5 Mar 2018, Gen 31 创31章, Fear Man or God 敬畏人还是神

Posted on Feb 2, 2018 in Devotions, Genesis |

Scripture Reading        : Gen 31

Theme                            : Fear Man or God

 

Escape.

The family situation was not at all comfortable for Jacob or his wives, but he patiently waited for God’s instructions before making a move. The seeking heart will always get a word from God when decisions have to be made. Read Psalm 25 in the light of Jacob’s situation. Like his mother before him, Jacob did the right thing in a wrong way, and God had to intervene to protect him (v. 24).

Encounter.

Jacob had a three-day lead on Laban, but his father-in-law finally caught up with him. No one can successfully run away from problems. Laban accused Jacob of a breach of social custom, while Jacob accused Laban of breaking his promises for twenty years. There was also the matter of the household gods, for whoever had them could claim possession of Laban’s property.

Expedience.

The two men never did agree, and their problems were not solved. Instead, they declared a truce and made a pile of stones the boundary beyond which neither would pass. It was called “the heap of witness” to remind Jacob and Laban that God was watching both of them. (The word Mizpah means “watchtower.”) The so-called Mizpah benediction is not a correct interpretation or application of this passage. 
It is better to declare a truce than to wage a war, but the best decision of all is for brethren to “dwell together in unity” (Ps. 133:1). See Ephesians 4:25–32 for directions. [1]

 

Praying the Scripture

  1. The Lord told Jacob to return to his homeland so he took time to share this information with his family especially his wives Rachel and Leah. After all, he was asking them to leave their people and home and go with him to another land and people. Even though the Word of God is our primary source of wisdom in making decisions (119:105), it’s good for us to share with our family members and convince them to follow the Lord together. Let’s pray that we’ll lead others, especially our family members, by sharing with them what the Lord has laid in our hearts.
  1. Although Jacob has the instruction of the Lord yet he fled with his family like a criminal escaping justice. This was an act of fear and unbelief, not an act of faith. In fact, Jacob later admitted to Laban that he had departed secretly and quickly because he was afraid (Gen. 31:31). It isn’t enough to know and do the will of God; we must also do His will in the way He wants it done, the way that will glorify Him most. Let’s pray that we are brave enough to face our situations with God’s promises fearlessly.

[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, With the Word Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), Ge 31:1.

 
 
 
 

经文：创31章

主题：敬畏人还是神

 

逃跑

他们家庭的情况对雅各或他妻子来说并不理想，但他耐心地等待神的指示，然后才行动。寻求的心总是会在顺服神的话之后才作出决定。请阅读诗篇25篇来思想雅各的情况后。就如自己的母亲，雅各用一个错误的方式来做正确的事，神不得不介入来保护他（24节）。

遭遇

在逃跑的路上，雅各比拉班有早三天的优势，但他的岳父终究追上了他。没有人可以成功地逃避问题的。拉班指责雅各违反社会习俗，而雅各指责拉班违背自己二十年前的承诺。这里也涉及他们家中偶像的问题。因为他们的习俗说谁能拥有家庭的偶像就可以继承拉班的财产了。

权宜

这两人无法彼此同意，他们的问题并没有获得解决。相反，他们宣布休战，在边界之外堆起石头，表面两人不得跨越这堆石头。它被称为“石堆凭据”以提醒雅各和拉班神正看着他们两儿。（米斯巴 这词的意思是“瞭望塔”）。所谓的米斯巴祝福并没有对这段话做出正确的解释或应用。
 
休战比发动战争更好，但最好的决定就是所有弟兄和睦同居（诗133:1）。见以弗所书4:25-32。

 

用经文祷告

  1. 主命令雅各回到家乡去，因此他花时间与家人沟通这讯息，尤其是妻子拉结和利亚。毕竟，他是在要求她们离开自己的家园和他一起去到另一地方和另一个民族当中居住。即使神的话语是我们做决策的主要智慧来源（119:105），但是与家人沟通并说服他们一起跟随主是好的。让我们祈祷使我们能通过与他人分享主放在我们心中的事来带领他人，特别是自己的家人。
  1. 虽然主已指示雅各，但他仍然带着家人如逃犯一样逃跑。这是恐惧和不信的行为，这不是有信心的行为。事实上，雅各后来也向拉班承认，他偷偷迅速的离开，是因为他害怕（创31:31）。知道和行出神的旨意是不够的，我们还必须按祂的方式，以一个最荣耀祂的方式来行事。让我们祈祷，凭着神的应许，我们能有足够的勇气、无畏地面对我们的情况。