| 你可以想像，若干年前，一群十七、八歲的高中學生，被人強行帶往莫斯科，在一間無神論的學校註冊，並被迫學習俄語，被人灌輸共產主義原則的情形嗎？他們會有甚麼感受呢？若他們來自基督教家庭，他們會有甚麼樣的反應？這個重大的變遷對他們的基督信仰會構成甚麼影響呢？ 這正是但以理所面對的處境。他可能出生於猶大支派的一個貴冑家庭（3節），不單長得英俊不凡，而且才智聰敏。他顯然已經入讀猶太人的學校，受教於拉比（教法師）的門下。被擄到巴比倫後，他與幾位朋友立即被送到當地的大學，唸一個三年制的文化改造課程。 巴比倫王要把他們連根拔起，使他們與昔日的猶太人背景一刀兩斷，甚至為他們改名換姓，這正是我們今天稱為「洗腦」的一種手段。可是，當但以理看見王所御賜的第一頓膳食時，他便知道是緊守立場的時候了。「我受夠了。」但以理在心中對自己說：「我不會吃這些食物，它們可能祭過偶像。而且，他們也不會按照神的律法來宰殺牲畜。」 但以理大可以說：「這是王上御賜的食物，我無權選擇。」或是：「嗯，吃東西是小事，不需要小題大做。」然而，我們應該學像但以理，當別人要求我們去做一些違背神話語的事情，我們就要持守立場，拒絕接受任何形式的試探。當我們像但以理那樣持守立場，通常也會贏得別人的支持（11節）。 我們每天都會遇到許多事情，可能引誘我們作出妥協，或只顧考慮自身的利益，叫我們落入試探，在不知不覺間偏離了神的心意和原則。因此，我們必須做個智慧與勇氣兼備的人。我們單靠自己是站立不住的，但聖靈必與我們同在，祂必引導我們，並加增我們的信心。我們要像但以理一樣，坦然公開自己所持守的信仰立場。 |
| Can you imagine the feelings of a group of Grade 12 high school students being forcibly taken to Moscow years ago, enrolled there in an atheistic school, and being taught to speak Russian? They would also be taught the principles of Communism. What would be their reaction? What if they came from Christian homes? What would happen to their faith in Christ? That was Daniel's situation. He had probably been a prince of the house of Judah (v.3). He was good looking and intelligent. No doubt he had already attended a Jewish school under a rabbi teacher. However, on arrival in Babylon, he and his companions were immediately enrolled in a three-year course at what might be called the university there. Then, to remove him further from his own background, even his name was changed. It was part of what we would call "brainwashing". But when Daniel saw the first meal provided for them, he knew it was time to take a stand. "That's enough", Daniel said, "I will not eat food which may have been offered to idols or killed not according to the laws of my God." Daniel could have said, "These are the king's orders. I have no choice." Or "Well, eating Babylonian food is only a little thing. It doesn't matter." Like Daniel, if we are asked to do something contrary to the Word of God, we need to take our stand for God and refuse whatever that temptation may be. Often when you take your stand for God as Daniel did, others will stand with you (v.11). There are many experiences today in which we can be faced with compromise or expediency. We can be tempted to deviate from God's will and the principles set out in His Word. We need both wisdom and courage. We cannot stand in our own strength. But the Holy Spirit is with us to guide and to strengthen our faith. Like Daniel, we need to stand openly for the Lord. |
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