復 原 耶 穌 基 督 教 會 台 灣 佈 道 所
The Church of Jesus Christ Taiwan Restoration Mission
March 29th, 2015豐 收 Harvest
(長老法蘭克 Elder Frank Van Fleet)
今天是一系列分段,講約瑟故事的第三部分,也是最後的結局.在這系列的課程裡,我們學習到神揀選約瑟去拯救一個民族.同時,我們也學習到,約瑟當下所承受的種種苦難折磨,使他對 神的信靠,更加的堅定;不僅榮耀神,也獲得更多 神的恩賜.
貼心的長老法蘭克說:有些人沒來得及聽到前兩段故事,在此略微回述整理,順便提點
一下情節.
約瑟,雖是雅各(後蒙 神恩,改名為以色列)十二個孩子裡排行十一,卻最得寵愛.因為雅各給約瑟一件彩衣,致其他兄弟妒火中燒.而約瑟連做兩個夢,向兄弟們解夢為,夢1)家人綁稻草堆,其他人都倒地,唯獨他的稻草堆梃立不倒,形同眾人向他跪拜之意.夢2)幾天後,他又夢見日、月、十一顆星辰,皆朝向他跪拜.這些夢的解說,更激起兄弟們對他的仇視與恨意.
兄弟們找到機會陷害他,他們先將約瑟丟下坑洞,企圖殺害他,幸好有弟兄不忍傷害他,遂將他賣給路過欲前往埃及的商隊為奴.他的兄弟撕裂他的彩衣,並灑上羊血帶回家,騙父親說,約瑟已然遭野獸侵害不治.孰知,這一切都是神的安排,使約瑟處處都受到庇福與護持.
約瑟在埃及人家裡當管事,女主人多次以色慾誘惑,均被他嚴正推辭,並謹言慎行不與女主人單獨相處一室;腦羞成怒的女主人,反誣陷他舉止輕浮意欲性騷擾,主人因聽信女主人之言,就將清白無暇的約瑟關進大牢裡.
神並沒有忘記身處大牢的約瑟,依然給予憐惜,使他在獄吏眼中,是個好的管理者,幫忙管理獄中的囚犯.此時,因故被法老逮捕下在獄裡的酒政和膳長,同時各做了一個夢.約瑟幫忙解夢,結果如約瑟所說,酒政官復原職,而膳長卻人頭落地.但酒政卻忘記與約瑟的約定,要告訴法老,他被下獄的冤情.
就這樣,又過了兩年,直到法老連做了兩個夢,卻無人能解時,酒政才忽然想起約瑟這個人.法老的夢是這樣的 夢1)有七隻從河裡上岸覓食,吃撐飽飽的牛隻, 接著有七隻瘦骨嶙峋的牛隻正在吃那肥牛的肉 夢2)有一顆麥子結了七個飽滿、又結實的穗;另有顆麥子,也長了七個穗,卻是細小又已過熟.且瘦弱的穗子正在吞噬飽滿的穗子.
被提領(他目前仍然是大牢裡的囚犯)到法老跟前的約瑟,稟報法老說,依據 神給予我的解夢能力,它夢的意境是:七年豐收後緊接著七年枯荒.約瑟建議法老找一位有智慧、又有能力的人,在七年豐收期間,廣建穀倉大量徵收藏糧,以應付接著的七荒災年.法老著令約瑟接管這一可能跟國家生死存亡有關的重責大任,只因約瑟是 神所揀選來傳話的人,絕對值得信賴.
約瑟信心滿滿通令全埃及,雷厲風行他的政策,他並不只是靜候回報,坐享其成.秉持信念,他遊走埃及全境,檢視各地豐收的情況,除徵收儲存的糧草之外,儘量歸于人民持有.並告誡人民,不要浪費,因為後頭還有即將到來的大荒年要度過.
約瑟徵收埃及全境五分之一的糧食,可是糧食大豐收,所以上繳的數,遠遠超過徵收的量,只好在大城市建超大糧倉來儲存,至於徵收到多少糧食,因穀倉數量多到不可數,也沒人去在意確實總額了.
荒年未來之前,法老將名門閨秀雅珊那Asenath賜婚給約瑟, 神賜福並給予兩個子嗣.長子瑪拿西Menassah,意為 “忘了”,約瑟想, 神定當要我忘記一切苦難--前不久我還是階下囚,不是嗎? 次子以法蓮Ephraim,意思是 “昌盛”,約瑟想, 神不單只埃及全境昌盛,也使我脫離困頓之境,不也是昌盛?
七個豐收年很快就過去了,緊接著七個大荒年.但是埃及人仍舊豐衣足食,反觀緊鄰埃及四週的國境,到處是無物可食,而饑腸漉漉的遊民.不久,埃及一部分人民也因不懂節制,坐吃山空,毫無餘糧.開始集結向法老哭訴無糧的困苦,希望法老伸出援手.
法老要人民去向約瑟買糧,約瑟依法老指示打開糧倉,依人民所需求,出售糧食給人民.饑荒四處,影響其他國家的人民,聽聞埃及的約瑟有糧可買,紛紛前來求售.
遠在迦南境界的雅各(以色列),雖然牛羊成羣,堪稱富甲一方,但是地面也都長不出糧草,而全家牲口眾多,需糧孔急.
前情提要到此,接下來是今天的課程內容:
創世記 Genesis 42:1-5; 6-11; 13-17; 21-29
1 雅各見埃及有糧、就對兒子們說、你們為甚麼彼觀望呢。
When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, "Why do you just keep looking at each other?"
2 我聽見埃及有糧、你們可以下去從那裡為我們糴些來、使我們可以存活、不至於死。
He continued, "I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die."
3 於是約瑟的十個哥哥都下埃及糴糧去了。
Then ten of Joseph's brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt.
4 但約瑟的兄弟便雅憫、雅各沒有打發他和哥哥們同去、因為雅各說、恐怕他遭害。
But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph's brother, with the others, because he was afraid that harm might come to him.
5 來糴糧的人中有以色列的兒子們、因為迦南地也有饑荒。
So Israel's sons were among those who went to buy grain, for the famine was in the land of Canaan also.
雅各(以色列)聽聞有糧可買,就派遣約瑟十個兄長,前往埃及買糧.他們騎著驢子(那時還未流行騎馬),帶上買糧的銀兩,一路往埃及前去.因鍾愛的約瑟,已然不在身邊,怕此行有所閃失,所以留下小弟班傑明伴在老父身旁.
6 當時治理埃及地的是約瑟、糶糧給那地眾民的就是他。約瑟的哥哥們來了、臉伏於地、向他下拜。
Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the one who sold grain to all its people. So when Joseph's brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground.
7 約瑟看見他哥哥們、就認得他們、卻裝作生人、向他們說些嚴厲話、問他們說、你們從那裡來．他們說、我們從迦南地來糴糧。
As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them. "Where do you come from?" he asked. "From the land of Canaan," they replied, "to buy food."
8 約瑟認得他哥哥們、他們卻不認得他。
Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him.
9 約瑟想起從前所作的那兩個夢、就對他們說、你們是奸細、來窺探這地的虛實。
Then he remembered his dreams about them and said to them, "You are spies! You have come to see where our land is unprotected."
10 他們對他說、我主阿、不是的、僕人們是糴糧來的、
"No, my lord," they answered. "Your servants have come to buy food.
11 我們都是一個人的兒子、是誠實人、僕人們並不是奸細。
We are all the sons of one man. Your servants are honest men, not spies."
約瑟已經認出是他的哥哥們,故意指責他們是間諜.想蓄意迫害埃及.
13 他們說、僕人們本是弟兄十二人、是迦南地一個人的兒子、頂小的現今在我們的父親那裡、有一個沒有了。
But they replied, "Your servants were twelve brothers, the sons of one man, who lives in the land of Canaan. The youngest is now with our father, and one is no more."
14 約瑟說、我纔說你們是奸細、這話實在不錯、
Joseph said to them, "It is just as I told you: You are spies!
15 我指著法老的性命起誓、若是你們的小兄弟、不到這裡來、你們就不得出這地方、從此就可以把你們證驗出來了．
And this is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives, you will not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here.
16 須要打發你們中間一個人去、把你們的兄弟帶來、至於你們、都要囚在這裡、好證驗你們的話真不真、若不真、我指著法老的性命起誓、你們一定是奸細。
Send one of your number to get your brother; the rest of you will be kept in prison, so that your words may be tested to see if you are telling the truth. If you are not, then as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!"
17 於是約瑟把他們都下在監裡三天。
And he put them all in custody for three days.
約瑟於是將十位兄長,以莫須有罪名,全部捉進監獄關起來,並派兵嚴加看管,如此過了三天.他們更不知道約瑟完全了解,他們兄弟彼此之間的對話(約瑟與他們對話,故意都經過通譯官來翻譯).
21 他們彼此說、我們在兄弟身上實在有罪、他哀求我們的時候、我們見他心裡的愁苦、卻不肯聽、所以這場苦難臨到我們身上。
They said to one another, "Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that's why this distress has come upon us."
22 流便說、我豈不是對你們對你們說過、不可傷害那孩子麼、只是你們不肯聽、所以流他血的罪向我們追討。
Reuben replied, "Didn't I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn't listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood."
23 他們不知道約瑟聽得出來、因為在他們中間用通事傳話。
They did not realize that Joseph could understand them, since he was using an interpreter.
24 約瑟轉身退去、哭了一場、又回來對他們說話、就從他們中間挑出西緬來、在他們眼前把他捆綁。
He turned away from them and began to weep, but then turned back and spoke to them again. He had Simeon taken from them and bound before their eyes.
25 約瑟吩咐人把糧食裝滿他們的器具、把各人的銀子歸還在各人的口袋裡、又給他們路上用的食物、人就照他的話辦了。
Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, to put each man's silver back in his sack, and to give them provisions for their journey. After this was done for them,
26 他們就把糧食馱在驢上、離開那裡去了。
they loaded their grain on their donkeys and left.
27 到了住宿的地方、他們中間有一個人打開日袋、要拿料餧驢、纔看見自己的銀子仍在口袋裡．
At the place where they stopped for the night one of them opened his sack to get feed for his donkey, and he saw his silver in the mouth of his sack.
28 就對弟兄們說、我的銀子歸還了、看哪、仍在我口袋裡．他們就提心吊膽、戰戰兢兢的彼此說、這是 神向我們作甚麼呢。
"My silver has been returned," he said to his brothers. "Here it is in my sack." Their hearts sank and they turned to each other trembling and said, "What is this that God has done to us?"
29 他們來到迦南地他們的父親雅各那裡、將所遭遇的事都告訴他、說、
When they came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan, they told him all that had happened to them. They said,
約瑟故意留下並綑綁西緬,讓其餘兄長們,帶著比預期要買的,還要多的糧食回迦南父親處,要求把小弟班傑明給帶來埃及交換西緬;途中,他們發現除了糧食,還有比購買糧食還要多的銀兩,裝載在驢子身上.嚇得眾兄長,趕緊回迦南稟報父親.
創世記 Genesis 43:15-16; 23-24; 27-29
15 於是他們拿著那禮物、又手裡加倍的帶銀子、並且帶著便雅憫、起身下到埃及站在約瑟面前。
So the men took the gifts and double the amount of silver, and Benjamin also. They hurried down to Egypt and presented themselves to Joseph.
16 約瑟見便雅憫和他們同來、就對家宰說、將這些人領到屋裡、要宰殺牲畜、豫備筵席、因為晌午這些人同我喫飯。
When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, "Take these men to my house, slaughter an animal and prepare dinner; they are to eat with me at noon."
老父親雅各,並不希望兒子他們把摯愛么兒班傑明,給帶往埃及去交換西緬;無奈多數人都已結婚,甚至有了孫子,林林總總加一加,至少有六十六人之多.還有受雇幫忙看顧牛羊的工人,所以帶回來的糧食,根本無法支撐一大家子的口腹之慾多久.
荒災持續著,迫於無米可炊的窘境,老父親雅各不得不答應孩子們,帶著班傑明再次前往埃及買糧去.他告訴他們帶著兩倍於前次的銀兩和禮物,並想若這是 神的旨意,面對會失去我的孩子的危機,我也無力回天.
當他們抵達埃及後,隨即被帶往約瑟的家裡,心中忐忑不安,甚是懼怕,就告訴管事,所有買糧的錢(連同上次的銀兩)都放在麻布袋裡.(買糧卻不想換人,想犧牲西緬,安全帶回班傑明)
23 家宰說、你們可以放心、不要害怕、是你們的 神、和你們父親的 神、賜給你們財寶在你們的口袋裡．你們的銀子我早已收了．他就把西緬帶出來交給他們。
"It's all right," he said. "Don't be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks; I received your silver." Then he brought Simeon out to them.
24 家宰就領他們進約瑟的屋裡、給他們水洗腳、又給他們草料餧驢。
The steward took the men into Joseph's house, gave them water to wash their feet and provided fodder for their donkeys.
約瑟的管事,依指示拿水清理他們的腳(奉為上賓之意),及至中午用餐時分,約瑟才現身會見他們,他們再次跪拜在約瑟的跟前,並奉上帶來的禮物.
27 約瑟問他們好、又問、你們的父親、就是你們所說的那老人家平安麼．他還在麼。
He asked them how they were, and then he said, "How is your aged father you told me about? Is he still living?"
28 他們回答說、你僕人我們的父親平安、他還在．於是他們低頭下拜。
They replied, "Your servant our father is still alive and well." And they bowed low to pay him honor.
29 約瑟舉目看見他同母的兄弟便雅憫、就說、你們向我所說那頂小的兄弟、就是這位麼．又說、小兒阿、願 神賜恩給你。
As he looked about and saw his brother Benjamin, his own mother's son, he asked, "Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?" And he said, "God be gracious to you, my son."
約瑟看到眾兄長,果真帶著小弟班傑明前來,心中激動不已,強忍著淚水,躲到後面痛哭.一陣宣洩過後,重新梳洗整裝來到桌前,晚宴已然備妥.
弟兄們依照名牌,順序落座在同一桌,其他陪席官員坐另一桌,還有另一桌十一位,是從故鄉迦南來的鄉親.此時西緬已從大牢被帶到餐桌前,與弟兄們同坐.
他的兄弟們,按照大小落座,很是驚訝,竟然有人知道他們的出生順序.約瑟給予兄長們,每人一份餐點,卻給班傑明五倍於他人的份量;其實他是在測試兄長們,是否會如同早年對他那樣的起忌妒心.
創世記 Genesis 44:1-5
1 約瑟吩咐家宰說、把糧食裝滿這些人的口袋、儘著他們的驢所能馱的、又把各人的銀子放在各人的口袋裡。
Now Joseph gave these instructions to the steward of his house: "Fill the men's sacks with as much food as they can carry, and put each man's silver in the mouth of his sack.
2 並將我的銀杯、和那少年人糴糧的銀子、一同裝在他的口袋裡．家宰就照約瑟所說的話行了。
Then put my cup, the silver one, in the mouth of the youngest one's sack, along with the silver for his grain." And he did as Joseph said.
3 天一亮就打發那些人帶著驢走了。
As morning dawned, the men were sent on their way with their donkeys.
4 他們出城走了不遠、約瑟對家宰說、起來追那些人去、追上了就對他們說、你們為甚麼以惡報善呢。
They had not gone far from the city when Joseph said to his steward, "Go after those men at once, and when you catch up with them, say to them, 'Why have you repaid good with evil?
5 這不是我主人飲酒的杯麼、豈不是他占卜用的麼、你們這樣行是作惡了。
Isn't this the cup my master drinks from and also uses for divination? This is a wicked thing you have done.'"
約瑟再次的放走他的弟兄們,一樣給了超出他們銀兩,所能購買的糧食,也把銀倆藏在糧袋裡還給他們,並在給他們的糧食袋裡,故意偷藏家中的銀器.再派兵士攔路檢查,誣陷他們偷竊.他們雖堅決否認偷竊,但是銀器卻在班傑明的糧袋裡,被一一搜出來,於是,一行人又被帶回到約瑟面前.
約瑟故意嚴詞審訊,並說我可以依此給予你們死罪的.猶大說:人贓俱獲,我們還有何話可說?只是 神對我們之前所犯的罪,難到處罰得還不夠嗎?雖然銀器是在小弟袋裡被發現的,看來我們將在這裡終身為奴了.
“不”,約瑟說,一人犯罪一人擔,我只要那個偷我銀器的小偷,留下來當奴僕就可以了,其他人可以回家告訴父親這事了.約瑟還是在測試兄長們,是不是仍如早年那般,將棄班傑明於不顧,而自私的離開.
猶大,這個當年催促把約瑟賣掉為奴的兄長,匍伏向前來到約瑟的腳趾頭前,再次強調自約瑟離開後,班傑明目前是老父親最鍾愛的小兒子,所以他敢斷言,如果小弟沒有全身而退的回家,將迫使老父親悲傷至死的.
猶大接著說,請求讓我來代替小弟留下為奴吧.約瑟此時終於明白,昔日自私又妒嫉心重的兄長們,除對當年出賣約瑟的事,悔不當初以外,更能挺身而出保護小弟,顯然已改過自新.
Eileen's colorful noodle 五色麵
創世記 Genesis 45:4-15
4 約瑟又對他弟兄們說、請你們近前來、他們就近前來．他說、我是你們的兄弟約瑟、就是你們所賣到埃及的。
Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come close to me." When they had done so, he said, "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt!
5 現在不要因為把我賣到這裡、自憂自恨、這是 神差我在你們以先來、為要保全生命。
And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.
6 現在這地的饑荒已經二年了、還在五年不能耕種、不能收成。
For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping.
7 神差我在你們以先來、為要給你們存留餘種在世上、又要大施拯救、保全你們的生命。
But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
8 這樣看來、差我到這裡來的不是你們、乃是 神、他又使我如法老的父、作他全家的主、並埃及全地的宰相。
"So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.
9 你們要趕緊上到我父親那裡、對他說、你兒子約瑟這樣說、 神使我作全埃及的主、請你下到我這裡來、不要耽延。
Now hurry back to my father and say to him, 'This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don't delay.
10 你和你我兒子、孫子、連牛群、羊群、並一切所有的、都可以住在歌珊地、與我相近．
You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me--you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have.
11 我要在那裡奉養你．因為還有五年的饑荒、免得你和你的眷屬、並一切所有的、都敗落了。
I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.'
12 況且你們的眼和我兄弟便雅憫的眼、都看見是我親口對你們說話。
"You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I who am speaking to you.
13 你們也要將我在埃及一切的榮耀、和你們所看見的事、都告訴我父親、又要趕緊的將我父親搬到我這裡來。
Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly."
14 於是約瑟伏在他兄弟便雅憫的頸項上哭、便雅憫也在他的頸項上哭。
Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping.
15 他又與眾弟兄親嘴、抱著他們哭、隨後他弟兄就和他說話。
And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him.
強忍多時的約瑟,在打發所有埃及人的家僕後,於今再也隱忍不住自己即將潰堤的情緒,表明身份,隨即抱著弟兄們痛哭流涕,訴說離別後的種種,同時分享互相關愛的喜悅.
約瑟送給弟兄們,滿滿的糧食和無以計數的金銀珠寶,央求他們駕著馬車即早返回迦南,除了告訴老父親這一切好消息之外,還要他們全家族的人連同牲口,一併遷居到埃及,好就近互相照應.
創世記 Genesis 46:1-3
1 以色列帶著一切所有的、起身來到別是巴、就獻祭給他父親以撒的 神。
So Israel set out with all that was his, and when he reached Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.
2 夜間 神在異象中對以色列說、雅各、雅各．他說、我在這裡。
And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, "Jacob! Jacob!" "Here I am," he replied.
3 神說、我是 神、就是你父親的 神、你下埃及去不要害怕、因為我必使你在那裡成為大族。
"I am God, the God of your father," he said. "Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there.
歡天喜地的兄弟們回到迦南,詳細稟報老父親事情圓滿經過,馬上帶著全家大小共六十六口啟程往埃及去;約瑟坐著自己的輦車,親自出城迎接老父親的到來,老父親說,我以為這輩子再也見不到你了,約瑟老淚縱橫的趴伏在老父親的肩頭上痛哭流涕.隨後,約瑟引薦老父親覲見法老王,雅各向法老王問安並給予祝福.
約瑟為老父親一家,在埃及境內找到一塊豐饒之地,史稱“歌珊地”,地點在東埃及靠近沙漠的邊邊,曾是塊年年豐收的好地.但是,眼下還是要靠約瑟的糧倉賙濟以度過大荒年.雅各後來活到150歲高齡.
我們再回頭看看那些年,約瑟所歷經的苦難,被賣為奴,被陷害關在大牢裡,都因為他的堅信持誡,不僅榮耀神,也使他和家族獲得 神,更多的庇護與更大的祝福.
耶和華,值得你我敬畏,同時在我們的生活上,更值得完全的信靠祂.
今天分享這個故事,是要提醒大家,神如何在約瑟的身上做事工,起因一件無足輕重的彩衣,激發人性的自私與妒嫉,引爆一場原本無可避免的悲劇,因為主人翁約瑟仰望 神,那份堅定不移的信心,榮耀 神,讚美 神,一路獲 神庇佑,終於得到 神賜予最大的祝福,使結局翻轉為令人稱羨的喜劇.這也是我分享約瑟的故事,給大家的理由.
(Those Who Came : Eric Ho, Eileen Chen; Paul Lin; Judy Chen; Sharon Wu; Jimmy Hsu)(Ruby Chen)
Eileen's colorful noodle 五色麵
(Skype I to : Frank Van Fleet; <Brotherton> Dan, Darcy; <Moellmann> Matthew, Jai-yu, Joshua; Maggie)
(Skype II to : <Lade> Rick, Nancy)
P.S.1年輕人都去參加春季靜修營.
P.S.2牧師 Rick 夫婦遠在德州,要求加入三方視訊聽課.
P.S.3長老法蘭克,三週前受 Patricia Hoover (Eric & Eileen的女兒)邀約到 UMKC (堪薩斯大學)演講.
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