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创世记生命读经 · 第33篇

在复活里的生活（二）

Life In Resurrection (2)
1在本篇信息中，我们要更多来看创世记八、九章所豫表召会生活的小影；这一次要看一点消极方面的事。
1In this message we shall see more of the shadow of the church life as typified in Genesis 8 and 9, this time seeing something on the negative side
（七） 首领及代表权柄的失败
g. The Failure of the Leader and the Deputy Authority
2在召会生活的积极方面之外，有一些消极的事发生，就是挪亚，这位新地上的首领和神的代表权柄，失败了。（创九20～27。）
2In the midst of all the positive aspects of the church life, something negative occurs—the failure of Noah who was the leader and God’s deputy authority on the new earth (9:20-27
（1） 因著他工作的成功
1) Because of the Success of His Work
3挪亚为甚么失败？因为他曾经非常成功。根据创世记的记载，挪亚成了新地上的首领和地上一切人类的父。那时，身为一切人类的父和首领，无疑的，他是在神的祝福之下。挪亚作起农夫来，栽了一个葡萄园。（创九20。）我们知道他在这件事上很成功，因为葡萄园出产葡萄，制成了酒。（创九21。）从此挪亚变得有点放松。葡萄酒是滋养人的，但挪亚喝得太多。他这样的放松是错了。他应该节制自己，但他没有，反而喝醉了。他暍醉了，就不但放松，更是轻率，赤著身子都不知道。他没有知觉的赤著身子，被他的儿子含看到了。这给我们看见，每当我们在神的祝福下经历成功时，我们必须谨慎，因为成功很容易使我们放松、轻率。我们对自己的成功不该过于高兴。相反的，我们要在苦难中欢喜。当我们受苦时，我们必须夸耀。（罗五3。）但我们成功时，我们必须谨慎。任何一种成功，都能使你在神面前放松。你一放松，就会轻率。然后你会失去知觉，甚至变成赤身。赤身是甚么意思？就是在神眼中失去了遮盖。
3Why did Noah have a failure? Because he had been very successful. According to the record of Genesis, Noah had become the leader on the new land and the father of all mankind on the earth. At that time, he, as the father and leader of all mankind, undoubtedly was under God’s blessing. Noah began to be a farmer and planted a vineyard (9:20). We know he was successful in this because the vineyards produced grapes from which wine was made (9:21). Then Noah became somewhat loose. The grape wine was nourishing, and Noah drank it in excess. He was wrong in this looseness. He should have exercised self-control, but he did not, and became drunken. Being drunken, he was not only loose, but was careless, becoming naked without realizing it. He was unconsciously naked, and his son, Ham, saw this. This shows us that we all must be careful whenever we experience success under God’s blessing, for that success can easily cause us to be loose and careless. We should not be overly joyful with our success. Instead, we should be joyful in our suffering. When we suffer, we must rejoice (Rom. 5:3). But when we are successful, we must be careful. Any kind of success can cause you to be loose in the presence of God. After being loose, you may become careless. Then you may lose your consciousness and even become naked. What does it mean to be naked? It means to lose your covering in the eyes of God
4在这里我必须说一句重的话。我们是堕落的人，我们需要遮盖。我们不仅在属灵方面，就是在身体方面，都需要有遮盖。在神面前，我们在属灵方面和身体方面都必须有遮盖。人在堕落以前，在神面前是赤身的。因为那时候没有罪，所以赤身没有甚么错。堕落以后，因为罪进来了，赤身就有罪。我们在性情里是有罪的，所以在神面前需要有正确的遮盖。
4Here I must speak a strong word. As fallen human beings, we need a covering. We need a cove ring not only spiritually, but also physically. Spiritually and physically we must be covered in the presence of God. Before the fall of man, man was naked before God. There was nothing wrong with that nakedness because there was no sin. After the fall, because sin has come in, it is sinful to be naked. We are sinful in our nature and need a proper covering in the presence of God.
5就身体方面说，正确的遮盖乃是我们的衣服。亚当和夏娃在堕落之后，立刻发现他们赤身露体，就尽力要遮盖自己，（创三7，）但他们没有作得很好。然后神来，用牺牲的皮遮盖他们。（创三21。）那遮盖也豫表基督作了堕落之人的遮盖。就身体方面说，堕落的人需要遮盖，尤其是在神面前。祭司不得赤身露体；当他们来到神面前的时候，必须把全身遮盖起来。（出二十25～26，二八40～43。）
5Physically speaking, the proper covering is our clothing. Immediately after the fall, Adam and Eve discovered that they were naked and tried their best to cover themselves (3:7), but they did not do it very well. Then God came in and covered them with the skins of the sacrifice (3:21). That covering was also a type of Christ as the covering for fallen people. Physically speaking, fallen man needs a covering, especially before God. The priests were not allowed to be naked; they had to be fully covered when they came into the presence of God (Exo. 20:25-26; 28:40-43
6今天的人喜欢裸体，尽量暴露他们的身体。我们无须问圣经怎么说到这事－只要问自己。你裸体时不觉得羞耻么？你的本性告诉你，这是羞耻的事。今天的光景真是可怜。人不但违背圣经，也违背自己的本性和知觉。男性和女性都该遮盖他们的身体。由于这深处的定罪，我是尽量的遮盖自己。我不喜欢暴露我的身体。我们遮盖越多，越把自己藏在遮盖之下，就越有平安。我年轻的时候，看见有的人在夏天穿短裤。如果我穿了短裤，我就无法站起来尽职。当我站在讲台上，就是赤著脚或穿著短袖衬衫，我也难以说话。我们把身体暴露得越多，平安就越少。你读圣经，会发现这种对裸体的定罪是从堕落来的。无论我们多圣洁，我们仍需要遮盖。我们的身体必须被遮盖。我若能把全身，包括我的头和手，都遮盖起来，我会讲得更好，因为我有把握没有人看到我。我能在遮盖下说话。我们都需要尽可能的遮盖自己。
6People today like to be naked, exposing their bodies as much as possible. There is no need to ask what the Bible says about this—just ask yourself. Do you not feel that it is shameful to be naked? Your nature tells you that it is. The situation today is pitiful. People not only go against the Bible, but also against their own nature and consciousness. Both males and females must cover their bodies. Due to this deep conviction, I try to cover myself as much as possible. I do not like to have my body exposed. The more we are covered, the more we hide ourselves under a covering, the more peace we have. When I was young, I saw some people who wore short pants in the summer. If I were to wear short pants when I stand up to minister, I would not be able to speak. Even if I were to stand on the platform with bare feet or wear a short-sleeved shirt, I would find it difficult to speak. The more we expose our physical body, the less peace we have. If you read the Bible, you will find that this conviction regarding nakedness comes from the fall. Regardless of how holy we are, we still need a covering. Our physical body must be covered. If I could have my whole body covered, including my head and my hands, I could speak much better, because I would have the assurance that no one would see me. I could speak in a covered way. We all must cover ourselves as much as possible
7我们在属灵方面比在身体方面更需要遮盖。甚么是我们属灵的遮盖？就是基督。在豫表上，一切的衣服都是作我们遮盖之基督的豫表。（路十五22，诗四五13。）属灵的赤身露体就是失去了你在神面前的遮盖，就是失去了基督作你的遮盖。很多时候，弟兄们在交通中对他们所有的成功过度兴奋。在那兴奋的说话里，他们变得放松且轻率，失去了基督作他们的遮盖。他们在神面前讲话没有任何遮盖。我看过在姊妹们中间有这样的情形。有些亲爱的姊妹们在召会的聚会中祷告很属灵，有完全的遮盖，一旦彼此交通一些兴奋的事情，就变得放松轻率。她们失去了基督作她们的遮盖。就某种意义说，她们是喝醉且赤身露体了。每当我看到姊妹们中间有这种情形，我就不敢走到她们中间。我从已往的学习里，知道看到任何圣徒的赤身都是不好的。当姊妹们正在那样兴奋赤裸的交通时，我去那里看，对我并不好。我喜欢看一个美妙的祷告聚会，高的聚会，有强的祷告，而所有的弟兄姊妹都完全在基督的遮盖之下。去看这样的聚会是蒙福的。但是当我看到反面的光景，我就跑开，因为我不愿意看到在那里所暴露的。我们都必须谨慎，不要兴奋到一个程度，变成放松、轻率、醉酒、赤身而失去正确的遮盖。许多时候，连我们谈论属灵的事或召会生活，都会这样。可能我们在谈论召会一次很高的聚会，我们却是赤著身子来谈论，没有基督的遮盖。我们是堕落的人，我们必须在每一活动上，每一所作或所说的事上，保守自己被基督所遮盖。没有基督遮盖著我，我就不作任何事。没有被基督遮盖，我就不和我的妻子、儿女、弟兄、姊妹说话。我若没有基督的遮盖而作甚么事，那就是我放松、轻率、醉酒并赤身，就是我失去了自制。挪亚身上所发生的事正是这样。
7We need a spiritual covering even more than a physical covering. What is our spiritual covering? It is Christ. In typology, all garments and clothing are types of Christ as our covering (Luke 15:22; Psa. 45:13). To be naked spiritually speaking means to lose your covering in the presence of God, that is, to lose Christ as your covering. In fellowship, many times the brothers become overly excited about some success that they have had. When, in that excited talking, they become loose and careless, they lose Christ as their covering. They talk in the presence of God without any covering. I have seen this among the sisters. Some dear sisters prayed very spiritually with a full covering in the church meeting, but when the time came for them to fellowship with one another about certain exciting things, they became loose and careless. They lost Christ as their covering. In a sense, they were drunken and naked. Whenever I saw this situation among the sisters, I did not dare to enter in. From my learning in the past, I have come to realize that it is not good to see the nakedness of any saint. When the sisters engage in that kind of excited, naked fellowship, it is not good for me to see what is there. I like to see a wonderful prayer meeting, a meeting that is so high, with the prayers strong, and all the brothers and sisters fully under the covering of Christ. It is a blessing to see such a meeting. But, when I see a negative situation, I run away, for I do not like to see what is exposed there. We all must be careful not to be excited to the degree that we become loose, careless, drunken, naked, and lose the proper covering. Many times we were like this even while talking about spiritual things or about the church life. Perhaps we were even talking about a high church meeting, but we talked about it in a naked way without the covering of Christ. As fallen human beings, we must keep ourselves covered by Christ in every kind of activity, in everything that we do or say. I would not do anything without Christ covering me. I would not talk to my wife, my children, or to my brothers or sisters without being covered by Christ. If I do anything without the covering of Christ, it means that I am loose, careless, drunken, and naked. It means that I have lost my self- control. That was exactly what happened to Noah.
8年轻人必须学习如何在他们的态度、谈话、甚至交通中完全被遮盖。这是实际的功课。现在你们所缺的一切，将来年纪较长的时候都要完全暴露出来。我们年纪较大的人该晓得，我们现在所缺的，正暴露出我们年轻时所缺的学习，这就和受教育一样。你们若不在年轻时充分学习，年老时便感觉缺少某种知识。尽早得救是好的。年轻人该受鼓励，现在就学功课。不然，当他们年老时，他们的短缺要暴露今天的学习不彀。现在正是学习一些属灵生命各项精细功课的时候。
8Young people must learn how to be fully covered in their attitude, talk, and even in their fellowship. This is a real lesson. Whatever you lack now will be fully exposed when you are older. We older ones must realize that our present lack exposes the lack of learning when we were young. It is just the same as in education. If you do not learn sufficiently when you are young, you will feel that you lack certain knowledge when you become old. It is good to be saved as early as possible. The young people must be encouraged to learn the lessons now. Otherwise, when they are older, their shortage then will expose the lack of learning today. Now is the time to learn some of the lessons of the fine details concerning the spiritual life
（2） 迦南的父亲含，因揭露失败受了咒诅
2) Ham, the Father of Canaan, Received the Curse by Exposing the Failure
9挪亚犯了错误，有了失败。当挪亚醒来后，他没有认罪。他立刻咒诅24-那揭露他赤身的人。（创九22，24～25。）我年轻时对挪亚这样作不太高兴。我说，『挪亚，你不知道你错了么？你应当向神认罪，然后向看见你赤身的儿子含认错。然而你不但不认错，反倒咒诅他。』我真的很困惑。挪亚咒诅那揭露他的人，祝福那遮盖他的人。他咒诅那不为著他的，祝福那为著他的。你们中间可能有人对这段话也有问题。你们也许不懂得为甚么会这样。
9Noah made a mistake and had a failure. When Noah woke up, he did not make a confession. He immediately cursed the one that exposed his nakedness (9:22, 25). When I was young, I was somewhat unhappy with Noah about this. I said, “Noah, don’ty ou realize that you were wrong? You should have confessed to God and then confessed to Ham, the son who saw your nakedness exposed. Instead of confessing, you cursed.” I was really bothered. Noah cursed the exposing one and blessed the covering ones. He cursed whomever was not for him and blessed whomever was for him. Probably some of you have also had a problem with this portion of the Word. Maybe you do not understand why this happened.
10就属灵方面说，像挪亚这样的人要谦卑认罪是容易的。你不认为这是容易的么？但对一个失败且被暴露过的人，要他咒诅和祝福却是很难的。挪亚是一家之父并人类的首领，每一个人都看他。他失败了，且被揭露了。他本可以谦卑认罪，承认自己失败了。然而，因著神已经立他作首领，他必须不照著他被定罪的感觉说话，而照著神的行政说话。是谦卑认罪容易呢，还是照著神的行政说话容易？任何人要谦卑、承认错误并认罪都是容易的。但挪亚若这样行了，神在地上的行政会变成甚么样子？他的后裔会怎样？神的经纶，神的管治会怎样？对挪亚来说，这样认罪是对的；但他若这样作，就破坏了神在地上的行政。除了挪亚以外，谁能代表神在地上说行政的话？只有挪亚能作这事。对挪亚这失败过的人来说，要说行政的话来代表神是困难的。当他这样说话的时候，他的良心可能会搅扰他，魔鬼会控告他的良心，说，『你既有这样的失败，怎能这样说话呢？』有时候召会中领头的人落入这种处境，就放弃了，甚么都不说。所以，就没有神圣的行政了。
10Spiritually speaking, it was easy for a person like Noah to be humble and to confess. Do you not think that this is easy? But it would be very difficult for one who has failed and has been exposed to curse and to bless. Noah was the father of the family and the leader of mankind. Everyone looked to him. He failed and was exposed. He could have been humble, confessed, and admitted that he had failed. However, since God had established him as the leader, he had to speak, not according to his convictions, but according to God’s government. Which is easier to do—to be humble and confess, or to speak according to God’s government? It is easy for anyone to be humble, admit the failure, and confess it. But if Noah had been like that, what would have become of God’s government on this earth? What about his descendants? What about God’secon o my, God’sad ministration? It would have been all right for Noah to make such a confession, but it would have meant the ruin of God’s government on earth. Besides Noah, who could have represented God to speak in a governmental way? No one but Noah could have done that work. It was difficult for Noah, as one who had failed, to represent God by speaking governmentally. While he was speaking in such a way, his conscience might have troubled him and the Devil might have accused his conscience, saying, “How can you speak this way, since you have had such a failure?” Sometimes when the leaders in the church fell into this kind of situation, they gave up and did not say anything. So, there was no divine government
11不要按著人的观念去审判挪亚。在神的行政里，挪亚是一个好例子。虽然他失败了，他仍然那么刚强的代表神说行政的话。对挪亚来说，要这样作是不容易的。不要从挪亚那一面，他失败的一面来看他，要从神行政的一面来看那情形。无疑的，挪亚是错了。他放松、轻率、醉酒又赤身。但我们必须从神行政的观点来看挪亚。
11Do not judge Noah according to the human concept. In God’s government, Noah was a good example. Though he failed, he was still so strong to represent God in speaking governmentally. It was difficult for Noah to do that. Do not look at Noah from his side, from the side of his failure. You must look at the situation from the side of the government of God. Undoubtedly Noah was wrong. He was loose, careless, drunken, and naked. Nevertheless, we must look at Noah from the perspective of God’s government.
12当首领错了的时候，我们应当作甚么？这件事影响到神的行政。这里有两件事：神圣的行政和人的失败。我们若要明白这段神圣的话，就必须看见甚么是神圣的行政。这不仅是人失败的问题。不管首领对或错，神的行政必须顾到。含揭露了挪亚的赤身，轻看了神的行政。揭露首领的失败牵涉到神圣的行政。我们都必须看见这点。假定挪亚不是首领，也不是神在地上的代表权柄，那么他失败时人怎样作就不会这么严重。无论他们作甚么都不会影响神的行政，或把他们牵涉到神行政的对付里。但挪亚是首领，是神在地上的代表权柄。对于这样一个首领的失败，我们的态度应该怎样？这把我们牵涉到神行政的对付里。摩西娶了古实女子为妻是不对的，（民十二1，）但米利暗毁谤他，却受咒诅生了大痲疯。（民十二10。）她因为轻看神的行政，消极的说到神代表的权柄，就受了咒诅。
12What should we do when the leader is wrong? This matter affects God’s government. There are two things here: the divine government and the human failure. If we are going to understand this portion of the divine Word, we must see what is the divine government. It is not merely a matter of human failure. Whether the leader is right or wrong, God’s government has to be taken care of. Ham, who exposed Noah’s nakedness, neglected God’s government. To expose a leader’s failure is to be involved with the divine government. We all must see this. Suppose Noah was not the leader and not God’s deputy authority on earth. Then what people did when he failed would not have been so serious. Whatever they did would not have affected God’s government or involved them with God’s governmental dealing. But Noah was the leader, and God’s deputy authority on earth. What should be our attitude towards such a leader’s failure? This involves us in God’s governmental dealings. Moses was wrong in marrying an Ethiopian woman (Num. 12:1). Miriam spoke against him and suffered the curse of leprosy (Num. 12:10). She was cursed because she neglected God’s government and touched God’s deputy authority in a negative way
13为甚么圣经强有力的说，藐视或不尊敬他父母的必受咒诅？（申二七16，直译。）因为这涉及神的行政。神是一位有次序的神，有行政的神。你看看神的创造，你会看到每一件东西都是有次有序的。这个次序与神的行政有关。在神宇宙的行政中，父母之于儿女是神的权柄。儿女不尊敬他们的父母，就是反叛神的行政。他们是对神在地上的代表权柄不尊重。他们这样作，就要受到咒诅。大卫杀死乌利亚，娶了他的妻子，犯了大错。但他的儿子押沙龙反叛他，就遭受死的咒诅。（撒下十五10，十八14～15。）今天多少年轻人藐视且不尊敬他们的父母，结果失去了神的祝福。看看他们生活行事的情形－就像低等动物一样。他们失去了神命定给人的福。他们为甚么失去了神的福？因为他们不尊敬父母，受了咒诅。圣经说得很清楚，尊敬父母的必然得福，在世长寿。（弗六2～3。）年轻人，你们若尊敬父母，你们必得长寿的福，生活正常。你会知道怎样作智慧人，怎样行事为人。你会知道过正常生活正确的路。你就不会受咒诅，活得像低等动物一样。错误的过生活乃是受咒诅的标记。
13Why does the Bible say strongly that whoever despises or dishonors his parents shall be cursed? (Deut. 27:16, Heb.). Because this involves God’s government. God is a God of order, a God with His government. If you look at God’s creation, you will see that everything is in good order. This order is related to God’s government. In God’s universal government, the parents are God’s authority over the children. When children dishonor their parents, they are rebellious against God’s government. They dishonor the deputy authority of God on earth. When they do this, they receive a curse. David was seriously wrong in killing Uriah and taking his wife. His son, Absalom, rebelled against him and suffered the curse of death (2 Sam. 15:10; 18:14-15). Today, so many young people despise and dishonor their parents and miss God’s blessing as a result. Look at the way they live and act—it is just like the lower animals. They have missed the blessing that God destined for mankind. Why have they missed God’s blessing? Because they have been cursed for dishonoring their parents. The Bible says clearly that the one who honors his parents will receive the blessing of long life (Eph. 6:2-3). Young people, if you honor your parents, you will be blessed with a long life, living normally. You will know how to be wise and how to behave. You will know what is the right way to have a normal life. You will not be under the curse, living like the lower animals. To have a wrong way of living is a sign of the curse
14含为甚么被咒诅？因为他触犯了神的权柄，并牵涉到神的行政。挪亚是错了，但就含来说，他该考虑到自己的地位和神的行政。首领的失败，对我们总是一个试验。我们真是在神的行政下么？如果是，我们就蒙福了。如果不是，我们会失去祝福。挪亚的失败，对他的儿子们是个试验。从同一个试验，一个受了咒诅，两个蒙了祝福。你在这样的试验中，到底是受咒诅还是蒙祝福，全看你如何与神的行政发生关系。虽然挪亚的失败不好，却给闪和雅弗一个好机会得著祝福。
14Why was Ham cursed? Because he touched God’s authority and became involved with God’s government. Noah was wrong. But, as far as Ham was concerned, he should have considered his position and God’s government. The failure of the leader always becomes a test to us. Are we truly under God’s government? If we are, we shall be blessed. If not, we shall lose the blessing. Noah’s failure was a test to his sons. From the same test, one received a curse and two received a blessing. Whether you receive a curse or a blessing from such a test depends on how you involve yourself with God’s government. Although Noah’s failure was bad, it was a good opportunity for Shem and Japheth to receive the blessing
15当我年轻时，我对圣经上所记载的感到难过。似乎每当神作了甚么事，撒但就进来破坏。那时我只看到黑的一面，没有看到白的一面。后来主给我看见，白的一面比黑的一面大。挪亚失败了─那是黑的一面。挪亚的放松、轻率、醉酒、赤身都是由于魔鬼藉著肉体的工作。但魔鬼所造成的这个失败，带进了大的祝福。没有这个失败，神的祝福绝不能像现在这样的实际。然而，不要说，『让我们作坏事，好使好事临到。』绝不要这样说。神的祝福总是超过撒但造成的破坏。撒但在破坏，但神不断的在祝福。神好像说，『撒但，你尽管破坏我所作的罢。等你破坏了，我便进来祝福。我的祝福要超过你的破坏。』谁会承受这祝福呢？只有那些在神行政下的人。不要因撒但破坏神的工作而受困扰。保守自己在神的行政之下，并且脱离撒但所造成的破坏，你就要得著祝福。
15When I was young, I felt sorry for the record of the Bible. It seemed that whenever God did something Satan would come in to damage it. At that time I only saw the black side, not the white side. Later the Lord showed me that the white side is greater than the black side. Noah failed—that was the black side. Noah’s looseness, carelessness, drunkenness, and nakedness were all due to the work of the Devil through the flesh. But this failure caused by the Devil brought in a great blessing. Without this failure the blessing of God could never have been as practical as it is now. However, do not say, “Let us do evil that good may come.” Never say this. The blessing of God always exceeds the damage caused by Satan. Satan is damaging, but God is continually blessing. God seems to say, “Satan, do your damage to what I have done. Once you have done your damage, I shall come in to bless. My blessing will surpass your damage.” Who will receive this blessing? Only those who are under God’s government. Do not be bothered by the damage that Satan does to God’s work. Keep yourself under God’s government, and, out of the damage caused by Satan, you will receive a blessing
16含失去了得祝福的黄金机会。他因轻看神的行政，失去了这祝福。他告诉他弟兄的话是基于事实，并没有散播谣言或说谎。但是他的两个兄弟闪和雅弗，认识且尊重神的行政。你有否注意他们所作的？『于是闪和雅弗，拿件衣服搭在肩上，倒退著进去，给他父亲盖上，他们背著脸就看不见父亲的赤身。』（创九23。）他们对父亲的赤身甚至一眼都不看。他们所作的不但是对的，道德的，更是完全在神的行政下。绝不要忘记，那里的情形不仅与人的行为有关，也与神的行政有关。要谨慎。你的父亲是好是坏，这是他个人的问题。不要忘记他的地位乃是神在地上的代表权柄。你若揭露他的失败，就把自己牵涉到神的行政里。我们都必须看见这点。我所说的是我所充分经历过的。闪和雅弗认识神的行政。他们进去并不是看失败，而是去遮盖失败。
16Ham missed the golden opportunity to receive the blessing. He missed it by neglecting the divine government. His talk to his brothers was based on fact. He did not spread a rumor or tell a lie. But Shem and Japheth, his two brothers, knew and respected God’s government. Have you ever noticed what they did? “And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father’s nakedness” (9:2 3). They refused even a glimpse at their father’s nakedness. What they did was not only right and moral — it was very much under God’s government. Never forget that the situation there was not only related to a man’s behavior, but also to God’s government. Be careful. Whether or not your father is right or wrong is a personal matter. Do not forget that he is in the position of God’s deputy authority on earth. If you expose his failure, you will involve yourself with God’s government. We all must see this. I speak what I have fully experienced. Shem and Japheth knew God’s government. They went in, not to look upon the failure, but to cover it.
17看到别人的失败并不是祝福。你去探访一位弟兄的家，不要登堂入室，打听得太仔细。这不会是祝福，反倒是咒诅。这对你不会有益，反倒有损。甚么时候你访问弟兄或姊妹的家，你该闭起眼睛。所以当人问我别人事情的时候，我有很好的答案，我说，『我不知道。』我这样回答是说真话，因为我实在不知道。我曾经几次被邀请到一位弟兄家里，但除了他的客厅和饭厅以外，我甚么都不知道。我不知道厨房在那里。我不喜欢知道这些事情。我喜欢看不见，我喜欢不知道。我只喜欢知道神给我的负担。弟兄姊妹们，要学习不知道，学习看不见。要学习作瞎子和聋子。你知道闲话从何而来？闲话是从看见和听见来的。你如果瞎了聋了，你就不会去说闲话。我们都必须学习不看别人的情形。别想要去看这些事情，因为那会将你牵涉到神的行政里。牵涉到神的行政并不是一件小事。
17It is not a blessing to see the failure of others. When you visit a brother’sho me, do not travel around his home and learn every detail. That will not be a blessing, but a curse. It would not be a gain to you, but a loss. Whenever you visit a brother’s or sister’sho me, you should go there blindly. This is why I have a good answer when people ask me about others. I say, “I don’t know.” I tell the truth when I say this, because truly I do not know. I have been invited to a certain brother’sho me a number of times, but I know nothing about it except for the living room and the dining room. I do not know where the kitchen is. I do not like to know such things. I like to be blind. I like to be ignorant. I only like to know what the Lord burdens me with. Brothers and sisters, learn not to know. Learn not to see. Learn to be blind and deaf. Do you know where gossip comes from? Gossip comes from seeing and hearing. If you were deaf and blind, you would have nothing to gossip about. We all must learn not to see the situations of other people. Do not try to see such things, for that will involve you with God’s government. It is not a small thing to be involved with God’s government
18将近五十年以来，我看到也听到，许多亲爱的圣徒批评倪柝声弟兄。我能向你们作很强的见证，凡是反对倪弟兄的，凡是批评倪弟兄的，凡是说倪弟兄错，他们对的，没有一个得著祝福。许多这样的人遭受到属灵的亏损。有的人失去他们身体的健康，也有的人失去他们的事业。几乎没有一个是例外的。我早年不知道这是甚么道理。渐渐的我知道，所有反对和批评的人，都触犯了神的行政。
18Throughout the years, close to fifty years, I saw and heard many dear saints criticizing Watchman Nee. I can strongly testify to you that none of the opposers of Brother Nee, none of those who criticized Brother Nee, saying that he was wrong and that they were right, received the blessing. Many of them suffered a loss spiritually. Some lost their health and others lost their business. There was scarcely one exception. In the early years I did not know the reason for this. Gradually I learned that it was because all the opposers and criticizers had touched God’s government.
19问题不在于首领是对或错，乃在于你是不是在神的行政之下。如果一个首领经常全是对的，甚么错都没有，你就绝不会被试验。首领的失败或错误，成了你的试验，证明你到底在那里。你若处于神行政下正确的地位，首领的失败要成为你的祝福。
19It is not a matter of whether the leader is right or wrong; it is a matter of whether or not you are under God’s government. If the leader is always one hundred percent right, you will never be put to the test. The leader’s failure or mistake becomes your test to prove where you are. If you are in the right position under God’s government, the leader’s failure will become your blessing
20让我告诉你们有关我自己经历的一个故事。从一九四二年到一九四八年，六年之间倪柝声弟兄不能尽他的职事。因著魔鬼在中国的工作，有一个属灵的风暴，使倪弟兄无法尽职事。在抗战期间，他和我分开了。战后，在一九四六年，我从北方被邀请到南方的首都。有一些同工曾被卷在那个风暴里反对倪弟兄，他们跟我也很熟，就远远跑来见我，他们说，『李弟兄，你能说倪弟兄从来没有错么？』我回答说，『弟兄们，他是对还是错，这不是我的事。你们必须承认一件事─我们都欠倪弟兄许多。我们必须承认，他对我们大家正像父亲一样。如果他对你不是父亲，我必须很强的见证，在主的经纶里，他对我确实是父亲。我还未遇到倪弟兄以前，我对主的经纶一无所知。他是我属灵的父亲，我这个属灵的人是从他出来的。』然后我把挪亚的故事告诉弟兄们。我说，『弟兄们，请看挪亚的事件。挪亚错了么？他确实是错的。但问题不在挪亚对或错，问题全在我们这人是从那里领受的。挪亚不是我们的父亲么？如果挪亚是你的邻居，不是你的父亲，那又另当别论。但请记得，你这个人是从他来的，他是你的父亲。你的所是和所得都是从他出来的。这把你牵涉到神的行政。弟兄们，我没有看到别人所定罪倪弟兄的事。即使我看到他错了，我也没有任何地位来说他的错误，因为他是我属灵的父亲，我这个属灵的人是从他出来的。我绝不能说任何反对他的话。我是在神的行政下。弟兄们，你们必须想想，反对我们属灵的父亲不是一件小事。你们没有反对倪弟兄的时候，你们里面的感觉如何？』他们都承认，觉得满了生命。我又问：『现在如何？』他们回答说，『我们必须承认，我们死了，没有膏油，也没有滋润。我们枯干了。』于是我说，『弟兄们，你们应当听从里头这真实的感觉。不要理会你们头脑的分析。根据你们头脑的分析，倪弟兄该被定罪；但只要你们定罪他，你们就死了。你们越定罪他，你们就越死。』立刻，弟兄们回转过来，从死的情形里得了拯救。
20Let me tell you a story concerning my own experience. For a period of six years, from 1942 to 1948, Brother Watchman Nee was out of his ministry. Because of the work of the Devil in China, there was a spiritual storm that kept Watchman from ministering. He and I were separated during the war. After the war, in 1946, I was invited to come from the north to the capital city in the south. When some of the co-workers who were involved in that storm against Brother Nee and who also knew me very well came from afar to meet with me, they said, “Brother Lee, can you say that Brother Nee has ever been wrong?” I replied, “Brothers, whether he is wrong or right is not my business. You must admit one thing—that we all owe very much to Brother Nee. We all must admit that he was just like a father to us all. If he was not a father to you, I must testify strongly that, in the Lord’secon o my, he certainly was a father to me. Before I met with Brother Nee, I knew nothing of the Lord’secon o my. He is my spiritual father, and my spiritual being came out of him.” Then I told the brothers the story of Noah. I said, “Brothers, look at Noah’s case. Was Noah wrong? Certainly he was wrong. But, it is not a matter of whether Noah was right or wrong; it is all a matter of from where we have received our being. Was Noah not our father? If he was your neighbor and not your father, it would be another story. But remember that you derived your being from him. He is your father. Whatever you are and whatever you obtained has come out of him. This involves you with the divine government. Brothers, I didn’ts ee the thing for which people condemn Brother Nee. Even if I did see that he was wrong, I have no position to say anything about his wrongdoing, because he is my spiritual father and my spiritual being came out of him. I could never say anything against him. I am under God’s government. Brothers, you must consider that it is not a small thing to be against our spiritual father. When you were not against Brother Nee, what was your inner feeling?” They all admitted that they felt so much life. When I asked, “How about now?” they responded, “We have to admit that we are just dead. We have no anointing or watering within. We are dried up.” Then I said, “Brothers, you should listen to this real sensation. Don’t care for your mental analysis. According to your mental analysis, Brother Nee is condemned, but as long as you condemn him, you are dead. The more you condemn him, the more dead you are.” Immediately, the brothers turned and were saved from their dead situation.
21我们都该顾到神的行政。我信在我们中间有神的行政。如果这是主的恢复，那么，神的行政就在我们中间。
21We must all take care of God’s government. I believe that among us there is God’s government. If this is the Lord’s recovery, then the divine government is among us
22挪亚的咒诅和祝福，乃是神在祂行政的对付里所默示的。这些不是照著挪亚个人的感觉，乃是照著神的行政。这不是出于挪亚自己，乃是出于那在人类身上执行祂行政的神。挪亚的儿子一个受咒诅，其他两个蒙祝福。先是咒诅，后是祝福。根据历史和地理，挪亚的长子闪，是希伯来人的祖先，即犹太人的祖先。挪亚的次子含，是黑人的祖先。含的儿子古实是衣索匹亚人的祖先。挪亚的第三子雅弗，是欧洲人的祖先。
22Noah’s curse and blessing were inspired by God in His governmental dealings. They were not according to Noah’s personal feelings, but according to God’s government. They were not of Noah himself, but of the very God who exercises His government over mankind. One of Noah’ss ons was cursed and the other two were blessed. The curse came first and the blessings followed. According to history and geography, Shem, Noah’s first son, was the forefather of the Hebrews, the Jews. Ham, his second son, was the forefather of the black people. Ham’ss on was Cush, the forefather of Ethiopia. Japheth, Noah’s third son, was the forefather of the Europeans
（3） 闪和雅弗因遮盖而得著祝福
3) Shem and Japheth Received the Blessing by Covering the Failure
23在挪亚所说的豫言中，很清楚说到神要使雅弗扩张。（创九27。）这一句话需要很多世纪的时间来应验。历史告诉我们，欧洲人已经扩张了。看看过去五个世纪的历史，自从哥伦布时代以来，欧洲人有了何等大的扩张，扩大。这扩大在继续著。这扩大主要是由于欧洲人中间的三个因素：政治的力量、科学及艺术，包括技术和贸易。由于这三件事，欧洲人不断的在扩大中。美国人是欧洲的扩大。至终欧洲文化藉美国扩展到全世界。这应验了在雅弗身上所豫言的祝福。对雅弗所说『扩张』一辞的豫言，需要许多世纪来应验。许多国家跟随欧洲式的政治，因为欧洲人从罗马人学来，在这事上很强。此外，科学、技术和文艺，也自欧洲人出来。这一切都是神所豫言雅弗要扩张的应验。
23In the prophecy spoken through Noah, it was stated clearly that Japheth would be enlarged by God (9:27). This one word needs centuries to fulfill it. History tells us that the Europeans have been enlarged. Consider the history of the last five centuries. What an enlargement, an expansion, has occurred with the Europeans since the time of Columbus. This expansion is continuing. This expansion is mainly due to three factors among the Europeans: governmental power, science, and art, including the skills and the trades. Due to these three things, the Europeans have been constantly expanding. The Americans are the expansion of the Europeans. Eventually the European culture spread throughout the world through America. This was a fulfillment of the blessing spoken prophetically to Japheth. The one word of prophecy, “enlarged,” spoken to Japheth has needed centuries to be fulfilled. Many nations follow the European way of government because the Europeans were strong in this matter, learning it from the Romans. Furthermore, the sciences, skills, and arts came out of the Europeans. All of this is the fulfillment of God’s prophecy that Japheth would be enlarged.
24现在我们来看闪。『又说，耶和华闪的神，是应当称颂的。』扩张属于雅弗，但神是闪的神。耶和华，就是神，是闪的。所有的犹太人都要夸口说，『神是我们的。』连主耶稣也告诉撒玛利亚妇人说，救恩是从犹太人出来的。（约四22。）凡与神有关的都是从犹太人出来的。谁写旧约圣经？犹太人。谁写新约圣经？除了一个外邦人，医生路加之外，新约圣经是犹太人写的。就是路加，也是用他从犹太信徒所得的知识写的。所有与神，与神的福音，与基督并与救恩有关的事，都是从犹太人出来的。耶和华以罗欣曾豫言为闪的神。闪没有政治或科学；闪有神。这豫言宣告，扩张的雅弗要住在闪的帐棚里。（创九27。）欧洲人，包括美国人，是强的，但他们需要希伯来人的帐棚。你若不相信犹太人所传的，你就没有帐棚，没有安息。
24Now let us come to Shem. “And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of Shem.” The expansion is of Japheth, but God is of Shem. Jehovah, the very God, is of Shem. All of the Jews have to boast, saying, “God is ours.” Even the Lord Jesus told the Samaritan woman that salvation is of the Jews (John 4:22). Whatever is related to God has come out of the Jews. Who wrote the Old Testament? The Jews. Who wrote the New Testament? Except for one Gentile, Luke, the physician, the New Testament was written by Jews. Even Luke wrote with the knowledge he received from the Jewish believers. All the things concerning God, concerning God’s gospel, concerning Christ, and concerning salvation have come out of the Jews. Jehovah Elohim was prophesied to be Shem’s. Shem does not have government or science; Shem has God. The prophecy declares that the enlarged Japheth must dwell in the tents of Shem (9:27). The Europeans, including the Americans, are strong, but they need the tents of the Hebrews. If you do not believe what the Jews preach, you have no tent, no rest.
25闪的后裔没有建造巴比伦；他们像亚伯拉罕一样建造帐棚，他们为神建造帐幕。主耶稣是闪的后裔，被比作帐幕。（约一14。）至终，新耶路撒冷也是神永远的帐幕，（启二一2～3，）上面有十二个犹太支派的名字，和十二个犹太使徒的名字。雅弗的后裔欧洲人，包括美国人，的确住在闪救恩的帐棚里。这个豫言已经应验了，并且仍在继续应验。
25The descendants of Shem did not build Babylon; they built tents like Abraham did and they built the tabernacle for God. The Lord Jesus, one of Shem’s descendants, was likened to a tabernacle (a tent, John 1:14). Eventually, the New Jerusalem also will be God’s eternal tent (tabernacle, Rev. 21:2-3), which bears the names of the twelve Jewish tribes and the names of the twelve Jewish apostles. The descendants of Japheth, the Europeans, including the Americans, truly have dwelt in Shem’ste nts of salvation. This prophecy has been and is still being fulfilled
26雅弗已经扩张，并且需要住在闪的帐棚里。含已经被咒诅，因他被牵涉在神的行政中，失去了祝福。在咒诅之下，他变作奴仆的奴仆。这有没有被历史证明呢？这已经证明了。但请翻到行传十三章一节：『在安提阿当地的召会中，有几位申言者和教师，就是巴拿巴和称呼尼结的西面，古利奈人路求，与分封王希律同养的马念，并扫罗。』在这节圣经中，我们看见各种不同的人已经成了一个召会。在这里我们看见一些申言者和教师列在召会显著的、有功用的肢体中间。巴拿巴和扫罗是犹太人。西面又叫尼结（黑的意思）；从这称呼看来，他可能是黑人。古利奈人路求是从非洲来的。古利奈是北非（今天利比亚所在之处）的一个城市。马念是与希律同养的。希律虽然是以土买人（以东人）的后裔，但在政治上与罗马人（欧洲人）有关。所以，虽然马念的祖先不能确定，但他既是希律一个同养的兄弟，必定是欧洲化的。因此，我们看见在安提阿召会中这五个大有功用的肢体，有两个是犹太人，闪的后裔；一个来自非洲，一个可能是黑人，这两个可能都是含的后裔。另外一个至少在文化上与雅弗的后裔有关。他们众人成了一个召会。不管你是属于谁的后裔，不要感到灰心。因为我们是重生的人，我们都是召会人。我们虽然生自不同的祖宗，但现在都在同一个召会中。我们都生在神藉著挪亚所说关于人类豫言的应验中。但是我们天然的身分已被神在基督里的救恩所改变了。
26Japheth has been enlarged and needs to dwell in the tents of Shem. Ham has been cursed because he was involved in God’s government. He lost the blessing. Under the curse, he became a slave of slaves. Has this been proved by history or not? It has. But turn to Acts 13:1. “Now there were in Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius the Cyrenian, and Manaen, foster brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.” In this verse we see that different peoples had become one church. Here we see certain prophets and teachers listed among the prominent, functioning members of the church. Barnabas and Saul were Jews. Simeon was called Niger (which means black). From this designation, he might have been a Negro. Lucius of Cyrene was from Africa. Cyrene was a city in northern Africa, where Li by a is today. Manaen was brought up with Herod. Herod, though a descendant of an Idumaean (an Edomite) was governmentally related to the Romans (Europeans). So, though Manaen’s origin is unknown, he, as a foster brother of Herod, must have been Europeanized. Thus, we see that the five great functioning members of the church in Antioch were composed of two Jews, descendants of Shem, one from Africa and one who might have been a black person, both of whom might have been descendants of Ham, and one who was at least culturally related to the descendants of Japheth. They all became one church. Regardless of whose descendant you are, do not feel disappointed. Since we have been regenerated, we are all the church people. We were born of different origins, but now we are all in the same church. We all were born in the fulfillment of God’s prophecy concerning mankind spoken through Noah. But our natural status has been changed by the salvation of God in Christ.