Article #32 in the series: You Are God’s Masterpiece: The Genesis Notes.
你是神的工作: 《创世记手记》系列第三十二篇
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Is it possible to overcome a life-long struggle?
有可能在伴随一生的挣扎里得胜吗？
Family Struggles
家族的挣扎
In Genesis we see a family who is struggling with some of the same things from generation to generation. What are some of the struggles and sins we see repeated in this family starting with Abraham, then Isaac and now Jacob?
在《创世记》中，我们看到一个家族中一代又一代人为同样的事情而挣扎。从亚伯拉罕开始，然后是以撒，现在是雅各，我们在这个家族中看到重复出现的是一些怎样的挣扎和罪呢？
As we read Genesis 32, can you identify a common weakness in this family? As Jacob prepares to return home, what is the great emotion that is motivating him? Is he excited to return home, or is there something else lurking in his heart?
当我们读《创世记》第32章时，你能找出这个家族的共同弱点吗？当雅各准备回家的时候，激励他的是什么？他是为回家而兴奋呢，还是在他的心里潜伏着别的什么？
Jacob also went on his way, and the angels of God met him. When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is the camp of God!” So he named that place Mahanaim. Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom. He instructed them: “This is what you are to say to my lord Esau: ‘Your servant Jacob says, I have been staying with Laban and have remained there till now. I have cattle and donkeys, sheep and goats, male and female servants. Now I am sending this message to my lord, that I may find favor in your eyes.’ ” When the messengers returned to Jacob, they said, “We went to your brother Esau, and now he is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him.” In great fear and distress Jacob divided the people who were with him into two groups, and the flocks and herds and camels as well. He thought, “If Esau comes and attacks one group, the group that is left may escape.”
Genesis 32:1-8 NIV
雅各仍旧行路， 神的使者遇见他。雅各看见他们就说：“这是 神的军兵”，于是给那地方起名叫玛哈念（就是二军兵的意思）。雅各打发人先往西珥地去，就是以东地，见他哥哥以扫， 吩咐他们说：“你们对我主以扫说：‘你的仆人雅各这样说：我在拉班那里寄居，直到如今。我有牛、驴、羊群、仆婢，现在打发人来报告我主，为要在你眼前蒙恩。’”所打发的人回到雅各那里，说：“我们到了你哥哥以扫那里，他带着四百人，正迎着你来。” 雅各就甚惧怕，而且愁烦，便把那与他同在的人口和羊群、牛群、骆驼分作两队， 说：“以扫若来击杀这一队，剩下的那一队还可以逃避。”
创世记 32:1-8和合本
The old family trait of fear is now striking Jacob as he finally must face his brother. Let’s recall the impact fear had on the former generations of this family.
当雅各最终必须要面对哥哥时，这个家族关于恐惧的特征就他身上显现出来。我们先来回顾一下恐惧对这个家族前几代人的影响。
- Abraham is afraid the king of Egypt will kill him because Abraham’s wife, Sarah, is so incredibly beautiful. So Abraham lies and says she is just his sister.
- Isaac is afraid King Abimelech will kill him because Isaac’s wife, Rebekah, is so incredibly beautiful. So Isaac lies and says she is just his sister.
- Jacob’s mother encourages Jacob to deceive his father, lying and pretending to be his twin brother in order to get the family blessing. Jacob runs away out of fear Esau will kill Jacob.
- Laban deceives Jacob and gives him the wrong wife.
- Jacob is afraid Laban will take away his wives and flocks. So Jacob deceives Laban and sneaks away.
- Rachel lies to her father as she steals the household idols.
- Jacob is afraid to meet Esau again.
- 亚伯拉罕害怕埃及国王因为他美貌的妻子撒拉而要杀他，所以亚伯拉罕谎称撒拉只是他的妹妹。
- 以撒害怕亚比米勒王因为他美貌的妻子利百加而要杀他，所以以撒谎称利百加只是他的妹妹。
- 雅各的母亲为了使雅各得到家族祝福，而鼓动雅各欺骗他的父亲，让雅各假扮成他的双胞胎哥哥以扫，来欺骗父亲。结果是雅各因为害怕以扫杀他而逃跑。
- 拉班欺骗雅各，把雅各没看中的利亚给他做妻子。
- 雅各害怕拉班夺走他的妻子和牲畜，所以他欺骗了拉班，偷偷逃走。
- 拉结偷了她父亲的神像，还欺骗父亲。
- 雅各害怕再次见到以扫。
The first instance of fear and deception in the Bible happens in Genesis chapter 3. Adam is afraid and he hides from God. Why? He has sinned and now he is ashamed because he is naked. So he tries to deceive God by trying to hide.
圣经中第一个关于恐惧和欺骗的例子发生在创世记第三章。亚当因为恐惧而躲避 神的面。为什么？因为他犯了罪，现在他知道自己赤身露体，觉得羞耻，所以他试着欺骗 神——他试着藏起来。
In Abraham’s family we see this fear and deception continuing. If we have sinful patterns like this in our lives, is it possible to break free? Or are we stuck? How can we overcome the patterns of incorrect thinking (fear) and sinful behaviors (deception)?
在亚伯拉罕家族中，我们看到这个恐惧和欺骗一直在延续。如果在我们的生命中有这样的犯罪模式，有可能摆脱吗？还是我们就此被困住了呢？我们怎样能胜过错误的想法（恐惧）和犯罪（欺骗）的行为模式呢？
How did Jacob overcome his fear? In this chapter we see Jacob began with prayer, then he was moved to action and finally he wrestled with God.
雅各怎么胜过了他的恐惧？在这一章，我们看到雅各以祷告开始，然后行动，最后跟 神摔跤。
Jacob’s Prayer
雅各的祷告
Then Jacob prayed, “O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, Lord, you who said to me, ‘Go back to your country and your relatives, and I will make you prosper,’ I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two camps. Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me, and also the mothers with their children. But you have said, ‘I will surely make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted.’ ”
Genesis 32:9-12 NIV
雅各说：“耶和华－我祖亚伯拉罕的 神，我父亲以撒的 神啊，你曾对我说：‘回你本地本族去，我要厚待你。’ 你向仆人所施的一切慈爱和诚实，我一点也不配得；我先前只拿着我的杖过这约旦河，如今我却成了两队了。求你救我脱离我哥哥以扫的手；因为我怕他来杀我，连妻子带儿女一同杀了。你曾说：‘我必定厚待你，使你的后裔如同海边的沙，多得不可胜数。’”
创世记 32:9-12 和合本
There are six main thoughts in this prayer. We can use this prayer as a model prayer as we ourselves seek to overcome sinful patterns in our own lives.
在这个祷告中有六个主要的内容。在我们自己的生活中，可以把这个祷告作为我们自己寻求胜过犯罪模式的祷告范例。
Jacob’s identity: “God of my fathers”
God’s promise: “You said to me … ”
Jacob’s humility: “I am unworthy”
Jacob’s request: “Save me”
Jacob’s honesty: “I am afraid”
God’s promise – again: “But you have said … ”
雅各界定身份：“耶和华我祖先的 神”
神的应许：“你曾对我说……”
雅各谦卑自己：“我不配得”
雅各呼求：“求你救我”
雅各坦诚：“（因为）我怕”
重申神的应许：“但你曾说……”
What Is My Identity?
我的身份是什么？
I am a child of God!
我是 神的孩子！
“For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will … ”
Ephesians 1:4-5 NIV
“就如 神从创立世界以前，在基督里拣选了我们，使我们在他面前成为圣洁，无有瑕疵；又因爱我们，就按着自己意旨所喜悦的，预定我们藉着耶稣基督得儿子的名分。”
以弗所书 1:4-5
What Are God’s Promises?
神的应许是什么？
We must stand on the promises of God. Look into His Word. There are many promises of God in the Bible. Can you think of some promises? The promises of God will build your faith and will push back the lies of the enemy.
我们一定要站立在 神的应许上。查考祂的话语。在圣经中有 神的很多应许。你能想起哪些呢？神的应许会建立你的信心，击退仇敌的谎言。
We Must Be Humble Before God.
我们必须在 神面前谦卑自己。
Submit to God; honestly show your weakness to Him and let Him know you need His strength in your life. You cannot live on your own.
顺服 神——坦诚地向祂说明你的软弱，让祂知道你需要祂的力量来生活，你靠着自己做不到。
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.”
1 Peter 5:6 NIV
“所以，你们要自卑，服在 神大能的手下，到了时候他必叫你们升高。”
彼得前书 5:6
We Must Present Our Requests to God.
我们必须向 神说明我们的诉求。
Be honest with yourself. Have you really asked God to help you in every situation, or do you just think about your situations and hope God will help you? Take time to speak out loud your prayers to God. When you are alone pray out loud and you will be amazed how your faith will grow.
扪心自问，你真的向 神祈求过 在任何处境中都帮助你吗？还是在你刚刚想起时才希望 神来帮助你。花些时间向 神大声祷告，当你独自一人时，大声地祷告，你会惊讶地发现自己的信心成长了。
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
“应当一无挂虑，只要凡事藉着祷告、祈求，和感谢，将你们所要的告诉 神。神所赐、出人意外的平安必在基督耶稣里保守你们的心怀意念。”
腓立比书 4:6-7
We Must Be Honest with God.
我们必须向 神坦诚。
It is okay to be honest with the Lord to let Him know how you feel about your fears and worries. He is the one to go to. Sometimes we think we just need to be strong and ignore our fears and worries. This only gives them a hiding place to grow. Sometimes we have the opposite problem, we constantly talk to others about our problems. Sometimes this is because we want attention or pity from other people. Bring everything to Jesus, He is the one who can answer all of your fears.
诚实面对 神，让祂知道你的感受、害怕和担忧，是没问题的。祂是我们要向其倾诉的那位。有时，我们认为自己只要做个坚强的人，而忽略了我们的害怕和担忧。这么做只能使它们在暗处滋长。有时，我们有相反的问题，就是不停地向别人说自己的问题，有时这么做是为了引起别人的关注和同情。把每一件事带到耶稣面前，祂能解决你所有的恐惧。
“I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. I pour out before Him my complaint; before Him I tell my trouble.”
Psalm 142:1-2 NIV
“我发声哀告耶和华，发声恳求耶和华。我在他面前吐露我的苦情，陈说我的患难。”
诗篇 142:1-2
Stand On His Promises AGAIN!
再次站立在祂的应许之上！
Jacob’s Action
雅各的行动
After Jacob’s prayer he moves to action. He does some bold things. First he prepares a gift for Esau. A big gift!
祷告完后，雅各开始行动，他做了一些大胆的事情。首先，他给以扫预备了礼物，一份大礼!
He spent the night there, and from what he had with him he selected a gift for his brother Esau: two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, thirty female camels with their young, forty cows and ten bulls, and twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys. He put them in the care of his servants, each herd by itself, and said to his servants, “Go ahead of me, and keep some space between the herds.” He instructed the one in the lead: “When my brother Esau meets you and asks, ‘Who do you belong to, and where are you going, and who owns all these animals in front of you?’ then you are to say, ‘They belong to your servant Jacob. They are a gift sent to my lord Esau, and he is coming behind us.’ ” He also instructed the second, the third and all the others who followed the herds: “You are to say the same thing to Esau when you meet him. And be sure to say, ‘Your servant Jacob is coming behind us.’ ” For he thought, “I will pacify him with these gifts I am sending on ahead; later, when I see him, perhaps he will receive me.” So Jacob’s gifts went on ahead of him, but he himself spent the night in the camp.
Genesis 32:13-21 NIV
当夜，雅各在那里住宿，就从他所有的物中拿礼物要送给他哥哥以扫：母山羊二百只，公山羊二十只，母绵羊二百只，公绵羊二十只， 奶崽子的骆驼三十只－各带着崽子，母牛四十只，公牛十只，母驴二十匹，驴驹十匹；每样各分一群，交在仆人手下，就对仆人说：“你们要在我前头过去，使群群相离，有空闲的地方”；又吩咐尽先走的说：“我哥哥以扫遇见你的时候，问你说：‘你是哪家的人？要往哪里去？你前头这些是谁的？’ 你就说：‘是你仆人雅各的，是送给我主以扫的礼物；他自己也在我们后边。’” 又吩咐第二、第三，和一切赶群畜的人说：“你们遇见以扫的时候也要这样对他说；并且你们要说：‘你仆人雅各在我们后边。’”因雅各心里说：“我藉着在我前头去的礼物解他的恨，然后再见他的面，或者他容纳我。” 于是礼物先过去了；那夜，雅各在队中住宿。
创世记 32:13-21 和合本
Why give a gift? Do you remember why Esau is mad at Jacob? Jacob had stolen from him. So now Jacob is giving to Esau. Jacob is doing the opposite of what he had previously done.
为什么预备礼物？你记得以扫为什么记恨雅各吗？雅各偷了他的长子权和祝福。所以，现在雅各送礼物。雅各现在做的，跟他之前做的事正好相反。
Jacob Wrestles With God
雅各跟神摔跤
Jacob has prayed, he has acted in the face of fear and now he moves to the final stage: He wrestles with God.
雅各祷告完了，他面对恐惧，但采取了行动，现在他进入最后阶段：与神摔跤。
That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.” The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip. Therefore to this day the Israelites do not eat the tendon attached to the socket of the hip, because the socket of Jacob’s hip was touched near the tendon.
Genesis 32:22-32 NIV
他夜间起来，带着两个妻子，两个使女，并十一个儿子，都过了雅博渡口， 先打发他们过河，又打发所有的都过去， 只剩下雅各一人。有一个人来和他摔跤，直到黎明。那人见自己胜不过他，就将他的大腿窝摸了一把，雅各的大腿窝正在摔跤的时候就扭了。那人说：“天黎明了，容我去吧！”雅各说：“你不给我祝福，我就不容你去。” 那人说：“你名叫什么？”他说：“我名叫雅各。” 那人说：“你的名不要再叫雅各，要叫以色列；因为你与 神与人较力，都得了胜。” 雅各问他说：“请将你的名告诉我。”那人说：“何必问我的名？”于是在那里给雅各祝福。雅各便给那地方起名叫毗努伊勒（就是 神之面的意思），意思说：“我面对面见了 神，我的性命仍得保全。” 日头刚出来的时候，雅各经过毗努伊勒，他的大腿就瘸了。故此，以色列人不吃大腿窝的筋，直到今日，因为那人摸了雅各大腿窝的筋。
创世记 32:22-32 和合本
What was Jacob fighting for? Maybe he was fighting for his own way. He had fought for everything he had: his birthright, his blessing, his wives and flocks. He had to struggle in every area of his life and this was how he faced everything. So now he was going to struggle with God.
雅各为什么竭力而战呢？也许，他为了自己的行事方式而战。他早已为了他拥有的一切而奋斗过了：他的长子权，他的祝福，他的妻子和所拥有的牲畜。之前，他不得不为了生命中的每个方面而奋斗，这也是他之前面对任何事的方法。所以，现在他要跟 神摔跤。
Was Jacob really so powerful he could fight God? In the end God subdued Jacob by touching his hip. God is so powerful, all He has to do is reach out and touch your hip and you fall to the ground.
雅各真的强大到能跟 神摔跤吗？最后， 神摸了雅各的大腿窝，胜过了他。神如此强大，他只需伸出手摸一下你的大腿窝，你就扑倒在地上了。
How do we struggle with God? Most often it is in the area of our own will. We struggle because we want:
- Our own will
- Our own rights
- Our own dreams
- Our own plans
- Our own pleasures
我们是怎么跟 神摔跤的呢？很多时候，我们为了自己的意志跟 神摔跤。我们跟 神争，因为想要：
- 我们自己的意愿
- 我们自己的权利
- 我们自己的梦想
- 我们自己的计划
- 我们自己的享乐
What are some thoughts and goals in your will you try to hold onto, but in the end you struggle with God?
对于你而言，什么想法和目标是你紧紧抓着，最后跟 神摔跤呢？
Jesus Wrestles
耶稣的挣扎
Jesus also had this struggle with God. One of Jesus’ finest moments was the night before He was crucified. He was praying in the Garden with His disciples. Jesus knew He was about to be arrested, He knew He was about to be killed. Jesus went to pray with his closest friends. His friends fell asleep and now Jesus was alone with His Father. He prayed:
耶稣跟 神之间也有过“摔跤”。对耶稣来说，最可怕的时刻之一是祂被钉死之前的那个晚上。祂在客西马尼园跟他的门徒一起祷告。耶稣知道自己将被捉拿，而且将被杀害。祂和最亲密的朋友们去祷告。朋友们睡着了，耶稣一个人跟祂的天父独处，祂祷告。
“He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with Him, and He began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then He said to them, ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.’ Going a little farther, He fell with His face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.’”
Matthew 26:37-39 NIV
“于是带着彼得和西庇太的两个儿子同去，就忧愁起来，极其难过，便对他们说：我心里甚是忧伤，几乎要死；你们在这里等候，和我一同儆醒。他就稍往前走，俯伏在地，祷告说：‘我父阿，倘若可行，求你叫这杯离开我。然而，不要照我的意思，只要照你的意思。’”
马太福音 26:37-39
Jesus in His humanness did not want to face a painful death on the cross. He asked God three times to take this cup away from Him. Finally in the end Jesus laid down His own will and took up God’s will for His life and for the world. At that moment Jesus overcame and was so powerful. He was able to face the Crucifixion.
道成肉身的耶稣不想面对十字架上痛苦的死亡。祂三次求 神将这杯从祂身上挪去。终于，最后，耶稣放下祂自己的意愿，背负起 神对祂的生命和整个世界的旨意。在那一刻，耶稣得胜了，非常有力量，能够面对十字架的刑罚。
Overcomers
得胜者
We also can overcome. When our will crosses God’s will this is when we wrestle with God. And this is where we must submit our lives to Him. To die to ourselves, to follow His way and not our own. It is hard, but He will help us. Surrendering requires us to submit every area of our life to Him. The sooner we submit, the easier life will be. Jacob wrestled with God all night long. He lost sleep and in the end he had a limp. But he came out as victorious. His fear was gone, he could face Esau and return to the Promised Land to raise his family.
我们也可以得胜。当我们的意愿和 神的意愿交错时——正是我们在跟 神摔跤。也就是在这个方面，我们一定要顺服于祂。向自己死，跟随祂的道路，而不是我们自己的。要做到这一点很难，但是祂会帮助我们。这需要我们生命的每个方面都顺服于 神。你越早顺服，就越容易。整个晚上，雅各在与 神摔跤，他彻夜未眠，并且最后，他的大腿瘸了。但是他得胜了，他的恐惧消失了，他可以面对以扫，回到应许之地，兴起他的家族。
The Promised Land was where God wanted Jacob to be. Fear of his brother, Esau, kept Jacob out of the Promised Land, but now he was back. Through prayer, action and submitting to God, Jacob overcame the fear and lived in the land promised by God.
神要雅各去应许之地。因着对哥哥以扫的恐惧，雅各没有去那里。但是现在他回来了。通过祷告，行动，顺服于神，雅各胜过了恐惧，住在 神给他的应许之地。
Jacob stood on the promises of God. He remembered what God had promised to him, and Jacob has now made God his own God. No longer just the God of Jacob’s fathers, He is now Jacob’s God.
雅各站立在 神的应许上。他记得 神对他应许了什么，而且现在，雅各使 神成为了他自己的 神，不再仅是雅各列祖的 神，现在也是雅各的 神。
