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创世记生命读经 · 第117篇

成熟的以色列掌权的一面（五）

Being Matured-
1约瑟为弟兄们所认，这段故事是创世记里最长的故事，从四十二章开头到四十五章中间，占了三章半。我年轻的时候，认为约瑟太苛待他的哥哥们。我认为他们头一次到埃及来籴粮，约瑟苛待他们是对的。他是属神的人，他有耐心管教他们，使他们至少经历试炼六个月。然而，当他们第二次来到埃及，我认为约瑟不该再作甚么来管教他们了。按我的意见，约瑟该立刻向他们显示他自己。然而，约瑟没有这样作。长久以来，我不知道这事的原因。当然，约瑟的哥哥们第一次受试验是必需的。我们都赞成约瑟第一次对他们的试验。然而，你可能也不懂得约瑟为甚么再次试验他的哥哥们。一方面，他为他们摆设筵席，和他们一同吃饭。但另一方面，他给他们更多的麻烦。约瑟这样作，目的何在？我相信约瑟盼望他的弟兄们注意一些暗示或明示，因而认出他来。约瑟无须直接向他们显示他自己。
1The story of Joseph’s being recognized by his brothers is the longest story in the book of Genesis, occupying three and a half chapters, from the beginning of chapter forty-two to the middle of chapter forty-five. When I was young, I thought that Joseph was too hard on his brothers. I thought that it was all right for Joseph to be hard on them the first time they came to Egypt to buy grain. As a man of God, he had the patience to discipline them, and for at least six months they underwent a trial. However, when they came to Egypt the second time, I thought that Joseph should not have done anything further to discipline them. According to my opinion, Joseph should have immediately revealed himself to them. However, Joseph did not do this. For a long time I wondered about the reason for this. Certainly the first test of Joseph’s brothers was necessary. We all agree with Joseph in testing them the first time. However, perhaps you also have wondered why Joseph tested his brothers again. On the one hand, he spread a feast for them and ate with them. But on the other hand, he gave them more trouble. What was Joseph’s purpose in doing so? I believe Joseph expected his brothers to notice certain hints or indications and thus to recognize him. There should have been no need for Joseph to reveal himself to them directly
2要懂得四十三章，我们需要记得约瑟是基督的豫表，也是成熟生命掌权的一面。因为约瑟是基督的豫表，我们不该批评他所作的事。我们远在约瑟的标准之下。无论我们赞成不赞成，他所作的都是最好的。约瑟所豫表的基督，不会作任何错事。我们不会和约瑟作同样的事，因为我们没有约瑟那样成熟。我们不代表成熟生命掌权的一面；我们代表背叛。这就是我们不赞成约瑟的原因。然而，我们若达到约瑟的标准，就会承认约瑟对他的弟兄们所作的，都是最好的。他对付他们，没有幼稚或愚昧的迹象。反之，他的对付有智慧，且满了鉴别。他对付他的哥哥们，使他们受到管教。他对他们所作的事，没有一件是为著他自己的利益。《9》以色列入再次被迫转向基督正如约瑟的哥哥们再次被迫转向他，以色列人也要被迫转向基督。（创四三1～15。）照著圣经，在这世代的末了，以色列家要归向基督，承认拿撒勒人耶稣是他们的弥赛亚。然而，在他们这样作以前，他们需要受试验。撒迦利亚书启示，以色列的遗民要受试验。甚至许多以色列人要被杀。以色列家转向基督的时候，余剩的以色列人并不多。他们要受试验，因为他们不肯归向他们所需要的那位。看看今天的以色列国。为著保卫自己，他们何等挣扎！从一九一八年起，我就观察世界的局势。在以色列国重建以前，犹太人是分散的，人们很少注意他们。但特别从一九六七年起，中东成了世界新闻的中心，成了地球上最关键的地方。以色列人几乎受到全世界的反对。阿拉伯国家和联合国都定罪他们。有时候连美国也不赞成以色列。因此，她必须为她的生存争战。以色列被其他的国家定罪，因为她据有戈兰高地和约但河西岸。以色列坚持保有这些领土，因为她需要这些领土来维持她的生存。然而，以色列国若转向基督，一切都会解决。但以色列不愿转向基督，直到她被迫如此。
2In order to understand chapter forty-three, we need to remember that Joseph is both a type of Christ and also the reigning aspect of the mature life. Because Joseph was a type of Christ, we should not criticize anything he did. We are far below Joseph’s standard. Whatever he did was the best, whether we agree with it or not. The Christ typified by Joseph could not do anything wrong. We would not do the same thing Joseph did because we are not as mature as Joseph was. We do not represent the reigning aspect of the matured life; we represent disobedience. This is the reason we do not agree with Joseph. However, if we came up to Joseph’s standard, we would admit that what Joseph did to his brothers was the best. In his dealing with them there was no trace of childishness or foolishness. On the contrary, his dealings were wise and full of discernment. He dealt with his brothers so that they might be disciplined. Nothing he did to them was for his own benefit. (i) The Children of Israel Further Forced to Turn to Christ Just as Joseph’s brothers were forced to turn to him again, so the children of Israel will be forced to turn to Christ (43:1-15). According to the Bible, the house of Israel will return to Christ at the end of this age and recognize Jesus of Nazareth as their Messiah. However, before they do this, they will need to be tested. The book of Zechariah reveals that the remnant of Israel will be put on trial. Even a good number of the Israelites will be killed. At the time the house of Israel turns to Christ, not very many Israelites will remain. They will be tested because they refuse to return to the One they need. Consider the nation of Israel today. How they are struggling to protect themselves! Since 1918 I have been watching the world situation. Before the reformation of the nation of Israel, the Jews were scattered, and people paid little attention to them. Especially since 1967 the Middle East has been the focus of world news, the most crucial place on earth. Israel is opposed by nearly the whole world. Both the Arab countries and the United Nations condemn them. At times even the United States disagrees with Israel. Thus, she must fight for her existence. Israel is condemned by other countries because she has possession of the Golan Heights and the land west of the Jordan River. Israel insists on keeping these territories because she needs them to maintain her existence. However, if the nation of Israel would turn to Christ, everything would be solved. But Israel will not turn to Christ until she is forced to do so.
《10》仍然不认识基督
j) Still Being Ignorant of Christ
3约瑟的哥哥们不认得约瑟，（创四三18～21，）今天犹太人也不认识基督。约瑟的哥哥们不知道约瑟是埃及的宰相。但他们由于粮食缺乏而有的不满足，迫使他们转向约瑟。照著旧约的豫言，以色列家转向基督的原因不是别的，乃是因为他们需要维持生存。除了转向基督，此外他们无法生存。饥荒甚大，迫使约瑟的哥哥们再次到他那里。他们头一次到埃及，得著一些粮食赖以生活。因此，他们回到家里，离开约瑟一段时间。这是今天基督对待以色列家的图画。除非以色列人需要维持生存，否则他们绝不会转向祂。因为约瑟的哥哥们带回家的粮食吃尽了，又因为饥荒仍然甚大，迫使他们再到所不愿看见的那人面前。我相信约瑟的哥哥们头一次和他接触，对他的印象很不好。也许他们说，『若是可能的话，我们永远不要回到那人面前。我们不愿再看到他。他对待我们太恶劣了。』今天以色列家对基督也是这样。他们甚至不愿谈到耶稣基督。然而，方向盘不在他们手中，乃在基督手中。到一个时候，他们就要归向祂。
3Joseph’s brothers were ignorant concerning Joseph (43:18-21), and the Jews today are ignorant of Christ. Joseph’s brothers did not know that he was the ruler in Egypt. But their dissatisfaction due to the lack of food forced them to turn to Joseph. According to the prophecies in the Old Testament, the house of Israel will turn to Christ for no reason other than their need to maintain their existence. Apart from turning to Christ, there will be no way for them to exist. It was the severity of the famine that forced Joseph’s brothers to come to him again. The first time they came to Egypt they obtained some food on which to live. Thus, they returned home and stayed away from Joseph for another period of time. This is a portrait of the dealing of Christ with the house of Israel today. Unless Israel is forced to turn to Him out of their need to maintain their existence, they will never turn to Christ. Because the food brought home by Joseph’s brothers was exhausted, and because the famine continued to be severe, they were forced to go again to the very one whom they did not want to see. I believe that after the first contact with Joseph his brothers had a bad impression of him. Perhaps they said, “If possible, we will never go back to that man. We don’t want to see him again. He treated us very badly.” The house of Israel is the same today regarding Christ. They do not want to even talk about Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, the steering wheel is not in their hands; it is in Christ’s hands. At a certain time, they will return to Him.
4约瑟有智慧，并且非常老练。他不允许自己看到弟兄们时的激动或想见父亲的愿望，使自己行动愚昧。反之，他有智慧且镇静，牺牲自己想见父亲的愿望，而管教他的哥哥们。倘若我是约瑟，当哥哥们第二次到我这里，我会立刻向他们显示自己，并且叫他们赶快回父亲那里，把他接到我这里来。我甚至不愿花时间与哥哥们一同坐席，我要马上打发他们回去接父亲。但约瑟若是这样，就没有资格成为世界的宰相。约瑟是满了智慧鉴别的人。因此，他是基督完全的豫表。基督从来没有照著祂的激动作甚么。世界的局势在祂手下。这辆车子不是由任何属世的领袖驾驶，乃是由主耶稣驾驶。祂在管理中东的局势。从约瑟的哥哥们头一次来到埃及，他们就被摆在试验之下。我不相信他们在埃及遇见约瑟以后，有甚么快乐的时光。他们不能忘记在狱中的西缅。他们也晓得在埃及得著的粮食供应有限。他们知道有一天粮食会吃尽，他们必须回埃及去面对那人。他们需要粮食，这迫使他们回到他那里。约瑟的哥哥们要认得他，必须经过一段过程。照著圣经中的豫言，以色列家要认识基督是他们的弥赛亚，也需要经过类似的过程。基督要一再对付以色列家，直到他们被迫转向祂。以色列人没有别的路可以生存。
4Joseph was wise and very experienced. He did not allow his excitement at seeing his brothers or his desire to see his father to cause him to act foolishly. Rather, he was wise and calm, disciplining his brothers at the sacrifice of fulfilling his desire to see his father. If I had been Joseph, I would have revealed myself to the brothers as soon as they came to me the second time, and I would have told them to hurry back to my father and bring him to me. I would not have even taken the time to feast with my brothers before sending them back to get my father. But if Joseph had been like this, he would not have been qualified to be the ruler of the world. Joseph was a person full of wise discernment. Thus, he was a full type of Christ. Christ never does anything according to His excitement. The world situation is under His hand. The car is not being driven by any worldly leader, but by the Lord Jesus. He is managing the situation in the Middle East. From the time Joseph’s brothers first came to Egypt, they were undergoing a test. I do not believe they had any happy times after meeting Joseph in Egypt. They would not have been able to forget Simeon who was in prison there. They also realized that their supply of food obtained in Egypt was limited. They knew that one day it would be exhausted and that they would have to return to Egypt and face that man again. Their need for food forced them to return to him. In order for Joseph’s brothers to recognize him, they had to pass through a certain process. According to the prophecies in the Bible, the house of Israel will need to pass through a similar process in order to recognize Christ as their Messiah. Christ will deal with them again and again until the house of Israel is forced to turn to Him. There simply will be no other way for Israel to exist.
5当雅各嘱咐他的儿子们回埃及，去买更多的粮食，他们告诉他，除非最小的弟弟便雅悯与他们同去，他们无法回埃及去。没有便雅悯与他们同在，他们没有胆量去面对埃及的那人。他们晓得没有便雅悯，他们回埃及去也没有用。这是怎样的试验！最终，雅各被迫同意这条件。雅各似乎说，『为著你们的性命和你们儿女的性命，我愿意牺牲我的小儿子。我把他交给你们。下埃及去籴粮罢。』你以为约瑟的哥哥们从迦南地行往埃及时，是喜乐的么？你以为他们会边唱边说，『赞美主，我们又到埃及去了！当然不会。反之，他们在往埃及去的路上，可能彼此说，『把西缅下在监里的那人，我们要怎样应付？也许他所要作的第一件事，就是把我们的小弟弟下在监里。他甚至会找理由，强取我们作他的奴仆。不仅如此，他会夺取我们的驴。我们要怎么办？』我相当确定约瑟的哥哥们害怕成为奴仆，害怕失去他们的驴；这些驴无疑对他们是非常宝贝的。我相信他们一面走向埃及，一面设法寻出面对约瑟时所用的策略。
5When Jacob charged his sons to go back to Egypt and buy more food, they told him that they could not return to Egypt unless the youngest brother, Benjamin, went with them. Without having Benjamin with them, they would not have had the boldness to face that man in Egypt. They realized that it would be useless for them to return to Egypt without him. What a test this was! Eventually, Jacob was forced to agree with this condition. Jacob seemed to say, “For the sake of your lives and the lives of your children, I am willing to sacrifice my youngest son. I give him to you. Go down to Egypt and buy food.” Do you think that Joseph’s brothers were happy as they were traveling from the land of Canaan to Egypt? Do you think that they were singing and saying, “Praise the Lord, we are going to Egypt again!”? Certainly not. On the contrary, all the way to Egypt they might have been saying to one another, “What shall we do with that man who put Simeon into prison? Probably the first thing he will do is put our youngest brother into prison. He may even seek a reason to take all of us as his slaves. Furthermore, he may seize our donkeys. What shall we do?” I am rather certain that Joseph’s brothers were afraid of becoming slaves and of losing their donkeys, which undoubtedly were very dear to them. I believe that as they were traveling to Egypt they were trying to find a strategy to use in facing Joseph.
《11》基督向他们显示更多的爱
k) Christ Showing More Love to Them
6约瑟的哥哥们第二次来到，约瑟就向他们施慈爱，在他所住的屋里与他们一同坐席。虽然他们不认得他，但他要向他们指明，甚至在试验他们的时候，他和他们也是亲密的。在末了的时候，基督要对以色列人作同样的事。一面，祂要进一步试验他们；另一面，祂却要在爱中照顾他们。
6After the brothers came the second time, Joseph showed them love by feasting with them in his residence. Although they did not recognize him, he wanted to indicate to them that he was intimate with them, even as he was testing them. At the end time, Christ will do the same thing to Israel. On the one hand, He will test them further, while on the other hand, He will take care of them in love
《12》仍然不明白基督的爱
l) Still Being Ignorant of Christ’s Love
7虽然以色列人的弥赛亚要向他们施慈爱，但他们仍不明白基督的爱。我确信基督是为著以色列人的。我们是不是为著以色列人，算不得甚么，因为我们不过是人。但基督为著以色列人，就大有意义。然而，今天以色列人不明白基督的爱。最终，在他们被迫转向祂以后，基督也就被迫向他们启示祂自己。那时候，以色列家要认出祂是他们的弥赛亚。
7Although their Messiah will show love to them, the Israelites will continue to be ignorant of Christ’s love. I am assured that Christ is for Israel. Whether or not we are for Israel means nothing, for we are mere men. But it is vitally significant that Christ is for Israel. However, Israel today is ignorant of Christ’s love. Eventually, after they have been forced to turn to Him, Christ will be forced to reveal Himself to them. At that time the house of Israel will recognize Him as their Messiah.
8现在我们来看另一段插进的话。我在本篇信息中的负担，就是在这段插进的话上。在四十三章一至十五节，4约瑟的哥哥们仍在学功课；在四十三章十六至三十四节，约瑟仍将他们留在试验之下。虽然他向他们施慈爱，但他没有直接向他们显示他自己。约瑟试验他的哥哥们，因为他想要诱导他们认识他。约瑟的哥哥们很愚蠢。倘若我们是他们，我们定会因著约瑟身分的许多征象认出他来。现在让我们来看这些征象。约瑟的哥哥们回来的时候，约瑟一句话也没有说。他嘱咐家宰邀请哥哥们到他住的屋里，就是那地宰相的家里。倘若我是约瑟的一个哥哥，我会说，『我们是访问这个国家的外国人，我们不值得这么受注意。为甚么这样崇高的宰相会邀请我们到他家里，和他一同吃饭呢？』也许你说，约瑟的哥哥们以为他会欺骗他们，使他们作他的奴仆。也许他们有这种思想。无论如何，他们不欣赏约瑟的邀请，反而感到惊骇。因此，他们告诉家宰，上次他们籴粮付了钱，那些钱却被放在他们的口袋内。他们告诉他，这事不是他们作的。家宰说，『你们可以放心，不要害怕，是你们的神，和你们父亲的神，赐给你们财宝在你们的口袋里；你们的银子我早已收了。』（创四三23。）家宰似乎说，『这不是你们的钱归还了你们，这是你们从你们的神，和你们父亲的神来的礼物。』约瑟的哥哥们头一次访问约瑟以后，约瑟必定对家宰说到他们，至少告诉他说，他们是希伯来人，他是从他们那地来到埃及的。他必定告诉家宰，他们认识神，并且敬畏神。不然，埃及的家宰怎会这样回答？家宰从那里得著这样的知识？毫无疑问，他是从约瑟得来的。这该向约瑟的哥哥们指明，在约瑟的住处有人知道他们的背景。那人向他们指明钱没有问题以后，『就领他们进约瑟的屋里，给他们水洗脚，又给他们草料𫗪驴。』（创四三24。）他也把西缅带出来交给他们。因此，关于钱和西缅的问题就解决了。
8Now we come to another parenthesis. My burden in this message is actually on the parenthesis. In 43:1-15 Joseph’s brothers were still learning their lesson, and in 4 3:1 6-3 Joseph still left them under his test. Although he showed them love, he did not reveal himself to them directly. Joseph tested his brothers because he was trying to induce them to recognize him. Joseph’s brothers were stupid. If we had been they, we would have recognized Joseph by the many indications of his identity. Let us now consider these indications. When Joseph’s brothers came back, Joseph did not say a word. Rather, he charged his steward to invite the brothers to his residence, the home of the ruler of the earth. If I had been one of Joseph’s brothers, I would have said, “We are foreigners visiting this country. We don’t deserve this much attention. Why would such a high ruler invite us to his home to eat with him?” Perhaps you would say that Joseph’s brothers thought that he would trick them and make them his slaves. Perhaps they had this thought. At any rate, they did not appreciate Joseph’sin vi tation, but rather were frightened by it. Thus, they told the steward that the last time they had purchased grain they had paid the money, but the money had been placed in their sacks. They told him that they had not done this. The steward said, “Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks” (43:23). The steward seemed to be saying, “It was not that your money was returned to you. It was a gift from your God and from the God of your father.” After Joseph’s brothers had visited him the first time, Joseph must have spoken to his steward about them, at least telling him that they were Hebrews and that he had come to Egypt from their land. He must have told the steward that they knew God and feared Him. Otherwise, how could an Egyptian steward have answered in such a way? From whom had the steward received this kind of knowledge? He no doubt had received it from Joseph. This was an indication to Joseph’s brothers that someone in Joseph’s residence knew their background. After indicating to them that there was no problem regarding the money, “the man brought the men into Joseph’s house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their asses provender” (43:24). He also brought Simeon out to them. Thus, the problems regarding the money and Simeon were solved.
9然后，约瑟进来问说，『你们的父亲，就是你们所说的那老人家平安么？他还在么？』（创四三27。）约瑟无论怎样伪装自己，他对父亲的问法必然有一种情爱的表示。约瑟不是石头，乃是满了情爱的人。他问起父亲的语调，必定指明他是谁。二十九节说，『约瑟举目看见他同母的兄弟便雅悯，就说，你们向我所说那顶小的兄弟，就是这位么？又说，小儿阿，愿神赐恩给你。』约瑟说了这话以后，就跑进他的屋里哭了一场。那时，约瑟的哥哥们该问问自己：『这是怎么回事？为甚么这位宰相这样深情的问起我们的父亲？为甚么他没有和我们顶小的兄弟说完话？他出去洗了脸又回来。这一切是甚么意思？』约瑟回来以后，立刻使众弟兄在他面前排列坐席，『都按著长幼的次序。』（创四三33。）众弟兄就彼此诧异。当然，他们该藉这征象认出这位宰相就是约瑟。约瑟的面貌必定有些特征，使他们甚至在二十二年后，也能认出来。他们若将这些征象都放在一起，就会说，『这是约瑟。』他们该记得约瑟被人带到埃及，他们也该看出这人就是约瑟。三十四节说，『约瑟把他面前的食物分出来，送给他们；但便雅悯所得的，比别人多五倍。』约瑟给便雅悯的一分，比给其他的弟兄多五倍，其中必有目的。他的心意必定是要向他的哥哥们指明，他是约瑟，他爱他的弟弟。倘若我在那里，我会放胆问那人是不是约瑟。然而，他的哥哥们没有一个这样作。他们没有鉴别力。今天我们在认识主的事上，完全是同样的。主向我们显示祂自己，我们也看见了，我们却不认识祂。祂善意的为我们作了许多事，我们却被祂所作的吓住了。祂所作的每件事都是爱所推动的，我们对这一切却怀著恶意。
9Eventually, Joseph came in and asked, “Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? Is he yet alive?” (43:27). No matter how much Joseph had disguised himself, there must have been some sign of affection in the way he asked about his father. Joseph was not a stone, but a man full of affection. The tone of his voice in asking about his father must have been an indication of who he was. Verse 29 says, “And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’ss on, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son.” After saying this, Joseph ran into his chamber and wept. At that point Joseph’s brothers should have asked themselves, “What is this? Why does the ruler ask about our father in such an affectionate way? And why did he not finish speaking to our youngest brother? He went out and came back with his face washed. What does all this mean?” Immediately after Joseph returned, he had his brothers sit before him, “the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth” (43:33). The brothers wondered at one another. Certainly they should have realized by this indication that this ruler was Joseph. There must have been particular features in Joseph’s countenance that they could have recognized, even after twenty-two years. If they had put all the indications together, they would have said, “This is Joseph.” They should have remembered that Joseph was taken to Egypt, and they should have realized that this man was Joseph. Verse 34 says, “And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin’s mess was five times so much as any of theirs.” There must have been a purpose in Joseph’s giving Benjamin a portion five times greater than that of the other brothers. His intention must have been to indicate to his brothers that he was Joseph and that he loved his younger brother. If I had been there, I would have had the boldness to ask the man if he was Joseph. However, none of his brothers did this. Rather, they had no discernment. With respect to our knowing the Lord it is exactly the same today. The Lord showed Himself to us and we saw Him, yet we did not know Him. He did many things for us with a good intention, but we were frightened by what He did. Everything He did was motivated by love, but we had evil thoughts regarding it all.
10约瑟邀请他的哥哥们到家里坐席，有爱的用意。但他们怀著恶意，以为他计谋捉拿他们，使他们作奴仆。十八节说，『他们因为被领到约瑟的屋里，就害怕，说，领我们到这里来，必是因为头次归还在我们口袋里的银子，找我们的错缝，下手害我们，强取我们为奴仆，抢夺我们的驴。』钱财和驴是使约瑟的哥哥们不认得他的帕子。驴对他们极其重要，对约瑟却算不得甚么。后来，约瑟打发弟兄们回去接他父亲时，派了车辆同骑马的人。他们的钱财和驴对他们很重要。这些是他们仅有的。他们也害怕被取去作奴仆。今天我们也是这样。主也许直接在我们面前，祂也许为我们作了许多事，但我们不能认出祂或祂所作的。反而我们很害怕。约瑟的哥哥们该晓得，世界的宰相不会在意他们的驴。我们也是同样的情形。当我们来到基督面前，然后进入召会生活中，也可能担心我们的钱财、安全或家庭的事。约瑟的哥哥们很贫穷，但他们是在全地宰相丰富的照顾之下。倘若我在那里，我会说，『忘了钱财和驴罢。我只要约瑟。我爱他。』在认识主的事上，我们都和约瑟的哥哥们一样愚昧。我们不看祂，反而看自己、钱财和驴。约瑟的哥哥们该将眼目转向约瑟，注视他。他们若这样作，就会看出那人酷似约瑟。但他们要注视约瑟，必须忘了他们的钱财。然而，他们定睛在钱财上。他们也许彼此说，『你岂不知这是一大笔钱么？我们必须小心，不要失去这笔钱。』我怀疑约瑟的哥哥们好好端详过约瑟的面貌。他们若这样作，就会认出他来。利未也许就会对流便说，『我确信这人就是约瑟。我们不要害怕，要放胆问问他真是约瑟不是。』今天这样认识主的人不多。不过，有些人认识主作为的征象，晓得他们所遭遇的是出于主。在认识主的事上，我们多数的人正像约瑟的哥哥们一样。我们不看祂，反而看我们的钱财，我们的产业，和我们自己。约瑟的哥哥们没有究察，一位崇高的宰相对他们这样作的原因。他们完全被自己的得失所占有。他们没有想到那对付他们的人可能是约瑟。我们也是这样。无论主为我们作了多少美事，我们仍不明白主所作的。主怀著善意作每件事，我们却把牠当作咒诅。即使我们知道那是祝福，我们仍然不愿接受。
10Joseph had a loving intention in inviting his brothers to his home for a feast. But they had the evil thought that he was planning to seize them and make them slaves. Verse 18 says, “And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph’sho use; and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses.” The money and the donkeys were veils that kept Joseph’s brothers from recognizing him. The donkeys meant a great deal to them, but they meant nothing to Joseph. Later, when Joseph sent his brothers back to get his father, he sent chariots with horsemen. Their money and their donkeys meant something to them. These were all they had. They were also afraid of being taken as slaves. It is the same with us today. The Lord may be directly in front of us and He may have done a great deal for us, but we cannot recognize Him or what He has done. Rather, we are afraid. Joseph’s brothers should have realized that the ruler of world would not have cared about their donkeys. We are the same way. When we came to Christ and then into the church life, we might have wondered about our money, our security, or our family. Joseph’s brothers were poor. But they were under the rich care of the ruler of the earth. If I had been there, I would have said, “Forget about the money and the donkeys. I want only Joseph. I love him.” In knowing the Lord, we are all as foolish as Joseph’s brothers. Instead of considering Him, we consider ourselves, our money, and our donkeys. Joseph’s brothers should have turned their eyes on Joseph and looked at him. If they had done so, they would have realized that the man resembled Joseph. But for them to look at Joseph, they had to forget their money. However, they kept their eyes on their money and might have said to one another, “Don’ty ou realize this is a lot of money? We must be careful not to lose it.” I doubt that Joseph’s brothers set their eyes on his countenance adequately. If they had done so, they would have recognized him. Levi might have said to Reuben, “I am quite sure this man is Joseph. Let us not be afraid, but be bold and ask if he really is Joseph.” Today there are not many who know the Lord in this way. However, there are a few who recognize the indications of the Lord’s deeds and realize that what happened to them was of the Lord. In our knowing of the Lord, most of us are exactly like Joseph’s brothers. We do not consider Him. Instead, we consider our money, our possessions, and ourselves. Joseph’s brothers did not search for the reason that a high ruler would do such things for them. They were fully occupied with their own interests. They had no thought that the man who was dealing with them might be Joseph. It is the same with us. No matter how many good things the Lord has done for us, we still do not understand what the Lord is doing. The Lord does everything with a good intention, but we regard it as a curse. Even if we knew it was a blessing, we still would not receive it.
11约瑟的哥哥们没有鉴别力。甚至在约瑟按著他们出生的次序，使他们就座以后，他们仍不晓得他是谁。他们在离家去埃及以前，就已经满了成见。约瑟的心是好意的，但他们对他的想法却是恶的。他们完全充满了恶意的想法。人善意的邀请我们到他家里吃饭，我们若对他有恶意的想法，也会作同样的事。由于我们恶意的想法，我们会害怕食物被下了毒。我们也许无法拒绝邀请，但我们怕吃摆在我们面前的食物。我们主人的心意是爱，但我们的想法是恶的。约瑟的哥哥们充满了这样的想法。这些想法是有色眼镜，使他们看不见约瑟是谁。关于约瑟的身分，除了这些征象32以外，还有两个进一步的征象。三十二节说，『他们就为约瑟单摆了一席，为那些人又摆了一席，也为和约瑟同吃饭的埃及人另摆了一席；因为埃及人不可和希伯来人一同吃饭；那原是埃及人所厌恶的。』他们豫备了三席，一席为约瑟，一席为埃及人，一席为哥哥们。这指明埃及人不照著希伯来的方式吃饭。但你想约瑟是用甚么方式吃饭，是用埃及的方式，还是用希伯来的方式？他必定是用希伯来的方式吃饭。约瑟的哥哥们该认出，有一个埃及人用希伯来的方式吃饭；那是埃及人所厌恶的。约瑟吩咐人这样摆设筵席，就是要向他的哥哥们指明他是希伯来人。那些哥哥们该想到，这位宰相是希伯来人。约瑟的哥哥们是何等的愚蠢！倘若我在那里，我会说，『利未，这人是希伯来人。不仅如此，他比我们年轻。看他的面孔。他不是约瑟么？』虽然约瑟说埃及话，但他们该认出他的声音和语调。然而，他们仍然不认识他。
11Joseph’s brothers had no discernment. Even after he had seated them according to the sequence of their birth, they still did not realize who he was. They had become preoccupied even before they had left home to travel to Egypt. Joseph’she art was good, but their thought concerning him was evil. They were totally preoccupied by their evil thoughts. We would do the same thing if we had evil thoughts towards someone who, with a good intention, invited us to his home for dinner. Due to our evil thoughts, we might fear that poison had been injected into the food. Although we might not be able to refuse the invitation, we would be afraid to eat the food set before us. Our host’s in tent i on is love, but our thought is evil. Joseph’s brothers were filled with such thoughts. These thoughts were the colored glasses that kept them from seeing who Joseph was. In addition to all these indications of Joseph’s identity, there are two further indications. Verse says, “And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.” Three tables were prepared, one for Joseph, one for the Egyptians, and one for the brothers. This indicates that the Egyptians did not eat according to the Hebrew way. In what way do you suppose Joseph ate, in the Egyptian way or the Hebrew way? Certainly he must have eaten in the Hebrew way. Joseph’s brothers should have recognized that here was an Egyptian eating in the Hebrew way, a way that was abominable to the Egyptians. Joseph ordered the tables to be set up this way in order to indicate to his brothers that he was a Hebrew. The brothers should have considered that this ruler was a Hebrew. How stupid Joseph’s brothers were! If I had been there, I would have said, “Levi, this man is a Hebrew. Furthermore, he is younger than we are. Look at his face. Isn’t he Joseph?” Although Joseph spoke the Egyptian language, they should have recognized his voice and his intonation. Nevertheless, they still failed to recognize him.
12还有另一个征象见于二十六节：『约瑟来到家里，他们就把手中的礼物拿进屋去给他，又俯伏在地向他下拜。』约瑟的哥哥们向他下拜时，他们该想起他的梦。二十二年前，约瑟作了一梦，现在这梦应验了。你若是约瑟的一个哥哥，向他下拜，你也许会说，『这人可能是约瑟，那作梦专家。』虽然约瑟的哥哥们听过这梦，并且在梦的应验中，但他们不认识约瑟。你也许希奇，约瑟当时为甚么不向他的弟兄们显示他自己。倘若约瑟这样作，他就非常幼稚。他宁愿给他们一些征象，帮助他们认出他是谁。他们若认出了他，那是何等的甜美！然而，由于他们的成见和愚蠢，事情没有这样发生。今天我们都在我们的约瑟手下。我们该作甚么，我们该去那里，都在于祂。我们要多久才回到祂那里，在于祂给我们多少粮食。倘若祂给我们粮食维持十年，那么我们就要在十年后归回。但祂不会给我们这么多。祂给我们有限的数量，迫使我们快些回到祂那里。约瑟知道他的哥哥们一段时间后会回来。他知道他的父家有多少人，他知道要给他们多少粮食。他们在约瑟的控制之下。阿利路亚，今天我们在主主宰的手下！不要为现在或将来忧虑。你不是在自己的控制之下，乃是在主的控制之下。不要信靠你的驴，也就是说，不要信靠你的学位或职业。你的定命是在主耶稣的手下，你的将来是在祂的控制之下。我要告诉你们一个好消息，就是主仍然慈爱并主宰的照顾著我们。祂已经作的，祂正在作的，和祂要作的，都是由爱所推动。祂在爱里，想要藉著祂所给我们的各种征象，诱导我们认识祂。祂所作的一切，都是引导我们认识祂的征象。不要仍存著成见，定睛在你的钱财、驴或自己身上。要仰望耶稣，定睛在祂身上。你若这样作，就会看见祂，认出祂，并认识祂。
12Still another indication is found in verse 26: “And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth.” When Joseph’s brothers were bowing down to him, they should have remembered his dream. Twenty - two years before Joseph had had a dream, and now it was being fulfilled. If you had been one of Joseph’s brothers bowing down to him, you might have said, “This might be Joseph, the master of dreams.” Although Joseph’s brothers had heard about the dream and were in the fulfillment of the dream, they did not recognize Joseph. Perhaps you are wondering why Joseph did not simply reveal himself to his brothers at that time. If Joseph had done this, he would have been very childish. He preferred to give them some indications to help them to recognize who he was. How sweet it would have been if they had recognized him! However, due to their preoccupations and stupidity, it did not happen this way. All of us today are under the hand of our Joseph. What we should do and where we should go is up to Him. How long it will be before we come back to Him depends on how much food He gives us. If He gives us food to last ten years, then we shall return after ten years. But He will not give us this much. Rather, He gives us a limited amount to force us to come back to Him sooner. Joseph knew that his brothers would return after a certain period of time. He knew how many people there were in his father’s family and he knew how much food to give them. They were under Joseph’s control. Hallelujah, we today are under the Lord’ss ove reign hand! Do not worry about the present or the future. You are not under your own control, but under the Lord’s control. Do not trust in your donkeys, that is, in your degree or in your job. Your destiny is under the hand of the Lord Jesus, and your future is under His control. I would like to share with you the good news that the Lord is still lovingly and sovereignly caring for us. What He has done, what He is doing, and what He will do is all motivated by love. In love He is seeking to induce us to know Him through the various indicators He gives us. All that He has done are indicators to lead us to know Him. Do not remain preoccupied, setting your eyes on your money, your donkeys, or yourself. Look away to Jesus and set your eyes on Him. If you do this, you will see Him, recognize Him, and know Him.
13我喜欢约瑟和他哥哥们的这段故事，因为这描绘出我认识主的光景。我是何等的愚蠢！主始终善待我，我却一直忧虑会被伤害或受亏损。约瑟对他的哥哥们所作的一切，都是由爱所推动。主耶稣与我们的关系也是这样。我们若在主面前想想自己的已往，我们会流泪，并且说，『主，我看见我的已往正像约瑟和他的哥哥们。你始终善待我，我却没有认出你的爱，因为我被恶意的想法和对自己的关心所占有。主，我对你不关心，我从来没有将眼目或注意力集中在你身上。主，赦免我，并且帮助我，使我的眼目从现在起离开你以外的一切。主，我不在意任何事情，甚至不在意邀请。我只在意你和你的同在。主，只要我在你的同在中，我就满足了。』这就是认识主的路。约瑟的哥哥们若是这样，没有成见，不关心自已的钱财、驴或自己，却将眼目集中在约瑟身上，就会看见约瑟脸上的特征，使他们能认出他来。他们也会藉著他为他们所作的，认出他来。因此，他们会说，『我们不该忘了我们曾把约瑟卖到埃及作奴仆。我们记得他的仆人说到我们的神，和我们父亲的神。还有，我们是按著出生的次序坐在席上。不仅如此，想想这人怎样对待便雅悯，以及他问起我们父亲时声音中的情爱。当他对便雅悯说话的时候，他几乎要哭出来。』有多少的征象告诉约瑟的哥哥们，这人就是约瑟！今天我们在认识主的事上也是这样。你以为发生在你身上的许多美事是偶然的么？不，这些事的发生都是有目的的。但已往我们没有认出神所作的。愿主帮助我们认识我们的约瑟。祂对我们没有恶意。反之，祂对我们的关切乃是爱的关切，祂的心意是要诱导我们认识祂。上好的事就是认识祂。
13I like this story of Joseph and his brothers because it portrays my situation in knowing the Lord. How stupid I have been! The Lord has always been good to me, but I have constantly been worried that I would be damaged or suffer loss. All that Joseph did to his brothers was motivated by love. It is the same with the Lord Jesus in relation to us. If we would consider our past before the Lord, our tears would begin to fall and we would say, “Lord, I realize that my past has been just like that of Joseph with his brothers. You have always been good to me, but I have not recognized Your love because I have been occupied by evil thoughts and by my own concerns. Lord, I had no concern for You, and I never focused my eyes or my attention upon You. Lord, forgive me and help me from now on to keep my eyes away from everything other than You. Lord, I don’t care for anything, not even for the invitation. I care only for You and for being in Your presence. Lord, as long as I am here in Your presence, I am satisfied.” This is the way to know the Lord. If Joseph’s brothers had been like this, with no preoccupations and no concerns for their money, their donkeys, or themselves, and if they had focused their eyes on Joseph, they would have seen certain features in his face which would have enabled them to recognize him. They also would have recognized him through what he had done for them. Hence, they would have said, “We should not forget that we sold Joseph into slavery in Egypt. Remember that his servants spoke of our God and our father’s God. Also, we were seated at the table according to our birth. Moreover, consider the way this man treated Benjamin, and the affection in his voice when he asked about our father. When he spoke to Benjamin, he almost broke down and cried.” How many indications there were to Joseph’s brothers that this man was Joseph! It is the same with us today in knowing the Lord. Do you think that the many good things that have happened to you have been accidental? No, they have all taken place with a purpose. But in the past we did not recognize what God was doing. May the Lord help us to know our Joseph. He has no evil thoughts toward us. Rather, His concern for us is a concern of love, and His intention is to induce us to know Him. The best thing is to know Him.
14甚至约瑟的哥哥们受过那么多的对付，他们仍不晓得遇见了约瑟。我们在下一篇信息中要看见，他们的无知最终迫使约瑟不再忍耐，而向他们显示他自己。在本篇信息中，我的负担乃是我们要清楚认识主的路。我能作见证，许多时候主已经向我施慈爱，并且在一些方面已经对付了我，我却没有认出祂或祂所作的。我是全然无知。但今天我们有清楚的异象。如今我们认出约瑟，并且明白祂所作的一切，用意都是要帮助我们认识祂。愿我们都学习这功课。
14Even after Joseph’s brothers had been dealt with so much, they still did not realize that they were meeting with Joseph. As we shall see in another message, their ignorance eventually forced Joseph to be patient no longer, but to reveal himself to them. My burden in this message is that we would be clear regarding the way to know the Lord. I can testify that many times the Lord has shown His love to me and has dealt with me in certain ways, yet I did not recognize Him or what He was doing. I was completely ignorant. But today we have a clear vision. Now we recognize Joseph and understand that everything He does is with the intention of helping us to know Him. May we all learn this lesson