This week, we shall finish the study
of 2 Chronicles of the Old Testament.
33:14-20—After Manasseh’s Repentance
(1) See if you can recall what his most humiliating part of God’s discipline in the hands of the Assyrians was? (33:11)
(2) After his return to Jerusalem, what did he do to ensure the safety of the City of David? (v. 14) Was it a right move on his part? Why or why not?
(3) How did he show that he now “knew that the Lord is God”? (vv. 13, 15-16)
(4) Did his repentance have any effect on his people? Why or why not? (v. 17)
(5) What lesson(s) can you learn from the life of Manasseh?
33:21-25—King Amon of Judah
(6) Did the repentance of Manasseh have any effect on his son? Why or why not?
(7) What does the Bible point out as the difference between Amon and Manasseh? (v. 23)
(8) What does this comment imply?
(9) As much as Amon was a very wicked king, should his officials kill him? (v. 24) Why or why not?
(10) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
本週我們將會完成研讀舊約歷代志下。請細心慢慢讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反複思考問題。
33:14-20—悔改之後
(1) 請重溫神用什麼方法來使瑪拿西謙卑下來悔改。（33:11）
(2) 當回到耶路撒冷後，他作了什麼防禦事工？（33:14）這是否必須的？為什麼？
(3) 在什麼事情上叫我們知道他真的“知道惟獨耶和華是神”？（33:13, 15-6）
(4) 他的悔改能否影響百姓？(33:17)
(5) 你從瑪拿西的一生學到什麼功課？
33:21-25—亞們作王
(6) 瑪拿西的悔改有否影響他的兒子？為什麼？
(7) 聖經指出亞們和他父親的分別在那裡？(33:23)
(8) 聖經指出這分別有什麼含意？
(9) 亞們固然行惡，但他的臣僕該殺死他嗎？為什麼？
(10) 今日你得到的主要提醒是什麼？你會怎樣應用在你的生命中？
“But unlike his father Manasseh, he did not humble himself before the Lord; Amon increased his guilt.” (2 Chr. 33:23)
We have learned that as great as the sins of Manasseh were, once he humbled himself and repented, he was totally forgiven. His repentance even had a profound effect on the people as “he told Judah to serve the Lord” (33:16), and it appeared that the people had followed the example of Manasseh and gotten rid of all idols. The only practice which was not according to the Law of Moses was the presentation of sacrifices at the high places which the Bible is quick to say that those sacrifices were “only to the Lord their God”, meaning they had truly returned to the Lord as “their God” (33:17).
Manasseh was then succeeded by his young son of 22 who did evil just as his father Manasseh had done before his repentance, the extent of which could be seen in this comment by the Chronicler, “Amon increased his guilt” (33:23). However, while pointing out the sins of Amon, the Chronicler adds, “But unlike is father Manasseh, he did not humble himself before the Lord” which fully reveals the heart of the Lord. As much as it obviously grieved the Lord to see him follow the evil footsteps of his father and presumably did far more wickedness than him, the Lord was still waiting for his repentance. Should he repent and humble himself before the Lord like his father, he would also receive complete forgiveness like his father did. This is how merciful and loving our God is—He is a God of the “second chance”.
「不在耶和華面前像他父瑪拿西自卑。這亞們所犯的罪越犯越大。」(代下33:23)
聖經告訴我們，如瑪拿西如此行惡的王，當他謙卑悔改時，仍得神完全的饒恕。他的悔改更能影響百姓，因為當他“吩咐猶大人事奉耶和華”後（33:16），百姓就遵從吩咐，除掉眾偶像。惟一仍保留不合律法吩咐的，是仍在邱壇上獻祭。不過聖經就補充的說是“只獻給耶和華他們的神” (33:13)。
瑪拿西死後由他年輕的兒子亞捫繼位。這年僅22歲的亞捫效法父親的行惡，到一個地步，聖經說他所犯的罪“越犯越大”(33:23)。聖經同一節說，他沒有像父親在耶和華面前自卑。這句話就充份表明了神的心腸。一方面，神固然因他所行的大惡而感到不悅，但同時卻在等待他像父親瑪拿西一樣，能至終自卑悔改，祂就賜他寬恕與憐憫。是的，我們的神就是這樣愛我們，祂是位常常等待我們悔改的神！
(1) Josiah became the king of Judah at the age of 8, while Amon died at age 24 (see 33: 21):
a. How old was Amon when Josiah was born?
b. How old was his grandfather Manasseh? (Manasseh died at age 67; see 33:1)
c. Without reading the life of Josiah, what kind of a king would Josiah likely turn out to be? Why?
d. What kind of a king did he turn out to be? (v. 2)
(2) In the 8th year of Josiah’s reign, i.e. when he was 16 (v. 3):
a. We have no idea who was really in charge of the nation between his ages of 8-15, but when he turned 16, what made that year the decisive turning point of his life and that of the nation?
b. What might have accounted for this turning point in his life?
(3) In the 12th year of Josiah’s reign, i.e. he was 20 (vv. 4-7):
a. How long had he been seeking God?
b. What impact did his seeking God have on him?
c. How complete was his reform?
d. How did he desecrate those altars of the idols? Why? (v. 5)
e. How far reaching was his reform? (v. 6)
f. Did he simply give orders and send officials to these towns outside of Judah to tear down and crush all those idols? (v. 7)
g. What does this tell us about the heart of Josiah?
(4) In the 18th year of Josiah’s reign, i.e. he was 26 (vv. 8-13):
a. How long was the period between the getting rid of idol worship in the land and the repairing of the temple of the Lord? (v. 8)
b. What does this reveal about what appeared to be more urgent to Josiah?
c. Was he right? Why or why not?
d. What did Josiah’s reform mean to the coffer of the temple? (v. 9)
e. In a way, Josiah could have used his own money to contribute to the repairs of the temple. By waiting for some 6 years (then turning the people from idol worship back to the Lord), whose money was used to repair the temple? How meaningful was it? (vv. 10-13)
(5) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
請細心慢慢讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反複思考問題。
(1) 約西亞8歲登基，而亞們是24歲就被殺身亡（33:21）：
a. 約西亞出生時，亞們的年紀是多少？
b. 他的祖父瑪拿西又是多少年紀？ （瑪拿西死時年67；見33:1）
c. 若按常理，約西亞會是一位怎樣的君王？
d. 結果聖經給他的評價是什麼？（34:2）
(2) 在位第8年，亦即16歲那年（34:3）
a. 我們不曉得約西亞在位的頭7年其實是誰當政的。但在這第8年，發生了什麼重大事情成為他生命的轉捩點？
b. 這轉捩點是怎樣來的？
(3) 在位第12年，亦即20歲那年（34:4-7）
a. 約西亞尋求神有多久？
b. 這樣的尋求帶來了什麼影響？
c. 他實施的改革有多徹底？
d. 他怎樣處理打碎了的祭壇？為何如此作？(34:5)
e. 他實施的改革是只限於猶大嗎？為什麼？
f. 他有差派官員到各地進行改革嗎？(34:7)
g. 為何要親自施行這改革？
(4) 在位第18年，亦即26歲那年（34:8-13）
a. 除掉偶像與重修聖殿相隔多久？(34:8)
b. 為何不先修殿，才除偶像？
c. 這先後的次序有多重要？
d. 約西亞的改革對聖殿得的捐獻有什麼幫助？（34:9）
e. 約西亞大可一開始就自費修殿。但他等了六年，讓百姓回轉向神後才動工：結果修殿的費用從何而來？有什麼重要性？（34:10-13）
(5) 今日你得到的主要提醒是什麼？你會怎樣應用在你的生命中?
“In the eighteenth year of Josiah’s reign, to purify the land and the temple, he sent Shaphan son of Azaliah and Maaseiah the ruler of the city, with Joah son of Joahaz, the recorder, to repair the temple of the LORD his God.” (2 Chr. 34:8)
I have found the more precise chronological account of Josiah’s reform in 2 Chronicles very helpful in that, unlike the account in 2 Kings, it gives a stage-by-stage account of the reform. In others words, it shows us that such a spiritual revival was a process, not something that happened overnight. In particular, I am impressed with how Josiah chose to go ahead and get rid of all the idols in the land once he knew the heart of the Lord after four years of seeking (from age 16-20). It was only when the idols and their altars were very much destroyed, that he then proceeded to repair the temple of the Lord and made an effort to restore proper and regular worship.
I found it rather
puzzling at first, why Josiah did not put all his effort in restoring proper
and regular worship first. Then it
dawned on me: How could God and idols (and sins) exist side by side? — there would not be any genuine worship!!
This reminds me of a young pastor who called to seek my advice because one of his leaders in the church had asked him to pray for him because he had an affair with his secretary. I told this pastor that it was not the time to pray but to do what was right and necessary, which was for the man to either fire his secretary or leave the company himself. He could not use prayer as an excuse to procrastinate doing what he knew he ought to do.
「約西亞王十八年，淨地淨殿之後，就差遣亞薩利雅的兒子沙番、邑宰瑪西雅、約哈斯的兒子史官約亞去修理耶和華─他神的殿。 」 (代下34:8)
歷代志下記載約西亞王所策動的復興比列王紀下的記載較有條理，讓我們看到這是一個較長的過程，也有先後次序的。
原來約西亞先用四年的時間(從16-20歲)來尋求（認識）神的；當他一明白到偶像不能與神共存時，就立刻從國中盡除偶像（34:3）；當偶像盡除後，在26歲時才進行修殿的工程，重建聖殿的敬拜(34:8)。為什麼他不先修殿、重建敬拜，才去除偶像呢？原因其實很簡單：除偶像、對罪的處理是不容拖延，該立刻實行的！不除偶像，何以有真正的敬拜呢！
這使我想起一個剛作傳道的，來電告訴我教會中一個領袖，向他承認自己在工作間與別人有婚外情，請他代禱。我就告訴這傳道，這不是禱告的時刻，而是那領袖要立刻與那女子分開、一刀兩段的時刻。是的，我們往往用禱告來作藉口，來拖延不作該作的事！
(1) What is meant by having “found the Book of the Law in the temple”? (v. 14)
a. Where was it all these years?
b. How did they worship and teach the people without the Book of the Law up till then?
(2) What immediate impact did the hearing of the words of God in the Law have on the king? (v. 19) Why?
(3) Many Christians do not put much effort in reading the Bible itself:
a. How would they know how to follow the Lord and live their Christian lives?
b. What danger do they put themselves into?
(4) The king asked the priests to “inquire of the Lord” (v. 21).
a. Who were the well-known prophets serving at the time of Josiah? (see Jer. 1:2; Zeph. 1:1)
b. Why didn’t they go to them to inquire of the Lord?
(5) Who was the prophetess Huldah? (see v. 22 and also 2 Ki. 22:14)
a. Why didn’t they speak to Shallum instead of his wife?
b. What might this show us about the role of women in spiritual matters?
(6) Based on the words of the prophet (vv. 23-28), consider the following:
a. What caused the king to tear his robes and weep in God’s presence?
b. Would God carry out the “curse” declared by the Book of the Law? Why or why not?
(7) How did the king react to the words of the prophet? (vv. 29-32)
(8) How important was it that all the people, not just himself, would hear “all the words of the Book of the Covenant”? (v. 30)
(9) What lesson can we learn from this?
(10) What did the king ask the people to do in response to the hearing of the words of God? (vv. 31-32)
(11) How does it speak to the proper attitude toward reading and hearing the Word of God today?
(12) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
請細心慢慢每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反複思考問題。
(1) 那「律法書」是怎樣得到的？(34:14)
a. 這麼多年來，「律法書」是放在那裡？
b. 沒有這律法書，他們憑什麼來教導百姓和進行敬拜呢？
(2) 一聽到神的話，王立時作出什麼反應？（34:19）為何會如此？
(3) 今天不少信徒沒有研讀聖經的習慣：
a. 他們怎知如何跟隨主，過他們基督徒的生活？
b. 他們其實是處於怎樣的危機中？
(4) 約西亞吩咐臣僕去求問耶和華（34:21）
a. 約西亞時代有那些著名的先知？（可參耶1:2；番1:1）
b. 為何不向他們求問？
(5) 戶勒大是誰？ （34:22; 亦見王下22:14）
a. 為何不向她丈夫求問？
b. 這事情給我們看到婦女在聖經中有什麼角色？
(6) 先知之言（34:23-28）
a. 從先知的回答，我們可以曉得王撕裂衣服的原因是什麼？
b. 神會按律法書的話施行咒詛嗎？為什麼？
(7) 王對先知的話作出什麼回應？（34:29-32）
(8) 整件事情怎樣提醒我們對神的話語當有的態度？
(9) 今天你得到的主要提醒是什麼？你會怎樣應用在你的生命中？
“When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his robes.” (2 Chr. 34:19)
It is interesting to note that while carrying out the king’s command to repair the temple, Hilkiah the high priest “found the Book of the Law in the temple of the Lord” (34:14). Some commentators opine that the High Priest must have other copies of the Law lying around the temple, and this was likely the original copy of the Law.
I do not think so, because
- The Bible does not say so; and
- It was obvious that both Shaphan the secretary and the king read the Book of the Law for the first time, meaning the Law had not been read at all at the temple prior to the discovery of this copy, whether it was the original copy written by Moses or not.
The impact of the reading of the Book of the Law was significant in that the king tore his robes immediately. It is likely that the king came across the passages in Deuteronomy 28 and also Leviticus 26 which contain the curses for disobedience to the commands of the Lord. In other words, prior to the reading of the Law itself, the king had a general sense of the requirements of the Lord, but it was based more on oral tradition and perhaps some other written documents like the often-mentioned “book of the annals of the kings of Judah” (2 Ki. 20:20) which honestly gave an account of the good and wicked deeds of each of the kings and the rewards and punishments by the Lord. But they are, strictly speaking, not the Word of God. Without the Word of God, the king could never truly know the commands of the Lord and, in times of crisis and temptation he would have nothing to turn to for strength and direction, let alone come to a genuine personal knowledge of the Lord.
There was a period of time that, for some reason, I was reading mostly devotional materials and prayers of great Christian writers and preachers. I found much comfort and peace through my reading, and yet there was a gnawing feeling within me that I should go back to the Word of God, the Bible. When I did, I found the reading of the Bible truly powerful. It gave me the certainty of what God actually was saying, and I experienced the piercing power of the Word (Hebrews 4:12), as well as His overwhelming comfort and peace. It reminds me that while God does use the writings and prayers of His saints to nurture and comfort me, they cannot replace my own reading and understanding of His Word.
「王聽見律法書上的話，便撕裂衣服。 」 (代下34:19)
當遵照王的吩咐開始進行修理聖殿時，大祭司希勒家似乎是意外地找到律法書的（34:14）。有解經者認為大祭司已有其他的抄本，而發現的該是摩西所寫的原稿。我相信這看法不一定是對的，因為：
- 如果這是那原稿，聖經定會說明。但聖經沒有這樣說；
- 而且，明顯地，王與書記沙番是第一次直接聽到、讀到律法書上的話。換句話說，在此之前，律法的內容並沒有在聖殿中被誦讀。這與這份是原本或抄本完全無關。
我們更看到，當讀到和聽到書中的話時，約西亞王受到極大的感動，並立即撕裂了衣服；甚有可能是因為他聽到申命記28章或利未記26章有關不聽從誡命而帶來的咒詛和審判的話。換句話說，在此之前，王對神的律法只有概括的認識，多數是從上一代的口傳，或加上像「猶大列王記」（王下20:20）這類記載列王事蹟的歷史書，讀到神如何處理敬畏祂或不敬畏祂的王。但這些都不能被稱為「神的話」。沒有摩西的律法書，王和百姓對神的誡命與律例是沒有真正的認識；特別面對危機和挑戰時，他們不曉得神的心意，更談不上真正認識神了。
我尚記得自己有一段時期，不知怎的，每天單單主要用著名的靈修小品和先賢的禱告作靈修資料。當時我是多有感受的。但內心總有未足的感覺，催迫著我要回到聖經裡，直接的領受神的話語。當服從這感動時，我再一次嚐到神話語的能力。我能肯定神在說什麼，也嚐到神話語如兩刃利劍對內心的剖切，以及神話語所賜的深厚平安與安慰。這不是說神不會用先賢的禱告和靈修小品來餵養和滋潤我們的心田，但這些絕不能替代我們直接的研讀與領受聖經中神所默示的話。
(1) When did Josiah begin repairing the temple and when was the Book of the Law found? (34:8)
(2) The reading of the Law of Moses had led to Josiah’s tearing his robe and he made the people renew the covenant with the Lord (34:31). When did he follow the requirement of the Law in observing the Passover again after the lapse of many years? (35:1, 19)
(3) In re-establishing temple worship, and especially the celebration of the Passover, Josiah gave the following orders to the priests and the Levites (vv. 2-6):
a. Who were the Levites, in particular, that he spoke to? (v. 3)
b. Where was the sacred ark all these years?
c. Why did it have to be returned to the temple before any worship could commence?
d. What particular instruction did he give for the carrying of the ark and why? (v. 3 and 1 Chr. 13:9; 15:15)
e. What should they do before they could prepare the lambs for sacrifice? (v. 6)
(4) Setting an example (35:8-9)
a. Why set the first example in the giving of the sacrificial animals for the celebration of Passover?
b. What impact did the king’s example have on the leaders?
(5) The celebration (vv. 10-19)
a. What did the presentation of sacrifice involve?
b. What if they had gone ahead to do so without the discovery of the Book of the Law?
c. How well organized was this celebration? (vv. 15-16)
d. How meaningful was this celebration? (v. 18)
(6) What is the message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
請細心慢慢每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反複思考問題。
(1) 約西亞是在那時候開始修殿並尋得律法書的？(34:8)
(2) 聽到律法書的話引至約西亞撕裂衣服，更領百姓與神立約(34:31)，但卻事隔多久才按律法的吩咐重守逾越節呢？(35:1, 19)
(3) 在重建聖殿的敬拜和重守逾越節時，約西亞吩咐祭司與利未人(35:2-6) 。
a. 約西亞是特別向那些利未人說話？(35:3)
b. 聖約櫃這麼多年來被放在那裡？
c. 為何要重放在聖殿中才能敬拜神？
d. 在搬約櫃的事上約西亞給他們什麼提醒？(35:3; 代上13:9; 15:15)
(4) 先立榜樣(35:8-9)
a. 約西亞首先獻上多少祭牲？
b. 眾首領怎樣作出回應？
(5) 守逾越節(35:10-19)
a. 獻祭的過程包括什麼？
b. 如果他們沒有得到律法書而守這節期，後果會怎樣？
c. 這次守逾越節除獻祭外，尚有什麼安排？(35:15-16)
d. 你認為這次守逾越節有什麼重要意義？(35:18)
(6) 今天你得到的提醒是什麼？你會怎樣應用在你的生命中？
“Josiah celebrated the Passover to the LORD in Jerusalem, and the Passover lamb was slaughtered on the fourteenth day of the first month.” (2 Chr. 35:1)
The reform under Josiah was not only drastic and complete, but I believe it was also carried out at lightning speed.
The Bible mentions that it was in his 18th year of his reign that Josiah sent his officials to urge the priest to get moving with the repairs or restoration of the temple of the Lord (2 Ki. 22:3; 2 Chr. 34:8), and it was in the process of this project that the Book of the Law was discovered, likely within a short period of time after the commencement of the project (2 Chr. 34:14).
The king quickly had the book read to him and he responded with repentance and grief, asking the priest and his officials to enquire of the Lord (2 Chr. 34:19ff).
The words from the prophetess moved him to gather the entire people to hear the reading of the Law and he led the people to pledge themselves to the observance of the Law (2 Chr. 34:29).
Now, the Bible says that the king gave order to celebrate the Passover (also in his 18th year of his reign, 2 Chr. 35:19), and we know that the Passover was observed on the 14th day of the 1st month (2 Chr. 35:1). If we interpret the Biblical account literally (which I do not see why we should not), it is likely that all the events preceding the Passover described above happened within the first two weeks of the 18th year, and the Passover was the first festival mandated by the Law in the year. Since they had just pledged to obey the Law, it would only be logical to think that they immediately put their pledge into action with the observance of the Passover.
According to the Chroniclers, no Passover had been observed “like this in Israel since the day of the prophet Samuel; and none of the kings of Israel had ever celebrated such a Passover as did Josiah with the priests, the Levites and all Judah and Israel who were there with the people of Jerusalem” (2 Chr. 35:18). This highlights the fact that since the time of Samuel, i.e. the establishment of kingship, this celebration of Passover was the largest in scale with the king donating 30,000 lambs and goats and 3,000 cattle (versus Hezekiah’s 1,000 bulls and 7,000 lambs in 2 Chr. 30:24). What was more important was the fact that it marked the resumption of the temple worship of the Lord which involved some of the tribes in the north.
The unity and the universality of the celebration of the Passover was such a fitting act of confirming their covenant with the Lord in repentance, in remembering the salvation of the Lord, in recommitting themselves as the People of God and in acknowledging the Lord as their God!
Today, as we observe the Holy Communion, it is also a most fitting time for repentance and reaffirmation of our commitment as one united body of Christ, and in acknowledging the lordship of Jesus Christ in our lives.
「約西亞在耶路撒冷向耶和華守逾越節。正月十四日，就宰了逾越節的羊羔。」 (代下35:1)
約西亞的改革，不但是徹底和激烈的，我相信更是非常迅速的。
聖經告訴我們，約西亞是在位第18年吩咐書記催促祭司要立刻進行修理聖殿 (王下22:3，代下34:8)。就在這進程中發現了律法書；相信是在維修工程開始的時候(代下34:14)。
書記拿書到王那裡，就在王面前誦讀。約西亞聽見律法書的話，立時受感而撕裂衣服，便差派人向神求問(代下34:19ff)。
神藉著女先知的回答使王召齊長老、祭司和大小百姓，同來聽這律法書的話，也帶領他們一同向神立約要遵守書上的話(代下34:29)。
聖經也告訴我們，王是在第18年吩咐祭司與百姓守逾越節(代下35:19)。他們是按律法書的吩咐，在正月十四日守這節的(代下35:1)。如果我們按字面的去領會，剛才所述的事情都是在這第18年正月十四日前發生的，是短短兩星期內的事。也因如此，逾越節是聽到神律法上的吩咐後，第一個接著而來的節期。他們既然剛剛立約要遵守誡命，自然就立刻去守逾越節了。
按歷代志的記載：“自從先知撒母耳以來，在以色列中沒有守過這樣的逾越節，以色列諸王也沒有守過，像約西亞、祭司、利未人、在那裡的猶大人，和以色列人，以及耶路撒冷居民所守的逾越節”(代下35:18)。意思是說：從撒母耳為他們立王以來，沒有像約西亞這樣吩咐全國(特別是分國以後)，由長老、祭司、利未人和所有的百姓如此同心、隆重的去守逾越節（連希西家的守逾越節也不能相比—可參代下30:23）。
這樣的南北團結，上下齊心的在這時刻去守逾越節是極其合宜的，因為藉著記念神的救恩作為悔改，重新「盡心盡性的順從」與神的立約(代下34:31) ，是最合宜不過的。
今天，我們守聖餐、記念主的捨身流血的救恩時，也正是與神重新立約，悔改和活出同屬基督身體，不分彼此的最合宜時刻。
The Death of Josiah
(1) With the reformation of Israel brought about by the godly Josiah, what kind of an ending to his reign might you have expected? Why?
(2) The event mentioned here is the famous Battle of Carchemish between the Egyptians and the Assyrians, initiated by the former whose troops needed to pass through the land of Palestine (vv. 20-24):
a. Why did Josiah think that he should intercept the powerful army of Egypt?
b. Does the Bible mention that Josiah had consulted the Lord or his prophets?
c. Did the powerful Egyptian king want to fight with Josiah?
d. Whose name did the Egyptian king invoke for his action? (v. 21)
e. Why do you think Josiah would not listen? (v. 22)
f. Why did Josiah choose to disguise himself in battle? (v. 22, see the example in 2 Chr. 18:28-31)
g. Did it work?
h. Why not?
i. What lesson can we learn from this incident?
(3) How did the prophet greet the death of Josiah and why? (v. 25)
(4) How did the people of Israel greet his death?
(5) While we no longer have the laments composed specifically for Josiah, what might you write as Josiah’s epitaph?
(6) What is the main message to you today, and how may you apply it to your life?
請細心慢慢每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反複思考問題。
約西亞之死亡
(1) 約西亞既然被神重用，帶來國家的復興，按常理，他該有什麼收場？
(2) 這裡提到的是歷史上亞述和埃及著名的 「迦基米施」戰役，而巴勒斯坦是埃及軍必經之地 （35:20-24）
a. 為何約西亞要攔阻埃及軍？
b. 聖經有否說約西亞有就此求問神嗎？
c. 尼哥王是否想與約西亞對壘？
d. 尼哥王說誰告訴他要速行的？(35:21)
e. 為何約西亞竟不理會？(35:22)
f. 約西亞為何要改裝？(可參18:28-31)
g. 有效嗎？
h. 為什麼？
i. 這事件給我們什麼教訓？
(3) 先知耶利米對約西亞的死亡有什麼回應？(35:25)
(4) 百姓又如何？
(5) 這裡論到的哀歌已失存：如果你要為約西亞作哀歌，你會怎樣寫？
(6) 今你得到的主要提醒是什麼？你會怎樣應用在你的生命中？
“Josiah, however, would not turn away from him, but disguised himself to engage him in battle. He would not listen to what Necho had said at God’s command, but went to fight him on the plain of Megiddo.” (2 Chr. 35:22)
With the biblical comment that “Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the Lord as he did” (2 Ki. 23:25), Josiah was likely the most godly king of Israel after David, and with the mentality of time, one would assume that he would die a “good death”. However, such was not the case. Josiah was killed in battle.
We have no idea why Josiah felt obliged to intercept Pharaoh Necho as he sought to “help the king of Assyria” (2 Ki. 23:29) in his effort to ally with the Assyrians to fight against the rising power of Babylon. But it is clear that Necho felt the presence of God and did so with what he perceived as the command of God. This he made clear to Josiah and the Bible affirms that “Necho had said at God’s command” (2 Chr. 35:22). The puzzling question is why Josiah didn't listen.
With what we are told in the Bible about Josiah’s godliness, we can safely assume that if Josiah knew that God had actually told Necho to “hurry up” and that his intervention amounted to “opposing God” (2 Chr. 35:21), he would definitely refrain from interfering with Necho. So the better question to ask is, “Why didn’t Josiah believe the words of Necho?”
We who consider ourselves as spiritual should know the answer. Necho was a pagan and not a God-fearer while Josiah was more than a God-fearer, he loved the Lord. Therefore, the natural question that Josiah had upon hearing the words of Necho was, “Why would God speak to you and not to me?” or “Why would God use you, one who does not even know Him, to speak to me?”.
The truth of the matter is, God can use anyone or anything He chooses to speak to His people, and I have experienced this myself.
The first summer after I obeyed God’s call to full-time ministry and began my seminary education, I found myself wanting to find a summer-job to supplement my income. Since I had had some connection with certain executives at the Head Office of a Motor Vehicle Manufacturer, I was hoping to land a summer job there. I happened to share this thought with a former college classmate who was not known to be a religious person. He sternly said, “Paul, do not look back!”.
While I was bothered that I was rebuked by someone whom I considered not capable of knowing God’s will, I knew deep in my heart that God had sent him to rebuke me. In a moment of humbleness, I instantly remember the incident of Necho and put away my pride and accepted the rebuke.
「約西亞卻不肯轉去離開他，改裝要與他打仗，不聽從神藉尼哥之口所說的話，便來到米吉多平原爭戰。」 (代下35:22)
相信約西亞該是自大衛之後最合神心意的王了，因為聖經是這樣的稱許他：“在約西亞以前沒有王像他盡心、盡性、盡力地歸向耶和華，遵行摩西的一切律法；在他以後也沒有興起一個王像他” (王下23:25)。既是如此，我們若以古時的觀念，總以為他一定「有好死」的。誰知事實卻不然，他是死在戰場，並且是自取死亡的！
我們不曉得約西亞為何定意要難阻法老尼高去亞述地爭戰(王下23:29)，但我們卻曉得，尼哥自信有神的同在、聖經更同意尼哥所言確出於神(代下35:22)。故此，問題是：為何約西亞不聽尼哥的勸告？
聖經既然這樣稱許約西亞，我們相信，如果他確知尼哥所言是出於神，他一定聽從的，不會「干預神的事」(代下35:21)。所以，要問的問題該是：為何約西亞不信尼哥之言是出於神？答案恐怕是 ：「屬靈的驕傲」！
我們這些「屬靈人」應該明白的。不是嗎？尼哥是誰：不是一個外邦，不認識、不敬拜神的王嗎！約西亞是誰：豈不是又敬畏、又愛神的猶大王嗎！何用一個外邦王來教訓他，代神傳言呢！
但事實上，神能用任何一個人、任何一個事物來為祂傳言，來向屬祂的人說話。我就有這樣的經歷。
當我蒙召進神學院，剛完成第一年的課程時，為想幫補下學期的費用，我本想在暑期重操故業，賺多些錢。一個偶然的機會，與一舊同學分享這思想。誰知他一聽之下，我這個不是基督徒的同學語氣鄭重的說：「不要回頭看吧！」
我聽了很不舒服，卻立時想起尼哥對約西亞的話。於是，在難得的謙卑的一刻，我決定吞下心中的驕傲，打消了打暑期工的念頭。
The Beginning of the End: Josiah marked the last of godly kings in Judah and the beginning of the end of the nation of Israel:
(1) Jehoahaz (vv. 1-4)
a. How old was Jehoahaz when he became king? (v. 2)
b. How old was Josiah when Jehoahaz was born? (Remember Josiah reigned for 31 years, since he was 8.)
c. What happened in the 8th year of Josiah’s reign? (i.e. when he was 16; 34:3)
d. In all of his 23 years, what did Jehoahaz witness in the life of his father and the nation?
e. What kind of a king did he turn out to be?
f. How long did he last as a king and what was his ending?
(2) Jehoiakim (vv. 5-8)
a. Who was Jehoiakim? (v. 4)
b. How old was he when he became king? (v. 5)
c. In what aspects was his life similar to those of his brother, Jehoahaz? (v. 5)
d. See Jeremiah 36 to get a sense of how he treated the warning from the Lord.
e. How did his reign end? (vv. 6-7; also see Dan. 1:1 and Note below)
(3) Jehoiachin (v. 9)
a. After successive wicked kings, Judah was nearing the end of its fate. Read the warning God gave to Jehoiachin through Jeremiah (see Jer. 22:24-30).
b. How did this warning come to pass? (v. 10)
(4) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
Note:
The third year of his reign marked the first deportation to Babylon, 604 B.C.; the second was in 597 B.C. during Jehoiachin’s reign and the last one was in 586 B.C. under Zedekiah’s reign.
請細心慢慢每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反複思考問題。
猶大國終局的開始：約西亞是猶大最後一位敬畏神的王；他的死亡刻畫整個以色列國終局的開始：
(1) 約哈斯作王(36:1-4)
b. 約哈斯作王時，年紀有多少？(36:2)
c. 約哈斯出生時，他父親年紀有多少？（約西亞是8歲時登基，作王31年 ）
d. 約哈斯出生那年（即約西亞在位的第8年，年16歲），發生了什麼事情？(34:3)
e. 既是這樣，約哈斯的成長時期所見證到的是什麼？
f. 他是一位怎樣的君王？
g. 為何會如此？
(2) 約雅敬(36:5-8)
a. 約雅敬是誰？(36:4)
b. 他作王時，年紀有多少？(36:5)
c. 他的生命在那方面與他的弟兄約哈斯相似？(36:5)
d. 神有否對他說話、提醒？(可參耶36)
e. 他得到什麼終局？(亦參但1:1和下註)
(3) 約雅斤(36:9)
a. 在這些惡王的統治下，猶大的滅亡已近：請翻閱耶利米22:24-30，看看神對他們發出的警告。
b. 這些警告現在怎樣得到應驗？(36:10)
(4) 今天你得到的主要提醒是什麼？你會怎樣應用在你的生命中？
註：約雅敬第3年是猶大人被擄到巴比倫的開始(主前604年)；第二次的被擄是在約雅斤時(主前597年)；第三次是在西底家時(主前586年)。
“Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord his God.” (2 Chr. 36:5)
The radical reformation by Josiah did prove to be a futile effort as his successive sons appeared to be totally oblivious to the godly example and influence of their father. Since the accounts of 2 Chronicles are very brief about the deeds of these sons, allow me to supplement here, from the book of Jeremiah, with a more detailed summary of the reign of one of his sons, Jehoiakim, who was considered “Judah’s most evil king” next to Manasseh:
(1) He built a plush palace, with huge rooms, many windows, paneled throughout with fragrant cedar, and painted in a beautiful red. This he accomplished with forced slave labor while his own people were suffering (Jer. 22:13, 14).
(2) He was full of selfish greed and dishonesty (Jer. 22:17).
(3) He murdered the innocent, oppressed the poor and reigned with ruthlessness (Jer. 22:17).
(4) He butchered with a sword a godly and fearless prophet named Uriah, having him first tracked down in Egypt and brought back to Jerusalem (Jer. 26:23).
(5) He often attempted to silence the prophet Jeremiah (Jer. 26:24; 36:19, 26).
(6) On one occasion he burned a scroll which contained the inspired writings and prophecies of Jeremiah. But this backfired, as the prophet rewrote all the king had burned and added a chilling prophecy against Jehoiakim (Jer. 36:22, 23, 27-32). (Source: Willmington’s Guide to the Bible, 162-3)
It is worth-noting that Jeremiah prophesied about Jehoiakim’s death in that he would not be mourned by his immediate family or his servants, and that “He will have the burial of a donkey—dragged away and thrown outside the gates of Jerusalem" (Jer. 22:18-19).
「約雅敬登基的時候年二十五歲，在耶路撒冷作王十一年，耶和華眼中看為惡的事，效法他列祖一切所行的。」 (代下36:5)
雖然約西亞盡了最大的努力作出屬靈的改革與更新，但看來 他的努力是徒然的，特別是看到他的兒子們都沒有跟從他敬畏神的榜樣。歷代志下把接續他作王的兒子們的生平，作很簡短的報導；故此容許我就耶利米書較詳細的 記載，與你們總結性的思想他的其中一個兒子：約雅敬的生命。有解經者稱他為「僅次於瑪拿西最可惡的猶大王」：
(1) 他為自己建豪宅、蓋廣大的房間、開窗戶、做香柏牆、並加以丹色油漆，卻不給工人當得的工價(耶22:13, 14)；
(2) 他的眼與心專顧貪婪(22:17)；
(3) 他流無辜人的血、行欺壓與強暴(22:17)；
(4) 他用刀殺死那敬畏神、無懼的先知烏利亞；甚至派人把他從埃及捉回來施刑(26:23)；
(5) 他屢次禁止耶利米傳神的信息(26:24; 36:19, 26)；
(6) 他更燒掉神啟示耶利米寫下的書卷，結果換來神不但叫先知重新寫過，更加上對他更可怕審判的預言(36:22, 23, 27-32)。” （Willmington’s Guide to the Bible, 162-3）
按耶利米的預言，這不跟從父親敬畏神的大惡兒子，在死亡時：“人必不為他舉哀……他被埋葬，好像埋驢一樣，要拉出去扔在耶路撒冷的城門之外。”(22:18-19)
The Fall of Jerusalem
(1) Who was Zedekiah? (v. 10)
(2) How old was he when he became king? (v. 11)
(3) What would he have witnessed before he was made king by Nebuchadnezzar?
(4) How did he treat Jeremiah and his messages? (v. 12 and Jer. 37 in particular)
(5) Since Zedekiah did not trust in God and had become a vassal king under Nebuchadnezzar:
a. Why did he choose to rebel against Nebuchadnezzar?
b. What influence did he have over the people, including the priests? (v. 14)
(6) Why did God, as late as it was, still keep sending prophets to the kings of Judah, and the people? (v. 15)
(7) How had they consistently responded to the words of the Lord? (v. 16)
(8) Was the fate of God’s people avoidable?
(9) What was the final outcome of their persistent rebellion against their God? (vv. 17-20)
(10) Why did the Bible say that upon their defeat and exile, “The land enjoyed its Sabbath rest”? (v. 21)
(11) Has God given up on them entirely? (vv. 21-22; see Jer. 25:9-12; 27:6-8; 29:10)
(12) How miraculous was the event of their return from exile under another foreign power? (v. 23)
(13) What important lesson(s) can you learn from the history of God’s people?
(14) How may you apply it to your life?
請細心慢慢每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反複思考問題。
耶路撒冷的失陷
(1) 西底家是誰？(36:10)
(2) 他作王時年紀有多少？(36:11)
(3) 他被尼布甲尼撒立為猶大王前，該見證到什麼？
(4) 他怎樣對待神的話和神的僕人？(36:12，並參耶37)
(5) 西底家既不敬畏神：
a. 為何竟敢背叛巴比倫王？
b. 他的惡行對百姓與祭司有什麼影響？(36:14)
(6) 猶大的命運似成定局，為何神仍不斷差遣先知到他們中間？(36:15)
(7) 他們對神的話作出怎樣回應？(36:16)
(8) 神百姓的終局是可以避免的嗎？為什麼？
(9) 他們終於得到怎樣可怕的結局？(36:17-20)
(10) 為何聖經在猶大滅亡時竟說： “地享受安息” ？(36:21)
(11) 神是否完全放棄祂的百姓？(36:21-22; 耶25:9-12; 27:6-8; 29:10)
(12) 他們能在另一個外邦霸權下，得歸回耶路撒冷。你認為是極大的神蹟嗎？為什麼？(36:23)
(13) 你從神的百姓以色列人的歷史中可以學到什麼功課？
(14) 你可怎樣應用在你的生命中？
“He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him take an oath in God’s name. He became stiff-necked and hardened his heart and would not turn to the LORD, the God of Israel.” (2 Chr. 36:13)
Jeremiah provides us with further details about Zedekiah’s rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar. As Nebuchadnezzar surrounded the city of Jerusalem, we read in Jeremiah 21 that King Zedekiah enquired of the Lord through Jeremiah. The reply of the Lord was of three fold:
(1) Nebuchadnezzar was God’s instrument to fight against them, and if they choose to resist by holding on to the city, they would be struck down by a plague, and the king, his officials and those who survive the plague would be handed over to Nebuchadnezzar.
(2) However, if they surrender, their lives would be spared.
(3) The royal house of David (i.e. the king and the princes) should stop oppressing the people and administer justice.
I believe, the Lord was hoping that with this message the king might repent, and presumably he did and ordered the people to proclaim freedom for their slaves which they unfortunately reneged on fairly quickly (Jer. 34:8ff).
At the end, the king chose to resist “the whole army of Nebuchadnezzar”. One had to admire his determination because he was able to hold off the mighty army of Babylon for a good one and half years, until the famine was so severe that the only choice they had was to break out of the walls of the city and flee. Zedekiah was captured and his eyes were gouged (2 Ki. 25:4-7) and he died in prison (Jer. 52:11).
It is such a pity that Zedekiah had such great courage to fight against the powerful Nebuchadnezzar, but he did not have the same courage to submit to the will of God. Worse, by fighting against Nebuchadnezzar, he was in fact fighting against God. No one can fight against God and win!
「尼布甲尼撒曾使他指著神起誓，他卻背叛，強項硬心，不歸服耶和華─以色列的神。」 (代下36:13)
耶利米書較詳盡的記載西底家背叛尼布甲尼撒的始末。
當尼布甲尼撒圍困耶路撒冷時，耶利米書21章告訴我們，西底家確有藉耶利米向神求問的。神的回答可以說是有三方面的：
(1) 尼布甲尼撒是祂的工具，用來審判他們。如果他們堅持去抵抗，會遭瘟疫與饑荒；就是還能生還的，包括王、臣僕與百姓都會被交在尼布甲尼撒的手中；
(2) 如果他們投降，生命便得保存；
(3) 大衛家，即王與臣僕，則要停止欺壓百姓，施行公平。
我相信神希望藉著這信息，王與百姓能悔改歸向祂。事實上，王確立刻下令釋放奴僕。可惜的是，他們不久就反悔，重新勉強他人為奴（耶34:8ff）。
至終，西底家選擇抵抗「尼布甲尼撒全軍」。不過，我也欣賞他的勇氣，竟能在如此強大的敵人面前，堅守城池達一年半。最後因絕糧，城才被攻破。結果，西底家在奔逃中被擒拿，眼睛被剜出（王下25:4-7），最後死在獄中（耶52:11）。
雖然我欣賞他頑抗尼布甲尼撒如此強大敵人的勇氣，可惜他卻沒有信靠神、順服神旨的勇氣。更糟的是，他以為自己抗拒的是尼布甲尼撒，其實，他抗拒的是神旨。誰能以神為敵而能得勝的呢！？