Why did Jacob tell his sons, “Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die”? Why didn’t he trust God’s promise to protect and take care of him? Why was Jacob afraid of dying when, up to now, he had experienced God’s help and guidance throughout his life? God had protected him, his entire family, and all his servants in the foreign country of Canaan. Why did he stop trusting God’s promise when it was still fresh in his mind? He had always taught his children about God’s promise. Where is your faith now, Jacob? Where is the promise? Here is how I reply to these questions: God orders us to believe and trust in his goodness, but at the same time, we should never test him. We must take advantage of opportunities that God gives us. If we don’t, we aren’t living according to his plan. But we must continue to maintain our faith and hope in God. That’s why Jacob didn’t say, “Stay here and wait. The Lord is powerful enough to make food fall right out of the sky. Maybe that’s the way he will choose to feed us.” No, that’s not what God’s promise means. There’s no doubt that God can take care of you in a miraculous way. But you must not pass up opportunities that could provide the help you need. If you don’t use what is readily available to you, then you are testing God. Jacob was careful not to test God. He didn’t sit idly at home, hoping to get food some other way.
小 Jo 的平面雕塑作品叫《老兵》,他剪了一个士兵,怀中抱着在公园里买的水枪。这不过是一张很平常的剪纸,但放到大自然的环境里,立即有了勃勃生机。在夕阳的余晖里,一个老兵,疲惫不堪地抱着枪,靠在大树上。他是否在思念远方的亲人,他明天是否会遇到导弹的袭击?他能不能平安回家和自己的孩子一起来到公园?只有去问天上的一轮夕阳和上弦月。