” mean to you every Sunday?
(8) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
請慢慢細讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反複思考問題。
(1) 上一章我們讀到基甸不斷的對神的吩咐作出發問，而這兩次削減軍力的吩咐中，他的反應又是怎樣的不同？為何會如此？
(2) 這叫我們對神給予祂要重用的人的操練有什麼領會？
(3) 聖經怎樣形容米甸聯軍的勢力？
(4) 既然基甸對神的相信和順服已有顯著的增長，為何神不用他請求就給他進一步的證明？
(5) 你認為這奇特的夢對米甸人本身有什麼影響？為何神以「大麥餅」喻基甸？
(6) 基甸聽到這夢立刻作出什麼回應？你會這樣回應嗎？「敬拜」是什麼的意思？
(7) 你曾否有類似使你立時敬拜的經歷嗎？你每主日「敬拜」的意義是什麼？
(8) 今日對你主要的提醒是什麼？你可以怎樣應用在自己的生命中？
“When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he worshipped God.” (Jdg. 7:15)
Before God can greatly use a person, there usually is a long process of molding and training. It speaks to our need for transformation and also to the patience of God. And in the case of the molding and transformation of Gideon, it appears that it reached its climax in 7:15.
We are familiar with the calling of Gideon—the personal appearance of the Lord as the “angel of the Lord”; the clear words of calling; and the miraculous consuming of his offering that was only paralleled by the experience of Abraham before him (Gen. 15).
His calling was necessarily accompanied by true repentance—the breaking of idols, even those of his father.
Then Gideon experienced for the first time in his life, the coming upon him of the Spirit of the Lord which gave him great courage in assembling a sizeable army from the northern tribes of Israel—32,000 people strong.
The ultimate test of faith and obedience followed, as the Lord cut the army down to merely 300 people strong. I wonder if this was a greater test for Gideon or for the 300 who would still follow. I guess it was for all of them!
Gideon had certainly grown in his faith — while there was no lively exchange between him and the Lord, there was certainly no words of doubts. Gideon remained silent. But inwardly, he was only human, and the Lord knew that beneath this sea of calm, there were still under-currents of fear. The Lord was certainly very, very understanding, and he gave one more opportunity for Gideon to be assured of His presence and His victory.
The dream that he heard from the man (likely a soldier in the enemy’s camp) gave him the assurance he needed, “This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon, son of Joash, the Israelite. God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands” (7:14).
And with great amazement and emotion I read the next verse in the Scripture, “When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he worshipped God” (7:15). I was expecting responses by Gideon like, “he thanked the Lord”, or “he trusted in the Lord”, but not “he worshipped God”!
It means that Gideon had come to “totally surrender himself to God”—that is the true meaning of worship. The act of worship, whether in the Old Testament or the New Testament, is often in the form of prostrating oneself before the Lord. Such a posture can mean nothing other than the total surrender of a person before God. That was exactly what Gideon did!
Such an act of worship embodies his repentance—he now repented from his doubts if God would use him to save the people; his total trust — even with only 300 men, he knew it was more than enough because God has promised; and his total surrender to God — he now saw more than his sin, but his smallness and his insignificance, but more than that, the holiness, the greatness and majesty of this God of the universe! The only response he could have was to prostrate before Him and worship Him. His transformation, in a sense, was complete!
「基甸聽見這夢和夢的講解，就敬拜神」(士7:15）
神要使用一個人之前，總有一段不短暫的模造和操練的過程。一方面因我們是非常的粗糙；另一方面也顯出神是何等的長久忍耐。在基甸被神模造的過程中，7:15節可以說是達到高峰的時刻！
我們都會記得神是怎樣呼召基甸的：神以耶和華使者的身份向他作個人的顯現，給予他清楚可聽見的呼召，繼而藉天火焚燒祭物，就像亞伯拉罕所經歷的一樣(參創15章) 。
但他的蒙召必先以悔改為基礎，故此基甸順命砍掉父親的偶像。
跟著是經歷耶和華的靈的降臨，給他勇氣吹角，召來了32,000人的大軍。
但他信心試驗的高峰在於讓神刻意把軍旅由32,000人削減至300人。這當然不單是基甸信心的考驗，更是全群(300人) 的信心的考驗！
在這嚴厲的考驗中，基甸並沒有半句的質疑，而是默默的順從。但是否他真的沒有懼怕呢？神知道得非常清楚，祂主動的給予基甸再一次的證據，藉敵人口中夢的講解，叫基甸再不用懷疑了：「這不是別的，乃是以色列人約阿施的兒子基甸的刀，神已將米甸和全軍都交在他的手中」(7:14) 。
接下來聖經所記載基甸的反應叫我深受感動：「基甸聽見這夢和夢的講解，就敬拜神」(7:15) 。我以為基甸會立時讚美神，或說出感恩的話。誰知，聖經說，他立刻的回應是敬拜神！換句話說，基甸因此完全的向神降服(a total surrender) —這是敬拜的真義。「敬拜」，不論在舊約或新約，都是指到一個人伏地在神面前的舉動。這是整個人對神降服的表示—這正是基甸聽到這夢的講解之後，不由自主的回應！
在基甸而言，這敬拜俯伏包括了：
(1) 悔改的表示：他為自己不信神會用他作拯救而懊悔；
(2) 完全相信的表示：雖然只餘300人，他相信已足夠為神所用，能勝過像蝗蟲眾多的敵人；
(3) 完全降服的表示：現在他不但看到自己的罪，更看到自己的渺小、無有，更看到神的聖潔、偉大和無比！故此，他惟一能作的是全然俯伏，敬拜神！
他的被模造至此，可說是達到神的心願了！