“return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.”

Joel 2:1-17

Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of Lord is coming.

The Lord thunders at the head of his army; his forces are beyond number, and mighty is the army that obeys his command. The day of the Lord is great; it is dreadful. Who can endure it?

“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.”

Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly.

Let the priests, who minister before the Lord, weep between the portico and the altar. Let them say, “Spare your people, Lord. Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’”

The good news is that no one needs to endure God's judgment. He is tail calling people in repent. Joel calls the whole nation to turn to God and plead for mercy.

Why?

The day of the Lord is great, no one can endure it. 

This disaster is an alarm to all people in Israel. God gives us the opportunity to repent and turn to the Lord. Even now return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Now is need action, do it now or it will delay and lose the opportunity.

Why people say "Where is their God? Because they did not care about the Lord and forgot the Lord.

------------

耶和華的日子：神向以色列及兩國算帳的日子。神的公義彰顯的時候。完全沒有光的日子，完全沒有可以逃避的。表示神要藉巴比倫來消滅猶大國。人以為一切都沒有問題，祭祀都持續，基督徒一樣正常的聚會、事奉，讀經、禱告。最大問題是不知道自己的問題。

悔改歸向主：苦泣、不要撕裂衣服，要撕裂心腸，憂傷痛悔的心，神必不輕看。為自己的罪憂傷哀痛。神要的不是儀式。

嚴肅會還有需要嗎？如果有痛悔的心，帶出來的嚴肅會、禁食才有意義。僅有外表沒有心是沒有用的。禮儀不是重要，而是先有謙卑、哀傷、悔改後再行禮儀是蒙神悅悅納。

未可知?是否謙卑與信心的平衡。相信神慈愛的本性，卻又不是大爺的心態。不因神的本性而好像欠我們一樣。我們是不配這樣祈求的。素祭及 奠祭，糧食與酒，代表人對神的忠誠。在工作生活當中來敬畏神。重要是在生活中的見證。

------------

How?

May God's mercy and love come upon this land and turn more people to the Lord.

Joel: Alas for that day! For the day of the Lord is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty.

Joel 1;1-20

The word of the Lord that came to Joel son of Pethuel.

What the locust swarm has left the great locusts have eaten; 

Mourn like a virgin in sackcloth grieving for the betrothed of her youth. Grain offerings and drink offerings are cut off from the house of the Lord. The priests are in mourning, those who minister before the Lord. The fields are ruined, the ground is dried up; the grain is destroyed, the new wine is dried up, he olive oil fails.

Put on sackcloth, you priests, and mourn; wail, you who minister before the altar.
Come, spend the night in sackcloth, ou who minister before my God; for the grain offerings and drink offerings are withheld from the house of your God.

Alas for that day! For the day of the Lord is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty.

To you, Lord, I call, for fire has devoured the pastures in the wilderness and flames have burned up all the trees of the field. Even the wild animals pant for you; the streams of water have dried up and fire has devoured the pastures in the wilderness.

Even in the past 100 years, Jerusalem has been stripped of all vegetation by a plague of locusts like the one Joel describes so vividly. The swarm of several million insects is carried into Palestine by the desert wind from Arabia.

The locust grows rapidly from larva to winged adult, and at every stage its appetite is insatiable. It is worse than an invading army: when it moves on there is no green or growing thing left. There is nothing to offer to God or so little that the people are using all they have to ward off starvation. For Joel, the locust swarm is a sign, a warning of the terror of the Day of the Lord, God's approaching judgment day. He calls for a national day of prayer.

Why?

A disaster coming means warning from the Lord, the only way to getting better is to come to the Lord and pray to the Lord.

God is the sovereign Lord, God loves us, but we have to do our duty before the Lord. Humble, obey God's word and love each other.

Day of the Lord is the judgment of the Lord, nothing and no one can escape from God's judgment.

----------

1.宣告災難

  這是史無前例的災難，一無所剩，不要心存僥倖。

我們以為我們是我們生活的供應者，還是神才是我們的供應者？

2. 祭祀

  祭祀代表人忠誠的守約。約是保證神賜福給人。人毀約，不忠心，就得不到神的保守慰藉。災難的背後是人得罪了神，離開神。 

3. 對策

神關心我們生活及屬靈的需要。若我們只關注生活的需要，欠缺屬靈需要，會失去生活的倚靠。

---------- 

How?

Be aware that the Lord knows what we are doing and God's righteousness and love will come upon us.

 

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done

Genesis 50:1-26

Joseph threw himself on his father and wept over him and kissed him. Then Joseph directed the physicians in his service to embalm his father Israel. So the physicians embalmed him, taking a full forty days, for that was the time required for embalming. And the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days.

When the Canaanites who lived there saw the mourning at the threshing floor of Atad, they said, “The Egyptians are holding a solemn ceremony of mourning.” That is why that place near the Jordan is called Abel Mizraim.

But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

Joseph stayed in Egypt, along with all his father’s family. He lived a hundred and ten years

Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die. But God will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” And Joseph made the Israelites swear an oath and said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.”

Joseph returns to Canaan at last, but only to lay his father to rest in the family tomb at Hebron - still their sole possession in the promised land.

The huge canvas of Genesis, begun with the greater strokes of creation and pulsating life in Eden, continued through destruction, promise, and the birth of a new nation in Canaan, closes with the death of Joseph in Egypt, Yet there will be more to tell. 'God will not fail to ... take you from here to the land which he promised,' Joseph says, full of trust and hope to the last.

Why?

Joseph gave honor to his father Jacob and bury him in the land of Canaan. There was a solemn ceremony of mourning the Canaanite said.

Joseph's brother afraid of their father dead, and Joseph will harm them, but Joseph knew it the hands of the Lord intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done. 

Joseph asked Israelite to swear bring his bone back to the promised land. He knew the Lord will bring them back to the promised land.

How?

Do not forget the promise of the Lord through Jesus Christ, this world is tent to us, our promised land is in heaven.

---

埃及人為雅各死哀哭70天，法老是72天。

雅各生前的吩咐是相信神的應許必成就。雅各若葬在埃及墳墓一定很大，但是他要葬在迦南地。

約瑟也相信神的應許，棺材停在埃及。創世記停在盼望中，有個偉大的吩咐。也告訴我們讀者，今天我們的盼望不是在這世界而在天上的應許之地。今天是要為了成就更偉大的使命。

約瑟的哥哥假借父親話來求情，其實約瑟早以饒恕他們了。神透過我們來祝福他人。約瑟讓埃及有糧，也讓各國人也可來買糧。這就是祭司國度的概念。

Jacob blesses his sons

Genesis 49:1-33

Reuben, you are my firstborn, Turbulent as the waters, you will no longer excel.

Simeon and Levi are brothers— their swords are weapons of violence. I will scatter them in Jacob and disperse them in Israel.

“Judah, your brothers will praise you;  your hand will be on the neck of your enemies;   your father’s sons will bow down to you. You are a lion’s cub, Judah;  you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his.

Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall. But his bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber, because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel,

Let all these rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince among his brothers.

The spoken blessing looks to the distant future when the descendants of these twelve will occupy the promised land. For the territories.

Why?

The Spirit in Jacob is clear and goes with the Lord, Jacob the future of his sons and his descendent will be and their territories in the promised land.

Judah will be a great one in Isreal, Jesus will come from this tribe.

----

每個基督徒一個提醒我們因為放縱情慾就失去應有的尊榮及地位。

利未及西緬因情緒受審判，懲罰。但是利未後來因神改變他們分散各地成為祝福。

葡萄酒多到可以洗衣服，表示很豐盛。

以薩加為更好生活，願意吃苦當別人僕人。

猶大是王者。

約瑟多結果子，受攻擊中有神的保護。約瑟情形很像基督徒的情形。

雅各按照各人的福分所說，即他們依靠神的情形而定。

猶大很謙卑，在他瑪的事上，承認自己的錯誤，悔改，所以蒙福。

---

How?

Walking with the Lord is the best way in our life. 

May they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they increase greatly on the earth

Genesis 48:1-22

Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and there he blessed me and said to me, ‘I am going to make you fruitful and increase your numbers. I will make you a community of peoples, and I will give this land as an everlasting possession to your descendants after you.’

Then he blessed Joseph and said, “May the God before whom my fathers  Abraham and Isaac walked faithfully, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, the Angel who has delivered me from all harm —may he bless these boys. May they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they increase greatly on the earth.”

“In your name will Israel pronounce this blessing: ‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.’ So he put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh.

Then Israel said to Joseph. And to you I give one more ridge of land than to your brothers, the ridge I took from the Amorites with my sword and my bow.

Once again a cycle is completed: from the blessing of Jacob by his blind old father to the blessing of Joseph's sons as an act of faith. How simply Jacob's hands cross over to convey God's blessing to the younger son, in contrast to the Jacob and Esau story in chapter 27. Ephraim and Manasseh are counted as Jacob's own sons, so Joseph enjoys a double inheritance.

Why?

Jacob blesses Joseph will have the land as an everlasting possession to their descendants. which is God's blessing to Israel and his forefather.

Joseph has two sons so later in Israelite land portion, his two sons have their own land, so Jesoph has one more portion than his brothers.

The blessing of the elder is same as many brothers, the younger one will greater than the elder one.

Jacob and Esau.

-------------

雅各提出神曾經說過的應許。我們的地、家鄉永遠的產業在迦南地。埃及只是我們寄居的地方。地上的一切都是暫時的。

約瑟的兩個兒子歸雅各的。長孫等同最小的兒子。兩個即雙份的祝福。瑪拿西是長子，特別雅各的右手邊，但是以色列伸手出來是交叉的按手，神的揀選不是按照人的安排，人的想法，以人以為好的方式來做。雖然雅各看不見，但是靈裏很清楚。神的揀選不是因為血統，而是因為神的主權。所以不要看不起外邦人。以色列人以後以以法蓮為羨慕的對象。

因此我們要不斷尋求、調整，讓我們明白神的心意。我們以為我們眼睛清楚，靈裏的眼睛可能不清楚。

神從來不担誤事情。

------------

How?

Blessing from the elder one is important, and pray with blessing is better than any others.

They acquired property there and were fruitful and increased greatly in number

Genesis 47:1-32

And Jacob said to Pharaoh, “The years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty. My years have been few and difficult, and they do not equal the years of the pilgrimage of my fathers.” Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh and went out from his presence.

So Joseph settled his father and his brothers in Egypt and gave them property in the best part of the land, the district of Rameses, as Pharaoh directed.

So Joseph established it as a law concerning land in Egypt—still in force today—that a fifth of the produce belongs to Pharaoh. It was only the land of the priests that did not become Pharaoh's properties.

Now the Israelites settled in Egypt in the region of Goshen. They acquired property there and were fruitful and increased greatly in number.

Do not bury me in Egypt, but when I rest with my fathers, carry me out of Egypt and bury me where they are buried.” “Swear to me,” he said. Then Joseph swore to him, and Israel worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.

Why?
Joseph is a good manager who helps Pharoah achieved many stock and almost all the land of Egyptians and their money and lands. And he makes a rule that a fifth of the produce belongs to Pharaoh.

Joseph made a good foundation of Egypt and the economy and the royalty of Pharoah.

Jacob did not forget the promise from the Lord, even he will die in Egypt but asked his son have to bring his body back to Cannan with his forefather.

Before Jacob dies he even worships the Lord on the top of his staff.

--------------

神的選民在地上，不僅人對待他們好，而且成為他人的福氣。雅各為法老祝福。看到基督徒在地上的使命就是成為地上萬族的祝福。除了傳福音以外，我們仍然可以成為家庭、社會、國家的祝福。

神的選民在所居住之地，也成為祝福。埃及的統治更穩固，不是因為高壓，法制在管理。而是婦用幫助百姓的方式來達成。約瑟將所有賣糧的錢都交給法老。所以在約瑟的治理下，法老的權勢愈來愈大，愈穩固，聲望也高。

飢荒沒有造成法老的危機，反而更受愛戴！

我們可能不是CEO，不是宰相，我們為地上的主人負責，就是向神負責，成為我們所在地方的祝福。

透過雅各的話提醒，不要忘記應許之地。不管地上生活的多麼好，天上才是我們永恆的家鄉。

我們做什麼要像什麼，不是因為我們家鄉在天上，於是在地上生活與工作、待人，馬馬虎虎，隨隨便便，讓主名受羞辱！

-----------------

How?

Do not forget the promise of the Lord and obey his command and word. The blessing will be with us forever

Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there

Genesis 46:1-34

Israel set out with all that was his, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, “I am God, the God of your father, Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph’s own hand with close your eyes.”

With the two sons who had been born to Joseph in Egypt, the members of Jacob’s family, which went to Egypt, were seventy in all.

When Pharaoh calls you in and asks, ‘What is your occupation?’ You should answer, ‘Your servants have tended livestock from our boyhood on, just as out fathers did.’ Then you will be allowed to settle in the region of Goshen, for all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians.”

The people of Israel, Jacob’s;household, set out for Egypt with God’s reassuring promise that he will accompany them and bring them back - by then a nation.

Why?

Israel offered sacrifices to God, which means he respects the Lord, and God show in the vision at night to Jacob.

This is the plan of God to Israel, they will be a nation and his people will become numerous in Egypt, and God will bring them back to Cannon.

Because shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians so they could be isolated in Egypt. To be a pure nation.

-------------------

獻祭有兩個意義，1)感恩 :神所預備的，超過我們所求所想的，心中充滿感恩！ 2)求問神：求主觀的證據。離開應許之地很重要，不因為迎接的陣丈大。

在迦南不能成為大國嗎？一定要去埃及嗎？雖然埃及象徵世界，埃及比較穩定，有中央政府，有豐富物產。迦南地不穩定，有一定的道德觀。埃及比較適合以色列人在那裏由家族變成一個國。

神允許，不一定同在。神同在一定是神的同意。進入埃及好像進入世界，不要如此想，神與他們同在。他們在埃及，卻不受埃及影響、持有自己的語言、文化、血統等。基督徒生活在世界卻不受世界影響。神答應還要帶他們回來，埃及只是他們暫時居住地。基督徒也相同，地上只是我們暫時住的地方，不是應許之地。

人口75人，使徒行傅也寫75人，這裏是70人，70人是好的數字，人口數是大約數。

埃及人不喜歡遊牧民族。因此埃及人與以色列人隔離。以色列可以保有純正文化、信仰。在迦南地反而難持有自己的文化、血統。埃及人也不會和他們交往。

後來埃及人苦待他們，讓他們想離開。當我們不被人喜歡也表示我們與他們不同，這也是神的安排。

-------------------

How?

God’s plan always is perfect and with love and mighty hands. Obey God’s command and honor God’s holy name is our obligation.

承受應許的人

希6：11-18。      高敏智牧師。  2020／5／24

優雅人不是文皺皺的，是散發生命氣息與喜樂

希 伯 來 書, 11:16 - 他 們 卻 羨 慕 一 個 更 美 的 家 鄉 、 就 是 在 天 上 的 ． 所 以 神 被 稱 為 他 們 的 　 神 、 並 不 以 為 恥 ． 因 為 他 已 經 給 他 們 豫 備 了 一 座 城 。

觀念。主格！…真正的產業

非出埃及的祝福～ 福音（得自由）？

                               ～ 體育課（流汗即可）～ 成功神學

乃是進埃及的應許～使命合乎所用

                                 ～ 校隊（要得錦標）～作戰得勝

五個例子，五種心態，結果以得冠軍才是成功。

大綱

1.為何曾和神立約，又失落神的應許？

撒上2：29。    我必將你的國奪回

撒 母 耳 記 上, 2:29 - 我 所 吩 咐 獻 在 我 居 所 的 祭 物 、 你 們 為 何 踐 踏 、 尊 重 你 的 兒 子 過 於 尊 重 我 、 將 我 民 以 色 列 所 獻 美 好 的 祭 物 肥 己 呢 。

2 神為何在怒中起誓言，拒絕百姓進迦南？

硬著心。豈不是跟著摩西從埃及出來的眾人嗎？

3.人為何渴慕救恩，又在最後一步失去？

少年官憂憂愁愁的走了

500+無限大=無限大， 我們有500,我們加上神才有無限大。

4.何路得為何能在絕望中，最後得著應許？

路得完全沒有身份的人，沒有資格的人，只是一直要，不放棄。路得成為大衛的曾祖母

5.保羅為何從罪魁中，看見神公義的冠冕？

  得獎賞因為態度是獨一無二，最後成為VIP

It was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you

Genesis 45:1-28

I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt!  And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.

Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping.  And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him.

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan, and bring your father and your families back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you can enjoy the fat of the land.’

And this is what he sent to his father: ten donkeys loaded with the best things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and other provisions for his journey.

And Israel said, “I’m convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”

Why?

A happy ending of this family. even Joseph was sold by his brothers, it was to save lives that God sent Joseph ahead of them.

This event made Israelites moved from Canaan to Egypt with honor and joy, but later there are a hard time came to them when new Pharoah rules over Egypt.

Joseph and Pharoah gave them more than any others for Josephe is a ruler over Egypt.

————

約瑟安慰他兄弟們，被害者安慰加害者。

以奴隸的身份成為管家。難道這只是還約瑟公義嗎？神要賜福以色列家族，讓更多的人蒙福。

人無論如何阻擋神的，會轉成益處。順服神的掌

ㄖㄤˋ

—————

How?

God is the Lord, God has arranged well ahead of his people.

God has uncovered your servants’ guilt.

Genesis 44:1-34

Joseph was still in the house when Judah and his brothers came in, and they threw themselves to the ground before him. Joseph said to them, “What is this you have done? Don’t you know that a man like me can find things out by divination占卜?”

“What can we say to my lord?” Judah replied. “What can we say? How can we prove our innocence? God has uncovered your servants’ guilt. We are now my lord’s slaves—we ourselves and the one who was found to have the cup.”

Then Judah went up to him and said: “Pardon your servant, my lord, let me speak a word to my lord. Do not be angry with your servant, though you are equal to Pharaoh himself. 

Now then, please let your servant remain here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers. How can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? No! Do not let me see the misery that would come on my father.”

Why?

This is a trick Joseph made to test his brother's love among them. Judah to be an elder brother, so he stood out to bear the responsibility to protect his youngest brother.

All of his brothers bowed down before Joseph again. Once more proved the dream before.

Joseph's brother confessed their guilt before Joseph. It is God uncovered.

—————

約瑟再一次測試他們。

他們全部回埃及，若是以前他們可以留下便雅憫，因為這是便雅憫袋中找到的。

猶大願意承擔弟弟的安危。即使自己是無辜的。在哪裏跌倒，就從哪裏站起來。

願為便雅憫捨命。我們的一切都是神賜的。當我們愈捨己，神愈賜福。

—————

How?

We are honest but also smart like a snake to face this evil world. May my heart and my mind be like Jesus Chris has the light to bless others and attack them come to Jesus. Waiting, be humble and Obey God's arrangement are what I have to do.

They bowed down before Joseph to the ground.

Genesis 43:1-34

Then Judah said to Israel his father, “Send the boy along with me and we will go at once, so that we and you and our children may live and not die. I myself will guarantee his safety; you can hold me personally responsible for him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him here before you, I will bear the blame before you all my life. 

Take your brother also and go back to the man at once.  And may God Almighty grant you mercy before the man so that he will let your other brother and Benjamin come back with you. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.”

When Joseph came home, they presented to him the gifts they had brought into the house, and they bowed down before him to the ground. 

Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep. He went into his private room and wept there.

Behind his apparent harshness lies complete and generous forgiveness of the wrong done him, and a real understanding of the way God controls human destiny. Joseph is clearly a man of deep feeling, moved to tears of sorrow and joy. 

Under each new stress the brothers show a genuine change of attitude from the old days. Twenty years have not obliterated their sense of guilt. They will not behave towards the new favorite as they did towards the old.

Why?

Judah takes responsibility for the elder brother among them. He bears the blame before his father all his life if he could not bring his brother back.

Joseph's dream comes true, all his brothers now down before him to the ground. 

Joseph wept with joy and sorrow under God's blessing he became the savior to his family and his lost and frustration are God's grace for his position now.

————

三個要對付的問題：誠信，唯利是圖，嫉妒

雅各無奈的把結果交給神。人在有辦法的時候還是堅持，直到沒有辦法時，才交託給神。

他們沒有隨便帶一個人來，有誠信。

上回沒有拿走的銀子又帶回來，沒有唯利是圖

吃飯時便雅憫菜比較多，其他人只是感恩，沒有嫉妒。

約瑟似乎在整他們，是給他們悔改的機會。我們不要以為神在整我們，神在給我們悔改的機會．

行公義好憐憫．

————-

How?

God's way is beyond our way and what we should do is obey God's word and wait and be patient.

Joseph's brothers go to Egypt for food

Genesis 42:1-38

Then ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt. But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with the others, because he was afraid that harm might come to him. 

On the third day, Joseph said to them, “Do this and you will live, for I fear God:  If you are honest men, let one of your brothers stay here in prison, while the rest of you go and take grain back for your starving households. But you must bring your youngest brother to me, so that your words may be verified and that you may not die.” This they proceeded to do.

But Jacob said, “My son will not go down there with you; his brother is dead and he is the only one left. If harm comes to him on the journey you are taking, you will bring my gray head down to the grave in sorrow.”

These chapters give moving account of Joseph's meeting, testing and eventual reunion with his brothers. Behind his apparent harshness lies complete and generous forgiveness of the wrong done him, and a real understanding of the way God controls human destiny. Joseph is clearly a man of deep feeling, moved to tears of sorrow and joy.

Why?

Joseph spoke hardship to his brother to testify their brothers do love with each other.

For Joseph have power and high position with official clothing so their brothers could not recognize them. Their brother afraid Joseph for they asked their family situation and very clear. They found their guilt on Joseph.
---------

神要雅各的孩子們對付他們自己的罪，雖然神攔揀選了以色列為選民。

雅各不再信任他其他兒子，因此不讓便雅閔跟著去埃及。

兄弟們開始知道苦難臨到他們身上，是因為過去的虧欠！

看到銀子反而沒有拿去，他們反而提心吊擔，問神向我們做了什麼?他們提到神，看到他們自己得罪神了！這樣子的改變，後來流便的改變，願意以自己身家性命拿出來，願意將自己與弟弟看成自己的兒子。

---------

How?

God's time and plan beyond our plan and struggle. Follow and wait and obey the Lord is the best way to us.

It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering

Genesis 41:25-57

Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads of grain are seven years; it is one and the same dream. The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterward are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind: They are seven years of famine.

The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials. So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?”

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”

Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from Pharaoh’s presence and traveled throughout Egypt.

Before the years of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, “It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” The second son he named Ephraim and said, “It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.”

When the famine had spread over the whole country, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe throughout Egypt. And all the world came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph because the famine was severe everywhere.

'Not I, but God...' says Joseph. And Pharaoh sees this man 'as endowed with the spirit of God'.

Why?

Joseph explained the dream is like the angel of the Lord, so Pharaoh amazing Joseph is a discerning and wise man, one in whom is the spirit of God.

God's spirit is in a man means shows different images and light from Joseph.

To be a Christian, do we have the symbol of Jesus Christ to all around us.

God led Joseph to Egypt and help him to be the second great one in Egypt. his dream comes truth, God's plan is completed through Joseph.

---------------------

約瑟在解夢中，四次提到神，不歸功給自己。兩個夢一樣，表示很重要，牛與麥子都是指食物。事態緊急，不耐不得不處理。

法老看出約瑟有神的靈，神的祝福在他裏面。這是讓人看出來，不是我們自己說的。

約瑟不僅是宰相，而是有法老權力的宰相。約瑟從此成為埃及的總管。

神的時間和作為如此奇妙！一個冤枉被告與主人妻子有染的事，可能被殺，又被下監。如今確如此掌大權。法老看出來，約瑟沒有要抓權，約瑟要做的只是順服神的安排、等候、謙卑！

約瑟娶埃及女子，又有埃及名字，就是名正言順的當埃及的宰相。約瑟的子孫有埃及的血統，神向來沒有輕看外邦人。神的福音要傳給所有人。神沒有虧待任何人。神沒有揀選中國人，不是偏心，神好像將優惠券交給里長，交給以色列人轉發給世界的其他國家的人。

兩個孩子的名字，叫約瑟不要忘記他是以色列人。

--------------------

How?

God is helping me fruitful in the land of my suffering.

I cannot do it, God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires

Genesis 41:1-25

When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing by the Nile, when out of the river there came up seven cows, sleek and fat, and they grazed among the reeds. After them, seven other cows, ugly and gaunt, came up out of the Nile and stood beside those on the riverbank. And the cows that were ugly and gaunt ate up the seven sleek, fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up.

He fell asleep again and had a second dream: Seven heads of grain, healthy and good, were growing on a single stalk. After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted—thin and scorched by the east wind. The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads. Then Pharaoh woke up; it had been a dream.

“I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”

Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do."

Two years later Pharaoh himself has a dream which defeats his magicians and wise men, despite all their training and a whole library of reference books. When the wine steward, at last, remembers him, Joseph not only proves able to explain God's message but comes up with a clear cut plan of action.

Why?

After the cupbearer return to Pharoah, Joseph continues to stay in jail for two years. Joseph did not complain or pray to the Lord. When God's time comes, Joseph soon is released.

Two dreams are the plan of God, so only God shows to Joseph, and Joseph can interpret dreams before Pharoah.

God has his time and place for those who love. Do not complain and pray for it. God knows all of our situations. 

---------

法老做夢而心理不安。於是有後面的事，讓約瑟出監的事。

是神讓法老心裏不安，想找人解夢。

酒政忘記約瑟，因為法老找人解夢，約瑟才被想到。

如果酒政當時被帶出監，結果可能就完全不一樣了。因為酒政的幫助，變成他們有恩於約瑟。約瑟可能成為酒政的管家，或是成為埃及人，或是就這樣回迦南地，更落魄了。

現在是法老有求於他，風光的出監，而且把神先擺出來，見證神的榮耀，成為神的代言人。

不急著解夢，卻說-ab成為神的代言人，成為先知。約瑟變成好像命令，教法老的人。雖然身份是否臣僕，但是卻成為法老的指導者。

神又延遲兩年讓約瑟出獄，似乎更糟糕，所有事件但是這都是讓約瑟的夢得以實現。歷史在神的手中，時間也在神的手中。如果我們去強求，可能我們要繞一大圈路，所有這些過程都在實現神的旨意。

---------

How?

God is my strength, my way, and my hope. God's promise never fails.

Why do you look so sad today?

Genesis 40:1-23

When Joseph came to them the next morning, he saw that they were dejected. So he asked Pharaoh’s officials who were in custody with him in his master’s house, “Why do you look so sad today?”

“We both had dreams,” they answered, “but there is no one to interpret them.”

Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.”

The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.

Great significance was given o dream in Egypt at this time. Professional interpreters had manuals that listed dreams and their meanings. But Pharaoh's wine steward the butler of some versions and his baker had no one to turn to, 'Interpretation belongs to God,' says Joseph - and God makes the meaning clear.

Why?

Time is in hands of the Lord, so the chief cupbearer forgot Joseph told him.

Joseph was honest in his job so he caring the emotion of these two men.

Interpretation of dream is the right of God, for Joseph knew the Lord, so he may pray to the Lord helped him to make it.

When we helped someone in some situation, we hope they could help us at the right time. But most people when they got the benefit they always forgot their friends or their accompany.

God will help us in his time.

Depend on man is unreliable, only the Lord could be trusted. Chief cupbearer forgot Joseph.

-----------------

解夢不是出於神嗎？

司獄一概不查，看似被囚，其實自由。

約瑟如此後受器重，卻沒有做老大，謙卑盡本份。，服侍其他被囚的人。

整個事件的時間點都配合的剛剛好。約瑟成為管理都明白這兩位膳長關進來。看似完全不相干的人，出現，都是和神要賜福的人有關。人只要盡我們的本份。

境遇愈來愈難，盡力盡本份，不容易。不是看我的日子如何，而是我的力量如何，我的日子也如何。

約瑟等了兩年希望落空，我們是否問神，神啊！你為什麼不在夢中提醒酒政，為約瑟申冤。

神沒有要他這個時候出去，還有更好的時候，更好的結局。同樣神也要我們繼續等候，我們常常要次好的，我們應該在困難中藉神賜能力，不是求神立即將我們帶出脫離苦難。耐心等候的必要歡呼。一 宿雖有哭泣，早晨必歡呼喜樂。

-----------------

How?

God has the power to interpretation so trust our way is in the Lord. And caring for our friends around us.

奉獻的真諦—沒有留下

林義順長老。蘭雅禮拜堂。 2020／5／17

創22：12

"我在這裡"原文是"我在"，原意是"看"，用看來表達，回應。

當我們親近神時我們也會如此回答。當我們遠離神時，我們就聽不見神的聲音。甚至逃避。

這段經文有許多我在。

第三天亞伯拉罕一早起來，往山上去…

有的父母過度回應兒女的呼喚，也有對兒女的呼喚不關心的父母。

天使叫亞伯拉罕兩次，他回答我在。很緊急的喊。

這裡出現六個動詞

築檀

擺材

綑綁—有以次為標題

放以撒材上

生火

此時的"我在"很不容易。當中有順服，敬畏，跟隨，情感

人生還有幾年可以服事神？

是否有按立長老的人？願意出來說"我在"

獨生的，你所愛的…這些話是讓人有感動的

天使說。你的兒子，就是你獨生的兒子

三次

強調獨生的，所愛的，表示神看重，心痛的，會記念。

出現一隻公羊，代替他的兒子。

這公羊預表神的羔羊，

不是我要你的兒子而是神將自己獨生子，神所愛的給你,全人類。

路程中的三天一定有各種困惑，不解。這三天也影射耶穌死後，三天，父神的心情。

是神說我再不，人和撒旦把世界弄到如此，神沒有不管，神說我在。

不是教會要我們做這作那，神要我們做這做那。其實是神要給我更多。神給我們的比我們為神做的更多。

耶和華以勒:主耶和華的山上必有預備。

何謂耶和華山上？若不放下自己，去耶和華山上，不去怎麼得到？我們登耶和華的山當然不容易。我們也不能憑著自己登山。

神要亞伯拉罕的要求不合理，當時如此，現在也如此，強人所難。

這是信心的試煉。只要願意去，神一定回拉我們上去。如彼得。

這服事神的亞伯拉罕的經歷—沒有留下。

伸手拿刀

The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered

Genesis 39:1:23

The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. 

No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her.

When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, “This is how your slave treated me,” he burned with anger. Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined.

But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.

The account of Joseph's life in Egypt given in chapters 39-50 fits perfectly into the background of Egypt under the Semitic Hyksos pharaohs. They ruled from about 1710 to 1570BC, from a capita in the eastern part of the Nile delta. Goshen was also somewhere in this region.

This story of reduction, refusal, and false accusation, has been compared with the Egyptian tale of Two brothers, which begins in a similar way. But the magic and miracle that follow there are markedly different from the Joseph story and there is no real reason to connect the two. The key thing here is that Joseph, in success and in disgrace.

Why?

The Lord was with Joseph is the key point that let him prospered.

Joseph is proposed and entrusted by his master, and keep working on the right way is the main key.

Gotten into prison does mean bad, when God with him, it is still live prospering.

標題：是禍還是福?

1. 約瑟在波提法家中成為家宰.

耶和華同在所行順利。似乎災難的開始，卻也是祝福的開始。波提法如何知道約瑟有神的同在?一定是約瑟所講，所說的有一種權柄、有一種力量。

2. 亞伯拉罕的應許之約實現在約瑟身上。約瑟可以有權處理主人家中所有的東西。為你祝福的祝福他……神的同在比境遇好壞重要，神讓他發揮且完全自由。約瑟完全順服忠心。對神忠心。

3..被陷害：男女單獨在一個密閉空間要絕對避免。女主人一定是設計這樣的情境。持守公義的人，在這個不公義的人不會受到公義的對待。但是神會為我們伸伸冤，彰顯公義。約瑟沒有向主禱告，求伸冤。其實這是好的，讓約瑟離開這個家庭，不受女主人的騷擾，免去將來可能自己把持不住犯罪。從護衛長的家奴，變成法老的監獄犯。災難的事發生，就有耶和華與他同在。他一直都是總管的頭，看似囚犯，其實是自由的。兩次當總管，他有最完整的資歷，這是神在磨練他，這是神的操練，使他可以成為埃及的宰相。我們的境遇好壞，只要神的同在，都是對我們有益。從被賣到成為宰相經過13年，這個過程，信服的心志，神與他同在。約瑟的回應就是完全順服。

How?

God is my shepherd, God leads my way. When I fully obey God's word I will prosper in everything I am doing.