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创世记生命读经 · 第118篇

成熟的以色列掌权的一面（六）

Being Matured-
1当我们来看约瑟的故事时，我们需要记得，在他的记载中有两条线：约瑟豫表基督的线，和生命的线。在旧约里，除了约瑟以外，很难找出别的人是基督这样完全的豫表。他很详细的豫表基督。
1As we consider the story of Joseph, we need to remember that in his record there are two lines: the line of Joseph as a type of Christ and the line of life. It is difficult to find in the Old Testament anyone besides Joseph who was such a perfect type of Christ. He typified Christ in a detailed way
《13》基督末次试验以色列遗民
m) Christ Giving the Remnant of Israel the Last Test
2在创世记四十四章一至十三节，约瑟末次试验他的哥哥们，并给他们更多的时间考量他。基督要对以色列国作同样的事。圣经的豫言说，基督要试验无知的以色列人，但没有说出细节。然而，约瑟对付他哥哥们的记载，给我们这事详细的图画。甚至今天，以色列国仍不明白基督在试验他们。我们追查世界新闻时，应当和世人持不同的观点。当我读报纸时，我知道在中东所发生的事，是基督试验以色列人的一部分。以色列总理和他的内阁不知道基督在试验他们。他们宣称需要戈兰高地，和沿著西乃的屯垦区，以确保他们的生存。然而，基督比他们更知道，他们需要甚么作保障。你岂不相信今天以色列人所遭遇的是试验么？我确实相信。这就是约瑟试验他的哥哥们，为要教导他们，管教他们。我料想这试验要年复一年的持续下去。主耶稣基督知道如何对待以色列国。
2In 44:1-13 Joseph gave his brothers the last test and gave them even more time to consider him. Christ will do the same thing to the nation of Israel. The prophecies in the Bible say that Christ will test the ignorant children of Israel, but they do not give the details. However, the record of Joseph’s dealing with his brothers gives us a detailed picture of this. Even today the nation of Israel is ignorant of the fact that Christ is testing them. As we follow the world news, we should hold a view different from that of the worldly people. When I read the news, I am aware that what is happening in the Middle East is part of Christ’ste sting of Israel. The Israeli prime minister and his cabinet do not know that Christ is testing them. They claim to need the Golan Heights and the settlements along the Sinai to secure their existence. However, Christ knows better than they do what they need for their security. Do you not believe that what is happening to Israel today is a test? I certainly do. This is Joseph’ste sting of his brothers in order to teach them and discipline them. I expect this testing to continue year after year. The Lord Jesus Christ knows how to deal with the nation of Israel
《14》他们对祂仍然无知
n) Still Remaining Ignorant of Him
3当约瑟进一步试验他的哥哥们时，他们仍然不认识他。（创四四～34。）当基督继续试验以色列国时，他们也是这样。约瑟真有忍耐！我的忍耐还不如他所有的忍耐，或今天主耶稣对以色列人所有的忍耐。倘若我是约瑟，我早就向哥哥们显示自己了。倘若我是主耶稣，我会立刻告诉全世界，以色列人是我的弟兄。然而，约瑟耐心的对付他的哥哥们。他们不认识他，埃及人也不明白所进行的事。惟有约瑟知道他所作的。今天的光景也是这样。联合国或任何国家的统治者都不知道所发生的事，惟有主耶稣知道。虽然祂在难为以色列国，但祂所作的一切，都有确定的目的。
3As Joseph gave his brothers a further test, they still remained ignorant of him (44:14-34). The same will be true of the nation of Israel as Christ continues to 14 test them. What patience Joseph had! I do not have nearly the patience that he had or the patience that the Lord Jesus has with Israel today. If I had been Joseph, I would have revealed myself to the brothers much sooner than he did. And if I were the Lord Jesus, I would immediately tell the whole world that the Israelites are my brothers. Joseph, however, dealt with his brothers patiently. They were ignorant of him, and the Egyptians were ignorant of what was going on. Only Joseph knew what he was doing. The situation is the same today. Only the Lord Jesus, not the United Nations or the ruler of any country, knows what is taking place. Although He is giving the nation of Israel a difficult time, there is a definite purpose in all He is doing.
《15》基督承认无知的以色列人
o) Christ Acknowledging the Ignorant Israel
4最终，约瑟承认了他无知的哥哥们。（创四五1～4，14～15。）我相信时候近了，基督也要承认无知的以色列国。（罗十一26。）联合国的承认算不得甚么，基督的承认才算数。日子将到，基督要告诉世人：『不要摸以色列国。摸她的就是摸我眼中的瞳人。以色列人是我的弟兄。』
4Eventually, Joseph acknowledged his ignorant brothers (45:1-4, 14-15). I believe that the time is near when Christ will acknowledge the ignorant nation of Israel (Rom. 11:26). The acknowledgment of the United Nations does not mean anything. What counts is Christ’s acknowledgment. The day is coming when Christ will tell the world, “Don’tt ouch the nation of Israel. Whoever touches her touches the apple of My eye. The Israelites are My brothers
《16》他们最终认出了基督
p) Eventually Recognizing Christ
5约瑟的哥哥们最终认出了他，（创四五15，）以色列人最终也要认出基督。（亚十二10。）在他们认出祂以前，基督要继续耐心的对付他们。最近我读到报导，有些犹太学者开始研究耶稣的事迹。这些学者似乎急于更多知道耶稣是谁。基督现在不承认犹太人，给他们更多的时间考量祂。这些研究耶稣事迹的犹太学者承认，基督为犹太人得著了许多声誉，因为基督来自以色列国。祂从前是犹太人，现在仍是犹太人。基督若出于你的国家，你必定会以祂为荣。我们若将这些点存记在心，当我们追查中东的新闻时，就会喜乐并赞美主。约瑟对付他的哥哥们，豫指今天所发生的一切事。在某种意义上，今天我们所看见的，乃是已经发生之事的电影。甚至在我说到创世记这几章时，其中豫指的事就正在中东发生。今天所发生的事，乃是这段话所描绘之事的应验。为著祂的智慧和忍耐，我们赞美主！祂知道祂对以色列人所作的是甚么。在不久的将来，基督要公开承认以色列国。祂要从诸天而降，作成这事。出于锡安的救主要来到以色列地，并承认以色列国是祂的国。
5Joseph’s brothers eventually recognized him (45:15), and the Israelites will eventually recognize Christ (Zech. 12:10). Until they recognize Him, Christ will continue to deal with them patiently. Recently I read that some Jewish scholars have begun to study the case of Jesus. It seems that these scholars are eager to learn more about who Jesus is. Instead of acknowledging the Jews now, Christ is giving them a further time to consider Him. These Jewish scholars who are studying the case of Jesus admit that Christ has gained a great deal of credit for the Jewish people, for Christ came from the nation of Israel. He was and still is a Jew. If Christ had come out of your country, you certainly would be proud of Him. If we keep all these points in mind as we follow the news in the Middle East, we shall be happy and praise the Lord. All that is happening today was foreshadowed in Joseph’s dealing with his brothers. In a sense, what we are seeing today is a motion picture of what has already taken place. Even as I am speaking about these chapters in Genesis, the events foreshadowed in them are taking place in the Middle East. What is happening today is the fulfillment of what is portrayed in this portion of the Word. Praise the Lord for His wisdom and patience! He knows what He is doing with Israel. In not too long a time, Christ will make an open recognition of the nation of Israel. He will do this by descending from the heavens to the earth. The Savior out of Zion will come to the land of Israel and recognize the nation of Israel as His nation.
6现在我们再有一段插进的话，论到生命线上的几件事。我爱约瑟豫表基督的线；但就我而论，生命的线更实际。豫表的线与以色列人有关，生命的线却与你我有关。虽然有许多约瑟身分的清楚征象，但他的哥哥们因著瞎眼和成见，无法认出他。因为他的哥哥们这样瞎眼，并且不认识他，约瑟不得不进一步向他们显示他自己。约瑟必定曾为他对付哥哥们祷告。他对付他们，不是照著自己的感觉或愿望，乃是照著主的引导。无论约瑟对他的哥哥们作甚么，都是照著主的引导。没有人能有约瑟那样的忍耐。我们已经指出，他的梦花了二十二年才应验。经过了这样长的期间，约瑟极其想望见到他的父亲。一个人怎能有这样的忍耐？他怎能控制他的情感，他的爱，以及想见父亲的愿望？约瑟的忍耐和自制必定是出于主。
6Now we come once again to a parenthesis covering certain matters on the line of life. I love the line of Joseph as a type of Christ, but, as far as I am concerned, the line of life is more practical. The line of the type concerns Israel, but the line of life concerns you and me. Although there were many clear indications of Joseph’side nt i ty, his brothers could not recognize him because of their blindness and preoccupations. Because his brothers were so blind and ignorant of him, Joseph was compelled to take a further step to reveal himself to them. Joseph must have prayed concerning his dealing with his brothers. He did not deal with them according to his personal feelings or desires, but according to the Lord’s leading. Whatever Joseph did to his brothers was according to the Lord’s leading. No one else could have had the patience Joseph had. As we have pointed out, it took twenty-two years for his dreams to be fulfilled. After such a long period of time, Joseph had an intense desire to see his father. How could a man have had such patience? How could he have been able to control his emotion, his love, and his desire to see his father? Joseph’s patience and self- control must have been of the Lord.
7在末次试验之后，至少约瑟的一个哥哥犹大进步了。这由他怎样对约瑟说到照顾父亲和最小的弟弟所指明。（创四四18～34。）当约瑟的哥哥们出卖他时，他们恨他，并且不顾父亲或最小的弟弟。反之，他们是照著他们的忌恨而行。但犹大对约瑟说话的方式，指明他顾念父亲和最小的弟弟。这非常深切的摸著约瑟，并使他确信他的哥哥们学了功课。因此，这事以后，约瑟立刻承认他们。在这时以前，那些哥哥们仍在学功课。直到他们中间至少有一个人进步了，学会了顾到父亲和最小的弟弟，这些功课才完成。在那时以前，约瑟运用了极大的忍耐试验他的哥哥们。按我的意见，约瑟在与他们坐席以后，应当立刻向他的哥哥们显示他自己。然而，他没有这样作。他嘱咐家宰把粮食装满他们的口袋，并且把银子归还他们。（创四四1～2。）毫无疑问，约瑟的哥哥们很喜乐。倘若我是其中的一个，在回迦南的路上，我会对别人说，『你们认为那位宰相如何？为甚么他对我们这么好？他是全地的宰相，而我们是来籴粮的外国人。他竟然邀请我们到他家里，并与我们一同坐席。他给便雅悯的一分，比给我们其余的人多五倍。此外，他按著我们出生的次序使我们就座。这一切是甚么意思？这人是谁？』我相信约瑟盼望他的哥哥们有这样的谈论。他盼望他们彻底的考量他。但他们粗心大意，并没有这样作。约瑟的脸上必然有一些特征，使他们能认出他来。但他的哥哥们太瞎眼，没有注意到这些。
7After the last test, at least one of Joseph’s brothers, Judah, had improved. This is indicated by the way he spoke to Joseph about taking care of their father and their youngest brother (44:18-34). When Joseph’s brothers sold him, they hated him and did not care for their father or youngest brother. Rather, they acted according to their hatred. But the way Judah spoke to Joseph indicated that he cared about his father and his youngest brother. This touched Joseph very deeply and convinced him that his brothers had learned their lesson. Thus, immediately after this, Joseph acknowledged them. Prior to this time, the brothers were still learning the lessons. The lessons were not completed until at least one among them had improved and had learned to care for his father and youngest brother. Until that time, Joseph exercised great patience in testing his brothers. In my opinion Joseph should have revealed himself to his brothers immediately after feasting with them. However, he did not do this. Instead, he charged his steward to fill their sacks with grain and to return their money (44:1-2). No doubt Joseph’s brothers were happy. If I had been one of the brothers, I would have said to the others on the way back to Canaan, “What do you think about that ruler? Why was he so nice to us? He is the ruler of the whole earth and we are foreigners coming to buy food. Yet he invited us to his home and feasted with us. He even gave Benjamin a portion five times greater than what he gave the rest of us. Moreover, he seated us according to our birth. What is this all about? Who is this man?” I believe that Joseph expected his brothers to talk like this. He expected them to thoroughly consider him. But they were careless and they did not do this. There must have been certain features of Joseph’s face that would have enabled them to recognize him. But his brothers were too blind to notice them.
8突然间，令他们大吃一惊，家宰追上了他们，说，『你们为甚么以恶报善呢？』（创四四4。）他指控他们偷窃约瑟的杯。弟兄们回答说，『我主为甚么说这样的话呢？你仆人断不能作这样的事。你看，我们从前在口袋里所见的银子，尚且从迦南地带来还你，我们怎能从你主人家里偷窃金银呢？』（创四四7～8。）结果，照著约瑟的计画，那杯在便雅悯的口袋里搜出来。（创四四12。）这该使弟兄们希奇，为甚么埃及的宰相这样留意他们最小的弟弟。约瑟的哥哥们吓坏了。正如四十四章十三节说，『他们就撕裂衣服，各人把驮子抬在驴上，回城去了。』当他们再见到约瑟时，『他们就在他面前俯伏于地。』（创四四14。）这也该使他们想起约瑟的梦。然而，他们仍然不明白发生在他们身上的事。当我们读这段故事时，我们看见约瑟的忍耐和智慧。惟有成熟的人，才有这样的忍耐和智慧。我们越成熟，就越有忍耐和智慧。约瑟大约只有四十岁，但他在属灵的生命里成熟了。因为他在属灵上成熟了，所以他有大智和大忍。他不受他的愿望或情感所管治，乃受他的智慧和忍耐所指引。
8Suddenly, much to their surprise, the steward caught up with them and said, “Wherefore have ye repaid evil for good?” (44:4, Heb.). He then accused them of stealing Joseph’s cup. The brothers replied, “Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants should do according to this thing: behold, the money, which we found in our sacks’ mouths, we brought again unto thee out of the land of Canaan: how then should we steal out of thy lord’sho use silver or gold?” (44:7-8). According to Joseph’s plan, the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack (44:12). This should have caused the brothers to wonder why that ruler in Egypt paid so much attention to their youngest brother. Joseph’s brothers were terrified. As 44:13 says, “They rent their clothes, and loaded every man his ass, and returned to the city” (Heb.). When they saw Joseph again, “they fell down before him on the ground” (44:14). This also should have reminded them of Joseph’s dreams. However, they still did not understand what was happening to them. As we read this story, we see Joseph’s patience and wisdom. Only a matured person has such patience and wisdom. The more matured we are, the more wisdom and patience we have. Although Joseph was just about forty years of age, in his spiritual life he was matured. Because he was spiritually mature, he had great wisdom and patience. Thus, he was not governed by his desire or emotion, but directed by his wisdom and patience
9今天在召会生活中，我们都需要智慧和忍耐的生命，长老们更是如此。长老们所作的，不该在他们情感、愿望或意愿的指引之下。你的意愿也许很好，但你若受你的好意管治，也许会对别人造成损害。在召会或工作中，没有一个长老或领头人可以受他意愿的管治。反之，我们必须受我们智慧和忍耐的管治。受你的意愿或愿望指引，不需要成熟。但是受忍耐和智慧指引，确实需要成熟。
9In the church life today we all, especially the elders, need a life of wisdom and patience. What the elders do should not be under the direction of their emotion, desire, or intention. Although your intention may be very good, you may cause damage to others if you are governed by your good intention. None of the elders or leading ones in the church or in the work should be governed by his intention. On the contrary, we must be governed by our wisdom and patience. It takes no maturity to be directed by your intention or desire. But it does require maturity to be directed by patience and wisdom.
10在约瑟向他哥哥们显示自己的故事里，我们看不见他这一面有任何幼稚的表现。他满了忍耐和智慧，照著生命的成熟行事。他受到哥哥们无知和瞎眼的试炼。他不受自己意愿或愿望的操纵，反而完全在他智慧的控制之下，并受他忍耐的指引。他用忍耐和智慧，给他的哥哥们所需要的一切试验。因为我们没有约瑟那样成熟，我们也许以为他对待哥哥们太严厉，太找麻烦。但约瑟不是找麻烦的人；他是完全成熟，并受智慧和忍耐所管治的人。他知道最好在甚么时候向他的哥哥们显示自己。他承认他们，不是受他的愿望或感觉所指引，乃是完全在神智慧的指引之下。约瑟用智慧给他的哥哥们另一次试验。藉著这次试验，他给他们另一次机会考量他的身分。但我们已经看见，他们仍然是无知的。所以，他安排把他们带回到他面前。当他们回来的时候，他们完全被折服了。犹大对他说，『我们对我主说甚么呢？还有甚么话可说呢？我们怎能自己表白出来呢？』（创四四16。）当犹大这样对他说话的时候，约瑟仍然没有向他们显示他自己，却继续忍耐，试验犹大到底。我不是说犹大生命成熟了，但在那一刻，他进步了很多。藉著他对约瑟说话的说法，我们看见他是被折服、破碎的人。他对约瑟说到父亲时的态度和灵，深深摸著约瑟。藉著犹大与他的谈话，约瑟确信他的哥哥学了功课。那就是约瑟向他们显示他自己的适当时候。那时，他所有的情感都爆发了。
10In the story of Joseph’s revealing himself to his brothers we do not see any display of childishness on his part. Being full of patience and wisdom, he conducted himself according to the maturity of life. He was tried by his brothers’ ignorance and blindness. But instead of being manipulated by his intention or desire, he was completely under the control of his wisdom and directed by his patience. In patience and wisdom he gave his brothers all the tests they needed. Because we are not as mature as Joseph, we may think that he was too severe and troublesome in dealing with his brothers. But Joseph was not a troublesome person; he was a person fully matured and governed by wisdom and patience. He knew what was the best time to reveal himself to his brothers. His acknowledgment of them was not directed by his desire or his feelings; it was completely under the direction of God’s wisdom. In wisdom, Joseph gave his brothers another test. By giving them this test, he gave them another opportunity to consider his identity. But, as we have seen, they remained ignorant. Therefore, he arranged for them to be brought back to him. When they returned, they were fully subdued. Judah said to him, “What shall we say unto my lord? What shall we speak? Or how shall we clear ourselves?” (44:16). When Judah spoke to him like this, Joseph still did not reveal himself to them, but continued to be patient, testing Judah to the uttermost. I do not say that Judah was mature in life, but at that moment he had improved very much. By the way he spoke to Joseph we see that he was a subdued, broken man. The attitude and spirit in which he spoke to Joseph about his father touched Joseph deeply. It was through Judah’stalk with him that Joseph became convinced that his brother had learned his lesson. That was the right time for Joseph to reveal himself to them. At that time, all his emotions burst forth
11不要以为约瑟像木头或石头一样没有感情。不，他满了感情。看看他向弟兄们显示自己的时候哭的情形。（创四五1～15。）他吩咐所有的仆人离开房间，然后他的情感爆发了。这指明约瑟非常有情感。既然他这样富于情感，他怎能至少几个月之久抑制他的情感不表露出来？他能这样作，乃是他成熟的标记。
11Do not think that Joseph was emotionless like wood or stone. No, he was full of emotion. Look at the way he wept when he revealed himself to his brothers (45:1-15). He told all his servants to leave the room, and then his emotions burst out. This indicates that Joseph was very emotional. Since he was so emotional, how could he have refrained from expressing his emotion for at least several months? The fact that he could do this was a sign of his maturity.
12我们若不知道如何控制我们的眼泪、欢笑或怒气，意思就是我们在生命上很幼稚。我们成熟最有力的标记，就是能控制我们的情感。我们在前面的信息中曾指出，当亚伦的两个儿子在神面前被烧灭时，那里有话要亚伦不可哀哭。（利十1～3。）亚伦也许说，『我的两个儿子刚刚在我眼前死了，你却叫我不要哭。摩西，你没有人性！』摩西和亚伦都是在主面前。摩西能在神面前事奉祂，因为他知道如何控制他对哥哥同情的感觉。亚伦接受了摩西的话。你该不该哭泣、欢笑或发怒，乃在于主的同在。我们不是在世界里，乃是在至圣所里主的面前。当你要表达自己的情感时，你不该照著自己的感觉这样作。反之，你必须照著神的同在来表达你的情感。神的同在允许你笑么？神的同在允许你哭么？你不该说，『我刚刚失去儿子，我非常悲伤。我无法控制自己，我必须哭。』你若这样说，就表明你不成熟。约瑟能作埃及的宰相，因为他成熟了。因为成熟，他能管治自己，也能管治全地。在恰当的时候，约瑟为著他的弟兄们哭。甚至这也启示他是完全受神的引导控制的人。在四十二至四十四章，约瑟没有在他弟兄们面前哭。但在四十五章，哥哥们经过了对付，学了功课以后，约瑟哭了。约瑟非常关心他的哥哥们。他对他们的关心，见于他嘱咐他们不要在回家的路上彼此相争。（创四五。）这指明他们争吵过。藉著不同的试验，约瑟管教了他的哥哥们。流便和利未也许说，『我们一生从来没有像最近这几个月，受到这么多的管教。』他们受到有耐心和智慧的约瑟的管教。约瑟对他哥哥们所作的每件事，都不是为著自己，乃是为著他们。在此我们看见约瑟在生命上的完全。然而，他的完全不是为著自己，乃是为著他的弟兄们。他运用忍耐，应用大智慧。他一直控制他的情感，在四十五章以前，除了看见便雅悯以后私下哭过，他没有为他的哥哥们哭。（创四三29～31。）虽然他有丰富的情感，但他不受情感的控制。
12If we do not know how to control our tears, laughter, or anger, it means that we are childish in life. The strongest sign that we are matured is that we are able to control our emotion. As we pointed out in a previous message, when the two sons of Aaron were burned in the presence of God, there were indications that Aaron was forbidden to weep (Lev. 10:1-3). Aaron might have said, “My two sons have just died in my sight and you ask me not to weep. Moses, you are not human.” Both Moses and Aaron were in the presence of the Lord. Moses could serve God in His presence because he knew how to control his feelings of sympathy for his brother. Aaron took Moses’ word. Whether or not you should weep, laugh, or be angry depends upon the Lord’s presence. We are not in the world, but in the presence of the Lord in the Holy of Holies. When you are about to express your emotion, you should not do so according to your feeling. Rather, you must express your emotion according to God’s presence. Does God’s presence allow you to laugh? Does it allow you to weep? You should not say, “I have just lost my sons and I am very sorrowful. I simply cannot control myself. I must weep.” If you say this, it reveals that you are not mature. Joseph could be the ruler in Egypt because he was mature. Being mature, he ruled over himself and over the whole earth. At the right time Joseph wept regarding his brothers. Even this reveals that he was a person fully under the control of God’s guidance. In chapters forty - two through forty - four Joseph did not weep in the presence of his brothers. But in chapter forty-five, after the brothers had passed through the dealings and had learned their lessons, Joseph wept. Joseph had been very concerned for his brothers. His concern for them is seen in the fact that he charged them not to quarrel with one another on the way home (45:24, Heb.). This indicates that they had 24 been quarreling. Through the various tests Joseph exercised discipline over his brothers. Reuben or Levi might have said, “Throughout our entire life we were never disciplined as much as we were in these last months.” They were disciplined by the patient and wise Joseph. Everything Joseph did in relation to his brothers was not for himself, but for them. In this we see Joseph’s perfection in life. However, his perfection was not for himself, but for his brothers. He exercised patience and applied great wisdom. He constantly controlled his emotion and, prior to chapter forty - five, he did not weep regarding his brothers except privately after he had seen Benjamin (43:29-31). Although he had great emotion, he was not controlled by it.
13在婚姻生活里，我们需要学习控制我们的情感。有些人说，要胜过缠累我们的罪很难。但这不如控制我们的情感那样难。要胜过你的情感是最难的事。当你将要发脾气的时候，你能控制自己么？在这件事上，我们都必须向约瑟学习。当他看见便雅悯，情感快要爆发时，他转去私下哭泣，又洗了脸。照样，倘若你在家里将要发脾气，你该到洗手间去，私下发泄你的感觉，然后洗脸。不要以为这种训练是为著年长的人，不是为著年轻的人。约瑟控制他对弟兄们的情感时，还不过三十几岁，至多是在中年。因此，你不该原谅自已。每当你将要发脾气的时候，要记得约瑟所作的。有些人听见这话，也许说，『李弟兄，你不是说在我们里面的复活生命，能胜过一切么？为甚么当我们的情感将要失去控制时，我们需要转身离开别人呢？』原因乃是你天然的生命太强。我不是仅仅要告诉你约瑟的故事。我的负担乃是我们要看见约瑟所过的生活。在约瑟的生活里，他的脾气、个性、情感、意愿和愿望，都在神引导的控制之下。约瑟也许说，『神没有在我承认弟兄们之先，引导我承认他们。我没有自由另有行动。我必须照著主的引导而行。我的确想要立刻向他们显示我自己，并且叫他们尽速把父亲接到我这里。但拣选不在于我。这是主引导的事。我必须作对我哥哥们最有益处的事。照著主的引导，我必须将他们置于试验中。』
13In our married life we need to learn to control our emotion. Some say that to overcome our besetting sin is difficult. But this is not as difficult as controlling our emotion. To overcome your emotion is the most difficult thing. Are you able to control yourself when you are about to lose your temper? In this matter we all must learn of Joseph. When his emotion was about to burst forth at seeing Benjamin, he turned aside to weep privately and to wash his face. Likewise, if you are about to lose your temper at home, you should go to the rest room, let out your feelings privately, and then wash your face. Do not think that this discipline is for the older people but not for the young people. Joseph was still in his thirties when he exercised control of his emotions regarding his brothers. At the most, he was in middle age. Thus, you should not excuse yourself. Whenever you are about to lose your temper, remember what Joseph did. When some hear this, they may say, “Brother Lee, didn’ty ou say that the resurrection life within us is able to overcome everything? Why do we need to turn aside from others when we are about to lose control of our emotion?” The reason is that your natural life is so strong. I do not want simply to tell you the story of Joseph. My burden is that we would see the life Joseph lived. In Joseph’s life his temper, disposition, emotion, intention, and desire were all under the control of God’s leading. Joseph may have said, “God didn’t lead me to acknowledge my brothers earlier than I did. I had no freedom to behave otherwise. I had to conduct myself according to the Lord’s leading. I certainly wanted to reveal myself to them immediately and have them bring my father to me as soon as possible. But the choice was not up to me. It was a matter of the Lord’s leading. I had to do what was best for my brothers. According to the Lord’s leading, I had to put them to the test
14约瑟向他的哥哥们显示他自己的作法，带进绝佳且无可指摘的结果。当约瑟向他们显示他自己的时候，气氛非常美好。在那种气氛中，他很容易赦免他们。然而，事实上，在约瑟里面没有赦免他们的思想。他完全明白将他带到埃及的，是主宰的神，不是他的哥哥们。因为他对待他的哥哥们满了忍耐、智慧和自制，结果是如此绝佳，以致他不需要赦免他们。他晓得神主宰的差他到埃及来达成祂的目的，自然而然就接纳了他的哥哥们。他拥抱他们，并收纳他们。
14The result of the way Joseph revealed himself to his brothers was excellent and blameless. At the time Joseph revealed himself to them, the atmosphere was very good. In that atmosphere it was easy for him to forgive them. Actually, however, within Joseph there was not the thought of forgiving them. He fully understood that it was the sovereign God, not his brothers, who had brought him to Egypt. Because his dealing with his brothers was full of patience, wisdom, and self-control, the result was so excellent that he did not even need to forgive them. Realizing that God had sovereignly sent him to Egypt to fulfill His purpose, he spontaneously received his brothers. He embraced them and took them in.
15当我们在生命的控制下，在忍耐和智慧中，我们就会像约瑟一样。我们不会责备或定罪任何人。我们甚至不需要赦免别人，因为我们不会定罪他们。我们会愿意接受任何人，也会有宽广的心接纳所有软弱的人，甚至那些厉害得罪过我们的人。我们不觉得被人得罪了，反而看见发生在我们身上的每件事，都是照著神的主宰。在神主宰之下的每件事，都是为著我们得益处，为著达成祂的目的，并为著造就别人。因为约瑟被他的哥哥们所卖，益处就临到他们。约瑟的哥哥们藉著受约瑟一切的对付，就受了教育，得了造就。所以，整个事件的结局是绝佳的。约瑟不仅实现了神永远的目的，也建造了他的哥哥们。我们若将有关约瑟的这些事带到祷告和交通里，我们要看见得更多，并且要得著滋养。不仅如此，我们会学在每种情况中如何为人。
15When we are under the control of life in patience and in wisdom, we shall be like Joseph. We shall not blame or condemn anyone. There will not even be the need to forgive others because we shall not blame them. We shall be willing to accept everyone and we shall have a broad heart to embrace all the weaker ones, even those who have seriously offended us. However, instead of feeling that we have been offended, we shall realize that everything that has happened to us was according to God’s sovereignty. Everything under God’s sovereignty is for our good, for the fulfillment of His purpose, and for the edification of others. Because Joseph was sold by his brothers, good came to them. Through all their dealings with Joseph, the brothers were educated and edified. Therefore, the issue of the whole matter was excellent. Joseph not only carried out God’s eternal purpose, but also built up his brothers. If we bring these matters regarding Joseph into our prayer and fellowship, we shall see more and we shall be nourished. Furthermore, we shall learn how to behave in every situation