Article #50 the series: You Are God’s Masterpiece: The Genesis Notes
你是神的杰作:《创世记手记》系列第五十
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Have you experienced the power of forgiveness?
你曾经历过饶恕的大能吗？
“When Jacob had finished giving instructions to his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed, breathed his last and was gathered to his people.”
Genesis 49:33 NIV
雅各嘱咐众子已毕，就把脚收在床上，气绝而死，归他列祖那里去了。
创世记49:33
The Promised Land Passed on From Jacob
应许从雅各传承下去
Jacob has died. The man God named “Israel.” The man the future land of Israel was going to be named after. He is dead and his sons dutifully bring his dead body to the Promised Land. The land God specifically promised to give to Jacob. Only in his death was he firmly planted in Israel. Does this seem fair? Did God not come through with His promise?
雅各去世了。神给这人起名叫“以色列”。将来的以色列国 会以此来命名。他死后，他的儿子们尽职尽责地将他的尸体带到了应许之地。就是神明确应许 要赐给雅各的土地。只有当他去世时，他才得以牢牢地扎根在以色列这片土地上。这看起来公平吗？神是不是没有遵守祂的承诺？
Joseph threw himself on his father and wept over him and kissed him. Then Joseph directed the physicians in his service to embalm his father Israel. So the physicians embalmed him, taking a full forty days, for that was the time required for embalming. And the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days. When the days of mourning had passed, Joseph said to Pharaoh’s court, “If I have found favor in your eyes, speak to Pharaoh for me. Tell him, ‘My father made me swear an oath and said, “I am about to die; bury me in the tomb I dug for myself in the land of Canaan.” Now let me go up and bury my father; then I will return.’ ” Pharaoh said, “Go up and bury your father, as he made you swear to do.” So Joseph went up to bury his father. All Pharaoh’s officials accompanied him—the dignitaries of his court and all the dignitaries of Egypt— besides all the members of Joseph’s household and his brothers and those belonging to his father’s household. Only their children and their flocks and herds were left in Goshen. Chariots and horsemen also went up with him. It was a very large company. When they reached the threshing floor of Atad, near the Jordan, they lamented loudly and bitterly; and there Joseph observed a seven-day period of mourning for his father. When the Canaanites who lived there saw the mourning at the threshing floor of Atad, they said, “The Egyptians are holding a solemn ceremony of mourning.” That is why that place near the Jordan is called Abel Mizraim. So Jacob’s sons did as he had commanded them: They carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre, which Abraham had bought along with the field as a burial place from Ephron the Hittite. After burying his father, Joseph returned to Egypt, together with his brothers and all the others who had gone with him to bury his father.
Genesis 50:1-14 NIV
约瑟伏在他父亲的面上哀哭，与他亲嘴。约瑟吩咐伺候他的医生，用香料薰他父亲，医生就用香料薰了以色列。薰尸的常例是四十天，那四十天满了，埃及人为他哀哭了七十天。为他哀哭的日子过了，约瑟对法老家中的人说：“我若在你们眼前蒙恩，请你们报告法老说：我父亲要死的时候叫我起誓说：你要将我葬在迦南地，在我为自己所掘的坟墓里。现在求你让我上去葬我父亲，以后我必回来。’”法老说：“你可以上去，照着你父亲叫你起的誓，将他葬埋。”于是约瑟上去葬他父亲。与他一同上去的，有法老的臣仆和法老家中的长老，并埃及国的长老，还有约瑟的全家和他的弟兄们，并他父亲的眷属；只有他们的妇人孩子，和羊群、牛群，都留在歌姗地；又有车辆马兵，和他一同上去。那一帮人甚多。他们到了约旦河外，亚达的禾场，就在那里大大地号咷痛哭。约瑟为他父亲哀哭了七天。迦南的居民见亚达禾场上的哀哭，就说：“这是埃及人一场极大的哀哭。”因此那地方名叫亚伯麦西，是在约旦河东。雅各的儿子们就遵着他父亲所吩咐的办了，把他搬到迦南地，葬在幔利前、麦比拉田间的洞里。那洞 和田是亚伯拉罕向赫人以弗伦买来为业，作坟地的。约瑟葬了他父亲以后，就和众弟兄，并一切同他上去葬他父亲的人，都回埃及去了。
创世记50:1-14
Jacob knew his life was not just about himself. It was about the future generations to come. He knew the promise God gave him was first given to Abraham. Then to Isaac. And now Jacob was to pass the promise on to his sons. So even though he died in Egypt, he died knowing his sons now would carry on the promise. The hope of God’s future plan for the nation of Israel, God’s chosen people.
雅各知道他的生命并不仅限于他自己，还关乎后代。他知道 神给他的应许最先是给亚伯拉罕的，然后传给以撒。现在雅各将这个应许传承给了他的儿子们，因此，尽管他死在埃及，他也知道儿子们会继续传承这个应许。这是神对以色列国，神所拣选的子民所定的未来计划的希望。
The Brothers Finally Reconciled
弟兄们 终于和解
Now Jacob is gone. How is his family doing? Joseph and his brothers had some hard times together. Some major problems, but here at the end of Genesis we are finally going to have a happy ending. Finally Joseph and his brothers are properly reconciled.
现在，雅各已经去世。他的家人会怎么样？约瑟和他的弟兄们曾度过了一段艰难的日子。发生了一些重大问题，但在创世记的最后，我们会有一个圆满的结局。最终，约瑟和他的弟兄们和好了。
Finally? Wait. What about chapter 45? Wasn’t everything taken care of then when Joseph revealed himself to his brothers in Egypt? They cried and hugged and kissed. Wasn’t that enough? They still have more work to do on their relationship? I thought they had already worked things out and they were now one big happy family? No. Not yet.
最终？等一等。第四十五章讲了什么呢？当约瑟在埃及向兄弟们表明自己的身份时，不是所有事情都得到了解决吗？他们哭着相拥和亲嘴。这些还不够吗？他们的关系中还有问题要处理吗？我以为他们已经解决了所有问题，成了一个幸福的大家庭？不，还没有。
Joseph’s Act of Forgiveness
约瑟的饶恕之举
In Genesis chapter 45 we saw a powerful scene of mercy and forgiveness. Do you remember when Joseph revealed himself to his brothers? He was weeping and they were terrified. They were so afraid because they knew they had done some terrible actions to him. They hated him, plotted to murder him and then sold him as a slave. For 22 years they carried the guilt and shame of those actions and then finally they met Joseph face to face, but by then he was ruler over Egypt. They were terrified. Joseph could have had them all killed or sent to jail, and he could have justified it. But he did the opposite. He welcomed them into his home. He provided everything they needed. He hugged and kissed them and received his family. He forgave them. But this was only the first step in the reconciliation of the brothers.
在创世记第四十五章中，我们看到了一个满有怜悯与饶恕的场景。你还记得约瑟向弟兄们表明身份吗？他哭了，弟兄们吓坏了！他们非常害怕，因为他们知道自己曾经对约瑟做了一些很可怕的事。他们曾经恨他，策划谋杀他，后来把他卖为奴隶。二十二年来，他们都对这一行为感到愧疚和羞愧，直到最后他们亲眼见到了约瑟，但那时约瑟已经成为了埃及的统治者。弟兄们吓坏了！约瑟本可以将他们全部杀死或送进监狱，他本可以为自己伸张正义。但他没有那么做，相反，他欢迎弟兄们来到他的家，为他们提供所需要的一切，他拥抱并亲吻他们，还接待了整个家族。他原谅了他们。但这只是弟兄们和解的第一步。
The Wound Was Still There
伤口仍在
For many years the brothers lived with Joseph in Egypt. But even many years later there was still a wound between the brothers and Joseph. They had never properly reconciled. So when Jacob died the brothers were afraid. They had depended on Jacob to make sure everything was okay, but when he died everything changed. It is true, often times at funerals you see some deep emotions coming out. Maybe this has happened in your family, too. When someone dies old wounds can surface. Maybe Joseph’s brothers thought Joseph was being kind to them only because of Jacob. But now Jacob was gone. What was going to happen? To protect themselves they passed a message to Joseph.
多年来，这些兄弟们一直和约瑟同住在埃及。即使多年以后，兄弟们和约瑟之间的关系仍然存有伤口。他们从未妥善的和解过。所以当雅各去世时，兄弟们都很害怕。他们曾经依靠雅各来维系一切安好的表象，但是当雅各去世时，一切都改变了。的确，通常在葬礼上你会看到一些深藏的情感涌现出来。也许这也曾在你家中出现过，当有人去世时，旧的伤口可能会浮出水面。也许约瑟的兄弟们认为 约瑟只是看在雅各的面子上对他们很好。但现在雅各已经去世了。会发生什么事呢？于是，为了自保，他们打发人给约瑟传话。
“When Joseph’s brothers saw their father was dead, they said, ‘What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?’ So they sent word to Joseph, saying, ‘Your father left these instructions before he died: “This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.” Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.’ When their message came to him, Joseph wept. His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said.
Genesis 50:15-18 NIV
约瑟的哥哥们见父亲死了，就说：‘或者约瑟怀恨我们，照着我们从前待他一切的恶，足足地报复我们。’他们就打发人去见约瑟说：‘你父亲未死以先吩咐说：“你们要对约瑟这样说：‘从前你哥哥们恶待你，求你饶恕他们的过犯和罪恶。”如今求你饶恕你父亲 神之仆人的过犯。’他们对约瑟说这话，约瑟就哭了。他的哥哥们又来俯伏在他面前，说：“我们是你的仆人。”
创世记50:15-18
After all these years, why do you think they still were afraid of Joseph?
经过这么多年，为什么他们仍然害怕约瑟呢？
Looking back, when Joseph revealed himself to his brothers and he welcomed them to live in Egypt, he forgave them. Through his words and actions he extended forgiveness. But did the brothers ever acknowledge their sin and ask him to forgive them?
回想一下，当约瑟向他的弟兄们表明自己身份时，他欢迎他们入住埃及。他饶恕了他们。他用他的言行，表达了对弟兄们的饶恕。但弟兄们是否承认了他们的罪并请求约瑟饶恕他们呢？
The First Use Of the Word “Forgive”
饶恕：被初次使用的词
Genesis chapter 50 is the first time the word “forgive” is used in the Bible. Even though these brothers lived for many years in Egypt with Joseph, they had never confessed their sin to him and asked his forgiveness. They were not fully reconciled. And because of this, they still had fear and shame when thinking about Joseph.
创世记第五十章是圣经中第一次使用“饶恕”这个词。即使这些兄弟们与约瑟在埃及同住多年，也从未向他承认过他们的罪，并请求他饶恕。他们没有完全和解。因此，想到约瑟时，他们仍然感到恐惧和羞愧。
In the final chapter of Genesis they used the words “sin” and “forgive.” They acknowledged their actions so many years ago – hating him, wanting to murder him, selling him as a slave – were sinful. And they very clearly and with true hearts asked for his forgiveness. They bowed down in front of him and said they were his slaves. We know Joseph forgave them.
在创世记的最后一章中，他们使用了“过犯”和“饶恕”这两个词。他们承认自己多年前的行为 – 仇恨约瑟，想谋杀他并将他卖为奴隶 – 是有罪的。而且他们非常明确的，真诚的请求他的原谅。他们在约瑟面前鞠躬，说自己是他的仆人！我们知道约瑟饶恕了他们。
Reconciliation Has Two Sides
双方才能和解
For true reconciliation to take place between two people there has to be two sides coming together. Joseph had done his part many years ago. He really did forgive them. But the brothers never really did their part. They never truly confessed their sin and asked Joseph to forgive them. Finally, here at the end of the story, they do. After many years, they finally ask Joseph to forgive them for hating him, plotting his murder and selling him as a slave. Their asking forgiveness was a key to set them free from the fear, guilt and shame they had carried for most of their lives.
真正的和解要在两个人之间进行，和解的双方需要走到一起。约瑟多年前已经完成了他一方的职责，他真的饶恕了他们。但弟兄们从来没有尽到自己的责任-他们从来没有真正承认自己的罪过，并请约瑟原谅他们。最后，在故事的结尾，他们终于这么做了。多年后，他们终于请求约瑟原谅他们曾经憎恨他，策划谋杀他，将他卖为奴隶的罪行。他们请求饶恕的举措是让他们走出恐惧、内疚和羞愧的关键。
Forgiveness Is Powerful
饶恕是强而有力的
Forgiveness is incredibly powerful. We have experienced God’s forgiveness. What freedom it is to know God will not hold our sins against us! We are washed clean. What if we could also experience freedom in our relationships with family, friends and coworkers? Have you ever asked someone to forgive you? What happened?
饶恕是非常有力量的。我们经历了 神的饶恕——知道 神不会再追讨我们的罪，这是何等的自由啊！我们被完全洁净了！如果我们也能在与家人、朋友和同事的关系中体验到这种自由，又会如何呢？你曾经请求过别人对你的饶恕吗？然后发生了什么事?
In Genesis 45 Joseph is an example of what Jesus has done for us.
在创世记四十五章，约瑟示范了耶稣为我们所作的一切。
Joseph says to his brothers: “Come close to me, I am Joseph who sold you. It was to save lives. I will provide for my family, tell my father.”
约瑟对他弟兄们说:“请你们近前来，我是你们卖掉的约瑟。为了保全生命。我要奉养家人，去告诉我父亲。”
Jesus says to us: “Come close to me, I am Jesus who was killed for your sin. It was to save your life. I will provide for you, tell the whole world.”
耶稣对我们说:“ 到我这里来，我就是为你们的罪而被杀的耶稣。为了拯救你们的生命。我会供应你的所需，去告诉全世界。”
Let’s connect this example to Genesis 50. By Genesis 50 the brothers still did not have a right relationship with their brother because they had not yet asked for forgiveness. Joseph had offered forgiveness, but they had not confessed their sin and repented. Jesus has done the same for us.
让我们把这个例子与创世记第五十章关联起来。直到创世记第五十章，兄弟们和约瑟仍然没有处于一种正确的关系状态-因为他们还没有请求饶恕。约瑟已经给予了饶恕，但是他们却没有承认自己的罪并悔改。耶稣也为我们做了同样的事。
“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8 NIV
“惟有基督在我们还作罪人的时候为我们死， 神的爱就在此向我们显明了。”
罗马书5:8
Even while we were still sinners, Jesus offered the gift of forgiveness. Have we accepted? Have we confessed our sin to Him, asked for the gift and received? The sad truth is there are some people like Joseph’s brothers. Some who call themselves Christians, they know about what Jesus has done, but they never admit their sin, repent and ask for forgiveness. They do not experience the true relationship we can have with God through the forgiveness of sins. Joseph’s brothers did not have a truly reconciled relationship with him until they confessed their sin and asked for forgiveness.
即便当我们还是罪人的时候，耶稣也给了我们饶恕的礼物。我们接受了吗？我们是否向祂认罪，祈求这份礼物并得到了吗？可悲的事实是，有一些人像约瑟的兄弟一样。有些人自称基督徒，他们知道耶稣所做的事，但他们从不认罪，悔改并请求饶恕。他们没有经历过藉着罪得赦免我们能与神建立的真实关系。在他们认罪，并请求饶恕之前，约瑟的兄弟们和约瑟的关系并没有真正和解。
I heard about a friend’s father who died. This man lived his whole life in the church. He raised a Christian family and his children sincerely followed Jesus. But not until the man’s last few months of life when his own children came to him and shared the gospel so clearly did their father finally repent and receive the gift of forgiveness. He had lived his life in the church without being reconciled with God – until the very end. The good news was that by the time of his death he had been reconciled with God.
最近，我听说一个朋友的父亲去世了。这个人一辈子都住在教堂里。他养育了一个基督徒家庭，他的孩子们真诚地跟随耶稣。但直到他生命的最后几个月，他的孩子们才来到他身边，清楚的跟他分享福音，最终他为自己的罪忏悔，并得到了饶恕。他一辈子生活在教堂里，却没有与 神和解-直到生命的最后时刻。好消息是，到他临终一刻，他终于与 神和解了。
Have you been reconciled with God? Have you confessed your sins and received His gift of forgiveness?
你与 神和解了吗？你是否认罪并得到了祂的饶恕？
Joseph’s Response
约瑟的回应
But Joseph said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid, I will provide for you and your children.’ And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.
Genesis 50:19-21 NIV
“约瑟对他们说，‘不要害怕，我岂能代替 神呢？从前你们的意思是要害我，但 神的意思原是好的，要保全许多人的性命，成就今日的光景。现在你们不要害怕，我必养活你们和你们的妇人孩子。’于是约瑟用亲爱的话安慰他们。”
创世记50:19-21
Joseph had an incredible perspective. He was able to see past the bad things which happened to him, he could look far beyond and see things from God’s point of view. He was not bitter or unforgiving. Because he walked with God, he saw what God saw. He saw God’s bigger plan.
约瑟有着不可思议的视角。他能够看透发生在自己身上糟糕的事情，他能从 神的角度看到更高远的事情。他既不怨恨，也不记仇。因为他与 神同行，他看到了 神所看到的。他看到了 神更大的计划。
Even though Joseph suffered, he saw far beyond the suffering. He was able to forgive his brothers. He focused on the God who intended to bring good to Joseph. He did not focus on those who intended to harm him.
即使约瑟受苦，他也能超越苦难去看事情本身。他能够原谅他的兄弟们。他聚焦于那位定意给约瑟带来好处的 神，而不是那些想要伤害他的人。
The fact remained he had been unjustly treated. The situation was not going to change. Joseph had a choice:
事实是他受到了不公正的对待。这是不会改变的。但是约瑟可以选择：
Focus on those who intended to harm him
定睛在那些想要伤害他的人
Or
或者
Focus on God who intended it for good
定睛在给约瑟带来好处的 神
Joseph Rose Above His Circumstances
约瑟摆脱了他的处境
Because Joseph could rise above his circumstances and move forward with God, he saved the whole world from a famine. He was also given the special blessing of being returned to his family and became the provider for his family. Joseph was an overcomer.
因为约瑟能够摆脱他的处境，与 神一起向前迈进，他从饥荒中拯救了这个世界。他还得到了特别的祝福，回归家庭，并成为整个家族的供应者。约瑟是个得胜者！
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28 NIV
“我们晓得万事都互相效力，叫爱 神的人得益处，就是按他旨意被召的人。”
罗马书 8:28
As we purpose to trust in God and follow Him wherever He takes us, we must believe He will work for our good. Joseph trusted God and he believed God would work for good in his life despite the suffering. Joseph did not give in to self-pity. He did not blame others for his problems. He did not give up because everything seemed against him. Because he trusted in God, Joseph could keep going. He followed God closely, he did not do things for his own glory or pleasure, but to serve and honor God. He had opportunities for riches and pleasure, but he gave it all up for serving God. And God intended good for Joseph’s life.
当我们决心信靠神并跟随祂，无论祂带我们去哪里，我们必须相信祂会为我们的益处而作工。约瑟相信神，他相信神会在他生命中为他做善工。约瑟夫没有屈服于自怜。他不会因为自己的问题而责怪别人。他没有因为一切看似对他不利而放弃。因为他相信神，约瑟可以继续前进。他紧紧跟随神，他做事不是为了自己的荣耀，而是为了事奉和荣耀神。他有获得财富和快乐的机会，但他为了事奉神而放弃了这些机会。神让约瑟的生命得益处。
Jesus Can Bring Victory
耶稣能带来得胜
There may be difficult circumstances in your life; circumstances out of your control. Maybe your parents did not give you the love and stability you needed as a child. Maybe a family member hurt you. Maybe someone cheated you. There are many difficult things in this life. Is God able to bring something good out of your terrible circumstance? God still cares that you were hurt. He wants to heal you and comfort you and He wants to do even more. He wants to lift you up in victory. Do not let the wicked circumstances in this world be the winner. Through Jesus Christ you can overcome and stand in victory exactly like Joseph.
在你的生活中可能会有困难的情形。有一些你无法掌控的事情。也许你的父母没有给你作为一个孩子所需要的爱和稳定；也许是某个家人伤害了你；也许有人欺骗了你。在一生中会有许多困难的事情， 神会给你你糟糕的环境带来益处吗？神仍然在乎你受伤了，祂想医治你，安慰你，祂甚至想做更多。祂想把你高举在胜利中！不要让这个世界上败坏的环境得逞！借着耶稣基督，你可以像约瑟一样屹立在得胜中！
Is there an area in your life today where you need God’s victory? How can you overcome bitterness and self-pity?
今天，在你生命的某个领域里，你需要 神的胜利吗？你怎样才能克服怨恨和自怜？
Death In Egypt, Hope In The Promised Land
死在埃及，应许之地的希望
“Joseph stayed in Egypt, along with all his father’s family. He lived a hundred and ten years and saw the third generation of Ephraim’s children. Also the children of Makir son of Manasseh were placed at birth on Joseph’s knees. Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die. But God will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” And Joseph made the Israelites swear an oath and said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.” So Joseph died at the age of a hundred and ten. And after they embalmed him, he was placed in a coffin in Egypt.”
Genesis 50:22-26 NIV
约瑟和他父亲的着属都住在埃及。约瑟活了一百一十岁。约瑟得见以法莲第三代的子孙；玛拿西的孙子、玛吉的儿子也养在约瑟的膝上。约瑟对他弟兄们说：“我要死了，但神必定看顾你们，领你们从这地上去，到他起誓所应许给亚伯拉罕、以撒、雅各之地。”约瑟叫以色列的子孙起誓说：“神必定看顾你们，你们要把我的骸骨从这里搬上去。”约瑟死了，正一百一十岁。人用香料将他薰了，把他收殓在棺材里，停在埃及。
创世记50:22-26
Joseph remained in Egypt after Jacob’s death, and he continued to be fruitful, but he always longed for God’s promise: the Promised Land. So Joseph keeps his eyes on God’s bigger plan for his family. God’s promises for his life and generations to come. Just like his fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Joseph looked with eyes of faith to all that was to come.
约瑟在雅各死后仍然留在埃及，他继续繁盛，但他一直渴望 神的应许：应许之地。所以约瑟一直定睛在 神对他家族的更大计划上。神对他的生命和后代的应许。就像他的列祖亚伯拉罕、以撒和雅各一样，约瑟对即将到来的一切都充满信心。
To finish the book of Genesis we will read a summary written in the New Testament.
为了结束创世记这本书，我们将阅读新约中的一篇摘要。
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith. By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones.
Hebrews 11:1-22 NIV
信就是所望之事的实底，是未见之事的确据。古人在这信上得了美好的证据。我们因着信，就知道诸世界是藉神话造成的，这样，所看见的，并不是从显然之物造出来的。亚伯因着信，献祭与神，比该隐所献的更美，因此便得了称义的见证，就是神指他礼物作的见证。他虽然死了，却因这信，仍旧说话。以诺因着信，被接去，不至于见死，人也找不着他，因为神已经把他接去了。只是他被接去以先，已经得了神喜悦他的明证。人非有信，就不能得神的喜悦；因为到神面前来的人，必须信有神，且信他赏赐那寻求他的人。挪亚因着信，既蒙神指示他未见的事，动了敬畏的心，预备了一只方舟，使他全家得救。因此就定了那世代的罪，自己也承受了那从信而来的义。亚伯拉罕因着信，蒙召的时候，就遵命出去，往将来要得为业的地方去；出去的时候，还不知往哪里去。他因着信，就在所应许之地作客，好像在异地居住帐棚，与那同蒙一个应许的以撒、雅各一样。因为他等候那座有根基的城，就是神所经营、所建造的。因着信，连撒拉自己，虽然过了生育的岁数，还能怀孕，因她以为那应许她的是可信的。所以从一个仿佛已死的人就生出子孙，如同天上的星那样众多，海边的沙那样无数。这些人都是存着信心死的，并没有得着所应许的，却从远处望见，且欢喜迎接，又承认自己在世上是客旅，是寄居的。说这样话的人，是表明自己要找一个家乡。他们若想念所离开的家乡，还有可以回去的机会。他们却羡慕一个更美的家乡，就是在天上的。所以神被称为他们的神，并不以为耻，因为他已经给他们预备了一座城。亚伯拉罕因着信，被试验的时候，就把以撒献上；这便是那欢喜领受应许的，将自己独生的儿子献上。论到这儿子，曾有话说：“从以撒生的才要称为你的后裔。”他以为神还能叫人从死里复活，他也仿佛从死中得回他的儿子来。以撒因着信，就指着将来的事给雅各，以扫祝福。雅各因着信，临死的时候，给约瑟的两个儿子各自祝福，扶着杖头敬拜神。约瑟因着信，临终的时候，提到以色列族将来要出埃及，并为自己的骸骨留下遗命。
希伯来书11:1-22
A Story of Faith
信心的故事
Genesis is a book full of incredible stories of people having faith to follow God into an unknown future. The incredible faith of these characters (who now seem like ancient friends) had in the mist of their own failings, suffering and waiting, encourages us that we too can be a people of faith.
《创世记》一书中充满了精彩的故事，讲述了有信心的人们跟随 神迎战未知的将来。这些人物（现在看起来就像我们在古代的朋友）在面对自己的失败、苦难和等待中所表现出的信心，鼓励着我们也可以成为有信心的子民。
We can see our own lives in the pages of Genesis. How God purposefully and beautifully created each one of us. We see our own weaknesses and mistakes and we see how God has given the gracious gift of forgiveness not only to our ancestors, but to us as well. With faith we too can continue our journey towards the Promised Land – our heavenly home.
我们在《创世记》的字里行间能看到自己的生活。神如何有目标地创造美丽的被造物—我们每一个人。我们看到自己的弱点和错误，也看到 神如何把饶恕的恩典不仅给到我们的祖先，也给了我们。借着信心，我们同样可以继续前行，去往应许之地 – 我们在天上的家。
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV
“我们既有这许多的见证人，如同云彩围着我们，就当放下各样的重担，脱去容易缠累我们的罪，存心忍耐，奔那摆在我们前头的路程，仰望为我们信心创始成终的耶稣。（或作仰望那将真道创始成终的耶稣）他因那摆在前面的喜乐，就轻看羞辱，忍受了十字架的苦难，便坐在 神宝座的右边。”
希伯来书 12:1-2
As we continue through this life of joy, sorrow, celebration, suffering, advancing and waiting, let us keep our eyes on Jesus and enjoy this journey with Him. You are God’s masterpiece, made anew in Christ Jesus so you can do the good things He planned for you long ago. You are made in God’s image, you are purposeful, you are forgiven, you are loved. Walk with Jesus and go and do the awesome thing God has made you to do. And then, some day we will join Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all those who have gone before us in our heavenly home with our Lord.
当我们经过生活里的喜乐、悲伤、欢庆、痛苦、前进和等待时，让我们定睛在耶稣身上，并与祂一起享受这段旅程。你是 神的杰作，在基督耶稣里被新造出来，使你可以去做祂在很久以前已交给你的善工。你是按照 神的形象造的，你是有目的的，你已被饶恕，你是被爱的。与耶稣同行，去做神差遣你去做的奇妙之事吧！然后，有一天，我们将与亚伯拉罕、以撒和雅各，以及所有比我们先去到天家与主同在的人们一起。
