6 Mar 2018, Gen 32 创32章, The Struggle 斗争

Posted on Feb 2, 2018 in Devotions, Genesis |

Scripture Reading        : Gen 32

Theme                            : The Struggle

 

Jacob expected a battle and his concern was escape, not reconciliation (v. 8). He saw the army of angels protecting him, but even that didn’t encourage his faith. Mahanaim means “double camp”—his camp and the camp of God’s angels. Had Jacob recalled his experience with God at Bethel, he would not have been afraid of Esau (28:13–15).

One minute Jacob prayed for God’s help, and the next minute he devised some new way to appease his angry brother. He reminded God of His great promises and then acted as though God had never spoken. This is the conduct of a believer who needed to be broken before God. He prayed to be delivered from Esau (v. 11), but his greatest need was to be delivered from himself.

Jacob was broken to be healed and weakened to be strengthened. When he surrendered, he won and became a “prince with God.” His limp would be a constant reminder that God would be in control of his life. “God fights against us with His left hand and for us with His right hand,” wrote John Calvin. When we let God have His way, it is the dawning of a new day (v. 31).[1]

 

Praying the Scripture

  1. Jacob’s greatest problem is fear. Fear is debilitating. Even Jacob saw the angels and named the place Mahanaim meaning aside from them, God’s army was with them. Yet he still lived in such terrifying fear. Let’s pray that we remember what Jesus said, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Mat 10:28)
  1. We are so much like Jacob. One minute, he prayed for God’s help, and the next, he devised his own way. He was reminded of God’s promises and then he acted as though God had never spoken. Our greatest need is to be delivered from ourselves. We are our own greatest enemy. We need to rest in God and not fear the possible consequences. Let’s pray that we learn this very important lesson.
  1. W. Tozer said, “The Lord cannot fully bless a man until He has first conquered him.” Jacob wanted the blessing of God but he didn’t want to be God’s man. The question is whether he wants to continue to deceive himself and others; or will he admit who he is and let God change him?” In the Bible, receiving a new name signifies making a new beginning. The new name God gave him was “Israel,” from a Hebrew word that means “to struggle.” Some translate it “one who wrestles with God” or “God strives” or “let God rule.” The explanation in Genesis 32:28 is that Jacob had gained power because he prevailed. He lost the battle but won the victory! By seeking God’s blessing and finally being weakened and forced to yield, he had become a “God-empowered prince.” Pray that we are willing to accept our own weakness and strive for God’s blessing.

[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, With the Word Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), Ge 32:1.

 
 
 
 

经文：创32章

主题：斗争

 

雅各预计会有战争，而他所密切关心的是自己的逃生，而不是与弟兄的和解（8节）。他看见神的军兵在保护他，但雅各没有因此受到信心的鼓励。玛哈念的意思是“二军兵”；雅各的阵营和神的军兵。如果雅各能够回忆起他在伯特利与神的经历，他就不会害怕以扫了。（28:13-15）

一方面雅各寻求神的帮助，但另一方面却找到新的点子来安抚愤怒的哥哥。雅各想起神的承诺，然后又好像神从来没有承诺一样来行事。这样的行为就是一个还需要被神彻底破碎的信徒会做的事。他祈祷神使徒脱离以扫的手（11节），但他最需要的是脱离自己的惧怕。

雅各被破碎是为了要得医治，被削弱为的是要得力量。当他投降时，他就获得胜利了并成为“与神同在的王子”。他瘸了的大腿是在不断地提醒自己，神掌管着自己的生命。约翰·加尔文写到：“神用左手对抗我们，也用祂的右手来支持我们”。当我们让神按祂的方式行时，这就是新一天的来临（31节）。

 

用经文祷告

  1. 雅各最大的问题就是恐惧。恐惧使人变得软弱无力。即使雅各看见天使，并命名这地方为玛哈念，意思是他的阵营与神的军兵同在。然而，他仍然生活在恐惧之下。让我们祈祷，我们能记住耶稣所说的：“那杀身体，不能杀灵魂的，不要怕他们；惟有能把身体和灵魂都灭在地狱里的，正要怕他。” （太10:28）
  1. 我们真的很像雅各。一方面向神寻求帮助，另一方面却谋算设计。他记得神的承诺，然后又好像神从来没有说过什么承诺一样来行事。我们最大的敌人是从自己，我们需要从自己中被解脱出来。我们需要在神里安息，而不是担心可能产生的后果。让我们祈祷，我们能学习这非常重要的一课。
  1. 陶恕说，“主不可能祝福一个人，直到祂完全征服了他。”雅各希望得到神的祝福，但他却不想成为神祝福的人。问题是他是否还要继续欺骗自己过自己的生活或是他要承认他自己的身份，并让神改变他呢？在圣经中一个新的名字意为着一个新的开始。神给了他一个新的名字“以色列”，希伯来文的意思是“斗争”。一些翻译为“与神较力”、“神的努力”或“让神统治”。在创世记32:28解释，雅各得胜是因为他与神人较力，得了胜。其实他是被打败了，但却赢得了胜利！若要寻求神的祝福，我们必须被削弱和屈服，最终可以成为“神授权的王子”。请祷告让我们愿意接受我们自己的弱点，并努力获得神的祝福。