第12章 雅各和以扫
§1
第12章 雅各和以扫
§2
Chap. 12 - Jacob and Esau
§3
（本章根据《创世记》25:19-34;27:1-32）
§4
上帝从起初就看明末后的事。祂在雅各和以扫尚未出世之前，就知道他们二人将要发展怎样的品格。祂知道以扫不会有顺从上帝的心。祂答复了利百加苦恼的祈祷，并告知她将要生两个孩子，而且大的将要服事小的。上帝将她两个儿子未来的历史向她指明，说他们将要成为两国，这国大于那国，而且将来大的要服事小的。那时长子享有独特的利益和特权，是家属中其他成员所没有的。{SR 87.1}[1]
§5
GOD knows the end from the beginning. He knew, before the birth of Jacob and Esau, just what characters they would both develop. He knew that Esau would not have a heart to obey Him. He answered the troubled prayer of Rebekah and informed her that she would have two children, and the elder should serve the younger. He presented the future history of her two sons before her, that they would be two nations, the one greater than the other, and the elder should serve the younger. The first-born was entitled to peculiar advantages and special privileges, which belonged to no other members of the family. {SR 87.1}[1]
§6
以撒爱以扫过于雅各，因为以扫常为他预备野味。他很喜欢以扫打猎野兽时所表现的英勇作风。雅各乃是母亲的宠儿，因为他性情温和，更能讨母亲的欢喜。雅各既已从他母亲那里听到上帝所告诉她，说大的要服事小的，因此他那幼稚的理解力便使他作出结论，认为只要以扫仍拥有长子所承受的特权，这个应许就不可能实现。有一次以扫从田野回来，因饥饿累昏了，雅各就利用这次机会从以扫的需要中得利，答应给他喝红豆汤，只要他肯放弃长子名分的一切权利；于是以扫就将他的长子名分出卖给雅各了。{SR 87.2}[2]
§7
Isaac loved Esau better than Jacob, because Esau provided him venison. He was pleased with his bold, courageous spirit manifested in hunting wild beasts. Jacob was the favorite son of his mother, because his disposition was mild and better calculated to make his mother happy. Jacob had learned from his mother what God had taught her, that the elder should serve the younger, and his youthful reasoning led him to conclude that this promise could not be fulfilled while Esau had the privileges which were conferred on the first-born. And when Esau came in from the field, faint with hunger, Jacob improved the opportunity to turn Esaus necessity to his own advantage, and proposed to feed him with pottage if he would renounce all claim to his birthright, and Esau sold his birthright to Jacob. {SR 87.2}[2]
§8
以扫娶了两个拜偶像的妻子，她们给以撒和利百加很大的烦恼。虽然如此，以撒却爱以扫过于雅各。他在想到自己快要死的时候，便请求以扫为他预备食物，以便在临死之前为他祝福。以扫没有告诉他父亲他已经起誓，将自己的长子名分卖给雅各了。利百加听到以撒的这些话，就想起了主的话说：“将来大的要服事小的，”而且她也知道以扫曾轻看自己长子的名分而将它卖给雅各了。她说服了雅各，叫他欺骗他的父亲，并用诡计领受他父亲的祝福，这福是她以为不能借任何其他方法得来的。雅各起先不愿意实行这样的骗术，但他终于同意了母亲的计谋。{SR 88.1}[3]
§9
Esau took two idolatrous wives, which was a great grief to Isaac and Rebekah. Notwithstanding this, Isaac loved Esau better than Jacob. And when he thought that he was about to die he requested Esau to prepare him meat, that he might bless him before he died. Esau did not tell his father that he had sold his birthright to Jacob and confirmed it with an oath. Rebekah heard the words of Isaac, and she remembered the words of the Lord, The elder shall serve the younger, and she knew that Esau had lightly regarded his birthright and sold it to Jacob. She persuaded Jacob to deceive his father and by fraud receive the blessing of his father, which she thought could not be obtained in any other way. Jacob was at first unwilling to practice this deception, but finally consented to his mothers plans. {SR 88.1}[3]
§10
利百加熟知以撒偏爱以扫，并确信即使讲理也决不至改变他的意向。她非但不信赖那位支配万事的上帝，反而劝服雅各去欺骗他的父亲，因而显明了她的缺少信心。雅各在这一件事上所采取的方针，原是上帝所不嘉许的。利百加和雅各理应等待上帝用祂自己的方法，并在祂所定的时间，实现祂的旨意，而不应借助于欺骗的手段来促进所预言的事。{SR 88.2}[4]
§11
Rebekah was acquainted with Isaacs partiality for Esau, and was satisfied that reasoning would not change his purpose. Instead of trusting in God, the Disposer of events, she manifested her lack of faith by persuading Jacob to deceive his father. Jacobs course in this was not approbated by God. Rebekah and Jacob should have waited for God to bring about His own purposes in His own way, and in His own time, instead of trying to bring about the foretold events by the aid of deception. {SR 88.2}[4]
§12
即或以扫承受了他父亲的祝福，就是那给予长子的福分，但他的兴盛也只能从上帝而来；而且祂必定根据他的行为，或赐福给他，使他兴盛，或使他遭遇不幸。如果他象义人亚伯一样敬爱上帝，他就必得蒙上帝的悦纳和赐福，万一他象作恶的该隐一样，既不尊敬上帝，也不尊重祂的诫命，却随从自己败坏的行径，他就不能从上帝领受什么福惠，却要象该隐一样，被上帝弃绝。如果雅各的行为是公义的，如果他敬爱上帝，他就必蒙上帝赐福，而且上帝使人兴盛的手必与他同在，即使他没有得到那通常赐给头生子的福分和特权仍是如此。{SR 88.3}[5]
§13
If Esau had received the blessing of his father, which was bestowed upon the first-born, his prosperity could have come from God alone; and He would have blessed him with prosperity, or brought upon him adversity, according to his course of action. If he should love and reverence God, like righteous Abel, he would be accepted and blessed of God. If, like wicked Cain, he had no respect for God nor for His commandments, but followed his own corrupt course, he would not receive a blessing from God but would be rejected of God, as was Cain. If Jacobs course should be righteous, if he should love and fear God, he would be blessed of God, and the prospering hand of God would be with him, even if he did not obtain the blessings and privileges generally bestowed upon the first-born. {SR 88.3}[5]
§14
【雅各流亡的岁月】
§15
利百加痛悔她所给予雅各的错误怂恿，因为这事竟使他与她永远分离了。他不得不为自己的性命而逃避以扫的愤怒，因此他母亲以后再没有见到他的面了。以撒为雅各祝福之后，还活了多年，他从以扫和雅各的行为上，确认那福份按理应归于雅各。{SR 89.1}[6]
§16
【Jacobs Years of Exile】
§17
Rebekah repented in bitterness for the wrong counsel which she gave to Jacob, for it was the means of separating him from her forever. He was compelled to flee for his life from the wrath of Esau, and his mother never saw his face again. Isaac lived many years after he gave Jacob the blessing, and was convinced, by the course of Esau and Jacob, that the blessing rightly belonged to Jacob. {SR 89.1}[6]
§18
雅各在他的婚姻关系上并不是幸福的。虽然他的两个妻子乃是姐妹。他和拉班订立婚约，原是要娶他的女儿拉结，因为拉结才是雅各所爱的。他在为拉结服务七年之后，拉班竟欺骗他，将利亚给了他。雅各既发现他已受骗，而且利亚在这骗局中也有一份，他就不能爱利亚。原来拉班一心想保留雅各作更长久的忠心服务，因此将利亚代替拉结给他，借此欺骗他。雅各责怪拉班如此玩弄他的感情，竟将他所不爱的利亚给他。拉班恳求雅各不可休去利亚，因为这事不但是对妻子，而且也是对全家的一种大耻辱。雅各的处境非常难堪，但他决定仍然保留利亚，同时也迎娶他的妹妹。但利亚所得的爱却始终远不及拉结。{SR 89.2}[7]
§19
Jacob was not happy in his marriage relation, although his wives were sisters. He formed the marriage contract with Laban for his daughter Rachel, whom he loved. After he had served seven years for Rachel, Laban deceived him and gave him Leah. When Jacob realized the deception that had been practiced upon him, and that Leah had acted her part in deceiving him, he could not love Leah. Laban wished to retain the faithful services of Jacob a greater length of time, therefore deceived him by giving him Leah, instead of Rachel. Jacob reproved Laban for thus trifling with his affections, in giving him Leah, whom he had not loved. Laban entreated Jacob not to put away Leah, for this was considered a great disgrace, not only to the wife, but to the whole family. Jacob was placed in a most trying position, but he decided to still retain Leah, and also marry her sister. Leah was loved in a much less degree than Rachel. {SR 89.2}[7]
§20
拉班在他对待雅各的事上自私自利。他只想到利用雅各的忠心劳动来使自己得利。雅各早就想离开狡猾的拉班，但他总害怕与以扫相见。他听见拉班的儿子们发怨言，说：“雅各把我们父亲所有的都夺了去，并借着我们父亲的，得了这一切的荣耀。雅各见拉班的气色向他不如从前了。”（创31:1,2）。{SR 90.1}[8]
§21
Laban was selfish in his dealings with Jacob. He thought only of advantaging himself by the faithful labors of Jacob. He would have left the artful Laban long before, but he was afraid of encountering Esau. He heard the complaint of Labans sons, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that was our fathers; and of that which was our fathers hath he gotten all this glory. And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before. {SR 90.1}[8]
§22
雅各感到烦恼了。他不知应转向何方。他将情形禀告上帝，求祂指示。主慈怜地答允了他急难中的祈祷。“耶和华对雅各说：你要回你祖你父之地，到你亲族那里去，我必与你同在。”{SR 90.2}[9]
§23
Jacob was distressed. He knew not which way to turn. He carried his case to God and interceded for direction from Him. The Lord mercifully answered his distressed prayer. And the Lord said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee. {SR 90.2}[9]
§24
“雅各就打发人，叫拉结和利亚到田野羊群那里来；对她们说：我看你们父亲的气色向我不如从前了；但我父亲的上帝向来与我同在。你们也知道，我尽了我的力量服事你们的父亲。你们的父亲欺哄我十次，改了我的工价；然而上帝不容他害我。”雅各向她们述说上帝所给他的梦，指示他离开拉班到他亲族那里去。拉结和利亚对她们父亲的作风也表示不满。雅各既向她们详述拉班的不义，并建议离开他，拉结和利亚便对雅各说：“在我们父亲的家里还有我们可得的分吗？还有我们的产业吗？我们不是被他当作外人吗？因为他卖了我们，吞了我们的价值。上帝从我们父亲所夺出来的一切财物，那就是我们、和我们孩子们的；现今凡上帝所吩咐你的，你只管去行吧”（创31:3-7；14-16）。{SR 90.3}[10]
§25
And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field unto his flock, and said unto them, I see your fathers countenance, that it is not toward me as before; but the God of my father hath been with me. And ye know that with all my power I have served your father. And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me. Jacob related to them the dream given him of God, to leave Laban and go unto his kindred. Rachel and Leah expressed their dissatisfaction of their fathers proceedings. As Jacob rehearsed his wrongs to them and proposed to leave Laban, Rachel and Leah said to Jacob, Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our fathers house? Are we not counted of him strangers? for he hath sold us, and hath quite devoured also our money. For all the riches which God hath taken from our father, that is ours, and our childrens; now then, whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do. {SR 90.3}[10]
§26
【回迦南】
§27
雅各趁拉班不在，带了他的家眷和他一切所有的，离开了拉班。他行了三天的路程之后，拉班听说他已经离开了他，就十分恼怒。于是他就去追赶雅各，决定要用武力把他带回来。但主却怜悯了雅各，在拉班即将追上他的时候，上帝在梦中吩咐他不可与雅各说好说歹。这意思是说，不可强迫他回去，也不可用诱骗的方法催迫他。{SR 91.1}[11]
§28
【The Return to Canaan】
§29
In the absence of Laban, Jacob took his family and all that he had, and left Laban. After he had pursued his journey three days, Laban learned that he had left him, and he was very angry. And he pursued after him, determined to bring him back by force. But the Lord had pity upon Jacob, and as Laban was about to overtake him, gave him a dream not to speak good or bad to Jacob. That is, he should not force him to return, or urge him by flattering inducements. {SR 91.1}[11]
§30
及至拉班会见了雅各，便问他为什么背着他偷逃，又把他的女儿们带走，如同用刀剑掳去一般。拉班说：“我手中原有能力害你，只是你父亲的上帝昨夜对我说：你要小心，不可与雅各说好说歹”（创31:29）。于是雅各向拉班重述他过去对待他的刻薄行为，只讲求他自己的利益。他向拉班申辩自己与他同在时所有的正直作风，说：“被野兽撕裂的，我没有带来给你，是我自己赔上。无论是白日，是黑夜，被偷去的，你都向我索要。我白日受尽干热，黑夜受尽寒霜，不得合眼睡着，我常是这样”（创31:39,40）。{SR 91.2}[12]
§31
When Laban met Jacob he inquired why he had stolen away unawares and carried away his daughters as captives taken with the sword. Laban told him, It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad. Jacob then rehearsed to Laban the ungenerous course he had pursued toward him, that he had only studied his own advantage. He appealed to Laban as to the uprightness of his conduct while with him, and said, That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee; I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night. Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes. {SR 91.2}[12]
§32
雅各说：“我这二十年在你家里，为你的两个女儿服事你十四年，为你的羊群服事你六年，你又十次改了我的工价。若不是我父亲以撒所敬畏的上帝，就是亚伯拉罕的上帝与我同在，你如今必定打发我空手而去。上帝看见我的苦情，和我的劳碌，就在昨夜责备你”（创31:41,42）。{SR 91.3}[13]
§33
Jacob said, Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times. Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight. {SR 91.3}[13]
§34
于是拉班向雅各保证，他很关心自己的女儿和她们的孩子们，所以决不致伤害他们。他建议双方订立和约。拉班说：“来吧，你我二人可以立约，作你我中间的证据。雅各就拿一块石头立作柱子。又对众弟兄说：你们堆聚石头；他们拿石头来堆成一堆，大家便在旁边吃喝”（创31:44-46）。{SR 92.1}[14]
§35
Laban then assured Jacob that he had an interest for his daughters and their children, that he could not harm them. He proposed to make a covenant between them. And Laban said, Now therefore come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou; and let it be for a witness between me and thee. And Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a pillar. And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones, and made an heap: and they did eat there upon the heap. {SR 92.1}[14]
§36
拉班又说：“我们彼此离别以后，愿耶和华在你我中间鉴察。你若苦待我的女儿，又在我的女儿以外另娶妻，虽没有人知道，却有上帝在你我中间作见证”（创31:49,50）。{SR 92.2}[15]
§37
And Laban said, The Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another. If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives besides my daughters; no man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me and thee. {SR 92.2}[15]
§38
雅各在主面前严肃立约，决不另外娶妻。“拉班又说：你看我在你我中间所立的这石堆，和柱子；这石堆作证据，这柱子也作证据，我必不过这石堆去害你，你也不可过这石堆和柱子来害我。但愿亚伯拉罕的上帝，和拿鹤的上帝，就是他们父亲的上帝，在你我中间判断；雅各就指着他父亲以撒所敬畏的上帝起誓”（创31:51-53）。{SR 92.3}[16]
§39
Jacob made a solemn covenant before the Lord that he would not take other wives. And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold this pillar, which I have cast betwixt me and thee; this heap be witness, and this pillar be witness, that I will not pass over this heap to thee, and that thou shalt not pass over this heap and this pillar unto me, for harm. The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge betwixt us. And Jacob swear by the fear of his father Isaac. {SR 92.3}[16]
§40
雅各继续行路的时候，上帝的天使出现在他面前，当雅各看见众天使时，他说：“这是上帝的军兵”（创32:2）。他在梦中看见了上帝的天使，在他四围安营。雅各给他哥哥以扫送去一个谦虚求和的信息。“所那打发的人回到雅各那里说：我们到了你哥哥以扫那里，他带着四百人，正迎着你来。雅各就甚惧怕，而且愁烦，便把那与他同在的人口，和羊群、牛群、骆驼，分作两队，说：以扫若来击杀这一队，剩下的那一队还可以逃避。{SR 92.4}[17]
§41
As Jacob went on his way, the angels of God met him. And when he saw them, he said, This is Gods host. He saw the angels of God in a dream, encamping around about him. Jacob sent a humble, conciliatory message to his brother Esau. And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother Esau, and also he cometh to meet thee, and four hundred men with him. Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands; and said, If Esau come to the one company, and smite it, then the other company which is left shall escape. {SR 92.4}[17]
§42
“雅各说：耶和华，我祖亚伯拉罕的上帝，我父亲以撒的上帝啊，祢曾对我说：回你本地本族去，我要厚待你。你向仆人所施的一切慈爱和诚实，我一点也不配得。我先前只拿着我的杖过这约但河，如今我却成了两队了。求祢救我脱离我哥哥以扫的手，因为我怕他来杀我，连妻子带儿女一同杀了。祢曾说，我必定厚待你，使你的后裔如同海边的沙，多得不可胜数”（创32:6-12）。{SR 93.1}[18]
§43
And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the Lord which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee: I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which Thou hast shewed unto Thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands. Deliver me, I pray Thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children. And Thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude. {SR 93.1}[18]