MHCC:創世記 20

Chapter 20第二十章

Abraham's sojourn at Gerar, Sarah is taken by Abimelech. (1-8) Abimelech's rebuke to Abraham. (9-13) Abimelech restores Sarah. (14-18) 亞伯拉罕寄居基拉耳，亞比米勒帶走撒拉。（1－8）亞比米勒責備亞伯拉罕。（9-13）亞比米勒歸還撒拉。（14-18）

Verses 1-8 Crooked policy will not prosper: it brings ourselves and others into danger. God gives Abimelech notice of his danger of sin, and his danger of death for his sin. Every wilful sinner is a dead man, but Abimelech pleads ignorance. If our consciences witness, that, however we may have been cheated into a snare, we have not knowingly sinned against God, it will be our rejoicing in the day of evil. It is matter of comfort to those who are honest, that God knows their honesty, and will acknowledge it. It is a great mercy to be hindered from committing sin; of this God must have the glory. But if we have ignorantly done wrong, that will not excuse us, if we knowingly persist in it. He that does wrong, whoever he is, prince or peasant, shall certainly receive for the wrong which he has done, unless he repent, and, if possible, make restitution.

1-8彎曲的算計（crooked policy）是無用的，它往往將我們自己和其他人帶入危險之中。上帝警告亞比米勒：他所犯的罪的危險以及他的罪帶來的死的危險。每一個明知故犯的罪人都是死人，但亞比米勒不一樣，他可以因着自己的不知道為自己辯護。憑我們的良心作證，如果我們真的是被欺騙而進入陷阱，以致於得罪了上帝，但是我們又確實不是有意地犯罪，如果是那樣，那麼我們還是該感到萬幸的。上帝安慰誠實的人，他知道他們的誠實，也承認他們的誠實。被阻止去犯罪是一種重大的恩典；上帝也必因此得榮耀。如果我們是在不知道的情況下犯了罪，但是我們又有意地持續下去，那麼這個「不知道」就不能作為我們犯罪的藉口。一個人做錯了事，無論他是王子還是農夫，他都得承擔自己的行為的後果，除非他悔改了，並且有可能的話，補償了自己的錯誤所帶來的損失。

Verses 9-13 See here much to blame, even in the father of the faithful. Mark his distrust of God, his undue care about life, his intent to deceive. He also threw temptation in the way of others, caused affliction to them, exposed himself and Sarah to just rebukes, and yet attempted an excuse. These things are written for our warning, not for us to imitate. Even Abraham hath not whereof to glory. He cannot be justified by his works, but must be indebted for justification, to that righteousness which is upon all and unto all them that believe. We must not condemn all as hypocrites who fall into sin, if they do not continue in it. But let the unhumbled and impenitent take heed that they do not sin on, thinking that grace may abound. Abimelech, being warned of God, takes the warning; and being truly afraid of sin and its consequences, he rose early to pursue the directions given him.

9-13在這裏我們看到，哪怕是信心之父也有如此多的事上該受責備。他過多地為自己的性命憂慮，乃至採用欺騙的手段來企圖保全性命，這表明他對上帝的不信。他將試探放在別人的道路上，使別人陷入痛苦，使他自己和撒拉落入該受的責備，然而，他還試圖找藉口為自己開脫。這些事情被記錄下來是作為我們的警戒的，而不是讓我們去模仿。哪怕像亞伯拉罕那樣的偉人，也沒有什麼自己的值得榮耀的東西。他不能因着自己的行為稱義，他也欠了因信稱義的救恩的債，那義（因信稱義的義——譯者注）是賜給一切相信的人的。如果一個人犯罪了，但沒有繼續在罪中，那麼我們就不要再責備他為偽善者。我們該責備的是那些傲慢的、不知悔改的，明明在罪中而不承認的，以為有足夠的恩典可以夠他濫用的人。亞比米勒從上帝那裏得到警告，就接受了那警告，對自己的罪及其後果有着真心的懼怕，所以，他早早地起來按着上帝的指示去做了。

Verses 14-18 We often trouble ourselves, and even are led into temptation and sin, by groundless suspicions; and find the fear of God where we expected it not. Agreements to deceive generally end in shame and sorrow; and restraints from sin, though by suffering, should be thankfully acknowledged. Though the Lord rebuke, yet he will pardon and deliver his people, and he will give them favour in the sight of those with whom they sojourn; and overrule their infirmities, when they are humbled for them, so that they shall prove useful to themselves and others.

14-18我們經常因為無端的疑惑而庸人自擾，甚至使自己陷於試探與罪中，最終讓上帝為我們擔憂。欺騙的計劃往往以羞恥與悲傷告終；被阻止去犯罪，哪怕是通過痛苦，也應該感恩。主雖然責備，但他還是會赦免並挽回他的子民；他會憐憫恩寵那些在他眼裏與他同住的人；當他們謙卑的時候，他們的軟弱將得到醫治，他們所得的憐憫將證明別人也能獲得和他們同樣的恩典。--【譯】趙威&【搬】何葉^-^~2012年3月26日(一)09:20 (CST)