03/02/2021
(Please scroll down for English version)
你對舊約了解多少呢?
舊約對”新約”信徒來說，有多重要呢? 這是個重要的問題，反映出我們是如何活出自己的神學觀。
紀念舊約並且尊重舊約的權柄，是非常重要的。因為，即使Yeshua祂自己也提到舊約永恆的效力(馬太福音5:17-20)。使徒保羅也強調，舊約的每句話都是神所默示，對我們是有益的，可以預備我們為主做各樣的美事。
聖經都是神所默示的、於教訓、督責、使人歸正、教導人學義、都是有益的。叫屬神的人得以完全、豫備行各樣的善事。(提摩太後書 3:16-17)
從這段經文中看到，我們應該要回到舊約來獲得教導。為什麼呢? 保羅說舊約裡的事蹟和真理，對神百姓靈裡的發展和成長是有很大益處! 主期待在公義中裝備祂的教會，而聖經是關鍵的根源。
不僅如此，若對經文缺乏正確的理解，我們很容易傳達有偏頗的福音。或許仍能贏得人的心，但是家庭和社區仍然不會改變。
在神國度裡，雖然我們已經得蒙救贖，有一顆新造的心。我們仍然必須持續使心意更新。上帝要我們有新的道路! 若沒有神的眼光，以舊思維來想事情，那麼遇到問題的時候，我們很容易有錯誤的回應。
我認同舊約和閃語教授-沃爾特凱撒博士，所說的:
“若沒有對舊約根源的正確理解，教會就無法找到自己的身份、任務、使命，以及以色列和世界的關係。”
（重新發現舊約-沃爾特凱撒，1987年，第188頁。版權所有。）
神揀選猶太人的目的是什麼呢? 祂又為何在西奈山上賜下律法呢? 我們從律法中能學到什麼原則? 現代的我們又能怎樣將這些活出來呢? 為什麼我們需要注意，這麼多年前，上帝所教導以色列的呢?
今日的基督徒學習聖經中的以色列，是非常重要的。因為以色列的歷史(包括當代以色列復國以及榮耀的未來)，都佔據上帝話語的極大份量，這些是我們腳前的燈、路上的光(詩篇119:105)
神選召以色列，來彰顯祂對其他國家的救贖計畫，以色列也要在地上成為神國度的表率。主使用以色列民成為器皿，成就祂所膏抹的旨意。同時，以色列也要成為得救的社會的榜樣，活出順服神旨意的生命。研讀以色列民的社會生活，能使我們更明白神的性情和祂的道路。
賜與猶太百姓神的律法，是神國度對全人類的計畫之一。上帝的誡命，是為了轉化以色列民的心意。雖然律法沒有明白提到其他國家(詩篇147:8-9)，卻是賜給列國的禮物! 今天，一個建立在上帝價值觀、標準和原則的社會，都是蒙神祝福的。聖經中的以色列，揭曉了社會、經濟、政治和屬靈價值觀的豐富層次。
當我們讀到聖經中的以色列，有幾個重點要記在心裡。首先，我們並不是活在遠古中東世界的農業經濟或部落文化裡；當主和以色列民立約時，我們也沒有站在西奈山前。但是，還是有許多重要的原則是我們需要銘記於心的。
我們記得根據新約，Yeshua在十架上的獻祭，完全了利未祭司的獻祭系統。然而，舊約對教會的工作還沒有結束，在許多方面，我們都還沒真正領受到舊約的話語和使命呢。
WHAT IS YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE OLD TESTAMENT?
What is the significance of the Old Testament for today’s “New Testament” believers? This question is so important because it affects every realm of living out our theology.
It is important to remember and appreciate the authority of the Old Testament Scriptures – after all, even Yeshua spoke of its eternal effectiveness (Matthew 5: 17-20). The Apostle Paul also emphasized that all of the Old Testament is God’s Word and is vital for our ability, to be equipped for good works for the Lord.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17)
According to this verse, we should go to the Old Testament to get our teaching material. Why? Paul says because the stories and truths outlaid in the Old Testament are useful and profitable for our spiritual development and growth as people of God! The Lord wishes to train His Church in righteousness and Old Testament scripture is the key source for that.
Not only that but without a proper understanding of the message of Scripture, we risk bringing the Gospel to this world in a lopsided way. We may win people’s hearts, but our families and communities will not be changed.
In the Kingdom of God, though we live as redeemed people with new hearts, we must also continually renew our minds. God wants us to think a new way! Without God's perspective and having old thinking, when difficulties come, we respond incorrectly.
I agree with what Walter C. Kaiser (PhD,) professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages states:
“Without a proper understanding of her OT roots, the church cannot locate her identity, her task, her mission, or her relationship to Israel and the world.”
(Towards Rediscovering the Old Testament. Copyright © 1987 by Walter C. Kaiser, Jr. P.188)
What was God’s purpose to choose the Jews? What were His intentions behind the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai? What principles we can learn from the Law and how we can apply it to our daily walk with God today? Why do we need to pay attention to what God taught Israel such a long time ago?
It is important for today’s Christians to study biblical Israel because the accounts of Israel’s past (as well her restoration to the Land and glorious future) are a large part of God’s Word which is our lamp and our light (Psalm 119:105).
God chose Israel to reveal His redeeming goals to other nations and be the model of God’s Kingdom on earth. The Lord used the Israelites as a vehicle to fulfill His atoning purposes. At the same time, Israel was to become a model of how a redeemed society could live in obedience to the will of God. Studying the societal life of the Israelites gives us a better understanding of the character of God and His ways.
Giving the Jewish people the Law was part of God’s Kingdom plan for the whole of humanity. God’s commandments were given to transform the minds of the Israelites. Although the Law did not address the other nations directly (see Psalm 147: 8-9), it is nevertheless a gift for all of them! Today, a society founded on God’s values, standards, and principles will be blessed by the Lord. Biblical Israel reveals a whole layer of social, economic, political, and spiritual values.
When looking at the biblical history of Israel, it is important to keep a few things in mind. We don’t live in the ancient Middle Eastern world with its agricultural economy and tribal culture. We also didn’t stand at Mount Sinai when the Lord made His covenant with the Israelites. However, there are many important lessons we should still pay attention to.
Let’s remember that according to the New Testament, the Levitical sacrificial system found its fulfillment at Yeshua’s sacrifice on the Cross. However, the Church is far from being finished with the Old Testament and in many ways, we have barely begun to enter into the richness of its message and mission.
