Article #45 the series: You Are God’s Masterpiece: The Genesis Notes.
你是神的杰作:《创世记手记》系列第四十五篇
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Joseph’s guilty brothers deserved punishment, but Joseph was merciful to them. How has God been merciful to you?
约瑟那些犯罪的兄弟们应该受到惩罚，但是约瑟对他们满有仁慈。神曾怎样对你大施怜悯?
Timeline Of Joseph’s Life
约瑟的生命轴线
Joseph’s life has had some extreme highs and lows. As a teen he was the favored son, but his life was turned upside down when he was sold as a slave by his brothers. Here are some highlights of his life:
约瑟的生命中有一些极端的高峰和低谷。少年时的他是最受宠的儿子，但是，当他被自己的弟兄卖为奴隶时，他的生活就从高峰坠入了谷底。以下是他生活中的一些关键点：
17 years old: sold into slavery
28 years old: interpreted the baker’s and cupbearer’s dreams
30 years old: appointed as 2nd in command in Egypt
39 years old: facing his brothers
17岁：被卖为奴
28岁：为膳长和酒政解梦
30岁：被任命为埃及宰相，居位仅次于法老
39岁：见到他的弟兄们
Joseph’s family have also experienced difficulties. The past 1-2 years have not been easy for Jacob’s family. Simeon has been left in prison. They ran out of food, Jacob had to let Benjamin go and now the brothers are in Egypt.
约瑟的家族也遭遇了艰难。过去的一两年对雅各一家来说并不好过。西缅被关在监狱里。他们没有了食物，雅各不得不让便雅悯离开，现在这几兄弟都留在埃及。
What Are They Doing In Egypt Now?
他们现在埃及做什么？
In Chapter 44, Joseph proclaims he will make Benjamin his slave. Judah admits the brothers’ guilt and begs for mercy. Joseph’s 22 years of slavery is leading to this moment.
第四十四章讲到，约瑟宣布他将使便雅悯成为他的奴隶。犹大承认弟兄们的愧疚，并乞求怜悯。约瑟二十二年的奴隶生活带来了这一时刻。
Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it. Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.
Genesis 45:1-3 NIV
约瑟在左右站着的人面前情不自禁，吩咐一声说：“人都要离开我出去！”约瑟和弟兄们相认的时候，并没有一人站在他面前。他就放声大哭，埃及人和法老家中的人都听见了。约瑟对他弟兄们说：“我是约瑟，我的父亲还在吗？”他弟兄不能回答，因为在他面前都惊惶。
创世记45:1-3
Emotional Moment: 22 Years Of Suffering And Guilt
激动的一刻：二十二年的痛苦和愧疚
Twenty-two years of suffering and guilt come pouring out. Joseph can no longer control himself, he reveals his identity and weeps aloud. In the meantime, his brothers are terrified at his presence. At the height of emotion, Joseph has chosen mercy and love. He has compassion and longs to restore the relationship with his brothers even though they harmed him. They on the other hand are frozen. They are faced with the consequences of their actions now – the one they harmed is in an incredibly powerful position – he could destroy them. If Joseph was angry and bitter, he could have them killed. But he chooses the path of mercy and his heart breaks for his brothers and he longs for his father.
二十二年的痛苦和愧疚决堤而出。约瑟再也不能控制自己了，他表明了自己的身份并放声大哭。与此同时，他的兄弟们在他面前感到惊惶。在最激动的时刻，约瑟选择了怜悯和爱。即使他们伤害了他，他也满有怜悯、渴望与兄弟们恢复关系。另一方面他们则惊呆了。他们正面对他们行为的后果 – 他们曾经伤害的是一个拥有强权地位的人- 他甚至可以摧毁他们。如果约瑟发怒心怀苦毒 – 他可以杀死他们。但他选择了怜悯，他为弟兄们心碎，他牵挂和想念他的父亲。
A Display Of Mercy
显出怜悯
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! 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. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. “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. 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. 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. 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.’ “You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I who am speaking to you. Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly.” Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him.
Genesis 45:4-15 NIV
约瑟又对他弟兄们说：“请你们近前来。”他们就近前来，他说：“我是你们的兄弟约瑟，就是你们所卖到埃及的。现在，不要因为把我卖到这里自忧自恨，这是神差我在你们以先来，为要保全生命。现在这地的饥荒已经二年了，还有五年不能耕种，不能收成。神差我在你们以先来，为要给你存留余种在世上，又要大施拯救，保全你们的生命。”这样看来，差我到这里来的不是你们，乃是神。他又使我如法老的父，作他全家的主，并埃及全地的宰相。你们要赶紧上到我父亲那里，对他说：‘你儿子约瑟这样说：神使我作全埃及的主，请你下到我这里来，不要耽延。你和你的儿子、孙子、连牛群羊群，并一切所有的，都可以住在歌珊地，与我相近，我要在那里奉养你；因为还有五年的饥荒，免得你和你的眷属，并一切所有的，都败落了。’”况且你们的眼和我兄弟便雅悯的眼，都看见是我亲口对你们说话。你们也要将我在埃及一切的荣耀和你们所看见的事，都告诉我父亲，又要赶紧地将我父亲搬到我这里来。“于是约瑟伏在他兄弟便雅悯的颈项上哭；便雅悯也在他的颈项上哭。他又与众弟兄亲嘴，抱着他们哭，随后他弟兄们就和他说话。
创世记45:4-15
In the midst of the brothers’ terror, what does Joseph say to them? He is in a place of power and authority, he could destroy them. But he does not. He calls them to come near to him. He unfolds everything before them and shows them the plan from the beginning to the end. Here are the five significant point Joseph says to his brothers:
弟兄们惊惶之中，约瑟对他们说了些什么？他位高权重，可以摧毁他们。但他没有，他让他们近前来。他在他们面前陈明了一切，并从头到尾告诉了他们整个计划。以下是约瑟对他的弟兄们所说的五件至关重要的事：
Come close to me.
I am Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt.
It was to save lives; God sent me ahead to save the earth from the famine.
Bring my father and family here; I will provide land and food.
Tell my father.
请你们近前来
我是约瑟，你们卖到埃及的那人
为了保全生命， 神派我前来拯救世界脱离饥荒
把我父亲和家人带到这里，我会供应土地和食物
告诉我的父亲
Come Close To Me
近前来
Despite the pain and suffering, Joseph’s heart is full of love towards his brothers and he wants them to come close to him, to be personal – no longer distant as the ruler of Egypt.
尽管经历了悲痛和苦难，约瑟的心中充满了对弟兄们的爱，他希望他们能够亲近他- 而不是疏远他，把他当做埃及的统治者。
I Am Joseph, The One You Sold
我是约瑟，你们卖掉的那一个
He states clearly who he is and he reminds them they were the ones who sold him. Their sin of selling their brother is right in front of their eyes.
他清楚地说明了他是谁，并提醒他们，就是被他们卖掉的那人。他们卖兄弟的罪就伏在眼前。
It Was To Save Lives
为要保全生命
Joseph does not blame them. He even tells them not to be distressed. He sees God’s bigger picture – Joseph had an important job to do for God to save the world. He sees that this was his mission and he does not hold an offense towards his brothers for what they did to him.
约瑟没有责怪他们。他甚至告诉他们不要自忧自恨。他看到了 神手中更全局的画面 – 约瑟为 神做了一件重要的工作，拯救这个世界。他认为这是他的使命，他并没有因为兄弟们对他所犯下的一切罪行而攻击他们。
Bring My Father And Family Here, I Will Provide
把我的父亲和我的家搬到这里来，我会供应一切
Joseph wants to restore the relationship with his family and provide for them. He wants to give them a place to live and food to eat. He wants to give them fruitful work in Egypt.
约瑟希望恢复与家人的关系并奉养他们。他想给他们提供住处和食物。他想在埃及给他们有成效的工作。
Tell My Father
告诉我的父亲
He does not want to keep the secret from his father any longer. He wants his father to know the truth. Jacob had believed the lie Joseph was dead. Now Joseph wants the truth to come out immediately. He is alive. Then they cried, hugged and kissed. After 22 years the brothers were reconciled.
他不想再向他父亲隐藏这个秘密了。他希望父亲知道真相。雅各相信了约瑟已死的谎言。现在约瑟希望可以马上真相大白。他还活着。然后他们哭了，拥抱，然后互相亲吻。在二十二年后，兄弟们终于和解了。
Provision and New Life
供应和新生活
When the news reached Pharaoh’s palace that Joseph’s brothers had come, Pharaoh and all his officials were pleased. Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan, and bring your father and your families back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you can enjoy the fat of the land.’ “You are also directed to tell them, ‘Do this: Take some carts from Egypt for your children and your wives, and get your father and come. Never mind about your belongings, because the best of all Egypt will be yours.’ ” So the sons of Israel did this. Joseph gave them carts, as Pharaoh had commanded, and he also gave them provisions for their journey. To each of them he gave new clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels of silver and five sets of clothes. And this is what he sent to his father: ten donkeys loaded with the best things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and other provisions for his journey. Then he sent his brothers away, and as they were leaving he said to them, “Don’t quarrel on the way!” So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. They told him, “Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt.” Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them. But when they told him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. And Israel said, “I’m convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”
Genesis 45:16-28 NIV
这风声传到法老的宫里，说：”约瑟的弟兄们来了。“法老和他的臣仆都很喜欢。法老对约瑟说：”你吩咐你的弟兄们说：“你们要这样行：把驮子抬在牲口上，起身往迦南地去。将你们的父亲和你们的眷属都搬到我这里来，我要把埃及地的美物赐给你们，你们也要吃这地肥美的出产。‘”现在我吩咐你们要这样行：从埃及地带着车辆去，把你们的孩子和妻子，并你们的父亲都搬来。你们眼中不要爱惜你们的家具，因为埃及全地的美物都是你们的。’“以色列的儿子们就如此行。约瑟照着法老的吩咐给他们车辆和路上用的食物，又给他们各人一套衣服，惟独给便雅悯三百银子，五套衣服；送给他父亲公驴十匹，驮着埃及的美物；母驴十匹，驮着粮食与饼和菜，为他父亲路上用。于是约瑟打发他弟兄们回去，又对他们说：”你们不要在路上相争。“他们从埃及上去，来到迦南地他们的父亲雅各那里，告诉他说：”约瑟还在，并且作埃及全地的宰相。雅各心里冰凉，因为不信他们。他们便将约瑟对他们说的一切话都告诉了他。他们父亲雅各，又看见约瑟打发来接他的车辆，心就苏醒了。以色列说：“罢了！罢了！我的儿子约瑟还在，趁我未死以先，我要去见他一面。”
创世记45:16-28
Pharaoh hears about this happy reunion and he supports Joseph sending provision back to Canaan. And as they left, Joseph instructed them to not quarrel along the way.
法老听说了这个欢乐的大团圆，他支持约瑟将各项物资运回迦南。当他们离开时，约瑟吩咐他们不要在路上相争。
Jacob Is Stunned and Cannot Believe
雅各惊呆了，无法相信
But when Jacob hears the news of Joseph, does he believe? Years of suffering and pain make it hard for Jacob to immediately believe. He was stunned. The brothers have to show him all of the provision, they have to give their eye-witness testimony to persuade Jacob about the truth. Finally Jacob believes and what is the result? His spirit is revived. Life comes back to Jacob. And he says he will go to see Joseph before he dies. Jacob has hope!
而当雅各听到约瑟的消息时，他相信了吗？多年的苦难和悲痛使得雅各很难立刻相信。他惊呆了。弟兄们不得不向雅各展示所有的物资供应，他们不得不告诉他亲眼所见的见证，说服雅各相信这是真的。雅各终于相信了，结果是什么呢？他的心苏醒了！生命的活力回到雅各身上。他说他要在未死以先见约瑟一面，雅各拥有了希望。
Joseph Points Us to Christ
约瑟将我们引向基督
Genesis 45 is a story of mercy and forgiveness. Joseph chose to be merciful to his brothers, he didn’t have to. But because of love Joseph extended mercy. The story of Joseph points us to Jesus Christ. Consider how Joseph now reveals himself to his brothers. It is the same way Jesus Christ reveals Himself to us.
创世记四十五章是一个关于怜悯和饶恕的故事。约瑟选择怜悯他的弟兄们，他并不一定要这么做！但因着爱，约瑟传递了怜悯。约瑟的故事指引我们看向耶稣基督。想一想约瑟如今是怎样在弟兄们面前表明自己的。这与耶稣基督向我们显现的方式相同。
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。”
Should We Be Terrified?
我们应该惊惶吗？
When the brothers met Joseph face to face, they were terrified. They realized the high position of Joseph, their guilt in selling him as a slave and his ability to destroy them. Our God is the Most High God. When Moses considered speaking to God directly, he took off his shoes. When the Israelites saw God’s presence up on the mountain, they were terrified and told Moses to go talk to God on their behalf. The fear of the Lord is a righteous and good response, it is respecting God and understanding His greatness and our smallness. Joseph’s brothers were terrified in Joseph’s presence. How much greater is God? We should also be terrified in God’s presence considering His awesome power.
当弟兄们和约瑟面对面时，他们感到惊惶。他们意识到约瑟位高权重，还意识到他们把他卖为奴隶的罪，以及约瑟可以摧毁他们的权柄。我们的 神是至高无上的 神。当摩西要直接与 神说话时，他脱掉了鞋子。当以色列人看到耶和华出现在山上时，他们感到害怕，告诉摩西去代表他们与 神交谈。对 神的敬畏是一件正义的善事，这意味着尊崇 神，知晓衪的伟大和我们的渺小。约瑟的弟兄们在约瑟面前感到害怕 – 神是何等的更加伟大！思想到神奇妙可谓的大能时，我们也应该在 神面前感到惊惶。
“Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.”
Proverbs 28:14 NIV
“常存敬畏的，便为有福；心存刚硬的，必陷在祸患里。”
箴言28:14
The fear of the Lord is a protection for us keeping us focused on God’s great power and holiness and our response of obedience and devotion. We do not need to be scared of God, but we should respect Him.
敬畏神是对我们的一种保护 – 它使我们专注于 神的大能和圣洁，以顺服和敬拜回应他。我们不需要对 神恐惧，但我们应该尊敬衪。
Consider Joseph’s brothers. How do you think they felt when he said, “Come close to me” and then spoke kindly to them and hugged them? They were probably incredibly relieved. This did not lessen their respect for him, but they knew they were safe in the presence of this mighty ruler. Jesus Christ says the same to us.
想想约瑟的弟兄们 。当约瑟说“你们近前来”，然后亲切地和他们说话并拥抱他们时，他们会怎么想？他们可能感到如释重负，这并没有减少他们对他的尊重，而是知道在这位强大的统治者面前他们是安全的。耶稣基督也对我们说了同样的话。
Come Close to Me
到我这里来
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
“凡劳苦担重担的人，可以到我这里来，我就使你们得安息。我心里柔和谦卑，你们当负我的轭，学我的样式，这样，你们心里就必得享安息。因为我的轭是容易的，我的担子是轻省的。”
马太福音 11:28-30
As Jesus calls us close to Him and we experience His love, we feel safe in His presence even though He is the Almighty ruler of the universe. He wants us to come to Him and have a relationship with Him.
当耶稣呼召我们亲近祂时，我们经历了祂的爱，虽然祂是全能的宇宙统治者，我们在祂面前仍然感到安全！祂希望我们来寻求祂并与祂建立关系。
“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”
Titus 3:3-7 NIV
“我们从前也是无知，悖逆，受迷惑，服事各样私欲和宴乐，常存恶毒（或作“阴毒”）、嫉妒的心，是可恨的，又是彼此相恨。但到了 神我们救主的恩慈和他向人所施的慈爱显明的时候， 他便救了我们，并不是因我们自己所行的义，乃是照他的怜悯，藉着重生的洗和圣灵的更新。圣灵就是 神藉着耶稣基督我们救主厚厚浇灌在我们身上的，好叫我们因他的恩得称为义，可以凭着永生的盼望成为后嗣（或作“可以凭着盼望承受永生”）。”
提多书3:3-7
I Am Jesus, Who Died For Your Sins On The Cross
我是耶稣，为了你的罪死在十字架上
We are sinners who are guilty, just as Joseph’s brothers.
正如约瑟的弟兄们一样，我们都是心怀愧疚的罪人。
I Died To Save Your Life
我为拯救你而舍命
But as Joseph suffered so the world would be saved, Jesus Christ suffered on the cross to save us from our sin.
但正如约瑟受苦才使世界得救一样，耶稣基督在十字架上受苦是为了拯救我们脱离自己的罪。
“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
I Will Provide For You
我会供应你的所需
When we come to Jesus, He gives us all we need. We become children of God and we can trust Him to provide all we need in life. Our physical needs, as well as our emotional and spiritual needs.
当我们来到耶稣面前时，衪会赐给我们所需的一切。我们成为 神的儿女，就可以信靠衪必会供应我们生活所需的一切。就是我们的身体、情感和属灵的需要。
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Philippians 4:6 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。”
腓立比书4:6
Tell The Whole World
告诉全世界
When Joseph revealed himself to his brothers, the first request was he wanted them to go and tell their father, Jacob. Once we come to Jesus and experience His forgiveness, He wants us to share this forgiveness with the world. He calls us to spread the Good News of salvation for all people!
当约瑟向他的兄弟们显明他自己时，他要求他们去做的第一件事就是告诉他的父亲雅各！一旦我们来到耶稣面前并经历了衪的饶恕，衪希望我们与整个世界分享这种饶恕。衪呼吁我们为所有人去传播救恩的福音！
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”
Matthew 28:18-20 NIV
“耶稣进前来，对他们说：‘天上地下所有的权柄都赐给我了。所以，你们要去，使万民作我的门徒，奉父、子、圣灵的名给他们施洗（或作“给他们施洗，归于父、子、圣灵的名）。凡我所吩咐你们的，都教训他们遵守，我就常与你们同在，直到世界的末了。’”
马太福音28:18-20
And Don’t Quarrel Along The Way!
在路上不要相争！
Joseph knew his brothers were experiencing many emotions such as guilt, fear and then relief. He knew as they returned home, they might start blaming one another for the past guilt even though Joseph had forgiven them. He wanted them to not quarrel, he wanted them to be united as brothers. Jesus wants the same for all of us. He does not want us to quarrel, but to live in unity.
约瑟知道他的弟兄们正在经历很多情绪的起伏，愧疚、恐惧、然后是释放。他知道，当他们回到家时，他们可能会开始互相指责过去的罪恶 – 即便约瑟已经原谅了他们！他希望他们不要相争，他希望他们弟兄团结。耶稣也希望我们所有人这样。衪不希望我们相争，而是要团结一致！
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
Colossians 3:13-14 NIV
“倘若这人与那人有嫌隙，总要彼此包容，彼此饶恕；主怎样饶恕了你们，你们也要怎样饶恕人。在这一切之外，要存着爱心，爱心就是联络全德的。”
歌罗西书3:13-14
Pain and Unbelief
痛苦和不信
There are times when a person has gone through tremendous pain and suffering and it is hard for them to immediately believe. Jacob had mourned the loss of Joseph for 22 years. His pain and suffering made it hard for him to believe Joseph was alive. But after the brothers persistent testimony and proof of the provision, Jacob believed.
有时候一个人经历过极深的苦难和悲痛，他们很难立刻相信一些事。雅各为失去约瑟哀悼了二十二年。他的苦难和悲痛使他很难相信约瑟还活着。但在兄弟们一再地证实和各种证据之后，雅各相信了。
God’s Mercy For You and Me
神对你我的怜悯
Joseph helps us to understand the mercy Jesus Christ extends to all of us. Let us receive God’s mercy today and extend mercy to the hurting world around us.
约瑟帮助我们更好地理解耶稣基督向我们所有人所施的怜悯。让我们今天接受 神的怜悯，并将这种怜悯传到我们周围受伤的世界。
