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创世记生命读经 · 第60篇

以撒的婚姻－

(The Marriage Of Isaac)
1与主在一里实际的生活圣经启示，神永远的目的是要藉著一个团体的身体彰显祂自己，并且这目的是凭著神的生命而达到的。我们要进入创世记的深处，必须看见这两件事。在创世记一章二十六节我们看见，人是照著神的形像造的。这里的人不是单个的人，乃是团体的人。可以说，能彰显神形像的乃是人类，就是团体的身体。在创世记二章我们看见，为著达成神的目的，我们必须有生命树所表征神的生命。这两章有两个重要的辞－形像和生命。形像启示神永远的目的，生命揭示神达成祂目的的作法。切勿把创世记仅仅看作神创造的记载，和一些先祖的历史。这种看法太肤浅了。当我们潜入本书的深处，就看见牠不仅仅记载创造和历史，更启示神永远的目的并祂达成这目的的作法。
1A Practical Living in Oneness with the Lord The Bible reveals that God’s eternal purpose is to express Himself through a corporate Body and that this purpose is fulfilled by the divine life. If we would probe into the depths of the book of Genesis, we must see these two things. In Genesis 1:26 we see that man was made in God’sim age. The man here is not an individual man but a corporate man. We may say that it is mankind, a corporate Body that can express God’sim age. In Genesis 2 we see that for the fulfillment of God’s purpose we must have the divine life signified by the tree of life. In these two chapters we have two crucial words— image and life. Image reveals God’s eternal purpose, and life unfolds God’sway of fulfilling His purpose. Never consider Genesis as merely the record of God’s creation and the history of some patriarchs. This view is too superficial. When we plunge into the depths of this book, we see that it is not merely a record of creation and history, but that it is a revelation of God’s eternal purpose and His way of fulfilling it
（10） 以撒的婚姻
10) The Marriage of Isaac
2把这两点记在心里，我们现在来看创世记二十四章。每个读创世记的人，都认为本章是一段婚姻的记载。然而，这里要紧的不是婚姻，而是婚姻所指明、含示并豫表的。我们讲创世记一、二章时，看见那两章不仅是神创造的记载，也是生命的记载。我们在那两章所看见的每件事，都与生命有关。与生命无关的事，都略去了。你若仔䌷读那两章，会看见神创造的许多方面都省略了，因为那些与生命无关。同样的原则，在亚伯拉罕的历史中，只有那些与生命有关的方面，才记载在二十一至二十四章。创世记全书只有五十章，涵括了二千三百年，就是人类历史的前二十三个世纪。创世记若是历史的记载，就需要数百章来论到这期间的事。仅仅五十章就涵括这么长的期间，证明创世记不是历史的记载。我再说，创世记表面看是历史的记载，事实上却是显示神永远的目的，并凭著生命达成这目的的作法。那些与神的目的并这目的凭著生命而达成无关的，都不记载在本书内。
2With these two points in mind, let us now come to Genesis 24. Everyone who reads Genesis thinks of this chapter as the record of a marriage. However, the important thing here is not the marriage but what the marriage indicates, implies, and typifies. When we were on Genesis 1 and 2, we saw that those chapters are not only a record of God’s creation but a record of life. Everything found in those chapters is related to life. Anything that is not related to life is excluded. If you read those chapters carefully, you will see that many aspects of God’s creation are omitted because they are not related to life. In the same principle, only those aspects of Abraham’s history which are related to life are recorded in chapters twenty-one through twenty-four. The entire book of Genesis, a book of only fifty chapters, covers over twenty-three hundred years, the first twenty- three centuries of human history. If Genesis were a record of history, it would need hundreds of chapters to cover this span of time. The fact that such a long period is covered in just fifty chapters proves that Genesis is not a record of history. I say again that although Genesis apparently is a record of history, it actually is a record showing God’s eternal purpose and the way of fulfilling it by life. Anything which is not related to God’s purpose and its fulfillment by life is not recorded in this book.
3创世记二十一至二十四章，涵括了四十年，（创二五20，）题到五件主要的事：以撒的出生，以撒的长大，以撒的献上，撒拉的死和埋葬，并以撒的婚姻。这段记载虽然简短，却非常有意义。在这里我们看见正确的出生和正确的长大。这种出生和长大产生了燔祭，使神满足。在二十一章的出生和长大以后，有二十二章的燔祭。然后，就如我们所看见的，二十三章有撒拉的死，以及对她的埋葬详细的记载。接著，在二十四章我们看见一个美妙的婚姻。但本章不仅仅是婚姻的记载，乃是具有生命深刻意义的故事。
3Chapters twenty-one through twenty-four, covering forty years (25:20), mention five main things: the birth of Isaac, the growth of Isaac, the offering of Isaac, the death and burial of Sarah, and the marriage of Isaac. Although this record is brief, it is very meaningful. Here we see a proper birth and the proper growth. This birth and growth produced a burnt offering for God’s satisfaction. After the birth and growth in chapter twenty-one, we have the burnt offering in chapter twenty-two. Then, as we have seen, in chapter twenty- three we have the death of Sarah and a detailed account of her burial. Following this, in chapter twenty-four, we see a wonderful marriage. But this chapter is not merely the record of a marriage; it is a story which has a deep meaning and significance in life
（a）与主在一里实际的生活
a) A Practical Living in Oneness with the Lord
4照著多数基督徒一般的领会，本章主要的点是以撒豫表基督是新郎，利百加豫表召会是新妇。但这不是主要的点。首要的点乃是与主在一里实际的生活，以达成神的目的。我们领会圣经，不该照著一般的知识或传统，乃该回到纯正的话上。每当我们读一段经文，我们必须忘掉已过所知道的一切，仰望主给我们新的东西。五十年前，我曾仔细读创世记二十四章，尽所能的记住每一点。然而，当我现在来到这一章，我不在意已过所有的。我喜欢读这段话，好像初次读一样。我能作见证，最近我在这一章又看见了新的东西。
4According to the common understanding of most Christians, the main point of this chapter is that Isaac is a type of Christ as the Bridegroom and that Rebekah is a type of the church as the bride. However, this is not the main point. The primary point is the practical living in oneness with the Lord for the fulfilling of God’s purpose. We should not understand the Bible according to our common knowledge or tradition, but come back to the pure Word. Whenever we read any portion of the Scriptures, we must forget all we have learned in the past and look to the Lord for something new. Fifty years ago I read Genesis 24 carefully, doing my best to remember every point. Nevertheless, when I come to this chapter now, I do not care for what I had in the past. I like to come to this portion of the Word as if I were reading it for the first time. I can testify that just recently I have seen something new in this chapter
5你曾否领悟，我们在创世记二十四章能看见与主在一里实际的生活？我们曾看见，神有一个目的，而达成祂目的的作法是凭著生命。在明白圣经上，这是两个管治的点。我们若要明自创世记二十四章，必须应用这两个管治的点。为甚么创世记二十四章这样记载以撒的婚姻？我们若只读二十四章，我们无法看见这段记载的目的。要答覆这问题。我们必须读前三章。创世记二十一章十二节说，『从以撒生的，才要称为你的后裔。』神呼召亚伯拉罕有一个目的。为著达成这目的，神应许赐给亚伯拉罕美地，以及承受那地的后裔。神永远的目的是要人团体的彰显祂自己。要得著这团体的彰显，神必须得著一班子民。这班子民就是亚伯拉罕的后裔。不仅如此，要得著这班子民团体的彰显神，也需要地。那么，创世记二十四章的婚姻有何目的？仅仅是叫一个单身汉有美满舒适的生活么？不。你若整体的查考圣经，会看见以撒的婚姻完全是为著达成神永远的目的。没有婚姻，以撒怎能生出后裔？这单身汉若要得著后裔，以达成神永远的目的，他就必须结婚。亚伯拉罕在二十二章受了试验以后，神说，『论福，我必赐大福给你，论子孙，我必叫你的子孙多起来，如同天上的星，海边的沙，你子孙必得著仇敌的城门。并且地上万国都必因你的后裔得福。』（创二二～18。）在这里也有为著达成神目的的后裔。因此，以撒的婚姻不是寻常的，也不仅仅是为著他的人生，乃是为著达成神永远的目的。
5Have you ever realized that in Genesis 24 we can see a practical living in oneness with the Lord? As we have seen, God has a purpose, and the way to fulfill His purpose is by life. These are the two governing points in understanding the Bible. If we would understand Genesis 24, we must apply these two governing points. Why does Genesis 24 give us such a record of Isaac’s marriage? If we only read chapter twenty-four we cannot see the purpose of this record. In order to answer this question we must read the three foregoing chapters. Genesis 21:12 says, “In Isaac shall thy seed be called.” God called Abraham with a purpose. For the fulfillment of this purpose, God promised to give Abraham the good land and the seed which would inherit the land. God’s eternal purpose is to express Himself in a corporate way. In order to have this corporate expression, God must have a people. This people is the seed of Abraham. Furthermore, in order to have the people to express God corporately there is the need of the land. What then is the purpose of the marriage in Genesis 24? Is it simply that a single man might have a happy, comfortable life? No. If you consider the Bible as a whole, you will see that Isaac’s marriage was altogether for the fulfillment of God’s eternal purpose. Without marriage, how could Isaac have brought forth the seed? If this single man was to have seed for the fulfillment of God’s eternal purpose, he had to get married. After Abraham had been tested in chapter twenty-two, God said, “In blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed” (22:17-18). Here we also have the seed for 17 the fulfillment of God’s purpose. Thus, Isaac’s marriage was not common nor merely for his human living; it was for the fulfillment of God’s eternal purpose.
《一》亚伯拉罕
(1) Abraham
6亚伯拉罕的生活乃是与主在一里实际的生活。亚伯拉罕不是忽然得著一个异象，在异象中神告诉他说，祂有一个崇高的目的要在地上达成，祂需要他。并且要达成神这目的，以撒必须结婚。二十四章没有这样的异象。创世记的记载乃是平常的、人性的。照著这段记载，有一个人老年得了一个儿子，在这儿子三十七岁的时候，那作妻子和母亲的死了，作父亲的将她埋葬，那个葬法非常有意义。现在父子二人都是独身孤单的，在这种可怜的光景中共同生活了三年。儿子也许说，『父亲，我的母亲在那里？』父亲也许回答说，『儿子，你的妻子在那里？』父亲有负担照顾儿子。也许他说，『我失去了我的妻子，而我的儿子现在四十岁了。这当然是他结婚的适当时候。但我们周围都是迦南人，他们没有一个是神所悦纳的。』圣经没有记载神说，『亚伯拉罕，我吩咐你差人到你自己的家乡，为以撒找一个妻子。我绝不允许你为儿子娶迦南女子为妻。』圣经没有记载神这样说，但亚伯拉罕确有这种领会。他从那里得来这种领会？乃是从他照著神的观念生活得来的。
6Abraham’s living was a practical living in oneness with the Lord. Abraham did not suddenly have a vision in which God told him that He had a high purpose to carry out on earth, that He needed him, and that Isaac had to be married in order for God’s purpose to be fulfilled. There is no such vision in chapter twenty-four. Rather, the record in Genesis is common and human. According to this record, a man had a son in his old age. When this son was thirty-seven years old, the wife and mother died, and the father buried her in a very meaningful way. The father and the son, both of whom were now unmarried, were left alone, living together in that sad condition for three years. The son might have said, “Father, where is my mother?” and the father might have replied, “Son, where is your wife?” The father was burdened to take care of his son. Perhaps he said, “I have lost my wife, and my son is now forty years of age. This surely is the right time for him to get married. But we are surrounded by Canaanites, none of whom would ever be accepted by God.” There is no record that God said, “Abraham, let Me charge you to send someone to your own country to get a wife for Isaac. I will never allow you to take a Canaanite woman as a wife for your son.” Although there is no record of God’ss a ying this, Abraham did have this understanding. From where did he derive it? It came from his living in accordance with God’s concept
7亚伯拉罕乃是与神在一里生活的人。我若天天与一位弟兄在一里生活，许多事情就无须他来告诉我。我会知道他喜欢甚么，不喜欢甚么，甚么会使他高兴，甚么会使他生气。倘若我爱他，并且与他在一里生活，我所说所作的，就会照著他的好恶。我很遗憾的说，许多基督徒没有与神在一里生活。当重大事件发生时，他们就跪下祷告说，『主阿，你的旨意如何？』然而至终，他们不是跟从神的旨意，乃是跟从自己的观念。我们要认识神的旨意，不是藉著这样的祷告。我们若要认识神的旨意，就必须与祂在一里生活。倘若我们与祂在一里生活，祂就无须告诉我们祂要甚么，因为我们藉著与祂是一，已经知道祂要甚么了。
7Abraham was a man who lived in oneness with God. If I live in oneness with a certain brother day after day, there will be no need for him to tell me of many things. I will already know what he likes and what he does not like, what pleases him and what offends him. If I love him and live in oneness with him, whatever I say and do will be in accordance with his likes or dislikes. I am sorry to say that many Christians do not live in oneness with God. When important matters arise, they kneel down and pray, “O Lord, what is Your will?” Eventually, they do not follow God’s will but their own concept. We do not know God’s will by praying in such away. If we would know God’s will, we must live in oneness with Him. If we live in oneness with Him, He will not need to tell us what He desires, because we shall already know it by being one with Him.
8亚伯拉罕虽然急切关心他儿子的婚姻，但他不愿接纳迦南人作以撒的妻子。我们若是亚伯拉罕，也许会走容易的路，说，『迦南地这里有许多女子，我为甚么不能挑选一个给我儿子作妻子？也许紧靠著就有一个。』亚伯拉罕没有这样思想，反而差遣最老的仆人远至他所来自的家乡，为以撒找一个妻子。神从来没有告诉亚伯拉罕要这样作，亚伯拉罕却能照著神里面的意旨和观念这样作。我们已经看见，亚伯拉罕认识神的意旨和心思，因为他与神在实际的一里生活。亚伯拉罕不是惟一有这样生活的人。本章所题到的那些人，都在与神是一的气氛里生活。亚伯拉罕、那最老的仆人、利百加、拉班、彼土利和以撒，都是与神在一里生活。我盼望在召会中每个人都看见，今天我们需要这样的生活，以达成神的目的。我们无须祷告寻求神的旨意，我们需要与神在一里生活。当我们与祂在一里生活，我们就同有祂的观念，我们所想所作的就会照著祂的感觉。神无须说甚么，我们自然觉得祂所觉得的，知道祂里面的感觉，因为我们与祂在一里生活。
8Although Abraham was desperate to take care of his son’s marriage, he would not accept a Canaanite as Isaac’s wife. If we had been Abraham, we might have taken the easy way and said, “There are many girls here in the land of Canaan. Why can’t I choose one of them as the wife for my son? There may be one very nearby.” Abraham did not think this way, but sent his oldest servant far away, back to the country from where he came, to find a wife for Isaac. Although God never told Abraham to do this, what Abraham did was according to God’sinner will and concept. As we have seen, Abraham knew God’s will and mind because he was living in practical oneness with Him. Abraham was not the only person who had such a living. All those mentioned in this chapter were living in an atmosphere of oneness with God. Abraham, the oldest servant, Rebekah, Laban, Bethuel, and Isaac were all living in oneness with God. I hope that everyone in the churches will see that we need such a living for the fulfillment of God’s purpose today. We do not need to pray and seek after God’s will; we need to live in oneness with God. When we live in oneness with Him, we shall share His concept, and whatever we think and do will be in accordance with His feeling. God will not need to say anything, for we shall sense what He senses, knowing His inner feeling because we live in oneness with Him
《1》照著神的经纶行动
a) Moving in Accordance with God’sEcon o my
9亚伯拉罕照著神的经纶行动。（创二四3～8。）在为以撒得著妻子的事上，他所作的乃是为著达成神永远的目的。我们渴望看见，召会中一切的婚姻都是为著达成神的目的。这样的婚姻需要与神在一里的日常生活。青年弟兄们，你们所作的每件事若都是照著神的经纶，甚至你们的婚姻也会成就祂的经纶。你们需要说，『主，今天我在这里所作的，必须是照著你的经纶。现在我是单身，但有一天我要结婚。愿我的婚姻是为著你的经纶。』这是创世记二十四章主要的启示。本章首要的事不是以撒豫表基督是新郎，利百加豫表召会是新妇。我再说，这里所启示首要的事，乃是照著神的经纶实际的生活，为著达成祂永远的目的。我们需要一种与亚伯拉罕相似的生活。他的动机、行动和所作的一切，都是照著神的经纶。
9Abraham moved in accordance with God’secon o my (vv. 3-8). What he did in obtaining a wife for Isaac was for the fulfillment of God’s eternal purpose. We long to see that all the marriages in the churches will be for the fulfillment of God’s purpose. This kind of marriage requires a daily living in oneness with God. Young brothers, if everything you do is in accordance with God’secon o my, even your marriage will be the carrying out of His economy. You need to say, “Lord, what I am doing here today must be in accordance with Your economy. I am single now, but one day I will be married. May my marriage be for Your economy.” This is the main revelation in Genesis 24. The primary thing in this chapter is not that Isaac is a type of Christ as the Bridegroom and that Rebekah is a type of the church as the bride. I say again that the primary thing revealed here is the practical living in accordance with God’secon o my for the carrying out of His eternal purpose. We need a life which resembles that of Abraham. His motive, action, and everything he did were in accordance with God’secon o my.
10我不信亚伯拉罕对神的经纶像我们今天这样清楚。虽然如此，他告诉仆人说，神已经带领他离开父家和本族的地，应许将这地赐给他的后裔。他对仆人说，『你要往我本地本族去，为以撒找一个妻子。』在全本圣经的光中，我们能看见，这就是在完成神的经纶。今天我们何等需要这样的生活！我们的动机、行动和所作的一切，必须是在完成神的经纶。这不仅仅需要我们认识神的旨意，然后作某些事。不，我们需要一种与神在一里的日常生活。我们必须是这样的人。若是这样，就我们无论说甚么，都是神的发表；我们无论作甚么，都是在完成神的旨意。这就是我们今天为著召会生活所需要的生活。不要说，『哦，关于我的婚姻和学业，我不认识神的旨意。我必须禁食祷告三天三夜。』让我诚实的告诉你，我这样试过多年，并没有很好的果效。请看神所呼召的第一个人亚伯拉罕的例子。他是第一个蒙召的人，我们在他的事例中看见首次题起的原则。亚伯拉罕没有按著今天传统、宗教的作法行动，禁食祷告寻求主的旨意。他没有忽然梦见利百加在迦南地等候亚伯拉罕的仆人。创世记二十四章四十节指明，亚伯拉罕在主面前行事为人。因他是在主的面光中行事为人的人，他就无须为著认识神的旨意祷告或禁食。他既在主的面光中行事为人，就无论他作甚么，都是神的旨意，并且是照著神的经纶。
10I doubt that Abraham was as clear about God’secon o my as we are today. Nevertheless, he told his servant that God had called him, had promised to give the land to his seed, and that the servant had to go to his country to find a wife for Isaac. In the light of the whole Bible, we can see that this was the carrying out of God’secon o my. How we need such a life today! Our motive, action, and all we do must be the carrying out of God’secon o my. This does not simply require that we know God’s will and then do certain things. No, we need a daily living that is in oneness with God. We must be this kind of person. If we are such a person, whatever we say will be God’sex press i on, and whatever we do will be for the fulfillment of His purpose. This is the life that we need for the church life today. Do not say, “Oh, I don’t know the Lord’s will concerning my marriage or my schooling. I must fast and pray for three days and nights.” Let me tell you honestly that although I tried this for years, it never worked very well. Consider the example of Abraham, the first of God’scall ed ones. Since he was the first called one, we see in his case the principle of the first mention. Abraham did not act in today’s traditional, religious way, fasting and praying to seek the Lord’s will. He did not suddenly have a dream in which he saw Rebekah in the land of Chaldea waiting for Abraham’s servant. As verse 40 indicates, Abraham walked before the Lord. As a person walking in the presence of the Lord, he did not need to fast or pray in order to know God’s will. Since he walked in the Lord’s presence, whatever he did was God’s will and according to God’secon o my
《2》凭主嘱咐他的仆人
b) Charging His Servant with the Lord
11亚伯拉罕没有嘱咐他的仆人要忠信、诚实、或作善工；他是以主并凭著主嘱咐他。（创二四2～3，9，40～41。）在这里我们看见，亚伯拉罕所活在其中的气氛，乃是主自己。他以主嘱咐他的仆人。藉此把他深深的带进主里面。照样，我们也不该以自己的智慧，甚至以自己的爱嘱咐人，乃该以主嘱咐人。
11Abraham did not charge his servant to be faithful, honest, or to do a good work; he charged him with and by the Lord (vv. 2-3, 9, 40-41). Here we see that the atmosphere in which Abraham lived was the Lord Himself. By charging his servant with the Lord, he brought him deep into the Lord. Likewise, we should not charge people with our wisdom or even with our love, but with the Lord
《3》相信主宰的主
c) Believing in the Sovereign Lord
12亚伯拉罕相信主宰的主，告诉他的仆人说，主必差遣使者与他同去，叫他的道路通达。（创二四40。）亚伯拉罕似乎说，『神必差遣使者在你面前。虽然是我差遣你去作这事，但我相信神。从一方面说，我不信你能完成这项工作，但我信靠活神。你无须觉得重担或忧虑。只管去作这事，因我的神必差遣使者为你作成这工。』亚伯拉罕所过的是何等的生活！我们若是亚伯拉罕，也许会说，『我的仆人，你必须晓得我有许多阅历。现在我给你一张地图，并且告诉你那地的人和他们的习俗。』亚伯拉罕没有这样作。他不过嘱咐他的仆人要凭著主服事，向他保证神必差遣使者在他面前，叫他的道路通达。在这里我们看见亚伯拉罕活的信心。
12Abraham believed in the sovereign Lord, telling his servant that the Lord would send His angel with him and prosper his way (v. 40). Abraham seemed to be saying, God will send His angel before you. Although I am sending you to do the job, I believe in God. In a sense, I don’t believe that you can accomplish this work, but I trust in the living God. You don’t need to be burdened or to worry. Just go and do the job, for my God will send His angel to do the work for you.” What a life Abraham had! If we had been Abraham, we might have said, “My servant, you must realize that I have passed through many experiences. Let me now give you a map and tell you of the people and their customs.” Abraham did not do this. Rather, he only charged his servant to serve by the Lord, assuring him that God would send His angel before him and prosper his way. Here we see Abraham’s living faith
《二》最老的仆人
(2) The Oldest Servant
《1》在责任上忠信
a) Faithful in Responsibility
13亚伯拉罕最老的仆人在责任上十分忠信。（创二四5，9，33，54，56。）他在忠信上跟随亚伯拉罕的脚踪。亚伯拉罕如何凭著信靠神作每件事，他都看见了。我信他为亚伯拉罕的生活所灌注。结果，他也信靠神。
13Abraham’s oldest servant was faithful in responsibility vv. 5, 9, 33, 54, 56). He followed Abraham’s footsteps in being faithful. I believe that he was infused by and with Abraham’s life, seeing how Abraham did everything by trusting in the Lord. As a result, the servant also trusted in Him
《2》为著他的责任信靠主
b) Trusting in the Lord for His Responsibility
14亚伯拉罕的仆人为著他的责任信靠主。（创二四12，21，42。）他清楚、谦卑却简单的向主祷告。凡真正相信神的人都是简单的。当他来到拿鹤城附近的井旁，他祷告说，『耶和华我主人亚伯拉罕的神阿，求你施恩给我主人亚伯拉罕，使我今日遇见好机会。我现今站在井旁，城内居民的女子们正出来打水。我向那一个女子说，请你拿下水瓶来，给我水喝，她若说，请喝，我也给你的骆驼喝，愿那女子就作你所豫定给你仆人以撒的妻，这样，我便知道你施恩给我主人了。』（创二四12～14。）他的祷告立刻得著答应。甚至话还没有说完，利百加就肩头上扛著水瓶出来。他向她要水喝，她不仅给他水喝，也为他所有的骆驼打上水来。她作了这事，仆人就清楚利百加是他所要的人，因此就给她一个金环，两个金镯。
14Abraham’s servant trusted in the Lord for his responsibility (vv. 12, 21, 42). He prayed to the Lord in a clear, humble, yet simple way. Everyone who truly believes in God is simple. When he came to the well near the city of Nahor, he prayed, saying, “O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good success this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham. Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water: and let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also; let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master” (vv. 12-14, Heb.). His prayer was answered immediately. Before he had even finished speaking, Rebekah came with her pitcher upon her shoulder. When he asked her for a drink, she not only gave him a drink but also drew water for all his camels. After she had done this, the servant was clear that Rebekah was the one and he gave her a ring and two bracelets.
《3》在环境中寻求主的引导
c) Looking for the Lord’s Leading in the Environment
15仆人在环境中寻求主的引导，藉以认识主的旨意。（创二四13～21，26～27，48～49。）我们也能在环境中看见神的主宰。没有人告诉仆人要去拿鹤城，就是亚伯拉罕兄弟的城。他到那里去，在井旁遇见了拿鹤的孙女利百加。没有一件事是偶然的，每件事都是在创世以前命定的，并且藉著亚伯拉罕一个信靠神的仆人完成了。
15The servant knew the Lord’s will by looking for His leading in the environment (vv. 13-21, 26-27, 48-49). We also can see God’s sovereignty in our environment. No one told the servant to go to the city of Nahor, the city of Abraham’s brother. He just went there and at the well he met Rebekah, Nahor’s granddaughter. Nothing was accidental; everything was ordained before the foundation of the world and was carried out through Abraham’s servant, a man who trusted in God
《三》利百加
(3) Rebekah
《1》纯洁、仁慈又殷勤
a) Chaste, Kind, and Diligent
16创世记二十四章十六节告诉我们，利百加『容貌极其俊美，还是处女。』利百加是纯洁、单纯的，也是仁慈、殷勤的。（创二四18～20。）亚伯拉罕的仆人要水喝，她立刻给他水喝。她也为他的骆驼打水。从井里打上水来，倒在槽里，给十只骆驼暍，对一个青年女子来说是件艰苦的工作，但她这样作了。青年姊妹若要在神的主宰之下，尤其是在婚姻的事上，她们就需要仁慈又殷勤。不仁慈又松懒的青年女子应当独身。人请你作一件事，你必须为他们作两件事，并且第二件事该远超过第一件事。你不仅该给人水喝。也该为他的十只骆驼打水。你若这样作，你就有资格得著你的丈夫，你的以撒。这是对所有青年单身姊妹的忠告。
16In verse 16 we are told that Rebekah was “very fair to look upon, a virgin.” Rebekah was chaste and pure. She was also kind and diligent (vv. 18-20). When Abraham’s servant asked for a drink, she immediately gave it to him. She also drew water for his camels. It was hard work for a young woman to draw water out of the well and pour it into the trough for ten camels to drink, but she did it. If the young sisters want to be under God’s sovereignty, especially with respect to their marriage, they need to be kind and diligent. Any young woman who is unkind and sloppy should remain single. When people ask you to do one thing, you must do two things for them. And the second thing should far surpass the first thing. You should not only give a man water to drink, but should also draw water for his ten camels. If you do this, you will be qualified to obtain your husband, your Isaac. This is some advice to all the young single sisters
《2》绝对
(b) Absolute
17利百加是绝对的。（创二四57～58，。）虽然她从来没有见过以撒，但她亳不犹豫的愿意去他那里。她没有对母亲说，『母亲，我从来没有见过以撒。也许我该先与他通信，然后请他来访问我们，我才能决定要不要和他结婚。』利百加没有这样说。虽然她的哥哥和母亲犹豫不决，要她至少再住十天，但她说，『我去。』她是绝对的。
17Rebekah was absolute (vv. 57-58, 61). Although Rebekah had never seen Isaac, she was willing to 61 go to him without hesitation. She did not say to her mother, “Mother, I have never seen Isaac. Perhaps I should correspond with him first and afterward have him pay us a visit. Then I could decide whether or not to marry him.” Rebekah did not talk in this way. Although her brother and mother were hesitating, wanting her to stay for at least ten days, she said, “I will go.” She was absolute.
18在已过的四十年间，我见过一些青年姊妹太过考虑婚姻的事，结果演变成精神问题。有的人花了多日，多周，多月，甚至多年，考虑一位弟兄是不是神为她豫备的人。这样的姊妹来找我的时候，我就带著责备的口气说，『你若觉得他是那位弟兄，就盲目的嫁给他。若觉得他不是那位弟兄，就忘掉他，不要谈这事。你越考虑，就越搅扰神，搅扰自己，也搅扰我。我怎能告诉你是或不是？我若说是，你会说我不了解他。我若说不是，你会觉得不喜乐，因为你已经爱上他了。不要再想这事了。或者嫁给他，或者忘掉他。』我很严肃的这样告诉她们。青年姊妹们，你们若要结婚，必须学习仁慈、殷勤且绝对。
18During the past forty years, I have seen a number of young sisters who developed mental problems as a result of considering marriage. Some spent days, weeks, months, and even years considering whether a particular brother was the one whom God had prepared for them. When such sisters came to me, I said, with a rebuking tone, “If you feel he is the brother, marry him blindly. But if he is not the one, forget about him and don’t talk about it. The more you consider, the more you bother God, yourself, and me. How can I tell you yes or no? If I say yes, you will say that I do not know him well. If I say no, you will feel unhappy because you have already fallen in love with him. Don’t think about it anymore. Either marry him or forget about him.” I was serious in telling them this. Young sisters, if you want to be married, you must learn to be kind, diligent, and absolute.
《3》服从
(c) Submissive
19利百加也是服从的。（创二四64～。）当她看见以撒，晓得他是谁的时候，『就拿帕子蒙上脸。』姊妹们，不要把一块布放在头上作装饰。这必须是你服从的记号。一旦你结婚了，你就不再是你自己的头。你的丈夫是你的头，你自己的头必须蒙起来。这是婚姻真实的意义。
19Rebekah was also submissive (vv. 64-65). When she saw Isaac and realized who he was, “she took a veil, 65 and covered herself.” Sisters, do not put a piece of cloth on your head as a decoration or ornament. It must be a sign of your submission. Once you are married, you are no longer your own head. Your husband is your head, and your head must be covered. This is the true meaning of marriage.
《四》拉班和彼土利
4) Laban and Bethuel
20拉班和彼土利敬畏主。（创二四29～。）他们也乐于接待人。（创二四～33。）接待常带进最大的祝福。对于利百加，就是彼土利的女儿，拉班的妹妹，成为以撒的妻子乃是极大的祝福。这祝福是由他们乐于接待人而得著的。他们若不乐于接待人，弃绝了亚伯拉罕的仆人，这美妙的婚姻绝不会发生。不仅如此，他们也接受了主的主宰，说，『这事乃出于耶和华，我们不能向你说好说歹。』（创二四50～51，55～60。）拉班和彼土利承认这是主的作为，他们对于这事没有权利说甚么。这里我们看见他们与神在一里生活的气氛。
20Laban and Bethuel were in the fear of the Lord (vv. 2 9-3 1). They were also very hospitable (v v. 3 1-3 3). 31 Hospitality often brings in the greatest blessing. For 31 Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel and the sister of Laban, to become Isaac’s wife was a great blessing. That blessing was secured by their being hospitable. If they had not been hospitable but rather had rejected Abraham’s servant, that wonderful marriage would never have taken place. Furthermore, they accepted the Lord’s sovereignty, saying, “The thing proceedeth from the Lord: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good” (vv. 50-51, 55-60). Laban and Bethuel recognized that this was the Lord’s doing and that they had no right to say anything about it. Here we see the atmosphere of their life, a life in oneness with God.
《五》以撒
(5) Isaac
21以撒不是一个活跃的人，因他没有作甚么。他不过住在井边，在活水之地旁边。创世记二十四章六十三节说，『天将晚，以撒出来在田间默想。』圣经译者对于本节希伯来文的译法不尽相同。有些译本译为以撒到田间去祷告，其他的译本说他到田间去敬拜。以撒在主面前默想，很可能想到他的婚姻。他失去了母亲，还没有妻子，最可靠的仆人又出门在外。以撒不知道仆人会不会回来。家中没有安全或保障，使他在为难的处境中。因此，他出去到田间寻求主，在神面前默想。当他默想的时候，利百加来了。仆人将一切所发生的事告诉以撒，以撒就接受父亲为他所作的，娶了利百加。（创二四66～67。）他的婚姻来自承受，不是来自奋斗。他没有为著妻子奋斗；他承受了父亲为他所作的。他没有作甚么事，来得著一个妻子。他不过接受父亲为他所得著的。他这样行，就是与主是一，使神的目的达成在他身上。他没有举行结婚典礼，却有真实且稳固的婚姻。
21Isaac was not a man of activity, for he did not do anything. He simply dwelt by a well, by a place of living water. Verse 63 says, “Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide.” Translators of the Bible are bothered about the rendering of the Hebrew in this verse. Some versions interpret it as meaning that Isaac went to the field to pray, and others say that he went to the field to worship. It might have been that Isaac was meditating in the presence of the Lord, possibly considering his marriage. He had lost his mother, did not have a wife, and the most trustworthy servant had gone on a journey. Isaac did not know if the servant would ever come back. The family had no safety or security, and he was in a desperate situation. Hence, he went out to the field to seek the Lord and meditate before God. While he was meditating, Rebekah came. After the servant had told Isaac all that had happened, Isaac took what his father had done for him and married Rebekah (vv. 66-67). His marriage was an inheritance, not a strife. He did not strive for a wife; he inherited what his father had done for him. He did not do a thing to get a wife. He only took what the father had secured for him. Acting in this way, he was one with the Lord that the purpose of God might be fulfilled in him. He had a real and solid marriage without a wedding ceremony.
《六》达成神的目的
6) Fulfilling the Purpose of God
22以撒的婚姻最终达成了神的目的。（创二一12下，二二17～18。）在创世记二十四章，那些人的生活不仅仅是为著自己的人生，他们的生活乃是带进神永远目的的达成，生出基督，并为著神的经纶产生神的国。
22Isaac’s marriage eventually fulfilled the purpose of God (21:12b; 22:17-18). The life of those in this chapter was not merely for their own human living; it was a life that issued in the fulfillment of God’s eternal purpose, a life which brought forth Christ and produced the kingdom of God for God’secon o my