做贼要心虚

创世记二十七1－29

雅各谋夺父亲的祝福

上帝与亚伯拉罕立约，应许赐给他很多后裔，并且得土地，又大大祝福他与他的后裔。亚伯拉罕生以撒。以撒和利百加结婚，生以扫和雅各。

以撒年老了，眼睛昏花，看不见东西。一天以撒跟以扫说：『我儿啊，现在我老了，不知道什么时候会死。你现在拿你的箭囊和弓去田野为我打猎。你为我获取所喜欢的野味，给我预备美味的食物吃，我就在未死以前给你祝福。』

母亲利百加也听见了以撒跟以扫的对话。以扫到田野去打猎时候，利百加就对雅各说：『我听见你的父亲吩咐你的哥哥去打猎，回来就预备美味的食物给父亲吃，然后父亲就在耶和华神的面前给你的哥哥祝福。你现在要听我的话。你快到羊群那里，给我牵两只肥嫩的小山羊来。我要照你父亲所喜欢的，给他预备美味的食物，让你拿去给你父亲吃，好让他在未死之前给你祝福。』

雅各对母亲说：『但是哥哥以扫浑身是毛，而我却是个皮肤光滑的人。万一父亲摸着我，就知道是我欺骗他，那我就被咒诅，而不是祝福了。』

利百加说：『我儿啊，愿你所招的咒诅归在我的身上。你只管听我的话，去把羊牵来给我。』

雅各就把羊牵来交给利百加。利百加就预备美味的食物，又把以扫家里最好的衣服拿来给雅各穿上。她又用小山羊的皮，包在雅各的手上和他颈上光滑的地方。然后，她把所预备美味的食物和饼，放在雅各的手里。

雅各来到他父亲以撒那里说：『父亲啊，我是以扫。你吩咐我作的，我已经照样做了。请你坐起来，吃我的猎物，好给我祝福。』

以撒问他，你怎么这样快就猎到野味回来？』

雅各说：『因为耶和华神给我找到好机会。』

以撒说：『我儿啊，你上前来，让我摸摸你，看看你是不是以扫。』

雅各就走进以撒身边，以撒摸着说：『声音是雅各的声音，手却是以扫的手。』

以撒再问：『你真是以扫吗？』

他回答：『我是。』

以扫说：『把食物给我吃，我就给你祝福。』

雅各把食物给他，他就吃了，又拿酒给他，他也也喝了。

以撒对雅各说：『我儿啊，你上前来，和我亲嘴。』

雅各就上前和父亲亲嘴。以撒一闻到他衣服的香气，就给他祝福，说：『看哪，我儿子的香气，好像蒙耶和华赐福的田地所发出的香气一样。愿神赐给你天上的甘露，地上的土地沃土，以及大量五谷和美酒。愿万民服事你，愿万族向你下拜。愿你作你兄弟的主人，愿你母亲的子孙向你下拜。咒诅你的，愿他受咒诅；给你祝福的，愿他蒙福。』

以撒给雅各祝福完了。雅各刚刚从以撒那里出来后，以扫就打猎回来了。以扫也预备了美味的食物，拿来给他父亲，对他说：『请父亲起来，吃你儿子的猎物，好给我祝福。』

以撒就大吃一惊，说：『刚才去打猎又拿猎物给我的是谁呢？在你之前，我已经吃了，又给他祝福了。他将来必定蒙福。』

以扫听了父亲的话就非常痛心，放声大哭。他说：『我父啊，求你也给我祝福。』

以撒说：『你弟弟已经前来，用诡计把你的祝福夺取了。』

以扫说：『雅各欺骗了我两次。从前他夺去我的长子名分，现在他又夺去我的祝福。』

以扫一再哀求以撒给他祝福。以撒回答：『我已经立他作你的主人，又把他所有的兄弟给了他做仆人，并且把五谷和美酒供给他了。我儿啊，我还可以为你做什么呢？』

以扫：『我父啊，求你也给我祝福。』

以扫就放声大哭，以撒回答他说：『你住的地方必远离地上的沃土，远离天上的甘露。你必依靠刀剑生活，你必服事你的弟弟；到你自由的时候，你必从你的颈项上挣脱的他的厄。』

要诚实面对自己

以撒无视上帝所说『大的要服事小的』。他一意孤行要祝福大儿子，因为他偏心比较爱以扫。他喜欢以扫是因为喜欢吃他打猎得来的野味。讽刺的是，他的味觉不灵，吃到家里养的羊羔，还以为是野味！

利百加是整件事的策划者。她催逼和命令雅各按着她的吩咐赶快行事。那么雅各本身就没错了吗？

雅各提出他的顾虑，恐怕自己皮光肉滑，被爸爸认出来，到时得不到『祝福』，反而被父亲咒诅。雅各不认为这种欺骗行为是错，他只是怕被拆穿！这促使利百加更加思虑周密，甚至拿了以扫的衣服给雅各穿上，好散发出以扫的体味。雅各除了是受益者之外，也是出计谋的帮凶。

雅各这种不知错的自私和虚伪也是我们很多人的软弱。我们很容易把矛头指向那些犯错，跌倒的人，指责他人就大义凛凛。我们没想过自己也会犯上同样的错。其实我们可能是怕被别人发现才不敢去犯错。如果四下无人，不会被发现的时候，我们是否还选择不犯错吗？我们可能在做错事後，没有人揭发而继续逍遥法外，也不当这是犯错。

然而，耶稣在福音书里说，神是看人的动机和心思意念。思想上犯罪，行为未行出来，也是错了。基督徒应该提醒自己许多隐而未见的罪，包括眼目的情欲，贿赂和欺骗行为等等。我们不能以为没有被发现，没有被拆穿，就是没有错。神必然审判！

还有，我们应当怜悯那些犯错的弟兄，给他们机会悔改，因为在同样的情况下，我们可能也会犯上同样的错误。我们之没有犯错，可能只是因为环境不许可，没有机会，或者因为没被人发现而已。我们必须诚实面对自己的软弱，却要同情理解他人的软弱。我们必须严以律己，宽以待人。

打开心灵的眼睛

以撒年事已高，身体各个感官效能退化了。他喜欢吃野味，但是分辨不出那碗并不是野味。他的触觉也不错，探察到雅各身上的毛发，却分辨不出那是假的。他的嗅觉也很好，闻到雅各身上发出的『以扫体味』。他的听觉也非常灵敏，听出那不是以扫而是雅各的声音。

然而，他的致命伤是『眼目昏花』，看不清楚眼前的事物。这令他各个感官接收，产生矛盾的信息，促使他错误判断。以撒的失败提醒我们：综合所有的感官，『视觉』拥有中心位置。

许多人的『心灵眼睛』昏花；『心灵的视觉』蒙蔽了，没有正确的属灵看见。他们终日依靠自己的各种感官，思想，却产生出错误的决定和判断而远离上帝。我们来求神打开我们的心眼，给我们看见异象，就好像摩西年老时，心灵里『眼目没有昏花』 （申三十四7）。

一个拥有从上头而来『眼光』的人，能够驾驭各个感官以及所接收的信息，让自己正确无误的行走在上帝的道路上，蒙上帝喜悦。他也懂得选择上帝那上好的福分和不被世俗的谎言所迷惑。你愿意拥有从上帝而来的『眼光』吗？

基督徒应当警醒祷告，保持警惕。我们的心思若只是专注于自己所欲求的，很容易陷入罪中，受罪的辖制。我们每天当刻意安排时间，安静下来阅读圣经，思考神的话。或是聆听诗歌，观想大自然的荣美。上帝要使你看见神的国的美好，就更加爱慕神，专注做神的工。

不能凭己意来套取上帝的祝福

利百加早知道上帝拣选雅各，她不应该策划欺骗行为去为雅各争取祝福。她和雅各应该等候，上帝必然会成就他的应许。我们不能以『不正当的手段』去达到『正当的目的』，纵然那是上帝的计划和祝福！

利百加和雅各用欺骗的手段来替神实现他的计划是错的。他们二人终于尝到恶果，经历家庭悲剧。

事後利百加担心以扫和雅各就此自相残杀，就吩咐雅各逃难到老远的娘家，哈兰。雅各一去就是二十年。他在哈兰喜欢上拉结，就逗留在哈兰，忘记了家乡的妈妈。

利百家从此和雅各不再见面。她失去了两个儿子。这倒应验了利百加的忧虑，就是『一日丧你们二人』（45节）。利百加失去雅各，也失去了以扫的尊敬。这是利百加始料不及的后果。

雅各必须离家逃亡，失去天伦之乐，而且被拉班欺骗，吃苦二十年。雅各为自己欺诈的行为付出了重大的代价。等到一天他终于回到老家，发现原来以扫已经是富甲一方的族长。显然以扫的日子比雅各过得更加写意。

其实上帝也没有亏待以扫。上帝拣选雅各而没有拣选以扫，很大程度是指到日后以色列成为神的选民。以色列人有这个福音认识神，做神圣洁的子民，而弥赛亚耶稣从以色列而出。

今天你正在苦苦经营什么呢？可能是在成就上帝的应许，或是在成就一件『美事』。然而，我们必须时刻提醒自己，行事为人必须符合上帝的法则和旨意。一切欺骗行为和不公义的途径其实是拦阻我们进入上帝的应许之地。

世人一生人奋斗，可能只顾利字当头，不择手段。我们是神的儿女，我们信靠神就当坚持走正路，坚持以正当的手段来争取成功。你现在有什么目标？你所使用的方法是神准许的吗？

今天就放下你自以为『明智』，却是不讨上帝喜悦的做事方式吧！当你回头，等候神，选择走在上帝的道路时，你会发觉突然很多扇门为你打开，成功之路反而比你想象来得更快捷和踏实。

别这样就走了

创世记二十五19－34

雅各和以扫相争

亚伯拉罕生以撒，以撒生雅各。他们三人被喻为以色列的列祖。

以撒四十岁迎娶利百加过门，但是二十年婚姻生活过后，两夫妻还是膝下无儿。上帝曾经应许亚伯拉罕必有后裔遍满全地，如同天上的星星，海边的沙那么多（二十二7），那不是成泡影了吗？

以撒主动的向上帝祈求，上帝就使利百加有身孕。利百加怀孕后，当然喜出望外。然而，胎儿在她的腹里彼此碰撞，叫她痛苦连天。当时利百加不知道什么原因。她就去求问耶和华。

耶和华上帝解释说，她腹中怀的是双胞胎，而胎儿还未出生，就已经在腹中相争。这预示将来两个孩子出生后，必然继续彼此相争。上帝还预言说：『两国在你肚里，两族从你腹中要分出来；将来这族必强过那族，大的要服事小的。』

上帝主权的拣选

雅各的一生总括在相争和欺骗。他一生人就要抓住很多东西！这是一般现代人的写照。

雅各和以扫在母腹里就彼此相争，这是第一回合，预示将来二人的关系。接着他们俩的交锋是在利百加临产的时候。这次雅各输了，因为他只能抓住哥哥以扫的脚跟出生（26节）。这叫他沦为次子，失去长子的福分。

两个孩子渐渐长大。以扫善于打猎，喜欢生活在田野。雅各为人安静，常常住在帐篷里。以撒爱以扫，因为他常吃以扫的野味。利百加却爱雅各。父母亲对孩子的偏心，也造成将来家庭悲剧的发生。

古代长子拥有承受父亲成为族长和家庭领袖的地位，而且长子将得到双分的家产。长子在传统华人家庭里也是拥有显著的地位。然而，雅各仅仅因为跟在以扫脚跟后出生而输了。他会甘心吗？

雅各是不甘心的，往后他一直处心积虑，不惜用诈骗手段为自己争取长子的名分。他因此经历人生颠沛流离。雅各为了要得到所爱的东西，宁愿忍受艰苦，等待和不择手段，也要得到手。

我们看见上帝真的保守和祝福雅各，叫他成为以色列人的先祖，纵然雅各在许多事上工于心计和欺骗使诈。雅各的人品不好，为何上帝仍然拣选他呢？上帝不是老早就认同长子是特别蒙福的吗？那为何又拣选次子呢？

其实上帝的拣选完全是出于他自己的意愿（罗九10－18）这是表示上帝的主权。这不是说上帝做事不讲道理，乃是说上帝不一定根据人认为合理的标准行事。

我们今天能够认识和接受耶稣的救恩，难道不是因为上帝拣选了我们吗？上帝从万民当中拣选我们，不是因为我们比任何人都配得恩典。我们可能比起许多人更加不配，但是上帝拣选我们。这证明上帝的恩典是白白赐给我们，不是我们以什么东西去换取到的。

因此我们应当在众人面前懂得谦卑，懂得怜恤他人的软弱（林前一29）。我们都是罪人，同样是不配的人。在神的面前人人平等。我们杜绝世俗的种族主义或民族主义。我们都是天国的子民。我们爱护世上每个人，给予他们人权和尊严。

既然恩典是白白的赐给我们，我们更应该懂得去感恩和献上自己为上帝使用。白白得来的救恩不代表是廉价恩典，反而是更加昂贵的恩典，因为它不是我们的能力所能够赚取回来的。你是否特别地珍惜这份恩典呢？你是否为着这份救恩向神感恩呢？

忍耐到底的必得胜

第一回合以扫争赢了，他比雅各先出生而得到长子的名分。这可能是因为他孔有武力，因此他长大後，成为田野间优秀的猎人。然而，一次的成功不代表永远的成功。

以扫是一位没有心思又冲动的粗人。雅各却是工于心计，深思熟虑，把握机会的人。以扫能够猎杀山珍海味，却不能为自己预备食物。他能够忍受山野的危险和困难，却不能忍受饥饿。

有一次，雅各正在煮红豆汤的时候，以扫从田野回来，疲乏得很。以扫对雅各说：『求把这红豆汤给我喝吧，因为我疲乏得很。』因此，以扫的名字又叫以东。

雅各说：『你要先把你的长子名分卖给我。』

以扫说：『我快要死了，这长子名分对我有什么益处呢？』

雅各说：『你先向我起誓吧。』

以扫就向他起了誓，把自己的长子名分卖给雅各。

于是，雅各把饼和红豆汤给了以扫。以扫吃了，喝了，就起来走了。以扫就这样轻看了他的长子名分。

以扫觉得很疲乏，需要吃喝，就为自己找借口说，我快要死了，长子名分有何用呢！他真的快饿死了吗？以扫不能控制自己的『需要』，反而被『需要』所控制，而且被那『假装满足他需要的人』所控制。

从这角度看，以扫的不蒙神拣选，也是他咎由自取的。当然雅各也是在趁火打劫！以扫的失败叫我们看见忍耐的重要性。

经文说，两个孩子渐渐长大（27节）。以扫真的长大了吗？

一个长大成熟，有心思的人是懂得忍耐和等待的人。这种人会为将来的益处，愿意忍受目前受的苦楚。那些不成熟的人却是无限放大目前的问题，而宁愿放弃原则，放弃上帝的福分，去满足一时的罪中之乐。

能够忍耐的人也是有自信心的人，他不会因着别人一句批评的话就大发雷霆。一个成功的人也必然是一个可以忍耐的人，因为他的成功是来自他比其他人都有耐心和毅力，走得更远，没有中途放弃。

今天你正面对什么苦楚呢？你是否夸大了你的问题？

不要这么快就大发脾气，或是呼喊说，我要放弃了！却是要抓住上帝的应许，坚持继续往前走，很快的，黑暗会过去而黎明即将到临。

不要出卖长子的名分

难道以扫不知道长子的名份和福气是非常珍贵的吗？为何他宁愿为了一碗红豆汤就出卖长子的名份呢？圣经还说：『以扫吃了，喝了，就起来走了！』（34节）。

以扫走得真潇洒，一点都不为自己的决定感到惋惜！他就这样地走了，他的福气从此也这样地走了，一去不回！不怪得叙述者跑出来说，以扫轻视他长子的名分。

今天充斥着向上帝祈福的人，但是有多少人是懂得珍惜上帝的恩典和福气呢？上帝赐给我们许多的恩典，给了我美满家庭、爱人在旁、求学机会、事业以及身家财产……等。但愿这些福气的来到，不是令我们远离上帝，却是叫我们更加亲近上帝。

很可惜的，往往那些处于贫乏和简朴的群体反而更加爱主，更加热心服事上帝……唉！那些珍惜上帝恩典的人，必然会感恩和奉献给上帝。这些人必然因此被上帝大大的使用和得到更大的福气。

我们不能为了世界暂时的享受而放弃信仰，放弃敬拜神，服事神的机会，因为这是贪慕世俗（希十二16－23）。相反的，我们应该先求上帝的国和他的义。一个人不能够事奉耶稣，也同时事奉金钱。

每次我们领受圣餐，吃主的饼，喝主的杯，就是领受了基督的身体和宝血。这是提醒我们基督与我们立的新约。我们在基督里成为神的后嗣。我们要珍惜自己基督徒—神的儿女的身份。我们要每天跟从主，服事他，在生命里成就主的旨意。

我们不要吃了饼，喝了葡萄酒，就起来走了，当作行礼如仪；没有反省自己与神的关系；没有认真为罪忏悔，求神赦免；没有立志做主的工……。这是轻看基督的救恩，轻看我们是神的儿女的身份。

若是这样，上帝的同在，上帝的福气也会就这样地走了。我们在生活里将无力抵挡魔鬼的攻击，无法站稳信仰立场，为主发光，见证福音拯救的大能。

听完这篇道后，你有感动，愿意回应吗？或者你是听完、起来、就这样地走了…… 

That Demands A Verdict

1 Kings 3:16-28

Solomon Judged with Wisdom

The previous text (3:1-15) talks about King Solomon asking God for wisdom in order that he could possess good discernment in judging cases and ruling the nation. Subsequent to this was the story of two women who fought over a living child.

The intention of the author is that he wanted to prove that Solomon indeed had received the wisdom from God was obvious (v28).

It was a complicated case for interrogation, as nobody had eye witnesses nor material evidences to prove who was supposed to be the real mother of the living baby. There was no DNA test, no CCTV at that time, so how then should the judge make his verdict?

The woman who first filed the legal proceedings against the other was the plaintiff, but she could be the mother of the dead baby who was guilty of cheating!

The Transcendent and Redemptive Power of Love

There were two women and two babies living in the same house. As the night loomed over, death engulfed one of the two babies and the spirit of deception came upon one of these two women.

It happened when the woman fell asleep. She laid on her baby and the baby died. She was a reckless mother. She was aggrieved but she proceeded to exchange her dead baby with the living baby of the other woman.

Morning dawned and revealed the ugly deed done secretly at night.

The other woman awoke to discover a dead baby in her embrace when she tried to feed it. However, it was not her child! Immediately they argued over it.

This other woman said, “No! The dead one is yours; the living one is mine”

But the first one insisted, “No! The dead one is yours; the living one is mine.”

We are now watching a tragic show of human relations filled by deception and power struggles, with two women trying to justify the dead or the living son to be either “yours’ or “mine”.

In fact, every one of us does somehow encounter predicaments and conflicts whereby we are unable to make proper discernment. We simply have to live in absurd or ambiguous situations. It is like a drama played out in our workplaces or our national political arena.

Who is right and who is wrong? Which one is fake news?

Since they could not settle between themselves, they brought their case before King Solomon. The king did not judge who is right and who is wrong, nor did he intervene in their fight. He knew too well that it was an absurd undeterminable case.

He simply rephrased their words, “This one says, “My son is alive and your son is dead,” while that one says, “No! Your son is dead and mine is alive.” (v23)

The way the king dealt with their case was much more absurd than the case itself. He gave an order, “Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other.” (v25)

The king intended to create a room for the truth to be revealed in the midst of their fight.

The woman whose son was alive was filled with compassion for her son and said to the king, “Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don’t kill him!” But the other said, “Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two! (v 26)

Then the king gave his verdict, “Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him. She is his mother.” (v 27)

The first woman loved her son so much that she was even willing to give up her right for justice in order to keep her child alive.

We come to realize that “love” has transcending and redemptive power. Sacrifice made out of love will not be in vain, but it shall supersede the absurdity and power struggles of the world. In the end, truth shall be revealed and broken lives shall be made whole.

When the first woman laid down her rights to fight for justice out of her “love” for her child, her motherhood love was revealed, and thus truth was also revealed. Doesn’t God love us like this too?

God loves us, and that was the reason He created the heavens and the earth for us to live with His blessed presence. Then, man was separated from God after he had sinned against Him. Thus, God sent us His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ, and the Son gave up His life to be crucified on the cross so that He could save us sinners and reconcile us to God.

Today we might encounter certain difficulties in life. We are hard pressed and we are upset, and our situations seem to be so unreasonable and absurd.

Sometimes, conflicts found in our church may end up like absurd and endless nonsenses. Often, our first reaction is to fight back, and we even seek to take revenge until all parties are badly injured, where good and bad are destroyed alike.

However, we can choose to be merciful and loving, and we can forbear and give precedence to one another out of our thoughtfulness for them. We can wait patiently for the truth to be revealed, that all deceptions and evil practices will be exposed eventually.

If there is strife found in our family or in the Church, which is our spiritual home, and all of us hold adamantly to our own stands with no one compromising, the Parents might say, “It is alright. We just cut this family into halves”. How then shall we respond?

If you were to say, “Lord, don’t cut it into halves. Give the child to him. I am willing to forgo my right!”, then you are showing that you are the true child of our Heavenly Father.

All of us are sinners. It is very easy for us to be self-deceived in thinking that we are righteous while our counterparts are the ones who are unrighteous. Consequently, everyone will see himself/herself being victimized. By then, who is the victimizer?

If we know the seamy side of humanity, we will definitely be taken aback and say, “Who has the right to assert his/her absolute righteousness before God?” That is why Christ warned us not to judge others or take revenge casually.

Do not give up if you have chosen to be tolerant and merciful to others, because God will open the door to bring you justice and your “son” will surely be given back to you. Moreover, the reason for many conflicts is absurd and unnecessary.

It may be that we have been staying together for a long period of time, and we can easily spot each other’s weaknesses and these have caused us conflicts. We think that those who stay far away from us are perfect but it only turns out to be our personal prejudice and pride.

We ought to choose to love one another when we live under the same roof as a family. For love enables us to overcome the absurdity, predicament and injustice in the world. It allows the truth to be revealed eventually and it brings forth reconciliation. Do you believe it?

We need to realize that the church is a big family which encompasses brothers and sisters coming from all walks of life and we are different in personalities and characters. We need to be tolerant to love those who are unlovable and to be willing to give up some of our personal rights. By doing so, we will be in line with God’s will and the church will be strengthened and grow from strength to strength!

The Ends Cannot Justify the Means

Both the women mentioned here were prostitutes, and it implied that they were morally impaired.  However, as prostitutes, they were willing to give birth and raise their children, and this showed that they possessed the honorable nature of motherhood, which was worthy to be praised.

But the story line went like a path winding along mountain ridges, and the hidden despicable secrets found in that woman’s heart overtook her noble sentiment of motherly love. It drove her to do something that was utterly devoid of conscience.

That woman who deceived made her mistakes again and again blatantly when she went through her trial in court. Her conscience was seared the moment she agreed to have the baby cut into halves and refused to grant the wish of the other’s. Her attitude was rather to have the baby dead than to have him lived. She had fallen away further and further from God!

We cannot but ask this question: How would she face the child guiltlessly in future even if she had successfully taken him over? After all, she was not the real mother of the baby. Would she be able to feel at ease and to live without regrets with the child whom she had stolen through deception?

The child was neither a toy nor a pet, and his happiness needed to be respected. He was not to be used as a means to fulfill his parent’s wishes or to meet their personal desires!

The action of that woman, from the way she loved her own baby to the way she snatched the baby from the first woman to made it hers, had proven a fact that when one loves or upholds something dearly for one’s own self , it may cause him or her to make wrong decision.

For example, those who are involved in ministry might have their motive to serve others and to shepherd God’s flock at the beginning, but as times go on, their good intention is gone. The desire of humanity to receive glory, honor, and praises may cause them to forget their initial motivation.

Moreover, people often turn out to be self-righteous, exclusive and deceptive, and they will arrogate their rights to power and credit because they want to monopolize “the son they love and cherish”. 

No matter what, we all have our own “beloved and cherished child” in our respective fields. It could be our business interest, career position, ministry position, or some dreams and specialties that are yet to be realized. What are the ways and approaches we have chosen in order to get them or to keep them for ourselves?

We often make big mistakes because we allow our ends to determine our means. For example, both the French Revolution and the Chinese Cultural Revolution were led by people who had noble goals and passion. But ultimately, they resolved to shed blood by using violent approaches and they killed lives in order to fulfill their idealism.

Religious passion is good but it is often misused to justify some coercive means, and to make reasonable oppression of freedom an exchange for superficial piety.

In a mean way, some people said this, “It is alright to sacrifice a few thousands innocent lives and cause some environmental damages in order to have economic growth and political stability for 30 years.”

This is wrong because the ends cannot justify the means! Sacrificing innocent lives is unjust.

The noble motive of getting the “beloved and cherished son” has to be done with noble means. Things we get by unscrupulous means will cause us regrets! For example, church growth is a noble goal, but we have to work hard to achieve it biblically and not unscrupulously.

Let’s pause here and reflect. What is our most beloved and cherished “child”? How do we strive to get it? Do we harbor jealousy, bitterness or anxiety when we fail to get our beloved and cherished “child”?

The solution will be to hold on to the truth and insist on getting our beloved and cherished “child” through means that are pleasing to God. Do not give up our principles of faith and do not resolve to ungodly, unethical and unbiblical means.

Furthermore, we can channel our heart’s desire to loving and trusting Christ. We need to know that Christ is the Lord and Savior of our lives. He promises to take care of us, to bless us with abundant lives, and He shall save us to the very end. Christ’s grace is sufficient for us in any adversaries.

Do not allow any “child” we love and cherish to become our idol and replace Christ in our lives. When we trust God as such and rely on Christ, we will be able to be set free from the bondages of sin. Our lives will shine brightly inside out, possessing freedom and joy as our life qualities.

信心的跳跃

创世记二十二1-18

亚伯拉罕献以撒作为燔祭

亚伯拉罕的妻子--撒拉，年迈无法生育。他们几经困难，终于在亚伯拉罕一百岁时候，上帝使到撒拉怀胎生子。这对年迈的夫妻终于获得神应许的后裔：以撒。但随之而来他面对此生最大的考验。

神试验他，吩咐他：『你要带你的儿子、你所爱的儿子、你独生的儿子—以撒，往摩利亚地去，在我指示你的山上把他献为燔祭。』（2节）

这是呼应神第一次呼召他：『你要离开本地、本族、父家，往我所指示你的地方去。』（十二1）

第一次呼召，神要求亚伯拉罕舍弃旧有的身分与文化，拥抱新身分与新应许。相隔二十五年，神却要他舍弃得后裔这个应许。原来跟从神，顺服神，乃是一生人要面对的挑战和学习的功课。

若献上以撒，亚伯拉罕如何成为多国之父呢？亚伯拉罕过往经历神是公平、慈爱和信实的，现在神怎么变了？迦南地异教信徒有杀死儿子献给他们的神的做法，亚伯拉罕对耶和华的虔爱有异教徒的虔爱程度吗？亚伯拉罕会抓住神所赐的爱子不放？

神试验人，是要知道这人敬畏与顺服的程度到哪里（出十六4；申八2）。经文没有描述亚伯拉罕内心的挣扎，只记述他的行动。

亚伯拉罕『清早起来』（3节），表示立刻行动的决心，但也勾起内心伤痛，因为他之前也是『清早起来』将以实马利送走到旷野（二十一14）。亚伯拉罕曾经从妾—夏甲得子，名为以实马利。

亚伯拉罕如何向妻儿说明神吩咐他杀子的要求呢？亚伯拉罕是单独面对沉重悲哀的时刻！

亚伯拉罕预备了驴、带着两个仆人和儿子、劈好了燔祭的柴就启程。他们走了三天漫长的路程。亚伯拉罕一路上怎么与儿子谈论释然？途中，亚伯拉罕有否意志动摇，想回头？

亚伯拉罕把燔祭的柴放在以撒身上，自己手里拿着火与刀。以撒背着木柴上山，自己将成为祭物，预表耶稣背着十字架上各各他，顺服至死。不同的是，以撒不知道自己的使命，耶稣却是知道。

以撒问父亲：『火与柴都有了，燔祭的羊羔在哪里？』

亚伯拉罕无法说出实情，只说出无比的信心：『我儿，神必自己预备作燔祭的羊羔。』（8节）

『预备』原文是『看见』。在献子的幽暗路上，亚伯拉罕不断用信心的眼睛看见神会『看见』他。

亚伯拉罕到了摩利亚山顶，就在那里筑坛，把柴摆好，捆绑了以撒放在坛的柴上。亚伯拉罕就伸手拿刀，要杀他的儿子……！

突然耶和华神的使者从天上呼唤他说：『亚伯拉罕，不可以伤害这孩子！』

亚伯拉罕举目观看，看见一只公羊两角缠在树丛。他就去牵来那只公羊，献为燔祭，代替以撒。

亚伯拉罕手起刀落的行动表明他已经献上祭物。他的献祭行为已经被神接纳。读者也明白神对于迦南异教献孩童为祭完全不感兴趣。

天使对亚伯拉罕说：『现在我知道你是敬畏神的人了，因为你没有把你的儿子，就是你的独子，留下不给我。』（12节）。这呼应第2节：『你带着你的儿子、你独生的儿子、你所爱的以撒……』。

不惜付出代价，紧抓住神

亚伯拉罕献以撒告诉我们，人生最大考验不是来自生活的困难、逆境、损失和痛苦。最大的考验是为了遵行神的话而不惜付出昂贵代价。成功通过这考验，就称得上敬畏神，也就是符合『尽心、尽性、尽意、尽力爱耶和华你的神』的意思。

人在逆境或痛苦中仍然相信神，感谢神，这是一般的信心表现。因着相信神，就愿意遵守他的吩咐，甚至不惜附上代价，这是更积极的信心表现。

亚伯拉罕献以撒等于献上自己，因为以撒就是他的生命。人献给神时间和金钱也好像是献上自己，因为人付出时间和血汗去赚钱，因此时间和钱当然就是人自己的生命！亚伯拉罕其实是把自己的意志和主权都献上。

其实当我们信得过神是『慈爱、公平、可靠』的话，我们就会毅然遵从他的吩咐。

亚伯拉罕这样回答仆人：『我和孩子去到那边敬拜，然后会一同回到你们这里来。』（5节）

亚伯拉罕相信以撒不一定会被杀，或许神会使他从死里复活。他相信神有办法兑现他的应许，从以撒得到很多后代（来十一19）。

『我们将会回来』显露他的非凡的信心、相信到底的信心、不惧怕死亡并且超越死亡的信心。神给亚伯拉罕的命令看来是不合情理，而且违反他的应许。如果以撒死了，亚伯拉罕又怎么能够从以撒生出多国后裔呢？

亚伯拉罕必须在『神的应许』和『神本身』之间作出抉择。耶和华神是隐秘且威严的，亚伯拉罕并未尝试去查明神为何发出杀子的奥秘。他却是努力去完成耶和华的命令。他忠于神，顺服神的吩咐乃是信心的最高表现。

亚伯拉罕对神忠诚，高过执着神的应许。对神忠诚是出自『敬畏』。执着神应许的福气是出自『害怕』，比如说『害怕』失去所爱的工作、美貌、健康、金钱、房子、车子、家人和情人。

亚伯拉罕『敬畏』神，这使他不『害怕』失去他最心爱的以撒。

今天神也呼召我们服从他的命令，以敬畏和牺牲的方式来敬拜他、服事他、不惜放弃某些钱财、企业心，所爱的事物，甚至人生方向。你愿意付出信心的代价吗？

罗马书八32引用献以撒的故事来阐明神对我们的爱：『神既不爱惜自己的儿子--耶稣基督，为我们众人舍了他，岂不也把万物和他一同白白的赐给我们吗？』

神首先毫无保留为我们牺牲了唯一儿子，死在十字架上，代替我们罪人受惩罚，拯救我们脱离罪和灭亡。我们来献上自己所拥有的给神使用，来回应神的爱。这是理所当然的感恩行动。

让我们紧抓住神，敬畏神，爱神，就会顺服神命令，不害怕失去『心爱的以撒』。

甘心放下，经历『耶和华以勒』

亚伯拉罕看见一只公绵羊缠在树丛中，就拿它来代替以撒献为燔祭，又给那地方起名为『耶和华以勒』，纪念神看顾人，叫人看见他，经历到他，认识他更深（14节）。

亚伯拉罕在杀子的试验中，毅然纵身一跃，跳进未知的信仰深海，就经历了神奇妙的恩典。他看见那代替作为燔祭的公羊。

神不单为他预备羊羔，接着还宣告赐福给他，使他和后代都蒙大福，又借着他使万国得福（17-18节）。『耶和华以勒』把重点从『亚伯拉罕的顺服』，转移到『神的作为』上。

重点是第一，神赐福那些顺服的人，为他们预备，供应他们的需要，叫他们失而复得。亚伯拉罕蒙福的原因，因他『听从』神的话。

第二，通过神的预备，神显明自己，让人遇见他，经历和认识他的真实。

历代志下三1指到圣殿是建在耶路撒冷的摩利亚山上。献以撒的故事，成了神的子民在圣殿献祭的原型。这故事提醒子民当来献祭给神，服事和敬拜他。

敬拜神或服事的生命特质就是顺服神去胜过生命中不合理的遭遇，相信他必定会继续看顾，向敬拜者显现。信心与顺服是不可分割的。

雅各书二21-23：『我们的祖宗亚伯拉罕，把他儿子以撒献在坛上，岂不是因行为称义吗？可见信心是与他的行为并行，而且信心因着行为才得成全。这就应验经上所说：亚伯拉罕信神，这就算为他的义。他又得成为神的朋友。』

正如罗马书八32引用献以撒的故事来阐明神对我们的爱：『神既不爱惜自己的儿子--耶稣基督，为我们众人舍了他，岂不也把万物和他一同白白的赐给我们吗？』

如果我们真的相信上帝是那么爱我们，他是信实的，他既然救赎了我们就必然照顾我们到底；那么我们就会好像亚伯拉罕那样：毅然放下疑虑、顺服神的要求，委身来敬拜和服事他。我们就借此经历到神的作为和供应。

今天信徒跟从耶稣最大的束缚就是惧怕付出代价，并且要求一切都要按照我们自己的时间和意思去行。这是自我中心，不是以神为中心的生命。

让我们操练信靠神，走出信心的一步。我们来献上给神我们心爱的『以撒』，包括我们的时间、精神和金钱。这样我们就可以得到释放，脱离生命中许多束缚与重担。我们一定会经历到『耶和华以勒』！

神给我们每个敬拜者，献祭给他的人的应许是：必然看见神的作为在我们生命里彰显。

You Still Lack One Thing

Mark 10:13-27

Jesus Blesses the Children

The story of Jesus blessing the children is related to the story of the rich man’s inquiry on eternal life. The two stories ought to be read together.

Some parents brought their children to Jesus so that he could touch and bless them. But the disciples rebuked them.

Jesus was upset with his disciples and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it. So, He took them into His arms, laid hands upon them, and blessed them (vv. 13-16).”

Mark does not emphasize the simplicity or adorableness of these children. Rather, the emphasis is on their lack of ability, helplessness, and marginalization.

In ancient societies, children had no rights, no status, and made no contribution to society. Nowadays, children are greatly loved and valued. Actually, this was inconceivable in ancient times.

Here, the text highlights that these children were the passive recipients of others’ actions. They were brought to Jesus by others so that they may be touched by Jesus (v. 13). Jesus said, “Let the children come... do not hinder them” (v. 14). Jesus embraced and laid hands on them (v. 16).

Those who enter into God’s kingdom must be like children, who depend on God’s grace alone. Children lack ability. They are fragile and often easily dismissed.

But it is precisely their helpless circumstance that, when they see God’s gracious hand, they immediately receive God’s rule without reservation. They put God in the first place by believing and obeying God’s word.

By rebuking or hindering the children from coming to Jesus, the disciples signified that humble and helpless people do not belong to the community of faith. Jesus was angry at them because the people they rejected were exactly those that are embraced in God’s kingdom.

The kingdom of God belongs to those who are like children – humble, without status, powerless, yet desire after God. Such people have no networks or connections to depend upon nor any merits to talk about.

They can only believe in God’s mercy and depend on God to have life. They don’t calculate nor make careful plans but are willing to lose everything to follow the Lord wholeheartedly and meditate upon God’s will and values.

So, Jesus embraced the children, laid hands upon them, and blessed them. Those who were once “outside seekers” had now become “children in the bosom of Jesus.” Those who are weak, lacking in ability, and helpless like children have now become members of the kingdom of God.

The Rich Man Seeking Eternal Life

After Jesus blessed the children, as He was setting out on His journey, a man ran up and knelt before Him and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (v. 17)

“Jesus was setting out on His journey”; this “journey” refers to the road of suffering leading up to Jerusalem. It signifies the suffering and service that characterize the life of the disciples of the Lord. In fact, the undertone of the Gospel of Mark is the theme of “being disciples of Jesus”.

The man ran up and knelt before Jesus. This shows that he was a man of reverence and humility. He called Jesus, “Good Teacher,” which reveals an attitude of respectfulness.

Here was a man who truly desired after Jesus. Would he follow Jesus on the way, to be Jesus ’disciple?

He asked Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”

“Inherit eternal life”, means enter into “the age”, where God will accomplish His salvation and rule in His kingdom. This idea was familiar to the Jews because the prophets had been prophesying for centuries about the coming of the kingdom of God, where God’s people would receive the inheritance of a blessed life.

Jesus’ reply was staggering, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.” (v. 18)

Jesus’ answer does not imply that He was sinful and therefore not equal to God in goodness. Rather, these words served rhetorically as a challenge to this man to mean what he said, that is, placing Jesus equal to God, and obey His words just as he obeys God’s Laws.

Would this man obey the words of Jesus?

Jesus answered the man by citing the Ten Commandments, “You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother’” (v. 19).

The man replied, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth” (v. 20).

And Jesus, looking at him, loved him. This proves that the man’s reply was sincere. This man’s good background is in sharp contrast with the children who came to Jesus.

Then Jesus said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me” (v. 21).

It is a good thing to keep the commandments – loving one’s neighbors and not mistreating them. However, gaining eternal life or entering into God’s kingdom is not something that good works can earn.

Rather, Jesus wanted the man to reprioritize his life, that is, “Go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

Jesus was not saying that having property was wrong, so becoming impoverished was right. Jesus’ emphasis was on “come, follow Me.”, because he is the one who is able to give eternal life to people.

However, “those who follow me” or “those who are disciples of the Lord” must lay down everything that they depended upon, especially material possessions, and leave it all at the throne of the Lord.

Jesus challenges each one of us by issuing different demands and callings according to our specific situation and weaknesses. The reason He challenged this man to “sell all that you have and give it to the poor” was that material possessions were what this man needed to give up.

The concept of “selling all that you have and giving it to the poor” also reflects the ethics of the kingdom of God.

It is not sufficient to just avoid mistreating others but one should go one step further to sacrifice oneself for the benefit of others. But Jesus promised us that we will have treasures in heaven. Thus, we do not actually lose anything.

Will this man let go of all the things that he relied upon and be open to the Lord Jesus, obeying His words and following Him, like the children who were fragile and had nothing to rely upon?

The Bible tells us that this man was “disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions” (v. 22).

A person who ran up, knelt, inquired of the way to eternal life, understood and observed the commandments, and even loved by Jesus, seem to be the perfect candidate for the kingdom of God.

Yet it was the children, the ones who were passively led to Jesus and were rejected by the disciples, whose end result were to be in the bosom of Jesus. By contrast, the end result for the man was, undoubtedly, one of sad reversal.

The man had many possessions and these entangled him so much so that he could not summon up the courage to break free from them. For to him, selling everything was a price too high to pay.

People normally see visible treasures, but take lightly the invisible treasures of heaven. Possessions became his idol which replaced God. He broke the first and greatest commandment!

The hindrance to this man’s entrance into God’s kingdom stemmed from his unwillingness to let go of the possessions that he depended upon. For those who are without material possessions, the things that you may be unwilling to let go of could be your talent, power, knowledge, position, pride, hatred, past hurt, certain relationships, addictions and etc.

Those who are determined to embrace these things will find it hard to follow Jesus and thereby lose out on eternal life.

After the man left, Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God” (10:22).

The disciples were amazed by Jesus’ words because the Jews, in those days, believed that wealth was the evidence of God’s favor and the sign of His acceptance. How then can it be that the wealthy are the ones who have difficulty entering God’s kingdom?

Also, isn’t it always easier for the rich to do anything compared to ordinary people?

But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” (vv. 24-25)

Jesus wants us to see that the difficulty of entering into God’s kingdom is not limited to the rich but also extends to everyone. Anything that we see as equally precious as possessions were to the rich man is sufficient to hinder us from entering the kingdom of God.

When the disciples heard this, they were exceedingly astonished, and said to Jesus, “Then who can be saved?” (v. 26)

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God” (v. 27).

It is not possible for human beings to save themselves. We can only be saved by relying upon God’s doing. For all things are possible with God.

Conclusion

Entrance into God’s kingdom is initiated by God and human beings need to be like children who believe, accept, and consent to God’s rule. To the degree that a person is more conditional, or having their own plans, or finding it hard to let go of themselves; to that degree this person can only sorrowfully leave the kingdom of God.

Today, what is this “one thing you lack” that the Spirit is speaking to your heart?

Friends, your weaknesses, shortcomings, anything that you holding on to, anything that hinders you to follow Jesus on the way; come, lay them down before the Lord. You need to let go of your obsessions, i.e.: talent, power, knowledge, position, pride, hatred, past hurt, past failure, certain relationships, addictions; and committing all to the Lord.

All things are possible with God! Don’t depend on yourself, depend on God! Be like the children who solely depend upon God’s grace by coming to Jesus for help and blessing.

As you come before Christ, He will immediately embrace you, lay His hands upon you, bless you, and make you a more than conqueror in His kingdom here and now!