認識上帝耶和華關係到個人的切身利益,關係到個人的方方麵麵,無論你我他。這裏隻試著說說一個看得見的關係和一個看不見的關係。
能看得見的一個關係就是人賴以生存的自然界乃是上帝(或者說神,天父)的創造,包括人類自己都是神創造的。這個關係是創造者與被創造者的關係。自然界是眼睛所能見的。民以食為天,土生萬物,自然界是人類的軀體賴以生存的根本基礎。在這個關係裏,神供應了人類的肚腹。並且,創造的世界如此之美,供人旅遊觀賞,從這個角度說神供應了人的眼目,讓人的心情愉悅。箴言書為耶穌作見證說,救主耶穌在神造天地以前就與天父在永恒裏同在。造天地萬物和人的過程裏,他是工師,為人預備可住之地。
眼睛所看不到的一個關係是上帝(天父)差遣了他的獨生子耶穌道成肉身來到世上在十字架上替人類贖了罪(可惜隻有耶穌時代的少數人見過耶穌)。耶穌死後三日複活。相信這個福音或者說好消息的人,罪就得了神的赦免,生命便有了永生,神的祝福就時刻伴隨著他。這個關係是拯救者與被拯救者的關係,這是人類的靈魂賴以永生的根本基礎。在這個關係裏,神供應了聖靈和永生。耶穌基督再來的時候,神會複活所有相信耶穌基督的人,生活在新天新地裏。這需要信心,眼不能見。總之,天父的大愛是透過耶穌彰顯出來的。
可見,人作為被造物,一切都需要神的供應與憐憫,難怪箴言書說敬畏耶和華是智慧的開端!
羅1:20 自從造天地以來、神的永能和神性是明明可知的、雖是眼不能見、但借著所造之物就可以曉得、叫人無可推諉.
For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse.
(舊約經書是為耶穌作見證的: 約翰福音5:39)
箴8:22 在耶和華造化的起頭、在太初創造萬物之先、就有了我。
"Yahweh possessed me in the beginning of his work, before his deeds of old.
箴8:23 從亙古、從太初、未有世界以前、我已被立。
I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth existed.
箴8:24 沒有深淵、沒有大水的泉源、我已生出。
When there were no depths, I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water.
箴8:25 大山未曾奠定、小山未有之先、我已生出。
Before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was brought forth;
箴8:27 他立高天、我在那裏.他在淵麵的周圍、畫出圓圈、
When he established the heavens, I was there; when he set a circle on the surface of the deep,
箴8:28 上使穹蒼堅硬、下使淵源穩固、
when he established the clouds above, when the springs of the deep became strong,
箴8:29 為滄海定出界限、使水不越過他的命令、立定大地的根基.
when he gave to the sea its boundary, that the waters should not violate his commandment, when he marked out the foundations of the earth;
箴8:30 那時、我在他那裏為工師、日日為他所喜愛、常常在他麵前踴躍、
then I was the craftsman by his side. I was a delight day by day, always rejoicing before him,
箴8:31 踴躍在他為人預備可住之地、也喜悅住在世人之間。
Rejoicing in his whole world. My delight was with the sons of men.
約3:16 神愛世人、甚至將他的獨生子賜給他們、叫一切信他的不至滅亡、反得永生。
For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
約15:27 你們也要作見證、因為你們從起頭就與我同在。
You will also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning