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出埃及记生命读经 · 第20篇

法老狡猾的讨价还价

Pharaoh’s Subtle Bargaining
1在我们继续看神和法老之间的最后一次冲突以前，我们需要看法老狡猾的讨价还价。法老不仅表征撒但，也表征己和天然的人。此外，我们的亲戚和朋友对我们也可能是今日的法老。再者，我们天然的心思、意志，或情感，也可能是背叛神或狡猾地与神讲价的法老。
1Before we go on to consider the final conflict between God and Pharaoh, we need to consider Pharaoh's subtle bargaining. Pharaoh signifies not only Satan, but also the self and the natural man. In addition, our relatives or friends can also be a Pharaoh to us today. Furthermore, our natural mind, will, or emotion may be a Pharaoh who rebels against God or who bargains subtly with Him
一 神的要求
I. GOD'S DEMAND
（一） 容祂的百姓往旷野去，走三天的路程
A. To Let His People Go a Three Days' Journey into the Wilderness
2神对法老的要求记载在五章一节。根据这一节，主藉摩西和亚伦对法老说：『容我的百姓去，在旷野向我守节。』不仅如此，主要求祂的百姓往旷野去，走三天的路程，祭祀祂。（五3。）这三天的路程不但表明一段漫长的距离；并且表明埋葬和复活。在圣经中，第三日表征复活。主耶稣是在第三日复活；而且根据创世记第一章，旱地─复活基督的豫表─是在第三日露出来的。所以，三天的路程在这里是表征埋葬和复活。天然的人必须被埋葬，使神的百姓能从死里复活。过红海表示埋葬和复活的过程。在神和撒但的眼中，以色列人经过了红海的埋葬，并且进入复活。作为蒙神呼召和拣选的人，我们也必须经过这一段埋葬和复活的过程。这意思是说，为了被埋葬和复活，我们必须走三天的路程。藉著这一段路程，神的百姓不仅从埃及出来，并且他们在复活里进入一个新的环境。在消极方面，旷野表征漂流的地方，但在积极方面，它表征分别的领域。当以色列人进入旷野，他们就和一切埃及的事、一切世界的事分开了。这个分别与埋葬和复活有关。我们曾经在埃及，就是在世界里。但藉著埋葬和复活，我们从世界出来，进入旷野，在那里我们被分别归主。在与法老的交涉中，神要求祂的百姓有这样的分别。
2God's demand of Pharaoh is stated in 5:1. According to this verse, the Lord spoke to Pharaoh through Moses and Aaron, “Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness.” Furthermore, the Lord required His people to take a three days' journey into the wilderness and to sacrifice unto Him (5:3). Not only does this journey of three days signify a long distance; it also signifies burial and resurrection. In the Bible the third day signifies resurrection. The Lord Jesus was resurrected on the third day, and, according to Genesis 1, the dry land, a type of Christ in resurrection, appeared on the third day. Therefore, the three days' journey here signifies burial and resurrection. The natural man had to be buried so that God ' sp eople could be raised up from death into resurrection. The crossing of the Red Sea signified the process of burial and resurrection. In the eyes of both God and Satan, the children of Israel passed through the burial of the Red Sea and entered into resurrection. As God'scall ed and chosen people, we also must pass through such a process of burial and resurrection. This means that we must travel a three days ' journey in order to be buried and resurrected. By means of such a journey, God ' sp eople not only come out of Egypt, but they also enter, in resurrection, into a new environment. Negatively the wilderness signifies a place of wandering, but positively it signifies a realm of separation. When the children of Israel entered into the wilderness, they were separated from everything Egyptian, from everything worldly. This separation is related to burial and resurrection. Once we were in Egypt, that is, in the world. But through burial and resurrection we have passed out of the world into the wilderness, where we are separated to the Lord. In His dealing with Pharaoh, God demanded such a separation for His people.
（二） 使祂的百姓能向祂守节并祭祀祂
B. That His People May Hold a Feast to Him and Sacrifice to Him
3然而，分别不是目标。神的目标是要以色列人向祂守节。祂要他们在祂面前与祂同乐。向神守节就是与神一同享受神。每个真正得救的人都曾多次经历在主面前喜乐洋溢。这时候才是真正的节期。你若没有与主一同享受过这样的节期，而仅在参加属世娱乐的时候快乐，你就可能还未得救。得救并不在于有这样的享受。然而，每个得救的人在他基督徒的生活中，至少有一次向主守节、在主面前享受祂的经历。有时候我在主里喜乐忘形，好像我在祂面前跳舞一般。这不是道理或理论，而是我们享受奇妙的救恩。
3Separation, however, is not the goal. God's goal was that the children of Israel would hold a feast to Him. He wanted them to be happy with Him in His presence. To hold a feast unto God is to enjoy God with God. Everyone who has truly been saved has experienced times of overflowing with joy in the Lord's presence. Such times are real holidays. If you have not enjoyed such a feast with the Lord but have only been happy when participating in worldly amusements, then perhaps you have not yet been saved. Being saved does not depend upon having such an enjoyment. Nevertheless, everyone who is saved will have the experience, at least once in his Christian life, of holding a feast to the Lord, of enjoying the Lord in His presence. Sometimes I have been so beside myself with joy in the Lord that it seemed as if I were dancing before Him. This is not doctrine or theory, but a marvelous enjoyment of our salvation
4不仅如此，以色列人还要向主献祭。照著我们的经历，当我们向主守节，在主面前享受祂，我们的心被主耶稣深深摸著。祂对我们如此亲爱、宝贵，我们对祂有新鲜的爱。几乎没有言语能表达祂对我们是多么的甜美。祂摸著我们全人的深处，而我们的回应是为著父的爱子感谢祂。这就是向神献祭，把宝贵的基督当作祭物献给神。当我们把基督献给父时，父就因著我们献上基督为祭物而欢喜、高兴，并满足。所以神对法老的要求，就是容祂的百姓往旷野去，走三天的路程，使他们能向祂守节，并献祭给祂。这是对神救恩的享受。
4Furthermore, the children of Israel were to sacrifice unto the Lord. According to our experience, when we hold a feast unto the Lord, enjoying Him in His presence, our heart is deeply touched by the Lord Jesus. He becomes so dear and precious to us, and we have a fresh love for Him. We simply have no words to utter how sweet He is to us. He touches the depths of our being, and we respond by thanking the Father for His dear Son. This is to offer sacrifice unto God, to present the precious Christ to God as a sacrifice. As we offer Christ to the Father, the Father is pleased, happy, and satisfied by us through our sacrifice of Christ. Therefore, God's demand of Pharaoh was to let His people go a three days' journey into the wilderness so that they could hold a feast to Him and sacrifice unto Him. This is the enjoyment of God'ss alvation
二 法老狡猾的讨价还价
II. PHARAOH'S SUBTLE BARGAINING
（一） 拒绝神的要求
A. Rejecting God's Demand
5起先，法老拒绝神的要求说：『耶和华是谁，使我听祂的话，容以色列人去呢？我不认识耶和华，也不容以色列人去。』（五2。）撒但是狡猾的。己和天然的人，无论是我们的或别人的，也是狡猾的。不仅如此，我们天然的心思、意志，和情感是狡猾的。事实上，任何天然的东西都是狡猾的。由此我们看见，法老无所不在。法老否认神，并且不顾祂的要求，不容以色列人去。
5At first Pharaoh rejected God's demand and said, “Who is Jehovah, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not Jehovah, neither will I let Israel go” (5:2, Heb.). Satan is subtle. The self and natural man, whether of ourselves or of others, are also subtle. Moreover, our natural mind, will, and emotion are subtle. In fact, anything natural is subtle. By this we see that Pharaoh is to be found everywhere. Pharaoh denies God and ignores His demand to let the children of Israel go.
6我不相信法老真不知道有这位耶和华神。反之，法老必定知道耶和华的存在，但是他故意否认祂。他高傲地问说，为甚么他必须听神的话。今天，天然的人也作同样的事。譬如，一位弟兄的妻子知道有一位神，但是她也许拒绝祂的要求。这位弟兄可能告诉他的妻子，他从主接受了一个呼召。这位妻子反应说：『神是谁？为甚么我就该留意祂对你的呼召呢？』这时，她就是拒绝神和神要求的法老。事实上，乃是在法老里面的撒但否认神。撒但非常清楚有一位神，因为他曾一度在神面前。然而，撒但在法老里面作工，否认神并拒绝听从祂。这是法老狡猾交涉的第一个阶段。
6I do not believe that Pharaoh actually did not know that there was such a God as Jehovah. On the contrary, Pharaoh must have known of Jehovah's existence, but he purposely denied Him. He insolently asked why he had to listen to God'sword. The natural man does the same thing today. For example, a brother's wife may know that there is a God, but she may reject His demand. The brother may tell his wife that he has received a call from the Lord. The wife may react and say, “Who is God? Why should I heed His call to you?” At such a time, she is a Pharaoh rejecting God and His demand. Actually, it was Satan in Pharaoh who denied God. Satan knew very well that there was a God, for at one time he was in God's presence. Nevertheless, Satan worked in Pharaoh to deny God and to refuse to listen to Him. This was the first stage of Pharaoh's subtle bargaining
7许多得救的人在他们首次听见福音时，就是这样和主讨价还价的。他们里面的深处说：『神是谁？为甚么我必须听祂？为甚么祂不听我？为甚么我需要祂？祂才需要我。至于我，天地都该是我的。』很多人以这样的方式与主理论。神对这种狡猾交涉的答覆就是降下灾害。我多次看见这事。例如，一位聪明的医科学生听见福音的话时，与主理论。他也许与神争辩，并告诉祂，他无意听从祂。神不答辩，反而降下某种灾害，也许是一种医生无法诊断的疾病，为要带这位青年人悔改、相信基督。神用祂的手指降下这样的灾害。埃及的术士承认十灾中有一样是神的手指带来的。（八。）法老与神理论，直到灾害降临的时候。然而，当每样灾害过去时，法老又开始与主理论。所以，神降下一灾又一灾。很少人没有迟疑或考虑就接受福音。为了对付这样的交涉，神一再地降下灾害。
7Many saved ones bargained with the Lord in this way when they first heard the gospel. Deep within, they said, “Who is God? Why must I listen to Him? Why doesn'tHe listen to me? Why do I need Him? He is the one who needs me. As far as I'm concerned, the heavens and the earth should be mine.” Many have reasoned with God in this way. God's response to this subtle bargaining is to send a plague. I have seen this many times. For example, an intelligent medical student may reason with God when he hears the word of the gospel. He may argue with God and tell Him that he has no intention of listening to Him. Instead of arguing in return, God sends some type of plague, perhaps an illness that no physician can diagnose, in order to bring this young man to repentance and to faith in Christ. In sending such a plague, God exercises His finger. The Egyptian magicians recognized that one of the plagues was brought about by the finger of God (8:19). Pharaoh reasoned with God until the 19 plagues began to come. However, as soon as each plague was over, Pharaoh began once again to reason with the Lord. Therefore, God sent one plague after another. Very few receive the gospel without hesitation or consideration. In order to deal with this kind of bargaining, God sends plagues again and again.
（二） 题议容以色列人在埃及祭祀他们的神
B. Offering to Let Israel Sacrifice to Their God in Egypt
8法老交涉的第二个阶段在他对摩西、亚伦所说的话中可以看见：『你们去，在这地祭祀你们的神罢。』（八25。）在这里法老告诉他们说，他们能彀祭祀神，条件是留在埃及地。他们不需要走到旷野。法老承认有一位神，而且要求祂的百姓事奉祂并献祭给祂。但是他不愿他们离开他的国家。他们能彀祭祀神，条件是留在埃及。对这个狡猾的题议，摩西回答说：『这样行本不相宜，因为我们要把埃及人所厌恶的祭祀耶和华我们的神；若把埃及人所厌恶的在他们眼前献为祭，他们岂不拿石头打死我们么？』（八26。）摩西知道神的百姓所要献给主的，是埃及人所厌恶的。神所接受的是埃及人所弃绝的。所以，他们不能在埃及祭祀神。法老心里刚硬，拒绝听从摩西。然后神降下另一灾。撒但和天然的人必定看见与神争辩是徒劳无益！祂是伟大的，祂有法子对付我们。当我们和祂理论完后，祂动用祂的手指，藉著另一次灾害来对付我们。
8The second stage of Pharaoh's bargaining is seen in his telling Moses and Aaron, “Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land” (8:25). Here Pharaoh was telling them that they could sacrifice to their God provided that they stay in the land of Egypt. There was no need for them to make a journey into the wilderness. Pharaoh admitted that there was a God and that His people were required to serve Him and sacrifice to Him. But he was not willing for them to leave his country. They could sacrifice to God, provided that they remained in Egypt. To this subtle proposal Moses replied, “It is not meet so to do; for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians to Jehovah our God: lo, shall we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, and will they not stone us?” (8:26). Moses knew that what God ' sp eople would sacrifice to the Lord would be an abomination to the Egyptians. What God accepted, the Egyptians would reject. Therefore, they could not sacrifice to God in Egypt. Hardening his heart, Pharaoh refused to hearken to Moses. Then God sent another plague. Surely Satan and the natural man should see the futility of arguing with God! He is great, and He has a way to deal with us. When we have finished reasoning with Him, He simply exercises His finger to deal with us by means of another plague.
（三） 题议容以色列人去，不要走远，在旷野祭祀他们的神
C. Offering to Let Israel Go a Short Distance to Sacrifice to Their God in the Wilderness
9在法老狡猾交涉的第三个阶段，他说：『我容你们去，在旷野祭祀耶和华你们的神，只是不要走得很远。』（八28。）倘若以色列人同意不要走远，无论何时法老要他们，就能抓住他们。有时候今日的法老容许我们相信主耶稣，只要我们不走到他们所认为的极端。他鼓励我们要平衡，不要走得太远。例如，父母亲也许对他们的孩子说：『当我年轻时，我也相信耶稣。但你跟随主太极端了。你不需要一星期聚会好几次，主日早晨一小时不就彀了么？信耶稣很好，但是不要疯狂著迷。』
9In the third stage of his subtle bargaining, Pharaoh said, “I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to Jehovah your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not go very far away” (8:28, Heb.). If the children of Israel had agreed not to go very far away, Pharaoh could have reached them whenever he wanted them. Sometimes today's Pharaohs will allow us to believe in the Lord Jesus, just as long as we do not go to what they regard as an extreme. They encourage us to be balanced and not to go too far. For example, parents may say to their children, “When I was young, I also believed in Jesus. But you are too extreme in following the Lord. You don't need to go to meetings several times a week. Isn'tan hour on Sunday morning enough? It'sa ll right to believe in Jesus, but don't be fanatical about it
10法老这样与神理论过后，主仍旧降下另一次灾害。对今日的法老，祂也作同样的事。当天然的人奋力抵挡神，神就降灾在他身上。
10After Pharaoh reasoned with God in this way, the Lord sent still another plague. He does the same with today's Pharaohs. When the natural man strives against God, God sends a plague upon him.
（四） 题议只容壮年人去事奉他们的神
D. Offering to Let Only the Men Go to Serve Their God
11法老无法忍受灾害，就同意容以色列的壮年人去事奉他们的神，但是不要带著老的、少的。（十8～。）当法老问，谁要去事奉耶和华，摩西说：『我们要和我们老的少的，儿子女儿同去，且把羊群牛群一同带去。』（十9。）法老又开始理论说，有祸在他们眼前。（10。）法老继续说：『不可都去，你们这壮年人去事奉耶和华罢。』（11。）法老声称他爱他们，关心他们，不要让灾祸降在他们身上。何等的狡猾！
11Unable to bear the plagues, Pharaoh became willing to let the men of Israel go to serve their God, but not with the young and the old (10:8-11). When Pharaoh asked who would go to serve the Lord, Moses said, 11 “We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go” (10:9). Then Pharaoh began to reason once more, saying that evil was before them (v. 10). Pharaoh went on to say, “Not so: go now ye that are men, and serve Jehovah” (v. 11, Heb.). Pharaoh was claiming that he loved them, cared for them, and wanted no evil to befall them. How subtle!
12今天许多人也像这样。一个年轻人的父母会对他说：『我是一个老年人，我知道生活的试炼。你不晓得将来在你前面有甚么试炼。因此，我劝你相信主耶稣并跟随祂，但不要完全跟随。倘若你全心跟随，你不知道将会发生甚么事。』法老利用爱心使人与主分开。只要法老仍能扣留这些妻子、少的、老的，壮年人就不会真正离开埃及，因为他们的心仍在埃及。因著法老不肯容以色列人完全离开，更重的灾害，就是蝗虫的灾害，便临到埃及人。
12Many are like this today. The parents of a young person may say to him, “As an older one, I know the trials of human life. You don't know what evil lies before you in the future. Therefore, I counsel you to believe in the Lord Jesus and to follow Him, but not in a full way. If you follow wholeheartedly, you don't know what will happen to you.” Here Pharaoh used love to keep people from the Lord. As long as Pharaoh could still hold the wives, the young ones, and the elderly, the men would not truly leave Egypt, for their hearts would still be in Egypt. Because Pharaoh refused to let the children of Israel go in a full way, a more severe plague, the plague of the locusts, came upon the Egyptians
（五） 题议容以色列人去事奉他们的神，但不要带著羊群牛群
E. Offering to Let Israel Go to Serve Their God, but Not with Their Flocks and Herds
13蝗灾迫使法老再次与主办交涉。这回他说，『你们去事奉耶和华，只是你们的羊群牛群要留下，你们的妇人孩子可以和你们同去。』（十24。）这项题议也是狡猾的。摩西巧妙地回答法老说：『你总要把祭物和燔祭牲交给我们，使我们可以祭祀耶和华我们的神。我们的牲畜也要带去，连一蹄也不留下，因为我们要从其中取出来，事奉耶和华我们的神。』（十25～26。）摩西没有说百姓为著生活需要牲畜；乃是需要牲畜供应某些东西献祭给神。这表示摩西不是关心百姓的生活，而是关心要有东西献给神。他们在意神的需要，而非自己的需要。所以，他们不同意把羊群牛群留在埃及。法老因摩西的回答而生气，禁止他们再来。
13The plague of the locusts forced Pharaoh to bargain with the Lord once more. This time he said, “Go ye, serve Jehovah; only let your flocks and your herds remain: let your little ones also go with you” (10:24, Heb.). This suggestion was also subtle. Moses answered Pharaoh in an excellent way: “Thou must give us also sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice unto Jehovah our God. Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not a hoof be left behind; for thereof must we take to serve Jehovah our God” (10:25-26, Heb.). Moses did not say that the people needed cattle for their living; the cattle were needed to provide something to sacrifice to the Lord. This indicates that Moses was concerned not for the people's living, but for having something to offer to God. They cared for God's need, not for their own need. Therefore, they would not agree that their flocks and herds remain in Egypt. Angered by Moses' reply, Pharaoh forbade them to come again
14我们中间很多人经历过与主办交涉的这五个阶段。首先我们否认主，然后我们相信了，但要留在埃及。以后我们愿意离开埃及，但不是走得太远。接著是关乎甚么能留在埃及的谈判。法老知道人的财宝在那里，人的心也在那里。（太六21。）如果法老能留住我们的财富，我们的心就要在他手中。今天许多基督徒相信主耶稣，但是他们没有改变他们的地位。他们留在埃及，留在世界里。然而，若是我们相信主以后，仍留在埃及，我们的罪可以得著赦免，但我们没有从撒但的暴政下蒙拯救。留在埃及就是留在撒但的暴政之下。
14Many of us have gone through these five steps of bargaining with the Lord. Firstly we denied the Lord, and then we believed but wanted to remain in Egypt. Then we were willing to leave Egypt, but not to go too far. After that followed the negotiation concerning what would be left in Egypt. Pharaoh knows that where one's riches are, there his heart is also (Matt. 6:21). If Pharaoh can keep our wealth, our hearts will be in his hand. Many Christians today believe in the Lord Jesus, but they do so without changing their position. They remain in Egypt, in the world. However, if we remain in Egypt after believing in the Lord, our sins may be forgiven, but we shall not be rescued from the tyranny of Satan. To remain in Egypt is to remain under Satan's tyranny.
15其他的基督徒愿意离开埃及不远。他们这样作，可以夸耀他们的聪明，以为他们是智慧而平衡的。他们满意地指出，他们不走极端。其余的基督徒在与神办交涉的第三、第四，或第五个阶段。撒但愿意容他们去，但不容年少的去。许多基督徒在世界里仍有他们的财富和资产，这表示他们还没有出埃及。他们的受浸应该是过红海，但是对他们仅仅是一个仪式，成为宗教的一部分。我们感谢主，大多数在主恢复里的人都出了埃及。每当传福音的时侯，这五个阶段的讨价还价就再次重复。很少有人在第一次听见福音时就完全得救。大部分的人挣扎、迟疑，并讨价还价。最后，神为了他们而动一动手指。我们也许用我们的心思和主讲价，并与主理论。但神不在意我们的理论。当我们和主交涉一过，祂就再次在我们的情况中施行祂的能力。
15Other Christians are willing to move a short distance away from Egypt. In doing this, they may boast of their cleverness, thinking that they are wise and balanced. They are pleased to point out that they are not extremists. Other Christians are in the third, fourth, or fifth stages of bargaining with God. Satan is willing to let them go, but not their young ones. A great many Christians still have their wealth and possessions in the world. This indicates that they have not yet made an exodus. Their baptism should have been the crossing of the Red Sea, but it was merely a ritual for them to become part of religion. We thank the Lord that the vast majority of those in the Lord's recovery have made an exodus out of Egypt. These five stages of bargaining are repeated whenever the gospel is preached. It is rare that someone is saved thoroughly the first time he hears the gospel. Most people struggle, hesitate, and bargain. Eventually the finger of God is exercised on their behalf. We may use our mind to bargain with the Lord and to reason with Him. But God pays no attention to our reasoning. When our bargaining is over, He once again exercises His power over our situation
三 神的坚持
III. GOD'SINS IS TEN CE
（一） 坚持祂绝对的要求
A. On His Absolute Demand
16无论法老如何与神讨价还价，神总是坚持的。没有甚么能改变祂。一旦祂对我们有所要求，祂就绝不让步。反之，祂坚持要达成祂的要求。与祂争辩没有用。祂能忍耐，有时候等待多年，直到我们甘愿顺服祂的要求。我们或许以为，经过漫长的时间后，主会改变祂的心意，但我们却发现主比以前更坚持。天地会过去，但祂的旨意永存。法老必须认识神坚持不撤回祂绝对要求的事实。
16No matter how much Pharaoh may bargain with God, God is insistent. Nothing can change Him. Once He has made a demand of us, He will not give in. On the contrary, He will insist that His demand be fulfilled. It is useless to argue with Him. He is patient, sometimes waiting for years until we are willing to submit to His requirements. We may think that after a long period of time the Lord will change His mind, only to discover that the Lord is more insistent than ever. Heaven and earth may pass away, but His will remains. Pharaoh must recognize the fact that God is insistent and will not withdraw His absolute demand.
（二） 使用末了的灾害迫使法老将以色列人逐出埃及
B. Using the Last Plague to Force Pharaoh to Drive Israel out of Egypt
17主坚持实现祂的要求，就使用末了一灾─击杀长子，来迫使法老将以色列人完全赶出埃及。（十二～33。）无论法老多么顽梗，他无法抵挡这次灾害。法老对摩西、亚伦说：『起来，连你们带以色列人，从我民中出去，依你们所说的，去事奉耶和华罢。』（十二31。）不仅如此，法老对他们说：『也依你们所说的，连羊群牛群带著走罢。』（32。）
17In His insistence that His demand be carried out, the Lord used the last plague, the slaughter of the firstborn, to force Pharaoh to drive Israel altogether out of Egypt (12:29-33). No matter how stubborn 29 Pharaoh was, he could not stand against this plague. Pharaoh said to Moses and Aaron, “Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve Jehovah, as ye have said” (12:31, Heb.). Furthermore, Pharaoh said to them, “Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone” (v. 32).
（三） 使埃及人愿意给以色列人金器银器和衣裳
C. Making the Egyptians Willing to Give Israel Jewels and Raiment
18出埃及记十二章三十五和三十六节说：『以色列人照著摩西的话行，向埃及人要金器、银器，和衣裳。耶和华叫百姓在埃及人眼前蒙恩，以致埃及人给他们所要的，他们就把埃及人的财物夺去了。』神使埃及人愿意给以色列人这些宝石和衣裳。如此，以色列人就把埃及人的财物夺去了。因此，到了建造帐幕的时候，他们就有所需要的材料。有些人也许认为，神允许以色列人这样掠夺埃及人是不公平的。请记住，法老强迫以色列人为他造积货城。他没有为这个劳力的工作给他们任何报酬，因此，掠夺埃及人实际上是清帐。以神的公平和公义，他有清帐的法子。何等奇妙，末了一灾不仅迫使法老和埃及人赶出以色列人，并且使他们甘愿给以色列人所要求的！连掠夺埃及人这件事也适用于今日。我知道许多人先是与主讨价还价，而后真被主拯救了。他们得救之后，就彻底掳掠了世界，并从世界中带出许多东西来为著主。很多人能作见证，他们蒙召得救以后，没有留下甚么在世界中。反之，他们把所有的一切都带出来为著神的旨意。
18Exodus 12:35 and 36 say, “And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they asked of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and Jehovah gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they gave to them what they asked. And they plundered the Egyptians” (Heb.). God made the Egyptians willing to give to Israel these jewels and raiment. In this way, the children of Israel plundered the Egyptians. Therefore, when it was time to build the tabernacle, they had the necessary materials. Some may think that God was not just in allowing Israel to plunder the Egyptians in this way. Remember, Pharaoh had forced the Israelites to build treasure cities for him. For this labor he did not pay them anything. Hence, the plundering of the Egyptians was actually a clearing of the account. In His justice and righteousness, God had a way to clear the account. How marvelous that the last plague not only forced Pharaoh and the Egyptians to drive out the children of Israel, but also made them willing to give the Israelites whatever they requested! Even the matter of plundering the Egyptians has an application today. I know of many who first bargained with the Lord and then were truly saved by Him. Having been saved, they thoroughly plundered the world and brought a good number of things with them out of the world for the Lord. Many can testify that after they were called and saved, they left nothing in the world. Instead, everything they had they took out of the world for God's purpose.
19我们已经指出，埃及人给以色列人的材料被用来建造帐幕。银子用来作带卯的座，金子用来包裹竖板和帐幕中其它的物件。在埃及人眼中，这样使用他们的金子和银子是一种枉费。但在神眼中，这不是枉费。埃及的财富被夺来是为著神的旨意。历世历代以来，许许多多人被主呼召，并且被祂从世界里拯救出来，带著许多东西归给主，为著祂和祂旨意的缘故枉费上去。例如，当马利亚用极贵的真哪哒香膏抹主耶稣时，犹大认为这是一种枉费。他说香膏能卖钱赒济穷人。（约十二3～5。）他希奇为甚么在主耶稣身上枉费了这么多。但是从世界夺来的一切都该归给主耶稣，并且枉费在祂身上。这样作就是彻底的得救了。这是我们深切爱主的标记，我们彻底得救的标记。最终，我们从世界所夺来的，完全为著神的居所使用。
19We have pointed out that the materials given to the Israelites by the Egyptians were used in building the tabernacle. The silver was used to make sockets, and the gold was used to overlay the boards and other furnishings in the tabernacle. In the eyes of the Egyptians, such a use of their gold and silver would have been a waste. In the eyes of God, however, this was not a waste. The wealth of Egypt had been plundered for God's purpose. Throughout the centuries, many who have been called by the Lord and rescued by Him from the world have brought a great many things to Him to become a waste for His sake and for the sake of His purpose. For example, when Mary anointed the Lord Jesus with costly ointment of spikenard, Judas regarded this as a waste. He said that it could have been sold and the money given to the poor (John 12:3-5). He wondered why so much had been wasted on the Lord Jesus. But all that is plundered from the world should be brought to the Lord Jesus and wasted upon Him. To do this is to be saved to the uttermost. This is a sign of our deep love for the Lord, a sign that we have been thoroughly saved. Eventually, what we plunder from the world is brought together to be used for God's dwelling place
20今天这就是我们的经历。不仅我们自己离开埃及，并且我们不容任何与我们有关的事物留在世界。反之，我们把世界的财富夺来，把它枉费在主身上，作为我们爱祂的标记。然后这夺来的财物被用于神在地上的居所。
20This is our experience today. Not only have we ourselves left Egypt, but we will not allow anything related to us to remain in the world. Instead, we plunder the wealth of the world and waste it upon the Lord as a token of our love for Him. This plundered wealth then is used in God's dwelling place on earth