God’s world teaches us about Him.

上帝创造的世界，使我们更认识祂。

Ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you. Job 12：7

你且问走兽，走兽必指教你；又问空中的飞鸟，飞鸟必告诉你。-约伯记12章7节

Our grandkids, enraptured, got a close-up look at a rescued bald eagle. They were even allowed to touch him. As the zoo volunteer told about the powerful bird perched on her arm, I was surprised to learn this male had a wingspan of about six and one-half feet, yet because of its hollow bones it weighed only about eight pounds.

在动物园里，孙子们兴高采烈地凑近看一只获救的白头鹰，他们还可以轻抚它。当动物园的志工为我们讲解这只停在她手臂上的雄性猛禽时，我才知道原来它展开双翼竟能长达2公尺，但因为它的骨骼中空，体重只有约3.6公斤。

This reminded me of the majestic eagle I had seen soaring above a lake, ready to swoop down and snatch its prey in its talons. And I pictured in my mind another big bird—the spindly legged blue heron I had spied standing motionless on the edge of a pond. It was poised to dart its long beak into the water. They’re just two among the nearly 10,000 species of birds that can direct our thoughts to our Creator.

我曾见过强壮的老鹰在湖面上盘旋，准备随时俯冲捕捉它的猎物。还有另一种大型鸟类，就是有纤细长腿的大蓝鹭，它静静地站在池塘边，蓄势待发，随时将长长的嘴喙刺入水中。这些鸟类能将我们的思绪转向造物主，而这还仅是将近一万种鸟类中的两种而已。

In the book of Job, Job’s friends are debating the reasons for his suffering and ask, “Can you fathom the mysteries of God?” (see 11:5–9). In response Job declares, “Ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you” (Job 12:7). Animals testify to the truth that God designed, cares for, and controls His creation: “In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind” (v. 10).

在约伯记中，约伯的朋友不断争论约伯受苦的原因，问道：“你能测透上帝的奥秘吗？”（参阅11章5-9节）约伯回答他们说：“你且问走兽，走兽必指教你；又问空中的飞鸟，飞鸟必告诉你”（12章7节）。走兽和飞鸟都能证明一个事实，那就是上帝亲自设计、看顾并统管祂的创造，“凡活物的生命和人类的气息都在祂手中”（10节）。

Since God cares for birds (Matthew 6:26; 10:29), we can be assured He loves and cares for you and me, even when we don’t understand our circumstances. Look around and learn of Him.

即使我们不明白自己为何身陷困境，但上帝连飞鸟都细心看顾（马太福音6章26节，10章29节），何况是我们呢？上帝肯定爱我们，也顾念我们。抬头看看四周，你就能更认识上帝的奇妙。

Dear Lord, open our eyes to see and learn more about You from your creation.

亲爱的主，求祢开启我们的双眼，使我们能从祢的创造中看见祢，并且更认识祢。

Job 12:7-10    NIV

12 “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; 8 or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. 9 Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? 10 In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.

约伯记 12:7-10

12  “你且问走兽，走兽必指教你；又问空中的飞鸟，飞鸟必告诉你； 8 或与地说话，地必指教你；海中的鱼也必向你说明。 9 看这一切，谁不知道是耶和华的手做成的呢？ 10 凡活物的生命和人类的气息，都在他手中。

INSIGHT

灵粮透视

Gaining a good grasp of the book of Job requires us to understand its literary structure. Though the book begins (chs. 1–2) and ends (42:7–16) in narrative format, the bulk of the book is comprised of speeches packaged in poetry (3:1–42:6), including the stunning monologue of the Almighty Himself (38:1–41:34). By the time the reader comes to chapter 12, all three of Job’s friends—Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar—have spoken once. Two more series of speeches follow, and in the last series a fourth counselor (Elihu) enters the picture (chs. 32–37). In their well-ordered and reasoned speeches, each friend offers explanations for Job’s calamities and prescriptions for a remedy. Job himself is the speaker in chapter 12, where he indicts the denseness of his first three accusers. He directs them to nature which teaches us about the supremacy and sovereignty of God. In verses 7–8, the language of instruction is quite clear: Animals “will teach”; birds “will tell”; the earth “will teach”; the fish will “inform.” Without a word they witness to the wisdom and greatness of God. 

若要抓住约伯记的精髓，就需了解其中的文学结构。尽管这本书的开头（1-2章）和结尾（42章7-16节）都是叙事体裁，但本书大部分的内容都是诗歌体裁的讲论（3章1节-42章6节），包括全能上帝令人惊叹的独白（38章1节-41章34节）。在第12章之前，约伯的三个朋友以利法、比勒达和锁法都已各发表过一次谈话。接下来还有两轮的谈话，在最后一轮的谈话中，第四个说话的人（以利户）才开始表明他的看法（32-37章）。在他们条理分明、逻辑清晰的论述中，每个人都为约伯的灾难提出了解释，并提出不同的补救措施。直到第12章，约伯才开口发言，并且指责三位控告者的愚昧。他还呼吁他们观看大自然，因大自然会教导我们认识上帝的至高和主权。在7-8节，许多与“教导”有关的词汇，正清楚指明这一点，例如：动物会“指教”；飞鸟会“告诉”；地会“指教”；鱼也能“说明”。即使牠们未能开口说话，却都见证上帝的智慧和伟大。

Can you recall a time when you were prompted to reflect on God’s greatness by something in nature?

回想一下，自然界的事物如何让你联想到上帝的伟大？

整理：于姊妹