Escape 逃跑
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).
雅各的家庭处境无论对他或他妻子都不理想，但他耐心等待神的指示才行动。当人需要做出抉择时，那颗寻求神的心必然会得到神的指示。请阅读《诗篇》25章，了解雅各的处境。如母亲一样，雅各用错误的方法做正确的事，而神必须介入以保全他（24节）。
Encounter 遭遇
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 goods, for whoever had them could claim possession of Laban’s property.
雅各虽有三天的优势，拉班终究还是追上了他。人是无法逃避问题的。拉班指责雅各违反社会习俗，而雅各指责拉班这二十年来持续食言。这里也涉及到他们家中偶像的问题，因为只要有神像，那人就能取得拉班所有的财物了。
Expedience 权宜
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.
两人无法达成共识，问题也并未解决。因此，他们达成协议，在边界之处堆起石头，叫双方都不得跨越。它被称为“石堆凭据”，提醒雅各和拉班神正看着他们俩（米斯巴意思是“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。
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.
休战比发动战争好，但最好的解决方式就是所有弟兄能和睦同居（诗133:1）。请参考《以弗所书》4章25至32节的引导。
Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告
- 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.
主命令雅各回到家乡去，因此他花时间与家人沟通，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与他一起去另一地方，与另一个民族中居住。即使神的话是我们做决定时的主要智慧来源（119:105），但与家人沟通并说服他们一起跟随主是好的。让我们祈祷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。
- 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.
虽然主已指示雅各，但他仍然如逃犯似的带着家人逃跑。这是恐惧和不信的行为，并非信心之举。事实上，雅各后来也向拉班承认，他偷偷地、迅速地离开，是因为他害怕（创31:31）。晓得和行出神的旨意是不够的；我们还要按祂的方式，以最能荣耀祂的道路行事。让我们祈祷，叫我们能凭着神的应许，有勇气坦然面对自己的处境。
