We shall continue with
the study of the Book of Genesis this week.
(1) Some commentators describe this segment as “God’s ordinance to safeguard His program” and divide them into three aspects. Can you assign the corresponding verses to each of these aspects?
a. The propagation of life
b. The protection of life
c. The sustenance of life
(2) As God reiterates His blessing on humankind through His blessing on Noah:
a. Compare His blessing in 9:1-2 to that in 1:28. How similar are they and what might the difference be and why?
b. Compare also 9:3 to 1:29. What is the difference between the two blessings and why? It appears that there is definitely a difference between the relationship of mankind and other living creatures before and after the flood. What is the difference and why?
(3) Why should men not eat meat “that has its lifeblood still in it”? (See Lev. 17:11)
(4) For the first time, capital punishment is pronounced for the murder of a human being. What is the basis of God’s pronouncement?
(5) This small segment begins with God’s blessing of the multiplication of mankind and closes with the same blessing. Is there any special meaning or significance attached to this repetition, especially when it was pronounced right after the flood?
(6) What is the main message to you today and how can you apply it to your life?
本週我們繼續研讀創世記。請慢慢細心讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反復思考問題。
(1) 有些釋經家稱這段經文為「神保障祂的計劃的規條」，並將經文內容分作三方面。試找出以下每一方面相應的經節：
a. 生命的繁殖
b. 生命的保護
c. 生命的維持
(2) 神再次藉祂對挪亞的祝福重申祂對人類的祝福：
a. 試比較9:1-2和1:28的祝福。它們有何異同之處？原因何在？
b. 也試比較9:3和1:29。這兩個祝福有何不同？原因何在？看來在洪水之前與後，人類與其他活物的關係確實有所不同。不同之處與原因何在？
(3) 為何人不可吃「仍帶著血」的肉？（參利17:11）
(4) 這裡首次提到以死刑對待殺人犯。神如此宣告有何根據？
(5) 這小段經文以神祝福人類要生養眾多為始，又以同樣祝福為終。這樣的重複，尤其是在洪水過後就宣講，可有什麼特別意思或意義？
(6) 今天你得到的主要信息是什麼？你會怎樣應用在你的生命中？
The other day, as I was driving to church, I saw a bumper sticker that was quite interesting. The car belonged to a pet-sitting service, and its bumper sticker said, “The more I meet people, the more I love my dog.” Sometimes, I also share this feeling.
As God created the earth and put the human in charge of everything on earth, including animals, it appears that in this sinless state, even animals voluntarily submitted to the human. In other words, the world was such a place of harmony that even “The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox” (Isa. 65:25). As a result, men and beasts were all vegetarians.
Subsequent to the Fall of Adam and Eve, as sin entered the world, everything changed, including the relationship between men (which led to the first murder by Cain), the relationship between animals, and that between men and animals. The wickedness on earth was so great that God had to wipe out everything, except those living beings sheltered by the ark.
God gave all living things a second chance as they left the ark, yet God knew that not only would human hearts continue to be evil (Gen. 8:21), but the relationship between men and beasts would also not be the same as before the Fall. Now, this relationship would be marked by fear (Gen. 9:2), even as it is to this very day.
Also, a new order was put in place by God: In addition to vegetation, men are allowed to eat “everything that lives and moves” for food. Scholars opine that such permission, on the one hand, allows men to demonstrate their dominion over the animals, and on the other hand, provides men with enough food in anticipation of their multiplication and spread over the earth, even to regions not necessarily favorable to farming.
But such permission is given with a caution that we are not to eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it. Yes, symbolically it reminds us that the life of a creature is in the blood (Lev. 17:11), but I believe that it also reminds us not to take life lightly, even the life of animals, by eating it with haste and savagely. This is perhaps why God chose to remind Jonah why He was concerned about the city of Nineveh. It was because, “Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?” (Jon. 4:11).
Yes, it is a pity that some have given up the chance to learn God’s kind of love by not being involved in the life of other people, and preferring to pour their so-called love on their pets and avoid any close human interaction. But the fact remains, our mandate to manage the world on God’s behalf continues, and we are to cherish what God cherishes, including animals.
一天，在駕車往教會的途中，我看見前車貼了一張頗有趣的標貼。車子是屬於一間代客看顧寵物的服務公司。標貼上印著：「我愈是接觸人，就愈愛我的狗。」有些時候，我也有同感。
神創造了地，吩咐人管理地面上的一切，包括動物在內。在當時無罪的狀況中，看來各動物都是自願順服人的。換言之，世界是個如此和諧的地方，以至「豺狼必與羊羔同食，獅子必吃草與牛一樣」(賽65:25) 。人與獸都是素食者。
亞當與夏娃的墮落，以致罪進入了這世界，一切都改變了，包括人與人的關係（引至該隱犯了首宗的謀殺）；獸與獸的關係；以及人與獸的關係。地上的罪惡滿貫以致神要毀滅一切，除了那些在方舟受庇護的生物。
當這一切生物離開方舟時，神給他們第二次機會。神知道不單人的心會繼續邪惡(創8:21) ，連人與獸的關係也不再回復到墮落前那樣。現在，彼此的關係是驚恐、懼怕，直到如今。
同時，神頒發一條新命令。除了地的出產外，人可吃「凡活著的動物」。有學者認為，如此的允准，一方面讓人顯示他們管轄動物；另一方面讓人有足夠的食物面對生養眾多，遍滿全地，甚至遍及那些不宜耕種的地區的情況。
不過，這允准要小心執行：我們不可吃帶有血的肉。不錯，這是一個象徵性的提醒：活物的生命是在血中（利17:11）。不過我相信它同時提醒我們不要輕看生命，就是動物的生命也不應倉促地、凶狠地吃。也許因此神特意提醒約拿為何祂愛惜尼尼微城，正因為：「這尼尼微大城，其中不能分辨左手右手的有十二萬多人，並有許多牲畜；我豈能不愛惜呢？」（拿4:11）
有些人不願意參與別人的生命，放棄從中學習神那樣的愛的機會，反倒寧願傾注他們所謂的愛在寵物的身上，逃避任何與人接近的交往機會。然而，事實仍在，我們被委托代神管理這世界的任務持續不斷，我們要愛護神所愛護的，包括動物在內。
This segment deals with the unique covenant that God made with all living things:
(1) Consider carefully the contents of this covenant:
a. What is God’s promise?
b. Is it conditional? Why?
(2) “Rainbow” means a bow (the weapon with an arc shape):
a. What kind of a sign is it?
b. Was it in existence before the flood?
c. If so, how can it be a sign?
d. If not, what might cause it to appear after the flood?
(3) With this new (or renewed) covenant in place:
a. What is the desire of God toward mankind?
b. Compare God’s relationship with mankind before and after the flood?
c. What are the responsibilities of mankind from now on?
(4) The Bible always describes God as the God who remembers (9:15). Does He really need a rainbow to make Himself remember? What does it mean for God to remember?
(5) What is the main message to you today and how can you apply it to your life?
請慢慢細心讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反復思考問題。
這段經文記載了神與一切活物所立的獨特之約：
(1) 請細心思想這約的內容：
a. 神應許什麼？
b. 這應許帶有條件嗎？為何如此？
(2) 「虹」的意思是一把弓（一種弧形武器）：
a. 這是一個怎樣的記號？
b. 在洪水之前它已存在嗎？
c. 若是如此，它怎能成為一個記號？
d. 若非如此，什麼原因使虹在洪水之後出現？
(3) 設立了這新的（或重新再立的）約：
a. 神對人類有什麼期望？
b. 試比較在洪水之前和後神與人類的關係。
c. 從今以後人類有什麼責任？
(4) 聖經常形容神是那位會記念與人所立的約的神（9:15）。祂真的需要虹來提醒自己嗎？「神會記念」是什麼意思？
(5) 今天你得到的主要信息是什麼？你會怎樣應用在你的生命中？
As we reflect
on the rainbow as a sign of God’s covenant to withhold His wrath on the earth,
the Bible says that God “remembers” His promise. Today, I invite you to reflect on the lyrics
of this song which reminds us that not only does God remember us, He “never moves
without purpose or plan”.
Rejoice in the Lord
God never moves without purpose or plan
When trying His servant and molding a man.
Give thanks to the LORD though your testing seems long;
In darkness He giveth a song.I could not see through the shadows ahead;
So I looked at the cross of my Savior instead.
I bowed to the will of the Master that day;
Then peace came and tears fled away.Now I can see testing comes from above;
God strengthens His children and purges in love.
My Father knows best, and I trust in His care;
Through purging more fruit I will bear.O Rejoice in the LORD
He makes no mistake,
He knoweth the end of each path that I take,
For when I am tried
And purified,
I shall come forth as gold.Ron Hamilton
當我們思想到虹作為神與地立約的記號，而這記號克制神不再向地發怒，聖經說神「記念」祂的應許。今天，我邀請你思想以下這首歌的詩詞，用來提醒我們，神不單記念我們，祂也「從不會無目的無計劃地行事。」
1. 神從不會無原或無故
試煉或模造屬祂的僕人
雖試煉延長也應獻上感恩
在黑夜祂賜下歌聲。
2. 我看不透前路黑影重重
故我轉移眼目來仰望十架
我跪在主前完全順服主旨
平安臨到淚痕消失。
3. 我真知道試煉從上而來
神必賜我力量並以愛來潔淨
我天父全知我要全然信靠
試煉過後果子增多。
副歌：
阿，要靠主歡樂 祂不會誤事
祂知道我道路 所引到的終點
祂試煉我後 我被煉淨
我就必如精金。
Ron Hamilton
(1) As godly as Noah was, what kind(s) of sin did he commit in v. 21? (See Hab. 2:15 and Lam. 4:21)
(2) What might the reason(s) be that could have led to his behavior?
(3) Read carefully about Ham’s action. How many acts of sin had he committed? Note that the word "saw (rā̓â)" means to look at searchingly.
(4) What does it tell you about his character?
(5) What could he have done differently?
(6) What did Shem and Japheth do that was so different?
(7) What does it tell you about their character?
(8) Was Noah’s curse on Ham too harsh? Why or why not?
(9) How has this curse materialized in history? (Note: Ham’s descendants include the Canaanites, Egyptians, Philistines, Assyrians and Babylonians.)
(10) With Shem getting the greatest blessings, it was probably his idea to cover his father. In any case, read 2 Ki. 17:20 to see if the blessings were conditional or not.
(11) What is the main message to you today and how can you apply it to your life?
請慢慢細心讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反復思考問題。
(1) 像挪亞那樣敬畏神的人，第21節說他犯了什麼罪？（參哈2:15和哀4:21）
(2) 引致他有如此行為的原因可能是什麼？
(3) 細讀含的行為。他犯了多少樣的罪？註：看見(ra’a) 原文的意思是仔細詳盡地看。
(4) 這讓你領會到他的品格如何？
(5) 他能有什麼不同的表現呢？
(6) 閃和雅弗有何不同的做法？
(7) 這讓你領會到他們的品格如何？
(8) 挪亞對含的咒詛太嚴厲嗎？為什麼？
(9) 這咒詛怎樣應驗在歷史裡？（註：含的後裔包括迦南人、埃及人、非利士人、亞述人和巴比倫人。）
(10) 閃得到最大的祝福，很可能是他提出去拿衣服覆蓋父親的。無論如何，請翻閱列王紀下17:20看看祝福是否帶條件的。
(11) 今天你得到的主要信息是什麼？你會怎樣應用在你的生命中？
The story of Noah was set against a vile and wicked generation — so wicked that God had to wipe out all living creatures. This makes the appearance of Noah so much more precious as the Bible introduces him as, “a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time" (Gen. 6:9).
Certainly, his righteousness was not a result of his action, but his faith in God. This is made clear in his subsequent sin committed after the flood.
I believe it was not so much the wine that got him drunk, but likely the comfort and ease that accompanied his life after the flood. As his family continued to expand, they were kind of under his influence, godly influence, no doubt. But he changed his profession to that of being “a man of soil”, and no doubt, God blessed his soil. In other words, life was good, so good, and he lapsed into moral inertia — to the point where he allowed himself to be drunk and naked.
Even with this mistake of his, he remained a righteous person, because from the beginning, his righteousness did not depend on himself, but on his faith in God, just as Abraham’s (Rom. 4:1-3).
How much more precious would his story be, if his life began well and ended well! That’s how precious the Word of God is, because it honestly shows us that all is grace, from start to finish, even in the life of Noah!
挪亞的故事發生在一個邪惡敗壞的世代—地上的罪惡是如此的猖獗以致神要除滅所有的生物。相比之下挪亞這個人難能可貴，因為聖經是這樣介紹他的：「挪亞是個義人，在當時的世代是個完全人」 (創6:9) 。
當然，他的義不是由於他的行為，而是他對神的信心。這一點在洪水以後他隨後所犯的罪顯明出來。
我相信問題不是在於他喝了多少酒以致喝醉，更大的可能是他在洪水以後的生活過於安舒悠閒。他的家庭繼續擴大，各成員相信都不多不少活在他的影響下，就是敬畏神的影響下。但是他改行成了一個農夫，一個「屬土地的人」，神也祝福他的土地。換言之，生活是那麼的美好，美好到他失去對道德的持守—去到他容許自己喝醉及赤身的地步。
雖然有這錯失，他仍是一個義人，因為從開始他的義並不是靠自己的行為，乃是憑他對神的信心，像亞伯蘭那樣（羅4:1-3）。
倘若他的一生由始至終都是完全的，他的故事豈不是更寶貴嗎？這正是神的話語寶貴之處；因為聖經誠實地啟示我們：由始至終一切都是恩典，挪亞的一生也不例外。
This chapter is called the “Table of Nations” written so extensively that it was unparalleled in antiquity and many of the names and locations have been verified through later archaeological finds (Alter). We may not be getting a lot of “devotional” insights from this table, but I’ll try to provide some modern-day locale to some of these descendants, and suggest a few thoughts for reflection. It is perhaps helpful to point out once again that
- Ham’s descendants include some of Israel’s most bitter enemies in later history: Egypt, Philistia, Assyria and Babylon.
- Japheth’s descendants spread mainly in Anatolia and Greece.
- Shem’s descendants are that of the chosen people—the Israelites.
(1) Sons of Japheth (10:2-5)
a. Gomer: a nomadic people to the north of the Black Sea
b. Magog: Lydia
c. Madai: later Medes
d. Javan: Ionian Greeks
e. Tubal and Meshech: Phrygia (Ezek. 27:13; 38:2)
f. Ashkenaz: Scythians
g. Riphath: uncertain
h. Togarmah: Armenia
i. Elishah: probably Cyprus
j. Tarshish: Somewhere in the Mediterranean Sea
k. Kittim: southern Cyprus
l. Rodanim: Island people of Rhodes
The reference to each having its own language points to what actually happened after the Tower of Babel in chapter 11.
Food for thought:
In 9:27, Noah prophesied that the descendants of Japheth will “live in the tents of Shem”. Spiritually, what might it mean?
(2) Sons of Ham (10:6-20)
a. Cush: possible northern Nubia and Northern Sudan
b. Mizraim: Egypt
c. Put: Libya
d. Canaan: whole of Palestine, west of Jordan, including Syria
e. Seba: Northern Africa
f. Havilah: Southwest Arabia
g. Sabtah, Raamah, Sebteca, Sheba: South Arabia
h. Dedan: North Arabia
i. Concerning Nimrod: Erech (southern Iraq), Akkad and Calneh (uncertain), Shinar: (whole of Mesopotamia), Rehoboth Ir (plazas of cities), Calah (Tell Nimrud, 20 miles south of Nineveh), Resen (2.5 miles northwest of Nimrud)
Food for thought about Nimrod (whose name means “We shall rebel”):
- With the help of a map, see how large his territory was.
- How did he become so powerful? (“warrior” means “tyrant” in Hebrew)
- What kind of a king was he? [The word “before” in v. 9 means “in the estimation of” in Hebrew (Waltke, 169).]
In your reading of Ham’s descendant, Canaan, with all his territories and descendants, reflect on the prophecy spoken by Noah in 9:24-26. Do you think that they fulfilled the curse of the prophecy because of who they were because of the prophecy, or because of their moral decadence?
(3) Sons of Shem (10:21-31)
a. Note this table chooses to highlight the genealogy of Eber, because from him, the line branches into the non-elect line of Joktan and the elect line through Peleg.
b. Some scholars opine that the adjectival form “Hebrew” may come from the name, Eber.
c. Peleg: his name means division, probably points to the time of the dispersal of the people at Babel in chapter 11.
d. The descendants of Joktan (the non-elect line): cover the area of Yemen and southern Arabia.
Food for thought:
God has certainly honored his post-flood blessing in 9:1.
- Did He anticipate a recurrence of evil and wickedness of mankind (see 8:21)?
- What was acutely absent spiritually speaking in this genealogy when compared to those mentioned in previous chapters?
(4) What is the main message to you today?
請慢慢細心讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反復思考問題。
本章被稱為「列國紀錄」，其全面性及追溯至古代是獨一無二的；許多名字與地方已被後來的考古發現所証實(Alter) 。我們或許未能從這紀錄得到很多的「靈修」領悟，但我會嘗試提供其中一些後裔現代的居地，同時提出一些思考的建議。我想再次提到：
– 含的後裔包括在以後的歷史中以色列的一些死敵：埃及、非利士、亞述和巴比倫；
– 雅弗的後裔主要播散在小亞細亞（Anatolia）和希臘；以及
– 閃的後裔就是神的選民以色列人。
(1) 雅弗的後裔（10:2-5）
a. 歌篾：黑海之北的游牧民族
b. 瑪各：呂彼亞人(Lydia)
c. 瑪代：後來的瑪代人(Medes)
d. 雅完：愛奧尼亞（小亞細亞西岸中部的古稱）的希臘人
e. 土巴和米設：弗呂家(Phrygia)(結27:13; 38:2)
f. 亞實基拿：西古提人(Scythians)
g. 利法：(不肯定)
h. 陀迦瑪：亞美尼亞(Armenia-西亞古國，現構成一地區，分屬蘇聯、土耳其和伊朗)
i. 以利沙：大概是塞浦路斯（Cyprus）
j. 他施：地中海的某地
k. 基提：南塞浦路斯
l. 多單：羅底的島民(Rhodes)
這裡提到各隨各的方言，正指出第十一章巴別塔後所發生的事。
思考問題：
9:27挪亞預言雅弗的後裔會「住在閃的帳棚裡」。這話的靈意是什麼？
(2) 含的後裔（10:6-20）
a. 古實：可能是北努比亞（Nubia）及北蘇丹
b. 麥西：埃及
c. 弗：利比亞(Libya)
d. 迦南：巴勒斯坦全地，約旦西部包括敍利亞。
e. 西巴：北非洲
f. 哈腓拉：西南阿拉伯
g. 撒弗他，拉瑪，撒弗提迦，示巴：南阿拉伯
h. 底但：北阿拉伯
i. 關於寧錄：以力（南伊拉克），亞甲和甲尼（不肯定），示拿（米所波大米Mesopotamia —兩河流域全地）利河伯(一組組的城市)，迦拉(Tell Nimrud，在尼尼微城之南20里) ，利鮮(Nimrud之西北2.5里) 。
關於寧錄（名字的意思是「我們會反叛」）的思考問題：
– 參閱地圖，看看他們的國土有多廣大。
– 他是怎樣變得這樣強大的？（「獵戶」在希伯來文是暴君的意思）
– 他是個怎樣的皇帝？〔第9節的「在……面前」在希伯來文是「評價」（Waltke, 169）〕
讀到含的後裔迦南，他的國土和後裔，請思想挪亞在9:24-26所說的預言。你認為他們之所以成為他們那樣的人是因為預言，還是因為他們道德的敗壞以至應驗了預言的咒詛呢？
(3) 閃的後裔（10:21-31）
a. 注意：這紀錄選擇著重希伯的子孫，因為從他而生出不被揀選的約坍之系和被揀選的法勒之系。
b. 有些學者認為「希伯來」作為形容詞出自希伯這名字。
c. 法勒：這名就是「分」的意思，可能是指第11章巴別塔後人類的分散。
d. 約坍的後裔（不被揀選之系）：居於也門（Yemen）與南阿拉伯地區
思考問題：
神肯定諾守祂於9:1洪水後所賜的祝福
– 祂估計到人類會重新陷入邪惡敗壞嗎？（參8:21）
– 這個家譜若與前幾章所提的家譜作個比較，按靈性來說，明顯缺少了什麼？
(4) 今天你得到的主要信息是什麼？你會怎樣應用在你的生命中？
It is interesting to note that as Ham sinned against his father, Noah’s curse was upon his son, Canaan. For one, Noah was prophesying of the sins of the Canaanites that would later come to pass historically in a horrible fashion. On the other hand, it might also show that Ham felt a deeper conviction as he realized the consequence of his sin was being passed on to his son, who might be just a child at the time.
And the sin of Ham was evil.
He did not just happen to invade the privacy of his father, he insulted him by not just looking, but looking with “searching” eyes (as the original Hebrew suggests). To stare lustfully at a man’s private part is already a horrible sin committed by another man, but his sin was made far more wicked when he was staring at his own father. As the curse of Canaan came to fruition, history depicts exactly this kind of sexual perversion being prevalent in the Canaanite society.
Today, the same perversion exists in our world, except that it is not only becoming commonplace, but it is recognized not as sin anymore. Their perversion not only has caused them “to receive in themselves the due penalty” (Rom. 1:27), but its consequence will be passed onto future generations, just as the sin of Ham did.
我們留意到含得罪他的父親，挪亞的咒詛卻是降在他的兒子迦南身上。其一，挪亞預言了將來歷史上迦南人所犯的可怕罪惡。其二，一旦含知道他犯罪所帶來的後果落在他兒子（可能當時還是個孩童）身上時，他對自己所犯的罪會有更深的認知。
含所犯的罪是邪惡的。
他不是湊巧侵犯了他父親的私隱，而是侮辱了他的父親。因為他不單只是看見，而是「仔細察看」（根據希伯來原文的意思）。帶著慾念瞪著眼看一個男人的私處已經是對那一個男人犯了可怕的罪，而他瞪眼看的是自己的父親，這使他的罪更是邪惡。當對迦南的咒詛實現時，歷史所勾劃的正是這類錯亂的性取向盛行在迦南人的社會中。
今天，同樣的性慾倒錯出現在我們的社會中。不同之處是：這現象不單愈來愈普遍，還不再被認定為罪。他們的倒性逆行不單使他們「在自己身上受這妄為當得的報應」（羅1:27），所帶來的後果也會禍及將來的世代，正如含所犯的罪那樣。
(1) What was this incident preceded by?
(2) What is the significance of such a background to this story?
(3) Use your imagination to list at least five significant impacts if the whole world were to have only one language today?
(4) God was clear in His command to men to spread over the earth (Gen. 1:28 and 9:1). Why then would men be so determined not to be “scattered over the face of the whole earth”?
(5) Why did the Biblical author take the care to mention with what they used to build the tower? Of course no tower can reach the heavens, so what then is the symbolical significance of such a notion?
(6) The literal translation of the words of the Lord in v. 6 is, “All they plan to do will not be withheld from them!” (Waltke) What does it mean? Was God being jealous of them?
(7) Have human beings changed today? In what ways are they following the footsteps of these people of old in rejecting God?
(8) Did they succeed? Will the people of today succeed? Why or why not?
(9) What then is the essential message of today and how may you apply it in your life?
請慢慢細心讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反復思考問題。
(1) 這事件之前發生何事？
(2) 這事件的背景有何意義？
(3) 倘若現今全世界只有一種言語，請運用你的想像力列出起碼五個重要的影響。
(4) 神的命令清楚說明要人類遍滿全地（創1:28和9:1），這樣，為何人類還要堅持不「遍滿地面」呢？
(5) 為何聖經的作者特意詳盡地描述他們用什麼材料來建造這塔呢？當然沒有一座塔能塔頂通天的。如此觀念有何象徵性的意思？
(6) 第6節神的話可直譯為：「他們計劃所做的一切就不受阻擋了！」(Waltke) 。這是什麼意思？神嫉忌他們嗎？
(7) 今日的人類有不同嗎？他們怎樣跟隨古代人的腳踪來拒絕神？
(8) 他們成功嗎？今日的人類會成功嗎？為什麼？
(9) 今天你得到的主要信息是什麼？你會怎樣用在你的生命中？
The Tower of Babel signifies human defiance and rejection of God. The people at the time knew that to build a tower that appeared to have reached the heavens was at best a symbolic genius achievement by men which by no means could match the wisdom and power of the Creator. But somehow, they believed that it was significant enough to throw God out of their lives.
Today, this Babel mentality continues, as men take pride in reaching Mars, in cloning and in seemingly duplicating life. On the one hand, men know that with whatever achievements or advancements they have, they cannot come close to unmask the mystery of the origin of the universe, let alone duplicate such a creation. Yet, they arrogantly flaunt their tiny successes as an act of defiance and rejection of God.
Jumping on the same bandwagon are celebrities of all kinds, mainly in the entertainment industry, who also flaunt their defiance and rejection of God with their licentious lifestyle. As they openly engage shamelessly in immoral behaviors, they donate generously towards humanitarian causes of all kinds. One would think that they do so with the hope that they might buy their way into heaven. But the sad truth is they do not even care if there is a heaven. They do so in defiance and rejection of God.
I wonder who might be worse — the atheistic scientists or the godless celebrities?
巴別塔表示人類蔑視與抗拒神。那世代的人明白建造一座看似是塔頂通天的塔只是標榜人的創造成就，是無法媲美那創造者的智慧與大能。不管如何，他們相信這塔的重要性足以將神趕出他們的生命中。
今天，這巴別塔心態仍持續著。人以能抵達火星、能複製和好像能複造生物自豪自大。另一方面，人也知道無論他們有什麼成就或進展，他們仍離揭露宇宙來源的奧秘甚遠，更談不上要複製如此的創造過程。然而，他們高傲地炫耀著他們微小的成就來蔑視和抗拒神。
各界各著名人士紛紛爭著加入他們的行列，其中來自娛樂界的尤甚，他們炫耀自己放蕩不覊的生活來蔑視和抗拒神。他們公然無恥地進行不道德的行為，同時慷慨捐助各種人道的事工。人會認為他們這樣行是希望用金錢換取上天堂。可悲的事實是：他們連是否有天堂也不關心。他們存著蔑視和抗拒神的心來做這些事。
我不能肯定誰比誰更差，是不信神的科學家還是無神的名人？
(1) In this genealogy, the Bible introduces us to Abram through whom all nations on earth will be blessed. What might the message be in setting this genealogy against the event of the Tower of Babel and the specific mentioning of “two years after the flood”?
(2) As much as Shem was blessed by Noah, and the line of Peleg was chosen by God, what was the spiritual condition of this chosen line when it reached the generation of Terah, the father of Abram? (see Jos. 24:2)
(3) Ur was an important center for the worship of the moon god, Sin. The Hebrew name of Terah may be related to the word, moon. In any case, how then could Abram go against the this tightly-knitted family in their worship of pagan gods?
(4) Stephen, in his speech in Acts 7:2, tells us that Abram received God’s call to leave Ur even before they were in Haran. What insight might you gain about the family dynamics of Terah’s family?
(5) What kind of test to Abram’s faith did Sarai’s barrenness present, especially in light of God’s covenant and blessing concerning multiplication and fruitfulness (9:1)?
(6) Haran was about 550 miles northwest of Ur and was also an important center of moon worship. What does their “settlement” in Haran speak of God’s calling of Abram to leave in Acts 7:2?
(7) Abram left Haran, only after his father’s death. Some scholars opine that it was a sign of his slowness of faith. What do you think?
(8) What is the main message to you today and how can you apply it to your life?
請慢慢細心讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反復思考問題。
(1) 聖經透過這家譜介紹亞伯蘭給我們認識，而地上所有人都能藉著他得福。請拿這家譜和巴別塔事件作個比較。特別提到「洪水以後二年」，這有什麼信息？
(2) 即使挪亞祝福閃，神又揀選了法勒的子孫，這被揀選的後裔到亞伯蘭之父他拉這代有何屬靈的狀況？（參書24:2）
(3) 吾珥是拜月神（Sin）的重要中心。他拉的希伯來名字可能與「月」這字有關。無論如何，亞伯蘭怎樣衝破家庭牢不可破對多神的敬拜？
(4) 使徒行傳7:2司提反的陳詞中，他提到亞伯蘭還未住哈蘭時就聽到神的呼召，要他離開吾珥。你對他拉家的家庭阻力會有什麼領會？
(5) 撒萊的不育，特別在神的約和祝福的亮光下要生養眾多（9:1) ，對亞伯蘭的信心有何考驗？
(6) 哈蘭約於吾珥之西北550里，同樣是一個拜月神的重要中心。他們「定居」哈蘭怎樣說明為什麼神呼召亞伯蘭離開那地（徒7:2）？
(7) 亞伯蘭在父親死後才離開哈蘭。有學者認為這表示他信心遲鈍。你認為如何？
(8) 今天你得到的主要信息是什麼？你會怎樣用在你的生命中？
The Bible refers to wine over 200 times, and many of the references are positive, like referring to the gift of new wine as a blessing (e.g. Gen. 27:28). Drinking wine appears to be a social habit in the Old Testament. But, the Bible often cautions us not to be drunk (e.g. Rom. 13:13). In fact, sins are often committed when we are drunk. Noah and Lot are prime examples. In fact, Hosea equates adultery with drinking in that both can “take away the understanding of my people” (Hos. 4:11).
Therefore, I am very reluctant in giving an answer to those who ask if Christians can drink or not, especially when I heard the sharing of a pastor on the radio.
He had just baptized a couple who invited him to celebrate their baptism over a meal. As they ate, the pastor casually ordered some wine, as was his habit at dinner. The couple was very surprised and asked, “Can Christians drink?” The pastor went on to use the Scripture to prove that it is okay to drink, but it is not okay to be drunk.
Little did the pastor know that this couple were former alcoholics and because of the pastor’s sensible explanation, they gave themselves permission to drink again. The result was tragic in that one of them ended up in a mental hospital and the marriage fell apart.
Paul is absolutely right: “Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible, but not everything is constructive…So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble…” (1 Co. 10:23, 31-32).
聖經有超過200次提及酒，大部份是正面的，如提到神用賜新酒作為祝福（例：創27:28）。在舊約時代喝酒看來是個社交習慣。然而聖經常勸戒我們不要醉酒 (例：羅13:13) 。事實上我們喝醉時常會犯罪。挪亞與羅得就是極佳的例子。事實上，何西亞對姦淫與喝酒同等看待，因為兩者都能「奪去人的心」（何4:11）
故此，當人問我基督徒可以喝酒否？我非常不想作答，尤其是當我聽到一位牧師在電臺的分享。
他剛為一對夫婦施洗，他們邀請他吃飯慶祝他們的受洗。在進餐時，牧師隨意點了些酒喝，這是他吃晚餐時的習慣。那對夫婦非常驚奇地問：「基督徒可以喝酒的嗎？」牧師跟著引用聖經來說明喝酒是可以的，只是不可醉酒。
那牧師完全不知道這對夫婦曾是酗酒者。因牧師的合理解釋，他們容許自己再喝酒。結果是悲劇收場：其中一位最後進了精神醫院，婚姻破碎。
保羅說得絕對不錯：「凡事都可行，但不都有益處；凡事都可行，但不都造就人…所以你們或吃或喝，無論作什麼，都要為榮耀神而行。…你們都不要使他跌倒。」（林前10:23，31，32）
This is an event that has changed not only history, but also the destiny of mankind, and it all begins with God calling a person who responds in obedience.
(1) What does God call Abram to leave?
(2) Of these, what might be the hardest to do?
(3) What obstacles might Abram have to overcome?
(4) What does God lay out in vv. 2-3? Try to analyze them one by one to see its meaning and implication.
(5) Are they a blessing or are they a mission?
(6) How should Abram look upon it, as blessings or as a mission? What difference does it make?
(7) If you (or your parents) are an immigrant, try to recall that move:
a. How difficult was it? What might be the most difficult part of the move?
b. What was the purpose of the move?
c. Compare your move to that of Abram, as mentioned in vv. 4-5. How difficult was his move? (See Heb. 11:8 also.)
(8) While Abram’s migration was for a clear purpose from God, your move, in God’s foreknowledge and plan, also had a purpose. What might it be? Has it come to fruition? (See Jer. 29:11)
(9) Vv. 6-9 describe not only the migration of Abram, but they also convey a pattern. What is that pattern? What does it tell you about Abram?
(10) What is the main message to you today and how can you apply it to your life?
請慢慢細心讀每天指定的經文至少兩遍，然後反復思考問題。
這事的發生不只改變了歷史，同樣也改變了人類的命運。這一切都是因一個人對神的呼召作出遵從的回應而開始的。
(1) 神呼召亞伯蘭要他離開什麼？
(2) 最難離開的是什麼？
(3) 亞伯蘭需要克服那些障礙？
(4) 第2、3節：神有什麼安排？請逐項分析，思想其意思和含意。
(5) 它們是祝福還是使命？
(6) 亞伯蘭會怎樣看？覺得它們是祝福還是使命呢？兩者有何分別？
(7) 若你（或你的父母）是移民，請回想這個遷移：
a. 有多難？移居最困難之處是什麼？
b. 移居有何目的？
c. 比較你的移居與第4、5節提到的亞伯蘭的移居。他的移居有什麼難處？（參來11:8）
(8) 亞伯蘭的移居出自神的一個清楚目的，你的移居，在神的預知和計劃中，也有其目的。這目的是什麼？這目的已實現了嗎？（參耶29:11）
(9) 第6-9節不單記述亞伯蘭的移居，也表達了一個模式。這模式是什麼？從這模式你認識亞伯蘭什麼？
(10) 今天你得到的主要信息是什麼？你會怎樣用在你的生命中？
It is obvious that the age of mankind saw a marked decrease after the Flood. Although Abraham and Sarah both lived beyond a hundred, they were in their senior years as they obeyed the call of God to move all the way from Ur to Canaan. Genesis 12:4 tells us that Abraham was 75 years old when he set out from Haran to the Promised Land. His final destination was a mystery to him, yet he obeyed (Heb. 11:8).
As some commentators point out, nothing was mentioned about the first 75 years of Abraham’s life, except that he was living with his father’s family in place of idol worship, and his father’s family worshipped those gods (Jos. 24:2).
Would
you make such a major move when you were in your senior years? Would your spouse be willing to make such a
move? Why did God not call me much
earlier, when I was younger, more resourceful, more useful, and more at ease in
adapting to changes? If Abram did ask
some of these questions, it would only be logical!
We have no clue as to why God only chose to call and use Abraham in his senior years. Perhaps, his father was such an obstacle that he had to wait for his death. Perhaps, Sarah was not quite ready until she realized that there was no hope to have a child and moving away from their land and country didn’t matter anymore. As I said, we do not know. But one thing is for sure, God knows when it is best for us.
In recent decades, we have witnessed more and more Christians being called to “leave and go” in the latter part of their mid-life. I became aware of this “movement” of God in the seventies when I learned that a prominent Chinese pastor decided to answer God’s call to be a missionary to Africa when he was seventy years old, not much younger than Abraham when he left Haran. Since then, I have seen God calling Christians to “leave” from their established business or career, and “go” into gospel ministry as full-time workers or as lay Christians, and for some, even leaving their families. These are people, like Abraham, who spent a good part of their lives in spiritual obscurity. But just the same, their obedience has become a blessing to many, even to the Kingdom of God.
在洪水後人的年歲明顯地劇降。雖然亞伯拉罕和撒拉都活過百歲，他們是在年老時聽從神的呼召從吾珥移居到迦南地。創世記12:4告訴我們：那時亞伯拉罕年75歲，他離開哈蘭要到應許之地—一個他毫不認識的最終目的地。然而，他遵命而去（來11:8）。
有些釋經家指出聖經對他首75年的生活隻字不提，只是提到亞伯拉罕與他的父家同住在拜偶像的地方，並他的父家是拜那些假神的（書24:2）。
你在年老時會作如此重大的移居嗎？你的配偶願意作如此的移居嗎？為何神不儘早在我較年輕、較多辦法、較有用、和較易適應變遷時呼召我呢？亞伯拉罕若提出一些類似的問題，是非常合乎情理的。
我們不知道神為何揀選在亞伯拉罕年老時才呼召他。也許，他的父親是個障礙；要等到他離世。也許，撒拉心中還未作好預備，直至她認定自己生孩子無望，是否移離他們的地土和國家再無所謂了。正如我所說，我們不知道答案。不過有一件事可以肯定的：神知道何時是對我們最好的。
最近幾十年，我們目睹愈來愈多的基督徒在人生的後半期聽到神的「離開與前往」呼召 。在七十年代我察覺到由神發動的「運動」。當時我獲悉一位傑出的華人牧者決定回應神的呼召，到非洲去做宣教士。那時他是70歲，比亞伯拉罕離開哈蘭時年輕了不多。自此以後，我看見神呼召基督徒「離開」他們建立好的生意或職業，「走進」傳福音的事工裡，擔起全職事奉或是以平信徒的身份服事，還有一些甚至離開他們的家庭。這些人，像亞伯拉罕那樣，最初在屬靈的領域中大部份都活得寂寂無名。不過同樣地，他們的順從已成為許多人的祝福，甚至成為神國度的祝福。