527 中翻英 (227) God is the true light. 上帝是真光. 9/21/2023

527 中翻英 (227)                God is the true light.                        上帝是真光.                13/03/2026

九月二十一日的曠野筵席是真正的晨曦甘露.   我們仰賴祢的真光,   帶領我們走這世上的道路.   若我們依賴自己所點的火把,   則此行的終結是「躺在悲慘之中」（賽50:11）.

「...... 這人行在暗中，沒有亮光，當倚靠耶和華的名，仗賴自己的神。」                                                （賽   50:10 新國際版）

當我們發覺自己陷進黑暗里時，有一個極大的危險，就是下手點火（11節），用個人的微焰來圍繞自己，盼望借此照亮前面的路。「我已把事情再三考慮過了，我已綜合觀察過了，我覺得很有把握……我的判斷是……。」上述的思想和感覺，并非光的源頭，它們不過是我們自己所點的火把而已。把這些思想和感覺投進神的光中，我們就會發現它們既缺乏深度，也不夠明亮。如此行的人末了是「躺在悲慘之中」（賽50:11）。如果我們所期待的是混亂，那我們盡管仰賴這些權宜之計（自己點的火把）。但請記得，人的火光永不能驅散黑暗。光只是從神而來，讓我們仰望祂罷！即使這里是全然黑暗，在祂那里永遠是光明的，而「在祢的光中，我們必得見光。」（詩   36:9）

September 21

"..... Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God." (Isaiah 50:10 NIV)

As we find ourselves mired in darkness, but when you start a light fires, you will lie down in torment (verse 11), trying to light surrounding ourselves with a small personal flame in the hope  to led us a way ahead. "I have thought it over and over again; I have made comprehensive observations, and I feel very confident ..... and my judgment ....." The above thoughts and feelings are not from the true light, but it is just a light fired torches by ourselves. When we cast these thoughts and feelings into the true light of God, we discovered that it lacks both depth and brightness. Those who do it like that will end up with "will lie down in torment (Isaiah 50:11 NIV) " .  If our expecting were the chaos, maybe you can do it (self-lit torches). But remember, human reflected-light can never dispel darkness.  Only by God's true light can dispel the darkness.  Let us look up to Him!  Even if there is total darkness here, there is always light with Him, and “ ..... in Your light we see light.” (Psalm 36:9 NIV)

 
CHAPTER TWELVE                 THE POWER OF PATIENCE                            James 5:7–12
第十二章                                      忍耐的力量                                                                                                           雅各書 5:7-12
 
James was still addressing the suffering saints when he wrote, “Be patient.” This was his counsel at the beginning of his letter (James 1:1–5), and his counsel as his letter came to a close. God is not going to right all the wrongs in this world until Jesus Christ returns, and we believers must patiently endure—and expect.
雅各寫道：“要有耐心”時，他仍在對受苦的聖徒講話。這是他在書信開頭的忠告（雅各書 1：1-5），也是他在書信結束時的忠告。在耶穌基督回來之前，上帝不會糾正這個世界上所有的錯誤，我們信徒必須耐心地忍受——並期待。
 
Three times James reminded us of the coming of the Lord (James 5:7–9). This is the “blessed hope” of the Christian (Titus 2:13). We do not expect to have everything easy and comfortable in this present life. “In the world ye shall have tribulation” (John 16:33). Paul reminded his converts that “we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). We must patiently endure hardships and heartaches until Jesus returns.
雅各三次提醒我們主的來臨（雅各書 5：7-9）。這是基督徒“有福的盼望”（提多書 2:13）。在今生，我們不期望一切都變得輕鬆舒適。 “你們在世上有苦難”（約翰福音 16:33）。保羅提醒他的信徒，“我們必須經過許多患難才能進神的國”（使徒行傳 14:22）。我們必須耐心忍受苦難和心痛，直到耶穌再來。
 
James used two different words for patience. In James 5:7–8, 10 it was the word long-tempered. The words endure and patience in James 5:11 literally mean “to remain under” and speak of endurance under great stress. Patience means “to stay put and stand fast when you’d like to run away.” Many Greek scholars think that “longsuffering” refers to patience with respect to persons, while “endurance” refers to patience with respect to conditions or situations.
詹姆斯用了兩個不同的詞來形容耐心。在雅各書 5：7-8、10 中，這個詞是脾氣暴躁的。雅各書 5 章 11 節中的忍耐和忍耐的字面意思是“留在下面”，是指在巨大壓力下的忍耐。耐心的意思是“當你想逃跑時保持原地不動。”許多希臘學者認為，“longsuffering”是指對人的忍耐，而“忍耐”是指對條件或情況的忍耐。
 
But the question we must answer is How can we as Christians experience this kind of patient endurance as we wait for the Lord to return? To answer that question (and need), James gave three encouraging examples of patient endurance.
但我們必須回答的問題是，我們作為基督徒，在等候主再來的過程中，如何經歷這種忍耐呢？為了回答這個問題（和需要），詹姆斯舉了三個令人鼓舞的耐心忍耐的例子。
 
1.  The Farmer (5:7–9)
1. 農夫（5:7-9）
 
If a man is impatient, then he had better not become a farmer. No crop appears overnight (except perhaps a crop of weeds), and no farmer has control over the weather. Too much rain can cause the crop to rot, and too much sun can burn it up. An early frost can kill the crop. How longsuffering the farmer must be with the weather!
如果一個人沒有耐心，那麼他最好不要成為一個農民。沒有作物在一夜之間出現（可能除了雜草作物），而且沒有農民可以控制天氣。過多的雨水會導致作物腐爛，而過多的陽光則會將其燒毀。早霜會殺死莊稼。農夫必須忍受天氣的折磨！
 
He must also have patience with the seed and the crop, for it takes time for plants to grow. Jewish farmers would plow and sow in what to us are the autumn months. The “early rain” would soften the soil. The “latter rain” would come in the early spring (our February-March) and help to mature the harvest. The farmer had to wait many weeks for his seed to produce fruit.
他還必須對種子和莊稼有耐心，因為植物生長需要時間。猶太農民會在對我們來說是秋天的月份裡耕種和播種。 “早雨”會軟化土壤。 “晚雨”將在早春（我們的 2 月至 3 月）到來，有助於收成成熟。農民不得不等待數週的時間，他的種子才能結出果實。
 
Why did he willingly wait so long? Because the fruit is “precious” (James 5:7). The harvest is worth waiting for. “to due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Gal. 6:9). “For the earth produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head, then the mature grain in the head. But when the crop permits, he immediately puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come” (Mark 4:28–29 nasb).
為什麼他願意等這麼久？因為果實是“寶貴的”（雅各書 5：7）。收穫值得等待。 “我們若不灰心，到了時候就要收成”（加拉太書 6:9）。 “因為地自產莊稼；首先是刀片，然後是頭部，然後是頭部成熟的穀物。但等莊稼長好，他就立刻收割鐮刀，因為莊稼已經到了”（馬可福音 4:28-29 nasb）。
 
James pictured the Christian as a “spiritual farmer” looking for a spiritual harvest. “Be ye also patient, stablish your hearts” (James 5:8). Our hearts are the soil, and the “seed is the word of God” (Luke 8:11). There are seasons to the spiritual life just as there are seasons to the soil. Sometimes, our hearts become cold and “wintry,” and the Lord has to “plow them up” before He can plant the seed (Jer. 4:3). He sends the sunshine and the rains of His goodness to water and nurture the seeds planted, but we must be patient to wait for the harvest.
雅各把基督徒描繪成一個尋找屬靈收穫的“屬靈農夫”。 “你們也要忍耐，堅固你們的心”（雅各書 5：8）。我們的心就是土壤，“種子就是神的道”（路加福音 8:11）。精神生活也有季節，正如土壤也有季節。有時，我們的心會變得冰冷和“寒冷”，主必須先“耕種”，然後才能種下種子（耶 4:3）。祂用祂良善的陽光和雨水來澆灌和培育種下的種子，但我們必須耐心等待收穫。
 
Here, then, is a secret of endurance when the going is tough: God is producing a harvest in our lives. He wants the “fruit of the Spirit” to grow (Gal. 5:22–23), and the only way He can do it is through trials and troubles. Instead of growing impatient with God and with ourselves, we must yield to the Lord and permit the fruit to grow. We are “spiritual farmers” looking for a harvest.
那麼，這就是艱難時忍耐的秘訣：上帝正在我們的生活中收穫。他希望“聖靈的果子”成長（加拉太書 5:22-23），而他唯一能做到的方法就是通過試煉和困難。與其對神和對自己不耐煩，我們必須順服主，讓果實生長。我們是尋找收穫的“精神農民”。
 
You can enjoy this kind of a harvest only if your heart is established (James 5:8). One of the purposes of the spiritual ministry of the local church is to establish the heart (Rom. 1:11). Paul sent Timothy to Thessalonica to establish the young Christians in their faith (1 Thess. 3:1–3), and Paul also prayed for them that they might be established (1 Thess. 3:10–13). The ministry of the Word of God and prayer are important if the heart is going to be established. A heart that is not established cannot bear fruit.
只有你的心堅定，你才能享受這種收穫（雅各書 5:8）。地方教會屬靈事工的目的之一是建立人心（羅馬書 1:11）。保羅派提摩太去帖撒羅尼迦建立年輕基督徒的信仰（帖前 3:1-3），保羅也為他們祈禱，使他們得以建立（帖前 3:10-13）。如果要建立心，神的話語和禱告的事工就很重要。一顆沒有立定的心，就不能結果子。
 
Keep in mind that the farmer does not stand around doing nothing: he is constantly at work as he looks toward the harvest. James did not tell these suffering believers to put on white robes, climb a hill, and wait for Jesus to return. “Keep working and waiting” was his admonition. “Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing” (Luke 12:43).
請記住，農民不會無所事事：他一直在工作，看著收穫。雅各並沒有告訴這些受苦的信徒穿上白袍，爬山，等耶穌再來。 “繼續工作和等待”是他的告誡。 “那僕人有福了，他的主人來，見他這樣行”（路加福音 12:43）。
 
Nor does the farmer get into fights with his neighbors. One of the usual marks of farmers is their willingness to help one another. Nobody on the farm has time or energy for disputes with the neighbors. James must have had this in mind when he added, “Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged” (James 5:9 niv). Impatience with God often leads to impatience with God’s people, and this is a sin we must avoid. If we start using the sickles on each other, we will miss the harvest!
農夫也不與鄰居打架。農民的常見標誌之一是他們願意互相幫助。農場裡沒有人有時間或精力與鄰居發生爭執。詹姆斯補充說：“弟兄們，不要互相發怨言，否則你們會被審判”（雅各書 5:9 niv）時，他一定想到了這一點。對神不耐煩往往會導致對神的子民不耐煩，這是我們必須避免的罪。如果我們開始互相使用鐮刀，我們將錯過收穫！
 
2.  The Prophets (5:10)
2. 先知 (5:10)
 
A Jewish congregation would understand this simple reference that James made to the Old Testament prophets. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus also used the prophets as an example of victory over persecution (Matt. 5:10–12). What encouragements do we receive from their example?
猶太會眾會理解雅各對舊約先知的簡單提及。在登山寶訓中，耶穌還使用先知作為戰勝迫害的例子（馬太福音 5：10-12）。我們從他們的榜樣中得到什麼鼓勵？
 
For one thing, they were in the will of God, yet they suffered. They were preaching “in the name of the Lord,” yet they were persecuted. Satan tells the faithful Christian that his suffering is the result of sin or unfaithfulness, and yet his suffering might well be because of faithfulness! “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12). We must never think that obedience automatically produces ease and pleasure. Our Lord was obedient, and it led to a cross!
一方面，他們在上帝的旨意中，但他們受苦。他們“奉主的名”傳道，卻遭到逼迫。撒旦告訴忠心的基督徒，他的痛苦是罪或不忠的結果，但他的痛苦很可能是因為忠心！ “是的，凡在基督耶穌裡敬虔度日的人都將遭受迫害”（提後書 3:12）。我們絕不能認為順服會自動產生輕鬆和快樂。我們的主順服了，它導致了十字架！
 
The prophets encourage us by reminding us that God cares for us when we go through sufferings for His sake. Elijah announced to wicked King Ahab that there would be a drought in the land for three and one-half years, and Elijah himself had to suffer in that drought. But God cared for him, and God gave him victory over the evil priests of Baal. It has been said, “The will of God will never lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you.”
先知通過提醒我們，當我們為祂的緣故經歷苦難時，祂會關心我們，以此來鼓勵我們。以利亞向邪惡的亞哈王宣布，這地將有三年半的旱災，以利亞本人也必須在旱災中受苦。但是上帝關心他，上帝使他戰勝了邪惡的巴力祭司。有人說：“上帝的旨意永遠不會把你帶到上帝的恩典不能保守你的地方。”
 
Many of the prophets had to endure great trials and sufferings, not only at the hands of unbelievers, but at the hands of professed believers. Jeremiah was arrested as a traitor and even thrown into an abandoned well to die. God fed Jeremiah and protected him throughout that terrible siege of Jerusalem, even though at times it looked as though the prophet was going to be killed. Both Ezekiel and Daniel had their share of hardships, but the Lord delivered them. And even those who were not delivered, who died for the faith, received that special reward for those who are true to Him.
許多先知不得不忍受巨大的試煉和苦難，不僅在不信者的手中，也在自稱是信徒的手中。耶利米作為叛徒被捕，甚至被扔進廢棄的井裡等死。上帝在耶路撒冷被可怕的圍困期間餵養耶利米並保護他，儘管有時看起來先知好像要被殺了。以西結和但以理都有他們的苦難，但主拯救了他們。甚至那些沒有被釋放，為信仰而死的人，也為那些忠於祂的人獲得了特別的獎賞。
 
Why is it that those who “speak in the name of the Lord” often must endure difficult trials? It is so that 883 James 5 their lives might back up their messages. The impact of a faithful, godly life carries much power. We need to remind ourselves that our patience in times of suffering is a testimony to others around us.
But have not many faithful Christians suffered and died without any notice or recognition? Yes, but when Jesus returns, these “obscure heroes” will receive their rewards. The prophets were killed and buried, but today their names are honored. When our Lord comes again, He will bring His reward with Him (Rev. 22:12).
為什麼那些“奉主名說話”的人常常要經受艱難的試煉？ 883 James 5 他們的生活可能會支持他們的信息。忠心敬虔的生活所產生的影響力很大。我們需要提醒自己，我們在苦難中的耐心是對周圍其他人的見證。
但是，不是有許多忠心的基督徒在沒有任何通知或承認的情況下受苦和死亡嗎？是的，但是當耶穌回來時，這些“無名英雄”會得到他們的獎賞。先知被殺和埋葬，但今天他們的名字受到尊重。當我們的主再來時，他會帶來他的獎賞（啟示錄 22:12）。
 
This example that James used from the Old Testament prophets ought to encourage us to spend more time in the Bible, getting acquainted with these heroes of faith. “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Rom. 15:4 niv). The better we know the Bible, the more God can encourage us in the difficult experiences of life. The important thing is that, like the farmer, we keep working, and, like the prophets, we keep witnessing, no matter how trying the circum[1]stances may be.
雅各從舊約先知中使用的這個例子應該鼓勵我們花更多的時間在聖經上，熟悉這些信仰英雄。 “因為從前所寫的一切都是為了教訓我們，叫我們藉著忍耐和聖經的鼓勵，可以有盼望”（羅馬書 15:4 niv）。我們越了解聖經，上帝就越能在艱難的生活經歷中鼓勵我們。重要的是，無論環境多麼艱難，我們都像農民一樣繼續工作，並且像先知一樣，我們繼續見證。
 
2.  Job (5:11–12)
2. 約伯（5:11-12）
 
“As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered” (James 5:11 niv). But you cannot persevere unless there is a trial in your life. There can be no victories without battles; there can be no peaks without valleys. If you want the blessing, you must be prepared to carry the burden and fight the battle.
“如你所知，我們認為堅持的人有福了”（雅各書 5:11 niv）。但除非你的生活有試煉，否則你無法堅持下去。沒有戰鬥就沒有勝利；沒有谷就沒有高峰。如果你想要祝福，你必須準備好背負重擔，去戰鬥。
 
I once heard a young Christian pray, “O Lord, please teach me the deep truths of Thy Word! I want to be lifted up to the heavens to hear and see the wonderful things that are there!” It was a sincere prayer, but the young man did not realize what he was praying. Paul went to the third heaven and learned things too marvelous for words, and as a result, God had to give Paul a thorn in the flesh to keep him humble (2 Cor. 12:1–10). God has to balance privileges with responsibilities, blessings with burdens, or else you and I will become spoiled, pampered children.
我曾經聽到一個年輕的基督徒禱告：“主啊，求你教導我你話語的深奧真理！我想被提升到天堂，聽到和看到那裡的美妙事物！”這是一個真誠的祈禱，但年輕人沒有意識到他在祈禱什麼。保羅去了第三層天，學到了難以言喻的奇妙事物，因此，上帝不得不給保羅肉體上的一根刺，使他保持謙卑（林後 12:1-10）。上帝必須平衡特權與責任，祝福與負擔，否則你我都會成為被寵壞、被寵壞的孩子。
 
When do “blessings” come? In the midst of trials we may experience God’s blessings, as did the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace (Dan. 3), but James taught that there is a blessing after we have endured. His example was Job.
“福”什麼時候來？在試煉中，我們可能會經歷上帝的祝福，就像火爐中的三個希伯來孩子一樣（但 3），但雅各教導說，我們忍受之後會有祝福。他的榜樣是約伯。
 
The book of Job is a long book, and the chapters are filled with speeches that, to the Western mind, seem long and tedious. In the first three chapters you have Job’s distress: he loses his wealth, his family (except for his wife, and she told him to commit suicide), and his health. In Job 4–31 we read Job’s defense, as he debates with his three friends and answers their false accusations. Job 38–42 presents Job’s deliverance: first God humbles Job, and then He honors Job and gives him twice as much as he had before.
約伯記是一本很長的書，其中的章節充滿了在西方人看來顯得冗長乏味的演講。在前三章中，你看到了約伯的痛苦：他失去了財富、家庭（除了他的妻子，她讓他自殺）和他的健康。在約伯記 4-31 章，我們讀到約伯的辯護，他與三個朋友辯論並回答他們的誣告。約伯記 38-42 章描述了約伯的拯救：首先神使約伯謙卑，然後他尊重約伯，並給他兩倍於以前的。
 
In studying the experience of Job, it is important to remember that Job did not know what was going on “behind the scenes” between God and Satan. Job’s friends accused him of being a sinner and a hypocrite. “There must be some terrible sin in your life,” they argued, “or God would never have permitted this suffering.” Job disagreed with them and maintained his innocence (but not perfection) during the entire conversation. The friends were wrong: God had no cause against Job (Job 2:3), and in the end, God rebuked the friends for telling lies about Job (Job 42:7).
在研究約伯的經歷時，重要的是要記住約伯不知道上帝與撒旦之間“幕後”發生的事情。約伯的朋友指責他是罪人和偽君子。他們爭辯說：“你的生活中一定有一些可怕的罪過，否則上帝永遠不會允許這種痛苦。”約伯不同意他們的意見，並在整個談話中保持他的清白（但不是完美）。朋友們錯了：上帝沒有理由反對約伯（約伯記 2:3），最後，上帝責備朋友們對約伯說謊（約伯記 42:7）。
 
It is difficult to find a greater example of suffering than Job. Circumstances were against him, for he lost his wealth and his health. He also lost his beloved children. His wife was against him, for she said, “Curse God and die” (Job 2:9). His friends were against him, for they accused him of being a hypocrite, deserving of the judgment of God. And it seemed like God was against him! When Job cried out for answers to his questions, there was no reply from heaven.
很難找到比約伯更能說明受苦的例子。環境對他不利，因為他失去了財富和健康。他也失去了他心愛的孩子。他的妻子反對他，因為她說：“你咒詛上帝，死吧”（伯 2:9）。他的朋友們反對他，因為他們指責他是個偽君子，應該受到上帝的審判。而且好像老天爺在反對他！當約伯呼求他的問題的答案時，天上沒有回應。
 
Yet, Job endured. Satan predicted that Job would get impatient with God and abandon his faith, but that did not happen. It is true that Job questioned God’s will, but Job did not forsake his faith in the Lord. “Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. Nevertheless, I will argue my ways before Him” (Job 13:15 nasb). Job was so sure of God’s perfections that he persisted in arguing with Him, even though he did not understand all that God was doing. That is endurance.
然而，約伯忍受了。撒但預言約伯會對上帝失去耐心並放棄他的信仰，但這並沒有發生。誠然，約伯質疑神的旨意，但約伯並沒有放棄對主的信心。 “雖然他殺了我，我仍要仰望他。然而，我要在他面前辯論我的道路”（伯 13:15 nasb）。約伯非常相信神的完美，他堅持與他爭論，儘管他不明白神所做的一切。那就是耐力。
 
God made a covenant with Israel that He would bless them if they would obey His laws (see Deut. 11). This led to the idea that, if you were wealthy and comfortable, you were blessed of God, but if you were suffering and poor, you were cursed of God. Sad to say, many people have that same erroneous idea today. When Jesus said it was difficult for a rich man to enter heaven, the disciples were shocked. “Who then can be saved?” they asked (Matt. 19:23–26). “The rich are especially blessed of God,” they were saying. “If they can’t make it, nobody can!”
上帝與以色列立約，如果他們遵守祂的律法，祂就會祝福他們（見申命記 11）。這導致了這樣的想法，如果你富有和舒適，你會得到上帝的祝福，但如果你受苦和貧窮，你會受到上帝的詛咒。可悲的是，今天很多人都有同樣的錯誤想法。耶穌說財主進天國難，門徒都驚呆了。 “那誰能得救？”他們問（馬太福音 19:23-26）。 “富人特別蒙上帝祝福，”他們說。 “如果他們做不到，誰也做不到！”
 
The book of Job refutes that idea, for Job was a righteous man, and yet he suffered. God found no evil in him, and even Satan could not find any. Job’s friends could not prove their accusations. Job teaches us that God has higher purposes in suffering than the punishing of sin. Job’s experience paved the way for Jesus, the perfect Son of God who suffered, not for His own sins, but for the sins of the world.
约伯记驳斥了这个想法，因为约伯是一个义人，但他还是受了苦。上帝在他身上没有发现任何邪恶，甚至撒旦也找不到任何邪恶。约伯的朋友无法证明他们的指控。约伯教导我们，与惩罚罪相比，上帝在受苦中有更高的目的。约伯的经历为耶稣铺平了道路，耶稣是完美的上帝之子，他不是为自己的罪，而是为世人的罪而受苦。
 
In Job’s case, what was “the end [purpose] of the Lord”? To reveal Himself as full of pity and tender mercy. Certainly, there were other results from Job’s experience, for God never wastes the sufferings of His saints. Job met God in a new and deeper way (Job 42:1–6), and after that, Job received greater blessings from the Lord.
就约伯而言，“耶和华的目的[目的]”是什么？显示自己充满怜悯和温柔的怜悯。当然，约伯的经历还有其他的结果，因为神从不浪费圣徒的苦难。约伯以一种新的、更深入的方式与神相遇（约伯记 42：1-6），之后，约伯从神那里得到了更大的祝福。
 
“But if God is so merciful,” someone may argue,  “why didn’t He protect Job from all that suffering to begin with?” To be sure, there are mysteries to God’s working that our finite minds cannot fathom, but this we know: God was glorified and Job was purified through this difficult experience. If there is nothing to endure, you cannot learn endurance.
“但如果上帝如此仁慈，”有人可能会争辩说，“他为什么不从一开始就保护约伯免受所有苦难？”诚然，神的作工有许多奥秘，我们有限的心思无法测透，但我们知道：神在这艰难的经历中得了荣耀，约伯也得洁净。如果没有什么可以忍受，你就无法学会忍耐。
 
What did Job’s story mean to the believers James wrote to, and what does it mean to us today? It means that some of the trials of life are caused directly by satanic opposition. God permits Satan to try His children, but He always limits the extent of the enemy’s power (Job 1:12; 2:6). When you find yourself in the fire, remember that God keeps His gracious hand on the thermostat! “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10).
约伯的故事对雅各所写信的信徒有什么意义，对我们今天有什么意义？这意味着生活中的一些考验是由撒旦的反对直接引起的。上帝允许撒旦试探他的儿女，但他总是限制仇敌势力的范围（伯 1:12；2:6）。当你发现自己在火中时，请记住，上帝将祂慈爱的手放在恒温器上！ “但他知道我所走的路；他既试炼了我，我就如金子出来”（约伯记 23:10）。
 
Satan wants us to get impatient with God, for an impatient Christian is a powerful weapon in the devil’s hands. You will recall from our study of James 1 that Moses’ impatience robbed him of a trip to the Holy Land; Abraham’s impatience led to the birth of Ishmael, the enemy of the Jews; and Peter’s impatience almost made him a murderer. When Satan attacks us, it is easy for us to get impatient and run ahead of God and lose God’s blessing as a result.
撒旦希望我们对上帝不耐烦，因为不耐烦的基督徒是魔鬼手中的有力武器。你会从我们对雅各书第 1 章的研究中记得，摩西的不耐烦剥夺了他去圣地旅行的机会；亚伯拉罕的急躁导致了犹太人的敌人以实玛利的诞生；而彼得的不耐烦几乎让他成为了凶手。当撒但攻击我们时，我们很容易不耐烦，跑在神的前面，从而失去神的祝福。
 
What is the answer? “My grace is sufficient for thee” (2 Cor. 12:7–9)! Paul’s thorn in the flesh was a “messenger of Satan.” Paul could have fought it, given up under it, or tried to deny that the thorn existed; but he did not. Instead, he trusted God for the grace he needed, and he turned Satan’s weapon into a tool for the building up of his own spiritual life.
答案是什么？ “我的恩典够你用的”（2 Cor. 12:7-9）！保罗肉体上的刺是“撒但的使者”。保罗本可以与它抗争，在它之下放弃，或者试图否认刺的存在；但他没有。相反，他相信上帝会得到他所需要的恩典，他把撒旦的武器变成了建立自己属灵生命的工具。
 
When you find yourself in the furnace, go to the throne of grace and receive from the Lord all the grace you need to endure (Heb. 4:14–16). Remind yourself that the Lord has a gracious purpose in all of this suffering, and that He will work out His purposes in His time and for His glory. You are not a robot caught in the jaws of fate. You are a loving child of God, privileged to be a part of a wonderful plan. There is a difference!
当你发现自己在熔炉中时，就到施恩宝座前，从主那里接受你需要忍受的所有恩典（希伯来书 4:14-16）。提醒自己，主在所有这些苦难中都有仁慈的旨意，他会在他的时间和荣耀中实现他的旨意。你不是一个被命运夹住的机器人。你是上帝慈爱的孩子，有幸成为美好计划的一部分。它们是有区别的！
 
The exhortation in James 5:12 seems out of place, for what does “speaking oaths” have to do with the problem of suffering? If you have ever suffered, you know the answer: it is easy to say things you do not mean, and even make bargains with God, when you are going through difficulties. Go back to Job for an example. The patriarch said, “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly” (Job 1:21–22). Job did curse the day he was born (Job 3:1ff.), but he never cursed God or spoke with a foolish oath. Neither did he try to bargain with God.
雅各书 5 章 12 节的劝勉似乎不合时宜，因为“发誓”与受苦的问题有什么关系？如果你曾经受过苦，你就会知道答案：当你遇到困难时，很容易说出你的意思，甚至与上帝讨价还价。回到乔布斯举个例子。先祖说：“我赤身出母胎，也必赤身归回。赏赐的是耶和华，收取的也是耶和华；耶和华的名是应当称颂的。在这一切上，约伯没有犯罪，也没有以愚拙的方式责备神”（约伯记 1：21-22）。约伯确实诅咒他出生的那一天（约伯记 3:1ff。），但他从未诅咒上帝或用愚蠢的誓言说话。他也没有试图与上帝讨价还价。
 
Surely James was reminding us of our Lord’s teaching in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:34–37). The Jews were great ones for using various oaths to back up their statements. They were careful, however, not to use the name of God in their oaths, lest they blaspheme God. So, they would swear by heaven, or earth, or Jerusalem, or even by their own heads! But Jesus taught that it is impossible to avoid God in such oaths. Heaven is His throne, earth is His footstool, and Jerusalem is the “city of the great King.” As for swearing by your head, what good is it? “Thou canst not make one hair black or white” (Matt. 5:36)—or even keep one hair on your head.
毫无疑问，雅各是在提醒我们主在登山宝训中的教导（马太福音 5:34-37）。犹太人是伟大的人，他们使用各种誓言来支持他们的陈述。然而，他们很小心，不要在他们的誓言中使用上帝的名字，以免他们亵渎上帝。所以，他们会以天、地、耶路撒冷，甚至自己的头起誓！但是耶稣教导说，在这样的誓言中是不可能避开上帝的。天是祂的宝座，地是祂的脚凳，耶路撒冷是“大君王的城”。至于用头骂人，有什么好处？ “你不能让一根头发变黑或变白”（马太福音 5:36）——甚至一根头发都不能留在你的头上。
 
It is a basic principle that true Christian character requires few words. The person who must use many words (including oaths) to convince us has some[1]thing wrong with his character and must bolster this weakness by using words. If you are a true Christian, with integrity, then all you have to say is yes or no and people will believe you. Jesus warned us that anything more than this is from the evil one.
真正的基督徒品格需要很少的言语，这是一个基本原则。必须用很多词（包括誓言）来说服我们的人，他的性格有问题，必须用词来加强这种弱点。如果你是一个真正的基督徒，正直，那么你只需要说是或否，人们就会相信你。耶稣警告我们，除此之外的任何事情都来自邪恶的人。
 
One of the purposes of suffering is the building of character. Certainly Job was a better man for having gone through the furnace. (James explained this process to us, James 1:2–12.) If words are a test of character, then oaths would indicate that there is yet work to be done. When Peter poured out those oaths in the courtyard (Matt. 26:71), he was giving evidence that his character was still in need of a transformation.
受苦的目的之一是塑造品格。当然，约伯经历过火炉是一个更好的人。 （雅各向我们解释了这个过程，雅各书 1:2-12。）如果言语是对品格的考验，那么誓言将表明还有工作要做。当彼得在院子里宣誓时（马太福音 26:71），他是在证明他的 c
 
As you review this section, you can see the practicality of it. James wanted to encourage us to be patient in times of suffering. Like the farmer, we are waiting for a spiritual harvest, for fruit that will glorify God. Like the prophets, we look for opportunities for witness, to share the truth of God. And, like Job, we wait for the Lord to fulfill His loving purpose, knowing that He will never cause His children to suffer needlessly. And, like Job, we shall have a clearer vision of the Lord and come to know Him better for having been in the furnace of affliction.
当您查看本节时，您可以看到它的实用性。 雅各想鼓励我们在受苦时要有耐心。 像农夫一样，我们正在等待属灵的收获，等待荣耀上帝的果实。 像先知一样，我们寻找机会见证，分享上帝的真理。 并且，像约伯一样，我们等待主完成祂慈爱的旨意，知道祂永远不会让祂的孩子不必要地受苦。 并且，像约伯一样，我们将对主有更清晰的异象，并因曾在苦难的熔炉中而更好地认识祂。
 
 “Be patient, for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh!”
“要忍耐，因为主的来临近了！”
 
感謝上帝。