1. Hello listening friends.
亲爱的朋友，你好。
2. We are delighted that you tuned in again.
我们很高兴你再次收听这个节目。
3. We have been going through a series of messages from the life of Abraham.
我们正在讲一系列有关亚伯拉罕生平的信息。
4. And I want to begin by saying that man's natural way of dealing with sin... is to try and cover it up...
首先让我告诉你，人对付罪的方式，往往是犯了罪之后加以掩饰，
5. rather than confessing it and repenting of it.
却不愿意承认罪过，并且悔改。
6. Even the man Abraham who was called God's friend...
即使是那位被称为神朋友的亚伯拉罕，
7. when he turned to political expediency... ended up not only lying... but trying to cover us his sin.
他为了得到政治上的好处，不单撒谎，还要掩饰自己的过错。
8. In the last message, we saw Abraham leaving Haran for Canaan in obedience to God’s original command.
在上次的信息中，我们看到亚伯拉罕遵行神起初的吩咐，离开哈兰前往迦南。
9. This happened after six years of a stagnant stage in his life.
这也是亚伯拉罕经过了六年停滞不前的生活之后才成行的。
10. Why?
为什么？
11. because of his murky obedience.
因为他不愿意全心全意的顺服神。
12. In Genesis 12:6, we saw him passing through the land as far as the site of Shecheme... to the oak of Moreh.
在创世记十二章第六节，我们看见亚伯拉罕经过示剑的摩利橡树那里。
13. The words Shecheme... and Moreh mean strength... and instruction... and Abraham needed both.
示剑和摩利这两个地名的意思是能力和引导，这两样正是亚伯拉罕所需要的。
14. At this point, you may be saying... well, at last... perfect compliance with the will of God!
现在你大概认为，亚伯拉罕终于肯完全顺服神的旨意了！
15. Yes and no.
我们可以这么说，但也不见得。
16. Abraham gets into Canaan and he gets a surprise.
当亚伯拉罕来到迦南，却遇到始料不及的事。
17. There was a hotel chain slogan that said:
有一家联号旅馆的广告标语这样说：
18. “The best surprise is no surprise.”
“没有意外就是最好的惊喜。”
19. Those of us who have traveled, especially overseas, are extremely leery of surprises.
经常出门旅行的人，尤其是到海外去，最怕遇上意料之外的事。
20. I run into them all the time.
我就经常踫到这样的事。
21. In some countries they will sell your hotel room... or your plane seat... to the highest bidder.
有些国家的人会把你订的旅馆房间，或你的飞机座位，转卖给出价最高的人。
22. Most of us don't like the unexpected... and the unpredictable.
大部分人都不喜欢意外，和无法预料的事。
23. Most of us don't like what is lurking in the dark.
大部分人都不喜欢那些隐藏在黑暗里的事。
24. Most of us don't like what we cannot control.
大部分人都不喜欢，自己无法控制的事。
25. When Abraham and company arrived in the land of Canaan...
当亚伯拉罕和他的家族来到迦南地时，
26. they held a reservation for the land...
这地已经预留给他们，
27. and that reservation had been confirmed by the highest authority possible...
而且是由最高当局为他们预定的，
28. God Himself.
就是神自己。
29. But when they got there...
但是当他们到了那儿，
30. at V6 in Genesis 12.
创世记十二章第六节说，
31. There was a surprise.
他们遇上了出乎意料的事。
32. “No vacancy” sign is in big red letters flashing all over Canaan.
整个迦南地都竖起了“客满”的牌子。
33. The Canaanites were there!
那里住满了迦南人！
34. God had not said anything about the Canaanites.
事先神并没有提到迦南人。
35. And right at that point Abraham's faith... is about to be tested.
就在此刻亚伯拉罕的信心，要接受考验。
36. Please listen carefully.
请留心听着，
37. The fact that you are in the center of the will of God... does not mean that you will never face problems...
即使你活在神的旨意当中，并不表示你从此就不再有烦恼，
38. or difficulties or adverse circumstances.
或者不再有困难和恶劣的环境。
39. The fact that you are in the very center of the will of God... does not mean that you will not experience temptations.
即使你活在神的旨意当中，并不表示你不会遇见试探。
40. The fact that you are in the very center of the will of God... does not mean that you will not experience persecution.
即使你活在神的旨意当中，并不表示你就不会受到逼迫了。
41. I looked in vain in all four Gospels... I can't find, even one time that Jesus promised... a bed of roses... or a trouble free life.
四本褔音书我都仔细查过，但找不到任何地方耶稣曾应许玫瑰常开，或者是无忧无虑的生活。
42. Now, back to Genesis. Right after verse 6 comes verse 7.
现在请翻到创世记十二章第七节。
43. While Abraham is scratching his head saying: “God…you told me to go to Canaan… but you did not tell me about the Canaanites”
亚伯拉罕搔着头皮对神说：“神啊，你吩咐我到迦南来，但是你却没有告诉我这些迦南人的存在呀。”
44. "God, you commanded me to come here and leave my family... and I am here."
“神啊，你吩咐我离开我的亲族到这里来，现在我已经来了。”
45. In Genesis 12:7 the Bible said.
圣经创世记十二章第七节说：
46. The Lord appeared to Abraham and said to your offspring I will give this land so he built an alter there to the Lord who had appeared to him
神向亚伯兰显现，说：“我要把这地赐给你的后裔。”亚伯兰就在那里为向他显现的耶和华筑了一座坛。
47. That is the way God works.
这就是神作工的方式。
48. He reassures us right at the time when we are baffled and confused.
正当我们感到困扰的时候，祂就消除我们的疑虑。
49. He reassures us right in the midst of our uncertainty and doubt.
正当我们感到疑惑的时候，祂就消除我们的顾虑。
50. He reassures us right in the midst of our fear and anxiety.
正当我们感到忧虑的时候，祂就消除我们的担忧。
51. He reassures us right in the midst of our puzzlement.
正当我们感到不解的时候，祂就消除我们的困惑。
52. He comes in and affirms his promises.
祂会介入并且重申祂的应许。
53. At that point of Abraham’s confusion God said to him.
当亚伯拉罕感到困惑时，神对他说，
54. To your descendants I will give this land
我要把这地赐给你的后裔。
55. “Abraham, it is all yours, my friend.”
“亚伯拉罕，我的朋友，这地全是你的。”
56. But have you ever felt that even the Lord's assurance… is not a real source of comfort?
但有时候，就算得到了神的保证，你仍然不能感受到真正的安慰，是吗？
57. Sometimes, in the midst of your puzzlement… the Lord's assurance does not comfort you?
有时在困惑的当中，神的保证并没有带给你安慰？
58. Abraham's puzzlement is now doubled… even by God's assurance.
这时，就算得到神的保证，亚伯拉罕的困惑反而增加了。
59. God promised Abraham a son.
神应许亚伯拉罕将会有一个儿子。
60. Not only does he not have a son… but Abraham is very old and Sarah is barren.
当时亚伯拉罕不但没有儿子，而且他年纪大了，他的妻子撒拉是不能生育的。
61. And now, God tells Abraham that this land of Canaan which is filled with fierce people belongs to Abraham.
现在神告诉亚伯拉罕，这个住满了强悍人民的迦南地将要成为他的居所。
62. Listening friends, do you see this point?
亲爱的朋友，你看出其中的特点吗？
63. Sometimes, your problem may be too big for you to handle…
有时候，你所遇见的困难不是你处理得了的，
64. even when you are trying to appear strong and resilient.
即使你表面维持刚强和满有活力的样子。（即使你打肿脸充胖子，尽了全力也没用。）
65. But it is not too big for God and… if you are in His perfect will.
但这困难对神来说算不得什么，同时你要顺服神完美的旨意，
66. What God may be waiting for… is your repentance and surrender.
不然，神可能会等待，等待你悔改和降服。
67. What God may be waiting for is your willingness to give up relying on your own strength.
神可能在等待你放弃倚靠自己的力量。
68. What God may be waiting for is your willingness to let go of the facade.
神可能在等待你放弃虚伪的外表。
69. And Abraham does!
而亚伯拉罕顺服了！
70. So Abraham pitched his tent and built an altar.
亚伯拉罕搭了一座帐棚又筑了一座坛。
71. When you study the life of Abraham very carefully… you will notice the following:
当你仔细研究亚伯拉罕的生平时，你就会发现，
72. When Abraham is at the center of the will of God… he always pitched a tent… and built and altar.
每当亚伯拉罕行在神旨意当中，他必定搭帐棚并筑一座坛。
73. Abraham's tent is a symbol of his temporary dwelling.
亚伯拉罕的帐棚象征着他临时的居所。
74. The tent is a symbol that he is not consumed with material possessions.
帐棚表示他并没有被物质生活所支配。
75. The tent is a symbol of the fact that he is on a pilgrimage.
帐棚表示他是在朝圣的路途中。
76. The tent is a symbol of his being vulnerable to the Lord's will.
帐棚表示他降服在神的旨意下。
77. The tent is a symbol that he is ready for the master's call.
帐棚表示他随时听命于神的吩咐。
78. You may ask, “wait a minute, didn't everybody live in a tent in those days?”
你大概会问，“那时候的人，不是个个都在住在帐棚里的吗？”
79. not at all.
不一定。
80. Those who were permanently settled… built with rocks and stones.
那些准备安居的人，会用岩石和石块建造房子。
81. But Abraham's tent indicates the temporary nature of his life.
但是亚伯拉罕的帐棚显示他过的生活是短暂的，会经常迁移的。
82. The altar was built of stone… indicating the durability of his fellowship with God.
坛是用石头筑的，表示他跟神的关系坚固而恒久。
83. In the Bible there are three purposes for which an altar is built.
在圣经里，筑坛有三个目的。
84. First,
第一，
85. It is the place of meeting between God and His people.
那是神跟祂的子民相会的地方。
86. Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Joshua… and many others have built an altar for meeting with God.
艾萨克、雅各布、摩西、约书亚，和其它很多人都为神筑坛，在那儿与神见面。
87. Secondly,
第二，
88. it is the place of sacrifice.
那是向神献祭的地方。
89. They sacrifice bulls, goats and lambs on altars they built… and later on Abraham was asked to offer his son as a sacrifice.
他们在所筑的坛上献上牛羊，后来神要亚伯拉罕献上儿子为祭。
90. The third purpose for building an altar is to be the place of prayer.
筑坛的第三个目的是，坛成为祷告的地方。
91. In Revelation 8:3-4 tells us that the prayer offered by God's people are symbolized by incense on the altar of God.
启示录八章三至四节告诉我们，在坛上烧的香表征着神子民献上的祷告。
92. Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne.
另有一位天使拿着金香炉，来站在祭坛旁边。有许多香赐给他，要和众圣徒的祈祷一同献在宝座前的金坛上。
93. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel's hand.
(Rev 8:3-4 NIV)
那香的烟和众圣徒的祈祷，从天使的手中一同升到神面前。
94. Let me ask you a question my listening friend
亲爱的朋友，让我问你一个问题。
95. Do you have an altar?
你有一个祭坛吗？
96. Do you have a place where you meet God on a regular basis?
你是否有一个经常跟神相遇的地方？
97. Do you have a place where you offer sacrifice of praise and Thanksgiving to the Lord?
你是否有一个向神献上颂赞和感谢之祭的地方？
98. Do you have a place where you offer intercession before God?
你是否有一个你向神祷告代求的地方？
99. verses 9 to the end of Chapter 12 of the book of Genesis…
请看创世记十二章第九节一直到最后一节，
100. gives us a clear example of how a man of God can get out of the will of God… and start the down hill descend.
这段经文给我们一个很清楚的例子，一个属神的人如何离开神的旨意，跟着就走下坡。
101. Verse 9 to the end of chapter 12.
请听创世记十二章第九节到最后一节。
102. Then Abram set out and continued toward the Negev.
后来亚伯兰又渐渐迁往南地去。
103. Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe.
那地遭遇饥荒。因饥荒甚大，亚伯兰就下到埃及去，要在那里暂居。
104. As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “I know what a beautiful woman you are.
将近埃及，就对他妻子撒莱说：“我知道你是容貌俊美的妇人。
105. When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live.
埃及人看见你必说：‘这是他的妻子’，他们就要杀我，却叫你存活。
106. Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you.”
求你说，你是我的妹子，使我因你得平安，我的命也因你存活。”
107. When Abram came to Egypt, the Egyptians saw that she was a very beautiful woman.
及至亚伯兰到了埃及，埃及人看见那妇人极其美貌。
108. And when Pharaoh's officials saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh, and she was taken into his palace.
法老的臣宰看见了她，就在法老面前夸奖她。那妇人就被带进法老的宫去。
109. He treated Abram well for her sake, and Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, menservants and maidservants, and camels.
法老因这妇人就厚待亚伯兰，亚伯兰得了许多牛羊、骆驼、公驴、母驴、仆婢。
110. But the LORD inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household because of Abram's wife Sarai.
耶和华因亚伯兰妻子撒莱的缘故，降大灾与法老和他的全家。
111. So Pharaoh summoned Abram. “What have you done to me?” he said. "Why didn't you tell me she was your wife?
法老就召了亚伯兰来，说：“你这向我做的是甚么事呢？为甚么没有告诉我她是你的妻子？
112. Why did you say, ‘She is my sister, so that I took her to be my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and go!”
为甚么说她是你的妹子，以致我把她取来要作我的妻子？现在你的妻子在这裹，可以带她走吧！”
113. Then Pharaoh gave orders about Abram to his men, and they sent him on his way, with his wife and everything he had. (Gen 12:9-20 NIV)
于是法老吩咐人将亚伯兰和她妻子，并他所有的都送走了。
114. Someone said the following.
有人这样说：
115. “Biblical truth is like the pinnacle of a steep, slippery mountain…
“圣经的真理就像险峻的山峰，
116. one step away and you find yourself on the down-grade.”
只要走错一步便会往下掉。”
117. I believe this with all my heart.
我打从心底同意这道理。
118. I believe it is true for individual Christians.
我相信这对每一个基督徒来说，都同样真实。
119. And I believe it is true for churches.
我相信对教会也是一样。
120. Abraham only took one step away from the will of God . . . and the rest is history.
亚伯拉罕只走错一步，离开了神的旨意，但后果已成定局。
121. Abraham did not go to Egypt right away.
亚伯拉罕并不是一去就去了埃及。
122. No.
他没有这样做。
123. He went into the Negave first.
他先到“南地”去。
124. The Negave was only half way to Egypt.
“南地”位于通往埃及的半途中。
125. He probably thought to himself… I can always get back to Canaan.
他可能这么想，我随时都可以回到迦南去。
126. But it wasn't long before he turned his back on his altar…
但是没多久他就离开了祭坛，
127. and folded his tent…
把帐棚收起来，
128. and packed his bags…
收拾好行装，
129. and left the place which God had chosen for him.
离开神为他选择的地方。
130. In verse 10 it says, “… there was famine in the land…”
第十节的经文说：“那地遭遇饥荒，”
131. Abraham was hungry…
亚伯拉罕挨饿了，
132. after all a man needs to eat.
人总是要吃东西的。
133. Please listen to me carefully.
请留心听着。
134. God did not tell him to go to Canaan… so he could die.
神并没有叫他到迦南去饿死。
135. “I will give you the land to you and your descendants.”
神说：“我要把这地赐给你和你的后裔。”
136. In other words, Abraham's food and Abraham's welfare are God's problem.
换句话说，神会负责亚伯拉罕的食物和需要。
137. Please listen carefully.
请你留心的听。
138. You see: Egypt in the Scripture is the place to go to… when you are running away from the will of God.
要知道，圣经中提到的埃及，常常是一个让人逃避神旨意的地方。
139. When Abraham was in the will of God…
当亚伯拉罕行在神的旨意中，
140. he came to Canaan and saw those mean and fierce Canaanites…
他来到迦南，看见那些满怀恶意又凶悍的迦南人，
141. but that didn't frazzle him one bit…
并没有被吓倒，
142. but he built an altar and pitched his tent.
他反而筑了一座坛，又搭起了帐棚。
143. But now that he is out of the will of God…
但是他现在离开神的旨意，
144. he was fearful.
他就感到害怕了。
145. All he could think of was his own safety!
他只想到自己的安全！
146. Well… in those days it was the prerogative of Pharaoh to take any woman he wanted into his house.
那时候法老王有权把他所喜欢的女人带进宫里。
147. If the woman is married… the ruler would order the death of her husband… so he could keep her himself.
如果那是已婚的妇女，法老王可以先处死她丈夫，然后把她据为己有。
148. And Abraham did not like this part about the killing of the husband.
亚伯拉罕当然不希望成为被处死的丈夫。
149. Sarah must have been a beautiful woman,
撒拉一定是个很漂亮的女人，
150. even at the age of 65,
虽然那时她已经六十五岁了，
151. and Abraham knew it.
但亚伯拉罕心里明白，
152. So, he asked her to join him in the big lie.
所以他要求撒拉跟他一起撒谎。
153. “Say that you are my sister…”
“求你说，你是我的妹子，”
154. which is half true… because she was his half sister.
这倒有一半是真的，因为撒拉确实是他的堂妹。
155. My listening friend, please listen to me very carefully.
亲爱的朋友，请你留心听清楚。
156. It is all the intention of the heart…
全在于心里的动机，
157. and the intention of Abraham was to deceive for self-protection.
亚伯拉罕为了求自保而说谎。
158. Some 1800 years after Abraham,
在亚伯拉罕以后一千八百年，
159. a husband and wife named Annias and Saphira agreed to lie to the Apostles,
有一对夫妇名叫亚拿尼亚和撒非喇，串谋向使徒撒谎。
160. and they were stuck dead on the spot.
结果他们当场倒毙。
161. Well, the immediate fruit of sin may not be visible
今天，我们也许不会马上看见犯罪的后果，
162. the Bible says that sin is pleasurable for a season.
圣经说犯罪是一时之乐。
163. Immediately Abraham was rewarded with wealth and cattle and Pharaoh lavished gifts upon him.
亚伯拉罕暂时获得了法老王慷慨赠送的大批财富和牛羊。
164. But when God intervened… no doubt Abraham reaped shame … and embarrassment.
但是当神介入时，亚伯拉罕所换来的却是羞愧和困窘。
165. Despite Abraham's lack of trust… God preserved him anyway.
虽然亚伯拉罕对神缺乏信心，但是神仍然保守了他。
166. In verse 17 it tells us, “… a great plague fell on Pharaoh's household.”
经文第十七节告诉我们，“耶和华降大灾与法老和他的全家。”
167. Sarah's honor was preserved…
撒拉清白的名誉给保住了，
168. despite of the selfish action of her husband.
虽然她丈夫的行为是自私的。
169. Listening friend，
亲爱的朋友，
170. Christians who are the most vulnerable to sin are those who think that because they have been justified in the sight of God can live any way they want.
最容易陷入罪中的基督徒，就是那些已经得着神的救赎，自以为从此可以任意而行的人。
171. And what God is saying to us today through the failure of Abraham is this:
今天神借着亚伯拉罕的失败来教导我们：
172. Put your whole trust in me… and I will direct your path.
你要专心仰赖我，我必指引你的路。
173. You don't need to run into Egypt.
你不用逃到埃及去。
174. “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it”
“凡要救自己生命的，必丧掉生命，”
175. “But whoever loses his life for me will find it”
“凡为我丧掉生命的，必得着生命。”
176. It is my prayer that you would say yes to Jesus.
我祈求神，你对耶稣说，我愿意。
177. And until we meet again, I wish you God’s richest blessings.
愿神大大的赐福给你，下次再见。
