Genesis 创世纪 23 — The Death of Sarah 撒拉的死亡

  1. Abraham the Mourner 哀悼的亚伯拉罕.

Sarah is the only woman named in the Bible whose age is given and burial described. It was the death of a princess, a woman of faith (Heb. 11:11–13; 1 Pet. 3:6). Abraham felt the pain of his loss and openly expressed his grief. Faith is not the enemy of tears, for we sorrow as those who have hope (1 Thess. 4:13–18). Jesus wept (John 11:35) even though He knew He would raise His friend from the dead.

撒拉是在圣经中唯一提到年龄和葬礼的女性。这是一个公主,一个有信心女子的死亡(希11:11-13;彼前3:6)。亚伯拉罕因失去了撒拉而感到痛苦,并公开表达了自己的悲痛。一个有信心的人并不表示他就不会流泪,但我们在悲伤的眼泪中仍有指望(帖前4:13-18)。即使耶稣知道祂将使自己的朋友从死里复活,祂也哭了(约11:35)。

 

  1. Abraham the Sojourner 旅居的亚伯拉罕.

Ephron did not plan to give Abraham a valuable piece of land, but that is how typical Eastern bargaining always begins. Although the land already belonged to Abraham (15:7), but he did not want to take advantage of it and he could never explain that to his unbelieving neighbors. He was a pilgrim and did not claim any of it for himself. This is Abraham’s philosophy and principle of life as a pilgrim on earth.

以弗仑并没有打算将一块值钱的土地送给亚伯拉罕,但典型的东方谈判就是这样开始的。虽然这土地已经属亚伯拉罕了(15:7),但他并不想占别人的便宜,而他也无法向这些不信的邻居解释清楚。他是一名旅居者,他不将任何事物占为己有。这是亚伯拉罕作为世上一个旅居者的生活理念和原则。

 

  1. Abraham the Owner 地主亚伯拉罕.

He paid a high price for what became one of the most famous tombs in Bible history, and eventually six people were buried there (49:31–32). Abraham owned only one thing on earth: a grave. Genesis ends with a full tomb, but the gospel story ends with an empty tomb! And because Jesus Christ lives, we who trust in Him never need to fear death.

他以高价购买了圣经历史上最有名的墓葬,而最终会有六个人葬在这里(49:31-32)。亚伯拉罕在世上只拥有一样东西:坟墓。《创世记》以一个完整的墓总结,但福音故事却以一个空墓结束!而因为耶稣基督仍活着,我们这些相信祂的人从来就不必害怕死亡。

 

Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告

 

  1. It is alright to weep. Abraham wept, David wept, and Jesus wept. God created us with feelings and emotions and it is natural to express it. Ecclesiastes states that there will be a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance (Ecc 3:4). However, we may not grieve as others do who have no hope (1Th 4:13). So there is a God-glorifying grieving. We need to discipline ourselves and keep grieving under control. (1Co 9:27) Let’s pray that we know how to handle our emotions for the glory of God.

我们是可以哭泣的。亚伯拉罕哭了,大卫哭了,连耶稣也哭了。我们被造时是富有感受和情绪的,将这些情感表达出来是件最自然不过的事。《传道书》说:“哭有时,笑有时;哀恸有时,跳舞有时(传3:4)。”然而,我们不可以像那些没有指望的人一样悲伤(帖前4:13)。因此,有一种悲哀是可以荣耀神的。我们需要操练自己,学会控制自己的情绪(林前9:27)。让我们祈祷,叫我们知道如何处理我们的情绪以荣耀神。

 

  1. Abraham is a gracious man and he did not want to take advantage of the people of the land. Even though he knew God has given him the land, he knew the people might not understand so he gave them enough money in order not to stumble them. He is truly a pilgrim on earth. Let’s pray that we do not fight with others over the temporary things of this world but be a true pilgrim like Abraham.

亚伯拉罕是一个宽厚的人,并不想占当地人的便宜。虽然,他知道神已将这地赐给他,但他知道这些不信的人可能不会明白,所以付给他们足够的钱,不绊倒他们。他是地上真实的客旅。让我们祈祷,叫我们不因这世上短暂的事与别人争吵,但学会像亚伯拉罕一样成为一个真正的客旅。

 
  1. Genesis ends with a full tomb, but the gospel story ends with an empty tomb. There is a saying that a man only needs a 6 by 3 piece of land for us to rest (grave). But Jesus didn’t even need that. Let’s pray that our hope is in heaven rather than on earth. We bring nothing here and we take nothing out of this world. Let’s pray that our hope is fixed on Jesus who gives us everything in heaven and on earth.

《创世记》以一个完整的墓总结,但福音却以一个空墓结束!有人曾经说过:一个人只需要一个六乘三大的土地就能让自己安息(坟墓)。但耶稣连这个也不需要。让我们祷告,我们的盼望是在天上而不是地上。我们来的时候不带任何东西,也不能带任何东西走。让我们祈祷,叫我们的盼望定在那赐给我们在天上和地上所有一切的耶稣。