17/12/2024
皮特拉 Petra
皮特拉這個地區，這名字沒有在聖經正典出現過，它古代的名，稱為「西拉」。士1:36；王下14:7：說它是摩押人的境界、以東人的地方。賽16:1；論到摩押人的滅亡也提到它。
以色列人在曠野漂流了四十年後，從加低斯要進入迦南地之時，摩西從加低斯差派使者，好言好語，低聲請求以東王，容許他們經過以東的地方，並保證不會走田間和葡萄園，也不喝井裏的水，只走大道，不偏左右，直到過了他們的境界（民20:14-22），甚至願意付代價，但以東王執意不肯，以色列人只好繞遠路而行。
「住在山穴中，居所在高處的啊！你因狂傲自欺，心裏說：誰能將我拉下地去呢﹖你雖如大鷹高飛，在星宿之間搭窩，我必從那裏拉下你來。這是耶和華說的。」（俄1:3-4）
在俄巴底亞書中，嚴厲地指責說；以東人在以色列人遭遇患難之時，不但隔岸觀火，甚至還趁火打劫，不單袖手旁觀，甚至還落井下石。以東，因著它不憐憫弟兄的苦難，上帝就把對它的祝福收回去了。這塊昔稱為以東的地，如今，已無以東人居住。
The region known as Petra does not appear in the canon of the Bible. Its ancient name was "Sela." Judges 1:36 and 2 Kings 14:7 describe it as the Moabites' territory and the Edomites' land. Additionally, Isaiah 16:1 mentions its involvement in the destruction of Moab.
After the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years, they were preparing to enter the land of Canaan from Kadesh. At that time, Moses sent a messenger from Kadesh to speak kindly and quietly ask the king of Edom for permission to pass through their land. Moses promised that the Israelites would not enter the fields or vineyards, drink from the wells, or deviate from the highways, remaining within the boundaries of Edom's territory (Numbers 20:14-22). They were even willing to pay for this privilege. However, the king of Edom refused, forcing the Israelites to take a longer route.
3 The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’
4 Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down,” declares the Lord. (Obadiah 1:3-4)
In the book of Obadiah, severe criticism is directed towards the Edomites. It highlights how, when the Israelites were in trouble, the Edomites stood by and watched and took advantage of the situation to rob them. They not only neglected to help but also added insult to injury. Due to their lack of mercy towards their suffering brothers, God withdrew His blessings from them. As a result, the land once known as Edom is no longer inhabited by Edomites.
