GRACE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP | 恩道堂

Scripture Reading        : Gen 35-36

Theme                             : The New Horizon

New beginnings.

God once more appeared and told Jacob what to do. This was a part of the Bethel promise (28:13–15). We walk by faith when we obey God in spite of circumstances or consequences. But a change in geography does not guarantee a change in life, so Jacob told the whole family to bury the past and get rid of their heathen charms and idols. At Bethel, Jacob built a new altar and worshiped “the God of the house of God.”

New sorrows.

Three deaths are recorded in this chapter, for death is one of the facts of life. Jacob’s obedience to God did not prevent him from experiencing trials. He lost a friend, Deborah; a favorite wife, Rachel; and then his beloved father. (In spite of what he said in 27:2, Isaac lived for forty-three years after that!) Perhaps the greatest sorrow of all was the sin of his firstborn son Reuben. Sin is expensive, and this one cost Reuben the birthright (49:3–4; 1 Chron. 5:1).

New joys.

Praying the Scripture

1. No matter how many times we’ve failed the Lord, we can go back to Him provided we truly repent and obey. It happened to Abraham (13:1–4), Isaac (26:17), David (2 Sam. 12), Jonah (Jonah 3:1–3), and Peter (John 21:15–19); and now it’s happening to Jacob. Jacob returned to God. Dear Lord, I am not fooled by my propensity to sin but help me to rely on you and if I sin again, please help me to repent and return to you and ask for forgiveness immediately.

2. Rachel named his son Ben-oni which means “son of my sorrow.” But Jacob renamed his new son Benjamin, which means “son of my right hand,” that is, a son of honor. The first king of Israel came from the tribe of Benjamin (1 Sam. 9) and the Apostle Paul was also a Benjamite (Phil. 3:5). Jacob’s faith brought him hope rather than sorrow. Lord, help us to see our problems with spiritual lenses. You are a good God and you cause all things to work together for good. So let us receive your grace, including discipline from your hand, with gratitude and learn from it.

^[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, With the Word Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), Ge 35:1.

经文：创35-36章

主题：全新的视野

从创世记34章读到创世记35章就好像从沙漠到了花园一样。在创世记35章所强调的是信心和顺服、圣洁和重生。在第35章中，神的名字就提到十次；而所用的名字是El Shaddai，“全能神，自供自足的神”。最重要的是在第35章中我们看到旅居世界的“过客”更迈进神所预备的地方了。

新的开始

神再次出现并指示雅各要做的事。这是伯特利应许的一部分（28:13-15）。“凭信心行事”就是不顾后果的顺服神。环境的改变并不能代表生命的改变。雅各要全家忘记过去，并处理掉外邦偶像。雅各在伯特利建立了一个新的祭坛献并且敬拜“在神殿中的神。”

新的悲伤

本章节记录了三个死亡，因为死亡是生命的一部分。顺服神并不表示没有试炼。雅各失去一个朋友（底波拉）、心爱的妻子（拉结）和敬爱的父亲。但是他最大的悲哀就是他的长子流便的罪。罪的代价是非常昂高，流便因此失去了长子的名分（49:3-4；代前5:1）。

新的喜乐。

拉结在生便雅悯时难产而失去了生命（30:1）。雅各明智地把名字从“儿子，我的悲伤” 改成“儿子，我的右手的”（荣誉的位置）。当雅各还在悲哀时，却能做出这样的表现，这是出于信心的。如便雅悯一样，我们主耶稣也是悲伤的儿子（赛53:3）和在右手的儿子（诗110:1；可16:19）。从便雅悯支派神给了我们使徒保罗（腓3:5），所以这母亲的牺牲带给了全世界一个极大的祝福（约12:24-25）。

用经文祷告

Scripture Reading        : Gen 34

Theme                            : Consequence of Loving the World

Defilement.

Lot pitched his tent toward Sodom and lost his daughters (19:30ff.), and Jacob moved too close to Shechem and lost Dinah. She was the daughter of Leah (30:21), which explains why Simeon and Levi became so angry (35:23). Had nobody warned her? Was she out looking for opportunities to sin? Or was she completely overpowered by the prince? It may have been love at first sight, but that didn’t lessen the guilt or tragedy of the sin.

Deception.

Note the twofold attempt at deception: Simeon and Levi deceived Hamor, and Hamor thought he deceived them. Jacob’s sons had learned much from watching their father. Dinah’s two brothers were preparing for war while the men of Shechem were preparing for wealth. When the men of the city were unable to fight, Simeon and Levi killed all the men and took the spoils. It was another case of promoting a holy cause in an unholy way and being motivated by hatred of the enemy instead of love for the truth.

Disgrace.

Praying the Scripture

1. Was Dinah naive, rebellious, or just plain ignorant of the ways of the world? Why was it so important that she gets to know the women of the land? For that matter, why was Jacob tarrying in this pagan neighborhood and deliberately endangering his family? He should have been at Bethel leading them closer to the Lord. When we disobey the Lord, we put ourselves and our loved ones in danger. Consider what happened to Abraham in Egypt (12:10–20) and Gerar (20:1ff), Lot in Sodom (19:1ff), Isaac in Gerar (26:6–16). Let’s pray that we do not love the world, the things of the world and be wise testimonies of the Lord in the world.

2. The young prince claimed that he did it because he loved her and wanted her for his wife, but committing rape and keeping the girl confined in a house (v. 26) was a strange way to declare his love. But his actions and words bore witness only to the fact that God’s people and the people of world had different standards of conduct. Pre-marital sex is defilement in the eyes of the Lord. Note that three times in the narrative, the word “defiled” is used to describe Shechem’s wicked deed (vv. 5, 13, 27). Let’s pray that we do not follow the standard of the world but the Lord’s.

3. When Jacob’s sons were told what had happened, they were grieved that their sister had been violated and angry with the man who did it. Both responses were normal and right. However, by their deception and ruthless destruction, they ruined their testimony before the people of the land. Let’s pray that we remember Ephesians 4:26, “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger. (Eph 4:26)

^[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, With the Word Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), Ge 34:1.

经文：创34章

主题：爱世界的后果

玷辱

罗得因把帐棚搭得非常靠近所多玛，所以失去了女儿（19:30）。雅各也因住得非常靠近示剑，所以失去女儿底拿。底拿是利亚所以生的（30:21），这就为什么西缅和利未如此愤怒（35:23）。难道没有人警告过底拿吗？还是她在寻找着犯罪的机会呢？还是她真的完全被王子制服了呢？这或许是一见钟情，但却不能减轻罪责或悲剧的发生。

诡诈

请注意这里的双重欺骗：西缅和利未欺骗了哈抹，哈抹也以为自己成功欺骗了西缅和利未。这些儿子们从雅各那里的确学到了不少本领。底拿的两兄弟为战争做准备，而示剑人却为财富做准备。当城里的人都无能反抗时，西缅和利未把所有的男丁都杀了并掳掠一切做为战利品。这又是一个不用爱和真理，而是由仇恨驱使以不义的方式来完成一项神圣的事的例子。

蒙羞

雅各关心的是自身安全和声誉，而不是自己孩子的品格和行为。虽然我们不能因他们所做的而完全责备雅各，但如果雅各不在示剑附近定居，这个悲剧就不会发生了。在他临终前，雅各又提起这件事（49:5-7）。虽然发生了这些事，神竟然还是把利未支派分别出来做祭司的侍奉祂。主是如此的满有恩典！ （罗马书5:20）。

Scripture Reading        : Gen 33

Theme                            : The Return of Jacob

Jacob had seen God and been given a new name, but the benefits of his experience didn’t appear immediately. Sometimes he acted like Jacob (“the heel-catcher”) and sometimes like Israel (“the prince with God”). Many of God’s people fail to live up to their new life in Christ because they don’t claim what they have by faith. God had to give Jacob a limp to encourage him to walk by faith.

In his attempt to appease Esau, the old schemer used several devices: bowing (vv. 1–7), bribery (vv. 8–11), outright lying (vv. 12–16), and then moving off in another direction (vv. 17–20). Esau went south and Jacob went east! Princes are not supposed to bow, and what about God’s promise in Genesis 25:23 and 27:29?

Praying the Scripture

1. Jacob had seen the angels (32:1–2), and he had even seen God face-to-face (v. 30), but when he saw Esau and his four hundred men, he seemed to lose all the spiritual progress he had made and returned to his old self. It’s one thing to be blessed on the mountaintop with God and quite something else to carry that blessing down into the valley. Let’s pray that we are not mountaintop Christians but able to face day-to-day challenges with the strength God gives us.

2. The fact that Esau ran to his brother, embraced him, kissed him, Jacob was given an opportunity to talk with Esau about the past and get family matters straightened out. But instead of confessing his sins and giving witness to God’s grace in his life, Jacob spent the time begging Esau to accept his gifts. Jacob had seen God face-to-face, but he said nothing to Esau nor did he give God the glory. Let’s pray that we are brave enough to share our spiritual awakening to our family rather than insincere and cheap talk.

3. God’s command was that Jacob return to Bethel (31:13) and then to his home where Isaac still lived, which was Hebron (35:27). Instead, he tarried first at Succoth and then settled near Shechem. (33:18) At Succoth, the pilgrim who was supposed to live in a tent (Heb. 11:9–16) but he built a house for himself. When he moved near Shechem, Jacob purchased a piece of property and became a “resident alien” in the land. He was settling down in the land. It’s obvious that Jacob wasn’t in a hurry to obey God and return the Bethel. We commend him for erecting an altar and giving public witness of his faith in the Lord, but sacrifice is no substitute for obedience (1 Sam. 15:22).

^[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, With the Word Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), Ge 33:1–34:1.

经文：创33章

主题：雅各的回归

雅各见过神，被赋予了新的名字，但我们没有马上看见这给雅各带来的好处。有时候，他就像雅各，有时像以色列（“与神同在的王子”）。许多神的子民辜负了他们在基督里的新生命，因为他们不按自己的信心。神使雅各瘸脚为的是要鼓励他凭信心行事。

为要安抚以扫，雅各那老阴谋家，试图使用几个伎俩：鞠躬（1-7节）、行贿（8-11节）、说谎（12-16节），然后往另一个方向移动（17-20节）。以扫往南，雅各就往东！王子是不应该向别人低头的，那神在创世记25:23和27:29的应许又是什么呢？

一个错误往往导致另一个错误。雅各不再是一个旅居者，他购买了神所赐的土地、盖起了房子并安顿下来。他筑了一座祭坛，称它为“神，以色列的神”（新的名称），但是这并没有阻止他与邻居惹上麻烦。

Scripture Reading        : Gen 32

Theme                            : The Struggle

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.

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)

2. 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.

3. 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）。

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.

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.

2. 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

用经文祷告

Scripture Reading        : Gen 30

Theme                            : The Lord Blessed Jacob

Praying the Scripture

1. We see in this episode Jacob’s patience in the hands of his four wives. Not only did Laban tell him what to do, but the wives were also fighting, scheming and making agreements that he knew nothing of until he came home weary from caring for the flocks. Rachel and Leah treated Jacob like a servant and used him as a pawn in their family bargaining and he patiently bore it all. God’s plan for marriage is one man and one woman. It is difficult to imagine what headaches and heartaches 4 wives brought to Jacob. It is better to make a right decision rather than the wrong one that leads to chaos in the family. Let’s pray that we will follow God’s plan for marriage and patiently wait for God instead of getting into a situation we’ll regret for life.

2. The time had come for Jacob to move his large family and start his own business. All Jacob wanted for his wages from working for Laban this whole time were speckled and spotted sheep – animals considered inferior at that time. However, God blessed Jacob and he became very wealthy. It was not the peeled sticks. It was God’s promise at Bethel to bless Jacob, and He kept His promise. (28:13–15) Again we see that God did not forget his promise but he was faithful to the end. Let’s pray that we do not let our humble circumstances, be it family or business, distract us from God’s promise and that we’ll rely on Him completely.

^[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, With the Word Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), Ge 30:1.

经文：创30章

主题：主祝福雅各

本章节有两个主题：雅各家庭的建立（1-24节），和雅各财富的建立（25-43节）。很多人（包括雅各）认为一切皆在他们的掌控下，但是这一切其实都在神手中。

常年在宠爱自己的母亲照顾下长大的雅各（25:28），已经习惯听从女人的话。但现在，他的生命里有四个不同的女人！当他从田里回家时，他从来就不知道今天会和哪一个妻子生活！这“阴谋家”终于发现当别人自私地操纵他人生活的时候，生命是有多痛苦的。

拉班试图欺骗雅各，但神却使雅各成为一个非常富有的人。事实上，神是因为雅各的缘故而祝福拉班，这老骗子也承认这点（第27节）！是神的祝福使得羊群增加，而不是雅各的计谋。神遵守了自己在伯特利许下的承诺（28:13-15）。当我们处在困境时，我们是可以相信神必然会照顾我们的。

Scripture Reading        : Gen 28

Theme                            : The Presence of the Lord

A day of disappointment (1–9).

Jacob was a lonely fugitive, forced to flee from home. Even though he left with his father’s blessing (and Isaac knew what he was doing), Jacob faced an unknown future, and his brother still wanted to kill him. Not an encouraging beginning for a new chapter in his life! But God was still in control (Rom. 8:28).

A night of discovery(10–15).

Jacob was literally between a rock and a hard place. But that night, Jacob made several discoveries that helped to change his life. He discovered that God was with him and working for him and had a perfect plan for his life. Jacob may have been separated from home, but he was not separated from heaven. (See John 1:51.) The very angels of God were caring for him (Heb. 1:13–14). “When the night is the darkest, you see the stars the brightest.”

A morning of dedication(16–22).

Praying the Scripture

1. Jacob the “home boy” is now without a home and is starting on a five hundred mile trek to Haran. He was fleeing from an angry brother and facing an unknown future, and all he had to depend on was his father’s blessing. From now on, the home boy would have to become a pilgrim and walk by faith. Jacob put his head on stone and slept (vv. 11, 18), a common practice in the Near East. As he slept, he had a dream in which he saw a ladder or stairway with angels going up and down between heaven and earth. Jacob discovered that he wasn’t alone but that God was with him! The God of Abraham and Isaac was watching over him and His angels were there to guard him and serve him. Yes we are also pilgrims on earth and we are also not alone. The Lord is with us. Let’s pray that we are constantly aware of the omnipresent Lord who is with us always.

2. On awakening, Jacob’s first response was one of fear and surprise. God was in there and he didn’t know it! But “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Prov. 1:7) His next act was to worship God who had appeared to him. He turned the headpiece into a pillar to memorialize the great experience. By pouring oil on the stone, he consecrated it to the Lord. In later Hebrew liturgy, the pouring out of liquid was symbolic of pouring one’s life out in devotion to the Lord (Ex. 29:38–41; see also Phil. 2:17; 2 Cor. 12:15). Pray that we will also devote our entire lives to the Lord who is always with us as Jacob did.

^[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, With the Word Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), Ge 28:1.

经文：创28章

主题：在主面前

失望的一天（1-9）

雅各被迫离家成为了一个孤独的逃犯。即使他带着父亲的祝福离开，但他仍然必须独自面对未知的将来和面对想要杀他的兄弟。雅各就是在这种灰暗的环境开始了新的生活！但神仍然是掌权的主（罗8:28）

发掘的一晚（10-15）

雅各的确在两难之间。但在这一夜雅各有许多改变自己生命的新发现。他发现神与他同在、并且有完美的计划。雅各虽然已离家，但他并没离开天家。 （见约1:51）神的使者正在细心照料着他（希1:13-14）。 “夜晚最黑暗的时候，也就是星星最光亮的时候。”

奉献的一上午（16-22）

雅各把他的石枕变为一个神圣的祭坛，以敬拜神来迎接新的一天。他为这地方取了一个新的名字：“神的殿” 。神在哪里与我们同在，那个地方就成为神的殿。雅各的信心虽然软弱，在奉献上与神“讨价还价”，但他仍然紧握住神的应许。这就是雅各新的开始，20年后他将以成熟信徒的面目返回伯特利。

Scripture Reading                    : Gen 27

Theme                                         : The Blessing of God

A wrong decision.

It was only a matter of time before the divided home would start to self-destruct, and it all began with Isaac. He knew that God had chosen Jacob, the younger son, to receive the blessing (Gen. 25:23–26); but he announced that he would give it to Esau. It seems that Isaac was more interested in his physical appetite than in spiritual things. He was not the spiritual person he once had been.

A wrong solution.

Rebekah knew what God’s promise was to Jacob, and she should have let God work it out in His own way. “Faith is living without scheming,” and who can hinder the Lord from accomplishing His purposes (Dan. 4:35)? Instead, she made her son a liar and deceived her husband. If Isaac had trusted the Lord instead of his physical senses (vv. 21, 22, 25, 27), he would not have been fooled.

A wrong attitude.

Esau had made it clear years before that he was not interested in spiritual things (Gen. 25:29–34), and certainly he knew God’s word about the blessing. He wept (Heb. 12:17) and begged for a blessing, and then he plotted to kill his brother! His heart was not right with God or man. We are reminded of Cain (Gen. 4).

Praying the Scripture

1. Before the twins were born, God had told Isaac and Rebekah that the younger son, Jacob, was to receive the covenant blessing (vv. 19–23); yet Isaac planned to give the blessing to the eldest son, Esau. Isaac rejected the way of faith and depended on his feelings and senses: taste (vv. 4, 9, 25), touch (v. 21), hearing (v. 22), and smell (v. 27). Are you living by your feelings or God’s Word? Yes, the temptation is always strong because if the feeling is not strong, there will be no temptation. Let’s pray that you will not put feelings before God’s word.

2. Isaac was depending on his own physical senses, but Rebekah was depending on her own wisdom. However, human wisdom always leads to trouble. Knowing that Jacob was chosen to receive the covenant blessing, Rebekah immediately took matters into her own hands to make sure her favorite son got what the Lord had promised him. She wanted to help God accomplish His will. Let’s pray that we trust God to fulfill his promise in His own way and timing instead of at our wisdom and scheming.

3. The man who despised his birthright and married two pagan women now wept and cried out for his father to bless him. Hebrews 12:16–17 commented on this event: Esau tried to repent, but his own heart was too hard; and he couldn’t change his father’s mind. Esau’s tears were not tears of repentance for being an ungodly man; they were tears of regret because he had lost the covenant blessing. Esau wanted the blessing but he didn’t want to be the kind of man whom God could bless! We may forget our decisions, but our decisions don’t forget us. Let’s pray that we walk in God’s way in order to receive God’s blessing.

^[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, With the Word Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), Ge 27:1.

经文：创27章

主题：神的祝福

错误的决定

一个纷争的家庭迟早会开始自我毁灭的，而这一切原由以撒。他知道，神已拣选并祝福小儿子雅各（创25:23-26）；但他却宣布将名分赐给以扫。以撒似乎更喜欢属肉体的事多过属灵的事。他已经不是那“属灵的以撒”了。

错误的解决

利百加知道神对雅各的应许，她原该让神自己来解决问题。 “信心的生命是没有诡计的生命”，谁可以阻碍神完成他的计划呢？（但4:35）相反，她要自己的儿子撒谎并欺骗自己的丈夫。如果以撒能信靠主而不是靠感觉（vv.21，22，25，27），他就不会被愚弄了。

错误的态度

以扫在多年前已声明他对属灵的事情没有兴趣（创25:29-34），而他也非常清楚神祝福的话。所以，他哭泣（希伯来书12:17）和乞求祝福，然后他更是要密谋杀害自己的弟弟！他的心，在神或在人，都是不正确的。这使我们想起该隐。（创4）利百加的“几天后相见”（44节）竟成为了二十多年！在她百般谋算下，她在有生之年再也没见过自己儿子一面了。

用经文祷告

1. 在双胞胎出生之前，神曾告诉以撒和利百加，祂将祝福小儿子雅各（19-23节）；但以撒却打算把祝福赐给长子以扫。以撒拒绝信心的道路，而跟随自己的感觉行事：味觉（4节，9节，25节）、触觉（21节）、听觉（22节）和嗅觉（第27节）。你是否按自己的感觉还是神的话语生活呢？是的，诱惑总是带着强烈的感觉。因为如果没有感觉，那就不会有诱惑。让我们祈祷，我们不把感觉摆在神的话语之前。

2. 以撒凭着自己身体的感觉，而利百加凭着自己的智慧。然而，人类的智慧总是带来麻烦。利百加知道雅各是被拣选的，因此她立即采取行动，以确保她最喜欢的儿子得到主所应许他的。她想帮助神完成祂的旨意。让我们祈祷，我们不会依赖自己的智慧和谋算，而是相信神必定会在祂的时机完成祂的旨意。

3. 藐视自己长子名分并和两名的外邦女子结婚的以扫现在哭了，并要求父亲祝福自己。希伯来书12:16-17对这一事件评论说：以扫试图悔改，但他自己的心太硬；也无法使父亲的心意回转。以扫的眼泪不是因自己犯罪而流下忏悔的眼泪，是遗憾的泪水，因为他失去祝福。以扫想要得到神的祝福，但他并不想成为神所要祝福的人！我们可以忘记自己做过的决定，但决定绝不会忘记我们。让我们祈祷，我们能走在神的道路上并获得神的祝福。

Scripture Reading        : Gen 26

Theme                            : Confrontation

Faith cannot grow apart from trials, and this chapter records several trials that Isaac endured and shows how he responded to them.

Escape (1–6).

Deception(7–14).

While in enemy territory, Isaac resorted to the “family lie” that twice got Abraham into trouble (12:10ff.; 20:1ff.). It is sad when the new generation imitates the sins of the old generation. God blessed Isaac in a material way, but we wonder what his spiritual life was like. Did his neighbors trust him after hearing about his lie?

Surrender(15–25).

Water is a very precious commodity in desert country, and possessing a well is almost the same as having a deed to the land. Instead of defending what his men had done, Isaac moved to new locations. He may have been practicing Romans 12:18.

Confrontation(26–35).

In contrast to his father Abraham, who dared to declare war, Isaac was a quiet, meditative man who tried to avoid trouble. He boldly faced his neighbors with their bad conduct—and he won! Note that he went the extra mile and entertained the men at a feast. (See Rom. 12:18–21)

Praying the Scripture

1. Isaac could flee from famine but when he was forced to a dead end, he turned to deception to protect himself. Isaac was asked about his wife and he lied just like his father Abraham. Abraham committed this same sin twice, once in Egypt (Gen. 12:14–20) and once in Philistia (chap. 20). Remember, faith is living without scheming; and lying seems to be humanity’s favorite way to escape responsibility. We can never successfully run away from trials, because God sees to it that His children learn the lessons of faith regardless of where they go. Let’s pray that we trust God rather than our own understanding and scheming.

2. The Philistines tried to get Isaac to leave their land and they stopped up Abraham’s wells. The crisis came when the king himself commanded Isaac to move away, so Isaac obeyed. Whenever Abraham had a problem with the people, he boldly confronted them and got the matter settled (13:5–18; 14:1; 21:9ff and 22ff). But Isaac was a retiring man who wanted to avoid confrontation. But the Philistines did not let him go. Finally Isaac became bolder in his approach, and he confronted the Philistines with their misdeeds. It’s worth noting that Isaac’s conduct during this conflict had made a great impression on them and they could tell that the Lord was richly blessing him. More important than possessing his wells was the privilege Isaac had of sharing his witness with his pagan neighbors. Let’s pray that we are brave enough to face confrontation when the time comes. Even so, we do it to honor God.

经文：创26章

主题：对抗

信心不通过试炼是不会成长的，本章记录了以撒所经历的几个考验，并且他是如何应对这些考验的。

逃生（1-6）

像亚伯拉罕一样，以撒逃往埃及（12:10）；但神却在边境拦阻了他（10:19），并安慰他。以撒因着父亲亚伯拉罕而被神祝福。（5:24）我们绝不能忘记我们有愧于已过世的属灵领袖（及亲属）。

欺骗（7-14）

在敌人的领土里，以撒使出了“家族的谎言”，那两次都犯下亚伯拉罕的谎言。（12:10；20:1 ff）这是可悲的，因新一代正模仿着上一代的罪。神在物质上赐福给以撒，但我们不知道他的属灵状况是如何的。他的邻居是否在听到他的谎言后还能相信他呢？

投降 (15–25)

水在沙漠国家里是一种非常珍贵的，而拥有一个良好泉源就好比拥有这块土地的的契据。以撒竟选择迁移到新的位置，也不维护自己手下所做的事。他可能已在操练罗马书12章18节了。

对峙（26-35）

用经文祷告

Scripture Reading        : Gen 25

Theme                             : The long and good life

The center of attention now shifts from Abraham to Isaac.

Isaac the heir.

God’s resurrection power continued to work in Abraham; he married again and begat six more sons. God is not likely to do this for people today, but the spiritual lesson is clear: we should be fruitful even in old age (Ps. 92:14). Abraham distinguished Isaac from his other sons: he gave them generous gifts, but he made Isaac his heir (v. 5; 24:35). God gives good things to unsaved people (Matt. 5:45; Acts 14:17; 17:25), but only those who are His children, through faith in Christ, can claim their inheritance. (See Rom. 8:17; Eph. 3:6; Heb. 1:2.)

Isaac the orphan.

Abraham lived by faith and died by faith (Heb. 11:13), and God kept His word (Gen. 15:15). Isaac and Ishmael together mourned their father’s death, for death is a human experience that binds all men together. Unsaved relatives share in times of sorrow, but their grief is hopeless without Jesus Christ. Compare Ishmael’s death (v. 17) with that of Abraham.

Isaac the intercessor.

Isaac the father.

God gave them twin boys who were opposite each other in every way. He also gave them a revelation that the younger one, Jacob, would carry on the messianic line. For that reason, you would think that Isaac would have favored Jacob but the physical won over the spiritual. Esau pictures the man of the world who despises the eternal and lives for the temporal.

Praying the Scripture

1. Abraham died “in a good old age” as the Lord had promised him (15:15). He had walked with the Lord and had been “the friend of God” (James 2:23). Old age is “good” if you have the blessing of the Lord on your life (Prov. 16:31). Abraham also died “full of years” (Gen. 25:8). This suggests more than a quantity of time; it suggests a quality of life. Abraham, who flourished and was fruitful to the very end, fulfilled the picture of old age given in Psalm 92:12–15. How few people really experience joy and satisfaction when they reach old age! This is a testimony of God’s faithfulness and graciousness. Let’s pray that we will also end well with “full of years” and “in good old age.”

2. It is a clear case that favoritism always divides homes (Gen 25:28 ) Let’s pray that we will protect our family from favoritism.
3. Esau despised his birthright over a cup of lentil stew. (Gen 25:34) what about us? Do we despise our birthright as a Christian because of temporal and earthly pleasure? Let’s pray that we value our salvation and identify because Christ paid a heavy price for us! 

经文：创25章

主题：健康长寿

现在我们的注意力从亚伯拉罕转移到以撒身上。

继承人–以撒

神复活的能力继续在亚伯拉罕身上动工，他再婚并生下六个儿子。神在今日应该不会再为人们这么做，但属灵的功课是明确的：即使在年老的时候，我们也要多结果子。（诗92:14）亚伯拉罕将以撒从其他儿子分别出来。：亚伯拉罕虽然赐给他的儿子们丰厚的礼物，但他只让以撒做自己的继承人（第5节；24:35）。神将美好的东西赐给未得救的人（太5:45；徒14:17；17:25），但只有通过在基督里，因信称义的人才可以继承祂的产业。 （参罗8:17，弗3:6；希1:2）

孤儿 – 以撒

亚伯拉罕因着信活着，也因着信去世。（希11:13）以撒和以实玛利一同为父亲的死亡哀悼，因为死亡也可以使人团结。未得救的亲人在这时候也会一同悲伤，但他们的悲伤是无望的，因他们没有耶稣基督。请比较以实玛利和亚伯拉罕的死亡（17节）。

代祷者 –以撒

以撒迎娶利百加的时候已经四十岁了。神赐给以撒所有的一切，除了他最想要的东西。亚伯拉罕和利百加知道神应许他们将有后代。（创15:5）因此以撒紧握神的承诺，并不断祷告。真正的祷告是紧按着神的应许祷告（约15:7），并求完成神的旨意。

父亲 –以撒

神所赐的虽是双胞胎男孩，但他们在各方面都大不相同。祂也赐给他们一个启示，就是小儿子雅各将继承弥赛亚的血脉。出于这个原因，你可能以为以撒将更疼爱雅各，但肉体却胜过属灵。以扫代表一个蔑视永恒时间和生命的世俗的人。

用经文祷告