Books
创世记生命读经 · 第112篇

成熟的以色列掌权的一面（二）

Being Matured-
1在创世记里，约瑟代表成熟生命掌权的一面。作为这样的代表，约瑟豫表基督，因为成熟生命掌权的一面，就是那组织到我们里面的基督。所以，在创世记的记载里，约瑟豫表基督。
1In the book of Genesis, Joseph represents the reigning aspect of the mature life. As such a representative, Joseph typifies Christ, for the reigning aspect of the mature life is Christ constituted into our being. Therefore, in the record of Genesis Joseph typifies Christ
《七》被出卖
(7) Betrayed
2我们已经看见，约瑟豫表基督是神的爱子，是父神差来牧养神子民的一位，也是受祂所牧养的人逼迫的一位。此外，按照四福音，基督是被人出卖的。（太二六14～16。）豫表基督的约瑟，也是被人出卖的。（创三七27～28。）就圣经的意义说，被出卖的意思就是被藐视，被贬抑，蒙羞辱，或受轻忽。当犹大将要出卖基督的时候，他的确把基督的价值贬低到极点。在马太二十六章，我们看见基督是一切在祂周围之人的试验。有些人恨恶祂。然而，马利亚珍赏祂，将贵重的香膏浇在祂身上。对马利亚而言，基督是贵重的，她非常珍赏祂。但犹大藐视基督，羞辱祂，轻忽祂。他把基督贬低到一个地步，用三十两银子的廉价出卖了祂。按出埃及记，这是一个奴仆的身价。（出二一32。）因此，在圣经中，出卖人的意思就是贬低他。当你被人贬抑，意思就是你被他出卖了。当你的妻子贬低你，她就是在出卖你。照样，若是弟兄轻忽你，意思也就是你被出卖了。想想看，你是如何评估自己。在你的想像里，你岂不是贵重的么？我们都认为自己是贵重的。所以，我们被别人贬抑，或被他们轻忽。就是被出卖了。你也许以为这些年间在召会生活中，从来没有看见出卖的事。然而，在召会生活中，就著被轻忽或被贬抑而言，人是常常被出卖的。一天又一天，丈夫会贬抑妻子，妻子会轻忽丈夫。若是有些圣徒用贬抑的语气谈论别的圣徒，就是在出卖他。
2We have seen that Joseph typifies Christ as the beloved Son of God, as the One sent by God the Father to shepherd God’s people, and as the One who was persecuted by those whom He was sent to shepherd. In addition, according to the four Gospels, Christ was betrayed (Matt. 26:14-16). Joseph, as a type of Christ, also was betrayed (Gen. 37:27-28). In the Bible sense, to be betrayed means to be despised, depreciated, dishonored, or disregarded. When Judas was about to sell Christ, he certainly was lowering down the value of Christ to the uttermost. In Matthew 26 we see that Christ was a test to all those around Him. Some hated Him. Mary, however, appreciated Him and poured valuable ointment upon Him. To Mary, Christ was valuable, and she highly appreciated Him. But Judas despised Christ, dishonored Him, and disregarded Him. He depreciated Christ to such a degree that he sold Him for a cheap price, for thirty pieces of silver, which according to Exodus was the price of a slave (Exo. 21:32). Thus, in the Bible to betray someone means to depreciate him. Whenever you are depreciated by someone, it means that you are betrayed by him. Whenever your wife depreciates you, she is betraying you. Likewise, if the brothers disregard you, it means that you have been betrayed. Consider how you evaluate yourself. In your thinking are you not valuable? We all regard ourselves as valuable. Therefore, when we are depreciated by others or disregarded by them, we are betrayed. You may think that during the years you have been in the church life you have never seen a betrayal. However, in the church life people are often betrayed in the sense of being disregarded or depreciated. Day after day, husbands may depreciate their wives or wives may disregard their husbands. If some saints talk about another saint in a depreciating way, they are betraying him.
3我们都认为自己是贵重的。我们的确是贵重的，因为有基督在我们里面。你岂没有神在你里面么？在圣经中，将神比喻为金子，将基督比喻为宝贝。我们的神是我们里面的金子，我们的基督是瓦器里面的宝贝。不信的人没有这样高的价值，因为他们里面没有基督。他们最多不过是土器。但我们里面有最贵重的宝贝。所以，我们不该以为我们没有价值。我们需要向天使宣告:『天使，你们必须晓得我是多么贵重。我是贵重的，因为基督在我里面。』不仅如此，你可以向撒但和鬼魔夸口：『撒但，我要你知道有神和基督在我里面。鬼魔，你们不是被命定有基督在里面。但我有基督在里面，所以我是贵重的。』这不是骄傲，反而是真正的谦卑。我愿意告诉每个人，包括天使、撒但、鬼魔、和地上每个人，我是贵重的，因为我有基督；所以，你不可藐视我，轻忽我。我们必须学习不出卖弟兄。约瑟被他的哥哥们出卖。他们若认为他是禾捆或星，就不会出卖他。他们出卖约瑟，意思就是贬低他，轻忽他。原则上，同样的事也发生在主耶稣身上。虽然祂是宝贵且贵重的，犹大却贬抑祂，用三十两银子出卖祂。彼得、雅各、约翰和其他所有的使徒，都跟随羔羊的脚踪，因此他们也被人贬抑。使徒保罗也是这样。历代以来，羔羊的跟从者都被人出卖过。他们和基督一样，被人贬抑、轻忽并藐视。今天我们跟从主，也被人贬抑。我们忍受许多苦难，只因为我们被藐视，被轻忽。那些反对我们的人贬抑我们，轻忽我们。他们若珍赏我们里面的宝贝，认识主所作在我们里面的宝贵，就不会藐视我们，也不会轻忽我们。有些人反对我们，因为他们贬抑我们。这种贬抑事实上就是出卖我们，这是出卖的标记。不要以为这样的出卖只发生在约瑟或约瑟所豫表的基督身上。这是发生在所有基督的跟从者身上，并且这是我们今天的经历。
3We all think of ourselves as valuable. In actuality we are valuable because we have Christ in us. Do you not have God within you? In the Bible God is likened to gold, and Christ is likened to a treasure. Our God is the gold within us, and Christ within us is the treasure in the vessel. The unbelievers do not have such a high value because they do not have Christ within them. At most, they are simply muddy vessels. But we have the greatest treasure within us. Therefore, we should not think that we are not valuable. We need to declare to the angels, “Angels, you must realize how valuable I am. I’m valuable because Christ is in me.” Furthermore, you may boast to Satan and to the demons, “Satan, I want you to know that I have God and Christ within me. Demons, you are not destined to have Christ in you. But I have Christ in me and therefore I am valuable.” This is not pride; on the contrary, it is true humility. I would like to tell everyone, including the angels, the Devil, the demons, and everyone on earth, that I am valuable because I have Christ; therefore, you must not despise me or disregard me. We must learn not to sell our brothers. Joseph was sold by his brothers. If they had regarded him as a sheaf or a star, they would not have sold him. The fact that they betrayed Joseph means that they depreciated him and disregarded him. In principle, the same thing happened to the Lord Jesus. Although He was precious and valuable, Judas depreciated Him and sold Him for thirty pieces of silver. Peter, James, John, and all the other Apostles followed the footsteps of the Lamb, and they also were depreciated. This was also true of the Apostle Paul. Throughout the centuries, the followers of the Lamb have been betrayed. Like Christ, they have been depreciated, disregarded, and despised. As we follow the Lord today, we also are being depreciated. We endure many sufferings simply because we are despised and disregarded. Those who oppose us depreciate us and disregard us. If they appreciated the treasure within us and recognized the preciousness of what the Lord has wrought into us, they would neither despise us nor disregard us. Certain ones oppose us because they depreciate us. This depreciation is actually a form of selling us, and it is a sign of betrayal. Do not think that such a betrayal happened only to Joseph or to Christ as typified by Joseph. On the contrary, it has happened to all the followers of Christ and it is our experience today.
4在我们得救以前，许多人都是父母、亲戚和朋友所器重的。但在我们得救并开始寻求主以后，我们的朋友、亲戚、甚至有时我们的父母就开始藐视我们。这就是出卖。基督的钉十字架开始于祂的被出卖。祂先被出卖，然后才钉十字架。原则上，约瑟也是这样。他不是直接被下在监里。首先他是被出卖，他的被出卖是他被监禁的踏脚石。基督被出卖是祂上十字架的踏脚石。被出卖不是微不足道的事。今天一切的逼迫和反对，都是一种出卖。那些反对我们的人在出卖我们；他们以廉价出卖我们。虽然我们是贵重的，但反对的人以低价、甚至无价出卖我们。
4Before we were saved, many of us were highly regarded by our parents, relatives, and friends. But after we were saved and began to seek the Lord, our friends, relatives, and in some cases even our parents began to despise us. This is betrayal. Christ’s crucifixion began with His betrayal. He was crucified after He was betrayed. It was the same in principle with Joseph. He was not directly cast into prison. First he was sold, and his being sold was the stepping-stone into prison. Christ’s betrayal was the stepping-stone to the cross. It is not an insignificant matter to be betrayed. All the persecution and opposition today is a type of betrayal. Those who oppose us are betraying us; they are selling us at a cheap price. Although we are valuable, the opposers sell us for such a low price, even for nothing.
《八》被囚在死牢中
8) Delivered into the Prison of Death
5约瑟被出卖以后，接著是一段囚禁的时期，监禁的时期。（创三九20。）约瑟和两个囚犯在一起，他们豫表同著基督的两个囚犯，一个官复原职，另一个被处死。（创四十1～23。）基督也是这样。基督在被出卖之后，被放在死牢中。（徒二23。）祂被钉在两个囚犯之间，其中一个得救了，另一个灭亡了。（路二三32，39～43。）基督被监禁在死牢中三日三夜。约瑟是基督的豫表，与基督有同样的经历。他被弟兄们弃绝，被他们出卖，最终被下在监里。基督遭遇同样的事。首先，祂被弟兄们弃绝，然后被祂的一个子民出卖，最终被投在死牢中。
5Joseph’s betrayal was followed by a period of confinement, a period of imprisonment (39:20). Joseph was with two criminals, who typified the two criminals with Christ, one of whom was restored and the other executed (40:1-23). It was the same with Christ. After Christ was betrayed, He was put into the prison of death (Acts 2:23). He was crucified between two criminals, one of whom was saved and the other perished (Luke 23:32, 39-43). Christ was confined in the prison of death for three days and three nights. As a type of Christ, Joseph had the same experience as Christ. He was rejected by his brothers, sold by them, and eventually cast into prison. Christ suffered the same things. Firstly, He was rejected by His brothers; then He was sold by one of His people, and eventually He was cast into the prison of death
6虽然基督死后复活了，但祂不是死后立刻复活。按人来说，基督监禁在死牢中三日，不是一段短时间。没有一个黑夜曾持续三日三夜。黑夜最长是从晚上持续到旱晨。但基督在死牢中度过的黑夜，持续了三日三夜。对于抹大拉的马利亚，那也是很长的时间，因为她爱基督，跟从祂，看见祂钉十字架并埋葬。在基督受死并埋葬之后，马利亚无心吃喝睡眠。她在等候一件事发生。我不相信所有的门徒都忘了基督在死前说过的，祂三日后要复活。他们即使不清楚祂所说的，也该对论到祂复活的事印象深刻。彼得也许对基督要复活的事印象不深，但我不相信抹大拉的马利亚会忘记耶稣曾说过的，祂三日后要从死人中复活。要等候那三日，对她而言非常困难。甚至要等候三小时都很困难。最终，到了第三日，人发现埋葬耶稣的坟墓是空的。基督被监禁在死牢中的三日三夜，是一个漫长的黑夜。约瑟被监禁的黑夜，大约持续了十年。约瑟被卖到埃及为奴，那时大约十七岁；当他从监狱中得释放，那时年三十岁。你仔细读圣经，会看见约瑟被卖给波提乏之后不久，就下在监里。所以，约瑟在监狱中度过很长的时间，那是一段漫长的黑暗时期。
6Although Christ was resurrected after His death, His resurrection did not come immediately afterward. Humanly speaking, the three days of Christ’s confinement in the prison of death were not a short time. No night has ever lasted for three days and three nights. At the longest, night lasts from evening until morning. But the night Christ spent in the prison of death lasted for three days and three nights. If we had been Mary Magdalene, it would have been a long time to us, because she loved Christ, had followed Him, and had seen Him crucified and buried. After Christ’s death and burial, Mary had no heart to eat or sleep. Instead, she waited for something to happen. I do not believe that all the disciples could have forgotten that before His death Christ had said that He would be resurrected after three days. Even if they were not clear about what He had said, they must have been impressed with something regarding His resurrection. This must have been especially true of the sisters, for they often have a better memory than the brothers. Although Peter might not have been impressed with Christ’s coming resurrection, I do not believe that Mary Magdalene forgot that Jesus said that after three days He would rise from the dead. It was very difficult for her to wait for those three days. It would have been difficult to wait even three hours. At last, on the third day, the tomb where Jesus was buried was found empty. The three days and nights that Christ had been confined in the prison of death were a long night. Joseph’s night of confinement lasted approximately ten years. When Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt, he was about seventeen years of age; and when he was released from prison, he was thirty. If you read the Bible carefully, you will see that it was not long after Joseph was sold to Potiphar that he was cast into prison. Joseph, therefore, was in prison for a long period of time, a long time of darkness.
7照著圣经，经历这功课的是青年人，不是老年人。当约瑟被下在监里，还不到二十岁。每个青年人都需要这样一段监禁的时期。青年人，因为你们很自由，你们需要被监禁。在美国，青年人急著要到十八岁，因为那时他们就能像从笼中得释放的鸟一样自由。我在自己的孙儿们身上观察到这事。在十八岁时，他们以为自己能从笼中得释放了。然而，青年人若爱主，并且是今日的约瑟，在他们从笼中得释放以后，就要被放在主的监禁里。青年人，主的监禁等著你。我们已经看见，约瑟代表成熟生命掌权的一面。然而，约瑟在登宝座并掌权以前，却是被监禁的。这指明在登宝座以前有监禁。在约瑟的梦里，没有指明他要被监禁。那些梦必定使约瑟非常喜乐。他在梦中看见自己是站著的禾捆和照耀的星。约瑟对他的梦感到十分兴奋，就告诉他的哥哥们，没有想到这些梦得罪了他们。登宝座不是紧接著约瑟的梦。反之，约瑟先被出卖，接著被监禁。你们听见了这话，有些人也许会说，『前几篇关于约瑟的信息既美妙又荣耀，但我不能接受这话。我不干了。』但即使你不干了，神可不会放手。你需要晓得，你是线上的风筝，线在主的手中。主会说，『你想要放弃么？我不许可你放弃。』
7According to the Bible, it is the young people, not the older ones, who experience this lesson. When Joseph was put into prison, he was less than twenty years old. Every young person needs such a period of confinement. Young people, because you are so free, you need to be confined. In this country the young people are eager to be eighteen years of age, for then they can be free like birds released from a cage. I have observed this with my own grandchildren. At the age of eighteen, they think they can be released from the cage. However, if the young people love the Lord and are today’s Joseph, they will be placed into the Lord’s confinement after they have been released from their cage. Young people, the Lord’s confinement is awaiting you. We have seen that Joseph represents the reigning aspect of the mature life. However, before Joseph was enthroned and came into power, he was imprisoned. This indicates that before enthronement, there is confinement. In Joseph’s dreams, there was no indication that he would be imprisoned. The dreams must have made Joseph very happy. In them he saw himself as a standing sheaf and as a shining star. Joseph was so excited about his dreams that he told his brothers about them, not realizing that they would be offended by them. Enthronement did not immediately follow Joseph’s dreams. Instead, there was betrayal leading to imprisonment. After hearing this, some of you may say, “The previous messages on Joseph were wonderful and glorious, but I can’tt ake this word. I quit.” But even if you quit, God will not quit. You need to realize that you are a kite on a string, and that string is in the Lord’s hand. The Lord would say, “Do you intend to give up? I will not allow you to give up.”
8约瑟若没有那些梦，可能不会有甚么难处。但他作了两个梦，并且兴奋的去告诉他的哥哥们。约瑟作了这两个梦，并没有立刻登宝座，反而是被贬抑，被监禁。有些青年人也许以为他们若是跟从耶稣基督，又在主的恢复里，每件事就都是美妙的。然而，青年人需要一段监禁的时期。这对他们是非常重要的。我为著主所给我的监禁，真是感谢祂！你的监狱也许是你的妻子。许多青年人进入召会生活时还没有结婚。在召会中你有机会作上好的选择。然而，在蜜月之后，你发现亲爱的妻子成了你的监禁。你也许会说，『发生了甚么事？我结婚了，我不再自由了。』那是对的。你的丈夫或妻子就是你的监狱。每个婚姻和每个家都是监狱。为著这些监狱我们感谢主。我们许多人能作见证，这种监禁要持续很长的时间。我在这种监狱里已经多年了，并且因为我仍然需要监禁，所以我仍在监狱里。我仍有一些功课要学习。现在我们来到我在本篇信息中的负担：我要和你们分享在监禁中度日的秘诀，作为插进的话。这就是享受监禁的秘诀。没有这秘诀，我就无法充分领会创世记四十章。现在我愿告诉你们，在监禁时期我们该作甚么的秘诀。当你被监禁的时候来到，就会明白我在本篇信息中所告诉你的，完全是可行的。
8If Joseph had not had those dreams, he probably would not have been in any trouble. But he had two dreams and in his excitement told his brothers about them. Joseph, however, was not immediately enthroned. Instead, he was depreciated and imprisoned. Some of the young people may think that if they follow Jesus Christ and are in the Lord’s recovery, everything will be glorious. However, the young people need a period of confinement. This is very important for them. How I thank the Lord for what confinement has done for me! Your prison may be your wife. Many of you young people were not married when you came into the church life. In the church you had the opportunity to make the best selection. However, after the honeymoon, you found that your dear wife became your confinement. You may say, “What has happened? Now that I am married I am no longer free.” That is correct. Your husband or wife is your prison. Every marriage and every home is a prison. Thank the Lord for all these prisons. As many of us can testify, this confinement lasts a long time. I have been in this type of prison for a great many years, and because I still need confinement, I am still in prison. I still have some lessons to learn. Now we come to my burden in this message: I want to share with you, as a parenthetical word, the secret of how to spend your time during your imprisonment. This is the secret of enjoying your imprisonment. Without this secret, I could not understand Genesis 40 in a full way. Now I would like to present to you the secret of what we should do during our period of imprisonment. When the time comes for you to be imprisoned, you will understand that what I am presenting to you in this message is altogether workable.
１ 约瑟因他的梦
I. JOSEPH TRIED BY HIS DREAMS
未得应验受到试炼
NOT BEING FULFILLED
9约瑟因他的梦未得应验受到试炼。约瑟作梦以后，立刻告诉他的父母和哥哥们。不久以后，他就被卖为奴，然后下在监里。我相信他留在监里十年以上。在约瑟的梦里，没有明指或暗示他要受苦。然而，约瑟作了那些梦以后，立刻就要忍受苦难。照样，我能作见证，紧接著基督、召会、十字架或内里生命异象的，并不是宝座，乃是苦难、试炼、出卖并监禁。照著我们天然的观念，我们以为看见异象之后，荣耀的事会立刻在我们的生活中发生。但情况不是这样。在异象之后，试炼要来到。青年人，不要以为你看见了基督、召会、十字架、内里生命或那灵的异象之后，就会有荣耀的时光。不，你要受苦，并且被监禁。
9Joseph was tested by the fact that his dreams were not fulfilled. Immediately after Joseph had his dreams, he told his parents and brothers about them. Not long after that, he was sold into slavery and then cast into prison where, I believe, he stayed over ten years. In his dreams there was no indication or implication that Joseph would suffer. However, immediately after Joseph had those dreams, he had to endure suffering. Likewise, I can testify that the throne does not immediately follow the vision of Christ, the church, the cross, or the inner life. Instead, there is suffering, trial, betrayal, and imprisonment. According to our natural concept, we think that immediately after we see a vision, something glorious will happen in our life. But this is not the case. After the vision, trials will come. Young people, do not think that after you have seen the vision of Christ, the church, the cross, the inner life, or the Spirit, you will have a glorious time. No, you will suffer and be imprisoned
10倘若我是约瑟，我也许会怀疑我的梦，并对自己说，『这些梦不是真的。我梦见我是站著的禾捆，但事实上我被贬低了。我看见我是在天上照耀的星，但事实上我被下在监里。所发生的事与我的梦正好相反。』我必然会怀疑我对梦的解释。我会认为这些梦不是真的。我们多年在召会生活中的人曾有这种经历。也许在几年前，你看见了关于基督和召会生活的美妙异象。你甚至歌唱荣耀的召会生活。但真正在召会生活中发生的事，不是那样超特或荣耀。所以，你会说，『我以为我在迦南美地，其实我在埃及。我梦见我被禾捆围绕，其实我被「埃及蝎子」围绕。照著我所看见的异象，照著李弟兄所释放的信息，我盼望在三层天上。但如今我却在监狱里，在深坑里。我不是在耶路撒冷，而是在埃及。』我们许多人能见证这样的经历。接著异象而来的，不是登宝座，乃是监禁。
10If I had been Joseph, I might have had doubts about my dreams and said to myself, “These dreams are not something real. I dreamed that I was a sheaf standing up, but actually I have been made low. I saw that I was a star shining in heaven, but actually I have been cast into the dungeon. What has happened is the exact opposite of my dreams.” I would certainly have doubted my interpretation of my dreams. I would have regarded them as unreal. Those of us who have been in the church life for many years have had this experience. Perhaps some years ago you saw a wonderful vision concerning Christ and the church life. Perhaps you even sang about the glorious church life. But what has actually happened in the church life has not been that excellent or glorious. Therefore, you might have said, “I thought I was in the good land of Canaan, but I actually was in Egypt. I dreamed that I was surrounded by sheaves, but actually I am surrounded by Egyptian scorpions.’ According to the vision I saw and according to the messages Brother Lee gave us, I expected to be in the third heaven. But now I am in a dungeon, in a pit. Instead of being in Jerusalem, I am in Egypt.” Many of us can testify of experiences like this. Following the vision there came, not enthronement, but imprisonment
2 约瑟有信心和胆量为狱中两个同伴解梦
II. Joseph having the faith and the boldness to interpret the dreams of his two companions in prison
11然而，即使约瑟的梦还没有应验，他在被监禁的期间，仍有信心和胆量为狱中两个同伴解梦。（创四十8～19。）这就像亚伯拉罕为亚比米勒生孩子祷告，那时神给亚伯拉罕儿子的应许还没有应验。（创二十17～18。）今天我们在召会生活中也是这样。有些弟兄姊妹，我们可以称之为老资格的作梦者。他们是很久以前作过梦的人。他们曾因著所看见的异象和所听见的美妙信息感到兴奋，后来却被卖到埃及。他们不是被禾捆围绕，乃是发现被『埃及蝎子』围绕；他们不是在三层天上，乃是在监狱里。然后有些新进者与他们一同坐监，正如约瑟与酒政和膳长一同被监禁。约瑟在与他们一同坐监以前，也许已经在监里九年或十年了。这些新进者也作了一些梦。他们无法领会他们的梦，但约瑟能解梦。虽然约瑟的梦还没有应验，但他有信心和胆量为他的同伴解梦。倘若我是约瑟，我会说，『我曾为自己解梦，但这些解释还没有应验。我怎有胆量为别人解梦？即使我确知梦的意义。我也没有把握告诉他们，因为我不知道我的解释会不会应验。』然而，约瑟对自己梦的解释虽然还没有应验，但仍有胆量对他的同伴说，『解梦不是出于神么？请你们将梦告诉我。』（创四十8。）约瑟似乎说，『我有两个梦，神也将梦的解释告诉了我。虽然这些解释还没有应验，但我仍然相信。我有信心为你们解梦。』当你被一些『埃及蝎子』围绕时，你有胆量说召会生活是美妙的么？当你召会生活的梦还没有应验，召会生活对你并不美妙时，你能这样说么？约瑟不仅为自己相信，也为别人相信。当你的梦已经应验时，为别人相信很容易。若是你的梦已经照著你的解释应验了，你为别人解梦很容易。但约瑟大约过了十年之久，他对自己梦的解释还没有应验。在这样的光景中，人很难为别人解梦。然而，约瑟却这样作了。
11During his imprisonment, however, Joseph had the faith and the boldness to interpret the dreams of his two companions in prison even though his dreams were not yet fulfilled (40:8-19). It was just like Abraham praying for Abimelech to have children when God’s promise to him about having a son had not yet been fulfilled (20:17-18). It is the same with us in the church life today. Some brothers and sisters are what we may call old - time dreamers. They are those who had dreams a long time ago. Although they were excited by the visions they saw and the wonderful messages they heard, they were later sold into Egypt. Instead of being surrounded by sheaves, they found themselves surrounded by “Egyptian scorpions”; and instead of being in the third heaven, they found themselves in prison. Then some latecomers joined them in prison, just as Joseph was joined in his confinement by the chief cupbearer and the baker. Joseph might have been in prison for nine or ten years already before he was joined by them. These latecomers also had some dreams. They could not understand their dreams, but Joseph was able to interpret them. Although Joseph’s dreams had not yet been fulfilled, he had the faith and the boldness to interpret the dreams of his companions. If I had been Joseph, I would have said, “I interpreted my own dreams, but these interpretations have not been fulfilled. How can I have the boldness to give others the interpretation of their dreams? Even if I did know the meaning of their dreams, I would not have the assurance to tell them, because I don’t know that my interpretations will be fulfilled.” However, although Joseph’s interpretation of his own dreams had not been fulfilled, he still had the boldness to say to his companions, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me them, I pray you” (40:8). Joseph seemed to be saying, “I had two dreams, and God gave me the interpretation of them. I still believe in these interpretations, although they have not yet been fulfilled. I have the faith to interpret your dreams for you.” Do you have the boldness to say that the church life is wonderful, even when you are surrounded by some “Egyptians”? Could you say this even when your dream of the church life has not yet been fulfilled and the church life is not wonderful to you? Joseph believed not only for himself, but also for others. It is easy to believe for others when your dreams have been fulfilled. If your dreams have been fulfilled according to your interpretation, it is easy to interpret the dreams of others. But in Joseph’s case, even after a period of about ten years, the interpretation of his own dreams had not been fulfilled. It was difficult for one in such a situation to interpret the dreams of others. Nevertheless, Joseph did so.
12我尽话语职事已经多年了。我在早年看见了一些异象，并且解释我所看见的。但甚至多年以后，我所看见、所解释的事还没有真正发生。当一些新进者需要我的帮助时，我不知道怎么办。我不知道该不该这样说，『多年以前我有过一些梦，并且我得到这些梦的解释。但甚至到现在我的梦还没有应验。所以。我没有心情、把握或胆量为你们解梦。你们应当去和别人谈谈。』约瑟不是这样。虽然他的梦还没有应验，但他仍有胆量和把握为别人解梦。我能见证我作过同样的事。我鼓励别人照著他们所看见的异象往前，即使我的异象还没有应验。我这样作的确是对的。所有老资格的作梦者，都必须为新进者受一些苦。
12I have been engaged in the ministry of the Word for years. I saw certain visions in the early years and I interpreted what I saw. But even many years later the things that I saw and interpreted had not actually happened. When some latecomers needed my help, I wondered what to do. I wondered if I should say something like this: “I had some dreams many years ago, and I was given the interpretation of these dreams. But even until now my dreams have not been fulfilled. Therefore, I don’th ave the heart, the assurance, or the boldness to interpret your dreams for you. You should go talk to someone else.” Joseph was not like this. Although his dreams had not yet been fulfilled, he still had the boldness and the assurance to interpret dreams for others. I can testify that I have done the same thing. I have encouraged others to go on according to the vision they saw, even though my visions had not been fulfilled. Certainly I was right in doing this. All the old-time dreamers must suffer something for the sake of the latecomers.
13慕安得烈曾说过这样的话：好的话语执事所供应的，总该超过他所经历的。这意思是我们该照著异象说话，过于照著异象的应验说话。即使我们的异象还没有应验，我们仍该向别人述说。时候将到，那时我们的异象必要应验。最终约瑟的梦藉著他给酒政解梦得了应验。
13Andrew Murray once said a word like this: The good minister of the Word should always minister more than what he has experienced. This means that we should speak more according to the vision than according to the fulfillment of the vision. Even if our vision has not been fulfilled, we should still speak of it to others. The time will come when our vision will be fulfilled. Joseph’s dreams were eventually fulfilled through his interpretation of the dream of the cupbearer
3 约瑟藉他狱中同伴之梦的应验得著坚固并加强
III. Joseph confirmed and strengthened by the fulfillment of the dreams of his companions in prison
14酒政和膳长的梦不过几天之后就得了应验。当约瑟同伴的梦应验时，约瑟得著了坚固并加强。倘若我是约瑟，我定然会得著鼓励，并且说，『即使我还没有看见梦的应验，但我确信这些梦确实会应验。我曾为这两个人解梦，这些解释应验了。我的梦也必如此，应验也必来到。』4约瑟的梦又有一段时间没有
14It was just a matter of days before the dreams of the cupbearer and the baker were fulfilled. When the dreams of Joseph’s companions were fulfilled, Joseph was confirmed and strengthened. If I had been Joseph, I would certainly have been encouraged, and I would have said, “Even though I have not yet seen the fulfillment of my dreams, I have the confirmation that the fulfillment will certainly come. I interpreted the dreams of these two men, and the interpretations have come to pass. This will also happen in the case of my dreams. My fulfillment will also come.” IV. Joseph tried further by his dreams not being
应验，使他进一步受试炼
fulfilled for another period of time
15约瑟同伴的梦在几天内就应验了。但约瑟的梦过了一段时间还没有应验，这使他进一步受到试炼。（创四十14，23。）创世记四十一章一节指明，又过了整整两年。在这末后的两年，试验是最艰苦的。在酒政离开监狱以前，约瑟求酒政记念他，说，『但你得好处的时候，求你记念我，施恩与我，在法老面前题说我，救我出监牢。』（创四十14。）约瑟似乎对酒政说，『当你复职时，请你记念我。不要只记念你自己。当你称心如意，事事顺利时，请你记念我。』然而，酒政却忘了约瑟。（创四十23。）约瑟的梦得了坚定，但是仍未应验。
15The fulfillment of the dreams of Joseph’s companions came in a few days. But Joseph was tried further by the fact that his dreams were not fulfilled for another period of time (40:14, 23). Genesis 41:1 indicates that another two full years went by. During these last two years, the test was most difficult. Before the cupbearer left the prison, Joseph pleaded with him to remember him, saying, “But remember me with thee when it shall be well with thee, and show kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house” (40:14, Heb.). Joseph seemed to be saying to the cupbearer, “When you are restored, remember me with you. Don’t just remember yourself. When you are doing well and everything is going well with you, please remember me.” Nevertheless, the chief cupbearer forgot Joseph (40:23). Joseph’s dreams were confirmed, but they were still not fulfilled.
16在约瑟的梦得坚定以前，约瑟有信心；在他的梦得坚定以后，他更有信心。我们越有信心，就越受试验。假定你是约瑟被监禁在监里，你会说甚么？约瑟也许说，『多年前我作了两个梦，这些梦还没有应验。但这两个人作了梦，他们的梦三天后就应验了。我的梦要多久以后才应验呢？』因此，末后两年是约瑟受试验最艰苦的时期。我们在本篇信息中所描述的，不仅仅是道理。当我们跟从属天的异象时，我们要追随约瑟的脚踪。绝不要以为约瑟看见异象以后，立刻登了宝座。不，他必须经过长期的试炼和试验。约瑟所看见的异象不仅控制他的生活，也维持他的信心。然而，这不是说，若是你的信心较强，你的梦应验的时间就会缩短。反之，你的信心越强，试验的期间会越长。约瑟受试验的时间比他的同伴长得多，因为他比他们贵重。他们不是这么贵重，所以他们的梦应验的时间就很短。事实上，那两个后来的人几乎没有受到试验。他们各人作了一个梦，几天以后他们的梦就应验了。因为约瑟重要且贵重，所以他受试验的时间不能缩短。
16Before the confirmation of Joseph’s dreams, Joseph had faith; and after the confirmation was given, he had more faith. The more faith we have, the more testing we shall suffer. Suppose you were Joseph there in confinement. What would you have said? Joseph might have said, “I had two dreams many years ago, and they have not been fulfilled. But these two men had a dream, and their dream was fulfilled after three days. How long will it be before my dreams are fulfilled?” Thus, the last two years were the most difficult period of Joseph’st i me of testing. What we are describing in this message is not a mere doctrine. As we follow the heavenly vision, we shall trace Joseph’s footsteps. Never think that Joseph was enthroned immediately after he saw the vision. No, he had to pass through a long period of trial and testing. The visions Joseph saw not only controlled his life; they also sustained his faith. This does not mean, however, that if your faith is stronger, the length of time until the fulfillment of your dreams will be shortened. Rather, the stronger your faith is, the longer the period of testing will be. Joseph’st i me of testing was much longer than that of his companions because he was more valuable than they. Because they were not so valuable, the time of their fulfillment came very quickly. Actually, for those two latecomers, there was nearly no testing. They each had a dream, and a few days later their dreams were fulfilled. Because Joseph was important and valuable, the time of his testing could not be shortened
17青年人，不要以为仅仅两年你就会成为伟人。不，像约瑟一样，你必须等到三十岁。圣经始终是一贯的。例如，祭司必须在三十岁以后，才能进入完全的祭司职任，主耶稣也是在三十岁时开始尽职。因此，在这件事上，约瑟也豫表基督。当他三十岁时，他才完全被摆在职事中。你们有些人也许以为，我说等到三十岁才能摆在完全的职事中，这与我在别处所说，耶路撒冷召会的长老可能在三十岁以下，二者互相矛盾。不错，我曾说，彼得，雅各和约翰作长老的时候，可能在二十五到二十八岁之间。然而，我们必须注意原则，不可注意肉身年龄的实际数字。你可能有心绝对为著主，也可能见过一些异象，但不要以为你会立刻登上宝座。反之，你必须豫备好被贬抑，被监禁。我以青年弟兄姊妹为荣，许多人还是十几岁的少年。他们非常爱主，并且看见了大多数牧师所没有看见的事物。然而，这些青年人必须豫备好被出卖，而不是得尊荣。
17Young people, do not think that in just two years you will become a giant. No, like Joseph, you must wait until you are thirty years of age. The Bible is always consistent. For instance, the priests had to be thirty years old before they could enter into the full priesthood, and the Lord Jesus also began His ministry when He was thirty. Thus, in this matter also Joseph typified Christ. When he was thirty years of age, he was fully put into the ministry. Some of you may think that this word about waiting until the age of thirty to be put into the full ministry is a contradiction of what I have said elsewhere regarding the elders of the church in Jerusalem probably being under the age of thirty. Yes, I did say that Peter, James, and John were probably between twenty - five and twenty - eight years of age when they became elders. However, we must pay attention to the principle, not to the literal figures regarding physical age. You may have a heart that is absolutely for the Lord, and you may have seen some visions. But do not think that you will be enthroned immediately. Instead, you must be prepared to be depreciated and confined. I am proud of the young brothers and sisters, many of whom are still teenagers. I am proud of the fact that they love the Lord so much and that they have seen certain things that most pastors have not seen. However, these young people must be ready not to be honored, but to be betrayed.
18这就是倪弟兄的经历。倪弟兄是非常聪明的人。他中英文都学得很好，他的父母甚至聘请家庭教师教他中国古文。他在十七岁时得救了，开始爱主。倪弟兄想要读上海圣经学院，这是余慈度为著训练青年人创办的。余慈度是一位有能力的布道家，曾带领倪弟兄归主。倪弟兄的母亲也爱主，同意他去。因为倪弟兄和他母亲都是藉著余慈度传福音得救的，他们非常尊敬她。虽然倪弟兄是聪明的青年人，最终成为这时代神给召会的杰出恩赐，但他被余慈度弃绝，过了一段时间，就从圣经学院被送回家。倪弟兄非常寻求主，却被带领他归主的人所出卖。余慈度不欣赏他的聪明，反而贬抑他，误会他，弃绝他。他被送回家的理由与他所受托处理的一件事有关。他从上海郊区到市区去投寄一些邮件，所花的时间比余慈度豫计的时间长。余慈度以为他在这段时间去游玩了，就把他送回家给他母亲。因此，倪弟兄被弃绝，被误会，就是被出卖。然而，倪弟兄并不灰心。他离开上海，回到家里，往后更为爱主。他认识这种经历是主对付他。一次又一次，倪弟兄被出卖。青年人，要为这事豫备好。在你开始寻求主以后，有些似乎不合理的事会发生在你身上。不要以为因著你爱主并寻求祂，每件事对你就都是荣耀的。不，有时候你会被误会，甚至被弟兄姊妹和长老误会。首先你会被出卖，然后你要忍受一段监禁的时期。我们都需要这样的监禁。然而，要确信，无论你在那里，神的同在必定随著你。
18This was the experience of Brother Nee. Brother Nee was a very intelligent person. He was so keen in learning English and Chinese that his parents even hired a private teacher to instruct him in the Chinese classics. At the age of seventeen, he was saved and he began to love the Lord. Brother Nee wanted to attend a Bible school in Shanghai, founded for the training of young people by Dora Yu, the prevailing evangelist who had brought Brother Nee to the Lord. His mother, who also loved the Lord, agreed that he should go. Because both Brother Nee and his mother had been saved through the preaching of Dora Yu, they respected her very much. Although Brother Nee was an intelligent young man who eventually became the outstanding gift of this age to the church, he was rejected by Dora Yu, and after a period of time was sent home from Bible school. Brother Nee, who was very much seeking the Lord, was betrayed by the very one who had brought him to the Lord. Instead of appreciating his intelligence, Dora Yu depreciated him, misunderstood him, and rejected him. The reason he was sent home was an incident over an errand he was asked to take care of. It took him a longer time to take some mail from a suburb to the post office in downtown Shanghai than Dora Yu expected. Thinking that he was passing his time in amusement, Dora Yu sent him home to his mother. Thus, Brother Nee was rejected and misunderstood, that is, he was betrayed. However, Brother Nee was not discouraged. He left Shanghai, returned home, and went on to love the Lord all the more. He recognized that this experience was the Lord’s dealing with him. Time after time, Brother Nee was betrayed. Young people, be prepared for this. After you begin to seek the Lord, certain things will happen to you that seem unreasonable. Do not think that because you love the Lord and seek Him, everything will be glorious for you. No, sometimes you will be misunderstood, even by the brothers and sisters and the elders. Firstly you will be betrayed; then you will endure a period of confinement. We all need such confinement. Be assured, however, that wherever you will be, God’s presence will be there with you.
19无论你在那里，你不是带来生命，就是带来死亡。对酒政而言，约瑟带来生命。在酒政的梦里，我们看见满了生命的葡萄树。但对膳长而言，约瑟带来死亡，因为膳长被飞鸟吞吃了。作约瑟不是微不足道的事，因为无论你到那里，人不是领受生命，就是遭受死亡。他们不是到满了生命的葡萄树所豫表的基督那里，就是被空中飞鸟所代表的撒但吞吃了。在林后二章十四节使徒保罗说，『感谢神，祂常在基督里，在凯旋的行列中帅领我们，并藉著我们在各处显扬那因认识基督而有的香气。』在十六节保罗说，『在这等人，就是出于死的香气叫人死；在那等人，就是出于生命的香气叫人活。』对酒政而言，约瑟带来官复原职。对膳长而言，约瑟带来死刑。无论何人接触你，对他不是生命，就是死亡。这是非常有意义的事。这就是约瑟的经历。表面看来，当约瑟在监禁中，他是在受苦。然而，事实上，他不是在受苦；他是在学习宝贵的功课，并且经历登宝座所必需的事。没有在监禁中所学习的功课，约瑟这个青年人怎能在埃及登宝座治理全国？那是不可能的。约瑟被他的监禁所训练。他的监禁对他的确是一种操练。青年人，你所必须经历的任何监禁，都是一种训练，一种操练，一段时间的学习，作为登宝座的豫备。为了登宝座，你需要经历被出卖和被监禁的苦难。没有人能越过这些苦难。没有一个主所使用的职事，不经过被出卖和监禁的。惟有藉著被出卖和监禁，我们才有资格登宝座。你藉著被监禁受了训练以后，就不再是小孩，乃是在神的训练下合格的人。不要以为约瑟是特别的事例。不，约瑟的事例是正常的。你我都要像他一样。为著异象，阿利路亚！为著被出卖、被监禁和所有的功课，阿利路亚！赞美主，我们有往前的路！
19Wherever you are, you will bring either life or death. To the cupbearer, Joseph brought life. In the cupbearer’s dream we see a vine full of life. But to the baker, Joseph brought death, because the baker was devoured by birds. It is not an insignificant matter to be a Joseph, for wherever you go, people will either receive life or suffer death. Either they will go to Christ typified by the vine full of life, or they will be devoured by Satan, represented by the birds of the air. In 2 Corinthians 2:14 the Apostle Paul said, “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in the Christ, and manifests through us the savor of the knowledge of Him in every place.” In verse 16 Paul says, “To the one a savor from death unto death, to the other a savor from life unto life.” To the cupbearer, Joseph brought restoration. To the baker, Joseph brought execution. No matter who a person may be, if he contacts you, it will be either life or death to him. This is a very significant matter. This is the experience of Joseph. Apparently as Joseph was in confinement, he was suffering. Actually, however, he was not suffering; he was learning valuable lessons and experiencing what was necessary for his enthronement. Without the lessons learned during confinement, how could Joseph, a young man, be enthroned in Egypt to rule over the whole country? It would have been impossible. Joseph was trained by his imprisonment. His confinement was truly an exercise for him. Young people, any confinement that you must undergo will be a training, an exercise, and a time of learning as a preparation for your enthronement. In order to come to the throne, you need to undergo the sufferings of betrayal and confinement. No one can skip over these sufferings. No ministry has ever been used by the Lord that has not passed through betrayal and imprisonment. Only by passing through betrayal and imprisonment shall we be qualified to ascend to the throne. After you have been trained through confinement, you will no longer be a youngster; rather, you will be a man qualified under God’st raining. Do not think that Joseph was an exceptional case. No, Joseph’s case is normal. You and I shall all be like him. Hallelujah for the vision! And hallelujah for the betrayal, for the confinement, and for all the lessons! Praise the Lord that we have the way to go on