2016年3月7日
尊重權柄 With Respect
读经: 以斯拉記5章6-17節
Reading: Ezra 5:6-17
現在王若以為美，請察巴比倫王的府庫，看塞魯士王降旨，允准⋯⋯沒有。-以斯拉記5章17節
If it pleases the king, let a search be made in the royal archives of Babylon to see if King Cyrus . . . issue[d] a decree.- Ezra 5:17
全年读经: 申命記3-4章;馬可福音10章32-52節
Bible in a Year: Deuteronomy 3–4; Mark 10:32-52
在公元前六世紀末，被擄歸回的以色列民遭到當時的掌權者質疑。當時，猶太人渴望重建在公元前586年被巴比倫王國摧毀的聖殿，但轄區的總督卻不太確定是否可行，因此他將此事上本奏告大利烏王（以斯拉記5章6-17節）。
總督在奏本內寫道，他發現猶太人正在建造聖殿，因此向國王請示猶太人是否曾得到允許。在奏文中也提到猶太人恭敬地回覆，表明他們確實曾得到先王塞魯士王的允准。當大利烏王查證此事屬實：塞魯士王的確曾下旨允許他們建殿。所以大利烏王不但允准這事，而且還自王庫撥出經費（見6章1-12節）。猶太人完成聖殿的重建之後，他們都「歡歡喜喜地」慶祝，因為他們知道上帝使「王的心轉向他們，堅固他們的手，做以色列上帝殿的工程」（6章22節）。
當我們面對問題需要解決的時候，應該以恭敬的態度呈明實情，相信上帝掌管萬事，並為祂的帶領獻上感恩，這便是尊崇上帝的名。
主啊！幫助我們以恭敬的態度面對各種情況，
我們需要祢的智慧。
願我們永遠尊崇、信靠、讚美祢！
尊重權柄使上帝得榮耀。
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The citizens of Israel were having some trouble with the government. It was the late 500s bc, and the Jewish people were eager to complete their temple that had been destroyed in 586 bc by Babylon. However, the governor of their region was not sure they should be doing that, so he sent a note to King Darius (Ezra 5:6-17).
In the letter, the governor says he found the Jews working on the temple and asks the king if they had permission to do so. The letter also records the Jews' respectful response that they had indeed been given permission by an earlier king (Cyrus) to rebuild. When the king checked out their story, he found it to be true: King Cyrus had said they could build the temple. So Darius not only gave them permission to rebuild, but he also paid for it! (see 6:1-12). After the Jews finished building the temple, they "celebrated with joy" because they knew God had "[changed] the attitude of the king" (6:22).
When we see a situation that needs to be addressed, we honor God when we plead our case in a respectful way, trust that He is in control of every situation, and express gratitude for the outcome.
Lord, help us to respond respectfully to situations around us. We need Your wisdom for this. May we always honor, trust, and praise You.
Respect for authority brings glory to God.