God’s Hand in Her History 神的手在她的人生 Ruth 路得記 God’s Hand in Her History 神的手在她的人生 Copyright Jerram Barrs 2018

Ruth I 路得記 I The Mission of God 神的使命

In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons.  The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there.  But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons.  These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They lived there about ten years, and both Mahlon and Chilion died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband.

當士師秉政的時候，國中遭遇饑荒，在猶大伯利恆有一個人 帶着妻子和兩個兒子往摩押地去寄居。 這人名叫以利米勒，他的妻名叫拿俄米，他兩個兒子，一個名叫瑪倫， 一個名叫基連，都是猶大伯利恆的以法他人，他們到了摩押地就住在那裏。 後來拿俄米的丈夫以利米勒死了，剩下婦人和他兩個兒子。 這兩個兒子娶了摩押女子為妻，一個名叫俄珥巴，一個名叫路得， 在那裏住了約有十年。 瑪倫和基連二人也死了，剩下拿俄米沒有丈夫，也沒有兒子。

Then she arose with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the fields of Moab that the Lord had visited his people and given them food.  So she set out from the place where she was with her two daughters-in-law, and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah.  But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to her mother's house. May the Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me.  The Lord grant that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband!” Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept.  And they said to her, “No, we will return with you to your people.”  But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Have I yet sons in my womb that they may become your husbands?

他就與兩個兒婦起身要從摩押地歸回，因為他在摩押地，聽見耶和華 眷顧自己的百姓，賜糧食與他們。 於是他和兩個兒婦起行離開所住的地方，要回猶大地去。 拿俄米對兩個兒婦說，你們各人回娘家去罷，願耶和華恩待你們， 像你們恩待已死的人與我一樣。 願耶和華使你們各在新夫家中得平安。於是拿俄米與他們親嘴， 他們就放聲而哭， 說，不然，我們必與你一同回你本國去。 拿俄米說，我女兒們哪，回去罷，為何要跟我去呢，我還能生子作你們 的丈夫麼？

“Turn back, my daughters; go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, even if I should have a husband this night and should bear sons,  would you therefore wait till they were grown? Would you therefore refrain from marrying? No, my daughters, for it is exceedingly bitter to me for your sake that the hand of the Lord has gone out against me.”  Then they lifted up their voices and wept again. And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her. And she said, “See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.”

我女兒們哪，去罷，我年紀老邁，不能再有丈夫，即或說， 我還有指望，今夜有丈夫可以生子。 你們豈能等着他們長大呢，你們豈能等着他們不嫁別人呢。我女兒們哪， 不要這樣，我為你們的緣故，甚是愁苦，因為耶和華伸手攻擊我。 兩個兒婦又放聲而哭，俄珥巴與婆婆親嘴而別，只是路得捨不得拿俄米。 拿俄米說，看哪，你嫂子已經回他本國，和他所拜的神那裏去了， 你也跟着你嫂子回去罷。

But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.  Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.”  And when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more. So the two of them went on until they came to Bethlehem. And when they came to Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them. And the women said, “Is this Naomi?”  She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.  I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?”

路得說，不要催我回去不跟隨你，你往那裏去，我也往那裏去。你在哪裏 住宿，我也在那裏住宿。你的國就是我的國，你的　神就是我的　神。 你在那裏死，，也在那裏死、也葬在那裏。除非死能使你我相離，不然， 願耶和華重重地降罰與我。 拿俄米見路得定意要跟隨自己去，就不再勸他了。 於是二人同行，來到伯利恆，他們到了伯利恆，合城的人就都驚訝， 婦女們說，這是拿俄米麼。 拿俄米對他們說，不要叫我拿俄米，〔拿俄米就是甜的意思〕要叫我瑪拉， 〔瑪拉就是苦的意思〕因為全能者使我受了大苦。 我滿滿的出去，耶和華使我空空的回來，耶和華降禍與我，全能者使我 受苦，既是這樣，你們為何還叫我拿俄米呢。

1. Theological Background 聖經背景 The mission of God 神的使命 From the beginning, from creation – God is committed to our race 從創世開始，神對於我們族類有所承諾 His blessing for the descendants of Adam and Eve 祂對亞當和夏娃後裔的祝福 Seed of Eve is to be Savior of the world 夏娃的一位後裔是世界的救世主 Will crush the enemy of our race 將粉碎我們族類的敵人 He will be a merciful and gracious God to our race in its sin and rebellion 對我們族類的罪和叛亂,祂將是一個仁慈的神 This is the beautiful story of Scripture 這是聖經的美麗故事

Mission to the World 對世界的使命 The call of Abraham and Sarah 亞伯拉罕和撒拉的呼召 To be ancestors of the one, the Seed, who will bless all nations 作為那一個的祖先，其後裔將祝福萬國 Their calling and the calling of all their descendants 他們的呼召和他們所有後裔的呼召 To be a blessing to the nations 成為萬國的祝福 To be priests for the world 成為世界的祭司 The purpose of Israel - all God’s people 以色列的宗旨-所有神的人民 To be a light to the nations 成為萬國的光 To teach them the ways of the Lord 教導他們主的道 Our calling also – priests to the Lord for the world 我們的呼召也是 – 在世界成為主的祭司

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light 惟有你們是被揀選的族類，是有君尊的祭司，是聖潔的國度，是屬　神的子民，要叫你們宣揚那召你們出黑暗入奇妙光明者的美德。 1 Peter彼得前書 2:9

What was the Particular Historical Setting？ 什麼是特定的歷史背景？ This Missionary Calling is the Background for the Book of Ruth 這個宣教呼召是《路得記》的背景 What was the Particular Historical Setting？ 什麼是特定的歷史背景？

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times 這是最好的時代, 這是最壞的時代。 Charles Dickens 狄更生 A Tale of Two Cities 雙城記

2. Historical Setting 歷史背景 The worst of times:12th-11th Century BC 最壞的時代:西元前12至11世紀 See the end of the Book of Judges 看士師記結尾 ‘In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes’ 那時以色列中沒有王，各人任意而行。 Time of unbelief, idolatry, open disobedience to God’s Law 不信的時代, 崇拜偶像, 公開違抗神的律法 The big picture 大的觀點 What miniature can be set against this background? A best of times – in God’s mercy and power 最好的時代 - 在神的憐憫和權力之下 Even in the worst of times？ 即使在最壞的時代？ This is the story of Ruth 這是路得的故事 Can there, in the Lord’s kindness and power, be a best of times – even in the worst of times? Ignoring the kingship of God.

Our Time 我們的時代 Very similar: autonomy 非常相似：自主權 Living for oneself and one’s personal fulfillment – our cultural setting 為自己和個人的成就而活--我們的文化背景 Robert Bellah: our two great goals我們的兩大目標 Vivid personal feelings 活躍的個人感覺 Personal success 個人的成功 What miniatures in our lives can be set against the backdrop of our culture？ 在生活中什麼縮影違背我們的文化背景？ Can there be the best of times for us? 我們能有最好的時代嗎？ In God’s mercy and power 在神的憐憫和權力 His promises are always ‘Yes!’ in Jesus 在耶穌裡，祂的應許永遠是 ' 是! '

3. Personal Context 個人背景 Elimelech takes wife, Naomi & his sons, Mahlon and Chilion 以利米帶着妻子拿俄米和他的兒子瑪倫和基連 Moves to Moab - famine in and around Bethlehem 搬到了摩押 – 饑荒在伯利恒 His sons’ names Canaanite – may indicate lack of faith 他兒子的名字像迦南人的名字-可能表明了缺乏信心 Israelites forbidden to have any dealings with Moab 以色列人禁止與摩押人來往 In Moab Mahlon and Chilion, marry Moabite women 在摩押瑪倫和基連娶了摩押女子 Ruth and Orpah 路得和俄珥巴 Such marriage forbidden for the people of God 神的子民是禁止這種婚姻的

Alexandre Bila

http://www. thebiblejourney http://www.thebiblejourney.org/biblejourney2/29-the-journeys-of-ruth-and-samuel/ruths-journey-to-bethlehem/

Tragedy in Moab 發生在摩押的悲劇 All three men die 三個男人都死了 Three widows – no protection in law, no property, no means of livelihood 三個寡婦-沒有法律保護, 沒有財產, 沒有謀生手段 Moab – denounced by God 摩押-是被神譴責的 Israelites to have no dealings 以色列人不與之來往 Worship of ‘vile’ God Chemosh – child sacrifice 崇拜邪惡的神基抹 – 獻兒女為祭

Naomi’s Decision 拿俄米的決定 But - Naomi – a believer – decides to return to Israel, to Bethlehem – relatives there 但是拿俄米-一個信徒-決定回到以色列伯利恒-親屬那裡 Hope someone there obedient to the Lord’s commands 希望那裡有人聽從主的命令 About care of destitute relatives, widows and the poor 關懷貧困親屬、寡婦和窮人

Pieter Lastman, 1624

Naomi’s Bitterness 拿俄米的苦處 ‘It is exceedingly bitter to me for your sake that the hand of the LORD has gone out against me.’ – words to her daughters-in-law 我為你們的緣故，甚是愁苦，因為耶和華伸手攻擊我 – 對她兒媳的話 ‘Do not call me Naomi (this name means ‘pleasant’); call me Mara (this means ‘bitter’), for the Lord has dealt very bitterly with me. I went away full, and the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the LORD has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?’ – words to the women back in Bethlehem 不要叫我拿俄米、〔拿俄米就是甜的意思〕要叫我瑪拉、〔瑪拉就是苦的意思〕因為全能者使我受了大苦。我滿滿的出去、耶和華使我空空的回來、耶和華降禍與我、全能者使我受苦、既是這樣、你們為何還叫我拿俄米呢。 - 對伯利恒婦女的話 God does not rebuke her for her bitter words of complaint 神沒責備她苦澀的抱怨 But he has some surprises! 但他凖備一些驚喜！

Ruth’s Decision 路得的決定 Naomi expects to return alone 拿俄米希望獨自回去 Despite Naomi’s prayer for her to find a husband among her own people 儘管拿俄米禱告她能在自己的百姓中找到丈夫 Despite Naomi’s urging Ruth to stay 儘管拿俄米敦促路得留下來 Ruth commits herself to Naomi 路得向拿俄米承諾 To dwell with her 和她住在一起 To Naomi’s people 到拿俄米的百姓中 To Naomi’s land 到拿俄米的土地上 To Naomi’s God 到拿俄米的神那裡 To burial with Naomi and her people 和拿俄米及其百姓埋在一起

Ruth and Naomi, Hans Holbein the Younger, ca 1497-1543

Ruth’s Words & Her Oath 路得的話和誓詞 ‘Do not urge me to leave you 不要催我回去不跟隨你 or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, 你往那裏去，我也往那裏去。 and where you lodge I will lodge. 你在哪裏住宿，我也在 那裏住宿。 Your people shall be my people, 你的國就是我的國， and your God my God. 你的　神就是我的　神。 Where you die I will die, 你在那裏死，我也在那裏死， and there will I be buried. 也葬在那裏。 May the LORD do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.’除非死能使你我 相離，不然，願耶和華重重地降罰與我。 Like a marriage vow – a covenant promise 就像婚姻誓言--盟約承諾 Ruth’s Words & Her Oath 路得的話和誓詞

William Blake – Moment of Parting

Ruth and Naomi, Chana Helen Rosenberg – British born Jew living in Israel, painted 2017

The Return to Bethlehem 返回伯利恒 The whole town stirred at Naomi’s return At the extraordinary choice of Ruth She has become part of the people of God Despite the general lawlessness of the time Despite the apparent unbelief and sin of Elimelech Despite the tragedy Ruth has become a woman of faith God’s missionary purpose is fulfilled The good news is going to the nations 合城的人就都驚訝拿俄米的歸來 路得的特殊選擇 她已成為神子民的一部分 儘管當時一般無法律的狀態 儘管以利米勒明顯的不信和罪過 儘管發生的悲劇 路得成了一個信心的女子 神的宣教目的應驗了 好消息將傳去萬國

Boaz’ Words 波阿斯的話 ‘All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!’ 自從你丈夫死後、凡你向婆婆所行的、並你離開父母和本地、到素不認識的民中、這些事人全都告訴我了。 願耶和華照你所行的賞賜你、你來投靠耶和華以色列　神的翅膀下、願你滿得祂的賞賜。

God’s Calling 神的呼召 His words echo the account of the call of Abraham and Sarah To leave their gods, family, land and people To go to a new land to serve the Lord Ruth has left her gods, family, people and land To go to a new land in service of the Lord Such echoes are very intentional in Scripture 祂的話回應了亞伯拉罕和撒拉的呼召 離開他們的神, 家庭, 土地和百姓 去一個新的土地侍奉主 路得離開了她的神, 家人, 百姓和土地 去一個新的土地服事主 這種回應在聖經中是非常刻意的

Ruth a New Beginning of God’s Work in the World 路得是神在世上工作的新起點 Ruth is another new beginning of God’s work of salvation Another first-fruit from the nations She becomes an ancestor of the Christ One of 3 women mentioned by name in Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus This is also each one of us: a new beginning of God’s work in the nations 路得是神救贖工作的另一個新的開端 來自萬國的另一個初熟果子 她成為基督的先祖 在馬太福音耶穌的家譜中提到的3名婦女之一 這也是我們每個人: 神的工作在萬國的一個新的開始