We shall continue with the study of the Book of Genesis this week. Read slowly and reflectively the assigned passage twice at least and consider the questions below each day.
(1) Joseph somehow saw the hand of God in his interpretation of the dream of the chief cupbearer of Pharaoh, but he had to wait another two “full” years (NIV). Apart from being a test of faith, what other practical reasons might there be for having to wait another two full years?
(2) What lesson might we learn from this?
(3) What was Pharaoh’s first dream? How absurd was it?
(4) What was his other dream about? How absurd was it?
(5) If you were to interpret them, what common-sense answers might you have?
(6) We can be pretty sure that the Egyptian wise men and magicians would have come up with some kind of interpretation; they might have logical answers, but not necessarily a divine one. What was Joseph’s immediate reply to Pharaoh? Why did he have to say that? Compare Joseph’s reply to that of Daniel in Daniel 2:28. What is common between them?
(7) The chief cupbearer referred to his forgetting Joseph as a “shortcoming”, but the original Hebrew word (het) means “sin”. Why would it be a sin?
(8) 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) 相信約瑟該知道替酒政解夢是神的工作，但卻要足足等了兩年才見成果。除了是因為神在繼續考驗他的信心外，可還有其他實際的原因嗎？
(2) 我們可以在這事上學些什麼功課？
(3) 法老的第一個夢是什麼？有何特別之處叫他不安？
(4) 法老的第二個夢是什麼？有何特別之處叫他不安?
(5) 如果你是術士之一，按常理你會作什麼推測和解釋？
(6) 相信術士、博士們總有提出常理的答案。為何法老卻不接納？
(7) 約瑟給法老解夢之前作出了什麼聲明？為何要如此？與但以理在但以理書2:28的作答有什麼類同之處？
(8) 酒政為何說他想起自己的罪來？為何他稱忘卻約瑟是「罪」？
(9) 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命中？
I always like to say half-jokingly that God is never late, but seldom early. Why did I say that it was said half-jokingly? Well, when you have gone through the pain of waiting, you know how hard it could be and how much you wanted God to provide a way out immediately. On the other hand, deep in your heart as a good Christian, you know that God’s timing is always the best.
It is interesting to read what appears to be a commentary by Moses that Joseph had to wait another “two full years” (Gen. 41:1). It conveys exactly that painful feeling of waiting. On the one hand, Joseph knew that the interpretation of the dream of the chief cupbearer of Pharaoh was not an accident and it came directly from God. By faith, he also knew too well that it would be an opportunity for his vindication. He was almost sure that this had to be a God-given opportunity for him to be free. Yet, he heard nothing and saw nothing for two full years. It must have been hard on him.
We all know that all things work for the good of those who love God (Rom. 8:28) and that God knows the way that we take, and as Job said, “(W)hen He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10) Indeed, in order to assume such an important and epoch-changing task as the prime minister of Egypt, Joseph needed much training in godliness and faith.
But we can also think of other practical reasons that he needed to wait for another two full years.
As the prime minister of Egypt, this Hebrew slave had better brush up his Egyptian language so that he could communicate fluently and royally. Being in charge of looking after important prisoners of the king (Gen. 39:20) would offer him not only the opportunity to learn the language well, but also some of the ins and outs, practices and culture of the palace. Two more years would only serve to better-prepare him for being ushered suddenly into the royal palace.
And, of course, in God’s grander scheme of things, the timing of the famine had been “firmly decided by God” (41:32), and “God will do it” exactly in His own timing.
Yes, it is never easy to wait for God’s timing, but as David testified out of his own experience, “All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful” (Ps. 25:10) and His ways obviously include His timing.
我常常半開玩笑的說，神從不會太遲的，但也不會過早。為什麼我說是半開玩笑呢？因為凡經歷過困境的人都知道在等待神的拯救時，心中是何等的迫切，希望神立刻的聽禱告、立刻的營救。但作為愛主的人，我們同時相信，神的時間才是最佳的。
故此，當我讀到一般英文聖經譯本在41:1是這樣記載：「足足過了兩年」時，我作會心的微笑。這兩年對約瑟是毫不容易過的。約瑟心知為法老的酒政解夢絕非是無故的。他的信心叫他知道這是神營救他的機會，但不知怎的，等了「足足」兩年仍是毫無動靜。他實在大惑不解。
我們都知道萬事都互相效力，叫愛神的人得益處(羅8:28) 。我們也知道試煉原是對我們有益的。正如約伯所言：「然而祂知道我所行的路；祂試煉我之後，我必如精金」(伯23:10) 。對約瑟而言，要承擔營救以色列家和當埃及首相的重任，他需要更多的敬虔和信心的操練。
除此以外，其實我們也可以想到其他實際的因素：
由一個被歧視的希伯來奴隸，搖身一變為埃及的首相，他必須不但能說流利的埃及語，更需學習宮廷與上流社會的應對。處身在「王的囚犯被囚的地方」(39:20) 正方便約瑟明白與學習皇室的習慣、禮儀和用語。這兩年之久祇會給他日後進宮的準備。
而從神更廣的普世計劃而言，全地的饑荒的時間，豈不也是「神命定」的嗎？(41:32) 不會遲、也不會早！
對的，在等待的期間是絕不容易的。正如一首詩歌所言：「神絕不誤事！」
Read slowly and reflectively the assigned passage twice at least and consider the questions below.
(1) Joseph was simply hoping to get out of prison (40:14), but what he got far exceeded his wildest dream (or did it really?). What might be the lesson we can learn from this?
(2) In interpreting the dreams, Joseph pointed out that God has revealed to Pharaoh, “what He is about to do”.
a. How significant was this statement to Pharaoh?
b. How significant was this statement to the Egyptian magicians?
(3) According to Joseph, why did God give Pharaoh the same dream in two forms?
(4) Joseph’s speech was in two parts, the first part was the interpretation of the dreams, and the second part was his recommended action to Pharaoh.
a. What did his proposal entail?
b. How important was his plan of advice?
c. What might be the most difficult part of the plan to implement?
d. Do you think Joseph had himself in mind in being appointed as “the” wise man to be put in charge? Why or why not?
(5) What, in essence, was Pharaoh appointing Joseph, the Hebrew slave to do? What risk was Pharaoh taking? Why then would he make such a bold move?
(6) Try to imagine the huge change of status of Joseph, almost within minutes. What might be the most improbable change of it all? How can one explain such an improbable change?
(7) Both Joseph and Daniel were given a native name (and in the case of Joseph it probably means “God speaks and lives” and he was further given an Egyptian priest’s daughter as his wife). Did it have any impact on their own faith in Yahweh? Why or why not?
(8) We like to say, like father like son; what do you think would become of Joseph’s marriage? Can you find in the Bible that he took other wives? (You may want to read the last part of the book of Genesis to get an idea).
(9) 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) 約瑟祇希望能得自由而已(40:14) ，但結果是超過他的夢想(或應說正如他早已忘記的夢) 。這可給我們什麼鼓勵？
(2) 在解夢的時候，約瑟告訴法老：「神(Elohim) 已將所要作的事指示法老了。」
a. 這句話對法老有什麼重要性？
b. 這句話對術士有什麼重要性？
(3) 為何神要兩次向法老報夢？
(4) 約瑟給法老冗長的回答可分為兩段：首段是夢的講解；末段是提出建議：
a. 他的建議包括什麼？
b. 這建議有什麼實際的重要性？
c. 在實行建議時最困難的地方將會是什麼？
d. 你以為約瑟在獻計時有否想到自己就是那個「有聰明有智慧的人」？為什麼？
(5) 法老把約瑟提升到什麼地步？此舉會帶來什麼風險？為何法老會作這創舉？
(6) 瞬息之間，約瑟由階下奴轉為當時世界霸權的第二號強人。這突變最不可能之處是什麼？你可以怎樣解釋呢？
(7) 約瑟和但以理都被改了當地文字的名字(約瑟的埃及名字可能是「神說話並活著」之意，他更被給予當地祭司之女兒為妻) 。這有否影響二人對神的專一？為什麼？
(8) 我們常說虎父無犬子：你知道約瑟是否也像雅各那樣娶多妻並納妾？(可參創世記全書最後的一段) 。
(9) 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 historicity of the story of Joseph has been a rather hot topic of dispute by some liberal scholars, because, “In all of Egypt’s literature, there is no record of an Asiatic slave rising to the position of grand vizier.” If the historians of old in Egypt chose to record the name of Joseph as such an important court official, they would have had no choice but to also record the subsequent exodus of the people of Israel. The two events are so intertwined that they are inseparable. You cannot record one without the other. We find no historical account of either, but that does not mean that they are not historical.
I guess it is truly improbably that Pharaoh would elevate a Hebrew slave to any important political position, let alone being the number two man to whom all his people were to submit (Gen. 41:40). Egyptians despised Hebrews to the point that they “could not eat with Hebrews, for that is detestable to Egyptians” (Gen. 43:32).
We can also sense that Pharaoh, by so doing, was risking dissention among his officials and potentially risking divisions within his kingdom. If I were Pharaoh, even if I was convinced of Joseph’s wisdom and great ability, I would have him serve under an Egyptian prime minister. Thus, I would avoid any dissention. If Joseph proved to be popular among the people and earned the trust of his peers, then and only then would I consider elevating him to be the prime minister. This is called prudence.
Yet, Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of his palace and all his people right away and declared that “Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you” (41:40). And, as if this was not enough, the Bible uses an even more vivid description saying, “He (Pharaoh) made him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, and men shouted before him, ‘Make way!’ Thus, he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” (41:43)
How can one explain such an improbable, or rather, impossible event? The only explanation is that this was thoroughly an act of God in the truest sense, because “In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that He channels toward all who please him.” (Prov. 21:1)
Repeatedly in history, we have seen that’s how God acted. He did it to the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 2:48); He did to the Persian King Cyrus too. (Ezr. 1:1)
約瑟的事蹟之歷史性是不少不信派的學者所懷疑的。因為「所有埃及的文獻都沒有記載到曾有亞裔的奴隸被提升到首相的地位。」但沒有這樣的記載是頂自然的事。如果古時的埃及歷史家選擇記載約瑟高升的事蹟，他們就一定同時要記述日後以色列人出埃及的事蹟。兩者是不能分割的。記其一，也必要記其二。故此，兩件事蹟都沒有在埃及史上被提及，絕不等如就不是歷史的事實！
從人的角度來看，法老如此提升一個希伯來的奴隸，叫全埃及的百姓都必聽從他的話(41:40) ， 是難以置信的。埃及人素來鄙視希伯來人到一個地步，就如43:32所言：「不可和希伯來人一同吃飯，那原是埃及人所厭惡的」 。
故此，我們也可以理解到法老此舉在政治和宗教上是有風險的，一定會帶來朝廷和祭司們的非議。如果我是法老，就算我深信約瑟滿有智慧和才幹，我只會派他作首相的副手。一方面可以避免非議；另一方面可以讓約瑟在顯出才華，賺得同僚的信任後，才把他提升。這豈非更穩妥？
但法老卻不理一切立刻提升約瑟，並宣告：「惟獨在寶座上我比你大。」(41:40) 聖經似乎還嫌這記錄不足，更生動的說：「又叫約瑟坐他的副車，喝道的在前呼叫，說：跪下」(41:43) 。
有誰能解釋如此希奇，甚至是沒有可能的事呢？惟一的解釋當然是，這是神的工作。正如箴言所言：「王的心在耶和華手中，好像隴溝的水，隨意流轉。」(箴21:1)
歷史上不斷的見證神的手怎樣掌管君王的心：祂不但掌管巴比倫王尼布甲尼撒的心(但2:48) ，也掌管波斯王古列的心(拉1:1)。
Read slowly and reflectively the assigned passage twice at least and consider the questions below.
(1) How old was Joseph when he was sold by his brothers to Egypt? (See 37:2)
(2) Try to recount his life in the last 13 years and the major changes that took place in his life.
(3) Though the Bible never mentions them again, what do you think how Potiphar and especially his wife took the news of Joseph’s change of fortune? How long did it take for his vindication to take place?
(4) In what ways might part of your life resemble that of Joseph?
(5) The Bible does not mention any opposition faced by Joseph in conducting his duties as the number two man in Egypt. But logically, what might he have to face? What might be the toughest part of his duties as he stored up huge quantities of grain for Pharaoh?
(6) The names of the two sons give us much insight into Joseph’s frame of mind in dealing with his past:
a. What does the name Manasseh tell us of how Joseph looked upon his past in his family?
b. What does forgetting “all my father’s household” mean?
c. What does the name of Ephraim tell us of how Joseph looked upon his first 13 years in Egypt?
d. And how does he now see his life in Egypt?
(7) What might the people and Pharaoh think towards the end (but not quite the end) of the seven years of abundance? What do you think how Joseph might have felt?
(8) If there were skepticism and opposition in the first seven years, what happened when the years of famine began “just as Joseph has said”?
(9) How severe was the famine? How might such a tragedy speak to Romans 8:28?
(10) In what way is Joseph a type of Christ?
(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) 你尚記得約瑟被哥哥賣到埃及時年紀有多大？
(2) 試用一點時間思想他被賣之後的13年中所遭遇的各種突變？
(3) 聖經再沒有提到波提乏和他的夫人了，你能想像他們對約瑟命運的改變有什麼的反應？約瑟一共等待這(名譽的)平反多久？
(4) 你生命中有類似約瑟的地方嗎？
(5) 聖經沒有記述約瑟可能遭受到的攔阻或攻擊，但按常理他會受到的攻擊可包括什麼？特別在七個豐年中代法老強徵埃及人五分之一的收入的難處會是什麼呢？
(6) 約瑟給兩個兒子所起的名，讓我們對他內心的世界有深一層的領會：
a. 瑪拿西這名叫我們知道約瑟對以前在父家的生活的感受是什麼呢？
b. 「忘記……我父的全家」是什麼意思？
c. 以法蓮這名叫我們知道約瑟對他在埃及這13年的感受又是什麼？
(7) 在七年的豐年將盡荒年尚未臨到時，你以為法老與埃及的百姓會有什麼想法？約瑟的心境又是怎樣？
(8) 如果你是反對約瑟的，覺得約瑟不應如此徵集糧食的，在荒年一到，「正如約瑟所說的」，你會怎樣？
(9) 當時的饑荒有多嚴重？這厲害的天災卻怎樣回應羅馬書8:28的話呢？
(10) 約瑟怎樣成為基督的預表？
(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？
I am struck by how Joseph named his first son, Manasseh.
For one, he did not give him an Egyptian name. For the sake of his upbringing, one might expect Joseph to give him an Egyptian name to help him relate better to the children in the royal court. But he gave him a Hebrew name, and I believe, not just because of his desire to remind his son of who he was, but more importantly to remind his son of the God they served. Many Egyptian names were tied to the gods they served.
But what struck me most is Joseph’s own statement explaining the naming of his son, “It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” (Gen. 41:51)
To forget all his trouble is understandable, but to forget all his father’s household? That was a heart-breaking statement indeed.
As an immigrant to North America, I have observed a rather interesting phenomenon among many long-time Chinese immigrants. In my circle of Chinese immigrant friends and relatives, many are highly educated. Many have their terminal degrees, they have remarkable achievements in their own fields, they have immersed totally into the North American society and they speak very fluent English too. But, as they are nearing their retirement age, I notice that many of them have begun watching Chinese television programs and reading Chinese newspaper that they seldom did before. They also have developed nostalgia and talked more often about their hinterland. In other words, they all remember their root and this is only natural.
But not Joseph. The past was simply too painful that he wanted to wipe his past totally from his memory. And because his painful past was tied to his father’s household, he wanted to forget them as well. Joseph’s pain had to be very deep! This, perhaps, helps explain why he would subject his brothers to experience some of the pain they inflicted upon him.
In trying to wipe his painful past from his memory, Joseph had to deal with his God-given dreams. Unless these dreams did not come from God, but if they did, he knew that he could not simply forget his father’s household, as painful as his memory was. But the fact that he named his first son, Manasseh and with the explanation he gave, he was making a conscious choice giving up on the promise of God through his dreams.
But our God is so faithful. Even if we have forgotten or given up on His promise, He will not. In due time, by His providential hand, he brought his brothers, even his father to him. Yes, it might have been brutal, in the sense that this instantly forced Joseph to relive his painful past, but this was also the only way Joseph could be completely healed of his pain, not to mention the fulfilling of a greater purpose of God — the saving of his father’s household.
I, too, have some past memories that I’d rather not remember. Often in the middle of the night I would wake up, haunted by some of these painful memories of the past. But God has taught me to give thanks, because no matter how painful they were, they belong to the past, and there are just too many present “Ephraims” (twice fruitful) for which I should give thanks.
我被約瑟給予他的長子的名字所感動。
瑪拿西不是一個埃及的名，乃是希伯來的名字。為著兒子能適應埃及宮中的生活，與其他埃及孩兒一起長大，約瑟本可給兒子起一個埃及的名字。但他卻給兒子起一個希伯來的名字。我相信這不是叫兒子不要忘本而已，更是提醒兒子他們所敬畏的神。埃及的名字往往與他們所拜的神靈有關的。
但使我更被感動的是約瑟自己的解釋。他說：「神使我忘了一切的困苦和我父的全家。」(41:51)
忘記過往的困苦是可以理解的。但連父家也要忘記？這是何等痛苦的決定！
作為一個移民，在一些北美移居甚久的華僑身上，我察覺到一個很有興趣的現像。在我認識的華僑圈子中，很多親友是甚有學識的：不少擁有幾個學位的、在他們的專業中有卓越的成就、也溶入了北美的社會中，能操極流利的英語。當他們一個一個的到了退休年齡，他們以前少看甚至不看的中文電視電台和報章，現在都熱衷的觀看和閱讀。他們對祖國和故居產生了懷念。這個現像是可以理解的。
約瑟卻是不同，他的過去實在是太過痛苦了。他不能忍受到一個地步，希望能完全的忘掉。因為過往的痛苦全與父家有關，他希望連父家也能忘卻。約瑟的傷痛實在深。或許因此，他刻意要他的哥哥們也一嘗他們施予他的痛楚。
但是，約瑟不能因此就忘卻父家，他仍要面對神給他的兩個夢。除非兩夢與神無關，否則他不能因過去的痛楚而忘記父家。但在生下第一個兒子時，他藉著為兒子命名時，卻刻意的要忘卻神所給予夢和夢中的應許。
但神是信實的。縱然我們會忘記祂的應許，甚至放棄了祂的應許，祂卻不忘記。在祂的時候，在祂大能手的掌管之下，祂親自把約瑟的兄弟們帶到他的面前，及後更叫他與父親團聚。對的，從某個角度而言，要約瑟突然面對他的哥哥們，被迫重活被賣的情景是有點殘忍，但這也是約瑟能得到完全醫治的惟一途徑，也是完成神藉著他挽救全家必經之道。
我個人也有不願重溫的舊夢，但往往是在深夜夢醒時，被迫面對這些極不愉快的往事。感謝神，祂教導我知道過往真的成了過去，今天我是多有「以法蓮」(即兩倍的果子) 可以獻上感恩的。
Read slowly and reflectively the assigned passage twice at least and consider the questions below.
(1) Of course, Jacob did not know how long this famine would be, but as others in Canaan went to Egypt for food, he too ordered his sons (whose inaction appeared to have bothered him) to go. Why didn’t Benjamin go? Why did Jacob continue to play favoritism?
(2) Why did Joseph treat his brothers so harshly? Did he still hold a grudge? Should he? Would you?
(3) Why would the reminder of his dreams (which were not totally fulfilled at this point) cause him to accuse them as spies? (v. 9) Do you think Joseph really thought that this reunion would actually happen one day? (See 41:51)
(4) Was it not natural that with all ten men coming as a group claiming to be one family, it should arouse suspicion?
(5) Joseph almost died in the hands of these brothers because of their jealousy, what would he be most concerned about at this point, seeing only ten of his brothers?
(6) According to Joseph, how could they prove their innocence? How would such a command jeopardize the lives of his father’s family in this time of famine?
(7) What might the imprisonment of the brothers for three days do to them?
(8) Why didn’t the brothers recognize their own brother Joseph while Joseph could recognize them? (Later on in v. 23, we read that all their dialogues were done through an interpreter).
(9) What did Joseph intend to do by putting the brothers into prison for three day?
(10) 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。
(1) 雅各似乎不曉得這饑荒會持續多久。當迦南人都赴埃及買糧時，他就命令猶疑不定的兒子們動身去埃及。為什麼便雅憫不用去？雅各存偏愛的心嗎？
(2) 為何約瑟如此惡待他的哥哥們？他仍深懷舊恨嗎？
(3) 為何他想起舊夢時就誣告他們為奸細？兩個舊夢現都應驗了沒有？
(4) 他有否真的想到會有今天？(參41:51)
(5) 十個壯男自稱全是一家人是會容易引起懷疑嗎？
(6) 約瑟曾因被妒忌險死在哥哥們手中。現在祇見哥哥十人，他最擔心的自然是什麼？
(7) 約瑟要他們怎樣證明他們的清白？這樣的吩咐對雅各家會構成什麼危險？
(8) 把他們囚禁三天有什麼作用？
(9) 為什麼他們不能認出約瑟是誰？(參42:23)
(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？
We may not fully understanding the inner struggle of Joseph as he suddenly and unexpectedly had to face his brothers who almost took his life, and at least took away his father from him at a very young age, but the pain and grief of the past must still be real at the time.
I invite you to meditate on this Spiritual which reflects a similar feeling of hurt and pain, penned by someone who likely was a slave as well. No one seems to know the origin of this song, but it was made popular by Marian Anderson who first successfully recorded it on the Victor label in 1925, although the rendition by Louis Armstrong is the best known.
Nobody
knows the trouble I've seen
Nobody knows but Jesus
Nobody knows the trouble I've seen
Glory, Hallelujah
Sometimes
I'm up
And sometimes I'm down
Yes, Lord, you know sometimes I'm almost to the ground
Oh, yes, Lord, still
Nobody
knows the trouble I've seen
Nobody knows but Jesus
Nobody knows the trouble I've seen
Glory, Hallelujah
If
you get there before I do
Oh, yes, Lord, don't forget to
Tell all my friends I'm coming too
Oh, yes, Lord, still
Nobody
knows the trouble I've seen
Nobody knows but Jesus
Nobody knows the trouble I've seen
Glory, Hallelujah
Although
you see me
Goin' on so, oh, yes
I have my trials here below
Oh, yes, Lord
Nobody
knows the trouble I've seen
Nobody knows but Jesus
Nobody knows the trouble I've seen
Glory, Hallelujah
(No Body Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen)
我們不曉得約瑟在突然重遇賣他的兄弟時，內心的掙扎有多厲害。但險些喪命和與父親從此分離之痛楚，在他心中一定又真又深。
今天，讓我們藉以下的黑人靈歌來思想人生的困苦。這歌的作者和日期不詳，但相信如約瑟一樣，作者甚可能是一名奴隸。
無人知道我面對的困苦
無人知道、祇有耶穌
無人知道我面對的困苦
榮耀、哈利路亞！
有時喜樂
有時愁煩
是的、主
有時甚至不能起過來
是的、主。
無人知道我面對的困苦
無人知道、祇有耶穌
無人知道我面對的困苦
榮耀、哈利路亞！
如果你比我早回家
是的、主，不要把我忘記
告訴我的朋友，我也快到
是的、主。
無人知道我面對的困苦
無人知道、祇有耶穌
無人知道我面對的困苦
榮耀、哈利路亞！
雖然你見我
照樣渡日，是的
我在世上仍有我的困苦
是的、主。
無人知道我面對的困苦
無人知道、祇有耶穌
無人知道我面對的困苦
榮耀、哈利路亞！
(黑人靈歌，作者和日期不詳)
Read slowly and reflectively the assigned passage twice at least and consider the questions below.
(1) Why did Joseph change his mind to imprison one of them only and let the rest go?
(2) Joseph knew that his youngest brother and his father were starving at home. He should also know how grievous it would be for Jacob to allow Benjamin to come. Why did he choose to play games with the brothers?
(3) What did his tactic do to the brothers? Why would it remind them of their sin?
(4) What further insight into Joseph’s suffering was being provided by the conversation among the brothers?
(5) What caused Joseph to weep?
(6) Why did Joseph choose to detain Simeon, the second oldest, and not Reuben, the oldest brother?
(7) How did Joseph’s action tie to the first dream he had remembered?
(8) As much as Joseph was teaching the brothers a lesson, what did he do to show his love for them?
(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) 為何約瑟改變念頭祇囚一人？
(2) 約瑟當然知道家中各人包括弟弟與父親都在饑饉中，他更知道要便雅憫離開雅各會叫雅各極其擔心。為何他仍要如此戲弄他們？
(3) 他的計謀何以叫他們想起他們的罪來呢？
(4) 從眾人在商議和彼此埋怨的對話中，我們知道約瑟被賣時什麼資料？
(5) 約瑟為何哭起來？
(6) 為何約瑟不把長兄流便，而把二哥西緬囚禁起來？
(7) 約瑟這計謀與第一個夢有何關聯？
(8) 雖然約瑟是要教訓哥哥們，他同時怎樣顯出憐憫呢？
(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？
Peter once asked Jesus, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” (Matt. 18:21)
Peter’s question simply shows us that it is not easy to forgive one another. The main reason for his question appeared to be one of abuse. If we keep on forgiving my brother and he keeps committing the same offense against me, am I not perpetuating his sins?
But, the real reason, if we are being honest, is always our unwillingness to forgive our brother. Period.
Joseph, too, had found it hard to forgive his brothers right away. As much as we can trace how he dealt with his brothers to the fulfillment of his two dreams chronologically, I agree with some of the commentators that Joseph was only human. This reunion with his brothers was too sudden. He never expected it. He had managed to forget his father’s household already (Gen. 41:51). This sudden encounter with his brothers only served to unravel all the past hurts which, in part, were brought upon him because of his dreams.
His subsequent actions could put the lives of his father’s household in jeopardy. Travel in those days was not safe. The severe famine would only increase the danger of robbery. His putting the silver back into his brothers’ sack would have meant that they would not dare to return again. Only because of God’s providence, all his plans worked out perfectly to achieve His purpose which was the salvation of his whole family.
I believe that as much as Joseph found it hard to instantly forgive his brothers, his heart gradually softened, changing his mind in detaining nine of them and letting one to return to just the opposite, and weeping as he heard the confession of his brothers and the realization that Reuben was in fact tried to save him. Eventually, he had come to understand that it was God’s purpose in sending him down to Egypt for the sake of saving the entire family of his father.
As Joseph gradually learned to forgive, he received healing of his past hurts in the process. When his forgiveness was complete, so was his healing.
What about you? Have you received your complete healing yet?
彼得曾問主耶穌：「主阿，我弟兄得罪我，我當饒恕他幾次呢？到七次可以麼？」(太18:21)
彼得曾問主耶穌：「主阿，我弟兄得罪我，我當饒恕他幾次呢？到七次可以嗎？」(太18:21)
彼得這樣問表明了饒恕別人真不容易。他這樣問，表面上似乎是不想縱容犯錯的人，但真正的原因，恐怕是由於自己不願意饒恕別人吧。
約瑟同樣發覺立刻饒恕他的哥哥們是不容易的。雖然他逐步對付他們的計劃似與兩個夢的內容次序有關，但我同意一部份解經家所言，約瑟總是人，這突如其來的重逢，是他完全料不到的。這不但不能叫他立刻的饒恕他們，反而是猛然的揭起他多年的傷痛。
對，他的策略甚至可以陷他父家在危險中。那個時代的遠行絕不安全。如此厲害的饑荒只會增加被劫殺的危險。把銀子放回哥哥們的口袋裡，也祇會叫他們不敢再回來。全是神的憐憫與權能使這一切成全祂的旨意，叫以色列全家得拯救，使普世救恩的大計得以順利進行。
我相信約瑟雖然立時感到饒恕不來，但他的心是漸漸的輭化下來。他先是改變初衷，只留下西緬一人；繼而因聽到哥哥們知罪而哭；他終於明白一切都是神的安排，為要拯救父家才帶領他來埃及地。
當約瑟漸漸的學習饒恕，他過往的創傷其實也同時得到醫治。當饒恕達到完全，他的醫治也達到完全。
你又如何呢？你得到完全的醫治沒有？
Read slowly and reflectively the assigned passage twice at least and consider the questions below.
(1) What did the discovery of the silver in their sacks mean to the brothers? Why did they tremble and their hearts sink?
(2) V. 28 records the first time these brothers mentioned the name of God in the entire scenario. What might they mean by “What is this that God has done to us?”
(3) What did Joseph promise them if they could prove their story to be true?
(4) How did Jacob respond to their dilemma? Why did he consider Simeon no more? What did he intend to do with Simeon?
(5) What did Reuben offer to his father and why?
(6) Why did Jacob say that Benjamin “is the only one left”?
(7) Why did he not accept the offer of Reuben, his oldest son?
(8) In self-pity, Jacob exclaimed, “Everything is against me.” Have you ever found yourself feeling the same?
(9) In Jacob’s dilemma, what should he have done? What would you have done?
(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。
(1) 為何發現銀子仍在口袋時，眾弟兄們都提心吊膽和害怕呢？
(2) 第28節首次記載他們提到神的名。他們說這話是表示什麼？
(3) 約瑟除了向他們施加壓力外，也給予他們什麼額外的應許？
(4) 雅各對兒子的報告有何反應？為何他說西緬「也沒有了」？他有否想辦法去營救他？
(5) 流便想怎樣勸服父親營救西緬？
(6) 為何雅各拒絕？
(7) 誰是他心中的真兒子？
(8) 雅各在42:36自憐的說：「Everything is against me/一切都是對我不利」(NIV的繙譯與原文吻合) 。你曾否有同樣感受？
(9) 在此情此境，雅各該怎樣做？若然是你，你會怎樣做？
(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？
Someone, presumably an expert writes, “Self-pity is an extreme form of egocentrism, and usually a result of a very selfish perspective of the world. People who regularly engage in self-pity are miserable, and they tend to make others quite unhappy, too.” I cannot agree more with the author.
Jacob was a typical example.
As the family faced severe famine, he sent his sons to buy food from Egypt, and they did return with food, but minus Simeon. He also heard the threat of the unknown Egyptian in-charge that he demanded to see his youngest son, Benjamin, or else they would not be able to get Simeon back, nor have further supply of food.
At this, Jacob put the blame squarely on his children, saying, “You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more, and now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is against me.” (Gen. 42:36)
Although, inadvertently he spoke the truth. These ten brothers did contribute to his loss of Joseph, but that was the extent of their fault.
He and his family did face a very severe famine, but so did everyone in the region.
Simeon was in captivity. But his fate now depended on him, and not on the brothers.
Whether Benjamin would go was also entirely up to him. He would decide not only on the fate of Benjamin, but that of his entire family. Almost seventy lives, including those of his young grandchildren, depended on his decision (Gen. 46:27).
His love of one son, Benjamin, was enough for him to put all the lives of his family into jeopardy. Instead of taking the necessary action to save his entire family, he simply resorted to self-pity by saying, “Everything is against me!”
Had he faced greater challenges than this in his life? Of course he did — running for his life without a penny in his pocket; and facing the brother whom he cheated with his entourage of several hundred men!
How was he able to overcome these challenges? By putting his trust in God who unmistakably promised him time after time of his blessing upon him, not only in terms of the giving of the Promised Land, but the multiplying of his descendants (35:11-12).
Yes, he was now being put between a rock and a hard place, but instead of seeking God’s face as he had begun to learn to do, he chose self-pity.
Yes, it is a form of egocentrism. Only he and his own favorite son mattered to him and it certainly was a result of a very selfish perspective of the world. The rest of the family did not count. God and His covenantal plan were not important to him at all.
Yes, he was miserable and had made others around him even more miserable!
As Elizabeth Elliot lost her missionary husband who was killed by the native Auca Indians whom he sought to evangelize, she went into depression. This is what she wrote afterward, “Then I try to refuse self-pity. I know of nothing more paralyzing, more deadly, than self-pity. It is a death that has no resurrection, a sink-hole from which no rescuing hand can drag you because you have chosen to sink. But it must be refused.” She went on to complete the unfinished work of their husbands among the Auca Indians in Ecuador.
有專家這樣說：「自憐是自我中心的極端表現，往往是出於自私的世界觀。那些常常自憐的人不單是自己不開心，也叫別人不開心。」我覺得專家說得甚對！
雅各就是典型的例子。
全地陷於饑荒時，他吩咐眾子到埃及買糧。他們成功的回來了，卻是缺少西緬一人。他聽到那不友善的埃及官長的警告：若不把便雅憫一同帶去，他們不但得不到糧食，更不會再見到西緬。
雅各立刻把責任全歸咎於兒子們，說：「你們使我喪失我的兒子：約瑟沒有了，西緬也沒有了，你們又要將便雅憫帶去；這些事都歸到我身上了。」最後的一句，按原文是everything is against me/一切都對我不利之意。
雅各說得對，失去約瑟的確是他們的錯，但其他的並不是他們的錯。
他們全家面對著極厲害的饑荒；但全地的人也是如此。
西緬正在被囚，他的命運並非操縱在兒子們的手中，而是全在他的手中。
便雅憫是否到埃及去也全是他的決定。他不但主宰便雅憫的命運，他更主宰全家大小差不多70人的性命(見46:27) 。
他對便雅憫一人的偏愛卻足以危害全家人的性命。他不但沒有積極的想辦法去挽救全家人，反而自憐的說：「一切都對我不利！」
雅各曾否面對過重大的試煉呢？當然有！他身無旁物的逃到舅父家中；他也曾面對以掃帶著數百人來見他的危機。他是怎樣面對這些危機的呢？豈不是信靠那位向他顯現、多次應許賜地、賜子孫給他的神嗎？(如35:11-12)
對，他現在面對的難處是大的，可說是進退兩難，但他沒有尋求這位已賜他應許的神，反而墮入自憐當中。
這正是自我中心的表現。在這個世界，惟一最重要的是他和他至愛的便雅憫。其他的家人如妻、兒、孫兒，全不重要。神和祂的約更不是他所看重的。
他自己不開心，也叫別人都不開心。
當Elizabeth Elliot的丈夫在Ecuador殉道之後，她也陷入憂鬱中。但她看準了「自憐是靈性的墮落」。及後她說：「我嘗試拒絕自憐。我知道沒有比自憐叫人更癱瘓、更致命的。這是個沒有復活的死亡、無人能伸手救助的深坑，因為是自己刻意要沉下去。故此，一定需要拒絕它。」及後她重回Ecuador代替先夫完成當地宣教的開拓事工。
Read slowly and reflectively the assigned passage twice at least and consider the questions below.
(1) Given what had happened, how did Jacob have the guts to ask the sons to go back to Egypt? How desperate was he?
(2) Simeon was held captive in Egypt, Reuben apparently had lost his credibility before his father (remember he slept with his father’s wife), and so Judah stepped up to speak, assuming unknowingly his role as the chosen heir of the Abrahamic Covenant. How did he succeed in convincing his father?
(3) In allowing Benjamin to go with them, what attitude did Jacob take that he did not have before?
(4) If Jacob chose to remember the various appearances and promises made to him by God, how would this have affected his attitude in dealing with the dire consequences of this severe famine?
(5) Why didn’t he remember or rely on God’s promises?
(6) What did he rely on now?
(7) 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。
(1) 為何雅各改變主意要兒子們再下埃及去買糧呢？他真的改變了主意嗎？
(2) 西緬既仍被囚在埃及獄中，流便亦已盡失父親的信任(他竟與父妾同寢) ，猶大就負起長兄的位份勸告父親。他怎樣說服雅各呢？
(3) 在願意讓便雅憫到埃及去時，雅各在心態上有什麼改變？
(4) 如果雅各能回想神多次的顯現，並相信神多次向他的應許，在面對這饑饉的挑戰時，他的處理方式會有什麼不同？
(5) 為何他似乎忘卻了神的應許？
(6) 他現在的決定算是信心的決定嗎？為什麼？
(7) 今天你得到的主要信息是什麼？
God uses the famine over which none has control to reduce mighty Egypt to save his people and exalt them. Joseph’s harsh speech is another severe mercy that God uses to punish, test, and teach the shattered family. At the beginning of the scene, Joseph is counted by the family as dead, and he himself makes no effort to return to them; Jacob continues to grieve the loss of Joseph and perhaps suspects his sons; the brothers can only “look at each other” instead of acting together for their common good; and they suffer with a hidden guilty conscience. In sum, they are alienated from God and from one another.
God, through the famine, initiates the saving process by forcing the family to confront their past, and each other. Joseph’s harshness also helps to heal the fracture and to restore the family to God. Simeon’s detention in Egypt reminds the ten brothers of how they treated Joseph, and for the first time they recognize the Moral Governor of the universe at work in their lives. Their consciences are awakened to confess their guilt (42:21-24) and to fear God (42:28). They take responsibility to retrieve Simeon from prison (42:19, 24) and to protect Benjamin from harm (42:37; see 43:1-45:28). Upon their return they show sensitivity to their father’s emotions by retelling their adventures in a way that will assuage his fears. The confession of their guilt causes Joseph to weep. The faith, the penitence, tender emotions, and loyalty that unite a family are now being fashioned. Through the famine Joseph comes to rule over Egypt and the sons of Israel become worthy to be called the people of God. Both God’s famine and Joseph’s harsh speech confront the brothers with life and death (42:18, 20). Through these severe mercies the fractured family is being healed.
(Excerpt from Waltke, Genesis, p.550)
“神使用人不能控制的饑荒來使埃及謙卑下來，同時挽救並提升祂的百姓。神也用約瑟的嚴詞作為嚴厲的憐憫去管教、試驗、和教導這破碎的家庭。在這一幕的開始，約瑟已被家人算為死掉了，他自己也沒有試圖回家；雅各繼續的為約瑟哀傷，或許也曾懷疑過其他的眾子；這些兒子也只有「彼此觀望」，並沒有團結起來尋求出路；他們倒是一起的私藏內疚的心。換言之，他們與神隔絕，也彼此的隔絕。
藉著這饑荒，神主動開始挽救的過程，迫使這家庭面對過去，也彼此的面對。約瑟的嚴厲也幫助他們醫治破碎，和重引他們歸向神。西緬被囚在埃及，正好提醒十兄弟對約瑟的錯，並首次使他們領會到這宇宙道德的掌權者在他們身上的作為。他們的良心發現，叫他們知罪(42:21-24) ，並敬畏神。他們終於承擔責任，救出西緬 (42:19,24) ，也免便雅憫受害(42:37; 參 43:1-45:28) 。在再回家時，他們顧及老父的情緒，用婉言報告旅程的經過，免父親恐懼。他們的認錯叫約瑟哭起來。叫全家團結起來的信心、悔改、柔情和忠誠終於呈現。藉著饑荒，約瑟能統治埃及，以色列的後裔也配稱為神的子民。但神命定的饑荒和約瑟的嚴詞都迫使這些兄弟面對生與死(42: 18-20) 。藉著這些嚴厲的憐憫，這破碎的家庭得到醫治。”
(摘譯自Waltke, Genesis, p.550)