April 16, 2008 ODB RADIO: Listen Now | Download READ: Genesis 50:15-21
You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good . . . to save many people alive. —Genesis 50:20
「從前你們的意思是要害我,但上帝的意思原是好的,要保全許多人的性命。」(創世記50章20節)
One year ago, people around the world were stunned by a shooting rampage that left 32 victims dead on the campus of Virginia Tech University. In the aftermath, the mother of one critically wounded student who survived said she did not want the ordeal to become the defining moment in her son's life. Instead, she hoped it could be "something positive, some great celebration of his life."
一年前,在維吉尼亞理工學院的校園中,發生了震驚全世界的槍擊事件,造成32人喪生。當時有一名學生身受重傷但僥倖存活,他的母親在事發之後表示,她希望這個事件不會讓她兒子的一生蒙上陰影,反而能成為「他生命中一個帶有積極意義、值得歡欣鼓舞的事件」。
When the unthinkable happens, it may seem impossible to believe that anything can overcome the emotional scars. Yet, the life of Joseph offers a powerful illustration of God's transforming power (Gen. 37–50). The brothers who sold him into slavery were sure he would take revenge on them (50:15-17). But Joseph told them, "You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive" (v.20).
有時在一些令人意外的事件發生時,我們似乎很難相信情感上的創傷會有癒合的一天。但約瑟的一生卻是個強而有力的例證,說明上帝有改變生命的大能(創世記37-50章)。將約瑟賣為奴隸的哥哥們認為約瑟一定會報複(50章15-17節),然而約瑟卻對他們說:「從前你們的意思是要害我,但上帝的意思原是好的,要保全許多人的性命,成就今日的光景」(20節)。
When we place our desire for revenge in God's hands, we become participants in the remarkable process described by Paul: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Rom. 12:21).
只要我們將報復的慾望放在上帝手中,就能實踐保羅所說的話:「不可為惡所勝,反要以善勝惡」(羅馬書12章21節)。
The defining moments of our lives are not determined by the evil done to us, but by our response through the grace and power of God. — David C. McCasland
生命中的關鍵時刻,不是由發生在我們身上的惡事來決定,而是取決於我們如何以上帝的恩典與大能來回應這樣的事件。DCM
When rough the path from day to day,
When sorrows fill our eyes with tears,
Our choice to find our hope in Christ
Can lift our soul and calm our fears. —D. De Haan
日復一日路坎坷,
悲傷雙眼淚滿眶;
唯有選擇靠基督,
提升我靈息恐慌。D. De Haan
Let danger drive you to Jesus.
讓險境驅使你投靠耶穌。
Genesis 50:15-21 (New King James Version)
創 世 記 50:15-21 (Chinese Union Version (Traditional))
Joseph Reassures His Brothers
15 When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “Perhaps Joseph will hate us, and may actually repay us for all the evil which we did to him.”
15 約 瑟 的 哥 哥 們 見 父 親 死 了 , 就 說 : 或 者 約 瑟 懷 恨 我 們 , 照 著 我 們 從 前 待 他 一 切 的 惡 足 足 的 報 復 我 們 。
16 So they sent messengers to Joseph, saying, “Before your father died he commanded, saying,
16 他 們 就 打 發 人 去 見 約 瑟 , 說 : 你 父 親 未 死 以 先 吩 咐 說 :
17 ‘Thus you shall say to Joseph: “I beg you, please forgive the trespass of your brothers and their sin; for they did evil to you.”’ Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him.
17 你 們 要 對 約 瑟 這 樣 說 : 從 前 你 哥 哥 們 惡 待 你 , 求 你 饒 恕 他 們 的 過 犯 和 罪 惡 。 如 今 求 你 饒 恕 你 父 親 神 之 僕 人 的 過 犯 。 他 們 對 約 瑟 說 這 話 , 約 瑟 就 哭 了 。
18 Then his brothers also went and fell down before his face, and they said, “Behold, we are your servants.”
18 他 的 哥 哥 們 又 來 俯 伏 在 他 面 前 , 說 : 我 們 是 你 的 僕 人 。
19 Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God?
19 約 瑟 對 他 們 說 : 不 要 害 怕 , 我 豈 能 代 替 神 呢 ?
20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.
20 從 前 你 們 的 意 思 是 要 害 我 , 但 神 的 意 思 原 是 好 的 , 要 保 全 許 多 人 的 性 命 , 成 就 今 日 的 光 景 。
21 Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
21 現 在 你 們 不 要 害 怕 , 我 必 養 活 你 們 和 你 們 的 婦 人 孩 子 。 於 是 約 瑟 用 親 愛 的 話 安 慰 他 們 。
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