The Rescue Mission || 施行拯救的大使命

Jun 28, 2020 | Genesis Notes, Genesis Notes Part 2

Article #14 the series: You Are God’s Masterpiece: The Genesis Notes. 

你是神的工作: 《创世记手记》系列第十四篇

中文和英文版本语音

Listen to the Chinese or English Audio

Every day we have choices to move closer to Jesus, the Prince of Peace, or to move closer to the wicked things in this world. These choices, big and small, will affect your life more than you might realize. 

每天我们都可以选择是靠近和平之子耶稣，还是接近世上的邪恶之事。这些选择，无论大小，都会影响你的生命，这种影响超乎你的想象。

In Genesis chapter 13 Abram graciously ends a squabble between his nephew Lot’s herdsman and his own by suggesting he and Lot part ways. 
在《创世记》第13章，亚伯兰委婉地止息了侄子罗得的牧人和他自已的牧人之间的纷争，建议罗得和他彼此分离。
So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.”
Genesis‬ 13:8-9‬ NIV
亚伯兰就对罗得说：“你我不可相争，你的牧人和我的牧人也不可相争，因为我们是骨肉（注：原文作”弟兄“）。遍地不都在你眼前吗？请你离开我：你向左，我就向右；你向右，我就向左。”
创世记13:8-9‬‬ 和合本
Incredibly, the elder, Abram allows the younger, Lot to have his choice of the land. Lot makes the first in a series of bad decisions by choosing to move to the lush fertile land near Sodom and Gomorrah, cities known for their sinfulness. He just couldn’t resist that green land even though it meant surrounding himself with wicked people. 
身为长辈的亚伯兰居然让小辈罗得先选土地。罗得做出了一个相当糟糕的决定，他选择搬到所多玛和蛾摩拉附近的肥沃之地，众所周知这两座城都满了罪恶。尽管这意味着他周围都是邪恶之人，可他就是无法抵挡绿草地的诱惑。

    

Lot Is Swept Away 

罗得被掳

Lot did not get much time to enjoy the green garden of his new home, Sodom, before disaster struck. He found himself in the middle of a 12-year conflict between different kings. War broke out and Lot was caught in the crossfire. Most of us probably don’t feel too much pity for Lot; he had chosen to live in a wicked land, and it looks like his decision had some immediate consequences. 
罗得还没来得及好好享受他在所多玛新家的碧绿园子，灾难就临到了。他发现自己身处于混战了 十二年的诸王之间。战争爆发后，战火也烧到了他的身上。我们大部分人可能不会同情罗得，因为是他自己选择住在这个邪恶的地方，一切似乎是他自作自受。
King Kedorlaomer had been the ruler of the region for 12 years with the backing of seven other kings. He ruled over nine other kings. After these 12 years, the nine oppressed kings could not take it anymore and they rebelled against Kedorlaomer and his team of kings. This was a bad move because Kedorlaomer was victorious. In the midst of all of this fighting, Lot and all of his possessions were taken captive and carried off since he was living in Sodom. 
在其它七位王的支持下，基大老玛在这个地方做王12年。他统治了其它九个王。过了12年，这九个受欺压的王忍无可忍，一同起来反抗基大老玛和同盟的王。这么做不是明智之举，因为基大老玛王获胜了。在这场混战中，罗得和他所有的财物都被掳去，当时他正住在所多玛。

    

We Need Abram!  

我们需要亚伯兰！

Someone escaped from the fighting and went to find a hero who could help them out of this big mess. He ran to Abram. Abram was up for the challenge and was going to do all he could to rescue his nephew, Lot. So he brought together 318 of his men and strategically divided them into two groups and won the battle. Abram got the job done, he recovered Lot, all of his household and all of the people. What a hero!
有人从战役中逃了出来，要去找一位可以救他们摆脱混乱局面的英雄，他跑去找亚伯兰！亚伯兰已准备好接受挑战，决定尽全力营救侄子罗得。他召集三百一十八名壮丁，很有策略地将他们分成两队，并赢得了胜利。亚伯兰完成任务，救出罗得以及他所有的家宰和人民。真是了不起的英雄！

    

Lot at the Wrong Place at the Wrong Time 

罗得- 错误的地点，错误的时间

It seems Lot was at the wrong place at the wrong time. A simple mistake. Or was it? Lot had deliberately gone to live in Sodom, a place full of evil people. Lot’s poor judgment of joining up with wicked people resulted in putting himself in harm’s way. If Lot’s own poor choice – which was based on greed – led to his being mixed up in a war and captured, did he really deserve to be rescued? To Abram, Lot’s choices did not really matter. What mattered was Lot needed to be rescued and Abram was the one to rescue Lot. Abram used all of the resources he had and brilliantly won the battle against many kings. 
这看上去似乎罗得在错误的时间出现在了错误的地点，单纯是个错误。真的是这样吗？罗得故意往所多玛去-一个充满恶人的地方。罗得决定要跟恶人混居在一起，这个错误判断使自己身受其害。如果罗得因为贪婪而做的不良选择使自己卷入战争并且被俘虏，那他值得被救吗？对亚伯兰而言，罗得的抉择其实并不重要，重要的是罗得需要拯救，而亚伯兰就是那个施以援手的人。亚伯兰使出浑身解数，机智地打败诸王赢得胜利。

 

Two Kings 

两个王

After the battle was won Abram had two kings come to visit him: 
1.The King of Sodom
2.The King of Salem (Melchizedek)
取得战争胜利后，有两位王出来迎接他：
1.所多玛王
2.撒冷王（麦基洗德）

    

King of Salem 

撒冷王

After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
Genesis‬ 14:17-20‬ NIV
亚伯兰杀败基大老玛和与他同盟的王回来的时候，所多玛王出来，在沙微谷迎接他；沙微谷就是王谷。又有撒冷王麦基洗德带着饼和酒出来迎接；他是至高神的祭司。他为亚伯兰祝福，说：“愿天地的主，至高的神赐福与亚伯兰！至高的神把敌人交在你手里，是应当称颂的。”亚伯兰就把所得的拿出十分之一来，给麦基洗德。
创世记14:17-20‬‬ 和合本
The King of Salem’s name was Melchizedek which is a Hebrew name meaning “King of Righteousness.” And the name Salem means “peace.” The city would eventually become Jerusalem. Who was this interesting King Melchizedek? He speaks about the Most High God and he makes it clear that he serves the greatest God, the God who created the whole world. Melchizedek points out  that the God Most High delivered Abram. Not Abram’s own strength and his amazing 318 men. This king is a bit of a mysterious figure in the Bible. He is mentioned several other times as a not just a king, but a priest of the Most High God. 
撒冷王名叫麦基洗德，这是一个希伯来名字，意为公义。撒冷的意思是平安。这座城就是后来的耶路撒冷。这位有趣的麦基洗德王又是谁呢？他提到了至高的 神并清楚地表明他服侍那位创造天地最伟 大的神。麦基洗德指出是至高的神把敌人交在亚伯兰手里，而不是凭亚伯兰自己的力量和他那三百一十八名勇士！这位王在圣经中带着一丝神秘，多次提到他却不仅以君王的身份，还有作为至高 神的祭司。
Let’s read the following Scriptures about King Melchizedek. 
请读下列有关麦基洗德王的经文。
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”
Hebrews 6:19-20 NIV
我们有这指望，如同灵魂的锚，又坚固、又牢靠，且通入幔内。作先锋的耶稣，既照着麦基洗德的等次成了永远的大祭司，就为我们进入幔内。
希伯来书16:19-20 和合本
“This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means ‘king of righteousness;’ then also, ‘king of Salem’ means ‘king of peace.’ Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever. Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder!”
Hebrews 7:1-4 NIV
这麦基洗德就是撒冷王，又是至高 神的祭司，本是长远为祭司的。他当亚伯拉罕杀败诸王回来的时候，就迎接他，给他祝福。亚伯拉罕也将自己所得来的，取十分之一给他。他头一个名翻出来就是仁义王，他又名撒冷王，就是平安王的意思。他无父，无母，无族谱，无生之始，无命之终，乃是与 神的儿子相似。你们想一想，先祖亚伯拉罕将自己所掳来上等之物取十分之一给他，这人是何等尊贵呢。
希伯来书7:1-4 和合本

Blessing with Bread and Wine 

饼和酒的祝福

After the big rescue King Melchizedek brought out the bread and wine and Abram accepted it. What does this remind us of? Jesus of course. Jesus also presented bread and wine to his friends to eat. When Jesus did this, the bread represented His body which was broken and the wine represented His blood which was shed when He died on the cross. Jesus’ death on the cross was the biggest rescue of all time.  
在这次大营救后，麦基洗德王拿出饼和酒，亚伯兰接受了。这里让我们想起了什么呢？当然是耶稣！耶稣也用饼和酒来款待他的朋友，耶稣如此行的时候，饼代表的是衪受伤的身体，酒代表的是当衪死在十字架上时所流的血。耶稣在十字架上的死是有史以来最大的拯救。
Just like Lot we have found ourselves in a battle. Because of our sin we are captives of our enemy, Satan, and we need to be rescued.  
就像罗得，我们也常发现自己陷在争战里，因着我们的罪，我们被仇敌撒旦所俘虏，我们都需要被拯救！

“For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
Colossians 1:13-14 NIV
他救了我们脱离黑暗的权势，把我们迁到他爱子的国里；我们在爱子里得蒙救赎，罪过得以赦免。
歌罗西书 1:13-14
Like Lot we do not deserve to be rescued. But Jesus accomplished this incredible rescue. He rescued us from our sins and from the devil. And He has brought us into His Kingdom, into His family.
我们本像罗得一样不配得蒙救赎。但是耶稣成就了这不可思议的拯救。他救我们脱离罪和魔鬼，带我们进入衪的国度，成为衪的家人。
Unfortunately, there are people like Lot all around us. Some are people who are not yet believers and they need to be saved by Jesus. Others are Christians who in their poor judgment have found themselves trapped by sin or the distractions of this world. 
不幸的是，我们周围充满了像罗得那样的人，有些是需要被耶稣救赎的非信徒，有些是因判断失误而被罪捆绑，或为这世界所困的基督徒。
Has God ever used you like he used Abram to go on a rescue mission? If not, is there anyone in your life in need of rescue? Could God possibly be calling you to jump in the battle to help your friend or family member like God used Abram? 
神是否曾使用你如同使用亚伯兰那样去完成一个拯救使命呢？如果没有的话，那你生命中是否有其他人需要被拯救？神会不会像使用亚伯兰那样，此刻正在呼召你参战去帮助你的朋友或家人？

 

 

What was Abram’s Response? 

亚伯兰的回应

After the big battle, after the daring rescue, after the blessing and bread and wine from King Melchizedek, Abram gave him 10% of the plunder. Immediately after this we see the King of Sodom enter the scene. 
大战过后，英勇救出了罗得，他领受了麦基洗德王的饼、酒和祝福之后，亚伯兰将自己所掳财物的十分之一献给麦基洗德。紧接着，我们就看到所多玛王来了。

 

King of Sodom

所多玛王

The King of Sodom was the king of wicked people. He saw what King Melchizedek had done for Abram and Abram’s response. Now the King of Sodom also wanted to give Abram something. 
所多玛王是邪恶百姓的王，麦基洗德王为亚伯兰所做的以及亚伯兰的回应他都看在眼里，如今所多玛王也想赏赐亚伯兰一些东西。
The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself.” But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “With raised hand I have sworn an oath to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’ I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me—to Aner, Eshkol and Mamre. Let them have their share.”
Genesis‬ 14:21-24‬ NIV
所多玛王对亚伯兰说：“你把人口给我，财物你自已拿去吧！”亚伯兰对所多玛王说：“我已经向天地的主至高的神耶和华起誓，凡是你的东西，就是一根线、一根鞋带，我都不拿，免得你说：‘我使亚伯兰富足。’只是仆人所吃的，并与我同行的亚乃、以实各、幔利所应得的分，可以任凭他们拿去。”
创世记14:21-24‬‬ 和合本
But Abram would have nothing to do with the King of Sodom. He accepted Melchizedek’s bread, wine and blessing, but he would take none of the riches from Sodom. He even proclaimed this using the Most High God’s name. Abram gave Sodom everything else back. He drew a line indicating he wanted no connection with wickedness.
但亚伯兰不想领受他的半分东西！亚伯兰虽接受了麦基洗德的饼和酒以及祝福，却不会拿所多玛的一分一毫，他甚至指着至高 神起誓宣告，将属所多玛的一切都还回去了，以此划清界限，不愿与他们的败坏有任何联系。
The New Testament warns us to stay away from partnerships with people or groups who are living in darkness. This does not mean we do not associate with people who are not believers. On the contrary, we are to be the light in the darkness. But we should be careful not to enter into partnerships with those not following Jesus. We should be careful to not participate in evil activities of this world. 
新约警戒我们要远离活在暗昧中的人，不与他们为伍。并不是指我们不要跟非信徒来往，正相反，我们要成为黑暗中的光！但我们须谨慎不要与那些不跟随耶稣的人合作。应该小心不要参与这世上的恶事。
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?
2 Corinthians 6:14 NIV
你们和不信的原不相配，不要同负一轭。义和不义有甚么相交呢？光明和黑暗有甚么相通呢？
哥林多后书6:14 和合本

The Contrast of Kings

两个王的对比

The King of Salem and the King of Sodom were examples of two completely different ways of life. We see a contrast between Melchizedek – serving the Most High God – and the King of Sodom serving the world. When Lot moved near to the King of Sodom the move almost cost Lot his life. If Abram had not rescued Lot, he would have been totally lost. When connected with the King of Salem, he received a blessing and foreshadow of the bread and wine that Jesus, the great rescuer, would share with us. 
撒冷王和所多玛王象征着两种截然不同的生活方式，我们看到他们两者之间的鲜明对比，麦基洗德服侍至高 神，而所多玛王是服侍这个世界。当罗得迁居到靠近所多玛王的地方时，他差点为此丧命。若不是亚伯兰救了他，他可能已一无所有了。与撒冷王相交时，收获的是祝福，以及预表着伟大的拯救者耶稣将与我们分享的饼和酒。
As Christians we have a choice. We can move near to the King of Sodom or we can move near to the King of Salem. We can be tempted to chase things in this world like Lot did. Money, power, pleasure, all short-term stuff. For the short-term, life might be great. Instant pleasure. But what about the long-term life?  In the long-term Lot lost it all. It was only out of Abram’s mercy and strength that Lot was saved.  
身为基督徒，我们可以选择，是靠近所多玛王，还是靠近撒冷王。我们可能会像罗得一样被引诱去追逐属世的东西。金钱、权利、享乐，都是短暂的。短期内可能觉得很美好，只是短暂的享乐而已，从长远来看会怎样呢？罗得失去了一切！正是因着亚伯兰的怜悯和力量才救出罗得！
Let us turn to Jesus Christ, the one the King of Salem was pointing to. Let’s run after Him, let us give Him our lives. And when we find ourselves in need of rescue, let us call on His name and be saved. 
让我们转向耶稣基督，就是撒冷王所指的那一位。让我们追随衪，将自己的生命交给衪。当我们发现自己需要救赎时，让我们呼求衪的名，就得蒙拯救。

Part One

  1. The First Creative Act: Light || 第一个创造：光
  2. The First Work and First Marriage || 第一份工作和第一段婚姻
  3. The First Temptation, the First Sin || 第一次试探，第一次犯罪
  4. The First Consequence, The First Death, The First Mercy || 第一个后果，第一次死亡和第一次的怜悯
  5. The First Birth, The First Brothers, The First Murder || 第一次降生，第一对兄弟，第一起谋杀
  6. The Longest Life || 最长的寿命
  7. But Noah || 惟有挪亚
  8. Work and then Wait || 做工和等
  9. Salvation and God’s Timing || 救赎和 神的时间
  10. The New World: Life, Relationship With God, Respect || 新世界：生命，与 神的关系，尊重
  11. All Nations – One Nation || 万国-一国

Part Two

  1. The Promise || 应许
  2. Parting Ways || 分别的道路
  3. The Rescue Mission || 施行拯救的大使命
  4. God’s Covenant with Abram || 神和亚伯兰的盟约
  5. The Love Triangle || 爱的三角关系
  6. New Names || 新名字
  7. Important Visitors with a Promise || 带着应许来的重要访客
  8. The Devastating Effects of Poor Judgement: Lot’s Life || 错误的判断带来毁灭性的影响：罗得的生命
  9. Abraham’s Fear || 亚伯拉罕的惧怕
  10. Birth of the Promised Son: Isaac || 应许之子以撒的降生
  11. A Lifetime of Obedience || 一生的顺服
  12. Death and New Life || 死亡和新生命

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