人生の指針
Directions for Life
ピッパと私はよく急いでいます。車での旅の計画が得意ではありません。間違った方向に出発してしまい、よく道に迷ってしまいます（Google マップを使っても！）。正しい道順を知り、それに従うことの大切さを理解できるようになるまで、なぜこんなに時間がかかったのかわかりません。
Pippa and I are often in a hurry. We are not good at planning our car journeys. We often set off in the wrong direction and frequently get lost (even with Google Maps!). I don’t know why it has taken me so long to learn the importance of getting good directions and following them.
私たちの多くは、人生においてこのような状態にあります。急いで突き進んでしまいます。人生において良い指示を得ることの重要性に気づいていません。人生において神の指示に従うなら、神の祝福を享受し、他の人々にも祝福をもたらすでしょう。
Many of us are like this in life. We charge off in a hurry. We don’t realise the importance of getting good directions for life. If you follow God’s directions for life, you will enjoy his blessing and bring blessing to others.
詩篇 5:1-12 NIV
[1] 主よ、私の言葉に耳を傾け、私の嘆きを顧みてください。[2] 私の王、私の神よ、私の叫びを聞き入れてください。私はあなたに祈ります。[3] 主よ、あなたは朝に私の声を聞かれます。朝に私はあなたの前に私の願いを置き、待ち望みます。[4] あなたは悪を喜ばれる神ではありません。あなたの前には悪人が歓迎されません。[5] 傲慢な者はあなたの前に立つことはできません。あなたは不正を行う者をすべて憎みます。[6] あなたは偽りを言う者を滅ぼします。主よ、あなたは血に飢えた者と欺く者を忌み嫌います。[7] しかし、私はあなたの大いなる愛によってあなたの家に入ることができます。私はあなたの聖なる神殿に向かって敬意をもって身をかがめます。[8] 主よ、私の敵のために、あなたの正義によって私を導き、私の前にあなたの道をまっすぐにしてください。[9] 彼らの口から発せられる言葉は一つも信頼できず、彼らの心は悪意に満ち、彼らの喉は開いた墓です。 彼らは舌で嘘をつく。[10] 神よ、彼らを有罪としてください。彼らの陰謀が彼らの破滅となりますように。彼らはあなたに背きました。彼らの多くの罪のために彼らを追い払ってください。[11] しかし、あなたに身を寄せるすべての人々が喜び、彼らがいつも喜び歌いますように。あなたの保護を彼らの上に広げてください。あなたの名を愛する人々があなたに喜びますように。[12] 確かに主よ、あなたは義人を祝福し、盾のようにあなたの恵みで彼らを囲みます。
https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.5.1-12.NIV
Psalms 5:1-12 NIV
[1] Listen to my words, Lord, consider my lament. [2] Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. [3] In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. [4] For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness; with you, evil people are not welcome. [5] The arrogant cannot stand in your presence. You hate all who do wrong; [6] you destroy those who tell lies. The bloodthirsty and deceitful you, Lord, detest. [7] But I, by your great love, can come into your house; in reverence I bow down toward your holy temple. [8] Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies— make your way straight before me. [9] Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with malice. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongues they tell lies. [10] Declare them guilty, O God! Let their intrigues be their downfall. Banish them for their many sins, for they have rebelled against you. [11] But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. [12] Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.
https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.5.1-12.NIV
指示を待って一日を始める
Start each day waiting for directions
旅に出るとき、出発前に正しい道順を調べるのが最適です。
When embarking on a journey the best time to get good directions is before you begin.
この詩篇には、一日の始まり方についての素晴らしい例があります。「私の王、私の神よ、助けを求める私の叫びを聞いてください。私はあなたに祈ります。主よ、あなたは朝に私の声を聞かれます。朝に私はあなたの前に私の願いを置き、待ち望みます。」（2-3節）。ダビデは「指示を待っています」（8節、MSG）。
In this psalm, we have a wonderful example of how to begin each day: ‘Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly’ (vv.2–3). David is ‘waiting for directions’ (v.8, MSG).
一日の始まりに、神の前に願いを捧げるのは特別なことです。「期待して待つ」（3節）と、一日全体が違った様相を呈します。
There is something special about beginning your day by laying your requests before God. The whole day has a different dimension as you ‘wait expectantly’ (v.3).
主よ、今日、私はあなたの御前に願いを捧げ、指示を待ちます。主よ、私を導いてください。あなたの保護を私に広げてください。盾のようにあなたの恵みで私を包んでください。（8,11,12節）
Lord, today I lay my requests before you and wait for directions. Lead me, O Lord. Spread your protection over me. Surround me with your favour as with a shield (vv.8,11,12).
Matthew 5:21-42 NIV [21] “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' [22] But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, 'Raca,' is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. [23 ] “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, [24] leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. [25] “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. [26] Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny. [27] “You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' [28] But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. [29] If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. [30] And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. [31] “ It has been said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.' [32] But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits [33] “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.' [34] But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all : either by heaven, for it is God's throne; [35] or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. [36] And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. [37] All you need to say is simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. [38] “You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' [39] But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. [40] And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. [41] If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. [42] Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you .
https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.5.21-42.NIVMatthew 5:21-42 NIV
[21] “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ [22] But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. [23] “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, [24] leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. [25] “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. [26] Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny. [27] “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ [28] But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. [29] If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. [30] And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. [31] “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ [32] But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. [33] “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ [34] But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; [35] or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. [36] And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. [37] All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. [38] “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ [39] But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. [40] And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. [41] If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. [42] Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.5.21-42.NIV
イエスの人生の指示に従う
Follow Jesus’ directions for life
あらゆる自動車旅行に当てはまる一般的な指示がいくつかあります。これらは道路のルールです。山上の垂訓におけるイエスの指示は、祝福された人生のための「高速道路の交通規則」のようなものです。
There are some general directions that apply to every car journey. These are the rules of the road. Jesus’ directions in the Sermon on the Mount are like a ‘highway code’ for a life of blessing.
イエスの教えに従うには、過激なライフスタイルが必要です。イエスは、あらゆる間違った態度、考え、言葉、行動に対して容赦なく対処するよう私たちに求めています。
Following Jesus’ directions involves a radical lifestyle. He challenges us to be ruthless in dealing with every wrong attitude, thought, word and action.
私たちの言葉は、怒りの言葉ではなく、祝福の言葉であるべきです。兄弟姉妹に対して怒りの言葉を口にしてはいけません（21-22節）。「言葉は人を殺すという単純な道徳的事実があります」（22節、MSG）。しかし、言葉は命を与えることもできます。今日、命を与える知恵、励まし、祝福の言葉を語ることを選択しましょう。
Our words should be words of blessing, not anger. Do not speak angry words against your brothers and sisters (vv.21–22). ‘The simple moral fact is that words kill’ (v.22, MSG). But, words can also give life. Choose today to speak life-giving words of wisdom, encouragement and blessing.
私たちは仲たがいした相手を祝福するために、全力を尽くすように求められています（23-26節）。友人が私たちに対して「恨み」を抱いていることを思い出したら、その友人のもとへ行き、「仲直り」するよう努めるべきです（23-24節、MSG）。「古くからの敵」に出会ったら、「先に動いて仲直り」すべきです（25節、MSG）。
We are called to do everything within our power to bless those we have fallen out with (vv.23–26). If we remember a ‘grudge’ a friend has against us, we should go to the friend and try to ‘make things right’ (vv.23–24, MSG). If we encounter an ‘old enemy’ we should ‘make the first move; make things right’ with them (v.25, MSG).
私たちは自分の目と心で行うことに注意する必要があります。もしそれが腐敗するのを許すなら、他の人々に祝福を与えるどころか、私たち自身が腐敗することになります。
We need to guard what we do with our eyes and our heart. If we allow them to become corrupted then, far from being a blessing to others, we will be rotten ourselves.
徹底的な行動を起こしましょう。姦淫について教えられたとき、イエスは、それは単に肉体的な行為に関することではないとおっしゃいました。「ベッドから出ているだけで貞操を保ったと思ってはいけません。あなたの心は、あなたの体よりも早く、情欲によって堕落します。誰も気づかないと思っているあのいやらしい視線も、堕落させるのです」（28節、MSG）。
Take radical action. When teaching on adultery, Jesus says it is not simply about the physical act: ‘Don’t think you’ve preserved your virtue simply by staying out of bed. Your heart can be corrupted by lust even quicker than your body. Those leering looks you think nobody notices – they also corrupt’ (v.28, MSG).
イエスは、目が姦淫の始まりであると語っています。そのような行為を避けるには、徹底的な対策を講じてください（29～30節）。ヨブが言ったように、「私は自分の目と契約を結び、女を情欲の目で見ないようにした」（ヨブ記31:1）。
Jesus speaks of the eye as the starting point of adultery. Take radical steps to avoid such a course (vv.29–30). As Job said, ‘I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl’ (Job 31:1).
結婚は、お互いを祝福し合い、他の人々を祝福する場となることを意図しています。これは、結婚生活において徹底的な誠実さを保つことを意味します (マタイ 5:31–32)。イエスは、離婚を「利己心と気まぐれの隠れ蓑」として使うことを非難しています (32a 節、MSG)。
Marriage is intended to be a place of blessing one another and a source of blessing for others. This means a life of radical faithfulness within marriage (Matthew 5:31–32). Jesus speaks against using divorce as ‘a cover for selfishness and whim’ (v.32a, MSG).
私たちは、自分の思っていることを言い、言ったことを実行するという徹底した誠実さをもって生きなければなりません。「あなたの『はい』は『はい』、『いいえ』は『いいえ』のままにしなさい。それ以上のことは、すべて悪魔から来るのです」（37節）。
We are to live lives of radical integrity in which we say what we mean, and mean what we say: ‘Simply let your “Yes” be “Yes”, and your “No”, “No”; anything beyond this comes from the evil one’ (v.37).
他の人を祝福するということは、私たちに悪いことをする人さえも祝福するということです（38-42節）。「決してやり返さないでください…もう報復はやめてください。寛大に生きてください」（39、42節、MSG）。善に対して悪を返すのは悪魔的です。善に対して善を返すのは人間的です。悪に対して善を返すのはイエスの道です。
Blessing others means blessing even those who do bad things to us (vv.38–42). ‘Don’t hit back at all… No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously’ (vv.39,42, MSG). To return evil for good is demonic. To return good for good is human. To return good for evil is the way of Jesus.
主よ、今年、あなたの人生の指示に従い、どこへ行っても祝福を広めることができるよう私を助けてください。
Lord, help me this year to follow your directions for life and to spread blessing wherever I go.
創世記 11:10–13:18
Genesis 11:10–13:18
創世記 11:10 新共同訳
[10] セムの系図は次のとおりである。セムが百歳になったとき、アルパクシャドが生まれた。それは洪水の二年後のことであった。
https://bible.com/bible/1819/gen.11.10.%E6%96%B0%E5%85%B1%E5%90%8C%E8%A8%B3
一歩ずつ導いてくれる神を信頼しましょう
Trust God to direct you one step at a time
長いドライブの旅に出るときに私が何よりも嬉しいのは（Google マップよりもさらに良いのですが）、道順を知っていて、一歩ずつどこへ行くべきか教えてくれる人が車に乗っていることです。人生の旅において、神はあなたに付き添い、一歩ずつ祝福に満ちた人生へと導いてくれます。
What I love more than anything when I set out on a long car journey (even better than Google Maps), is to have someone in the car with me who knows the directions and tells me, one step at a time, where I should go. In the journey of life God offers to accompany you and direct you one step at a time into a life of blessing.
これは聖書の重要な瞬間の 1 つで、神が人類の救済計画を開始する場面です。これまでの章は、罪深さが増し、神から離れていく物語でした。これらの節で突然すべてが変わり、神が解決策であるアブラハムを明らかにします。
This is one of the key moments in the Bible, as God initiates his rescue plan for humanity. The previous chapters have been a tale of ever increasing sinfulness and separation from God. In these verses suddenly everything shifts as God reveals his solution – Abraham!
神はアブラハムにこう約束します。「わたしはあなたを大いなる国民とし、あなたを祝福する。わたしはあなたの名を大いなるものとしよう。あなたは祝福の源となる。わたしはあなたを祝福する者を祝福する。…地上のすべての民はあなたを通して祝福されるであろう」（12:2–3）。
God promises Abraham: ‘I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you… and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you’ (12:2–3).
神は一人の個人を選んで祝福し、次に一つの国を選んで彼らを祝福します。しかし神の計画は常に、彼らが祝福を次々に伝えることです（3節b）。これは旧約聖書を理解する上で鍵となるもので、神がイスラエルを選んだ理由、つまり彼らを通して全世界が祝福されるために選ばれた理由を説明しています。
God chooses one individual and blesses him, and then one nation and blesses them – but his plan is always that they will pass the blessing on (v.3b). This is key for our understanding of the Old Testament, as it explains why God chose Israel – so that through them the whole world might be blessed.
最終的に、この約束はイエスにおいて成就します。イエスはイスラエルのすべての約束と希望を成就し、イエスを通して「すべての人々」が祝福されるのです。
Ultimately this promise is fulfilled in Jesus. He is the fulfilment of all the promises and hopes of Israel and through him ‘all people’ can be blessed.
これが今、あなたに対する神の目的です。使徒パウロはこう書いています。「信仰を持つ者はアブラハムの子孫です。聖書は、神が異邦人を信仰によって義とすることをあらかじめ知って、アブラハムに前もって福音を告げました。『あなたによってすべての国民が祝福される。』 ですから、信仰に頼る者は、信仰の人アブラハムとともに祝福されるのです。」（ガラテヤ3:7–9）
This is now God’s purpose for you. The apostle Paul writes, ‘Those who have faith are children of Abraham. Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith’ (Galatians 3:7–9).
教会は、アブラハムやイスラエルのように、教会自身のために祝福されているのではなく、全世界に祝福をもたらすために祝福されています。あなたが神から祝福を受けているのであれば、それはあなた自身の利己的な満足や自己満足のためではなく、他の人々に祝福を与えるためなのです。
The church is blessed, like Abraham and Israel, not for its own sake but in order to bring blessing to the whole world. If you have been blessed by God, it is not for your own selfish indulgence or self-congratulation; it is in order that you can be a blessing to others.
神はアブラハムに、祖国、民、父の家を離れ、神が示す土地に行くように命じました（創世記 12:1）。アブラハムは主が命じたとおりにしました（4節、AMP）。彼は神が一歩ずつ導いてくださることを信じました。この時点では次のステップは見えなかったかもしれませんが、神の約束を信じました。
God calls Abraham to leave his country, his people and his father’s household and go to the land God is going to show him (Genesis 12:1). Abraham did exactly as the Lord directed him (v.4, AMP). He trusted God to direct him one step at a time. He could not have seen the next steps at this time but he trusted God’s promises.
これは私の人生の経験です。神は私たちに何をしてほしいかという大まかなイメージを与えてくれますが、細かい点に関しては一歩ずつ導いてくれます。信仰生活とは、一歩ずつ神の指示に従うことです。
This has been my experience in life. God may give us a general picture of what he wants us to do – but as far as the details are concerned he leads us one step at a time. The life of faith involves following his directions one step at a time.
旅はいつも完全に順調というわけではありません。アブラハムは私たちと同じように欠点のある人間でした。神は彼に大いなる富（13:1、MSG）と「驚くほど美しい妻」（12:14、MSG）を授けました。しかし、彼は弱さと欺瞞の行為で、ファラオに彼女を妻として迎え入れるのを許しました（10-20節）。
The journey is not always entirely smooth. Abraham was very much a flawed human being just like us. God blessed him with great wealth (13:1, MSG) and a ‘stunningly beautiful wife’ (12:14, MSG). Nevertheless, in an act of weakness and deception, he allows Pharaoh to take her as his wife (vv.10–20).
その後、「アブラムの牧者たちとロトの牧者たちの間に争いが起こった」（13:7）後、アブラハムは自分と甥との間に別れの道がなければならないと決心します（8-11節）。実際には、仲たがいしたのはアブラハムとロトではなく、よくあることですが、彼らの追随者たちでした。人間関係における摩擦の現実は非常に明白です。
Then, after ‘quarrelling arose between Abram’s herdsmen and Lot’s’ (13:7), Abraham decides that there has to be a parting of the ways between himself and his nephew (vv.8–11). Actually, it was not Abraham and Lot who fell out – it was, as so often happens, their followers. The reality of friction in human relationships is very evident.
ロトは最良の土地を選び、アブラハムにはあまり良くない土地を残しました。しかし、神は再びアブラハムに指示を与えます。神はアブラハムにこう言います。「あなたのいる場所から周囲を見回しなさい」（14節）。
Lot chose the best land and left Abraham with what looked less good. But, again, God gives Abraham directions. He tells him: ‘look around from where you are’ (v.14).
神はこう言われました。「わたしはあなたの子孫を塵のようにする。あなたの子孫を数えることは、地球の塵を数えるのと同じくらい不可能である。だから、立ち上がって進みなさい。国を縦横に歩き回りなさい。わたしはそれをすべてあなたに与える」（16-17節、MSG）。
God said, ‘I’ll make your descendants like dust – counting your descendants will be as impossible as counting the dust of the Earth. So – on your feet, get moving! Walk through the country, its length and breadth; I’m giving it all to you’ (vv.16–17, MSG).
誰かや何かに失望したとき、怒りや苦々しい気持ちに屈する衝動を抑えてください。その代わりに、「今いる場所から周りを見回してください」（14節）。神に目を向け、敵の視点ではなく神の視点から物事を見てください。このような困難な状況では、自分を信頼するのではなく、神があなたを助けてくださると信じてください。神の計画はあなたを祝福することです。
When you are disappointed by someone or something, resist the urge to give in to feeling angry or bitter. Instead, ‘look around from where you are’ (v.14); fix your eyes on God and see things from his perspective, not the enemy’s. Trust him to help you in these difficult situations, rather than trusting in yourself. His plan is to bless you.
アブラハムがこれらの素晴らしい祝福を約束されたのは、神の恵みによるものです。彼が全世界に祝福をもたらすことが意図されていました。同様に、あなたにも。あなたは神の祝福の下で生き、周囲の人々に祝福をもたらすように求められています。
It is only because of the grace of God that Abraham is promised these amazing blessings. The intention was that he would be a blessing to the whole world. Likewise, for you. You are called to live under God’s blessing and bring blessing to those around you.
主よ、今年、私があなたの指示に一歩ずつ従い、あなたの祝福の下で生き、周りのすべての人にできる限りの祝福をもたらすことができるよう助けてください。
Lord, help me this year to follow your directions, one step at a time, to live under your blessing, and bring as much blessing as I can to everyone around.
ピッパはこう付け加えます
私たちはみな、人生の難しい決断をする際に毎日導きを必要としています。まっすぐな道をたどれば、道に迷って時間とエネルギーを無駄にすることを避けられます。今日の私の祈りは詩篇 5:8 です。「主よ、あなたの義によって私を導いてください。私の前にあなたの道をまっすぐにしてください」（詩篇 5:8）。
Pippa Adds
We all need guidance every day in all the difficult decisions of life. Following a straight path saves us wandering off wasting time and energy. My prayer today is Psalm 5:8 where we read, ‘Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness… make straight your way before me’ (Psalm 5:8).
