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创世记生命读经 · 第86篇

柱子的建造者－巧匠户兰(二)

THE BUILDER OF THE PILLARS— THE SKILLFUL HIRAM (2
1在本篇信息中，我们要进一步来看柱子的建造者－巧匠户兰。（王上七13～14，代下二13～14。）明白圣经并不容易。有时候译者对某一段有困难，就假设古卷有错误。但当我们探入圣经启示的深处时，我们不得不敬拜神。常常初看似乎是古卷的错误，结果却是隐藏在圣经里奥秘的真理。王上七章十四节的情形正是如此。中文圣经将这一节译为：『他（户兰）是拿弗他利支派中一个寡妇的儿子。』按照这个繙译，并多数译者的领会，『拿弗他利支派』是形容『寡妇』的。这就是说，这寡妇是属拿弗他利支派的。但是代下二章十四节却说，户兰是『但支派一个妇人的儿子。』但支派的一个妇人怎能又是属拿弗他利支派的？有的译者不顾王上七章十四节的希伯来原文，尽量设法使这个差异不产生矛盾，但没有成功。研究了希伯来原文，我们晓得这一节该译为：『一个寡妇的儿子，他是属拿弗他利支派的。』因此，儿子户兰是属拿弗他利支派的。这就解决了问题。在柱子的建造者户兰的这段记载里有三班人：但人、推罗人、拿弗他利人。户兰的母亲属于但，父亲属于推罗，他自己是拿弗他利支派人。我们不知道，一个人的母亲属于但，父亲属于推罗，他自己怎能属于拿弗他利支派；我们只知道圣经这样告诉我们。
1In this message we shall consider further the builder of the pillars, the skillful Hiram (1 Kings 7:13-14; 2 Chron. 2:13-14). It is not easy to know the Bible. Sometimes when translators have difficulty with a particular passage, they assume that the manuscripts are in error. However, when we probe into the depths of the revelation of the Bible, we must worship God. Often what at first glance appears to be a mistake in the manuscripts turns out to be a mysterious truth hidden in the Scriptures. This is true with respect to 1 Kings 7:14. The King James Version renders the verse as, “He [Hiram] was a widow’ss on of the tribe of Naphtali.” According to this rendering and the understanding of most translators, the modifier, “of the tribe of Naphtali,” goes with the word “widow.” This would mean that this verse says that the widow was of the tribe of Naphtali. But 2 Chronicles 2:14 says that Hiram was “the son of a woman of the daughters of Dan.” How could a daughter of Dan also be of the tribe of Naphtali? Some translators, neglecting the Hebrew text of 1 Kings 7:14, tried their best to reconcile this discrepancy, but they failed. By studying the Hebrew text we have learned that this verse should be translated as follows: “The son of a widowed woman; and he was of the tribe of Naphtali.” Thus, Hiram, the son, was of the tribe of Naphtali. This solves the problem. In this record of Hiram, the pillar builder, we have three peoples: the people of Dan, the people of Tyre, and the people of Naphtali. Hiram’s mother was of Dan, his father was of Tyre, and he himself became one of the tribe of Naphtali. We do not know how a man whose mother was of Dan and whose father was of Tyre could be of the tribe of Naphtali. We only know that the Bible tells us so
VI. HIRAM’S TRANSFER
6 户兰转至拿弗他利支派
TO THE TRIBE OF NAPHTALI BEING MYSTERIOUS
是个奥秘
2圣经是深奥的，其中所启示的许多事物都是奥秘的。户兰似乎没有理由属于拿弗他利支派，但圣经清楚的告诉我们他属于这支派。我们若看见但、推罗和拿弗他利的意义，我们就要敬拜神。但人是虺蛇支派的人，咬伤在神赛程中的马；（创四九17；）推罗是贸易中心，联于撒但。（结二八12，16。）由虺蛇支派的妇人和联于撒但的男子所生的人，最后竟能成为拿弗他利支派的人，这是何等的奇妙！
2The Bible is profound, and many things revealed in it are mysterious. Although there seems to be no reason for Hiram to be of the tribe of Naphtali, the Bible clearly tells that he was of this tribe. If we consider the significance of Dan, Tyre, and Naphtali, we shall worship God. Dan was a people of the serpent that bit the horse in the race of God (Gen. 49:17), and Tyre, a center filled with commerce, was related to Satan (Ezek. 28:12, 16). How marvelous that a man born of a woman of the people of the serpent and of a man of the people related to Satan could eventually become one of the tribe of Naphtali.
3拿弗他利是母鹿，（创四九21，）对神是有用的。旧约的记载对母鹿的描写很有意义。按照圣经，母鹿象征在无望的情况里信靠神的人。因著这种信靠，耶和华就叫他行走、甚至跳跃在高处。（哈三17～。）诗篇二十二篇的标题启示，母鹿也表征基督经过钉十字架的苦难，已经为召会的缘故进入复活。希伯来二章十一、十二节启示，复活的基督乃是为著召会。因此母鹿表征信靠神，行走在山顶上的人，并表征为著神的建造，凭著复活的基督而活的人。你愿意作那种人？蛇、推罗人、或母鹿？我当然愿意作拿弗他利支派的人，信靠神，行走在高处，并且为著神的建造，活在复活的基督里。户兰就是这样的人。有的人读了这些话，以为这不过是譬喻或推论。推论并没有错。我们若看见B－O－Y这几个字母，就可以正确的推论出BOY（男孩）这个字。这种推论不仅准确，而且必需。要推论圣经中的事，我们首先必须认识圣经。很多人不知道但支派或推罗国的意义，他们会说，『但就是但，推罗就是推罗，我们不管这些事情。』创世记四十九章二十一节说，『拿弗他利是被释放的母鹿，他出嘉美的言语。』你也许从未注意这一节。拿弗他利是被释放、得自由的母鹿，这只母鹿不受辖制，不被拘禁在任何圈中，乃是自由的跳跃在山顶上。我们必须是这样的人，从一切的辖制和人造的圈中得著释放。
3Naphtali is a hind (Gen. 49:21), which is useful to God. The description of the hind in the Old Testament record is very significant. According to the Bible, a hind signifies a person who trusts in God when he is in a desperate situation. Due to this trust, the Lord causes him to walk, even to skip, upon the high places (Hab. 3:17-19). The title of Psalm 22 reveals that the hind also signifies the 19 very Christ who, having passed through the suffering of crucifixion, has entered into resurrection for the sake of the church. Hebrews 2:11 and 12 reveal that the resurrected Christ is for the church. Therefore, the hind signifies a person who trusts in God, who walks upon the mountaintops, and who lives by the resurrected Christ for God’s building. Which do you prefer to be—a serpent, a “Tyrian,” or a hind? I certainly prefer to be one of the tribe of Naphtali, trusting in God, walking upon the high places, and living in the resurrected Christ for God’s building. Hiram was such a person. When some read this, they may think that it is merely allegorization or inference. It is not wrong to make inferences. If we see the letters b-o-y, we may rightly infer that they spell the word “boy.” This inference is not only correct, but also necessary. In order to make inferences related to what is found in the Bible, we must firstly know the Bible. Many who do not know the significance of the tribe of Dan or of the country of Tyre would say, “Dan is Dan and Tyre is Tyre. We don’t care for all these things.” Genesis 49:21 says, “Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth beautiful words” (Heb.). Perhaps you have never paid attention to this verse. Naphtali is a hind that is released and freed. This hind knows no bondage and is not held in any fold; rather, it is freed to skip on the mountaintops. We must be such persons, persons who are freed from every bondage and man-made fold.
4现在我们必须问，一个但母亲和推罗父亲所生的人，怎能成为拿弗他利支派的人？这是个奥秘。每个基督徒都该有一部分个人的历史是奥秘的；每个基督徒都有一段奥秘的历史。我年轻时喜爱踢足球，我可以整天踢足球。但当我得救后再去踢，希奇的事发生了。当我等著球过来时，我发觉我的脚不想动。当球滚到我面前时，我就是不能踢了。以前我是跑得最快，带球最快的人，现在却不能动了，最后我退出了球赛。别人都很吃惊，有的说，『怎縻啦？』我回答说，『我很难说。』这是个奥秘。你没有这样奥秘的经历么？若是没有，我就怀疑你是不是我在主里的弟兄或姊妹。虽然我是天生的足球员，但突然间我成了另一个人。大约五十五年来，我没有再回去踢过足球。
4Now we must ask how a man born of a Danite mother and a Tyrian father could become one of the tribe of Naphtali. It is mysterious. A portion of the personal history of every Christian should be mysterious. Every Christian has a mysterious history. When I was young, I enjoyed playing soccer. I could play soccer all day long. But when I went to play again after I was saved, a strange thing happened. As I waited for the ball to come my way, I found that my feet would not move. When the ball did come to me, I simply could not play. Formerly, I was the fastest one in running and carrying the ball, but now I could not move and I eventually withdrew from the game. Others were shocked, and some said, “What happened?” I answered, “It is difficult for me to say.” This is mysterious. Have you not had mysterious experiences like this? If not, then I doubt that you are my brother or sister in the Lord. Although I was a natural born soccer player, I suddenly became another person. For about fifty - five years I have not returned to play soccer.
5在我们重生的生命中有个奥秘的元素。不错，我们是『但』母亲和『推罗』父亲所生的，但我们已经重生成了另一个人。甚至我们中间的年轻人也能作见证，有些奥秘的事发生在他们身上。他们有一部分的历史是奥秘的。你越走这条路，就越奥秘。我的妻子得承认，很多时候她不能了解我。有时候有些事使我生气，但几分钟后我开始说，『哦，主耶稣！赞美主！阿们！』我的妻子尽力要懂得我里面的故事，她就是测不透。因为这太奥妙了，我只能说，『赞美主！』这是何等的奥秘！但和推罗都是看得见的，拿弗他利却是看不见的。人可以看见我是从肉身的父母生的，却看不见我如何成了这样奥秘的人。每个属灵的『拿弗他利』人，都是看不见的、奥秘的。人不应当能完全了解你。如果你学校中的同班同学对你甚么都了解，你就完了，你就不是奇妙的基督徒；因为奇妙的基督徒不该是这样可了解的。反之，你应当成为同学或同事的谜。你在婚姻生活中也应当是个奥秘的人。虽然你亲爱的妻子可能是个好姊妹，但在她眼中你应当有几分奥秘。你若不奥秘，我不信你是个好弟兄。照样，姊妹对丈夫也该有几分奥秘。在主面前我可以作见证，我的妻子有些事情我并不了解。她不该能承担这么多，但因著她里面奥秘的生命，她所能承担的比我所以为的更多。我们基督徒有个奥秘的源头和起源。我们甚至有一位奥秘的起源者在我们里面。
5There is a mysterious element in our regenerated life. Yes, we were born of a “Danite” mother and of a “Tyrian” father, but we have been regenerated to be another person. Even the young ones among us can testify that certain mysterious things have happened to them. Part of their human history is mysterious. The more you take this way, the more mysterious you will become. My wife has to admit that many times she cannot understand me. On occasion, something causes anger to rise up in me, but a few minutes later I begin to say, “O Lord Jesus! Praise the Lord! Amen!” Although my wife exercises her ability to understand what is going on within me, she simply cannot fathom what happens to me. Because this is so mysterious, I can only say, “Praise the Lord!” How mysterious this is! Both Dan and Tyre are visible, but Naphtali is invisible. People could see that I was born of my natural mother and father, but they could not see how I became such a mysterious person. Every spiritual “Naphtalite” is invisible and mysterious. People should not be entirely able to understand you. If your classmates in school can understand everything about you, you are finished. You are not a wonderful Christian, for a wonderful Christian should not be that understandable. Instead, you should be a puzzle to your classmates or those with whom you work. You must also be a mysterious person in your married life. Although your dear wife may be a good sister, you should be somewhat mysterious in her eyes. If you are not mysterious, I do not believe that you are a good brother. The sisters should likewise be somewhat mysterious to their husbands. Before the Lord, I can testify that I do not understand certain things about my wife. She should not be able to bear so much, but due to the mysterious life within her she is able to bear much more than I think. We Christians have a mysterious source and origin. We even have a mysterious Originator within us.
6户兰如何成了拿弗他利支派的人，对我们乃是一个秘密。为著隐藏在户兰历史中这奥秘的元素，我们必须低头敬拜神。他的历史不仅记载了他母亲属于蛇的支派，父亲属于商业的国，就是联于撒但的国，也记载了他成为拿弗他利支派的人。因此，他的历史包含了他生命中奥秘的部分，那部分是他被神使用来为著神的建造的。虽然在圣经中没有题到这一点的原因，但按照我们的经历，我们能懂得这就是我们基督徒生命奥秘的部分。这奥秘的部分越多越好，因为就是这一部分使户兰成为拿弗他利支派的人，使他成为柱子的建造者。照样，也就是这奥秘的部分，使我们适合于神的建造。我们活著不该像从『但』或从『推罗』所生的人，我们活著必须像转入拿弗他利支派的人。阿利路亚！今天我不属于『但』或『推罗；』我属于拿弗他利支派。
6It is a secret to us how Hiram became one of the tribe of Naphtali. We must bow our heads and worship God for this mysterious element concealed in Hiram’s history. How marvelous that his history not only records that his mother was of the tribe of the serpent and that his father was of the nation of commerce, a country related to Satan, but that he became one of the tribe of Naphtali. Hence, his history implies a mysterious part of his life that was used by God for His building. Although in the Bible the reason for this point is not mentioned, according to our experience we can understand that this is the mysterious part of our Christian life. The greater this mysterious portion is, the better, because it is this part that made Hiram one of the tribe of Naphtali and that made him the builder of pillars. Likewise, it is this mysterious part that makes us good for God’s building. We should not live as one born of “Dan” or of “Tyre.” Rather, we must live as one who has been transferred into the tribe of Naphtali. Hallelujah! Today, I am not of “Dan” or of “Tyre”—I am of the tribe of “Naphtali.”
7 推罗父亲，世俗技能的源头，必须死去,使藉著属世父亲学了这技能的儿子
VII. The Tyrian father, the source of secular skill, having to die that the son who learned this skill
7从属世的捆绑中得著释放户兰的推罗父亲死了。如果不是他父亲死了，而是他母亲死了，将有何等不同！若是这样，这记载就不会符合我们的经历，我们也不可能将这段话寓意化。赞美主，死了的是我们的『父亲，』不是我们的『母亲。』这意思就是世俗技能的源头被神切断了。父亲表征技能的源头，母亲表征人的生存。如果我们的『母亲』死了，『父亲』活著，我们就是完全与世界相调的『鬼魂』了。我们必须继续生存为人；连保罗也说，『我已经与基督同钉十字架；现在活著的，不再是我。』（加二20。）旧人，旧『父亲』已经钉十字架；但我们还存在。那个继续生存的『我，』就是我们的『母亲。』摩西是个很好的例子。他长在埃及王家，学了埃及人一切的智慧。他在四十岁时，自认有资格拯救他的同族脱离埃及人霸占的手。但他失败了，因为他的『推罗』父亲，他与埃及的关系还在。这指明他技能的源头还未断绝。主来干涉，中断了这种关系，摩西就逃到旷野。虽然他的『推罗』父亲，埃及王家死了，但他自己还继续存在；寡居的『母亲』还在。她继续活著，但她不再联于她的丈夫。
7through the worldly father may be released from the wordly tie Hiram’s Tyrian father died. What a difference there would have been if his mother had died instead of his father! If that had been the case, this record would not match our experience, and it would be impossible to allegorize this portion of the Word. Praise the Lord that our “father,” not our “mother,” has died. This means that the source of secular skill has been cut off by God. The father signifies the source of skill, and the mother signifies human existence. If our “mother” died and our “father” lived, we would be “ghosts” fully involved with the world. We must go on existing as humans. Even Paul says, “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live” (Gal. 2:20). The old man, the old “father,” has been crucified; yet we still exist. That “I” who continues to exist is the “mother” of our human existence. Moses is a good example. He was raised in the royal Egyptian family where he learned all the wisdom of the Egyptians. At the age of forty, he considered himself qualified to deliver his people from the usurping hand of the Egyptians. However, he failed because his “Tyrian” father, his connection with Egypt, still remained. This indicated that the source of his skill had not been cut off. The Lord intervened to break that connection, and Moses fled to the wilderness. Although Moses’ “Tyrian” father, the royal Egyptian family, died, he himself continued to exist. The widowed “mother” remained. Although she continued to live, she was no longer tied to her husband.
8现在让我们把这事应用到我们自己的经历上。你可能从麻省理工学院获得了博士学位，但是你得了这学位之后，麻省理工学院必须死去。这不是说，你必须死去；你必须继续存在，但你的存在必须是寡居的，是与属世的源头断绝的。你继续持有你的技能，但那技能的起源和源头断绝了。你那继续的存在是『母亲，』你那断绝的技能源头是你死去的『父亲。』现在你有技能，没有源头，你的生存不再联于属世的起源。许多青年弟兄姊妹不平衡，他们说，『我们是在主的恢复里，我们盼望主快回来。祂可能在两年内就回来，我们何必为了读完高中，准备进大学忧虑？我们应该花时间祷读，并且与其他的弟兄姊妹交通。主既快来，我们何必浪费时间读书、求学？』如果这是你的态度，主可能延迟祂的回来，直到你学会了读书。实际上你不仅该立志读完高中，还该大学毕业，甚至获得博士学位。我知道年轻人心中的故事。很多姊妹以为高中毕业就彀了，或者最多读完专科。她们会说，『我们姊妹们不会当长老，我们何必浪费时间在学校里？学会打字，一个月赚六百美元不是彀好么？让我们享受轻松的基督徒生活，喜乐的召会生活。』姊妹们，你们必须放弃这种观念。不管你多么爱主，你若持有这种观念，你对主绝不会很有用处。花在读书上的时间，没有一点是浪费的。你们是年轻人，必须利用时间求学。虽然主可能在几年内回来，但你还需要读书，学习『推罗』技能。你若在二十三岁以下，你的时间必须用于求学。你应当在二十二或二十三岁读完大学课程。这不是在主恢复里召会的规条，这是我的教导。从今以后，青年弟兄姊妹到我面前，我要问他们在学校里读到甚么程度。如果有人二十二岁了，说他高中还没有毕业，我不愿意浪费时间和他谈话。这样的人，在学校里落后了四年，可能很迟钝，无法懂得我关于圣经的交通。但若有弟兄告诉我他刚读完研究所第一年，我会很高兴和他谈到圣经的深奥。
8Let us now apply this to our own experience. You may earn a Ph.D. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. But after you earn this degree, Massachusetts Institute of Technology must die. This does not mean that you must die. You must continue to exist, but your existence must be widowed, separated from the worldly source. You continue to possess your skill, but the origin and source of that skill has been cut off. Your continued existence is the “mother,” and the source of your skill, which has been cut off, is your deceased “father.” Now you possess the skill without the source, and your human existence is no longer tied to your worldly origin. Many of the young brothers and sisters are unbalanced and say, “We are in the Lord’s recovery and we are expecting the Lord to come back soon. He may come back in two years. Why then should we worry about finishing high school and preparing ourselves for college? We should spend our time to pray-read and to fellowship with other brothers and sisters. Since the Lord is coming soon, why should we waste our time reading and studying?” If this is your attitude, the Lord may delay His coming back until you have learned to study. Actually, you should not just aim to finish high school, but also to graduate from college, and even to earn a Ph.D. I know what is on the heart of the young people. Many sisters think that it is sufficient to graduate from high school or, at most, junior college. They may say, “We sisters will not be elders. Why should we waste our time in school? Isn’t it good enough to learn to type and make six hundred dollars a month? Let us enjoy an easy Christian life and a happy church life.” Sisters, you must abandon this concept. No matter how much you love the Lord, if you hold this concept, you will never be very useful to Him. No time spent in studying is wasted. As young people, you must use your time to study. Although the Lord may come back in a few years, you must still study and learn the “Tyrian” skill. If you are under the age of twenty-three, your time must be devoted to your education. You should finish your university course by the age of twenty-two or twenty-three. This is not a regulation of the church in the Lord’s recovery; this is my teaching. From now on, when young brothers and sisters come to me, I shall ask them what year they have finished in school. If anyone aged twenty-two would say that he has not yet graduated from high school, I would not waste my time in talking to him. Such a person, four years behind in school, might be retarded and would be unable to understand my fellowship concerning the Bible. But if a brother would tell me that he has just finished his first year of graduate school, I would be happy to talk with him concerning the depths of the Bible
9虽然你应该尽力得到较高的学位，但你得到以后，必须准备好断绝属世的关系。你不必把毕业证书烧掉，（为著事业，你需要这个，）却要在里面说，『我的「推罗」父亲死了。我毕业那天就是他埋葬的日子。』你劳苦多年得了学位之后，必须把『推罗』父亲放在棺材里，把他埋葬了。绝不要夸口你是大学毕业的。当摩西离开埃及王家之后，他绝不再题埃及王家。王家已经埋葬了。但很多得了博士学位的基督徒，总喜欢把博士头衔放在名字之后。五、六十年前，人喜欢说自己是从牛津或剑桥毕业的。虽然有人夸耀他们所受的教育，但我们得了学位之后，必须埋葬剑桥、牛津和其他每一所大学。我们『推罗』技能的父亲必须死去并埋葬。技能是有用的，『父亲』却有一股臭味。你读到这话，也许会说你不懂得我所讲的。这是个奥秘，你用不著懂得。最好的基督徒乃是那些用功读书，后来似乎忘了自己已得著学位的人。他们不信的亲友不懂得这事。对他们而言这是个奥秘，花了这么多时间和劳力得了学位，却不重视。赞美主，他们不懂得我们！这是我们基督徒奥秘的另一面。我们基督徒有许多奥秘面。例如，我知道有的基督徒对别人用钱很大力，对自己却很节俭。他们的亲友不懂得，为甚么他们对自己这么严紧，对别人这么慷慨。我们基督徒必须是有一段奥秘历史的人。我们得了学位，然后切断我们的『推罗』父亲，这是何等的奥秘！这父亲若不死，他会把我们捆在世界里，我们的教育会成为最坚固的绳索。在我尽职事的这些年，我知道受过高等教育的人，除非断绝这种属世的关系，就不能明白圣经。以你的教育自傲，会拦阻你认识圣经。无论你受过多高的教育，你都必须谦卑的告诉主，你是一个受教的小孩，在你全人里面是彻底倒空的。你应该能说，『主，我虽然得了三个博士学位，但我一无所知，我不被所受的教育装满。在我的灵里、心思里、并我的全人里都是倒空的。』许多受过高等教育的专业人士，他们自满到顶点，因这缘故，甚至在他们得救以后，也无法从神的话领受甚么。他们的骄傲霸占了他们。我们需要断绝与『推罗』父亲的关系，像个无所知的小孩一样。我们虽然有知识，却不因知识骄傲，也不被知识充满，反而是倒空的。若是这样，我们就能明白圣经。
9Although you should do your best to earn an advanced degree, after you have earned it, you must be prepared to sever the worldly ties. Do not burn your diploma (you will need that for business purposes), but say within yourself, “My ‘Tyrian’ father has died. The day of my graduation will be the day of his funeral.” After you have labored for years to earn your degree, you must put your “Tyrian” father in a coffin and bury him. Never boast that you have graduated from a university. After Moses left the royal Egyptian family, he never mentioned it again. That family was buried. But many Christians with earned doctorates always like to put the title “Dr.” in front of their names. Fifty or sixty years ago, people liked to say that they had graduated from Oxford or Cambridge. Although some boast of their education, after we have earned our degrees, we must bury Cambridge, Oxford, and every other university. The father of our “Tyrian” skill must die and be buried. The skill is useful, but the father has a foul odor. As you read this, you may say that you do not understand what I am talking about. This is mysterious, and there is no need to understand it. The best Christians are those who study diligently and who afterwards seem to forget that they have earned a degree. Their unbelieving relatives and friends will not understand this. To them, it is mysterious that we would devote so much time and labor to earn a degree and then not respect it. Praise the Lord that they do not understand us! This is another aspect of our Christian mystery. We Christians have many mysterious aspects. For example, I know of some Christians who freely spend money on others, but not on themselves. Their relatives do not understand why they are so strict with themselves and so generous with others. We Christians must be people with a mysterious history. How mysterious of us to earn a degree and then to cut off our “Tyrian” father! If this father does not die, he will bind us to the world, and our education will become the strongest tie. In my ministry throughout the years I have learned that no highly educated person can understand the Bible unless he cuts off this worldly tie. Being proud of your education will hinder you from knowing the Scriptures. No matter how educated you are, you must humbly tell the Lord that you are a teachable little child and that in your whole being you are utterly empty. You should be able to say, “Lord, although I have three Ph.D.’s, I know nothing. I am not filled up by my education. I am empty in my spirit, in my mind, and in my whole being.” Many highly educated professional people are filled to the brim. For this reason, even after they are saved, they are unable to receive anything from the Word. Their pride has usurped them. We need to cut the tie with our “Tyrian” father and become like a child who knows nothing. Although we have knowledge, we would not be proud or filled with knowledge; instead, we would be empty. If we are like this, we shall be able to understand the Bible.
10我们需要一些有博士学位的弟兄姊妹。有一些希伯来文或希腊文的圣经博士，会非常有益处。有一些太空科学和核子物理学博士，也很有帮助。召会不应该贫穷，或者在低水平上，召会应该有地上最高级的人。青年人，这必须成为你们的负担。8『但』母亲表征人的生存，
10We need some brothers and sisters with doctor’s degrees. It would be very beneficial to have some with Ph.D.’sin biblical Hebrew and Greek. It would also be helpful for some to earn Ph.D.’sin space science and nuclear physics. The church should not be poor or on a low level. Rather, it should have the highest people on earth. Young people, this must become your burden. VIII. THE DANITE MOTHER, SIGNIFYING HUMAN EXISTENCE
作寡妇存留下来
REMAINING AS A WIDOW
11虽然『推罗』父亲必须死去，『但』母亲，我们人的生存，却必须作寡妇存留下来。青年人，你们若接受这话，若干年后你们就能说，『主，为著关于「推罗」父亲和「但」母亲的话，我感谢你。我已经得了博士学位，这学位的父亲死了，「但」母亲却仍然活著。我是这寡母的儿子，我仍然持有我的技能。』若是这样，你们在主的手中必然有用。虽然我们相信主快要来，但我们还是应该盼望在地上有较长的寿命为主使用。在我早年尽职时，我一再用所罗门的祷告，求神给我智慧，知道如何在祂的子民中间出入。（王上三7，9。）我能作见证，主答应了我的祷告，帮助我知道在神的家中当怎样行，并在圣徒中间如何出入。此外，我常祷告主给我长寿。我不愿学好了神的事，不久后就死去。我要活得长久，使我所学的一切都有用处。所有的青年人都该有这种态度说，『主，我知道你快来了，但我不愿意在复活里见你，我愿意在被提中见你。我要活得长久，直到你来；这不是叫我有所享受，乃是叫我对你在地上的目的有用。』
11Although the “Tyrian” father must die, the “Danite” mother, our human existence, must remain as a widow. Young people, if you take this word, after a number of years you will be able to say, “Lord, I thank You for that word about the ‘Tyrian’ father and ‘Danite’ mother. I have earned a doctor’s degree, and the father of this degree has died, but the ‘Danite’ mother still lives. As the son of this widowed mother, I still possess my skills.” If you are like this, you will certainly be useful in the Lord’s hand. Although we believe that the Lord is coming soon, we should still expect to have a long life on the earth for the Lord’su se. In my early ministry I repeatedly prayed Solomon’spray er for wisdom in coming in and going out among God’sp eople (1 Kings 3:7, 9). I can testify that the Lord has answered my prayer, helping me learn how to behave in the house of God and how to come in and go out among the saints. In addition, I have often prayed that the Lord would give me long life. I do not want to learn the things of God and then die shortly afterwards. Rather, I want to live a long life so that everything I have learned may be useful. All the young people should have this attitude and say, “Lord, I know You are coming soon. But I don’t want to see You in resurrection—I want to see You in rapture. I want to live a long life until You come, not that I might have enjoyment, but that I might be useful for Your purpose on earth.”
12我的母亲在一九四五年死去，那时我曾哭过。在以后的三十二年中，我虽然受过许多苦，但我几乎没有哭过。然而一九七二年我得到消息，倪弟兄死了，我又哭了。我哭，因为我和他多年相处，相知很深，并且为著主的恢复，我从他得了极大的帮助。一年又一年，他看见新的事，有新的经历。他几乎把他所学习的每件事都传给我。从一九五二年到一九七二年被主接去，他一直在监狱中。我确信在那二十年中他学了很多东西，但没有一句话传出来。这是我哭的真正原因。如果倪弟兄还活在我们中间，今天的情况要有何等的不同！为著和我一同抬约柜的人，我感谢主；但我深处一直有孤单的感觉。如果倪弟兄和别的年长同工还活著，我就不会有这种感觉。当我和他们一起在中国大陆时，我能和一些更有经历的人交通。我能和他们商量事情，他们总会给我所需要的帮助。但今天我和弟兄们商量事情，我觉得很孤单。我盼望在要来的年日里，你们会有许多和你们一样程度的人和你们在一起。『推罗』父亲必须死去，我们的母亲必须继续活著。这就是说，我们要求主给我们长寿。我们应当说，『主，我不愿意早死，我要活到八十或九十岁。如果那时你没有来，我才愿意死去。但我仍然愿意活到你来。』我们大家，尤其是年轻人，都应当这样祷告。在应允我求长寿的祷告上，主满了怜悯。但不要以为我从来没有生过病。我得过胃溃疡，并且得过严重的肺结核，休养了两年半才复原。要维持我们的生存，我们必须抵挡一切的软弱。要告诉主，你不要软弱不健康的身体。不要以为属灵的人身体就必须软弱。不要持守一种观念，以为身体软弱才能学习信靠主。这种观念太属灵了，如果你太属灵、你就根本不是真属灵。你反而应该说，『主，我不赞成身体不健康。赐给我好的胃口，正常的消化力，甜美的睡眠。主，应允我，像你应允别人一样。我的日子如何，我的力量就如何。我每天都必须充满力量。我不要花一天闲躺在床上。我拒绝那种生存。我要有强壮、健康的生存，使我对你的目的有用处。』
12When my mother died in 1945, I wept. Although I have undergone many sufferings in the thirty - two years since then, I have hardly wept at all in these years. However, when in 1972 the news came to me that Brother Nee had died, I wept. I wept because I knew him intimately, had spent many years with him, and had received great help from him for the Lord’s recovery. Year after year, he saw new things and had new experiences. Nearly everything he learned he passed on to me. From 1952 until he went to the Lord in 1972, he was in prison. I am sure that during those twenty years he learned many things, but not one word came out. This was the real reason I wept. How different the situation would be today if Brother Nee were still alive among us. Although I thank the Lord for those who are bearing the ark with me, I nevertheless constantly have a deep feeling of loneliness. If Brother Nee and my other senior co - workers were still living, I would not have this feeling. When I was with them on mainland China, I had some more experienced ones with whom I could have fellowship. I could refer matters to them, and they would always render me the help I needed. But when I refer matters to the brothers today, I feel that I am alone. I hope that in the coming years all of you will have many others with you on your level. That the “Tyrian” father must die and our mother must keep on living means that we should ask the Lord to give us a long life. We should say, “Lord, I don’t want to die early. I want to live to be eighty or ninety. If You do not come then, I am willing to die. But I still prefer to live until You come.” We all, especially the young people, should pray like this. The Lord has been merciful in answering my prayers for long life. But do not think that I have never had any diseases or illnesses. I have had a stomach ulcer, and it took me two and one half years to recover from a serious case of tuberculosis of the lungs. In order for our human existence to remain, we must stand against any weakness. Tell the Lord that you do not want to have a weak, unhealthy body. Do not think a spiritual person must be physically weak. Do not hold the concept that only by being physically weak can you learn to trust in the Lord. This concept is too spiritual. If you are too spiritual, you are not truly spiritual at all. Rather, you should say, “Lord, I don’t agree with having an unhealthy body. Grant me a good appetite, the proper digestion, and the best sleep. Lord, promise me, as you have promised others, that my strength would be as my days. Every day must be filled with strength. I don’t want to spend one day lying idly in bed. I refuse that kind of existence. I want to have a strong, healthy existence that is useful for Your purpose.”
13除了这样祷告以外，你还必须学习好好照顾你的身体。在饮食上要有智慧。主给我一个好妻子，她管制我的饮食。要不是她，我会利用每一个机会吃甜食。但因著她关切我的饮食，我今天很健康。我每天吃最健康的食物。不要因著在饮食上没有智慧，成年作慢性自杀。要学习使自己健康。要照顾你的身体，使你寡居的『但』母亲继续活著。我们这样作的目的不是使我们健康，乃是使我们对主有用。尽管有反对、谣言和批评，主却在全美国开了门。祂给了我们一个敞开的门，是无人能关的。但我们缺少柱子。最近我们听到主在各地工作的一些见证。然而，我们没有柱子配合主的行动。欧洲的门也是敞开的，只是没有足彀的柱子。我们必须承认，我们缺少柱子。这种缺欠是由于已往的情况。但从今开始，我们必须切断已往，继续向前。青年人必须起来，告诉全宇宙，已往的情况已经结束。青年人，要向主说，『我们青年人没有历史。我们都要起来。主，怜悯我们，在未来几年内，尽你所能的把我们作成柱子。』这是我的负担。我渴望看见几年之后，许多青年人都豫备好被送出去。我们若有两根刚强的柱子到一个新地方，几个月之内就会打开另外三个地方。敞开的门总是这样繁增的。我们去一个地方，因著我们去了那个地方，又开了别的地方。这全靠柱子。
13In addition to praying in this manner, you must also learn to take proper care of your body. Do not be unwise in your eating. The Lord has given me a good wife who exercises control over my eating. If it were not for her, I would take every opportunity to eat dessert. But because of her concern for my diet, I am healthy today. Daily, I eat the most healthy foods. Do not commit gradual suicide over a period of years by eating unwisely, but learn to keep yourself healthy. Take care of your body that your widowed “Danite” mother may go on living. Our purpose in this is not our health, but our being useful to the Lord. In spite of the opposition, rumors, and criticisms, the Lord is opening doors throughout the country. He has given us an open door that no one is able to shut. But we are short of pillars. Recently, we have heard testimonies of what the Lord is doing in various places. However, we do not have the pillars to match the Lord’s move. Doors are also opening in Europe, but there are not enough pillars. We must admit that we are short of pillars. This lack is due to the past situation. But, beginning now, we must cut off our past and go on. The young people must arise and tell the whole universe that the past situation is over. Young people, speak to the Lord, saying, “We young people have no history. We all will rise up. Lord, be merciful to us and do everything You can in the next several years to make us all pillars.” This is my burden. I long to see that after some years many young ones will be ready to be sent out. If we had two strong pillars to go to one of the new places, within a few months three other localities would open up. The open doors always multiply like this. We go to one place, and our going there opens up other places. It all depends upon the pillars
14我们中间多数年长的，已经浪费了许多年日。所有生在基督教里的年日，都已经浪费了。一年又一年过去，但一切事物依然如故。我们的青年人不可这样，甚至一个月也必须有所不同。虽然如此，年长的弟兄姊妹不该失望，往前并不太迟。那些能牧养别人的人是非常需要的。我们都必须尽力成为有用的。
14Most of the older ones among us have wasted many years. All the years spent sitting in Christianity have been wasted. Year after year went by, but everything remained the same. Our young people must not be like this. Even one month must make a difference. Nevertheless, the older brothers and sisters should not be disappointed. It is not too late for them to go on. There is a great need for those who can shepherd others. We all must endeavor to become useful.
15我确信我们现在所走的路绝对正确。不要考虑别的路。要跳入这流里，并留在其中。利用机会学习，受训练，被调整，被主浸透，使我们对祂成为有用。我们都必须学习这条路，绝不要回到老路去。我恨老路。照著老路，许多人参加聚会，坚持他们的意见和想法，以为自己经验丰富。当弟兄们供应话语，他们就『分辨』信息，（实际上他们是在批评，）判断弟兄们是否符合圣经。分辨弟兄们不是你们的责任，让主来关心这件事罢！你们必须学习自己的功课，接受一切所需的对付，使你们成为有用。我们都该采取这种态度。不要以为你太老不中用了。每一个人想要成为有用，就能成为有用。
15I am certain that the way we are now taking is absolutely right. Do not consider any other way—dive into this flow and stay in it. Use this opportunity to learn, to be trained, to be adjusted, to be saturated by the Lord, and to be made useful for Him. We all must learn this way and never return to the old way. I hate the old way. According to the old way, many go to the meetings clinging to their opinions and thinking that they are so experienced. When the brothers minister the Word, they “discern” the message (actually they are being critical), wanting to determine whether or not the brothers are scriptural. It is not your responsibility to discern the brothers. Let the Lord take care of that. Instead, you must learn your own lessons and have all the dealings necessary to make you useful. We all should hold this attitude. Do not think that you are too old to be useful. Everyone who wants to be useful can become useful
16这不是道理，这是我对你们众人，尤其是对青年人实际的交通。青年人，我盼望你们全人敞开，使你们可以作清楚的决定，说，『主，就是这样。从今以后，我要尽可能学习一切我所需要学习的。主，求你在这事上帮助我。毕业后，我的「推罗」父亲必须死去，我的「但」母亲必须继续存留。主，赐我这样的生活，使我对你有用。』
16This is not a doctrine; it is my practical fellowship with you all, especially with the young ones. Young people, I hope that your whole being will be open so that you may make a clear decision and say, “Lord, this is it. From now on, I will do everything possible to learn all I need to learn. Lord, I ask You to help me in this matter. After I graduate, my ‘Tyrian’ father must die, but my ‘Danite’ mother must continue to exist. Lord, grant me this kind of living that I may be useful to You
9 世俗的技能只有在复活里，
IX. The secular skill being useful for God’s building
17
17only in resurrection after the worldly father has died
在世界的父亲死了，学成的儿子转至拿弗他利支派之后，才对神的建造有用
and the learned son has been transferred to the tribe of Naphtali
18我们所获得的世俗技能，只有在复活里，就是在属世的父亲死了，我们转入拿弗他利支派之后，才对神的建造有用。你的『推罗』父亲死了，你的『但』母亲成了寡妇之后，你不可再作天然的人。一切天然的东西都是浪费。我们不可成为天然的，我们必须在生活的每一面操练自己在复活里。这是一件大事。你越操练自己在复活里，就越有用处。甚至在与妻子的关系上，你也必须在复活里。我们所获得的一切技能，都必须在复活里。
18The secular skills we gain will only be useful for God’s building in resurrection, that is, after the worldly father has died and we have been transferred into the tribe of Naphtali. After your “Tyrian” father has died and your “Danite” mother has become widowed, you must not remain a natural person. Anything natural is a waste. Instead of being natural, we must exercise ourselves to be in resurrection in every aspect of our living. This is a great matter. The more you exercise yourself to be in resurrection, the more useful you will be. You must be in resurrection even in your relationship with your wife. All the skills we acquire must be in resurrection.
19多年前，我一封信常常写两三次，因为第一次写好后，我觉得有些话太天然，不在复活里；因此我把信撕了再写。这样操练写好了信，我还要等一天才去投邮。我这样作的目的，乃是要断定这封信是不是真在复活里。我们都必须学习在复活里行事为人。这是一件基本的事。
19Years ago, I often wrote a letter two or three times because after the first writing I felt that some phrases were too natural and were not in resurrection. Hence, I destroyed the letter and began again. After exercising like this to write a letter, I would still wait a day before mailing it. My purpose in doing so was to determine whether or not that letter was truly in resurrection. We all must learn to do things and to have our being in resurrection. This is a basic matter
10 转变后的拿弗他利人，需要从推罗带出来，来到神的建造所在的耶路撒冷所罗门王面前
X. The transferred Naphtalite needing to be fetched out of tyre and to come to King Solomon in Jerusalem where God’s building is
20户兰从推罗被带出来，到耶路撒冷所罗门王面前。这意思是说，转变后的拿弗他利人，必须从推罗带出来，来到神的建造所在的耶路撒冷所罗门王面前。（王上七13～14。）所罗门王是基督的豫表；神的建造所在之地耶路撒冷表征召会。今日的所罗门，和神现在的建造，都是在召会中。从好的方面说，今天的召会就是耶路撒冷。虽然你的『推罗』父亲死了，你的『但』寡母继续存在，你也在复活里，但你仍然需要到召会来，因为这是神建造的所在。神不会在推罗建造祂的殿。你可能十分有用，但你若仍留在推罗，就著神的建造而言，你还是没有用处。你若留在推罗，你这人也许合格，但你的地位、你的立场却不对。主必须把你带出推罗，把你带到耶路撒冷。如果你的『推罗』父亲死了，你的『但』母亲继续活著作寡妇，并且你是在复活里，也来到耶路撒冷，那么你对神的建造就有用处了。
20Hiram was fetched out of Tyre and was brought to King Solomon in Jerusalem. This means that the transferred Naphtalite must be fetched out of Tyre and come to King Solomon in Jerusalem where God’s building is (1 Kings 7:13-14). King Solomon was a type of Christ, and Jerusalem, the place where God’s building was, signifies the church. Today’s Solomon and God’sp resent building are both in the church. In a very good sense, the church today is Jerusalem. Although your “Tyrian” father has died, your widowed “Danite” mother continues to exist, and you are in resurrection, you still need to come to the church because this is where God’s building is. God will not build His temple in Tyre. Although you may be very useful, if you remain in Tyre, you will be useless as far as God’s building is concerned. If you remain in Tyre, you may be qualified, but your standing, your ground, will be wrong. The Lord must fetch you out of Tyre and bring you to Jerusalem. If your “Tyrian” father dies, your “Danite” mother goes on living as a widow, and you are in resurrection and have come to Jerusalem, then you will be useful for God’s building
11 摩西同约书亚，
XI. THE CASES OF MOSES WITH JOSHUA
以及保罗同提摩太的事例
AND PAUL WITH TIMOTHY
21你也许很熟悉摩西同约书亚，（民二七15～23，）以及保罗同提摩太（提前一1～3，提后一1～2，6～8，二1～）的事例。摩西和保罗首先自己成为柱子，然后成为建造柱子的人。摩西建造约书亚，保罗建造提摩太。摩西实际上没有带领以色列人进入安息，乃是他所建造的柱子约书亚作了这事。同样，保罗建造了提摩太，提摩太就成为竖立的柱子，作召会的见证。在摩西和保罗的事例中，我们看见他们的『推罗』父亲死了。在腓立比三章，保罗说到他的宗教背景时，说，『从前我以为对我是赢得的，这些，我因基督都已经看作亏损。』保罗在迦玛列脚前学了很多，（徒二二3，）但迦玛列，保罗技能的源头，必须断绝。然而保罗这个人还存在。此外，摩西和保罗都是在复活里。他们也都从『推罗』被带出来，到了神的建造所在的地方。就摩西而言，这个建造是帐幕。就保罗而言，这个建造是召会。历史记载，摩西和保罗在神的手中大有用处。他们不仅是柱子，也是建造柱子的人。这是今日召会的需要。要应付这种需要，我们都必须向主祷告说，『主，为著你建造的缘故，把我作成柱子，和建造柱子的人。』
21You are probably familiar with the cases of Moses with Joshua (Num. 27:15-23) and of Paul with Timothy (1 Tim. 1:1-3; 2 Tim. 1:1-2, 6-8; 2:1-3). Moses and Paul firstly became pillars themselves3 and later became pillar builders. Moses built Joshua and Paul built Timothy. Moses did not actually bring the children of Israel into the rest; Joshua, who was a pillar built up by Moses, did this. Likewise, Paul built up Timothy, and Timothy became a pillar standing to bear the church testimony. In the cases of both Moses and Paul we see that their “Tyrian” fathers died. In Philippians 3, Paul, speaking of his religious background, said, “What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.” Paul had learned a great deal at the feet of Gamaliel (Acts 22:3), but Gamaliel, the source of Paul’ss kill, had to be cut off. However, Paul’s human existence remained. Furthermore, both Moses and Paul were in resurrection. They were also fetched out of “Tyre” and brought to the place where God’s building was. With Moses this building was the tabernacle, and with Paul it was the church. History records that Moses and Paul were more than useful in the hands of God. They were not only pillars; they were also pillar builders. This is the need in the church today. In order for this need to be met, we all must pray to the Lord, saying, “Lord, for the sake of Your building, make me a pillar and a pillar builder.”