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The Father Abraham 父亲 (1–9)  

It seems strange that the longest chapter in Genesis tells the story of how a man got his wife. But the chapter goes beyond history into theology. It gives us a picture of the Heavenly Father getting a bride for His Son (Matt. 22:1–14). The church is compared to a bride (2 Cor. 11:2–3; Eph. 5:22–33); and during this present age, the Holy Spirit is calling people to trust Christ and be “married to … Him” (Rom. 7:4). For one thing, the chapter emphasizes separation. Abraham made it clear that his son was not to marry a Canaanite woman (24:3). The Law of Moses did not permit the Jewish men to marry heathen women (Deut. 7:1–11). Nor are believers today to marry unbelievers (2 Cor. 6:14–18; 1 Cor. 7:39–40). Genesis 24 is a great encouragement for those who want God’s will in the selection of a mate. 

《创世记》中最长的篇幅，竟是讲述一个男人是如何娶得自己的妻子。然而，这故事已超越历史，包含神学概念了。它代表我们的天父是如何为自己的儿子预备新妇（太22:1-14）。教会就好比新娘（林后11:2-3，弗5:22-33）；而在这个世代，圣灵正在呼召相信基督的人“嫁入……耶稣”（罗7:4）。另外，本章节强调分离。亚伯拉罕清楚表示，他的儿子不得娶迦南的女子（24:3）。摩西的律法不容许犹太男子与异教妇女结婚（申7:1-11）。今日的信徒也不得与非信徒结婚（林后6:14-18，林前7:39-40）。对于那些想要按神旨意来选择伴侣的人，《创世纪》24章是一个很大的鼓励。

The Servant 仆人 (10–60) 

The servant loved his master’s son and asked for God’s guidance. He knew how to “watch and pray” and discern God’s leading. He was not disappointed, for God rewarded his faith. Little did Rebekah realize that a small act of kindness would open up an exciting new life for her. “Make every occasion a great occasion, for you can never tell when someone may be taking your measure for a larger place,” advised Marsden. The servant talked about his master and not about himself, and he would not eat until he had given his message (John 4:31–32).

仆人爱他主人的儿子，并求神的指引。他知道该如何“儆醒祷告”，并识别神的带领。神因仆人的信心，并不叫他失望。利百加万万没想到一个小小善意的举动竟为她开辟了一条令人兴奋的新生活。马斯登建议：“将每一刻变成伟大的时刻，因你永远无法知道就在何时，这一切会带你到一个更宽阔的未来。”仆人所谈论的是自己的主人，不是自己，又不肯吃，直到他传了主人的信息（约4:31-32）。

Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告

1. Just as Abraham wanted a bride for his son, God the Father elected to provide a bride for His beloved Son. Yes, The bride is the Father’s love gift to His Son (John 17:2, 6, 9, 11–12, 24). Let’s pray that we bring joy and glory to the Son Jesus Christ.

正如亚伯拉罕希望为儿子预备妻子，神也为心爱的儿子拣选预备新妇。是的，新娘是天父赐给儿子的一份爱礼（约17:2，6，9，11-12，24）。让我们祈祷，叫我们能为儿子耶稣基督带来喜悦和荣耀。

2. The servant acted by faith in God’s promise and providence. (24:27) He took time to pray and he kept his eyes open to see what God might do. In His providence, God brought Rebekah to the well just as the servant was praying. The servant did what Gideon would do years later, “put out a fleece” (Jud. 6:36–40). This is not the best way for God’s people to determine the will of God, because the conditions we lay down for God might not be in His will. We are to walk by faith and trust God to providentially guide us to the place we need to be. God is sovereign and he will accomplish His plan without fail. In any case, God accommodated Himself to servant’s needs (and Gideon) and guided him as requested. Furthermore, the servant was not led by feelings or impulsive acts but careful observations. In fact when he saw Rebekah, he was evaluating Rebekah to see if she would make a good wife for Isaac and he found her to be kind, pleasant, humble, healthy, and a hard worker. Watering ten camels is no easy job! Let’s pray that we are discerning and patient for God’s will.

仆人依靠的是神的应许和预备，所以他凭信心行事（24:27）。他花时间祷告，并睁眼期待。在神的供应下，当仆人还在祷告的时候，神就把利百加带到井边。仆人也做了基甸多年后会做的事，就是“把一团羊毛放在身上”（士6:36-40）。这并不是神子民了解神旨意最好的方法，因为我们所设的条件未必在神的旨意中。我们必须凭信心行事，并相信神的预备，指引我们当走的路。神是有主权的，祂必准确无误地成就祂的计划。无论如何，神迁就了仆人（和基甸）的要求引导他。此外，仆人也没有被感情或冲动行事，而是通过仔细的观察做判断。事实上，当他看见利百加时，他仔细评估了利百加，看她是否会能作以撒的贤妻，后来发觉她平易近人、谦卑、健康，又是个勤奋的人。为十匹骆驼打水不是一件轻松的事！让我们祈祷，叫我们能明辨神的旨意，并耐心等候。

3. Before coming to conclusion, he asked one of the most important question: “Whose daughter are you?” (Gen. 24:23). The wider implication for Christian believers today before you settle down is “Is he/she a child of God? Let’s pray that we are always discerning. 

在他得到结论之前，仆人问了一个极为重要的问题：“你是谁的女儿？”（创24:23）从广义上来说，今天的信徒在确认伴侣之前应该也想想：他/她是神的儿女吗？让我们祈祷，叫我们能明辨。 

1. Abraham the Mourner 哀悼的亚伯拉罕.

Sarah is the only woman named in the Bible whose age is given and burial described. It was the death of a princess, a woman of faith (Heb. 11:11–13; 1 Pet. 3:6). Abraham felt the pain of his loss and openly expressed his grief. Faith is not the enemy of tears, for we sorrow as those who have hope (1 Thess. 4:13–18). Jesus wept (John 11:35) even though He knew He would raise His friend from the dead.

撒拉是在圣经中唯一提到年龄和葬礼的女性。这是一个公主，一个有信心女子的死亡（希11:11-13；彼前3:6）。亚伯拉罕因失去了撒拉而感到痛苦，并公开表达了自己的悲痛。一个有信心的人并不表示他就不会流泪，但我们在悲伤的眼泪中仍有指望（帖前4:13-18）。即使耶稣知道祂将使自己的朋友从死里复活，祂也哭了（约11:35）。

2. Abraham the Sojourner 旅居的亚伯拉罕.

Ephron did not plan to give Abraham a valuable piece of land, but that is how typical Eastern bargaining always begins. Although the land already belonged to Abraham (15:7), but he did not want to take advantage of it and he could never explain that to his unbelieving neighbors. He was a pilgrim and did not claim any of it for himself. This is Abraham’s philosophy and principle of life as a pilgrim on earth.

以弗仑并没有打算将一块值钱的土地送给亚伯拉罕，但典型的东方谈判就是这样开始的。虽然这土地已经属亚伯拉罕了（15:7），但他并不想占别人的便宜，而他也无法向这些不信的邻居解释清楚。他是一名旅居者，他不将任何事物占为己有。这是亚伯拉罕作为世上一个旅居者的生活理念和原则。

3. Abraham the Owner 地主亚伯拉罕.

He paid a high price for what became one of the most famous tombs in Bible history, and eventually six people were buried there (49:31–32). Abraham owned only one thing on earth: a grave. Genesis ends with a full tomb, but the gospel story ends with an empty tomb! And because Jesus Christ lives, we who trust in Him never need to fear death.

他以高价购买了圣经历史上最有名的墓葬，而最终会有六个人葬在这里（49:31-32）。亚伯拉罕在世上只拥有一样东西：坟墓。《创世记》以一个完整的墓总结，但福音故事却以一个空墓结束！而因为耶稣基督仍活着，我们这些相信祂的人从来就不必害怕死亡。

Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告

1. It is alright to weep. Abraham wept, David wept, and Jesus wept. God created us with feelings and emotions and it is natural to express it. Ecclesiastes states that there will be a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance (Ecc 3:4). However, we may not grieve as others do who have no hope (1Th 4:13). So there is a God-glorifying grieving. We need to discipline ourselves and keep grieving under control. (1Co 9:27) Let’s pray that we know how to handle our emotions for the glory of God.

我们是可以哭泣的。亚伯拉罕哭了，大卫哭了，连耶稣也哭了。我们被造时是富有感受和情绪的，将这些情感表达出来是件最自然不过的事。《传道书》说：“哭有时，笑有时；哀恸有时，跳舞有时（传3:4）。”然而，我们不可以像那些没有指望的人一样悲伤（帖前4:13）。因此，有一种悲哀是可以荣耀神的。我们需要操练自己，学会控制自己的情绪（林前9:27）。让我们祈祷，叫我们知道如何处理我们的情绪以荣耀神。

2. Abraham is a gracious man and he did not want to take advantage of the people of the land. Even though he knew God has given him the land, he knew the people might not understand so he gave them enough money in order not to stumble them. He is truly a pilgrim on earth. Let’s pray that we do not fight with others over the temporary things of this world but be a true pilgrim like Abraham.

亚伯拉罕是一个宽厚的人，并不想占当地人的便宜。虽然，他知道神已将这地赐给他，但他知道这些不信的人可能不会明白，所以付给他们足够的钱，不绊倒他们。他是地上真实的客旅。让我们祈祷，叫我们不因这世上短暂的事与别人争吵，但学会像亚伯拉罕一样成为一个真正的客旅。

3. Genesis ends with a full tomb, but the gospel story ends with an empty tomb. There is a saying that a man only needs a 6 by 3 piece of land for us to rest (grave). But Jesus didn’t even need that. Let’s pray that our hope is in heaven rather than on earth. We bring nothing here and we take nothing out of this world. Let’s pray that our hope is fixed on Jesus who gives us everything in heaven and on earth.

《创世记》以一个完整的墓总结，但福音却以一个空墓结束！有人曾经说过：一个人只需要一个六乘三大的土地就能让自己安息（坟墓）。但耶稣连这个也不需要。让我们祷告，我们的盼望是在天上而不是地上。我们来的时候不带任何东西，也不能带任何东西走。让我们祈祷，叫我们的盼望定在那赐给我们在天上和地上所有一切的耶稣。

At the age of 75, Abraham enrolled in the “School of Faith.” Now he was over 100, and he was still having soul-stretching experiences. We are never too old to face new challenges, fight new battles, and learn new truths. When we stop learning, we stop growing; and when we stop growing, we stop living.

亚伯拉罕75岁时加入了“信心之府”。现在年已百岁的他仍面临属灵的考验。我们需要以“活到老,学到老”的精神持续面对新挑战、新考验及新真理。当我们停止学习时，我们就会停止成长；当我们停止成长，生命也会止息。

Genesis 22 records the greatest test that Abraham ever faced. Offering Isaac on the altar was the hardest test Abraham ever faced, but he came through victoriously because he trusted God (Heb. 11:17–19). He had experienced resurrection power in his own body (Rom. 4:19–21), so he knew what God could do. It was a test of faith, whether he will trust God. This is far more difficult than the previous tests involving Lot and Ishmael.

《创世记》22章记载了亚伯拉罕所面临的最大考验。将以撒献在祭坛上是亚伯拉罕一生最大考验，但他因为信靠神而得胜了（来 11:17-19）。他曾经亲身的经历了复活的大能（罗4:19-21），所以他知道神必定也能使以撒复活。这是对信心的考验，审查亚伯拉罕是否会相信神。这远远比早前有关罗得和以实玛利的考验来得更大。

It was also a test of hope, for God’s plan of salvation for the world was wrapped up in Isaac. If Isaac died, how could the Jewish nation be built and the Savior be born? But Abraham had a living hope because he trusted in the living God (1 Pet. 1:3).

这也是对盼望的考验，因神拯救世界的计划与以撒息息相关。如果以撒死了，犹太民族将如何建立起来，救主怎么诞生呢？但亚伯拉罕有生命的盼望，因为他相信永生的神（彼前1:3）。

Certainly it was a test of love. In verse 2, you find the first use of the word love in the Bible. Abraham loved his son, but he loved God more. Isaac was God’s gift to Abraham, but the gift had to become a sacrifice to God. If the gift becomes more important than the Giver, it becomes an idol.

当然，这也是对爱的考验。在第2节中，你会发现“爱”这字首次出现在圣经里。亚伯拉罕爱他的儿子，但他更爱神。以撒是神赐给亚伯拉罕的礼物，但这礼物也必须成为献给神的祭物。如果礼物比赐予礼物的神更加重要，那神的礼物就成为偶像了。

After He tests us, God reveals Himself to us in a new way (John 14:21–23). The name Jehovah-Yireh means “the Lord will see to it” or “the Lord will provide.” The ram was God’s provision for Isaac, and Jesus Christ is God’s provision for the whole world. In this experience, Abraham saw Christ by faith and rejoiced (John 8:56).

神考验了我们之后，祂会以新的方式向揭示自己（约14:21-23）。耶和华以勒意思是“耶和华会看顾”或“主耶和华必预备”。公羊是神为以撒预备的，而耶稣基督是神为全世界预备的。通过这次的考验，亚伯拉罕因着信看见基督并欢喜（约8:56）。

Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告

1. The command to Abraham to sacrifice his son was repeated thrice by God in verses 2, 12 and 16. This would mean killing the son and ending the promise of the Abrahamic Covenant. Such action would seem illogical, irrational and incomprehensible, yet Abraham obeyed (v. 3). This was a test of faith and test of hope – whether you can trust God even if you do not understand. Pray that you will remember that God’s ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts than our thoughts. (Isa 55:9)

神三次命令亚伯拉罕把自己的儿子献上（2，12和16节）。这相等于要杀死自己的儿子，终止亚伯拉罕之约的应许。这样的命令似乎不合逻辑、不合理、更难以理解，但亚伯拉罕却顺服了（3节）。这是对信心和盼望的考验——即使我们无法明白的时候，我们是否愿意信靠神？请祷告你会谨记：神的道路高过我们的道路，祂的意念高过我们的意念（赛55:9）。

2. The Lord knew Abraham loved his son dearly: “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love. (Gen 22:2) This is his only son he got after waiting for 100 years. The test is whether Abraham love his son more than God. If our hearts desire anything more than God, that desire, regardless good or bad, becomes our idol. What is the ultimate desire of your heart? In a sense, we are also being tested like Abraham every day. Do we love God more than anything in the world? Let’s pray that we love God more anything in the world.

主知道亚伯拉罕非常疼爱自己的儿子：“你带着你的儿子，就是你独生的儿子，你所爱的以撒。”（创22:2）这也是他等待了100年后唯一的儿子。这次的考验是要测试亚伯拉罕是否爱自己的儿子，过于爱神。如果我们对任何事物的渴望是大于神的，无论它是好是坏，那已成为我们的偶像。你心里最大的渴望是什么呢？在某种程度上，我们每天也在经历像亚伯拉罕一样的考验。我们爱神过于爱世界的任何事物吗？请祷告我们确实爱神超过世界上任何的事物。

1. Family Joys 家庭的欢乐 (1–7).

God kept His promises, followed His schedule, and did not fail. This time, Sarah’s laughter was open and sincere, not hidden and skeptical (Gen. 18:12). The name Isaac means “laughter,” and the boy brought much joy to the aged couple. Through him, joy has come to the world. God makes “everything beautiful in its time” (Eccles. 3:11).

神按着自己的时间履行承诺，绝不失败。这一次，撒拉的笑声是公开和真诚的，并不是隐藏和多疑的（创18:12）。“以撒”的意思是“笑声”，而这男孩为这对高龄夫妇带来许多欢乐。通过他，快乐已来到这世上。神“按其时成为美好”（传3:11）。

2. Family Sorrows 家庭的悲伤 (8–21).

Abraham reaped the sad consequences of forgiven sin. He had lived with Ishmael for perhaps seventeen years, and he loved the lad, so the parting was painful. There comes a time when we must “cut off” the past and make a new beginning. The apostle Paul saw this as a picture of law and grace (Gal. 4:21–31). For Abraham’s sake, God blessed the lad and made him a great nation.

亚伯拉罕的罪虽然已被宽恕了，但他仍然需要承担罪所带来悲惨后果。他与以实玛利生活了17年，他爱这孩子，所以离别时是痛苦的。有时，我们必须“斩断”过去，才能迈入新的未来。使徒保罗认为这是律法与恩典的预表（加4:21-31）。因着亚伯拉罕的缘故，神赐福给这男孩，使他成为大国。

3. Family Testimony 家庭的见证 (22–34).

Abraham’s unsaved neighbors could tell that he was a man whom God had blessed. Abraham didn’t try to lie his way out of this problem; he boldly told the truth and trusted God to work. The possession of water is an important thing in the East, and people will fight over wells. God’s people must be careful in their relationships with “those who are outside” the faith (Col. 4:5; 1 Thess. 4:12).

亚伯拉罕未得救的邻居们看得出他是一个蒙神祝福的人。亚伯拉罕并没有试图以谎言来脱离责任；他大胆地说出实情，并相信神的工作。拥有水源在东方是一件重要的事，人们会为了泉源而争斗。神的子民必须小心对待他们与在信心之“外”的人的关系（西4:5；帖前4:12）。

Life is a balance of joys and sorrows, problems and blessings. We must learn to accept what God gives us and walk by faith.

人的一生必有欢喜与悲伤，困难与祝福。我们需要学会接受神所赐给我们的，并凭信心行事。

Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告

1. Relationships can be messy. The same people who bring us joy can also bring us sorrow. Relationships can also change overnight. The arrival of Isaac brought both sorrow and joy to the family. Joy because the burden of childlessness was a really heavy burden in that culture and finally it came to an end. It is ironic that the name Abraham means “father of a multitude” yet he had no child of his own. This made him a laughing stock for many years. Yet Abraham believed in God and waited on him. So the arrival of Isaac was a promise fulfilled and a reward to Abraham who waited on God. Let’s pray that we will learn from Abraham in trusting God no matter what others say about us or our God.

人际关系是可以很复杂的。带给我们欢乐的人也能带来悲伤。关系也可以在一夜之间突然改变。以撒的出生带给这家庭欢乐，同时也带来悲伤。欢乐，是因为在当代的社会文化里，无子女是一个非常沉重的担子，而这烦愁终于结束了。最讽刺的是，亚伯拉罕这名的意思是“多国之父”，但他自己却没有孩子。这使他多年来一直成为笑柄。然而，亚伯拉罕坚信神并等候祂。因此，以撒的到来是这应许的应验，也是亚伯拉罕等候神的奖赏。让我们祷告，叫我们向亚伯拉罕学习，不管别人如何论说我们或我们的神，我们依然信靠神。

2. It was also a time of sorrow because Abraham had to accept the consequences of his sin. It was time to say goodbye to Hagar and Ishmael. Sin is messy especially it has to do with family. Let’s pray that we love our family and pray for them that whatever we do will bless them rather than pain them. We might be a victim of someone’s sin but let’s pray that the vicious cycle stops with us. Let’s pray that we bring God’s grace, salvation and blessing to our family rather than curse and pain to them.

这也是一个悲伤的时刻，因为亚伯拉罕不得不接受自己犯罪的后果。这是与夏甲和以实玛利说再见的时候了。罪可以很复杂，尤其当牵涉到家庭时。让我们祷告神使我们爱我们​​的​​家人并为他们祷告，无论我们做什么都能成为他们的祝福，而不使他们痛苦。我们或许会因别人犯罪而受害，但让我们祈祷这恶性循环将在我们这里停止。请祷告我们能把神的恩典、救恩和祝福带到我们的家庭里，而咒诅和痛苦。

1. Relapse 复发.

The man of faith started walking by sight (v. 11), became frightened (Prov. 29:25), and began scheming (Gen. 12:10ff.). This time, even Sarah lied (v. 5)! Whatever we carry with us from the old life (v. 13) will create problems in the new life. It is one thing to confess our sins but another thing to judge them before God and forsake them (Prov. 28:13). When a marriage must be protected by a lie, the home is in danger.

这位信心之人开始凭眼见行事（11节），所以变得害怕（箴29:25），心里就起谋算（创12:10）。这一次，连撒拉也说谎了（5节）！我们若不放下就生命中的包袱（13节），就会在新生命中制问题。承认自己的罪是一回事，把罪带到神前来受审判并离弃它又是另一回事（箴28:13）。当婚姻必须由一个谎言来维护时，这家便处在危险之中。

2. Revelation 启示.

God spoke to the heathen king but not to His own friend, Abraham! Although God kept the king from sinning, He allowed Abraham to lie! God called Abraham to be a blessing, but now he had become a curse in the land. God was protecting Sarah, Isaac, and His great plan of salvation.

神向外邦君王说话，而不是与自己的朋友亚伯拉罕！虽然神阻止王犯罪，但祂却允许亚伯拉罕说谎！神呼召亚伯拉罕成为别人的祝福，但他却导致这片土地受到咒诅。神保护的是撒拉、以撒和祂伟大的救赎计划。

3. Rebuke 训斥.

What a humiliating thing to be openly rebuked by a pagan king. God sometimes uses the unsaved to chasten the saved. The fact that Abraham was a believer did not give him license to sin. Unfortunately, years later, Abraham’s son Isaac would imitate his father’s sin (Gen. 26).

在公开场合上被一个外邦君王斥责是多么羞耻的事啊。神有时会使用非信徒来教训真信徒。事实上，亚伯拉罕不应该认为自己信神了就任由犯罪。不幸的是，在多年以后，亚伯拉罕的儿子以撒也犯下他父亲同样的罪（创26）。

4. Restoration 复原.

In those days, the paying of a large sum of money was public “atonement” for guilt; however, sin is never profitable. God did not forsake His friend (Ps. 105:15; 2 Tim. 2:12–13) but honored him in the end and answered his prayer. Financially, Abraham was richer; spiritually, he was poorer. He lost character as well as opportunity to witness and glorify God.

那时，支付大笔现金是“赎罪”的方式；然而，犯罪从来就不会带给人好处。神没有离弃祂的朋友（诗105:15；提后2:12 – 13），还回应他的祷告。在金钱上，亚伯拉罕更富裕了；但在属灵上，他更贫穷了。他失去了见证和荣耀神的机会。

Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告

1. Yes, Abraham fell again. Temptations come in many different sizes and shades. Just when we think everything is safe and sound, we fall into it. Let’s pray that we keep watching and praying that we may not enter into temptation. (Mat 26:41)

是的，亚伯拉罕再次跌倒了。诱惑会以许多不同的方式呈现在我们眼前。当我们正觉得一切安然无恙时，我们就跌倒了。让我们祈祷神使我们能随时保持警惕，叫我们不会掉入诱惑的陷阱d （太26:41）。

2. If we walk uprightly, God will protect us from sinning. This is what we learn from Genesis 20:6, “Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that you have done this in the integrity of your heart, and it was I who kept you from sinning against me. Therefore I did not let you touch her. (Gen 20:6) Let us pray that we’ll walk in righteousness and obey God from our hearts. The Lord will be faithful and protect us from sinning.

如果我们行得正，神就会保守我们不犯罪。这就是我们从《创世记》20章6节知道的：“神在梦中对他说：我知道你作这事是心中正直；我也拦阻了你，免得你得罪我，所以我不容你沾着他。”让我们一起祷告，使我们行在公义的道路上并从心里顺服神。信实的主将保守我们不犯罪。

Because Jesus did not “feel at home” with Lot in Sodom, He sent the two angels to look into the situation for Him. The angels didn’t walk the streets or visit the public places of amusement. They visited a professed believer to see what his home was like. Lot’s wife and family were far from the Lord. The salt had lost its flavor (Matt. 5:13), so what hope was there for the city?

主耶稣不喜悦罗得在所多玛的生活，所以祂派了两个天使去实地考察。天使没有到街上逛或到娱乐场所去，而是去了一个自称是信徒的家，看看那是什么样子。罗得的妻子和家人已经都远离主了。盐已经失去了它的味道（太5:13），所以这个城市还有什么希望呢？

Abraham was visited when it was light, but Lot received the angels at evening (1 John 1:5–10). Abraham’s household obeyed his word as he served the Lord, but Lot’s family only laughed at Lot’s words. Abraham hastened, but Lot lingered and had to be dragged out of the city. Abraham, who lived outside Sodom, had more influence than Lot, who lived in the city. Lot tried first to plead with the men at the door, and then to bargain with them. God’s approach was to judge them. They loved darkness rather than light (John 3:19).

天使是在白天拜访亚伯拉罕，但罗得迎接天使时已是晚上了（约一1:5-10）。当亚伯拉罕事奉主时，他一家都听从他的话，但罗得的家人却只是耻笑罗得的话。 亚伯拉罕加快脚步服侍主，但罗得却游离徘徊而被拖出城。居住在所多玛以外的亚伯拉罕，比住在城内的罗得更有影响力。罗得首先尝试在门口恳求众人，然后再与他们达成协议。然，神的方式是审判。他们不爱光，倒爱黑暗（约3:19）。

God did not find ten righteous people, but He spared Lot and his wife and daughters for the sake of Abraham. While we may hate the sins of Sodom, keep in mind that all those people went to eternal judgment. (See Jude 23.)

神没能找出十个义人，但因亚伯拉罕的缘故，赦免了罗得和他的妻子和女儿。虽然我们可能会憎恨所多玛的罪，但请记住这些人已在永恒的审判里（见犹23）。

Lot had no tent or altar, and he ended up in a cave committing terrible sins. Were it not for 2 Peter 2:7–8, we might doubt that he was a believer at all (See Ps. 1:1.). 

罗得没有帐篷或祭坛，最终还在一个山洞里犯下重罪。若不是《彼得后书》2章7至8节，我们可能会质疑他是否是真信徒（见诗1:1）。

Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告

1. What was the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah? What did Lot mean when he said, “Do not act so wickedly. (Gen 19:7)? It was the sin of homosexuality. According to Jude 7 it was sexual immorality and unnatural desire. The men in the city want the two men who just arrived despite the two daughters of Lot. This is perversion to the extreme. Look at verse 4, “But before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both young and old, ALL the people to the last man, surrounded the house. (Gen 19:4) Their sin has reached the maximum. Their sin was worse than the generation of Noah, “the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (Gen 6:5; see also 6:11-12) Let’s pray for ourselves and our nation that we will not end up in this predicament.

所多玛和蛾摩拉的罪恶是什么呢？当罗得说：“请你们不要作这恶事”是什么意思呢（创19:7）？罗得指的是同性恋的罪。据《犹大书》7节，这是淫乱和怪癖的欲望。这城市的男人宁愿要得到刚到的两名访客，也不要罗得的两个女儿。这真是极致堕落的表现。看看第4节：“他们还没有躺下，所多玛城里各处的人，连老带少，都来围住那房子。”（创19:4）他们的罪已经达到了极致。他们的罪比挪亚时代还严重，“人在地上罪恶很大，终日所思想的尽都是恶”（创6:5；6:11-12）。让我们为自己和国家祈祷，使我们不会陷入这样的困境。

2. Lot’s family was attracted to the lifestyle of Sodom and Gomorrah. When the family was told about God’s punishment, they laughed. The angels had to take them by force to save them. As they were fleeing, Lot’s wife was still not ready to sever her desires for the fleshly lifestyle. When she turned back to have her last look, she became a pillar of salt. (Gen 19:26) Let’s pray that we take sin seriously. Jesus said, “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. (Mat 5:29)

罗得一家被所多玛和蛾摩拉的生活方式有所吸引。当他的一家知道神将要施行审判时，他们竟然笑了。天使们只好强硬把他们带走，以拯救他们。当大家纷纷在逃离时，罗得的妻子仍然没有做好断绝她属世欲望的准备。当她转身看最后一眼时，她变成了一根盐柱（创19:26）。让我们祷告神让我们认真对待罪。耶稣说：“若是你的右眼叫你跌倒，就剜出来丢掉，宁可失去百体中的一体，不叫全身丢在地狱里。”（太5:29）

1. Resting 休息 (1)

Resting in the afternoon is a normal practice in the East, and don’t forget that Abraham was nearly a hundred years old. Sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is take a nap! The believer’s body is God’s temple and must be cared for (1 Cor. 6:19–20). (See Mark 6:31.)

午休是在东方是常见的习惯，且不要忘了亚伯拉罕此时已近一百岁了。有时，最属灵的事莫过于小憩了！信徒的身子就是圣灵的殿，我们必须好好照顾自己（林前6:19-20；见可6:31）。

2. Serving 事奉 (2–8)

Abraham had no trouble noticing the pilgrims because it was unusual for people to travel in the heat of the day. The visitors were two angels and the Lord Jesus Christ, in one of His preincarnation appearances. Even though he had 318 servants, Abraham served Him personally, and fourteen times he called Him “Lord.” Abraham ran from place to place to make certain the meal they were preparing was the very best.

亚伯拉罕立即注意到这些客旅，因为人们在大热天出行并不常见。这拜访者就是两位天使和主耶稣基督（基督降世之前的化身）。尽管亚伯拉罕有318个仆人，他仍然亲自接待，更14次称他为“主”。亚伯拉罕忙忙碌碌的，就是为了确保他们所准备的饭菜是最好的。

3. Listening 聆听 (9–15)

Abraham stood nearby as the visitors ate, ready to serve them whatever they wanted. But the Lord gave Abraham something better than food: He announced that the promised son would be born within the year. “Where is Sarah your wife?” is the last of three key questions in Genesis (3:9; 4:9; 18:9). The question “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” has been answered by Job (Job 42:2), Jeremiah (Jer. 32:17), and Gabriel (Luke 1:37).

亚伯拉罕站在客旅的身边，随时侍候他们。然，主赐给亚伯拉罕的比食物更好：祂宣告，那位应许之子将在一年内诞生。“你妻子撒拉在那里？”是《创世记》中三个关键问题的最后一个（3:9，4:9，18:9）。“耶和华岂有难成的事？”这个问题已通过约伯（伯42:2）、耶利米（耶32:17）和加百列（路1:37）解答了。

4. Interceding 代祷 (16–33)

Because Abraham was both the friend of God and the servant of God, he shared God’s secrets. (See Ps. 25:14; John 15:15; James 2:23.) Lot had been rescued by Abraham’s intervention (chap. 14); now he would be rescued by Abraham’s intercession. Abraham prayed for the city on the basis of the justice of God, but God saved Lot on the basis of His mercy and grace (19:16, 19). Interceding for the lost and for needy saints is a high and holy privilege that we must not neglect.

由于亚伯拉罕既是神的朋友，又是神的仆人，所以神与他分享祂的心意（见诗25:14；约15:15；各2:23）。罗得曾经因亚伯拉罕的介入获救（14章）；现在他将因亚伯拉罕的祷告再次存活。亚伯拉罕按神的公义为全城祷告，但神却因着祂自己的怜悯和恩典拯救罗得（19:16，19）。为迷失和有需要的圣徒代祷，是我们不能忽视的一个崇高和神圣的特权。

Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告

1. When Abraham and Sarah were “as good as dead,” God gave them a child. At that time, it was crystal clear that there is nothing they could do but to trust God. How many times does the Lord have to bring us to such a situation in order for us to learn the lesson of trusting God? The Bible asks, “Is anything too hard for the LORD? (Gen 18:14) Obviously not. Let’s pray that we don’t have to be in this dire situation to learn this lesson.

当亚伯拉罕和撒拉的身子“如同死了”时，神赐给他们一个孩子。那时候，他们很清楚：除了相信神，他们什么都不能做。神到底还需要多少次把我们带到这种处境，我们才会学习信靠神呢？圣经问:“耶和华岂有难成的事？”（创18:14）显然没有。让我们祷告，叫我们无需沦落到如此局面才学会信靠神。

2. Sometime we wonder why God chose Abraham to be the father of faith? Gen18:19 gives us the reason: “For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.” (Gen 18:19) The Lord chose Abraham and wanted him to COMMAND his children and household to keep God’s command. Abraham is willing. How about us? Let’s pray that we are willing.

有的时候，我们或许会想神为什么会拣选亚伯拉罕作信心之父呢？《创世纪》18章19节告诉我们原因：“我眷顾他，为要叫他吩咐他的众子和他的眷属遵守我的道，秉公行义，使我所应许亚伯拉罕的话都成就了。”主拣选了亚伯拉罕，并要他吩咐他的孩子和家庭遵守神的命令。亚伯拉罕愿意这么做；我们呢？让我们祷告我们也会愿意那么做。

3. How did Abraham pray for the city God was going to punish? He knew God and relied on God’s nature, character (righteousness) and promise to pray for them. (Gen 18:25) Do you know God enough to pray for the people around you?

亚伯拉罕是如何为这些神将要惩罚的城市祷告呢？他真正认识神，并依照神的本性、属性（公义）和应许为他们祷告（创18:25）。你是否足够认识神，使你可以为身边的人祷告呢？

New Revelations 新的启示

As far as the record is concerned, God waited thirteen years before He revealed Himself again to Abram. During those quiet intervening years, Abram continued to walk with God and serve Him. He did not need constant special revelations to do God’s will, nor do we. God reaffirmed His covenant and then gave Abram the sign of circumcision as the mark of that covenant. How unfortunate that many of the Jews trusted in the sign rather than in the Lord (Acts 15:5; Rom. 4:10; Gal. 5:6)! God wanted an inward change of the heart, not just surgery on the body (Deut. 10:16; Jer. 4:4).

从圣经的记录来看，神等了13年后才向亚伯兰再次显现。在沉默的这段期间，亚伯兰仍然与神同行并事奉祂。他不需要神不间断的特殊启示才行神的旨意，我们也一样。后来，神与亚伯兰重申所立的约，并给予亚伯兰割礼的记号作此约的标记。可悲的是，许多犹太人却选择相信这约的记号而是相主（徒15:5；罗4:10；加5:6）！神想要的是心里内在的变化，不仅是外科手术带来的改变（申10:16，耶4:4）。

New Names 新的名称

In Bible history, a new name means a new beginning, a step forward in faith. (See Gen. 32:28; John 1:40–42.) Abram means “exalted father”; it became Abraham, “father of a multitude.” Sarai (“contentious”) became Sarah, “a princess.” God even revealed a new name for Himself: God Almighty. The only name that did not change was Ishmael, for what is born of the flesh remains flesh and cannot be changed (John 3:6).

在圣经中，新的名字意味着新的开始，是在信仰上前进的一步（见创32:28；约1:40-42）。亚伯兰的意思是“崇高的父亲”，改为亚伯拉罕，即“多国的父”之意；撒莱（“争议”）则改为撒拉，即“多国之母”之意。神更是为自己揭示了一个新的名称：全能的神。唯一没有更改名字的是以实玛利，因为从肉身生的就是肉身，这是改变不了的（约3:6）。

Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告

1. It is very difficult for us to wait on the Lord. Yet God’s way is not our way (Isa 55:9). Why would God want Abraham to wait for thirteen years? Because the Lord wanted Abraham to know that God is all-sufficient and all-powerful, and that nothing is impossible for Him. After Abraham’s battle with the four kings, God came to him as a warrior and told him He was Abraham’s “shield.” When Abraham wondered about Sodom’s wealth, God told him He was his “exceedingly great reward” (Gen. 15:1). Now when Abraham and Sarah were “as good as dead,” God assured them that He was more than sufficient to bring about the miracle birth. Yes, God is going to bless us but the obstacle is that we still rely on our own way and not his way. A father will not give his son his fortune unless the son knows how to handle it. Let’s pray that we grow in Christ to know Him and His way quickly.

等候主是一件非常困难的事。然而，我们要明白神的道路并不是我们的道路（赛55:9）。为什么神要亚伯拉罕等待十三年呢？因为神要亚伯拉罕知道祂是全备和全能的神，在神没有难成的事。亚伯拉罕与四个国王争战后，神以一个战士的身份来到他的面前告诉他，神就是他的“盾牌”。当亚伯拉罕思念所多玛的财富时，神告诉他，神才是他“大大的赏赐”（创15:1）。现在，当亚伯拉罕和撒拉“如同死了”，神向他们保证，祂必能带来那奇迹的诞生。是的，神要祝福我们，但问题是我们仍然靠的是自己的方法，不是祂的。除非孩子知道如何管理财富，不然父亲是不会把财产交给儿子的。让我们祈祷，叫我们能在基督里成长，尽快认识主和祂的道路。

2. New name means new character. After 13 years Abram finally learned the lesson and now his name is changed to Abraham. Sarai’s name also changed to Sarah. If we claim to know God and yet there is no change in our lives, we don’t really know Him at all. If theology cannot change you, you have no theology at all. Pray that our theology is not head knowledge but coming face to face with the living God.

新的名字意味着新的品格。过了13年，亚伯兰终于吸取了教训，所以名字如今改为亚伯拉罕。撒莱的名也改为撒拉。如果我们声称认识神，但生命却丝毫没有改变，那就证明我们完全不认识神。如果神学没能改变你，你实际上就不知道什么是神学。让我们祈祷，使我们的神学并不只是头脑的知识，而是与永活之神面对面。

Faith and patience always go together (Heb. 6:12; James 1:1–5). Isaiah declared, “Whoever believes will not act hastily” (Isa. 28:16). We must trust God not only for His plan but also for His timing. Before He could send the promised son, God had to wait until Abram and Sarai were as good as dead (Rom. 4:19–21; Heb. 11:11–12). Sarai leaned on human understanding instead of God’s promises (Prov. 3:5–6). She trusted a woman from Egypt instead of the God of heaven.

信心和忍耐总是并肩而行的（来6:12；各1:1-5）。以赛亚宣告说：“信靠的人必不着急”（赛28:16）。我们不仅必须相信神的计划，也必须相信祂的时间。神在实现祂给亚伯兰的应许之前，不得不等到亚伯兰和撒莱如同死了一样（罗4:19-21；来11:11-12）。撒莱依靠了自己的聪明，不是神的应许（箴3:5-6）。她宁愿相信一位来自埃及的女人，也不相信天上的神。

Sarai was not a strong believer, but she was a capable blamer. She blamed God for her barrenness, then blamed Abram when Hagar created problems in the home. The wisdom from God is pure and peaceable, but the wisdom of the flesh is always divisive (James 3:13–18). Abram abdicated his spiritual leadership in the home, and the result was confusion.

撒莱不是一个坚强的信徒，可却是个善于责怪他人的人。她指责神使她不能生育，然后又为夏甲在家制造的问题指责亚伯兰。从神而来的智慧是清洁、和平的，但是人的智慧却导致分争（各3:13-18）。亚伯兰放弃自己在家里的属灵领导之责，其结果就是家庭混乱。

When we walk by sight and not by faith, we get impatient; we scheme and blame others. Then when things go wrong, we try to get rid of our mistakes. God sent Hagar and Ishmael back to Abram and Sarai, and they had to live with their mistake for at least another seventeen years.

当我们凭眼所见而不是凭信心而行时，我们就会开始感到不耐烦；我们为自己谋算并指责别人。当事情出差错的时候，我们就试图想要摆脱责任。神让夏甲和以实玛利回到亚伯兰和撒莱身边，他们俩则还有至少17年的时间继续面对自己所犯下的错误。

Abram and Sarai greatly wronged Hagar, and they suffered for it; but God stepped in and cared for her and her son. Abram obeyed God and gave the appointed name to his son: “Ishmael—God shall hear.” Had Abram and Sarai waited on God instead of running ahead of God, they would have avoided all that pain.

亚伯兰和撒莱令夏甲受到极大的委屈，而他们自己也因此受苦；但神却介入并照顾夏甲和她的儿子。亚伯兰听从神的话，为自己的儿子取名为“以实玛利神”，即“神必听见”。如果亚伯兰和撒莱愿意等候神而不是跑在神的前头，他们也就无需承受这些痛苦了。

Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告

1. One of the hardest things in spiritual pursuit is waiting upon the Lord. The Lord is never late and he knows when the best time is. Our problem is we can’t wait. We want it and we want it NOW. Let’s pray that we’ll not only trust God but also His timing.

在属灵追求上，其中一件最难的事就是等候主。主从来不延迟，也知道何时是最好的。我们的问题是自己等不及。我们要，而且现在就要。让我们祈祷，我们不仅要相信神，也要相信祂的时间。

2. Proverb says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. (3:5) How did Sarai lean on her own understanding instead of trusting God? After she waited for a long time, she ran out of patience. Instead she “helped” God by her own scheming. She gave her servant Hagar to Abraham and let her bear him a child. Her action not only brought problems to her family but contributed to the mess we face today in the world. How great a mess can be created by a person’s impatience! Let’s pray that we submit to God and wait upon Him.

《箴言》3章5节说：“你要专心仰赖耶和华，不可倚靠自己的聪明。”撒莱如何倚靠自己的聪明，而不仰赖神呢？她已等了一段很长时间，所以失去了耐心，靠自己的计划来“帮助”神。她把仆人夏甲给亚伯拉罕为妾，让她为亚伯拉罕生个孩子。她的行为不仅制造了许多家庭问题，也导致了现今世上许多的问题。一个人的急躁竟然可以造成如此巨大的祸患啊！让我们祷告自己愿顺服神并等待祂。

3. Although Hagar was ill-treated yet the Lord wanted her to return to Sarai and submit to her. Interestingly, although Hagar has no clue why must it be so, she obeyed. There are times we have no clue why things happen the way they do, pray that we’ll just trust God’s goodness and obey His Word (Bible).

虽然夏甲遭到撒莱的虐待，但主要她回到撒莱身边并顺服她。有趣的是，夏甲并不知道神为什么要她这么做，但仍听从了神的话。很多时候，我们并不了解事情为什么必须这样发展，但让我们祷告，能单单相信神的美善并顺服祂的话语（圣经）。

Abram’s reward was not the applause of the people he rescued but the approval of the God he served. This is the first of many “fear nots” in the Bible. Fear after a battle is not unusual, but fear and faith cannot live very long in the same heart (Matt. 8:26). Abram’s fears were quieted by three revelations from God.

亚伯兰的赏赐不是从他所救出的人而得的掌声，乃是从他所事奉之神的悦纳。圣经中多次出现“不要惧怕”，而这里所见的是第一次。战争后而感到惧怕并不稀奇，但恐惧和信心不能长期共存在同一颗心里（太8:26）。亚伯兰的恐惧由神给的三个启示平息下来。

1. Who God Is 神是什么 (1).

God is our protection and provision, so we need not to fear the enemy without or our feelings within. God is the great I AM, and He can meet every need. With Him, we have everything; without Him, nothing we have is sufficient.

神是我们的保护，是供应我们所需的，所以我们不必惧怕外在的敌人，内心也无须担忧。神是伟大的“我是”，祂能满足你一切所需。有了神，我们就拥有了一切；没有神，无论我们拥有什么，都是不足够的。

2. What God Says 神说什么 (2–7).

Abram looked at himself and realized how old he was getting. Then he looked at his steward, Eliezer, and thought perhaps God could use him. But God told him to stop looking at himself and at others and to start looking up to God. This is the second time he lifted up his eyes to see what God had for him (Gen. 13:14; see also 13:10). Verse 6 makes it clear that Abram was saved by faith in God’s word (Rom. 4:3; Gal. 3:6; James 2:23), and that is the only way to be saved.

亚伯兰看了自己，就意识到自己年事已高。他再看看管家以利以谢，想到神也许可以使用他。但是，神告诉亚伯拉罕他要停止看自己和别人，要注视的是神。这是他第二次举目观看神给他定的计划（创13:14；亦见13:10）。第6节清楚说明亚伯兰是因信了神的话语而得救（罗4:3；加3:6；各2:23），这也是得救的唯一途径。

3. What God Does 神做什么 (8–21).

God sealed His promise with a covenant. In those days, to walk between the divided parts of an animal was one way to seal an agreement. But God was the only One who passed between the pieces! Abram was asleep! God’s covenants are all of grace (Eph. 2:8–9), and our works are but evidence of our faith.

神立了约，必履行誓言。当时，走在被分割的动物之间是立约的方式之一。但，神是唯一行在动物之间的那一位！亚伯兰已经睡着了！神的约都是出于恩典（弗2:8-9），而我们所成之事仅是信心之凭据。

When you find yourself afraid or impatient with God’s will, look toward heaven and remember His covenant and His promises. When you bring your offering to God, be sure the enemy doesn’t steal it. When you can do nothing, rest assured God is at work.

当你发现自己对神的旨意感到害怕或不耐烦时，请仰望天空，谨记神的约与祂的应许。当你献祭于神时，请确保敌人不会偷去。当你什么也不做了时，请记住神正在动工呢。

Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告

1. Abraham believed the LORD, and God counted it to him as righteousness (Gen 15:6). Yes, to Abraham and his wife it is impossible but nothing is impossible with God. (Luke 1:37) If we keep looking at our own situation, we will have hard time believing in God. But if we look to the God of Almighty, we CAN believe because He is the one who calls into existence the things that do not exist. (Rom 4:17). Let’s pray that we fix our eyes on God, not our circumstances.

亚伯拉罕信耶和华，神就以此为他的义（创15:6）。是的，对亚伯拉罕和他的妻子来说，这是不可能的事，但在神没有难成的事 （路1:37）。如果我们持续注视自己的处境，我们将很难相信神。但是，如果我们定睛于全能的神，我们便可以相信，因为祂是使无变为有的神（罗4:17）。让我们祷告叫我们定睛于神，不是自己的处境。

2. Besides the promise that Abraham’s offspring will be numerous, second promise God made with Abraham was the promise of the land (Gen 15:7). Abraham asked God how could he know that he shall possess it?” (Gen 15:8) The Lord basically said to Abraham, “You just have to trust My Word for it.” So God made a covenant with Abraham by passing between the animals that cut into half (Gen 15:17). So this covenant is a unilateral covenant made by God alone and there is nothing Abraham can do to nullify it. Today we still have not seen this covenant being fulfilled. But from the data of NT, this covenant will be fulfilled during the millennium. That’s why we take the stand of pre-millenniumism. Let’s pray that we take every word of God seriously and believe that it will come to pass.

除了应许亚伯拉罕后裔众多之外，神也承诺亚伯拉罕将继承地土（创15:7）。亚伯拉罕问神，他怎么会知道他必得这地为业呢（创15:8）？主基本上对亚伯拉罕说的是：“你必须相信我的话。”所以，神与亚伯拉罕立约，自己从那些动物中经过（创15:17）。由此可见，这是神单方面与亚伯拉罕立的约，无论亚伯拉罕做什么都不能使得契约无效。今天，我们仍然未见到这约的实现。但根据新约的资料，这约将在千年时履行。这就是为什么我们采取千禧年前派的立场。让我们祈求神帮助我们认真对待神的每一句话，并相信它将应验。