Rev Xi An Poon
主題經文：「神差我在你們以先來，為要保全生命。」——創世記45:5
「他們的父親雅各心就甦醒了。以色列說：『罷了！罷了！我的兒子約瑟還在，趁我未死以先，我要去見他一面。』」——創世記45:27–28
引言
創世記45章，是約瑟生命中一個非常重要的時刻。多年前，神曾藉着夢讓年幼的約瑟看見將來的命定。可是，神給他的應許雖然真實，約瑟當時的生命卻仍然需要被塑造。他還未完全懂得，怎樣在合適的時間、用合適的方法，承載神所給他的啟示。結果，他所說的夢引起了哥哥們更深的嫉妒，也令他的人生走過許多高山低谷。我們不能說約瑟後來所受的一切苦難，都是因為他說錯了話；因為哥哥們仍然要為自己的嫉妒和惡行負責。但約瑟的生命提醒我們：神的應許不會落空，然而承受應許的人，也需要被神改變。
到了第45章，約瑟年幼時的夢終於成就了。可是，眼前的約瑟已經不再是那個急於讓人知道自己夢想的少年。經過多年的試煉，他學會了不再高舉自己，而是高舉神；不再只看見自己所受的傷害，而是看見神在一切事情上的掌權。神的信實沒有改變，但在神信實的手中，約瑟的心、哥哥們的心，甚至雅各的心，都被改變了。
一、神的應許，不因人的偏差而落空
「約瑟和弟兄相認的時候，並沒有一人站在他面前。」——創世記45:1
約瑟吩咐所有埃及人離開，只留下他和哥哥們。他不再以埃及宰相的身分面對他們，而是以弟弟的身分，哭着對他們說：「我是約瑟。」——創世記45:3
多年以前，哥哥們曾拒絕他、嫉妒他、出賣他；如今，他們真的站在他的面前。這不是因為約瑟能夠控制人生，而是因為神始終信實。人的嫉妒不能廢掉神的計劃，誣告不能攔阻神，監牢不能埋葬神的應許，人的遺忘也不能使神忘記。
可是，神的信實不代表我們可以隨意而行。有時神已經給我們看見方向，但我們若用自己的方法催促應許、證明自己，或在不合適的時候宣揚自己，便可能為自己和別人增添許多崎嶇的道路。神會成就祂所說的，但祂也會先預備那個承受應許的人。
二、神的塑造，使人從高舉自己轉向高舉神
「神差我在你們以先來，為要保全生命。」——創世記45:5
約瑟沒有否認哥哥們的罪。他清楚地說：「我是你們的兄弟約瑟，就是你們所賣到埃及的。」——創世記45:4
傷害是真實的，罪也是真實的。但約瑟不再只從人的傷害解釋自己的人生。他三次提到，是神差他來到埃及。他沒有說：「你們看，我當年的夢果然是真的。」他也沒有說：「現在你們終於知道我是誰了。」他所說的是：「神差我來。」
從前，約瑟看見的是自己的夢；如今，他看見的是神的計劃。從前，他可能想讓人知道自己的將來；如今，他只想讓人知道神仍然掌權。從前，他的說話引起哥哥們的嫉妒；如今，他的生命卻帶來接納、供應和保存。真正的命定，不是有一天所有人都看見我們有多重要，而是我們的生命能夠成為神手中的器皿，保存和祝福別人的生命。
三、神的信實，使冰涼的心重新甦醒
「雅各心裡冰涼，因為不信他們。」——創世記45:26
當哥哥們回去告訴父親，約瑟仍然活着，並且作了埃及全地的宰相時，雅各起初並不相信。多年來，他一直活在喪子的悲傷中，也活在兒子們所製造的謊言裡。他的心已經被失望凍結了。可是，當他聽見約瑟的話，又看見約瑟差來接他的車輛時，聖經說：
「雅各心就甦醒了。以色列說……」——創世記45:27–28
這裡名字的轉變很有意思。當他不信的時候，聖經稱他為「雅各」；當他的心重新甦醒，聖經稱他為「以色列」。「雅各」讓我們想到那個靠自己、抓住、計算的人；「以色列」則提醒我們，他是那個曾經與神相遇、被神改名、承受應許的人。當他的心重新甦醒，他不再停留在失望中，而是重新以「以色列」的身分，走向神正在成就的應許。
約瑟的心被轉化，從高舉自己轉向高舉神。哥哥們的心被轉化，從出賣弟弟，變成願意保護弟弟。雅各的心也被轉化，從冰涼、不信，重新甦醒。
總結
創世記45章讓我們看見，神的信實從來沒有改變。約瑟年幼時所領受的夢，經過多年仍然成就；但神所成就的，不只是約瑟外在的地位，更是每一個人裡面的生命。祂使約瑟從高舉自己的夢，轉向高舉神的計劃。祂使哥哥們從嫉妒和出賣，轉向悔改和承擔。祂使雅各冰涼的心重新甦醒，使他再次以「以色列」的身分走向神的應許。
神的應許不會因人的失敗而落空，但我們也需要在應許成就的過程中，被神改變。信實的神，不但成就祂所說的，也要把我們塑造成能夠承受祂應許的人。
省察
今天，我是在高舉神，還是在急於證明自己？我的心是否因長久的失望而冰涼，不再相信神仍在工作？我是否願意讓神轉化我的心，使我的生命成為別人的祝福？
禱告
親愛的天父，感謝祢是信實的神，人的失敗不能廢掉祢的應許。求祢赦免我們常用自己的方法催促祢的工作，並在等待中塑造我們，使我們不再高舉自己，只單單高舉祢。當我們的心因失望而冰涼，求祢使我們重新甦醒，再次相信祢仍然掌權。奉主耶穌基督的名禱告，阿們。
創世記 45
1 約瑟在左右站著的人面前情不自禁，吩咐一聲說：「人都要離開我出去！」約瑟和弟兄相認的時候，並沒有一人站在他面前。 2 他就放聲大哭，埃及人和法老家中的人都聽見了。 3 約瑟對他弟兄們說：「我是約瑟！我的父親還在嗎？」他弟兄不能回答，因為在他面前都驚惶。 4 約瑟又對他弟兄們說：「請你們近前來。」他們就近前來。他說：「我是你們的兄弟約瑟，就是你們所賣到埃及的。 5 現在，不要因為把我賣到這裡自憂自恨，這是神差我在你們以先來，為要保全生命。 6 現在這地的饑荒已經二年了，還有五年不能耕種，不能收成。 7 神差我在你們以先來，為要給你們存留餘種在世上，又要大施拯救，保全你們的生命。 8 這樣看來，差我到這裡來的不是你們，乃是神。他又使我如法老的父，做他全家的主，並埃及全地的宰相。 9 你們要趕緊上到我父親那裡，對他說：『你兒子約瑟這樣說：「神使我做全埃及的主，請你下到我這裡來，不要耽延。 10 你和你的兒子、孫子，連牛群、羊群，並一切所有的，都可以住在歌珊地與我相近， 11 我要在那裡奉養你。因為還有五年的饑荒，免得你和你的眷屬，並一切所有的，都敗落了。」』 12 況且你們的眼和我兄弟便雅憫的眼都看見是我親口對你們說話。 13 你們也要將我在埃及一切的榮耀和你們所看見的事，都告訴我父親，又要趕緊地將我父親搬到我這裡來。」 14 於是約瑟伏在他兄弟便雅憫的頸項上哭，便雅憫也在他的頸項上哭。 15 他又與眾弟兄親嘴，抱著他們哭，隨後他弟兄們就和他說話。
16 這風聲傳到法老的宮裡，說：「約瑟的弟兄們來了。」法老和他的臣僕都很喜歡。 17 法老對約瑟說：「你吩咐你的弟兄們說：『你們要這樣行：把馱子抬在牲口上，起身往迦南地去， 18 將你們的父親和你們的眷屬都搬到我這裡來。我要把埃及地的美物賜給你們，你們也要吃這地肥美的出產。』 19 現在我吩咐你們要這樣行：從埃及地帶著車輛去，把你們的孩子和妻子，並你們的父親都搬來。 20 你們眼中不要愛惜你們的家具，因為埃及全地的美物都是你們的。」
21 以色列的兒子們就如此行。約瑟照著法老的吩咐給他們車輛和路上用的食物， 22 又給他們各人一套衣服，唯獨給便雅憫三百銀子，五套衣服； 23 送給他父親公驢十匹，馱著埃及的美物，母驢十匹，馱著糧食與餅和菜，為他父親路上用。 24 於是約瑟打發他弟兄們回去，又對他們說：「你們不要在路上相爭。」 25 他們從埃及上去，來到迦南地他們的父親雅各那裡， 26 告訴他說：「約瑟還在，並且做埃及全地的宰相。」雅各心裡冰涼，因為不信他們。 27 他們便將約瑟對他們說的一切話都告訴了他。他們父親雅各又看見約瑟打發來接他的車輛，心就甦醒了。 28 以色列說：「罷了！罷了！我的兒子約瑟還在，趁我未死以先，我要去見他一面。」
Key Verses: “But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.” — Genesis 45:5 NKJV
“Then they told him all the words which Joseph had said to them. And when he saw the carts which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived. Then Israel said, ‘It is enough. Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.’” — Genesis 45:27–28 NKJV
Introduction
Genesis 45 is one of the most powerful turning points in Joseph’s life. Many years earlier, God gave young Joseph dreams about his future. The promise was real, but Joseph’s life was not yet ready to carry it.
At that time, he may not have fully understood how to share what God had shown him, or how to wait for God’s timing. His words caused his brothers to become even more jealous, and his life then passed through many painful seasons.
We cannot say that all Joseph’s suffering happened simply because he spoke in the wrong way. His brothers were still responsible for their jealousy, hatred, and evil actions. But Joseph’s life teaches us an important truth: God’s promise will not fail, but the person who receives the promise must also be shaped by God.
More than twenty years had passed. The brothers who once rejected Joseph, stripped off his robe, and sold him as a slave were now standing before him. Joseph had power over them. He could punish them, expose them, or make them suffer for what they had done. But instead of using his position to take revenge, Joseph wept and made himself known to them. He no longer saw only what his brothers had done. He saw what God had been doing through all the years of pain.
By Genesis 45, Joseph’s early dreams had finally come true. Yet Joseph was no longer the young man who wanted others to notice his dream. After many years of testing, he had learned not to lift up himself, but to lift up God. He no longer saw only the pain people had caused him. He now saw the hand of God over his whole life. God’s faithfulness had not changed. But in the hands of the faithful God, Joseph’s heart, his brothers’ hearts, and even Jacob’s heart were changed.
- God’s Promise Is Not Cancelled by Human Failure
“Then Joseph could not restrain himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, ‘Make everyone go out from me!’ So no one stood with him while Joseph made himself known to his brothers.” — Genesis 45:1 NKJV
Joseph sent all the Egyptians away and remained alone with his brothers. He was no longer standing before them only as the ruler of Egypt. He stood before them as their brother. He wept and said: “I am Joseph.” — Genesis 45:3 NKJV
Many years earlier, his brothers had rejected him, hated him, and sold him. Now they were standing before him. This did not happen because Joseph could control his own life. It happened because God remained faithful. Jealousy could not cancel God’s plan. False accusation could not stop God. Prison could not bury God’s promise. Human forgetfulness could not make God forget Joseph. However, God’s faithfulness does not mean that we can act carelessly.
Sometimes God has already shown us a direction. But when we try to force His promise, prove ourselves, or speak at the wrong time, we may create many painful and difficult roads for ourselves and for others. God will fulfil what He has spoken, but He also prepares the person who will carry the promise.
- God’s Work Changes Us from Lifting Up Ourselves to Lifting Up Him
“God sent me before you to preserve life.” — Genesis 45:5 NKJV
Joseph did not deny the sin of his brothers. He clearly said: “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt.” — Genesis 45:4 NKJV
The hurt was real, and the sin was real. But Joseph no longer understood his life only through the pain caused by others. Three times he said that God had sent him to Egypt. He did not say, “Look, my dream was right.” He did not say, “Now you finally know who I am.” He said, “God sent me.”
Before, Joseph saw his own dream. Now, he saw God’s plan. Before, he may have wanted others to know his future. Now, he wanted others to know that God was in control. Before, his words stirred jealousy. Now, his life brought acceptance, provision, and preservation.
Joseph’s position no longer caused others to focus only on his success. His changed life helped them see the faithfulness of God. True calling is not about everyone seeing how important we are. True calling is becoming a vessel in God’s hand, bringing life and blessing to others.
- God’s Faithfulness Revives a Frozen Heart
“And Jacob’s heart stood still, because he did not believe them.” — Genesis 45:26 NKJV
When the brothers returned and told Jacob that Joseph was still alive and was ruler over all Egypt, Jacob could not believe them. For many years, he had lived with the pain of losing his son. He had also lived inside the lie created by his sons. His heart had become frozen by disappointment. But when he heard Joseph’s words and saw the carts Joseph had sent, the Bible says: “The spirit of Jacob their father revived. Then Israel said…” — Genesis 45:27–28 NKJV
The change of name is meaningful. When he could not believe, the Bible called him “Jacob.” When his spirit revived, the Bible called him “Israel.” “Jacob” reminds us of the man who tried to grasp, plan, and depend on himself. “Israel” reminds us of the man who had met God, received a new name, and carried God’s promise. When his spirit revived, he no longer remained in disappointment. He rose again as Israel and began to move toward what God was doing. Joseph’s heart was changed from lifting up himself to lifting up God. His brothers’ hearts were changed from selling their brother to protecting their brother. Jacob’s heart was changed from cold unbelief to renewed hope. God’s faithfulness did not only change their situation. It changed their hearts.
Conclusion
Genesis 45 shows us that God’s faithfulness never changes. The dreams Joseph received as a young man were fulfilled many years later. But God did more than change Joseph’s outward position. He changed the hearts of everyone involved. God changed Joseph from focusing on his own dream to focusing on God’s plan. God changed the brothers from jealousy and betrayal to repentance and responsibility. God changed Jacob’s frozen heart and caused his spirit to revive. He moved again from living as “Jacob” to responding as “Israel,” the man who carried God’s promise.
God’s promise will not fail because of human weakness. Yet God’s faithfulness does not mean that our words, choices, and attitudes do not matter. We may create unnecessary pain when we try to force God’s promise in our own way. Even so, when we turn back to God, He is able to work through our failures, heal what has been broken, and lead us back into His purpose.
The faithful God not only fulfils what He has spoken. He also shapes us into people who are ready to carry His promise.
Reflection
Am I lifting up God, or am I trying to prove myself? Have my words, attitudes, or actions made the road more difficult for myself or for others? Has disappointment made my heart cold and unable to believe that God is still working? Am I willing to let God change my heart, so that my life can become a blessing to others?
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for being faithful. Human failure cannot cancel Your promise. Forgive us when we try to force Your work in our own way. Shape us while we wait, so that we will no longer lift up ourselves, but only lift up You. When disappointment makes our hearts cold, revive us again and help us believe that You are still in control. May our lives become vessels in Your hands, bringing blessing, healing, and life to others. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Genesis 45
1 Then Joseph could not restrain himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, “Make everyone go out from me!” So no one stood with him while Joseph made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept aloud, and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard it.
3 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph; does my father still live?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed in his presence. 4 And Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near to me.” So they came near. Then he said: “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. 6 For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. 7 And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 8 So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.
9 “Hurry and go up to my father, and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph: “God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not tarry. 10 You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near to me, you and your children, your children’s children, your flocks and your herds, and all that you have. 11 There I will provide for you, lest you and your household, and all that you have, come to poverty; for there are still five years of famine.” ’
12 “And behold, your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my mouth that speaks to you. 13 So you shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that you have seen; and you shall hurry and bring my father down here.”
14 Then he fell on his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck. 15 Moreover he kissed all his brothers and wept over them, and after that his brothers talked with him.
16 Now the report of it was heard in Pharaoh’s house, saying, “Joseph’s brothers have come.” So it pleased Pharaoh and his servants well. 17 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Say to your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals and depart; go to the land of Canaan. 18 Bring your father and your households and come to me; I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you will eat the fat of the land. 19 Now you are commanded—do this: Take carts out of the land of Egypt for your little ones and your wives; bring your father and come. 20 Also do not be concerned about your goods, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.’ ”
21 Then the sons of Israel did so; and Joseph gave them carts, according to the command of Pharaoh, and he gave them provisions for the journey. 22 He gave to all of them, to each man, changes of garments; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of garments. 23 And he sent to his father these things: ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain, bread, and food for his father for the journey. 24 So he sent his brothers away, and they departed; and he said to them, “See that you do not become troubled along the way.”
25 Then they went up out of Egypt, and came to the land of Canaan to Jacob their father. 26 And they told him, saying, “Joseph is still alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt.” And Jacob’s heart stood still, because he did not believe them. 27 But when they told him all the words which Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived. 28 Then Israel said, “It is enough. Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”
Zion Bread of Life Christian Church 
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