守望的啊！夜裏如何？守望的啊！夜裏如何？（賽21章）

論度瑪的默示。有人聲從西珥呼問我、說：「守望的阿、夜裏如何？守望的阿、夜裏如何？」守望的說：「早晨將到、黑夜也來．你們若要問、就可以問、可以回頭再來。」（賽 21：11-12）

這是關於以東人的預言，以賽亞書的13章到23章論到多國的未來，結局都是滅亡，因為他們有的是惡待神的百姓、有的是被神的百姓所迷戀，不依靠神卻要依靠的對象。

這段經文是在形容西珥，也就是以東人面對敵人的壓迫時，所發出呼求的聲音。當時的以東人，只敬拜偶像不拜獨一真神，甚至自高自大，還動不動就傷害同為弟兄之邦的選民，惹神的憤怒，因此災難不斷。在痛苦之中，如同在永無止境的黑夜裡，他們向天上的神發出哀求聲：「這樣的黑夜還要多久？苦難要過去了嗎？現在情況到底如何？」

問題是以東人仍不肯離棄惹神憤怒的一切行為，因此神藉守望者的回應，意思是：「問了也是白問。」如守望者所回應的說：「早晨將到，黑夜也來。」意思是即使如早晨般的平安來臨，也只是短暫的平安。如黑夜般的災難、苦難馬上就會再度來臨，而且永無止境。因為問題不解決，神的咒詛就不會停。

你若不聽從耶和華你神的話、不謹守遵行他的一切誡命律例、就是我今日所吩咐你的、這以下的咒詛都必追隨你、臨到你身上。你在城裏必受咒詛、在田間也必受咒詛........。（申 28：15-16)

在此守望者提醒以東人要回轉，離棄惹神憤怒的一切事，所以又勸告他們說：「你們若要問，就可以問，可以回頭再來。」這裡的「可以回頭再來」的意思是「可以再來求問」的意思。但是這段經文之後，就沒有下文了，也就是以東人只在乎黑夜何時過，但是不在乎為何黑夜永不過去。

有的人的苦難是命定的，如約瑟所受的苦難，並非是他不聽神的話，而是這是神的旨意；另外一種，就是屢勸不聽，因為不願意改，所以苦難、咒詛永不停歇。經上說：

不要說：「先前的日子強過如今的日子、是甚麼緣故呢？」你這樣問、不是出於智慧。（箴 7：10）

因為這樣的問題，不是去考慮客觀因素，而是要回歸信仰去思考。回歸信仰，就要到神面前「求問」，應該要跪在神的面前禱告祈求，也就是「你們若要問，就可以問，可以回頭再來。」的意思。

「每日反省」是必要的，但是反省也需要良好的工具，不是像一般世人靜坐苦思就能得。這工具就是要有如明鏡般的聖經經文，靠著聖靈作為導師看清楚我們的靈魂，並要用受教者的心接受指教才行。

主耶和華賜我受教者的舌頭、使我知道怎樣用言語扶助疲乏的人．主每早晨提醒、提醒我的耳朵、使我能聽、像受教者一樣。主耶和華開通我的耳朵、我並沒有違背、也沒有退後。（賽 50：4-5）

By Isaiah Kao

Watchman, How far gone is the night? Watchman, How far gone is the night?” (Isaiah 21)

May 13, 2026

The pronouncement concerning Dumah. One keeps calling to me from Seir,

“Watchman, how far gone is the night?

Watchman, how far gone is the night?”

The watchman says,

“Morning comes but also night.

If you would inquire, inquire;

Come back again.” (Isaiah 21:11-12, NASB2020)

This is a prophecy concerning Edom. From chapters 13 to 23 of Isaiah, many nations are mentioned regarding their future, and their end is destruction. Some mistreated God’s people, while others became objects that God’s people wrongly admired and depended on instead of relying on God.

This passage describes the cry of the people of Seir, that is, the Edomites, while facing oppression from enemies. At that time, the Edomites worshiped idols instead of the one true God. They were also proud and often harmed Israel, their brother nation, provoking God’s anger. Therefore, disasters continually came upon them. In their suffering, as though trapped in an endless night, they cried out to the God of heaven: “How much longer will this night last? Will this suffering pass? What is happening now?”

The problem was that the Edomites still refused to turn away from the things that provoked God’s anger. Therefore, through the watchman’s reply, God was essentially saying: “Even if you ask, it is useless.” As the watchman answered: “Morning comes but also night.” This means that even if peace like the morning should come, it would only be temporary. Disasters and suffering like the night would soon return again, without end. If the root problem remained unresolved, God’s curse would not cease.

“But it shall come about, if you do not obey the Lord your God, to be careful to follow all His commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you:

Cursed shall you be in the city, and cursed shall you be in the country...” (Deuteronomy 28:15-16, NASB2020)

Here the watchman reminded the Edomites to turn back and forsake all things that provoked God’s anger. Therefore, he further warned them: “If you would inquire, inquire; come back again.” The phrase “come back again” means “come again to inquire.” Yet after this passage, there is no further response. In other words, the Edomites only cared about when the night would end, but not why the night never passed.

Some suffering is appointed by God, like the suffering Joseph experienced. His suffering was not because he disobeyed God, but because it was God’s will. Another kind of suffering comes because people repeatedly refuse correction. Since they are unwilling to change, suffering and curses continue without end. Scripture says:

“Do not say, ‘Why is it that the former days were better than these?’ For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this.” (Ecclesiastes 7:10, NASB2020)

Such a question does not lead us to consider objective  factors, but only outward circumstances. True reflection must return to faith. To return to faith is to “inquire” before God. We should kneel before Him in prayer and supplication. This is the meaning of: “If you would inquire, inquire; come back again.”

"Daily self-examination" is necessary. However, reflection also requires the right tool. It is not something the world can gain merely through silent meditation and human thinking. That tool is the Scriptures, which are like a mirror. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can clearly see our soul. We must also have a teachable heart willing to accept 

correction.

“The Lord God has given Me the tongue of disciples,

That I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word.

He awakens Me morning by morning,

He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple.

The Lord God has opened My ear;

And I was not disobedient,

Nor did I turn back.” (Isaiah 50:4-5, NASB2020)

By Isaiah Kao