Exhortation for China – Isaiah 2
劝勉词－以赛亚书2章
This exhortation is based on our daily Bible readings from Isaiah 2. We are told in Isaiah 1v1 that the prophecy of Isaiah was given in the days of Kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. It is probable that Isaiah 2 was written in the reign of King Uzziah. So this exhortation not only considers the lessons from Isaiah 2 but also key points from the reign of King Uzziah whose life is recorded in 2 Chronicles.
今天的劝勉词是有关我们每日读经以赛亚书2章。在以赛亚书1章1节我们读到，当乌西雅，约坦，亚哈斯，希西家，作犹大王的时候，以赛亚得默示。所以，我们今天的劝勉词不仅要思考以赛亚书2章，也要关注历代志下2章记载的有关乌西雅作王时期的主要事件。
One of the key ideas in Isaiah 2 is that of exalting or lifting up. Isaiah 2v2 says that in the last days the LORD’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains and shall be exalted above the hills. This verse looks forward to the time of God’s Kingdom when He will be exalted and lifted up and all the earth will respect Him and go to Him to learn of His laws and words.
以赛亚书2章特点之一就是赞颂和提升。在以赛亚书2章2节说：末后的日子，耶和华殿的山必坚立，超乎诸山，高举过于万岭。这一节让我们期待当神国到来的时候，神将被赞颂和提升，万民都要敬畏他，并且学习他的律法和话语。
In contrast to this picture look at Isaiah 2v11. In comparison to God being exalted in v2 are men exalting themselves in v11. They are ‘lofty’ and ‘haughty’ now but in the day of God’s Kingdom, God alone will be exalted and man humbled. v12 continues by saying they are ‘proud’ and ‘lifted up’. This idea of man exalting himself continues in v13-17 and again it states in v17 that in the end God alone will be exalted.
在以赛亚书2章11节则描述了与这副画面相反的画面。在第二节中，神被万民赞扬，而相比之下，11节中，人们却自己尊崇自己。12节中又说他们骄傲狂妄，一切自高。在13－17节中，人们自己尊崇自己被反复提到，17节中指出，最终只有神被尊崇。
From this we have an insight into the times when Isaiah 2 was written. God’s people in general were exalting themselves, they were lifting up themselves, thinking how great they were, and they were not exalting God. They were proud in their achievements and their greatness. And yet how wrong was their attitude. They were not thinking of the time of the future, when God’s Kingdom will come, and when God alone will be lifted up and exalted in that day and man humbled.
通过上面的经节，我们可以看到以赛亚书2章提到的那个时期一些情况。信神的人大部分都尊崇自己，提升自己，自命不凡，却没有尊崇神。他们为个人成就和功绩骄傲自大，然而这是何等错误的态度。 他们并没有考虑当神国到来的时候，只有神会被尊崇和提升而人们只能被降为卑。
With these points in mind lets now look at the reign of King Uzziah in 2 Chronicles 26 which gives us more detail of what was happening among God’s people at the time of Isaiah 2.
现在我们来看一下历代志下26章中乌西雅作王时期的情况，这一章也表现了在以赛亚书2章中提到的同一时期的人们的情形。
2 Chronicles 26v3-5 tell us that King Uzziah was a godly man. He did what was right in the sight of the LORD (v4). He sought God and God made his reign to prosper. So King Uzziah started his reign well. His heart was in the right place, he was ready and willing to listen to God and obey His commandments. But notice an important point in v5 where it says ‘as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper’. God was with Uzziah as long as Uzziah was with God and sought Him. Seeking the LORD should be a life long thing. It is no good seeking the LORD to begin with but not continuing it. Throughout our lives we have to consistently seek the LORD. Unfortunately we find that Uzziah began well, he sought the LORD for many years of his reign, but then failed in the closing years of his life.
历代志下26章3－5节提到，乌西雅王是一位敬神的人。他做神眼里看为义的人（4节）。他寻求神，神也使他亨通。乌西雅王登基后定意听从神并且遵守他的旨意。注意第5节很重要的一点，他寻求耶和华，神也使他亨通。当乌西雅寻求神时，神总是与他同在。寻求神是一生的事。一时的寻求而不继续下去是不好的。然而不幸的是，乌西雅在执政很长时期寻求神，有了好的开始，但却在最后几年放弃了对神的寻求。
2 Chronicles 26 goes on to tell us of Uzziah’s successes. In those years he sought the LORD and everything went well and prospered for him because God was with him. v6-8 tell us how Uzziah subdued the Philistines, the Arabians and Ammonites. These were nations which surrounded the land of Israel and Judah. Uzziah extended the borders of his kingdom and this created peace on every side. This time of peace gave him opportunity to engage in various projects in the nation of Judah. In v9 Uzziah fortified Jerusalem to ensure that no enemy could conquer it. In v10 he engaged in farm projects and opened up the deserts for agriculture. In v11-15 he organised and strengthened his army and provided them with weapons. Uzziah brought the nation to the second highest point after the reign of Solomon. Notice the important phrase in v15, ‘he was marvellously helped till he was strong’. God was with Uzziah in all he did and his work amongst the nation while Uzziah exalted God and recognised that God was his strength.
历代志下26章继续记载乌西雅的功绩。在他寻求神的那些年，因为与神同在，万事顺利也甚是强盛。6－8节告诉我们，乌西雅攻陷非利士人非利士人，阿拉伯人并亚扪人。这些国家与以色列地和犹太地相邻。乌西雅扩张了国土并使国家太平。这样的太平盛世让乌西雅有机会在犹太地进行工程。9节说到：乌西雅在耶路撒冷建堡垒，使其坚固以防敌人的侵犯。10节中，他致力于农业建设，把沙漠改良成农田进行耕种。11－15节，他又加强了军队建设，并给士兵配备武器。乌西雅统治时期的王朝是除所罗门王朝以外的最强盛的。注意15节中，“因为他得了非常的帮助，甚是强盛”。当乌西雅尊崇神并明白神是他的力量之源时，神一直与他同在并帮助他治理国家。
But then sadly we read 2 Chronicles 26v16. Uzziah had gone about winning wars, subduing his enemies, strengthening the nation of Judah’s defences and was very successful because he sought God (v5). But then he changed. Instead of recognising God as his strength, Uzziah trusted in his own strength. He was proud of all his achievements and what he had accomplished so successfully in the nation. And Uzziah thought it was because of his strength. v16 tells us that Uzziah’s heart was lifted up which was the key idea we noticed in Isaiah 2. Uzziah began his reign lifting God up in his heart, he exalted God, but then he sadly ended his reign by lifting and exalting himself. He removed God from the exalted position He should have had in his life and turned to his own way.
而读到历代志下26章16节时，我们看到他变了。乌西雅曾经战胜敌人，加强国防并且获得巨大成功都是来源于他寻求神（5节）。可是，他后来不再相信神是他的力量之源，而是相信自己是力量之源。16节说到：乌西雅心高气傲，这个词也同样出现在以赛亚书2章。乌西雅从尊崇神开始，却堕落到心高气傲，自高自大。他动摇了心中本该受尊崇的神的地位，他的生活从此偏向了他自己的方向。
There is an important lesson in this for ourselves. We need to seek God as Uzziah did in the beginning of his reign (v5). We need to exalt God in our lives, to make sure He is the focus and the centre of everything we do. And to do this we need to humble ourselves. But we also need to continue this attitude throughout our lives. We might have done well and have success in various areas of life like Uzziah had. But let us never become proud like Uzziah, let us never exalt ourselves instead of God because God is the strength of our lives, not ourselves.
这对我们是一个很重要的功课。我们需要象乌西雅最初一样寻求神（5节）。我们应该在生活中尊崇神，保证他是我们的焦点和做事的中心。要做到这一点，我们需要是自己谦卑。同样，我们也必须在一生中一直保持这样的态度。象乌西雅一样，我们可能在生活的很多方面多做的很好很成功。但是我们不能象乌西雅一样骄傲自大，心高气傲，提高自己，因为神才是我们力量之源，而不是我们自己。
2 Chronicles 26v16 continues by telling us what Uzziah did wrong. He went into the temple to burn incense on the altar of incense. God’s law stated that he was not allowed to do that. Only the priests were allowed to burn incense on the altar of incense. But Uzziah did not take notice of what God’s law allowed or did not allow. His attitude was that He was the king who had been so successful in the nation so he could do what he wanted. He exalted his own ideas of worship and in doing so removed God and His law from the exalted position it should have had in his life. This is pride, which God hates (Proverbs 6v16-17). Pride lifts up man, pride works so that we do not listen to God but only to ourselves.
历代志下26章16节接着告诉了我们，乌西雅犯的错。他进耶和华的殿，要在香坛上烧香，在神的律法中，他是不允许这样做的。只有祭司有权利在香坛上烧香。但是乌西雅并没有注意神允许和不允许他做的事。他当时的心态是，自己是一国之王又那么成功，当然可以做任何想做的事。他尊崇自已敬拜神的方法并将其实施，这样做他动摇了他心中原本至高的神和神的律法。神憎恶这样的骄傲（箴言6章16－17节）。骄傲让人心高气傲，骄傲让人不听从神只听从自己。
2 Chronicles 26v17-21 tells us that the Azariah the priest and 80 other priests courageously stood up against Uzziah and told him he was wrong to burn incense on the altar of incense. Uzziah was angry (v17). He still felt he was right, he could not be reasoned with, he would not listen. But then God smote him with leprosy (v19) and he quickly went out of the temple. Uzziah was then a leper until he died. He was cut off from the nation. He was isolated. He could never join the nation in worship again. He died a sad and shameful death, because he exalted himself and not God.
历代志下26章17－21节说到，祭司亚撒利雅率领耶和华勇敢的祭司八十人阻挡乌西雅王，并告诉他给耶和华烧香不是他的事。乌西雅就发怒（17节）。他仍旧觉得自己是对的也不应该被置疑，他也不听从劝告。神就在耶和华殿中香坛旁让他出大麻疯，于是他离开了神殿（19节）。乌西雅王长大麻疯直到死日。因此住在别的宫里，与耶和华的殿隔绝。也不能再参与敬拜。他的死既悲哀又羞愧，因为他提升自己，心高气傲却不尊崇神。
This record of Uzziah in 2 Chronicles gives us a deeper insight in to the words of Isaiah 2 and provides powerful lessons for ourselves. The first part of Isaiah 2 in v2-4 focuses on the time of the Kingdom of God when He will be exalted not just in Israel and Judah but in the whole world. v2 tells us the LORD’s house will be established in the top of the mountains and exalted above the hills. The LORD’s house is referring to the temple of God which Uzziah treated with disrespect by trying to burn incense on the altar of incense, something which God allowed only the priests to do. But in the Kingdom age God’s house, the temple will be exalted and respected. v2 tells us that all nations will flow to it. So God and His house will be the focus of the whole word in His Kingdom. In v3 there is enthusiasm amongst all nations of the world. They will ask and encourage each other to come to God’s house to be taught of His ways and law. These nations will be humble and teachable. They want God to tell them how to serve Him acceptably. They are not like Uzziah who did not listen to God’s law and words but did what he wanted to. v4 tells us that this time of God’s Kingdom will be a time of wonderful peace.
历代志下里的记载让我们更深的理解以赛亚书2章里的话语，同时又交给我们一个重要的功课。在以赛亚书2章的开始2－4节中，神国的时候不仅以色列，犹太地要尊崇神，整个世界上都要尊崇神。2节说到，末后的日子，耶和华殿的山必坚立，超乎诸山，高举过于万岭。万民都要流归这山。这里提到的耶和华的殿就是当时乌西雅想要在香坛上烧香的殿，而烧香的事只有祭司能做。当神国到来的时候，神的殿将受到尊崇和敬畏。2节说，万民都要流归这山。也就是说，在神国中神和神的殿将成为世界的中心。在3节说到，世界各地的人们都将对神充满热情。他们会相互邀请鼓励一起去神的殿学习神的话语和律法。这些民是谦卑的也是可教的。他们想要神告诉他们怎样以神喜悦的方式服侍他。他们不会象乌西雅一样不听从身的话而做自己想做的事。4节告诉我们，神国到来时将是一个平安喜乐的时光。
The appeal of these words in Isaiah 2v2-4 is then given in v5. On the basis of the wonderful time of the Kingdom when God alone will be exalted, when His word and law will be taught among all nations, v5 appeals to the nation of Judah to come and walk in the light of the LORD. For all the material successes of Uzziah in the first part of his reign, he neglected to lead the nation of Judah in this regard. He did not attend to the real needs of the people, their eternal salvation. The focus of Uzziah’s reign was more on the cares of this life, the defences of the city, arming his troops and agricultural projects. But he did not lead the people in exalting God in their lives.
在5节提到了以赛亚书2章2－4节的景况。在神的国被尊崇，神的话语和律法被万民学习的美好时光里，5节恳求犹太民能来并在神的光明中行走。乌西雅统治的前半段，他的成功让他忘记忽略了领导犹太民与神同行。他没有考虑人民的真正的需求，这个需求就是永生的救赎。乌西雅同志的中心是属世的事，他加强防御，为全军预备武器并致力于农业项目。可是，他并没有带领人民尊崇神。
The second part of Isaiah 2 shows that this appeal of v5 fell on deaf ears. In v6-7 the land was full of gold and silver some of which came from subdued enemy nations. Uzziah’s reign was prosperous. There was lots of money around. v7 also shows that the land was also full of horses and chariots which Uzziah used to strengthen his army. v8 tells us that the land was also full of idols. The people at the time of Uzziah were not interested in exalting God, His house or His law.
以赛亚书2章的第二部分说明了恳求并未被听从。6－7节说：地上满是黄金和白银，很多都来自与上贡的国家。乌西雅的国是富足，满是钱财。7节还提到他们的地满了马匹，车辆也无数，这些都是乌西雅为增强国防而预备的。8节又说，满地都是偶像。可见，乌西雅统治时期，他的人民已经偏离了神，也不尊崇神的殿和律法。
So in v11-17 God says that the pride of man in material achievements will be eventually humbled. Regardless of the successes proud man has now in this life, man will be humbled and God exalted (v11, v17). In v12 God will be against everyone that is proud and lofty, those who exalt themselves like Uzziah did.
因此，11－17节神说到：因物质的成功骄傲的必屈膝，狂妄的必降卑。无论在今生骄傲的人又再多的成功，他们也终将被降为卑，神仍将受尊崇。12节说到：神要惩罚那些象乌西雅一样骄傲狂妄的，一切自高的人。
This is a powerful exhortation for ourselves. The challenge for all of us in today’s world is to ensure that God is exalted as the centre and focus of our lives, and also to humble ourselves to listen and obey Him. So often it is too easy to do the opposite like Uzziah did at the end of his reign. It is so easy to exalt ourselves, to be proud in our own achievements and successes, to place emphasis and trust in our own strength, to be full of self importance. But the exhortation is to remove pride from our lives, to be humble and exalt God alone. If we do this then by God’s grace we will be part of the Kingdom age in which God and His house will be exalted.
对于我们来说，这是一个很强烈的劝勉。把神放在我们今天生活的中心，尊崇神，听从神并让自己谦卑是很挑战的。常常我们都会很轻易的做出象乌西雅晚年所做的，赞叹自己的成功，提升自己，相信自己的能力也把自己看为是最重要的人。今天的劝勉词就是要让我们去除我们今生的骄傲，谦卑的尊崇神。如果我们做到了，应着神的恩典，我们也能成为被尊崇的神和神的殿的一分子。
In conclusion we shall look at 1 Peter 5v5-6. These verses teach us to submit to one another, to be humble and not be proud. Submitting and being humble ensures that we do not exalt ourselves or force our ideas on others. God is exalted in our lives and we try and worship Him in the way He shows us. Having this attitude will create a united and positive ecclesial environment in which the truth of the gospel will flourish. If we consistently humble ourselves before God and our brothers and sisters God will exalt us in due time (v6). This means that in the Kingdom of God He will give us eternal life and we will be part of that time spoken about in Isaiah 2v2-4.
最后，我们来看一看彼得前书5章5－6节。这些经节教我们如何相互顺服，谦卑不骄傲。因为顺服和谦卑让我们不会抬高自己或把个人意愿强加给别人。神是我们一生中应该尊崇的，我们应该照着他只给我们的方式敬拜他。拥有这样的态度我们就可以创造一个神的真理流传的团结向上的教会氛围。如果我们保持在神和弟兄姐妹面前谦卑的态度，到时神也将叫我们升高（6节）。也就是说，等神国来临时，神将给我们永生，我们也将成为以赛亚书2章2－4节提到的那美好时光的一分子。
So now we are to take of bread and wine together in remembrance of what God has done for us in His son. Philippians 2v5-11 shows the Lord Jesus Christ’s amazing example of humility (v8). He was not proud at all, he was submissive to his Father’s will, even to the death of the cross (v8). Every day of his life Jesus Christ exalted God. God was his focus and centre of everything he did. And so even though Jesus died, God exalted him the third day by raising him from the dead and giving him eternal life. God has highly exalted him and given him a name above every name (v9). What a wonderful example to contemplate as we take this bread and wine together and rejoice that following Jesus’ example of humility we have hope of eternal life in the Kingdom of God.
现在，我们聚在一起，以掰饼喝酒纪念神通过他的儿子为我们所作的一切。腓力比书2章5－11节展现了主耶稣基督完美的人的榜样（8节）。 耶稣基督生活的每一天都尊崇神，神是他的生活中作所有事情的中心。因此，应着他的作为，死后三天神就将他复活并给他了永生。所以神将他升为至高，又赐给他那超乎万名之上的名（9节）。在我们掰饼喝酒时，我们应该趁这个机会思考主耶稣基督完美的人的榜样，在神国永生的盼望中效仿基督耶稣的样式。
Speaking Notes
摘要
· Exhortation based on Isaiah 2
基于以赛亚书2章的劝勉词
· Isaiah 1v1 – Given in days of Kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah以赛亚1章1节－当乌西雅，约坦，亚哈斯，希西家，作犹大王的时候
· Isaiah 2 – Written in reign of King Uzziah
以赛亚书2章－写于乌西雅统治时期
· Key idea in Isaiah 2 – exalting, lifting up:
以赛亚书2章的要点－尊崇和提升
o v2 – God’s house exalted in the Kingdom age
2节－神国时神的殿将被尊崇
o v11 – Contrast – men exalting themselves – but time coming when God exalted
11节－对比－人提高自己－但当神国到来时神将被尊崇
o v12 – ‘proud’, ‘lifted up’. See v13-17
12节－ 骄傲，太高 看13－17节
·
People at time of
Isaiah exalting themselves – proud in their achievements – their minds not on
the Kingdom when God exalted
以赛亚时代的人们抬高自己－为他们的成就骄傲－他们的心思意念不在尊崇神的神国
· King Uzziah:
乌西雅王：
o 2 Chronicles 26v3-5: Godly (to begin with) – Seeking the LORD should be a lifelong thing (v5)
历代志下26章3－5：敬神（刚开始）－寻求神是一生的事（5节）
o 2 Chronicles 26v6-15: Uzziah’s Successes
历代志下26章6－15： 乌西雅的成功
§ v6-8: Subdued nations, extended borders, created peace
6－8节：成服的国家，扩大疆域，和平盛事
§ v9: Fortified Jerusalem
9节： 巩固耶路撒冷
§ v10: Farm and agricultural projects
10节：农业项目
§ v11-15: Organised and strengthened army
11－15节：调整并加强的军队
o Note v15 – ‘he was marvelously helped till he was strong’ – God with Uzziah while Uzziah exalted God in his life
注意15节－注意15节中，“因为他得了非常的帮助，甚是强盛”。－当乌西雅尊崇神时，神一直与他同在。
· King Uzziah’s Mistake
乌西雅王的错误
o 2 Chronicles 26v16: Went into temple to burn incense – not allowed by God
历代志下26章16节：进殿烧香－神不允许
o Uzziah was proud – exalted himself and his own ideas
乌西雅骄傲－对自己和自己的看法自高自大
o 2 Chronicles 26v17-21: Uzziah challenged by the priests and struck with leprosy
历代志下26章17－21节：祭司挑战乌西雅并得麻风病
· Isaiah 2v2-4: God’s Kingdom – God exalted – His laws respected by all
以赛亚2章2－4节： 神国－神被尊崇－他的律法被所有人遵守
· Isaiah 2v5: Appeal to God’s people on basis of v2-4
以赛亚2章5节：基于2－4节的对神的子民的恳求
· Rest of Isaiah 2 shows people unrepentant:
以赛亚书2章剩下的部分表现了人们不知悔改
o v6-7: Silver and gold in land – prosperous times of Uzziah
6－7节说：地上满是黄金和白银－乌西雅的国是富足
o v7: Horses and Chariots used to strengthen Uzziah’s army
7节还提到他们的地满了马匹，车辆也无数，这些都是乌西雅为增强国防而预备的
o v8: Land full of idols – people at time of Uzziah not exalting God
8节又说，满地都是偶像－乌西雅统治时期，他的人民也不尊崇神的殿和律法。
o v11-17: Pride of man in material things be eventually humbled – God will then be exalted
11－17节神说到：因物质的成功骄傲的人必屈膝－神仍将受尊崇。
· Challenge for us – ensure God is exalted as centre and focus of our lives – humble ourselves and obey Him
给我们的挑战－把神放在我们今天生活的中心，尊崇神－听从神并让自己谦卑是很挑战的。
· 1 Peter 5v5-6: Submit, be humble, not be proud
彼得前书5章5－6节：顺服，谦卑，不骄傲
· Philippians 2v5-11: Example of Jesus Christ – Humble, then exalted by God after his resurrection
腓力比书2章5－11节：基督耶稣的样式－谦卑，复活后被神提升