【双语灵修】在埃及不单找到食物FINDING MORE THAN FOOD IN EGYPT

创世记 42:1-17

雅各见埃及有粮，就对儿子们说：“你们为什么彼此观望呢？ 我听见埃及有粮，你们可以下去，从那里为我们籴些来，使我们可以存活，不至于死。” 于是，约瑟的十个哥哥都下埃及籴粮去了。 但约瑟的兄弟便雅悯，雅各没有打发他和哥哥们同去，因为雅各说：“恐怕他遭害。” 来籴粮的人中有以色列的儿子们，因为迦南地也有饥荒。 当时治理埃及地的是约瑟，粜粮给那地众民的就是他。约瑟的哥哥们来了，脸伏于地，向他下拜。 约瑟看见他哥哥们，就认得他们，却装作生人，向他们说些严厉话，问他们说：“你们从哪里来？”他们说：“我们从迦南地来籴粮。” 约瑟认得他哥哥们，他们却不认得他。 约瑟想起从前所做的那两个梦，就对他们说：“你们是奸细，来窥探这地的虚实。” 他们对他说：“我主啊，不是的，仆人们是籴粮来的。 我们都是一个人的儿子，是诚实人，仆人们并不是奸细。” 约瑟说：“不然！你们必是窥探这地的虚实来的。” 他们说：“仆人们本是弟兄十二人，是迦南地一个人的儿子，顶小的现今在我们的父亲那里，有一个没有了。”

约瑟说：“我才说你们是奸细，这话实在不错！ 我指着法老的性命起誓，若是你们的小兄弟不到这里来，你们就不得出这地方，从此就可以把你们证验出来了。 须要打发你们中间一个人去，把你们的兄弟带来。至于你们，都要囚在这里，好证验你们的话真不真。若不真，我指着法老的性命起誓，你们一定是奸细。” 于是约瑟把他们都下在监里三天。

星期日

三月十五日

在埃及不单找到食物

“‘我听见埃及有粮，你们可以下去，从那里为我们籴些来 …。’” - 创 42:2

在七个荒年中，和许多其他人一样，雅各的家庭和牲口都面临绝粮了。听见埃及有充足的粮食，雅各便差他的儿子到那里籴粮。

除了最小的便雅悯之外，所有兄弟都上路了。他们一定会这样想：“那里会不会有足够的粮食，来供应我们众多从别国来的人的需要呢？我们不在家时，家中会发生什么事？”

约瑟见到那些因极憎恨他以致卖他为奴的哥哥们，心情会如何？他有没有动了报复和伤害他们的心呢？

约瑟现今已变得较为明智了，他想出一个试验哥哥的方法，以此来看看他们有没有改变。约瑟的一生经历过惊人的迂回曲折事件，现今他的哥哥们也开始踏上类似的旅程了。透过一连串的试验和盘问，约瑟和道父亲仍然在世，他的哥哥们也懊悔所做的恶事（《创世记》 42-44章）。主在这一切事上作工，带来和解和饶恕，再一次让他们一家人和好如初。

你曾经见到神如何在你或你周围的人生命中带来复和呢？

祷告

亲爱的神，你知道我们不单需要食物，更需要恢复与你彼此之间的关系。感谢你藉着饶恕和复和的道路，来塑造我们的故事。奉耶稣的名祈求，阿们。

Genesis 42:1-17

SUNDAY, MARCH 15

FINDING MORE THAN FOOD IN EGYPT

“I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us. . . .” —Genesis 42:2

Like many others during the seven years of famine, Jacob’s family and flocks were running out of food. So Jacob sent his sons to go and buy food in Egypt, where they had heard there was plenty.

All of the brothers except Benjamin, the youngest, went on this journey of desperation. They must have wondered, “Will there be food for all of us coming from another country? And what will happen to our family while we are away?”

Joseph came face-to-face with the brothers who had hated him enough to sell him into slavery. What emotions filled his heart when he saw them again? Was he tempted to get revenge and harm them?

Now wiser, Joseph came up with a way to test his brothers, to see if they had changed in the many years since they had gotten rid of him. Joseph’s life had seen alarming twists and turns, and a similar journey now began for his brothers. Through a series of tests and questioning, Joseph learned that his father was still alive and that his brothers were sorry for the wrong they had done (Genesis 42-44). And the Lord worked through all of this to bring about reconciliation and forgiveness, drawing this family back together again.

In what ways have you seen God working at reconciliation in your life or in the lives of people around you?

Dear God, you know we need more than food. We need restored relationships with you and with one another. Thank you for shaping our stories in the way of forgiveness and reconciliation. In Jesus, Amen.