The Big Moment || 重大时刻

Article #41 the series: You Are God’s Masterpiece: The Genesis Notes.
你是神的杰作:《创世记手记》系列第四十一

Still Waiting
还在等待

After correctly interpreting the cupbearer’s and baker’s dreams, Joseph began to wait. He had hope that the cupbearer would remember him in prison and bring his release.

正确地为酒政和膳长解梦之后，约瑟开始等待。他希望这位酒政会记得尚在监牢里的他，救他出监牢。

“But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison. I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.”
Genesis 40:14-15 NIV

 

“但你得好处的时候，求你记念我，施恩与我，在法老面前提说我，救我出这监牢。我实在是从希伯来人之地被拐来的，我在这里也没有做过甚么，叫他们把我下在监里。”
创世记40:14-15

Did the cupbearer help Joseph?

这位酒政帮助约瑟了吗？

“The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.”
Genesis 40:23 NIV

 

“酒政却不记念约瑟，竟忘了他。”
创世记40:23

Two Full Years
整整两年

Chapter 41 begins with a grim verse:

第四十一章以一个残酷无情的句子开始

“When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream … ”
Genesis 41:1a NIV

 

“过了两年，法老做梦。”
创世记41:1a

Two full years. If I was Joseph, I would wake up every morning thinking, “Today will be the day the cupbearer remembers me, maybe today I will go free.” Two years can be a long time especially if you are suffering in prison. Joseph’s waiting though is not uncommon. In fact, waiting is a common part of the Christian life.

整整两年！如果我是约瑟，每天早上醒来都会想：“也许今天酒政会记起我，也许今天我会得自由！”两年是很漫长的，特别是当你在监狱里受苦时！约瑟的等待也许并不少见。事实上，等待是基督徒生活中很常见的一部分。

Why must we wait for the things hoped for? There are several different reasons we wait:

我们为什么必须要等待那些所期盼的事呢？等待的原因有如下几个：

• We are not ready.
  我们还没有准备好。

• Others are not ready.
  其他人还没有准备好。

• The circumstances are not ready.
  环境还没有准备好。

• God’s time has not yet come.
  神的时间还没有到来。

In Joseph’s case, I believe all these reasons were true. For two years he waited because he was not ready, others were not ready, the circumstances were not ready and it was not yet God’s time. But finally Joseph’s moment came. And it was a big one.

在约瑟的故事中，我相信所有的这些理由都是真的。他等了2年，是因为他还没有准备好，
别人没有准备好，环境没有准备好，神的时间也还没有到。终于，约瑟的时刻到来了。还是个重大的时刻。

When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing by the Nile, when out of the river there came up seven cows, sleek and fat, and they grazed among the reeds. After them, seven other cows, ugly and gaunt, came up out of the Nile and stood beside those on the riverbank. And the cows that were ugly and gaunt ate up the seven sleek, fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up. He fell asleep again and had a second dream: Seven heads of grain, healthy and good, were growing on a single stalk. After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted—thin and scorched by the east wind. The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads. Then Pharaoh woke up; it had been a dream. In the morning his mind was troubled, so he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him.
Genesis 41:1-8 NIV

 

过了两年，法老做梦：梦见自己站在河边，有七只母牛从河里上来，又美好又肥壮，在芦荻中吃草。随后又有七只母牛从河里上来，又丑陋又干瘦，与那七只母牛一同站在河边。这又丑陋又干瘦的七只母牛吃尽了那又美好又肥壮的七只母牛。法老就醒了。他又睡着，第二回做梦：梦见一棵麦子长了七个穗子，又肥大又佳美。随后又长了七个穗子，又细弱又被东风吃焦了。这细弱的穗子吞了那七个又肥大又饱满的穗子。法老醒了，不料是个梦。到了早晨，法老心里不安，就差人召了埃及所有的术士和博士来；法老就把所做的梦告诉他们，却没有人能给法老圆解。
创世记41:1-8

Two Dreams
两个梦

Pharaoh’s dreams were very strong ones – powerful, so vivid he was troubled by them during the day. I often have dreams and I quickly forget them. But every once in a while I have a powerful dream and I know it is a spiritual dream and I should pay attention. In this case, Pharaoh paid attention and he wanted to know what they meant. He did everything in his power – he called all of the wisemen and spiritual leaders together – but no one knew the meaning. This must have been a really big deal in the palace because even the cupbearer heard about the confusing dreams. And it triggered a memory … Joseph.

法老的梦非常强烈，有力并且实在太生动了，白天他被这些梦所困扰。我也经常做梦，然后很快就把它们忘了。但每隔一段时间，我就会做一个强烈的梦，我知道这是一个属灵的梦，我应该留意。在这种情况下，法老注意到了，他想知道这些梦的意思。他尽其所能-召集了所有的智者和属灵领袖-但没有人知道其中的意义。这在王宫里一定是件大事，因为连酒政都听说这些令人费解的梦，而这让他想起了一个人……约瑟！

Cupbearer’s Memory
酒政的记忆

When the cupbearer remembered Joseph, how did he describe him to Pharaoh?
当酒政想起约瑟时，他是如何向法老描述他的？

Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “Today I am reminded of my shortcomings. Pharaoh was once angry with his servants, and he imprisoned me and the chief baker in the house of the captain of the guard. Each of us had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own. Now a young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. We told him our dreams, and he interpreted them for us, giving each man the interpretation of his dream. And things turned out exactly as he interpreted them to us: I was restored to my position, and the other man was impaled.”
Genesis 41:9-13 NIV

 

那时酒政对法老说：“我今日想起我的罪来。从前法老恼怒臣仆，把我和膳长下在护卫长府内的监里。我们二人同夜各做一梦，各梦都有讲解。在那里同着我们有一个希伯来的少年人，是护卫长的仆人，我们告诉他，他就把我们的梦圆解，是按着各人的梦圆解的。后来正如他给我们圆解的成就了：我官复原职；膳长被挂起来了。”
创世记41:9-13

The cupbearer did not call him a fellow prisoner, but a servant. This tells us the way the official cupbearer (a high official) viewed Joseph was not as a criminal, but as one who had a job, who worked and was trusted. Joseph did not let his circumstances get him down. Joseph lived in a prison, but he did not act like a prisoner. He rose above his surroundings. (Joseph described it as a dungeon so it was not a very nice place.) And when he worked hard, others took notice. Your circumstances might be difficult: hard job, difficult family life, financial strain, but you can rise above your circumstances just like Joseph. Just because you live in a hard place doesn’t mean you have to act like a prisoner.

酒政没有称他为囚犯，而称他为仆人。这告诉我们，这位酒政(高级官员)并没有把约瑟看为囚犯，而是一个做工、值得信任的人。约瑟没有被他所处的环境打倒。约瑟住在监牢里，但他不像一个囚犯。他超越了自己的处境(约瑟把它描述成一个监牢，所以它不是一个好地方！)，当他努力工作时，周围人都注意到了。你的处境也许很困难：艰苦的工作、艰难的家庭生活、经济的压力，但你可以像约瑟一样不受处境的影响。生活在一个艰难的环境里，但并不意味着必须表现得像个囚犯。

Are you living in a difficult situation? How can you rise above your circumstances like Joseph did and overcome hardship to do what God has called you to do?

你是否正生活在一个艰难的环境中呢？你怎样才能像约瑟那样超越自己的处境，克服困难，去做 神呼召你去做的事呢？

Pharaoh Called For Joseph
约瑟被召

So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh. Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”
Genesis 41:14-16 NIV

 

法老遂即差人去召约瑟，他们便急忙带他出监，他就剃头、刮脸、换衣裳，进到法老面前。法老对约瑟说：“我做了一梦，没有人能解，我听见人说，你听了梦就能解。”约瑟回答法老说：“这不在乎我，神必将平安的话回答法老。”
创世记41:14-16

What happens next happened very quickly. This was not a slow process. As soon as the cupbearer told Pharaoh about Joseph, Pharaoh called for him and quickly brought him out of the dungeon. But Joseph took a moment to get himself together. He did two things: 1. shaved and 2. changed his clothes. This is very practical advice. When you go to meet with someone show respect. This was not a prideful action Joseph did, but a respectful thing. Once again, Joseph was not going to act like a prisoner in front of Pharaoh (poor me, I’m a prisoner wrongly accused). He was going to look and act respectable and show honor to Pharaoh. He was ready to step up, move ahead, he is ready for his big moment. He wanted to get out of his prison clothes, let go of the past and move forward.

接下来发生的事情很快。这不是一个缓慢的过程。酒政刚刚将约瑟的事禀告法老，法老遂即差人去召他，带他出监。但约瑟过了一会儿才回过神来。他做了两件事：1. 剃头刮脸 ；2. 换衣服。这是非常实用的建议，当你去面见某人时，要表现出尊重。约瑟这么做并不是出于傲慢，而是表达尊敬的一个方式。又一次，约瑟不想在法老面前表现得像个囚犯 (不是那种“一个可怜的我，一个被错误地指控的囚犯”的样子)，他要表现出对法老的尊敬。他已经准备好向前走，他已经准备好迎接他生命中的重大时刻。他想脱下囚服，放下过去，迈步向前。

Pharaoh Asks Joseph to Interpret
法老请约瑟解梦

Pharaoh is giving Joseph his big glorious moment. Did Joseph have flashbacks to when he was 17 and had dreams about his family bowing down before him? Now Joseph is standing before the most powerful man in the world and that man is asking Joseph for help.

法老正给予约瑟他那伟大的荣耀时刻。约瑟是否回想起他十七岁的时候，梦到他的家人在他面前俯伏下拜呢？现在，约瑟站在世界上最有权势的人面前-而那人正在向约瑟求援！

When Pharaoh asks Joseph to interpret the dream, how does Joseph answer?

当法老请约瑟为他解梦时，约瑟是如何回答的？

Joseph’s Transformation
约瑟的蜕变

Let’s look back over Joseph’s life as a dream interpreter. How did he communicate about dreams in the past?

让我们回顾一下约瑟为人解梦的一生。过去，他是如何与人谈论所做的梦？

• Age 17 – 17岁

“He said to them, ‘Listen to this dream I had: We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.’ ‘Listen,’ he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.’”
Genesis 37:6-7,9

 

“约瑟对他们说：‘请听我所做的梦：我们在田里捆禾稼，我的捆起来站着，你们的捆来围着我的捆下拜。’” “看哪！我又做了一梦，梦见太阳、月亮与十一个星向我下拜。”
创世记37:6-7,9

• Age 28 – 28岁

“Then Joseph said to them, ‘Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.’”
Genesis 40:8

 

约瑟说：“解梦不是出于 神吗？请你们将梦告诉我。”
创世记40:8

• Age 30 – 30岁

“I cannot do it. But God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”
Genesis 41:16

 

约瑟回答法老说：“这不在乎我，神必将平安的话回答法老。”
创世记 41:16

Over the years, how does Joseph change in his attitude about interpreting dreams?
多年来，约瑟是如何改变解梦的态度？

At age 17 the dreams and everything was all about Joseph. “Listen!” he commanded them and everything was “I, mine and me.” At age 28 he acknowledged God would interpret dreams, but then he said “Tell me.” There was a little bit of Joseph still in there. But at age 30 Joseph does not even consider himself. He says he cannot do it and he removes himself from the conversation. “God will give Pharaoh the answer.” There is no “me, my or I” anywhere to be found. Joseph is a changed man. Though he is experienced and skilled, he totally removes himself and puts God at the center.

十七岁的时候，所有的梦 所有的事 都是关于约瑟的。“听着！”他命令他们，一切都是“我，和我的”。二十八岁的时候，他承认解梦是出于神，但接着他说“告诉我”，这时还有约瑟的一点自我在里面。在三十岁的时候，约瑟甚至完全不考虑自己了。他说他不能解梦，他把自己从谈话中移开：“ 神必将回答法老。”任何地方都找不到“我”或者“我的”。约瑟改变了。虽然他经验丰富，技能娴熟，但他完全移去了自己，以 神为中心。

What do you think has brought Joseph’s transformation?

你认为是什么改变了约瑟？

The Dreams
梦

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile, when out of the river there came up seven cows, fat and sleek, and they grazed among the reeds. After them, seven other cows came up—scrawny and very ugly and lean. I had never seen such ugly cows in all the land of Egypt. The lean, ugly cows ate up the seven fat cows that came up first. But even after they ate them, no one could tell that they had done so; they looked just as ugly as before. Then I woke up. “In my dream I saw seven heads of grain, full and good, growing on a single stalk. After them, seven other heads sprouted—withered and thin and scorched by the east wind. The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven good heads. I told this to the magicians, but none of them could explain it to me.” Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads of grain are seven years; it is one and the same dream. The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterward are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind: They are seven years of famine. “It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land. The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe. The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon. “And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.”
Genesis 41:17-36 NIV

 

法老对约瑟说：“我梦见我站在河边，有七只母牛从河里上来，又肥壮又美好，在芦荻中吃草。随后又有七只母牛上来，又软弱又丑陋又干瘦，在埃及遍地，我没有见过这样不好的。这又干瘦又丑陋的母牛吃尽了那以先的七只肥母牛，吃了以后却看不出是吃了，那丑陋的样子仍旧和先前一样。我就醒了。我又梦见一棵麦子，长了七个穗子，又饱满又佳美，随后又长了七个穗子，枯槁细弱，被东风吹焦了。这些细弱的穗子吞了那七个佳美的穗子。我将这梦告诉了术士，却没有人能给我解说。“约瑟对法老说：”法老的梦乃是一个，神已将所要做的事指示法老了。七只好母牛是七年；七个好穗子也是七年。这梦乃是一个。那随后上来的七只又干瘦又丑陋的母牛是七年；那七个虚空、被东风吹焦的穗子也是七年，都是七个荒年。这就是我对法老所说，神已将所要做的事显明给法老了。埃及遍地必来七个大丰年；随后又要来七个荒年，甚至在埃及地都忘了先前的丰收，全地必被饥荒所灭。因那以后的饥荒甚大，便不觉得先前的丰收了。至于法老两回做梦，是因神命定这事，而且必速速成就。所以法老当拣选一个有聪明有智慧的人，派他治理埃及地。法老当这样行，又派官员管理这地。当七个丰年的时候，征收埃及地的五分之一，叫他们把将来丰年一切的粮食聚敛起来，积蓄五谷，收存在各城里作食物，归于法老的手下。所积蓄的粮食可以防备埃及地将来的七个荒年，免得这地被饥荒所灭。”
创世记41:17-36

Joseph’s Big Moment
约瑟的重大时刻

Joseph has become a humble man. He has put God at the center. But he does not sit down after he gives the interpretation. He does not quietly walk away. No, he launches into his second gifting: administration. He does not hold back, but boldly speaks to Pharaoh out of his experience, understanding and knowledge. Pharaoh doesn’t ask for this, but Joseph naturally unfolds a plan for the nation. It is how Joseph operates – he sees something that needs to be managed and he does it. He managed Potiphar’s home, he managed the prison, and now he is going to manage the most powerful nation on the earth, Egypt. This was what he was made for.

约瑟已经成为一个谦逊的人。他已经把 神放在了生命的中心。但在他解梦后，并没有坐下或安静地离开。他没这么做，而是启动了他的第二个恩赐：管理。他没有退缩，而是凭着经验、智慧和知识，大胆地对法老说话。法老并没有要求这些，但是约瑟自然而然地为这个国家提出了一个计划。这就是约瑟的运作方式-他看到了一些需要管理的东西，就去做。他管理过波提乏的家，管理过监狱，现在他又要管理世界上最强大的国家：埃及。这就是他被造的原因。

This was a simple and clear plan. Create an organizational chart with delegation: one leader with a team. Notice the leader mentioned was not Pharaoh. And then store one-fifth, a clear and precise measurement, of the grain. Joseph laid this plan out in four verses.

这是一个简单而明确的计划：授权组建一个有序的架构：由一个领导者带领一个团队。注意，这里提到的领导者不是法老。然后储存五分之一的粮食，清晰而精确的数量。约瑟用四节经文阐述了这个计划。

Two Gifts Come Together
两个恩赐的汇聚

Joseph is fully functioning in his two gifts. His dream interpretation and administration gifts are working together in an incredible way.

约瑟正在充分发挥他的两个恩赐。解梦和管理的恩赐正在不可思议地共同发挥作用。

• This is what is going to happen (dream interpretation)
  这就是将要发生的事情(解梦)

• This is what you need to do about it (administration)
  这就是你需要做的事情(管理)

We still have these types of people today. We call them visionaries. Pioneers. They can see what needs to be done and they can formulate a plan to get it done. These people cannot function alone – they need a team to do the work. Joseph had the vision and mission and now he asks for a team to work it out.

如今我们当中仍然有这些类型的人。我们称之为梦想家，先锋。他们可以看到需要做的事情，然后制定一个计划来完成它。这些人无法单独工作-他们需要一个团队来完成这项工作。约瑟有这种远见和使命，现在他要求组建一个团队来解决这件事。

Pharaoh’s Response
法老的回答

What was Pharaoh’s description of Joseph?

法老是如何描述约瑟的？

The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials. So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?” Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.” So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. He had him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, and people shouted before him, “Make way!” Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt. Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, but without your word no one will lift hand or foot in all Egypt.” Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneah and gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife. And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt.
Genesis 41:37-45 NIV

 

法老和他一切臣仆，都以这事为妙。法老对臣仆说：“像这样的人，有神的灵在他里头，我们岂能找得着呢？”法老对约瑟说：“神既将这事都指示你，可见没有人像你这样有聪明有智慧。你可以掌管我的家，我的民都必听从你的话，惟独在宝座上我比你大。”法老又对约瑟说：“我派你治理埃及全地。”法老就摘下手上打印的戒指，戴在约瑟的手上，给他穿上细麻衣，把金链戴在他的颈项上。又叫约瑟坐他的副车，喝道的在前呼叫说：“跪下！”这样，法老派他治理埃及全地。法老对约瑟说：“我是法老，在埃及全地，若没有你的命令，不许人擅自办事（注：原文作”动手动脚“）。法老赐名给约瑟，叫撒发那忒巴内亚，又将安城的祭司波提非拉的女儿亚西纳给他为妻。约瑟就出去巡行埃及地。
创世记41:37-45

Everything
一切

When Pharaoh observed Joseph had the spirit of God in him, he saw that he was discerning and wise. Pharaoh then did what everyone else had done. He did what Potiphar did, he did what the captain of the guard did: He gave Joseph everything.

法老看见有神的灵在约瑟里头，他有聪明有智慧。法老就做了一件其它人都做过的事情。他行了波提乏所行的，行护卫长所作的：把一切都交付给了约瑟。

Joseph’s Abundance
约瑟的富足

Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from Pharaoh’s presence and traveled throughout Egypt. During the seven years of abundance the land produced plentifully. Joseph collected all the food produced in those seven years of abundance in Egypt and stored it in the cities. In each city he put the food grown in the fields surrounding it. Joseph stored up huge quantities of grain, like the sand of the sea; it was so much that he stopped keeping records because it was beyond measure. Before the years of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, “It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” The second son he named Ephraim and said, “It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.” The seven years of abundance in Egypt came to an end, and the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in all the other lands, but in the whole land of Egypt there was food. When all Egypt began to feel the famine, the people cried to Pharaoh for food. Then Pharaoh told all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph and do what he tells you.” When the famine had spread over the whole country, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe throughout Egypt. And all the world came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe everywhere.
Genesis 41:46-57 NIV

 

约瑟见埃及王法老的时候年三十岁。他从法老面前出去遍行埃及全地。七个丰年之内，地的出产极丰极盛，约瑟聚敛埃及地七个丰年一切的粮食，把粮食积存在各城里；各城周围田地的粮食都积存在本城里。约瑟积蓄五谷甚多，如同海边的沙，无法计算，因为谷不可胜数。荒年未到以前。安城的祭司波提非拉的女儿亚西纳给约瑟生了两个儿子。约瑟给长子起名叫玛拿西，因为他说：“神使我忘 了一切的困苦和我父的全家。”他给次子起名叫以法莲，因为他说：“神使我在受苦的地方昌盛。”埃及地的七个丰年一完，七个荒年就来了，正如约瑟所说的，各地都有饥荒；惟独埃及全地有粮食。及至埃及全地有了饥荒，众民向法老哀求粮食，法老对他们说：“你们往约瑟那里去，凡他所说的你们都要做。”当时饥荒遍满天下，约瑟开了各处的仓粜粮给埃及人；在埃及地饥荒甚大。各地的人都往埃及去，到约瑟那里籴粮，因为天下的饥荒甚大。
创世记41:46-57

And in these seven years Joseph also experienced seven years of personal abundance. He became the second in command of all Egypt. He had the signet ring of Pharaoh which meant Joseph had authority and power to act. Joseph wore royal robes and jewelry and rode in a royal chariot (like the best car in town). He received a new name, a wife and had two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.

在这七年里，约瑟也经历了个人七年的富足。他成了全埃及位居第二的统治者，他有法老印章戒指，这意味着约瑟有权柄和力量来采取行动，他穿戴着皇家长袍和珠宝，坐着皇家战车(就像城里最好的车)。约瑟还有了一个新的名字，娶了妻，生了两个儿子：玛拿西，以法莲。

Joseph’s Sufferings Always Before Him
约瑟的痛苦总是摆在他面前

Joseph’s sufferings did not just disappear overnight. He gave his two sons important names which indicate though Joseph is now free and flourishing, he is still aware of his suffering. Manasseh means “forget” and Joseph said, “God has helped me forget my trouble and my father’s household.” Ephraim means “twice fruitful” and Joseph said he has been fruitful in the land of his suffering. Joseph was still suffering though.

约瑟的痛苦并不是一夜之间就消失了。他给他的儿子们起了很重要的名字，这些名字表明，尽管约瑟现在是自由和富足的，但他仍然会意识到自己的痛苦。玛拿西的意思是“忘记”，约瑟说：“ 神使我忘了一切的困苦和我的父家。”以法莲的意思是“加倍昌盛”，约瑟说他在受苦之地有昌盛。约瑟还在受苦。

Even though he suffered, he was walking in the things God created him to do and the result was Joseph saved the world. All of the world came to Egypt. All of the world came to Joseph. Joseph was the first person in history to save the world.

尽管他受苦，但他走在 神造他要去做的事情上，结果就是约瑟拯救了整个世界。全世界的人都来到埃及。全世界的人都来找约瑟。约瑟是历史上第一个拯救世界的人。

Super Success
巨大的成功

How did Joseph find himself in this position of incredible power, authority and success? What did Joseph do?

约瑟是如何发现自己拥有如此不可思议的能力、权柄和成功的呢？约瑟做了什么？

• Endured suffering
  忍受痛苦

• Developed humility
  培养谦逊

• Waited, but he was productive in the waiting
  等待，并且在等待的过程中收获颇丰

• Grew his gifts
  增长恩赐

• Operated confidently with his gifts
  自信的运用自己的恩赐

• Ready to serve no matter where he was
  无论他在哪里都准备好去服侍人

• Placed God at the center and gave Him glory
  把 神放在中心，归荣耀给 神

God Can Use You to Save a Starving World
神可以用你来拯救一个饥饿的世界

God can use you to save the world. Save your family, neighborhood, friends and coworkers. The world is starving. Spiritually starving. We, like Joseph, have plenty – plenty for the whole world. God can use you to meet the needs of those around you.

神可以使用你来拯救世界。拯救你的家人，邻居，朋友和同事。全世界都在挨饿，灵里的饥饿。就像约瑟一样，我们拥有充裕的东西来养活全世界。神可以使用你来满足周围人的需要。

Are you willing to embrace suffering, humility and waiting? Will you develop your gifts, use them and be prepared to serve no matter where you are? Will you place God at the center and give Him all of the glory? What is God calling you to do today?

你愿意忍受痛苦、保持谦卑和等待吗？你愿意增长你的恩赐，并使用它，无论你在哪里都准备好去服侍别人吗？你愿意把 神放在中心，将荣耀都归给他吗？神今天呼召你去做什么？

When studying this chapter I asked myself, “If I knew that we were coming to the end of seven years of spiritual plenty and we were about to begin seven years of spiritual famine, what would I do?” I considered the ways we share the gospel and help believers grow to maturity – these things I would continue. But what else would I do? I thought of the nine years of leading Bible studies in China and all of my notes and I thought, “I would write books.” This was the thought which led to the creation of The Genesis Notes. May the Lord use these notes to feed a spiritually starving world in the days to come. His Word is our daily bread.

在研读这一章的时候，我问自己：“如果我知道七年的属灵丰年即将结束，而七年的属灵饥荒即将开始，我该怎么办？”我思考了我们分享福音，以及帮助信徒成长的方式-这些事情我会继续做下去。除此之外我还能做什么？想到我在中国学习圣经的9年时间，以及我所有的笔记，我意识到，“我应该写书。”这就是创世记这本笔记诞生的想法。愿主在未来的日子里，用这些笔记来喂养灵里饥渴的世界！衪的话就是我们日用的饮食。

Spiritual Food for All
给所有人的灵粮

Are you spiritually starving? Jesus said He is the bread of life. He can meet your every need. There is enough for you, for me, for all of us. Let’s come to Him for all we need.

你灵里饥渴吗？耶稣说衪是生命的粮。衪能满足你的一切需要。对你，对我，对我们所有人都充足有余。让我们来到衪面前寻求我们所需用的一切吧！