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创世记生命读经 · 第105篇

约瑟和便雅悯的属灵意义（一）

The Spiritual Significance of Joseph and Benjamin (1)
1我很早就熟悉雅各十二个儿子的历史，但没有体会到他们的历史是何等的甜美和奇妙。我越花时间在创世记四十九章，就越欣赏这十二个儿子。探究他们的历史是非常值得的。头四个儿子－流便、西缅、利未和犹大－都是有罪的。但最后两个儿子－约瑟和便雅悯，却没有过错或缺点。他们是完全的。在头四个和末两个儿子之间，有其他六个儿子。我们在但身上看见背道，在迦得身上看见恢复，在亚设身上看见丰裕，在拿弗他利身上看见复活。你若照著创世记四十九章把这十二个儿子的记载摆在一起，就会得著一幅你自己的图画。当我看雅各这十二个儿子时，一面我对他们很惊奇，一面我感谢神，因为我在他们身上看见了自己的图画。我也看见了我所经历的那位基督，以及在基督里的救恩和变化。已往我们都是流便、西缅、利未和犹大，但今天我们是约瑟和便雅悯。在有罪的人中，利未和犹大这两位转变为相当积极的人。利未转变为有祭司职分的，犹大转变为有君王职分的。因此，在雅各十二个儿子中，至终有了祭司的职分，君王的职分，以及最后终极的完成。在以下的信息里，我们要看见终极的完成有两件事：福与居所。我们要完全被带进神宇宙的福里，然后要成为祂的居所。罪人成了神的祭司和君王，最后在神宇宙的福之下，并成为祂永远的居所。我们若看见这段记载的意义，我们会大声呼喊，并赞美主。我们会说，『从前我是流便，但今天我是利未、犹大、约瑟和便雅悯！』我们要成为神祝福之下的君王，我们要成为神的居所，直到永远。
1I became familiar with the history of Jacob’st we lve sons long before I realized how sweet and wonderful their history was. The more time I spend on Genesis 49, the more I appreciate these twelve sons. It is very worthwhile to delve into their history. The first four sons—Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah—were all sinful. But Joseph and Benjamin, the last two, are without fault or defect. They are perfect. Between the first four sons and the last two, we have the other six sons. With Dan we see apostasy; with Gad, recovery; with Asher, sufficiency; and with Naphtali, resurrection. If you put together the record of these twelve sons according to Genesis 49, you will have a portrait of yourself. On the one hand, when I look at these twelve sons of Jacob, I marvel at them; on the other hand, I am thankful to God, because in them I see a picture of myself. I also see the very Christ I have experienced and the salvation and transformation that are in Christ. In the past we all were Reubens, Simeons, Levis, and Judahs, but today we are Josephs and Benjamins. Two of the sinful ones, Levi and Judah, were transferred into something positive. Levi was transferred into the priesthood, and Judah was transferred into the kingship. Thus, among the twelve sons of Jacob, we eventually have the priesthood, the kingship, and finally the ultimate consummation, which we see in Joseph and Benjamin. In the following message we shall see that the ultimate consummation is of two things: blessing and dwelling. We shall be brought fully into the universal blessing under God, and then we shall become His dwelling. Sinners become God’s priests and kings, and ultimately they are under His universal blessing and become His eternal dwelling. If we saw the significance of this record, we would shout and praise the Lord. We would say, “Once I was a Reuben, but today I am a Levi, a Judah, a Joseph, and a Benjamin!” For eternity, we shall be the kings under God’s blessing, and we shall be God’s dwelling
2你有没有体会到圣经竟是这么奇妙？你有没有看见在创世记四十九章这一章里，竟有整本圣经的精华，以及雅各十二个儿子的历史、以色列国的历史、召会的历史、和我们自已属灵历史的摘要？每样东西都在这里。这一章虽然富有诗意，非常深奥，却相当简要。这一章是包罗万有的，包括全本圣经，涵盖十二支派的历史，指明召会的历史，并且描绘我们个人的历史。何等的奇妙！无疑的，这一章概述了神在祂选民身上的对付。神对付祂的子民开始于罪人，经过变化，至终达到终极的完成，就是福与神的居所。
2Have you ever realized that the Bible could be so wonderful? Have you ever seen that in one chapter, Genesis 49, we could have an abstract of the whole Bible and a summary of the history of the twelve sons of Jacob, of the history of the nation of Israel, of the history of the church, and of our own spiritual history? Everything is here. Although this chapter is poetic and very profound, it is nonetheless quite simple. It is all - inclusive. It includes all the Bible, it encompasses the history of the twelve tribes, it indicates the history of the church, and it portrays our personal history. How wonderful! Without doubt, this summarizes God’s dealing with His chosen people. God’s dealing with His people began with sinners, it proceeds to transformation, and eventually it reaches the ultimate consummation, which is the blessing and the dwelling of God.
3在雅各十二个儿子中，有各种不同典型的人。我真感谢神，给雅各十二个儿子。雅各若只有一个儿子，那怎么办？在神眼中，亚伯拉罕和以撒都只有一个儿子。因为神只算以撒和雅各，不算以实玛利或以扫。但是神的经纶需要十二个支派。为此，雅各必须有十二个儿子。即使有十个支派还是不彀。有一天，在所罗门死后，以色列国分成两部分，一部分有十个支派，另一部分有两个支派。但即使这十个支派还是不彀；必须有十二个支派。我们需要记住雅各十二个儿子的名字：流便、西缅、利未、犹大、西布伦、以萨迦、但、迦得、亚设、拿弗他利、约瑟和便雅悯。在本篇信息中，我们要看约瑟和便雅悯一部分的属灵意义，包括三件事：多结果子，得胜和信靠。在下篇信息中，我们要看福和居所。
3Among Jacob’st we lve sons, there are various types of persons. How I thank God for giving Jacob twelve sons. What if Jacob had had just one son? In the eyes of God, Abraham and Isaac each had just one son, for God counted only Isaac and Jacob, not Ishmael or Esau. But God’secon o my required twelve tribes. For this, Jacob had to have twelve sons. Not even ten tribes would have been sufficient. One day, after the death of Solomon, the kingdom of Israel was divided into two parts with ten tribes in one part and two in the other. But not even these ten tribes were sufficient; there had to be twelve. We need to remember the names of Jacob’st we lve sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Zebulun, Issachar, Dan, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Joseph, and Benjamin. In this message we shall consider part of the spiritual significance of Joseph and Benjamin, covering three matters: fruitfulness, victory, and trust. In the following message we shall consider the blessing and the dwelling
１ 多结果子
I. FRUITFUL
ａ多结果子之树的儿子
A. A Son of a Fruitful Tree
4创世记四十九章二十二节说，『约瑟是多结果子之树的儿子，是泉旁多结果子之树的儿子，他的枝条探出墙外。』（另译。）约瑟是多结果子的。他专注于结果子，没有时间作别的事。他没有时间和他的弟兄们争辩，或者和别人争战。人所以被消极的事占有，乃是因为没有被积极的事占有。许多圣徒聚在一起，而不完全忙于正事，是没有益处的。在这种情形下，他们不会专注于积极的事，反会自然的被消极的事霸占。这就像马太十二章里的那个人，他里面空著，就被七个鬼所附。（太十二43～45。）那人像一栋干净且空著的公寓。很多圣徒是干净的，但他们是空著的，无所事事，因此消极的事就进来了。圣徒需要被积极的事占有，然后他们才没有容量、时间、精力，去作闲谈一类的事。闲谈就证明我们的精力过剩。但约瑟不是无所事事的人。在以后的信息里我们会看见，他从幼年时就忙于积极的事。他专注于他父亲的意思，他父亲的心思，他父亲的兴趣，以及他父亲的使命。因此，『地鼠』和『狗』没有机会进来。一个房间若挤了二十个人，没有一只地鼠敢进来。这个房间若是空著，地鼠和狗就想要进来。使圣徒避开消极事物的最好方法，就是用积极的事充满他们。我再说，约瑟从年幼起，就完全专注于积极的事，主要的是忙于结果子。
4Genesis 49:22 says, “A son of a fruitful tree is Joseph, a son of a fruitful tree by a fountain; whose branches run over the wall” (Heb.). Joseph was very fruitful. He was fully occupied with fruitfulness, having no time for anything else. He had no time to argue with his brothers or to fight with others. People become occupied with negative things because they are not fully occupied with positive things. It is not profitable for a large number of saints to be gathered together and not be fully occupied. In such a case they will not be occupied with the positive things. Rather, spontaneously they will become occupied with negative things, just like the man in Matthew 12 who was vacant and who became possessed with seven demons (vv. 43-45). That man was like a clean, unoccupied apartment. Many saints are clean, but they are empty, unoccupied. Therefore, negative things come in. The saints need to be occupied with positive things. Then they will have no capacity, time, or energy for things such as gossip. Gossiping proves that not all our energy is being used. Joseph, however, was not an unoccupied person. As we shall see in later messages, from the time of his youth, he was occupied with positive things. He was occupied with his father’s will, his father’s mind, his father’sin te rest, and his father’s commission. Hence, there was no opportunity for the “gophers” or “dogs” to come in. If a room is filled with twenty people, no gopher would dare to come in. But if the room is unoccupied, gophers and dogs may try to come in. The best way to keep the saints from negative things is to fill them with positive things. Again I say that from his youth, Joseph was fully occupied with positive things, mainly with fruitfulness.
5当约瑟的父亲和十一个弟兄以及他们家人下到埃及，他们成了约瑟结果子伸展的管道。那时候约瑟在埃及不是仅仅个人在伸展，他是和七十个人共同伸展神的行政。约瑟是多结果子的。全世界都在约瑟的伸展之下。约瑟是一幅图昼，一个豫表，意思就是这豫表必须藉著召会来应验。召会的人必须是结果子最多的人。行传二章启示，彼得和十一个使徒是何等多结果子的人。历代以来，凡爱主并被主占有的人，也是多结果子的人。四十九章二十二节说，约瑟是多结果子之树的儿子。『儿子』这辞，在这里指明大干或枝子。这就是说，约瑟是多结果子之树的枝子。在全宇宙中只有一棵多结果子的树，那就是基督。基督是神的枝子，乃是一棵多结果子的树。撒迦利亚六章十二节说，『看哪，那名称为枝子的。』（另译。）这枝子就是基督。基督是神的枝子，已经把神伸展到人性，至终成了一棵树。在论到结果子的约翰十五章里，主耶稣说，『我是真葡萄树。』（约十五1。）基督就是葡萄树。在约翰十五章五节主说，『我是葡萄树，你们是枝子；住在我里面的，我也住在他里面，这人就多结果子。』作为这样一棵多结果子之树的枝子，我们都需要多结果子。
5When Joseph’s father and eleven brothers and their families came down to Egypt, they became the channels for the branching out of Joseph’s fruitfulness. At that time in Egypt Joseph was not simply branching out personally; he was branching out God’sad ministration with seventy people. Joseph was very fruitful. The entire world was under the branching out of Joseph. Joseph was a picture, a type. This means that the fulfillment must be with the church. The church people should be the most fruitful people. Acts chapter two reveals how fruitful Peter and the other eleven apostles were. Throughout the centuries, all who have loved the Lord and who have been occupied with Him have also been fruitful. Verse 22 says that Joseph was a son of a fruitful tree. The word “son” here indicates a bough or a branch. Most versions translate the Hebrew word as “bough,” which is a large branch. This means that Joseph was a branch of a fruitful tree. In the entire universe there is just one fruitful tree, and that tree is Christ. As the branch of God, Christ is a fruitful tree. Zechariah 6:12 says, “Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH.” This branch is Christ. Christ as the branch of God has branched out God to humanity, eventually becoming a tree. In John 15, a chapter on fruitfulness, the Lord Jesus said, “I am the true vine” (v. 1). Christ is the vine tree. In John 15:5 the Lord said, “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit.” As branches of such a fruitful tree, we all need to be fruitful
6不要想你的软弱、失败、或者四围可怜的光景。召会的历史有两面－黑暗的一面和荣耀的一面。当我们注视荣耀的一面，我们看到丰硕的果实。不仅彼得和保罗，所有爱主的人都是多结果子的。有时候我们也许说，『我们软弱，我们的处境不乐观，扩增很慢，人数一直很少。』但你若有属天的眼光，会看见召会是多结果子的，召会的历史是结果子的历史。我再说，不要从黑暗面看周围的情形，要从荣耀的一面看。神是得胜的，召会是多结果子的。枝子是伸展出去的，历世历代，彼得、保罗、和所有爱基督的人都有许多的枝子。
6Do not consider your weaknesses, failures, or the pitiful situation around you. Church history has two sides—a dark side and a glorious side. When we look at the glorious side, we see abundant fruitfulness. Not only Peter and Paul but all those who love the Lord have been fruitful. Sometimes we may say, “We are weak, our situation is not promising, the increase is coming slowly, and the number remains small.” But if you have the heavenly view, you will see that the church is very fruitful and that the history of the church is a history of fruitfulness. Again I say, do not look at the situation from the dark side, but from the glorious side. God is victorious, and the church is fruitful. The branch is branching out. Peter, Paul, and all the lovers of Christ throughout the centuries have had many branches.
ｂ枝条探出墙外
B. Branching over the Wall
7这些枝条探出墙外，（创四九22，）那就是他们越过一切的限制，将基督扩展出去，在各种环境中显大基督。（腓一20。）创世记四十九章二十二节说，约瑟的枝条探出墙外。墙表征限制。自从五旬节以来，一堵又一堵的墙兴筑起来，要限制枝子的扩展。有一天，彼得甚至被关在监里。（徒十二3～4。）但即使那样坚固的营垒，也不能限制枝子的扩展。一年又一年，十年又十年，一世纪又一世纪，反对者和仇敌筑起许多墙，要限制召会结果子，但每次枝子都探出墙外。
7These branches are branching out over the wall (49:22), that is, they are spreading Christ over all restrictions, magnifying Him in all circumstances (Phil. 1:20). Genesis 49:22 says that Joseph’s branches run over the wall. The wall signifies restriction. Since the day of Pentecost, wall after wall has been erected to restrict the spreading of the branches. One day Peter was even put into prison (Acts 12:3-4). But not even that stronghold could restrict the branching out. Year after year, decade after decade, and century after century, walls have been raised up by the opposers and by the enemy to restrict the church’s fruitfulness. But the branches have run over the wall every time
8我凭著已过五十年中所看见所经历的。能见证这事。在这些年中，我看见了枝子多结果子。倪弟兄在中国被主兴起来，的确是多结果子之树的大枝，是多结果子之基督的枝子。当我和他在一起，我非常清楚，没有甚么能限制他的见证。倪弟兄有负担要作耶稣的见证，反对组织的基督教。结果，甚至许多基督徒也筑墙限制他，散布关于他的谣言。让我告诉你们一个恶毒谣言的例子。倪弟兄得救以后，从一位名叫和受恩（MissMargaretBarber）的姊妹得著很大的帮助。和受恩姊妹有一位同工名叫葛露丝（MissGroves）。她们都是从英国到中国来的传教士，但是倪弟兄得救时，她们已离开了差会，在中国凭著相信神而活。因著倪弟兄从和受恩姊妹得著许多的帮助，葛姊妹也认识了他。倪弟兄得著和受恩姊妹的帮助，同时也得著葛姊妹的帮助。
8I can testify of this by what I have seen and experienced during the past fifty years. During these years I have seen the fruitfulness of the branches. Brother Nee, raised up by the Lord in China, was certainly a bough of a fruitful tree, a branch of the fruitful Christ. When I was with him, I became very clear that nothing could restrict his testimony. Brother Nee was burdened to bear a testimony of Jesus that was opposed to organized Christianity. As a result, even many Christians put up walls to restrict him, and they spread rumors about him. Let me give you an illustration of the evil rumors. After he was saved, Brother Nee received great help from a sister named Margaret E. Barber. Miss Barber had a co-worker named Miss Gross. Both Miss Barber and Miss Gross were missionaries who had come from Britain to China. However, by the time Brother Nee was saved, they had left their missions and were in China living by faith in God. Because Brother Nee received so much help from Miss Barber, Miss Gross also came to know him. Since Brother Nee was under the helping hand of Miss Barber, he was simultaneously also under the help of Miss Gross.
9一九二九年，和受恩姊妹被主接去，葛姊妹留下，迁到上海。有一天，葛姊妹听说一个女人和倪弟兄住在一起，就来找倪弟兄查问这事。那时倪弟兄还是单身，葛露丝这位年长姊妹像和受恩姊妹一样爱护倪弟兄，对他非常关心。葛姊妹说，『我听说一个女人和你住在一起，是真的么？』倪弟兄回答说，『是。』葛姊妹就责备他，问他一个单身青年男子，怎么可以和一个女人住在一起。倪弟兄亲口把这件事告诉我，为要帮助我明白自我表白的事。他告诉我，他乐于受责备。他也告诉我，和他住在一起的是他的母亲。他说这话，不是要表白自己，乃是要给我一些帮助。我问他为甚么不把这事告诉葛姊妹，倪弟兄回答说，『她并没有问我那女人是谁，只问我有没有一个女人和我住在一起。当我告诉她是有一个女人和我住在一起，她就责备我，我就没有再说甚么。』这是一个有关散布倪弟兄谣言的例子。另一个例子：倪弟兄结婚以后，在上海立即兴起很大的骚动。这是仇敌兴筑的另一堵墙。倪弟兄给我看一张报纸，那是上海，也可能是全中国销路最大的报纸。报上用大字印著关于他结婚的反面新闻。倪弟兄对我说，『常受弟兄，在我一生中，我从未听过人结婚后发生这样的事。』
9In 1929 Miss Barber went to be with the Lord, and Miss Gross remained and moved to Shanghai. One day Miss Gross heard the report that a woman was living with Brother Nee, and she came to him to check with him about this. Brother Nee was still single, and, like Miss Barber, Miss Gross, as an elderly sister, loved him and was very concerned about him. Miss Gross said, “I have heard that a woman is staying with you. Is this true?” When Brother Nee answered, “Yes,” Miss Gross rebuked him, asking how he, a single young man, could have a woman staying with him. Brother Nee related this incident to me himself to help me understand something about self-vindication. He told me that he was happy to be rebuked. He also told me that the woman staying with him was his mother. He said this, not to vindicate himself, but to render some help to me. When I asked Brother Nee why he did not tell Miss Gross about this, he replied, “She didn’task me who the woman was. She only asked whether or not a woman was staying with me. When I told her that a woman was living with me, she rebuked me. I didn’ts ay anything.” This is one illustration of the rumors spread about Brother Nee. Another illustration: Immediately after his wedding, a great turmoil was stirred up in Shanghai. This was another wall raised up by the enemy. Brother Nee showed me a newspaper, the leading newspaper in Shanghai and perhaps in all of China. In huge Chinese characters there was a negative article regarding his marriage. Brother Nee said to me, “Witness, in my whole life I never heard about such a thing happening after a wedding
10今天各处散布著许多关于我们的谣言，但没有一个像关于倪弟兄的谣言那样的恶毒。散布一个女人和倪弟兄同住的谣言，这事实指明仇敌经常想要兴筑围墙，限制他结果子。但是倪弟兄的果子已探出墙外，今天在全地都能看见他的果子，没有人能将这果子围堵。即使有人兴筑一百四十四肘高的墙，那些枝子还是要探出墙外。那些年间，我看到了倪弟兄所遭遇的一切事。我感谢主，让我看见那些事，并且让我和他一同经历。因此，当我听到关于我的谣言时，我能笑著说，『我对这早有豫备。过去我看见过一千呎高的墙，你们的墙只有十五呎。』我愿意告诉美国所有的反对者说，『我想你们不能造一千呎高的墙，也许你们最高能造五百呎的墙，但我已经历过探出一千呎高的墙。』主知道我不是在夸口。至少我们中间两位从中国来的年长弟兄能见证，过去我和倪弟兄一同受过苦。散布关于我们的谣言不是新事。如果可能，我们应当告诉那些反对者，他们在浪费时间，因为他们无法压制这个见证。限制我们的墙造得越高，枝子越快探过这些墙。
10Today many rumors are being circulated about us, but as yet none of them are as evil as the rumors spread about Brother Nee. The fact that a rumor was circulated concerning a woman staying with Brother Nee indicates that the enemy was constantly trying to raise up walls to restrict his fruitfulness. But Brother Nee’s fruitfulness has run over the wall. Today his fruit can be found throughout the earth. No one can wall it in. Even if some raise up a wall one hundred forty-four cubits high, the branches will still run over it. As the years went by, I saw all the things that happened to Brother Nee. I thank the Lord that I was allowed to see those things and experience them with him. Thus, when I hear the rumors spread about me, I can laugh and say, “I am prepared for this. In the past I saw a wall one thousand feet high. But your wall is a mere fifteen feet.” I would like to tell all the opposers throughout the United States, “I don’t think you can build a wall one thousand feet high. Probably the highest wall you can build is five hundred feet. However, I have already experienced branching over a wall one thousand feet high.” The Lord knows that I am not boasting. At least two elderly brothers from China among us here can testify that in the past I suffered together with Brother Nee. Having rumors spread about us is nothing new. If possible, we should tell the opposers they are wasting their time, for they cannot suppress this testimony. The higher the walls are built to restrict us, the faster the branches will spread over them
11在行传五章，迦玛列说了一句名言：『不要管这些人，任凭他们罢。因为他们所谋所行的，若是出于人，必遭毁坏；若是出于神，你们就不能毁坏他们，恐怕你们倒要显为是攻击神了。』（徒五38～39。）如果这不是主的恢复，就应该被推翻。如果这不是主的恢复，就应该沉到太平洋底去。但如果这是主的恢复，反对者就该小心，因为他们要蒙羞。他们永不能击败这个见证。他们越想把这个见证压下去，这个见证就升得越高。召会的历史证实这件事。让我说一点我个人的经历。我得救以后，因著主的怜悯，成了一个有追求的基督徒，一个追求主的人。在我家乡的基督徒都很爱我。但有一天，为著主的恢复，我被主得著，有一个召会在我家乡兴起来。照局外人看，是我在那里传道施教。在召会兴起以前，有些基督徒邀请我到他们的聚会中讲道，他们甚至为我豫备了往返的交通工具。在中国，这是爱和尊敬的表现。但召会在那里兴起之后，那些邀请我到聚会中讲道，甚至为我豫备交通工具的人，在街上遇见我，完全视若无睹。然后关于我的谣言传开了。有些谣言说我在教训异端。我初次进入召会生活，就已被人定罪为异端。这对我并不是新事。五十多年前，我的家乡在华北是以圣经知识最为著名的城市。有些青年人是基要派传道人的儿子，听到我讲异端的谣言，就来参加聚会，要亲自看看究竟是怎么回事。在这之前，他们不但不参加他们父亲公会的礼拜，反而去剧场、戏院、赌场。这些青年人从事这样罪恶的活动，他们的父母并不很关心。但是当其中一些人被召会生活吸引，被召会生活得著时，牧师便开始警告他们不要参加聚会。其中一个青年人对一位牧师说，『我去赌场和戏院的时候，你没有为我所作的警告我。现在我去一个地方能听神的话，并且在属灵的生命上得著很多帮助，你反倒来警告我不要去那里。不要再来找我，我参加这些聚会得了帮助，我要继续接受这种帮助。』这表明枝子探出了墙外。
11In Acts 5 Gamaliel spoke a good word: “Stay away from these men and leave them alone; for if this counsel or this work is of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them, lest perhaps you even be found fighters against God” (vv. 38-39). If this is not the Lord’s recovery, it should be overthrown. If it is not the recovery, let it sink to the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. But if it is the Lord’s recovery, the opposers should be careful, for they will suffer shame. They will never be able to defeat this testimony. The more they try to hold it down, the higher it will rise up. Church history testifies of this. Let me share a little of my personal experience. After I was saved, by the mercy of the Lord I became a seeking Christian, one who sought the Lord. The Christians in my home town loved me. One day, however, I was caught by the Lord for His recovery, and a church was raised up in my home town. According to the outsiders, I was the one doing the preaching and teaching there. Before the church was raised up, some of the Christians invited me to speak at their meetings. They even provided transportation to and from the meeting. In China, that was considered an expression of love and respect. But after the church was raised up there, those very ones who invited me to the meetings and even provided transportation for me completely ignored me when they saw me on the street. Then rumors were spread about me. Some of those rumors said that I was teaching heresy. I have been condemned as heretical from the time I first came into the church life. This is nothing new to me. Fifty years ago, my home town was the most famous city in North China for Bible knowledge. Hearing the rumors that my teaching was heretical, certain young men, sons of fundamental Christian preachers, came to the meetings to find out for themselves what was going on. Prior to this, instead of attending services of their fathers’ denominations, they went to operas, theaters, and gambling places. When these young men were engaging in such sinful activities, their parents were not very concerned. However, when some of them were attracted to the church life and caught by it, the pastors began to warn them not to attend the meetings. One of these young men said to a certain pastor, “When I was going to the gambling places and to the theaters, you did not come to warn me about what I was doing. But now that I am going to a place where I can listen to the Word of God and where I am receiving much help in spiritual life, you come to warn me not to go there. Do not come to me again. I have been helped by attending these meetings, and I intend to keep on receiving this help.” This shows that the branches were running over the wall.
12历年来，反对者从我的家乡到各地跟著我，包括台湾在内。一位传道人特意从我家乡到台湾，想要破坏我的职事。当我因这反对感到困扰时，主说，『看看保罗，再读读使徒行传。使徒到甚么地方，反对的犹太人就跟到甚么地方去制造麻烦。』最近，一位弟兄收到澳洲一位巡回传道人的信，对我有许多消极的叙述，整封信上没有一句积极的话。但写这封信的人，在好些年前写了另一封信，对我大加赞扬。这位巡回传道人在好些年前写的信上说，『对我来说，李常受在个人生命上始终是属神的伟人，在他的职事上是结果子最多的神的仆人。我确信我给他系鞋带都不配。我想主若把祂给这位杰出仆人的赏赐给我一半，甚或十分之一，我就心满意足了。』但最近这一个人所写关于我的信，满了污蔑的谎言。很难相信两封信是同一个人写的。写第二封信，是因为多结果子的枝子已经伸展到雪梨。有些人看见在澳洲探出的枝子，就激动起来，不知道如何是好。因此写了这封信，企图限制主的恢复在澳洲的开展。当我在创世记四十九章二十二节的光中看这样的事，我很喜乐，因为枝子仍在探出墙外。今天所遭遇的正符合这一节所写的。反对者在浪费他们的时间。他们兴筑的墙越多，枝子在那里探出的就越多。
12Throughout the years, the opposers have followed me from my home town to many other places, including Taiwan. A certain preacher purposely went to Taiwan from my home town to try to destroy my ministry. When I was bothered by the opposition, the Lord said, “Look at Paul, and read the book of Acts again. Wherever the apostles went, the opposing Jews followed and caused trouble.” Recently, one of the brothers received a letter from Australia, written by a traveling preacher, filled with negative statements about me. In the whole letter there was nothing positive concerning me. However, several years ago the same man who wrote this letter had written another letter in which he praised me very highly. In the letter written several years ago, this traveling preacher said, “To me, Witness Lee has always been a great man of God in his personal life, and a most fruitful servant of God in his ministry. I’m sure I cannot lace his shoes. I would be a happy man if I thought the Lord would give me half the reward, or even one tenth, He has for His eminent servant.” But recently the same person has written a letter filled with slanderous lies about me. It is difficult to believe that both were written by the same person. This second letter was written because the fruitful branch has spread to Sydney. Some, seeing the branching out in Australia, were stirred up and wondered what they could do about it. Hence, this letter was written in an attempt to restrict the branching out of the Lord’s recovery in Australia. When I consider things such as this in the light of 49:22, I am happy, for the branches are still running over the wall. What is happening today exactly corresponds to what is written in this verse. The opposers are wasting their time. The more walls they raise up, the more branching out there will be.
13一个在主耶稣的名里传福音、教圣经的巡回传道人，怎能说谎，甚至污蔑一位弟兄？这是今天基督教可怜的光景，没有良心，也没有道德标准。只要有人能拦阻主的恢复，他们就高兴。但是没有一堵墙能拦阻枝子的伸展。事实上，反对恰好帮助主的开展。这是约瑟的经历。一九五八年，我应邀去英国。从那时以后，就有人想要限制主的恢复扩展到欧洲。但他们甚么也不能作。枝子在德国、瑞士、甚至在丹麦和瑞典，正探出墙外。没有人能限制约瑟的伸展。我们若是今日的约瑟，谁能限制我们？关于我们的谣言也在中美洲和南美洲散布。但是赞美主，祂在巴西的恢复像野火一样蔓延。没有一个『救火员』知道怎么办。在这野火开始蔓延之前，基督教中的反对者，传布关于我和召会的谣言。我请你们再等一段时间，看看要发生甚么事。一切在于我们是不是今日的约瑟。如果是，就没有一个人，也没有一件事能限制枝子探出墙外。
13How can a traveling preacher, one who preaches the gospel in the name of the Lord Jesus and teaches the Bible, speak lies, even slander a brother? This is the poor situation of today’s Christianity. There is no conscience and no moral standard. As long as some can frustrate the Lord’s recovery, they are happy. But no wall can frustrate the spread of the branches. In fact, the opposition actually helps the Lord’s spreading. This is the experience of Joseph. In 1958 I was invited to England. From that time onward, some have tried to restrict the Lord’s recovery from spreading to Europe. But when the Lord’s Recovery began to spread there, they were not able to do anything. The branches are spreading over the wall in Germany, Switzerland, and even in Denmark and Sweden. No one can restrict the spreading of Joseph. If we are today’s Joseph, who can restrict us? Rumors about us have also been spread in Central America and in South America. But praise the Lord that His recovery in Brazil is spreading like wild fire! None of the “firemen” know what to do about it. Before this wild fire began to spread, the opposers in Christianity circulated rumors concerning me and the churches. I ask you to wait for another period of time and see what will happen. Everything depends on whether or not we are today’s Joseph. If we are, no one and nothing will be able to restrict the spreading of the branches over the wall
2 得胜
II. VICTORIOUS
ａ胜过弓箭手的攻击
A. Overcoming the Archers’ Attack
14创世记四十九章二十三、二十四节说，『弓箭手将他苦害，向他射箭，埋伏等候他。但他的弓仍旧坚硬。』（另译。）约瑟胜过了弓箭手的攻击。这事的属灵意义是在一切的苦难中，我们已经得胜有余了。（罗八36～37。）苦难不能压制我们，我们反而征服了苦难。
14Genesis 49:23 and 24 say, “The archers have bitterly harassed him, and shot at him, and lay in wait for him: but his bow remained firm” (Heb.). Joseph overcame the archers’ attack. The spiritual significance of this is that in all suffering we more than conquer (Rom. 8:36-37). The sufferings cannot suppress us; rather, we subdue the sufferings
ｂ因大能者而健壮
B. Being Made Strong by the Mighty One
15约瑟虽然受逼迫、苦害、攻击，他仍旧健壮。他不但健壮，而且敏捷。创世记四十九章二十四节说，『他的手臂因雅各之大能者的手健壮敏捷。』（另译。）约瑟越受苦，越受攻击，就越健壮。他的苦难也训练他敏捷。要使我们的臂和腿敏捷，我们需要接受苦难的训练。约瑟是受过训练的人，他藉著苦难受了训练。今天对于我们也是这样。一切的反对和谣言不过帮助我们成为敏捷的。
15Although Joseph was persecuted, harassed, and attacked, he remained strong. He was not only strong, but also agile. Verse 24 says, “The arms of his hands were made strong and agile by the hands of the mighty One of Jacob” (Heb.). The more Joseph suffered and the more he was attacked, the more he became strong. His suffering also trained him to be agile. In order for our arms and legs to be agile, we need to be trained by suffering. Joseph was a trained person; he was trained through his sufferings. It is the same with us today. All the opposition and the rumors only help us to be agile.
16当然，约瑟是因雅各的大能者健壮和敏捷。他力量和敏捷的源头是神。你若读约瑟的历史，会看见神一直与他同在。当他受波提乏的妻子引诱时，他说，『我怎能作这大恶，得罪神呢？』（创三九9。）这指明神与他同在。他的力量和敏捷是从神来的。
16Joseph, of course, was made strong and agile by the mighty One of Jacob. The source of his strength and agility was God. If you read Joseph’s history, you will see that God was always with him. When he was tempted by Potiphar’s wife, he said, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (39:9). This indicates that God was with him. His strength and his agility came from God. Today in the Lord’s recovery we are empowered in the grace of Christ to withstand all opposition for the Lord’s testimony (2 Tim. 2:1). Our strength is not of ourselves, but of the Lord. As long as we have Him as the source of our strength, no opposition can suppress us
ｃ撕掠如狼
C. Tearing like a Wolf
17在四十九章二十七节，将便雅悯比作撕掠的狼:『便雅悯是个撕掠的狼，旱晨要吃他所抓的，晚上要分他所夺的。』狼不是一个好听的名词。但甚么时候你撕掠一样东西，你不能和善；反之，你必须像狼。当我们必须拆除一些东西，好完成安那翰会所的建筑时，我观察作这项工作的人，每人脸上的表情都是强猛的。一个绅士不能拆毁甚么东西。你若要拆毁东西，你就必须是狼。便雅悯是一只狼。在林后十章五节保罗说，『将理论和各样阻挡人认识神而立起的高寨，都攻倒了，又将各样的思想掳来，使牠顺从基督。』当我年轻时，我认为保罗说这话很骄傲。说到将理论和各样高寨攻倒，并说到将各样的思想掳来，并不和善、谦卑、文雅、温柔或慈仁。当保罗写这些话的时候，他是撕掠的狼。很多时候我与别人接触，我是谦卑和善的。但有的时候，我好像把东西撕成粉碎的狼。在普通谈话中我是绅士，但有些时候我毫不留情。有的时候我的同工，甚至我亲爱的妻子，要我对人仁慈。但你能要求撕掠的狼仁慈么？狼若能说话，牠会说，『在我的语言里，没有怜悯这样的辞。』撕掠的狼不会显示怜悯。我们不是把人撕成粉碎，我们是撕掠撒但。我们也把异议的思想和理由撕成粉碎。这一切的高寨必须撕成碎片。
17In 49:27 Benjamin is likened to a tearing wolf: “Benjamin is a tearing wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and in the evening he shall divide the spoil” (Heb.). The term “wolf” is not a pleasant term. However, whenever you tear anything, you cannot be nice; rather, you must be like a wolf. When we had to tear down some things in order to complete the building of the meeting hall in Anaheim, I observed the expressions of those who were doing this work. The expression on every face was fierce. A gentleman cannot tear down anything. Whenever you are about to tear something down, you must be a wolf. Benjamin was a wolf. In 2 Corinthians 1 0:5 Paul says, “Overthrowing reasonings and every high thing rising up against the knowledge of God, and taking captive every thought unto the obedience of Christ.” When I was young, I thought that Paul was proud in saying this. Speaking about overthrowing reasonings and every high thing and about capturing thoughts is not nice, humble, gentle, mild, or kind. When Paul wrote those words, he was a tearing wolf. Many times when I contact others I am humble and nice. But at certain times I am like a wolf tearing things into pieces. In ordinary talk, I am a gentleman, but there are times when I show no mercy. Sometimes my co-workers and even my dear wife have asked me to be merciful toward others. But can you ask a tearing wolf to be merciful? If a wolf could speak, he would say, “In my language there is no such word as mercy.” A tearing wolf shows no mercy. We are not tearing people into pieces; we are tearing Satan. We are also tearing into pieces the dissenting thoughts and reasonings. All these high things must be torn to shreds.
ｄ觝触如牛
D. Pushing like an Ox
18申命记三十三章十七节说，『他的威严像他公牛中头生的，他的角像野牛的角，用以觝触万邦，直到地极；这角，是以法莲的万万，玛拿西的千千。』（另译。）约瑟被比作觝触的牛。在前篇信息中我曾指出，当基督回来的时候，祂要把俄国人从美地觝触出去。我确实相信这事。但我们今天也可以经历约瑟是觝触的牛。当我想到我和倪弟兄已往的经历，我知道我的确看见了那推进的胜利。反对者联合各方力量压榨我们，但这里有觝触的胜利，觝触的力量，和觝触的角。稍等一些时候，你会看见约瑟觝触的力量。约瑟是多结果子的，他在撕掠和觝触上都是得胜的。今天我们这些在主恢复里的，都是约瑟，刚强的把反对撕掠，把反对推走。
18Deuteronomy 33:17 says, “His majesty is like the firstborn of his ox, and his horns are like the horns of a wild ox: with them he shall push the peoples together to the ends of the earth: and these are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and these are the thousands of Manasseh” (Heb.). Joseph is likened to a pushing ox. In the previous message I pointed out that when Christ comes back, He will push the Russians away from the good land. I definitely believe this. But we also may experience Joseph as a pushing ox today. As I have considered my past experiences and the experiences of Brother Nee, I realize that I have certainly seen the pushing victory. The opposers joined forces to squeeze us, but there was the pushing victory, the pushing strength, and the pushing horns. Wait for a while, and you will see Joseph’s pushing strength. Joseph is fruitful, and he is victorious in tearing and in pushing. We in the Lord’s recovery today are all Josephs strong in tearing the opposition and in pushing the opposition away
19你们很多人读过一本小册子：何等的异端－两位圣父，两位赐生命的灵，三位神。这本册子已经出版数月，还没有人写出书来答辩。反对者的口已被封住，他们写书的手已被切断，因为他们无法应付以赛亚九章六节和林前十五章四十五节。不管有的人如何曲解以赛亚九章六节，他们无法抹煞这里父的名称。这一节说，有一子赐给我们，祂名称为永在的父，或永远的父。这位父必然是神格的父。你若说以赛亚九章六节的父不是神格的父，那你就是相信有两位圣父的异端者。但在全宇宙中只有一个源头，就是神格中的父。不能有另一位父作为另一个源头。不要对我讲历史，或者奈西亚（Nicene）信经，或者别的信条。我不在意信经，我只在意以赛亚九章六节纯净的话。林前十五章四十五节说，『末后的亚当成了赐生命的灵。』有的人反对我们，曲解这节说，『这里是说「灵，」不是说「那灵。」』但不要忘了形容词『赐生命的。』这一节说到赐生命的灵。你相信这位灵与神格的圣灵不同么？若是这样，你就是相信有两位赐生命的灵了。那是异端！在打这个仗的时候，我是把仇敌撕成粉碎的狼。
19Many of you have read the booklet entitled, What a Heresy—Two Divine Fathers, Two Life-giving Spirits, and Three Gods! Although this booklet has been out for several months, no one has written a booklet in reply to it. The mouths of the opposers have been shut, and their writing hands have been amputated, for they have no way to take care of Isaiah 9:6 and 1 Corinthians 15:45. No matter how some may twist Isaiah 9:6, they cannot eliminate the title Father found here. This verse says that a Son is given to us and that His name is called the everlasting Father, or the Father of eternity. This Father certainly is the Father of the Godhead. If you say that the Father in Isaiah 9:6 is not the Father of the Godhead, then you hold the heresy of believing in two divine Fathers. But in the whole universe there is only one source, the Father in the Godhead. There cannot be another Father as another source. Do not tell me about history or about the Nicene Creed or any other creed. I do not care for the creeds—I only care for the pure word in Isaiah 9:6. First Corinthians 15:45 says, “The last Adam became a life-giving Spirit.” Some, opposing us, have twisted this verse and said, “It says `a spirit,’ not `the Spirit.’” But do not forget the modifier “life-giving.” This verse speaks of the life-giving Spirit. Do you believe that this Spirit is different from the Holy Spirit of the Godhead? If so, then you believe in two life-giving Spirits. That is heresy! In fighting this battle, I am a wolf tearing the enemy to pieces.
20有的反对者求助于奈西亚信经。奈西亚信经像一双两寸长的鞋子，我们的脚却有十二寸长。你是要削了你的脚去适合那双小鞋呢？还是要买一双大鞋来适合你的脚？启示录说到七灵，但奈西亚信经包括七灵么？没有！新约也说到赐生命的灵，但奈西亚信经有那一部分题到赐生命的灵？没有！因此那双鞋太小了！我们所有的异象，远胜于那信经中所包含的。我们不可削减异象以适应鞋子；反之，我们必须抛弃那双旧鞋，接受圣经纯净的话。让全体基督教反对我们罢。至终，我们要看见结果是甚么。在主的恢复里，我们有撕掠的力量，也有觝触的力量。迟早仇敌不只要被击败，被征服，也要无条件的投降。神正在得胜的帅领我们。（林后二14。）真理就是真理，约瑟就是约瑟，便雅悯就是便雅悯。
20Some of the opposers appeal to the Nicene Creed. The Nicene Creed is like a pair of shoes two inches long, but our feet are twelve inches long. Do you intend to cut your feet to fit into your little shoes, or will you get a pair of shoes to fit your feet? The book of Revelation speaks of the seven Spirits, but are the seven Spirits covered by the Nicene Creed? No! The New Testament also speaks of the life-giving Spirit, but does the Nicene Creed contain any reference to the life-giving Spirit? No! Thus, that pair of shoes is too short. The vision we have is much greater than what is contained in that creed. We must not reduce the vision to match the shoes; rather, we must throw away those old shoes and take the pure word of the Bible. Let all of Christianity oppose us. Eventually, we shall see what the outcome will be. In the Lord’s recovery we have both the tearing strength and the pushing strength. Sooner or later, the enemy will not only be defeated and subdued; he will unconditionally surrender. God is leading us in triumph (2 Cor. 2:14). The truth is the truth, Joseph is Joseph, and Benjamin is Benjamin
3 信靠
III. TRUSTING
21创世记四十九章二十四节也说到牧者，以色列的磐石。二十五节说，『就是你父亲的神，必帮助你；那全足者，必祝福你。』（另译。）这些经节指明为甚么约瑟和便雅悯是终极的完成：他们信靠雅各的大能者。他们信靠以色列的牧者，他们站在以色列的磐石上。他们信靠那全丰者。信靠那全丰者，等于新约中腓立比四章十三节所说，『我在那加我能力者的里面，凡事都能作。』以色列的牧者，等于彼前五章四节所说，牧长基督要显现。最后，以色列的磐石，等于新约中的基督，召会的磐石。林前十章四节说，『所喝的是出于随行的灵磐石，那磐石就是基督。』
21Genesis 49:24 also speaks of the Shepherd, the stone of Israel, and verse 25 says, “Even by the God of thy father, who helpeth thee; and by the All-sufficient, who blesseth thee” (Heb.). These verses indicate why Joseph and Benjamin became the ultimate consummation: they trusted in the mighty One of Jacob. They trusted in the Shepherd of Israel, and they stood upon the stone of Israel. They trusted in the all-sufficient One. The New Testament equivalent for trusting in the All- sufficient is Philippians 4:13, which says, “I can do all things in Him who empowers me.” The equivalent of the Shepherd of Israel is seen in 1 Peter 5:4, which says that Christ, the Chief Shepherd, will appear. Finally, the New Testament equivalent of the stone of Israel is seen in Christ, the rock of the church. First Corinthians 10:4 says, “For they drank of a spiritual rock which followed them, and the rock was Christ
22在雅各对约瑟豫言的祝福中，我们看见约瑟多结果子并且得胜，乃是由于他信靠主。我们若要成为今日的约瑟和便雅悯，我们就必须是信靠大能者、信靠以色列的牧者、信靠召会的磐石、并信靠那全丰者的人。我的良心作见证，若不信靠神，我甚么也不能作。我若不为著在主恢复里所作的每件事祷告，我就没有平安。我为著在主恢复里所作的每件事祷告，直到我有平安和把握。在我释放信息之前，我一直祷告，直到充分得了灵感和能力。约瑟的一生是信靠的一生，是靠神而活的一生。这是约瑟多结果子和得胜的秘诀。
22In Jacob’s prophetic blessing of Joseph we see that Joseph’s fruitfulness and victory came out of his trust in the Lord. If we would be today’s Joseph and Benjamin, we must be those who trust in the mighty One, in the Shepherd of Israel, in the rock of the church, and in the all-sufficient One. My conscience testifies that without trusting in the Lord, I can do nothing. If I do not pray about everything I do in the Lord’s recovery, I would have no peace. I pray about everything I do in the Lord’s recovery, praying until I have the peace and the assurance. Before I deliver a message, I pray about it until I am fully inspired and empowered. The life of Joseph is a trusting life, a life that trusts in God for its living. This is the secret of Joseph’s fruitfulness and victory.
23虽然诗的言语很精简，但雅各对那配得我们信靠的神却用了多种的名称：大能者、牧者、磐石、全丰者、以及你父亲的神。我们不是信靠神的第一代，乃是较晚信靠神的一代。我们看见先祖们信靠神的见证，现在他们的神成了我们的神。因此我们跟随他们的脚踪，信靠他们的神；祂是那大能者、全丰者、牧者、磐石和根基。阿利路亚，我们站在祂上面，并且信靠祂！所以我们是多结果子的，也是得胜的。
23Although the language of poetry is economical, Jacob nonetheless used different titles of the God who is worthy of our trust: the mighty One, the Shepherd, the stone, the All-sufficient, and the God of thy father. We are not the first generation to trust in God. Rather, we are one of the later generations. We see the testimony of our forefathers’ trust in their God, and now their God has become our God. Hence, we follow in their footsteps to trust in their God, who is the mighty One, the all-sufficient One, the Shepherd, the rock, and the foundation. Hallelujah, we are standing on Him and trusting in Him! Therefore, we are fruitful and victorious