The First Work and First Marriage || 第一份工作和第一段婚姻

Apr 3, 2020 | Genesis Notes, Genesis Notes Part 1

你是神的杰作:《创世记手记》系列第二篇

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For personal study read Genesis 2:4-25 
个人研习,请阅读创世记2:4-25
 
The creation of the world was so magnificent, one telling of the story is not enough. In Genesis chapter 2 we see the story of the world from a different angle.  

创世的工作如此宏伟,只用一个章节来介绍是远远不够的,因此第二章以另一个角度向我们呈现了这个新造的世界。

Formation of The Earth Genesis 2:4-6
地的形成 创世记2:4-6

This account of creation is a bit different from the first account, but similar. They work together. The second story may be more of an overview. Through this second telling, one thing is clear – the earth is not complete until God forms man.

这次对创造的介绍与第一章相似却又有些不同-互为相辅相成。第二次的介绍更像是一个概览,通过第二次的讲述,有一点变得清晰了-就是直到神造了人类,地上的一切才算完整。

Formation of Man Genesis 2:7
人类的被造 创世记2:7

Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

Genesis 2:7 NIV

 

耶和华神用地上的尘土造人,将生气吹在他鼻孔里,他就成了有灵的活人,名叫亚当。

创世记 2:7

Here we get some more details of how the first man was created. In this incredible moment we see the physical world and the spiritual world coming together to bring human life and it is clear that the spiritual is far superior to the physical. Man’s physical body was made from the dust of the earth. In fact, Adam’s name means “dirt.” Let us never become too proud of our own natural good looks or natural talent. Let’s remember we come from dirt. What makes us truly special is the spiritual element – the breath of God. God’s breath was far more impressive than the dirt. When God breathes into Adam,he becomes alive. God’s breath brings life.

由此我们知道了更多关于神如何创造第一个人类的细节。在那个奇妙的时刻,我们看到物质世界和灵界联合工作给人带来生命,而且很明显的是,灵界远远高于物质世界!人的肉体是用尘土做的。事实上,亚当这个名字的意思就是“尘土”。所以我们决不要因为自己天生外表好看或天赋出众而过分骄傲,别忘了,我们不过是来自尘土!真正使我们与众不同的是我们身体里属灵的成分- 神的气息,这远比尘土更为重要。当神向亚当吹气时,亚当才活过来。神的气息带来生命!

Description of the Garden Genesis 2:8-14

伊甸园的描述 创世记2:8-14

God created a verdant Garden for Adam’s home. Trees, animals, fruit and rivers.

神创造了一个葱郁繁茂的园子作为亚当的家,园子里有树木、有动物、有果实,也有河流。

The Lord God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed. Out of the ground the Lord caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

耶和华神在东方的伊甸立了一个园子,把所造的人安置在那里。耶和华神使各样的树从地里长出来,可以悦人的眼目,其上的果子好作食物。园子当中又有生命树和分别善恶的树。

Now a river flowed out of Eden to water the garden; and from there it divided and became four rivers. The name of the first is Pison; it flows around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. The gold of that land is good; the bdellium and the onyx stone are there. The name of the second river is Gihon; it flows around the whole land of Cush. The name of the third river is Tigris; it flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.

Genesis 2:8-14 NIV

 

有河从伊甸流出来,滋润那园子,从那里分为四道:第一道名叫比逊,就是环绕哈腓拉全地的。在那里有金子,并且那地的金子是好的;在那里又有珍珠和红玛瑙。第二道河名叫基训,就是环绕古实全地的。第三道河名叫底格里斯,流在亚述的东边。第四道河就是幼发拉底河。

创世记 2:8-14

The Bible gives some interesting details of the river flowing through the Garden. It flows from Eden to the Garden and the river branches into four different rivers. God curiously names all four rivers and meticulously records their names for us. Each of the names are Hebrew names and each has a special meaning. The meaning of each one alone is not particularly remarkable. But when the four river names are listed together God paints a lovely picture of His vision and hope for this world:

圣经对流经这个园子的河流做了有趣且详细的介绍。这条河从伊甸流向园子,并且形成了四条支流。神为这四条河取了很特别的名字,并且为我们精心地记录了下来。每一个都是希伯来文名字,并且有其特殊的含义。这些名字本身没什么值得特别称道的,但是当这四条河的名字放在一起时,我们就能明白神为这个世界勾画的美好远景以及对这里的期许。

  • Pison means increase
    比逊:增长 
  • Gihon means bursting forth
    基训:爆发 
  • Tigris means rapid
    底格里斯:快速 
  • Euphrates means fruitfulness
    幼发拉底:多产

God wanted to water the Garden and cause quick growth. Rivers would rapidly burst forth bringing an increase of fruitfulness. When God created each plant, animal and Adam, He put in them the ability to be fruitful, to increase, to rapidly burst forth. The things God created were all designed with amazing growth potential including Adam.

神浇灌园子,好使园子越发繁茂。河流的浇灌促使园子快速爆发式生长,以至硕果累累。神造了每一种动植物和亚当的那一刻,同时也赋予了他们繁衍的能力,为要让他们快速兴盛起来。神为每一个受造的物种设计了奇妙的生长潜力-包括亚当!

Every cell of every living organism God created was designed to grow. Recently, how have you been growing? Consider all aspects of your life: physical, spiritual, intellectual, professional, emotional, relational. Are there areas in which you would like to grow? How can you grow?

神造的每一个生命体的每一个细胞都可以生长。最近你的成长状况如何?思想一下你生活中的各个方面:身体、精神、智力、职业、情绪、以及关系方面,你希望在哪些领域有所长进呢?如何可以成长?

Two Trees
两棵树

The four rivers were not the only items in the Garden with significant names. In the center of the Garden there were two trees: 1) Tree of Life 2) Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. One tree led to LIFE, one tree led to DEATH. In Revelation we learn more about the Tree of Life and the Garden where it is planted. Interestingly, there is also a river flowing in this future Garden.

在这个园子里,并非只有这四条河有意义非凡的名字,在园子中央有两棵树:生命树和分别善恶树。一棵树指向永生,另一棵指向死亡。在《启示录》中,我们学到更多关于生命树和它所在的园子。有趣的是,在将来的乐园里也流淌着一条河。

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the Tree of Life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and His servants will serve Him.

Revelation 22:1-3 NIV

 

天使又指示我在城内街道当中一道生命水的河,明亮如水晶,从 神和羔羊的宝座流出来。在河这边与那边有生命树,结十二样果子,每月都结果子;树上的叶子乃为医治万民。以后再没有咒诅;在城里有 神和羔羊的宝座;他的仆人都要侍奉他

启示录22:1-3

The other tree in Genesis 2 is the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. God simply said DO NOT EAT THE FRUIT. And God clearly stated the consequence: DEATH.

创世记第二章提到的另一棵树是分别善恶树。神只说不可吃树上的果子,而且清楚地说明了违背的后果就是死。

Man’s Instructions Genesis 2: 15-20
神给人的吩咐 创世记2:15-20

With this luscious description of this very alive Garden, God put His most precious living being in the Garden. Note God PUT Adam in the Garden. Adam didn’t go and find this place. Adam didn’t stumble upon the Garden. God specifically put him there. Twice in this chapter it says God deliberately put Adam there. God had a purpose and a plan, Adam didn’t randomly end up in the Garden. This was a specific location. And God had a specific purpose for Adam in the Garden.

对这个生机勃勃的园子介绍完之后,神将最宝贵的生物放在这个园子里。注意是神将亚当安置在这里,既不是亚当自己费力去找到这个地方,也不是他偶然发现了这个园子。是神特别将他安置在那里。本章两次提到神有意地把亚当安置在了园子里,因为神有一个目的和计划。这是一个很特别的地方。神把亚当安置在这个园子里有一个特定的目的。

Then the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. The Lord God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.” Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.” Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the sky, and to every beast of the field, but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him.

Genesis 2:15-20 NIV

 

耶和华神将那人安置在伊甸园,使他修理,看守。耶和华神吩咐他说:“园中各样树上的果子,你可以随意吃,只是分别善恶树上的果子,你不可吃,因为你吃的日子必定死!”耶和华神说:“那人独居不好,我要为他造一个配偶帮助他。”耶和华神用土所造成的野地各样走兽和空中各样飞鸟都带到那人面前,看他叫什么。那人怎样叫各样的活物,那就是它的名字。那人便给一切牲畜和空中飞鸟、野地走兽都起了名;只是那人没有遇见配偶帮助他。

创世记 2:15-20

Where Have You Been “Put?”
你被“安置”在了哪里?

Has God placed you somewhere special? A specific location? A specific job? A specific family? A specific community? Sometimes it is a place close to home, sometimes it is on the other side of the world. In 2008 I prayed for God to lead me to His specific place for me. After wandering for several years, I was desperate for God to lead me to His chosen spot for me. I now know sometimes the wandering road leads us to His chosen spot. In May 2008 I came to China to visit a friend who knew I was in a wandering time of life. She said, “Come to China, bring your violin and visit the churches.” So I took her advice. I packed my bag and violin, secured a plane ticket and visa and was on my way.

神有没有把你放在什么特别的地方呢?一处特定的位置?一份特定的工作?一个特定的家庭?或是一个特定的社区?有时那个地方离家很近,但有时可能会在地球的另一端。2008年,我向神祷告,求主把我带到衪为我预备的地方。漂泊几年以后,我迫切恳求神领我去到衪所选定的地方。我现在才明白,有时正是那些弯路在逐渐领我们去到神所预备的地方。2008年5月,我来中国看望一位朋友,她知道我那时正在彷徨,就对我说:“来中国吧,带上你的小提琴,去教会”。于是,我听从了她的建议,打包行李和小提琴,拿到机票和签证,就出发了。

While in China I prayed a simple yet specific prayer: “God, if you have a job for me in China, please have someone offer me a job with a specific position.” During my three weeks in China I played my violin at an international fellowship where I met a German woman. She knew virtually nothing about me, yet asked if I would be interested in working with her in a new charity organization she and others were forming. She had no idea that the position and mission of the organization fit my training and work experience perfectly.

到了中国,我向神做了一个简短却很具体的祷告,“神啊,如果你在中国给我预备了一份工作,请派人来向我提供一个明确的工作岗位。”在中国的那三个星期,我去参加国际团契聚会时演奏小提琴,在那里我认识了一位德国女士。她对我的情况几乎一无所知,但还是问我是否有兴趣为一家慈善机构工作,她和别的朋友正在筹建这所慈善机构。她不知道这个慈善机构的职位和使命正好与我曾经所受过的培训和工作经验完全吻合。

Without any planning or forethought of my own (I never considered moving to China), God “put” me in the place He had prepared for me.

我自已根本没有事先计划或深谋远虑(我从未想过我会搬来中国生活),神把我安置在了衪为我所预备的地方。

Where has God placed you? Consider your location, community, work, ministry, mission, family. Has God “put” you in a specific place? Or do you feel like you are on a wandering road still on your way? Could you possibly be avoiding the place God has prepared for you?

神把你放在哪里了呢?想一想你自己的位置、社区、工作、服侍、使命和家庭–神是否把你放在某一个特定的地方?或者你感觉自己还在漂泊不定?你也可能是在逃避神为你预备的地方?

Time to Work
做工的时候到了

Once Adam was put in this Garden, it was time to get to work. God gave him four instructions:

亚当来到这个园子后,就开始做工了。神吩咐他四件事:

  1. Work in the Garden
  2. Take care of the Garden
  3. Name the animals
  4. Do not eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil or you will die

 

  1. 在园子里做工
  2. 看管好园子
  3. 为动物取名字
  4. 不要吃分别善恶树上的果子-否则必死

Work is important. God gave Adam purpose and He wanted Adam to participate in God’s world. Adam wasn’t supposed to just receive grown food. He had to work, too. Something special happens when you work. You become a part of taking care of something. You feel a sense of accomplishment, ownership and satisfaction. Adam was not lazily enjoying the fruits of the Garden. He had work to do. God calls us all to participate in His work on earth. We all have work to do.

工作很重要。神给亚当制定了一个计划,就是希望他进入神的世界。亚当不应该只是领受已栽种的食物–他也必须做工。当你做工时,你要悉心照料相关事物。你会有一种成就感、归属感和满足感。亚当并没有懒洋洋地享受园子里的果实。他有工要做。神呼召我们一同参与衪在这世上的善工。我们都有工要做。

In the place where God has “put” you, how do you participate with Him in His work? What is God’s purpose for you in your family, community, profession or fellowship? Are you doing the things God has prepared for you to do?

在神安置你的地方,你如何与神同工呢?神在你的家庭、社区、工作以及团契为你制定了怎样的计划?你是否正在做神为你预备的工作呢?

The Creativity of Man
人的创造力

Adam’s first important job from God was to name all of the animals. How thrilling. How creative. Elephant, giraffe, penguin, ladybug, eagle. God let Adam make the decisions. God wanted to see what Adam named them. God knew Adam would enjoy and successfully accomplish this job because Adam was made in God’s image. God is a creative God. God gave Adam the opportunity to activate his creativity in the Garden. God could have named all of the animals, but He allowed Adam to do it.

神给亚当的第一个重要任务就是为所有的动物命名。多么激动人心!多么有创造力!大象、长颈鹿、企鹅、瓢虫、老鹰,神都让亚当来做决定,神想看看亚当给动物取哪些名字,祂知道亚当一定会很享受这份工作,并且顺利地完成任务,因为亚当是照着神的形像所造的。神是富于创造的神。神给了亚当在园子里发挥创造力的机会。本来神可以亲自为动物命名,但祂却交给了亚当来做。

As humans, God has given us His creative nature. We create computer programs, dinner recipes, spreadsheets and interior design. We create music, paintings, architecture and novels. We create city streets, websites, manufacturing components and lesson plans. Humans continue to exercise our God-given creativity on a daily basis.

作为人类,神赋予了我们创造的天性,我们自创电脑程序、晚餐食谱、电子表格、室内设计。我们创作音乐、绘画、建筑和小说。我们创建城市街道、网站、制造零部件还有课程计划。人类每天都在不断地行使着神所赋予的创造力。

Creative projects were not the only things God gave Adam. He also gave Adam some boundaries. He could eat of every tree except one: The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

神并非只让亚当去完成那些创造性的任务。衪也给亚当设立了一些边界。园中所有树上的果子都可以吃,但不能吃分别善恶树的果子。

Man’s Helper Genesis 2:21-25
男人的帮助者 创世记2:21-25

From the beginning, humans needed companionship. God made it clear for Adam that having a dog by his side was not enough. He needed another human being – a WOMAN. A helper. In Hebrew the word for “helper” is EZER. What did God mean by giving Adam a helper? Someone to help take notes on all of the different animal names? To better understand this word helper or EZER, we can look at different places the word EZER is used in the Bible.

从起初,人类就需要伴侣。神清楚地告诉亚当,身边有一只宠物狗是不够的。他需要的是他的同类-一个女人!一个帮助者,希伯来文中帮助者是”Ezer”, 神说要给亚当一个帮助者是什么意思呢?帮亚当记录他为所有动物取的名字吗?为了更好地理解帮助者或者“EZER”的意思,我们可以查考一下圣经中使用了“EZER”的不同经文。

Blessed are you, Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord? He is your shield and helper [EZER] and your glorious sword. Your enemies will cower before you, and you will tread on their heights.

Deuteronomy 33:29 NIV

 

以色列啊,你是有福的!谁像你这蒙耶和华所拯救的百姓呢?他是你的盾牌,帮助你,是你威荣的刀剑。你的仇敌必投降你;你必踏在他们的高处。

申命记33:29

 

My help [EZER] comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 121:2 NIV

 

我的帮助从造天地的耶和华而来。

诗篇 121:2

If God is an “EZER” an “EZER” must be something very strong and powerful. A defender, protector. Someone who is by your side ready to fight for you and with you. So the companion for Adam was to be a helper, a shield, a defender. One to powerfully stand beside Adam and work with him.

如果神是“EZER”,那么“EZER”肯定强大无比,是捍卫者,保护者,会随时在你身边跟你一起并肩作战。因此,为亚当预备的同伴就是这样一位帮助者、庇护者、捍卫者,是坚定不移陪伴他并与他同工的人。

Upon seeing this new companion, Adam used his creative abilities and named her “woman” and he immediately knew she was a part of him.

一看到那位新同伴,亚当就发挥自己的创造力,给她取名为女人,而且他即刻知道这个女人是他的一部分。

The man said, ‘This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called “woman” for she was taken out of man.

Genesis 2:23 NIV

 

那人说:“这是我骨中的骨,肉中的肉,可以称她为女人,因为她是从男人身上取出来的。”

创世记2:23

What follows can be considered the first wedding. In fact, this verse is often spoken at weddings today.

下面这节经文可以被看做是人类史上的第一场婚礼。事实上,如今这节经文常在婚礼上被引述。

That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.

Genesis 2:24 NIV

 

因此,人要离开父母,与妻子连合,二人成为一体。

创世记2:24

Marriage: A Physical and Spiritual Relationship
婚姻:身体和灵里的关系

The idea of the physical world and spiritual world coming together is beautifully demonstrated in the marriage relationship. When a man and woman come together in marriage, something physical and spiritual happens. In the physical act of becoming husband and wife, the spiritual also takes place. They become one flesh physically and spiritually. Once married they are one person. Jesus Himself quoted this verse from Genesis when talking about marriage.

物质世界和精神世界的结合在婚姻关系中得到了完美的诠释。当一个男人和一个女人在婚姻里相结合,他们的身体和灵里都会发生一些变化,在成为夫妻的身体行为中,灵里也开始作工,因此在身体和灵里都成为了一体。一旦结婚,他们就成了一个人。耶稣在讲论婚姻时也引述了这节经文。

This is why the marriage relationship is so beautiful, precious, so unique, so important. Two separate people come together as one, to serve together, live together and enjoy God’s good gifts together as one person. Conversely, this is why marital problems can be so painful and divorce is so devastating. Divorce is like a death pulling apart two people who were once one person.

这就是为什么婚姻关系是如此美好、珍贵、如此特别且重要。两个个体结合成为一人,一起服侍、一起生活、一起享受神的美好恩赐。相反地,这也是为什么婚姻问题会如此伤人,离婚为什么有如此巨大的毁灭性。因为离婚就如同死亡,把两个曾经合为一体的人撕裂开。

Adam and his wife had a common purpose mutually serving together in the Garden. Enjoying one another’s companionship and the companionship of God.

亚当和他的妻子有个共同的目的,在园子里彼此服侍,享受彼此的陪伴和神的同在。

When the New Testament talks about Christian marriage, these verses in Genesis chapter 2 are often quoted. Jesus Christ quotes Genesis in Matthew chapter 19 as does Paul in Ephesians chapter 5. Jesus references Genesis when asked if divorce is okay. He says, “What God has joined together, let no man separate.” The passage in Ephesians begins by stating the husband and wife are to have a relationship of mutual submission.

新约中提到有关基督徒的婚姻时,常会引用创世记第二章里的这几节经文。耶稣基督在马太福音第十九章引用了《创世记》,保罗在以弗所书第5章也如此。耶稣被问及是否允许离婚时,他提到了《创世记》,他说:“神所配合的,人不可分开。”以弗所书一开始就说夫妻之间是彼此顺服的关系。

A Perfect World with No Shame
一个没有羞耻的完美世界

This chapter ends with an interesting statement: they were naked and they were not ashamed. This was a perfect place. The man and woman had purpose, a beautiful home, they had companionship, a God-ordained marriage and they had no shame. No guilt, no sin. Nothing to hide.

这章结尾的叙述很有趣:他们赤身露体,并不觉得羞耻。这是一个完美的地方。男人和女人都有目标,有一个美丽的家,还有彼此的陪伴。在神所命定的婚姻里,他们没有羞耻感。没有愧疚,没有犯罪,也无需隐藏。

This is the last verse before chapter 3. Chapter 3 is where everything changes. But for now, Adam and his wife are totally innocent and content in this Garden God created for them.

这是第二章的结尾。从第三章开始,一切都变了。但是现在,亚当和他的妻子是完全无罪的,在神为他们创造的园子里心满意足地生活。

Part Three

  1. How to Find a Husband or Wife Genesis-Style || 如何寻找丈夫或妻子-创世记择偶指南
  2. Cherish our Birthright as Children of God || 珍惜作为 神儿女而拥有的长子权
  3. Got Challenges? || 面临挑战?
  4. Birthright and Blessing || 长子权与祝福
  5. Jacob’s Ladder || 雅各的梯子
  6. Work Diligently and Righteously || 勤勉而诚实地工作
  7. Family Competition || 家庭竞赛
  8. Facing Big Problems || 面对大难题
  9. Jacob Finally Overcomes Fear || 雅各终胜惧怕
  10. The Miracle Moment || 奇迹的时刻
  11. Dinah’s Story || 底拿的故事

Part Four

  1. Purify Yourself || 洁净自己
  2. Getting Positioned by God || 被 神定位
  3. An Uncomfortable Story || 一个让人不适的故事
  4. The Key to Success || 成功的关键
  5. Joseph and Jesus || 约瑟和耶稣
  6. The Big Moment || 重大时刻
  7. Famine and Fear || 饥荒和恐惧
  8. Back to Egypt || 回到埃及
  9. Mercy or Judgment? || 怜悯还是论断?
  10. The Big Reveal: MERCY || 大揭晓:怜悯
  11. God’s Big Plan || 神的大计划
  12. God’s Plans, God’s Promises, Our Work || 神的计划, 神的应许,我们的工作
  13. Future Generations || 后代
  14. The Past and the Future || 过去和未来
  15. Finally! Forgiveness and a Future Hope || 最后!饶恕和未来的希望