巴比倫的省思（賽14章）

萬軍之耶和華既然定意、誰能廢棄呢？他的手已經伸出、誰能轉回呢？（賽 14：27）

本章繼續提到巴比倫的預言，預言他的必然敗亡。巴比倫就像今天的世人，當能力、名聲都越來越響亮時，就容易忘我，漸漸目中無人，逐漸張狂，甚至自比與神同等，或是還想要超越神。如此處所提到巴比倫的心態：

你心裏曾說：「我要升到天上，我要高舉我的寶座在神眾星以上，我要坐在聚會的山上、在北方的極處，我要升到高雲之上，我要與至上者同等。」(賽 14：13-14)

然而你必墜落陰間、到坑中極深之處。(賽 14：15)

人要活得通達、平安，就不能與神為敵，因為萬事都已在神的命定之中。神本為善，祂的慈愛永遠長存，所以祂的「定意」，必不會違背祂的善與慈愛的本質。若我們違背神本為善、慈愛永遠長存的本質，不遵守祂本為善的命令，將像以賽亞書中的列國一樣，注定要滅亡。

萬軍之耶和華起誓、說：「我怎樣思想、必照樣成就．我怎樣定意、必照樣成立．」(賽 14：24)

另外，今天我們都當留意，是否把私慾當成對神的熱心？在事奉的工作上，神對我們所要的，只是盡本分，在本份中認真去做即可，其實不需要突發奇想，想要刻意有自己的一番作為。因為看似在教會各樣事工上的努力創新、求變，骨子裡想的卻是高舉自己的名；口中雖說著：「感謝主！」，其實潛意識中卻是在默認：「我好棒！」。一旦努力的過程中，沒有所期待的回饋與回報時，就開始抱怨神、抱怨制度。當對制度的抱怨持續發酵，最後就開始反抗制度，離開神的組織，就是教會。這就是巴比倫的事奉模式。

巴比倫原本是神的工具，是神要用來成為祂手中的刑杖，管教屬神的子民之用的。但是最後巴比倫卻執法過當，將神為要完成祂工作所給的能力與資源，濫用神的恩賜，任意妄為。任憑驕傲之心的持續發酵，甚至想跟神同等，於是反抗真神、形同脫韁野馬。神的工具，如同神的工人一樣，最後卻被神完全廢棄，這在真教會一百多年來的歷史中也不算少見。

今天，當我們因著願意扎實地每日讀經，靈性越來越長進的過程中，卻也要越來越謙卑、無我才行。當知道，「盡本分」才是神的工人該有的態度；至於想要「創新卓越」，則要小心潛在其中如巴比倫般，那個以私慾為本的事奉態度。

這樣、你們作完了一切所吩咐的、只當說：「我們是無用的僕人．所作的本是我們應分作的。」(路 17：10)

By Isaiah Kao

Reflection on Babylon (Isaiah 14)

“The LORD of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it?

And as for His stretched-out hand, who can turn it back?” (Isaiah 14:27, NASB 2020)

This chapter continues the prophecy concerning Babylon, declaring its certain downfall. Babylon is like people today: when ability and reputation keep increasing, it is easy to forget oneself, gradually becoming self-centered, arrogant, and even comparing oneself with God, or wanting to surpass Him. Such is the mindset described here:

“But you said in your heart,

‘I will ascend to heaven;

I will raise my throne above the stars of God,

And I will sit on the mount of assembly

In the recesses of the north.

I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;

I will make myself like the Most High.’” (Isaiah 14:13–14, NASB 2020)

“Nevertheless you will be brought down to Sheol,

To the recesses of the pit.” (Isaiah 14:15, NASB 2020)

If a person wants to live with understanding and peace, he must not oppose God, for all things are already within His decree. God is good, and His lovingkindness endures forever; therefore, His “plan” will never go against His goodness and love. If we go against God’s goodness and His everlasting lovingkindness, and do not obey His good commands, we will be like the nations in Isaiah, destined for destruction.

“The LORD of hosts has sworn, saying,

‘Certainly, just as I have intended so it has happened,

And just as I have planned so it will stand.’” (Isaiah 14:24, NASB 2020)

Moreover, today we must be careful: are we mistaking our personal desires for zeal for God? In our service, what God requires of us is simply to fulfill our duty faithfully. We only need to do our part seriously; there is no need to create something special out of our own imagination or to insist on making a name for ourselves.

Sometimes, what appears to be effort, innovation, or change in church work may actually be a hidden desire to exalt ourselves. Though we say with our mouths, “Thanks be to the Lord,” deep inside we may be thinking, “I am great.” When our efforts do not bring the expected recognition or reward, we begin to complain, against God and against the system. As such complaints grow, they may lead to resistance, and eventually to leaving God’s organization—the church. This is the pattern of Babylon-like service.

Babylon was 

originally a tool in God’s hand, used as a rod to discipline His people. But in the end, it overstepped its role. It abused the power and resources God had given, misused His gifts, and acted recklessly. As pride continued to grow, it even sought to be equal with God, rebelling against Him like an unrestrained horse. God’s tool, like God’s worker, was ultimately discarded. This has not been uncommon even in the history of the true church over the past century.

Today, as we are willing to read the Bible daily and grow spiritually, we must also become more humble and selfless. We should understand that “fulfilling our duty” is the proper attitude of God’s workers. As for pursuing “innovation” or “excellence,” we must be cautious, lest hidden within is the same self-centered desire as Babylon.

“So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.’” (Luke 17:10, NASB 2020)

By Isaiah Kao