Daily Devotions

My Song In The Night (Genesis)
我夜间的歌曲《创世记》

My Song In The Night (Genesis)
我夜间的歌曲《创世记》
 
Day 
Day 333

Text: Genesis 43: 11-14

MEDITATION

Genesis 43:11-14

11 And their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Take some of the best fruits of the land in your vessels and carry down a present for the man—a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds.
12 Take double money in your hand, and take back in your hand the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks; perhaps it was an oversight.
13 Take your brother also, and arise, go back to the man.
14 And may God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved, I am bereaved!”

MEANINGFUL APPLICATION TO LIFE

1. The harsh reality

a. The food was running out in Jacob’s household.
b. If there was no fresh supply of food, everybody would perish.

2. An inevitable decision

a. Jacob had to send his children to Egypt to purchase grain.
b. He would have to allow Benjamin to go with them.

3. Bringing presents to the Egyptian lord

a. They must bring a present with them.
These items must be of the very best they had.
i. Balm, honey, spices and myrrh would keep easily.
ii. Pistachio Nuts and almonds in their shells would not spoil easily either.
b. Sufficient Money to be brought.
i. Double the money (just in case the prices have gone up).
ii. They must return the money they found in their sacks.
Perhaps it was a mistake, or an oversight.

4. Consciousness of the need for God’s mercy

a. His mercy would be needed very much.
b. Jacob’s hope was for all his sons to return safely, Simeon and Benjamin especially.
c. Jacob had resigned himself also to the possibility of being bereaved!

经文:创世记 43:11-14

沉思

《创世记 43:11-14》
11他们的父亲以色列说:“若必须如此,你们就当这样行:可以将这地土产中最好的乳香、蜂蜜、香料、没药、榧子、杏仁都取一点,收在器具里,带下去送给那人做礼物。
12又要手里加倍地带银子,并将归还在你们口袋内的银子仍带在手里,那或者是错了。
13也带着你们的兄弟,起身去见那人。

14但愿全能的神使你们在那人面前蒙怜悯,释放你们的那弟兄和便雅悯回来。我若丧了儿子,就丧了吧!”

在生活里有意义地应用

1. 残酷的事实

a. 雅各的家户面临食粮的短缺
b. 若他们没有新的食物供应,全家族将会面临饥饿

2. 他们必须做出的抉择

a. 雅各必须派遣他的儿子到埃及采购食粮
b. 他必须允许便雅悯一同前去

3. 赠送埃及宰礼物

a. 他们得带着礼物钱去埃及。这些礼物必须是土产中最好的物品。
i. 乳香、蜂蜜、香料、没药可医容易地收纳
ii. 榧子、杏仁都带壳,因此这些物品不容易摔碎
b. 他们必须携带足够的银子
i. 以防食粮的价格升高,他们得带着加倍的银子
ii. 他们必须归还在口袋内的银子。这或许是他们的疏忽或错误。

4. 祈求上帝的怜悯

a. 雅各意识到他对上帝的怜悯的需要
b. 雅各希望所有的儿子能够平安地归来,尤其是西缅和便雅悯。
c. 雅各也做好丧子的准备!