【双语灵修】痛楚和新生命PAIN AND NEW BIRTH

创世记 4:1-12, 25-26

有一日，那人和他妻子夏娃同房，夏娃就怀孕，生了该隐[a]，便说：“耶和华使我得了一个男子。” 又生了该隐的兄弟亚伯。亚伯是牧羊的，该隐是种地的。 有一日，该隐拿地里的出产为供物献给耶和华， 亚伯也将他羊群中头生的和羊的脂油献上。耶和华看中了亚伯和他的供物， 只是看不中该隐和他的供物。该隐就大大地发怒，变了脸色。 耶和华对该隐说：“你为什么发怒呢？你为什么变了脸色呢？ 你若行得好，岂不蒙悦纳？你若行得不好，罪就伏在门前。它必恋慕你，你却要制伏它。”

该隐与他兄弟亚伯说话，二人正在田间，该隐起来打他兄弟亚伯，把他杀了。

耶和华对该隐说：“你兄弟亚伯在哪里？”他说：“我不知道。我岂是看守我兄弟的吗？” 耶和华说：“你做了什么事呢？你兄弟的血有声音从地里向我哀告。 地开了口，从你手里接受你兄弟的血，现在你必从这地受咒诅。 你种地，地不再给你效力；你必流离飘荡在地上。”

亚当又与妻子同房，她就生了一个儿子，起名叫塞特，意思说：“神另给我立了一个儿子代替亚伯，因为该隐杀了他。” 塞特也生了一个儿子，起名叫以挪士。那时候，人才求告耶和华的名。

星期三

三月四日

痛楚和新生命

“‘神另给我立了一个儿子代替亚伯，因为该隐杀了他。’” - 创 4:25

神已经告诉亚当和夏娃，他们将要面对犯罪的后果。在生产该隐和亚伯时，夏娃经历到生产的痛楚 — 可悲的是，他们还要经历更多的伤痛。

两个男孩渐渐长大，其中一个喜欢种地，而另一个选择牧羊。当他们把劳苦工作得来的成果献给神时，他们有不同的做法。亚伯把最好的献上，但该隐只拿“地里的出产”献上。神喜悦亚伯，但却不喜悦该隐。他们之间产生了嫉妒，该隐生出怒气，亚伯则越来越亲近神。该隐沉不住怒气，最后竟杀了他的兄弟。

亚当和夏娃因失去两个儿子深感哀伤，一个儿子死了，另一个因神公义的判决而被驱逐，他们的家庭已经不再美满了。生产的痛楚，实在不能与失去两个儿子的伤痛相比。后来亚当和夏娃再次怀了孩子，他们迎接一个新的婴孩，夏娃便为神所赐的赞美祂。

你们当中有些人明白失去子女的伤痛，经历这样的伤痛后，有些人会怀疑，神是否会再带来新的生命。我们的故事却不是以伤痛结束，因为爱我们的神是与我们同在的。

藉着亚当和夏娃的新生儿塞特，神开始为祂的儿子耶稣的降世预备道路，耶稣便成为所有相信祂的人的救主。

祷告

亲爱的神，求你帮助我们看透我们的伤痛，并且相信你能够医治我们，甚至再赐我们喜乐。感谢你常与我们同在。奉耶稣祈求，阿们。

Genesis 4:1-12, 25-26

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4

PAIN AND NEW BIRTH

“God has granted me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him.” —Genesis 4:25

God had told Adam and Eve that there would be consequences for their sin. When Eve gave birth to Cain and then Abel, she experienced the pain of childbirth—but, sadly, more pain would come.

As the boys grew up, one was drawn to till the soil, and the other to keep flocks. But when they brought offerings to God from the fruits of their labors, there was a difference. Abel brought the best portions, but Cain brought merely “some of the fruits of the soil.” God looked with favor on Abel, but not on Cain. Jealousy sparked, and Cain grew angry while Abel grew closer to God. Cain nurtured his anger, and eventually he killed his brother.

Adam and Eve grieved the loss of one son by death and of the other by banishment through the just judgment of God. Their home was no longer full. The pain of childbirth could not compare to the pain of losing both sons.

Then Adam and Eve conceived again and welcomed a new child, and Eve gave praise for what God granted.

Some of you know the pain of losing a child. Some wonder if God can bring new life in after such a loss. Pain is not the end of our story because God, who loves us, is present with us.

Through Adam and Eve’s new child, Seth, God began preparing a way for his own Son, Jesus, to come into the world. And he became the Savior from sin for all who believe in him.

Dear God, help us to see beyond our pain and to trust that you can bring us healing and even joy again. Thank you for being present with us. In Jesus, Amen.