MHCC:創世記 16

Chapter 16第十六章

Sarai gives Hagar to Abram. (1-3) Hagar's misbehaviour to Sarai. (4-6) The Angel commands Hagar to return, The promise to her Birth of Ishmael. (7-16) 撒萊將夏甲給亞伯蘭。（1－3）夏甲對撒萊不敬。（4－6）天使命令夏甲回去，並應許她將生下以實瑪利。（7－16）

Verses 1-3 Sarai, no longer expecting to have children herself, proposed to Abram to take another wife, whose children she might; her slave, whose children would be her property. This was done without asking counsel of the Lord. Unbelief worked, God's almighty power was forgotten. It was a bad example, and a source of manifold uneasiness. In every relation and situation in life there is some cross for us to bear: much of the exercise of faith consists in patiently submitting, in waiting the Lord's time, and using only those means which he appoints for the removal of the cross. Foul temptations may have very fair pretences, and be coloured with that which is very plausible. Fleshly wisdom puts us out of God's way. This would not be the case, if we would ask counsel of God by his word and by prayer, before we attempt that which is doubtful.

1－3撒萊不再指望自己能生孩子，她建議亞伯蘭將她的使女夏甲娶來為妾，使夏甲的孩子成為撒萊的產業。他們沒有尋求上帝就這麼辦了。不信的心開始發動，上帝的全能被遺忘了。這是一個反面例子，它帶來了一系列惡果。在生活的各種境遇和狀況中，有一些十字架需要我們去背負：等待主，直到我們用他所指示的方法將我們身上的十字架移去，這種等待是對持續忍耐地順服的信心的鍛煉。險惡的試探往往會有堂皇的理由，往往經過能說會道的嘴的裝飾。屬血肉的智慧使我們偏離上帝的道路。當我們在進行可疑的嘗試之前，如果能夠以上帝的話語，以禱告來向他尋求，那麼我們就不會做這樣的錯事。

Verses 4-6 Abram's unhappy marriage to Hagar very soon made a great deal of mischief. We may thank ourselves for the guilt and grief that follow us, when we go out of the way of our duty. See it in this case, Passionate people often quarrel with others, for things of which they themselves must bear the blame. Sarai had given her maid to Abram, yet she cries out, My wrong be upon thee. That is never said wisely, which pride and anger put into our mouths. Those are not always in the right, who are most loud and forward in appealing to God: such rash and bold imprecations commonly speak guilt and a bad cause. Hagar forgot that she herself had first given the provocation, by despising her mistress. Those that suffer for their faults, ought to bear it 1 peter .

4－6亞伯蘭和夏甲的不幸婚姻很快帶來了重大的負面影響。當我們偏離正道的時候，我們應該慶幸罪惡感和痛苦的緊隨而來。從這起事件中我們看到，易怒的人總是容易和人發生爭吵，而他們也往往應此而招責備。撒萊將她的使女給了亞伯蘭，但是她哭訴：「我因你受屈。」充滿驕傲與憤怒的語言，說出來必然是不智慧的。那些不能一直行在正道上的人，在向上帝懇求時卻總是最大聲、搶在最前面的：這種輕率而厚臉皮的訴求常常導致罪從口出或者成為壞事的因子。夏甲忘了是她自己首先挑起撒萊的憤怒的，因為她輕視她的女主人。他們的痛苦是因為他們自己的過錯，他們理當承受。

Verses 7-16 Hagar was out of her place, and out of the way of her duty, and going further astray, when the Angel found her. It is a great mercy to be stopped in a sinful way, either by conscience or by providence. Whence comest thou? Consider that thou art running from duty, and the privileges thou wast blest with in Abram's tent. It is good to live in a religious family, which those ought to consider who have this advantage. Whither wilt thou go? Thou art running into sin; if Hagar return to Egypt, she will return to idol gods, and into danger in the wilderness through which she must travel. Recollecting who we are, would often teach us our duty. Inquiring whence we came, would show us our sin and folly. Considering whither we shall go, discovers our danger and misery. And those who leave their space and duty, must hasten their return, how mortifying soever it be. The declaration of the Angel, "I will," shows this Angel was the eternal Word and Son of God. Hagar could not but admire the Lord's mercy, and feel, Have I, who am so unworthy, been favoured with a gracious visit from the Lord? She was brought to a better temper, returned, and by her behaviour softened Sarai, and received more gentle treatment. Would that we were always suitably impressed with this thought, Thou God seest me!

7－16當天使找到夏甲的時候，她已經離開了她的本位，偏離了自己的職責，並走向更遠的墮落。不論是因為自己的良心還是因為上帝的及時眷顧，能夠在罪惡的道上被截回，都是一件非常值得感恩的事情。「你從哪裏來？」你逃離了你的職責，也離開了在亞伯蘭的帳篷里所蒙的祝福。住在上帝的家中是好的，那些擁有這些好處的人應該經常想想這個。「你要往哪裏去？」你正往罪惡的道上直奔。如果夏甲回埃及，她就是回到了偶像之地，她會在途中必經的曠野中遭遇危險。多想想我們是什麼人，這能夠讓我們認識到我們該做什麼。問問自己從哪裏來，我們就能看到自己的罪孽和愚蠢。想想我們去哪裏，我們就會發現我們的危險和可悲。那些離開本位，離開自己的職責的人是多麼令人痛心啊，他們應該儘快迴轉。天使說話時用了「我必使你」（I will），這表明這位天使是上帝永恆的道，是上帝的兒子。夏甲不得不承認上帝對她的憐憫，並為之感動：我如此卑微的人，竟然也蒙上帝的眷顧。這一件事使她有了更好的性情，使她迴轉，以她的品行軟化了撒萊，獲得了更多溫和的待遇。我們應該將這話銘感於心：主，我的上帝，你一直看顧我！--【譯】趙威&【搬】何葉^-^~2012年3月26日(一)09:10 (CST)