| 這章又是一段耳熟能詳的經文。以西結藉著神的默示，將神給他的另一個奇特的異象記錄下來，讓我們今天得以研讀。這個異象縱有不同的解釋，但始終會得出同一個寶貴的教訓：每當神的靈動工，就是在死人之地也會有生命復蘇。 再看這段經文的背景和上下文，這個異象的要旨是論及以色列民的將來，並與他們現今的光景對比。以西結始終向他們承諾，神終有一天必復興他們，讓他們重回國土。他曾經預言眾城將得以重建，神會親自帶領他們。對於這群被擄至遠處異教國家的百姓來說，這些預言簡直是不可能的夢。 在耶路撒冷淪陷，他們被擄的那刻，他們僅存的信心似已被摧毀，神要藉著這個異象帶給他們新盼望。他們就像山谷裡的那堆骸骨；神以直接了當的問題挑戰以西結的信心：「以西結，你怎麼想？你認為這些骸骨能夠復活嗎？」 答案顯然應當是不！但以西結因為與神有緊密的交通，便回答說：「主啊，你是知道的，在你凡事都能。」於是，神吩咐他：「向這些骸骨說預言。」以西結依照神的吩咐去做，散開的骸骨便開始連接起來。這可能喻意神會將祂的百姓聚合起來，然後才領他們重回國土。許多人相信，神在今天正重演祂的作為。 但這些骨頭和骸骨仍然沒有生命。於是神吩咐以西結又向風發預言，「風」這個字的希伯來文，與「靈」是同一個字。如今，新生命奇蹟般地出現。在今天選讀的最後幾節經文中，神親自指出，這就是神的靈能作的事，祂能夠將新的生命，帶給那些死在罪中的人。這個奇妙的真理至今仍然沒有改變。當人聽見又相信神的話，神的靈便會賜他新生，他就能重生。多麼寶貴的信息！多麼奇妙的救恩！這個異象帶出了一個非常寶貴的真理。 |
| Again, this is one of the best known chapters in this book. It is another one of the remarkable visions given to Ezekiel and recorded by inspiration for us to read and study. There are several interpretations of this vision but one valuable lesson which comes from it is that when the Spirit of God moves, life comes out of the place of death. Looking at it in its context, it again focuses on the future of the people of Israel as contrasted with their existing conditions. Ezekiel had been promising them that God would one day restore them to their own land. He had spoken of the cities being rebuilt and of new leadership under God's hand. To the people who were slaves in a foreign heathen country far away from their ancestral homes, all this seemed an impossible dream. When Jerusalem fell and they were transported, any faith they had seemed to have been shattered. This vision was one of God's ways of trying to bring Israelites new hope. They were like those dead bones in that valley. God challenged Ezekiel with a direct question, "What do you think Ezekiel? Do you think these bones will ever live again?" The obvious answer might have been a strong "no", but Ezekiel was in touch with God and he seems to have said, "Lord you know. You can do anything." Then God gave a direct command, "Speak to these bones." As Ezekiel did what God told him to do and say, the bones started to come together. It could be a picture of God gathering the people together before taking them back to their land. Many believe God is doing it again today. But the bones, the skeletons, still had no life. Then God told Ezekiel to speak again, this time to the wind - it is the same word as "Spirit". Now new life began to appear in a miraculous way. In the last verses of our reading, God Himself said this is a picture of what the Spirit of God can do. He can bring new life to those who are dead in sin. It is still wonderfully true today. Where the word of God is given and believed, new life comes through the Spirit of God and that person is born again. What a wonderful message. What a wonderful salvation. Only a vision back then, but a tremendous illustration of the truth. |
