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出埃及记生命读经 · 第26篇

以色列人出埃及（一）

Israel’s Exodus from Egypt (1)
1读经：出埃及记12:29-42,51;13:1-22。
1Scripture Reading: Exo. 12:29-42, 51; 13:1-22
2在前面各篇信息中，我们看过逾越节。现在我们来看以色列人出埃及，就是接著逾越节的一件事。我们都知道，『出埃及』这个词的意思就是出去。
2In the foregoing messages, we considered the Passover. Now we come to Israel’sex od us from Egypt, an event which followed the Passover. As we all know, the word exodus means a going out
3在本篇信息中，我们所要谈到关乎出埃及的点，都可在新约中找著。然而，我们若读新约的话语，而不看摆在旧约中出埃及的图画，我们就不会有很深刻的印象。因此，我们需要看新约中的话语以及旧约中的图画。常常我们藉著图画比藉著言语更能恰切地领会属灵的事。用新约的说法，出埃及就是从世界里出来。然而，没有出埃及记的图画，我们就很难说出如何能从世界里出来。谈论这事而不参看这幅图画只会导致混乱。因此，为著旧约中的图画以及新约中的明言，我们感谢主。
3The points we shall cover in this message concerning the exodus from Egypt are all to be found in the New Testament. However, if we read the words of the New Testament without considering the picture of the exodus presented in the Old Testament, we shall not be impressed very deeply. Hence, we need to consider both the words in the New Testament and the picture in the Old Testament. Often we are able to grasp spiritual things more adequately through pictures than through words. In New Testament terms, to have an exodus is to get out of the world. However, without the picture in the book of Exodus, it is difficult to say just how we are able to get out of the world. To talk about this matter without consulting the picture may lead only to confusion. Therefore, we thank the Lord both for the picture in the Old Testament and for the plain words in the New Testament
一 法老和埃及人
I. PHARAOH AND THE EGYPTIANS
被神征服
HAVING BEEN SUBDUED BY GOD
4以色列人从埃及出来，不是出于他们或凭著他们的能力。若是任凭他们，他们绝不能从埃及出来。出埃及是拯救的神所完成的。首先，神征服法老，就是霸占以色列人的人，然后祂征服所有的埃及人。（十二29～33。）当我们把这原则应用到我们的经历中，就看见神进来征服撒但，一切与撒但站在一起的人和事，以及我们的环境。当以色列人从埃及出来时，整个环境都被神征服了。每件事都为以色列人离开埃及而准备妥当。即使他们要留在埃及，环境亦不容许他们留下，除了离开之外，他们别无选择。
4The children of Israel did not make their exodus from Egypt of their own accord or by their own power. If they had been left to themselves, they never could have come out of Egypt. The exodus was accomplished by the saving God. Firstly, God subdued Pharaoh, the one who had usurped the children of Israel, and then He subdued all the Egyptians (12:29-33). As we apply this principle to our experience, we see that God comes in to subdue Satan, everything and everyone that stands with Satan, and also our environment. When the children of Israel made their exodus from Egypt, the whole environment was subdued by God. Everything was set for the children of Israel to leave Egypt. Even if they had wanted to remain in Egypt, the environment would not have allowed them to remain. They had no choice except to leave
5根据出埃及记的图画，神的救恩包括逾越节的一面和出埃及的一面。神的百姓守逾越节很容易，但要出埃及却不容易。难处在于出埃及需要环境的配合。假设在埃及的情形不容神的百姓离开，他们怎能出埃及呢？这事是不可能的。出埃及需要彻底的征服环境。以色列人的出埃及是摩西和法老之间长期苦斗的结果。出埃及之前是十二次交涉与十样灾害。这表明神拯救他的选民脱离撒但霸占的手和世界是不容易的。所有的真基督徒都经历过逾越节，但只有少数的基督徒经历过从埃及出来。这事的原因乃是他们环境中的某些方面还未被征服。
5According to the picture in the book of Exodus, God’s salvation includes the aspect of the Passover and the aspect of the exodus. It was easy for God’sp eople to observe the Passover, but it was not easy for them to have an exodus. The difficulty lay in the fact that the exodus required a suitable environment. Suppose the situation in Egypt did not allow God’sp eople to leave. How then could they have made their exodus? It would have been impossible. The exodus required a thorough subduing of the environment. Israel’s exodus was the result of along struggle between Moses and Pharaoh. It was preceded by twelve negotiations with ten plagues. This indicates that it is not easy for God to deliver His chosen people from the usurping hand of Satan and from the world. All genuine Christians have experienced the Passover, but only a small minority of believers have experienced the exodus. The reason for this is that certain aspects of their environment have not yet been subdued.
6如果我们的环境还未被征服，我们也许有逾越节，但是没有出埃及。可能你的妻子、丈夫或亲戚需要被征服。有些人听见他们的环境必须被征服，他们就沮丧并想要放弃了。然而，即使放弃这件事也不在于我们；它完全在乎主。我们不该放弃，我们该与他合作。要从撒但霸占的手和世界里被拯救，我们需要神的手征服我们的环境。
6If our environment has not been subdued, we may have the Passover, but not the exodus. Perhaps your wife, husband, or relatives need to be subdued. When some hear that their environment must be subdued, they may be discouraged and want to give up. However, not even the matter of giving up depends on us; it depends wholly on the Lord. Instead of giving up, we should cooperate with Him. To be rescued from the usurping hand of Satan and from the world, we need God’s hand to subdue our environment
7在这段记载中，两次告诉我们耶和华『用大能的手』将以色列人从埃及领出来。（十三3，14。）神的百姓蒙拯救不仅是因著逾越节的羊羔，也是因著神的手。血救他们脱离神公义的审判，神的手救他们脱离法老的霸占。今天我们也是一样。藉著基督作我们的逾越节，我们蒙拯救脱离神的审判；但藉著神征服的手，我们蒙拯救脱离撒但和世界。
7In this record we are told twice that “by strength of hand” the Lord brought the children of Israel out of Egypt (13:3, 14). God’sp eople were saved not only by the blood of the Passover lamb, but also by the hand of God. The blood saved them from God’s righteous judgment, but the hand saved them from Pharoah’s usurpation. It is the same with us today. Through Christ as our Passover we are saved from God’s judgment, but by God’s subduing hand we are saved from Satan and the world
二 法老和埃及人
II. PHARAOH AND THE EGYPTIANS
催逼以色列人离开埃及
DRIVING THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL OUT OF EGYPT
8法老和埃及人被征服到这样一个地步，他们实际上是催逼以色列人离开埃及的。（十二33，39，十一1。）埃及人无法忍受神的百姓再留在他们的国家里。当摩西和亚伦首次要求法老容神的百姓去，法老不肯。但到了十二章三十三节的时候：『埃及人催促百姓，打发他们快快出离那地。』
8Pharaoh and the Egyptians were subdued to such an extent that they actually drove the children of Israel out of Egypt (12:33, 39; 11:1). The Egyptians could not tolerate the presence of God’sp eople in their country any longer. When Moses and Aaron first asked Pharaoh to let God’sp eople go, Pharaoh refused. But by the time of 12:33, “the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste
9这不仅是圣经里的一个故事，也是适用于我们基督徒经历的一个原则。迟早我们的环境将鼓励我们，甚至逼我们从世界里出来。我们的妻子、丈夫或亲戚会嘱咐我们出去；他们会告诉我们，离开世界比留在世界里更好。这意思是说，世界要把我们赶出去。如果我们不愿离去，世界将催逼我们。只要我们留在世界里，那些在世界里的人就没有平安。最后他们知道，惟有我们离开世界，他们才有平安，我们也才有喜乐。我能作见证，这就是我的经历。倘若我尝试回到世界，世界会求我不要回去。对世界来说，我离得愈远愈好。世界要我们离开，乃是耶和华大能之手的结果。
9This is not only a story in the Bible, but a principle that applies to our Christian experience. Sooner or later, our environment will encourage us, even compel us, to make our exodus from the world. Our wife, husband, or relatives may charge us to go out; they may tell us that it is better for us to leave the world than to remain in it. This means that the world will cast us out. If we are not willing to go, the world will drive us away. As long as we remain in the world, those in the world have no peace. Eventually they realize that only when we leave the world will they have peace and will we have joy. I can testify that this has been my experience. If I were to try to go back to the world, the world would beg me not to return. As far as the world is concerned, the farther away I am, the better it is. It is the result of the Lord’s strong hand that the world wants us to leave.
三 以色列人没有时间
III. THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL HAVING NO TIME
使他们的饼发起来
TO LEAVEN THEIR BREAD
10因为以色列人被催逼离开埃及，他们没有时间带有酵的食物。（十二34，39。）我们已经指出，酵表征罪恶和败坏。以色列人没有时间豫备有酵饼的事实，说出主要对付我们的环境到一个地步，使我们没有时间为著罪恶的事情。倘若我们还有时间豫备有酵饼，我们就很难离开埃及。这意思是说，如果我们还有时间为著罪恶的事，我们就很难从世界里出来。神征服我们的环境并使我们被催逼离开世界以后，我们将发现，没有时间留给罪恶的事。出埃及记十二章三十九节说：『他们用埃及带出来的生面，烤成无酵饼，这生面原没有发起，因为他们被催逼离开埃及不能耽延，也没有为自己豫备甚么食物。』本节清楚地指出，埃及人没有给以色列人时间使他们的饼发起来。
10Because the children of Israel were driven out of Egypt, they had no time to bring leavened food (12:34, 39). We have pointed out that leaven signifies sinfulness and corruption. The fact that the children of Israel did not have the time to prepare leavened bread indicates that the Lord will deal with our environment to such an extent that it will give us no time for sinful things. If we still have time to prepare leavened bread, it will be difficult for us to get out of Egypt. This means that if we still have time for sinful things, it will be hard for us to make our exodus from the world. After God subdues our environment and causes us to be driven out of the world, we shall discover that no time remains for sinful things. Exodus 12:39 says, “And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were driven out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any food” (Heb.). This verse indicates clearly that the Egyptians did not give the children of Israel time to leaven their bread
11当我作小孩时，在中国北方，我们吃许多发过的饼。我知道烤无酵饼比有酵饼所需要的时间少多了。我的母亲时常在晚上就寝前豫备生面团加上发粉，让它放到早晨。我的姐姐豫备生面团时，她有时会忘记加发粉。到了早晨，我的母亲看见这情形就不高兴。她晓得没有时间作发起来的饼，她就必须豫备别的东西给我们吃。这个例子说出豫备有酵饼需要时间。正如烤有酵饼需要时间一般，照样，犯罪也需要时间。
11When I was a child in northern China, we ate a great deal of leavened bread. I learned that it takes much less time to bake unleavened bread than to bake leavened bread. Often before going to bed at night my mother would prepare dough with leaven and let it stand until morning. When my sister prepared the dough, sometimes she would forget to add leaven. In the morning, when my mother saw the situation, she would be displeased. She knew there was no time to make leavened bread, and she had to prepare something else for us to eat. This illustration shows that it takes time to prepare leavened bread. Just as it takes time to bake leavened bread, it also takes time to commit sin.
12三十年前，我们很多人从中国大陆匆忙迁到台湾。环境如此，我们没有充裕的时间。倘若我们耽延，我们就要发现没有任何交通工具了。我们也被迫撇下许多东西。在那时以前，我们服事话语的人试著要帮助一些人除去他们生活中的『酵』，但他们不愿意听从，反而抓住罪恶的东西，就是在神眼中有『酵』的东西。然而，他们被迫离开大陆，除了放弃所有的『酵』以外，别无选择。当我们到了台湾岛时，我很高兴许多『酵』都被撇下了。有时候神甚至用肉身的较弱或疾病，使我们与『酵』分开。你也许还想要作某些罪恶的事，但因著肉身的软弱，你不能再这样作。神在你的环境里作工，这使你离开『酵』。
12Thirty years ago, many of us moved in haste from the mainland of China to Taiwan. The environment was such that we did not have any time to spare. If we had tarried, we would have found ourselves without any means of transportation. Also, we were forced to leave many things behind. Before that time, we who ministered the Word tried to help certain people get rid of the “leaven” in their lives. But they were not willing to listen. Instead they held on to the sinful things, to the things that are “leaven” in the eyes of God. However, being forced to leave the mainland, they had no choice but to forsake all the “leaven.” When we arrived on the island of Taiwan, I was happy that so much “leaven” had been left behind. Sometimes God may even use physical weakness or illness to separate us from our “leaven.” You may still want to practice certain sinful things, but because of physical infirmity you are no longer able to do so. God works in your environment to force you to leave your “leaven
13以色列人清清洁洁地离开埃及，那就是说，没有酵地离开埃及。我们中间很多人能作见证，我们也是清清洁洁地离开世界。因著神对付我们的环境，我们就不可能将有酵的饼从世界里带出来。反之，环境逼我们清清洁洁地从埃及出来。为著将酵除尽赞美主！
13The children of Israel left Egypt in a pure way, that is, without leaven. Many of us can testify that we also have left the world in a pure way. Because God dealt with our environment, it was not possible for us to take leavened bread out of the world with us. Rather, the environment compelled us to make our exodus in a pure way. Praise Him for purging out the leaven
四 以色列人夺去
IV. THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL HAVING PLUNDERED
14埃及人的金器银器和衣裳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。』尽管以色列人没有时间豫备有酵饼，他们却有时间夺去埃及人的金器银器和衣裳。（三21～22，十一2～3。）这说出在神的救恩里，祂愿意我们夺去世界的财富。
14THE EGYPTIANS OF THEIR SILVER, GOLD, AND RAIMENT Exodus 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 the Lord 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.). Although the children of Israel had no time to prepare leavened bread, they did have time to plunder the Egyptians of their silver, gold, and raiment (3:21- 22; 11:2-3). This indicates that in God’ss alvation He desires that we plunder the world of its wealth
15神的经营与人的宗教不同。例如，佛教教导我们应该对世界一无所取。相反的，神却吩咐祂的选民向埃及人要金器银器和衣裳。这样，祂的百姓便掠夺了埃及人。这不是抢劫，乃是长期作奴工延误的报酬。因神的公义，祂安排埃及人偿付以色列人在埃及的劳苦。
15God’s economy is different from man’s religion. For example, Buddhism teaches that we should take nothing out of the world. God, on the contrary, commanded His chosen people to ask the Egyptians for silver, gold, and raiment. In this way, His people plundered the Egyptians. This was not robbery; it was a belated payment for a long period of slave labor. God in His righteousness arranged for the Egyptians to pay the children of Israel for their labor in Egypt.
16许多得救的人能作见证，神大能的手在他们的环境中作工，给他们机会夺去世界的财富。神如此行的目的不是要叫祂的百姓富有，乃是为建造帐幕，就是祂在地上的居所。以色列人为著建造帐幕，需要金器银器和衣裳。为了神居所的缘故，我们不该像佛教徒般的离开世界；我们该夺去埃及的财富，用于建造帐幕的事上。当那个乞丐向彼得和约翰讨钱时，一方面，他们没有金银可给他；（徒三6；）但另一方面，他们是在那些夺去世界财富的人中。当我们这些神的选民在神主宰的手下从世界出来时，我们没有时间使甚么东西发酵。然而，我们的确有机会掠夺埃及人。所有被主兴起来的人，都是那些掠夺世界的人。为著主的目的，他们从世界带出一些财富来献给主。例如，保罗能说：『似乎贫穷，却是叫许多人富足的；似乎一无所有，却是样样都有的。』（林后六10。）把埃及人的财富夺去的这件事，可由许多基督徒的经历来说明并证实。
16Many saved ones can testify that God’s strong hand has worked in their environment to give them the opportunity to plunder the world of its wealth. God’s goal in doing this is not the enrichment of His people; it is the building of the tabernacle, His dwelling place on earth. The children of Israel needed the gold, silver, and raiment for the building of the tabernacle. For the sake of God’s dwelling place, we should not leave the world as the Buddhists do; we should plunder Egypt of wealth to be used in building the tabernacle. On the one hand, when Peter and John were asked for money by the beggar, they had no silver or gold to give him (Acts 3:6). But on the other hand, they were among those who had plundered the world of its wealth. When we, the chosen people of God, come out of the world under God’ss ove reign hand, we have no time to leaven anything. However, we do have the opportunity to plunder the Egyptians. All those who are raised up by the Lord are those who plunder the world. For the Lord’s purpose, they bring certain riches out of the world and present them to the Lord. For instance, Paul could say, “As poor yet enriching many, as having nothing and possessing all things” (2 Cor. 6:10). This matter of plundering the wealth of the Egyptians can be illustrated and confirmed by the experiences of many Christians
17表面看来，以色列人夺去埃及人的金器银器和衣裳是不公平的。如我们所指出，藉著夺去埃及的财富，他们实际上是为著被迫作的苦工得著公义的偿付。在某种意义上，他们作苦工所该得的薪资，多年来一直存在埃及的『银行』里，然后在出埃及的时候提出来。再说，神的百姓拿金器银器和衣裳，不是为著他们自己的用度或目的。相反的，埃及的财物藉著神的选民用于帐幕的建造。帐幕就是神的见证，豫表基督与教会。今天教会就是神的帐幕，由基督和众圣徒所组成。这样的见证是用神百姓的奉献所建造的。所以，埃及人的财富是来自神百姓的劳苦，并且为著神的见证而花费。这就是把世界的财富夺去的意义。
17Apparently, it was unjust for the children of Israel to plunder the Egyptians of their gold, silver, and raiment. As we have pointed out, by plundering the wealth of Egypt, they were actually receiving righteous payment for their forced labor. In a sense, the pay they deserved for their labor had been deposited over the years in the “bank” in Egypt and then was withdrawn at the time of the exodus. Furthermore, God’sp eople did not take the gold, silver, and raiment for their own use or purpose. On the contrary, the riches of Egypt were used through God’s chosen people for the building of the tabernacle. The tabernacle was the testimony of God, which typifies Christ with the church. The church today is God’s tabernacle constituted of Christ and the saints. Such a testimony is built with the offerings of God’sp eople. Therefore, the riches of the Egyptians came through the labor of God’sp eople and were spent for God’s testimony. This is what it means to plunder the world of its wealth
18在主恢复里的圣徒不该懒惰。他们该接受良好的教育，然后勤奋地作一分合式的工作，足以为生。然而，他们所赚的钱不该只为他们自己或他们的享受而使用；它们应该为著主的见证。一方面，我们必须在世界上工作，并为我们的工作获得公平的报酬；但另一方面，我们所赚的该为著神的见证来使用。虽然我们在世界里工作，但我们却不是为世界工作。反之，我们在世界上工作，却是为著不属世界的事，正如以色列人在埃及作工，却为著不属埃及的事。法老强迫神的百姓像奴隶一样作工。最后，他们因著劳苦得到埃及的财富，为著帐幕的建造，为著神的见证所使用，而不是为著埃及。
18The saints in the Lord’s recovery should not be lazy. They should get a good education and then work diligently at a proper job to earn an adequate living. However, the money they earn should not be used only for themselves or for their enjoyment; it should be used for the Lord’s testimony. On the one hand, we must labor in the world and receive just payment for our work. But on the other hand, what we earn should be used for the testimony of God. Although we work in the world, we do not work for the world. Instead, we work in the world for something that is not of the world, just as the children of Israel labored in Egypt for something that was not of Egypt. Pharaoh forced God’sp eople to work as slaves. Eventually, they received for their labor the riches of Egypt that were used for the building of the tabernacle, God’s testimony, not for Egypt
19有些人会认为，我们既然在世界里殷勤工作，我们就是为世界工作。然而，我们的劳苦是为著神的见证。我们乃是将在世界中劳苦的所得献给主。根据新约的应许，我们给主愈多，祂也给我们愈多。（路六38。）主要藉著我们的劳苦夺去世界的财富，我们便可把这财富献给祂，为著建造祂的居所。英国有一位弟兄的经历可以说明这事。在他基督徒生活的早期，他把收入的十分之一献给主。因为他在这件事上忠心，主就使他的事业昌盛。于是这位弟兄把他奉献的百分比从百分之十增加到百分之十五。主使他更加发达起来。当年日过去，这位弟兄逐渐增加他奉献的百分比。但是无论他给主多少，主总是给他更多。这位弟兄的确是夺去世界财富，并且把它们献给主，为著祂见证的人。另一个例子是一些主内弟兄的经历。他们开了一家服装店，用意在帮助主的百姓和主的工作。最后他们的生意扩展，以致他们有一百家联锁商店。他们从这行生意所赚来的全部利润，都用来维持主的见证。他们也为主掠夺世界。所有认识从世界里出来之意义的人都会殷勤地工作，不是为了他们自己的福利，乃是为著主的权益。
19Some may think that because we labor diligently in the world we labor for the world. However, our labor is for God’s testimony. What we receive for our labor in the world is given to the Lord. According to the promise in the New Testament, the more we give to the Lord, the more He will give to us (Luke 6:38). The Lord intends to plunder the world of its wealth through our labor so that we may give this wealth to Him for the building up of His dwelling place. The experience of a certain brother in England illustrates this. Early in his Christian life, he gave ten percent of his income to the Lord. Because he was faithful in this matter, the Lord caused him to prosper financially. The brother then increased the percentage of his giving from ten percent to fifteen percent. The Lord caused him to prosper even more. As the years went by, this brother gradually increased the percentage of his giving. But no matter how much he gave to the Lord, the Lord always gave even more to him. This brother surely was one who plundered the riches of the world and presented them to the Lord for His testimony. Another illustration is found in the experience of some brothers in the Lord who opened a tailor shop with the intention of helping the Lord’sp eople and the Lord’s work. Eventually their business expanded so that they had a hundred chain stores. All the profit they earned from this business went to support the Lord’s testimony. They also plundered the world for the Lord. All those who realize what it means to come out of the world will work diligently not for their own welfare, but for the Lord’sin te rests.
20安那翰会所的建造也说明了这个原则。大量自愿的劳工摆进这样的建筑中，这项劳工节省了一大笔钱。盖会所的人藉著他们的劳力掠夺了世界。我相信主已记下他们的忠心。多年来，主使许多向祂忠心的人富足。然而，要紧的事乃是圣徒们如何使用这物质方面的加添。如果所得的财物是为著世界使用，这在主眼中将是一大失败。但如果是为著主的见证使用，就是在神的主宰之下夺去世界财富的另一个事例。掠夺世界不是从世界中取不义之财；它乃是在世界里工作，并且把我们劳力所得的，为著神的见证来使用。
20The building of the meeting hall in Anaheim also illustrates this principle. A great deal of volunteer labor went into the construction of this facility. This labor saved a very large amount of money. Those who worked on the hall plundered the world through their labors. I believe that the Lord has made a record of their faithfulness. Throughout the years, many of the saints who have been faithful to the Lord have been enriched by Him. However, the crucial matter is what use the saints make of this material increase. If this financial gain is used for the world, this will be a great failure in the eyes of the Lord. But if it is used for God’s testimony, it will be another case of plundering the wealth of the world under the sovereignty of God. To plunder the world is not to take anything from the world unrighteously: it is to labor in the world and to use the gain from our labor for God’s testimony
五 以色列人带著他们的孩子以及羊群牛群
V. THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL HAVING GONE FORTH FROM EGYPT
从埃及出来
WITH THEIR CHILDREN AND THEIR FLOCKS AND HERDS
21以色列人带著他们所有的孩子以及羊群牛群从埃及出来。（十二37～38，31～32。）根据十二章三十八节：『又有许多闲杂人…和他们一同上去。』如果只有少数人从埃及出来，就不会有许多闲杂人。但因为神百姓的数目是如此庞大，约有两百万，许多闲杂人就与他们同去。神的百姓大大得胜，有些人不是以色列人，也要与他们一同离开埃及。因此，这里有闲杂人在是个好的标记。可是，根据民数记，这许多闲杂人后来成为难处的原因。但即使这个难处也教导神的百姓一些宝贵的功课。今天我们在主的恢复里，也藉著与我们在一起的许多闲杂人学了好多的功课。以色列人绝对地出了埃及。他们所有的一切都随著他们带出来了。这就是神所命定的出埃及，离开世界。我们的出埃及必须是如此绝对，使别人愿意跟随我们并加入我们。
21The children of Israel went forth from Egypt with all their children and their flocks and herds (12:37-38, 31-32). According to 12:38, a “mixed multitude went up also with them.” If there had been only a small number of people making their exodus out of Egypt, there would not have been a mixed multitude. But because the number of God’s people was so large, approximately two million, a mixed multitude went with them. God’s people were very prevailing, and some who were not Israelites wanted to go out of Egypt with them. Hence, the presence of the mixed multitude here was a good sign. According to the book of Numbers, however, this mixed multitude later was a cause of trouble. But even this trouble taught God’sp eople some valuable lessons. We in the Lord’s recovery today have also learned a great deal through the mixed multitude that has been with us. The children of Israel made an absolute exodus from Egypt. Everything they had was brought out with them. This is the kind of exodus, the kind of departure from the world, that is ordained of God. Our exodus must be so absolute that it makes others willing to follow us and join us.
六 以色列人住在外邦人
VI. THE TIME OF ISRAEL’S DWELLING
之地的时候满了
IN THE GENTILE LAND HAVING BEEN COMPLETED
22出埃及记十二章四十至四十一节说：『以色列人住在埃及共有四百三十年。正满了四百三十年的那一天，耶和华的军队都从埃及地出来了。』这四百三十年开始于创世记十二章，神应许亚伯拉罕要将美地赐给亚伯拉罕的后裔。从那一天直到出埃及的夜晚，正是四百三十年。因此，出埃及标明这段时间的结束。这些年间，神所拣选并应许要将美地赐与的百姓，没有住在应许之地。反之，他们一直寄居在埃及所代表的外邦人之地。根据创世记十五章十三至十四节，和使徒行传七章六节，以色列人受逼迫有四百年之久。这四百年开始于创世记二十一章的以实玛利戏笑以撒。这意思是说，从创世记十二章至二十一章有三十年的时间，而从创世记二十一章至出埃及记十二章有四百年的时间。所以，神的百姓在外邦地四百三十年，而他们遭受逼迫四百年。
22Exodus 12:40 and 41 say, “Now the time of dwelling of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years. And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the armies of Jehovah went out from the land of Egypt” (Heb.). These four hundred thirty years began in Genesis 12 when God made the promise to Abraham that He would give the good land to Abraham’s seed. From that day until the night of the exodus was exactly four hundred thirty years. Thus, the exodus marked the termination of this period of time. For all these years the people God had chosen and to whom He had promised the good land had not been dwelling in the land of promise. Instead, they had been sojourning in a Gentile land represented by Egypt. According to Genesis 15:13-14 and Acts 7:6, the children of Israel were under persecution for four hundred years. These four hundred years began with Ishmael’s mocking of Isaac in Genesis 21. This means that from Genesis 12 to Genesis 21 there was a period of thirty years, and from Genesis 21 to Exodus 12 there was a period of four hundred years. Therefore, for four hundred thirty years God’sp eople were in a strange land, and for four hundred years they suffered persecution
23你会怀疑这与我们今天有甚么关系。倘若我们还未从世界里出来，我们就仍然寄居在外邦地。我们不是住在我们的美地─基督里面。照著神的应许和命定，我们应该住在作为美地的基督里面，并且享受祂作那地。但这需要绝对从埃及出来。作为神的选民，我们应当住在基督里。我们从世界里出来，标明我们寄居在外邦之地的结束和终止。虽然神拣选且命定我们在基督里生活并居住，但祂的许多百姓却不住在基督里。反之，他们仍住在埃及。这表示即使在我们得救之后，仍然可能寄居在世界中。只有当我们绝对地离开世界，才终止我们寄居在外邦之地的时间。因此，我们从埃及出来就是四百三十年的结束。
23You may wonder what this has to do with us today. If we have not had an exodus from the world, then we are still sojourning in a strange land. We are not dwelling in Christ who is our good land. According to God’s promise and ordination, we should live in Christ as the good land and enjoy Him as the land. This, however, requires an absolute exodus. As God’s chosen people, we should dwell in Christ. Our exodus from the world marks the end, the termination, of our sojourning in a strange land. Although God has chosen and ordained us to live and dwell in Christ, many of His people are not dwelling in Christ. Instead, they are still living in Egypt. This indicates that even after we have been saved, we may still sojourn in the world. Only when we leave the world in an absolute way do we terminate the time of our sojourning in a strange land. Hence, our exodus is the termination of our four hundred thirty years.
24好多基督徒没有经历这样的结束，因为他们还没有从埃及出来。他们已被神拣选并命定要住在基督里。然而，从重生起，他们就一直寄居在世界里。只有在他们绝对离开的时候，才结束在埃及寄居的时期。没有出埃及记的这幅图画，我们就无法透彻了解新约中关乎与世界分别的话语。出埃及记的记载，显示出我们的离开必须是寄居时期的结束。若非这样的离开，就不可能居住在作为美地的基督里面。不仅如此，只要我们在寄居的时代里，我们就在一种逼迫之下，使我们不得安息、满足或正当的享受。因著许多基督徒仍旧在埃及，他们就没有安息、满足，或在基督里洋溢的喜乐。但是当他们绝对地从埃及出来，就不仅结束了他们寄居在世界的时期，也结束了他们不满足和无安息的年日。尽管只有少数的真基督徒从埃及出来，但在主恢复里的许多圣徒都已经出来了。
24Many Christians have not experienced such a termination because they have not yet had an exodus. They have been chosen by God and ordained of God to dwell in Christ. Nevertheless, from the time of their second birth, they have been sojourning in the world. Only when they have an absolute exodus will they terminate their period of sojourning in Egypt. Without this picture in the book of Exodus, we cannot understand thoroughly the words in the New Testament about being separated from the world. The account of the book of Exodus makes it clear that our exodus must be the termination of our period of sojourning. Apart from such an exodus, it is not possible to dwell in Christ as the good land. Furthermore, as long as we are in the time of sojourning, we are under a kind of persecution that allows us to have no rest, satisfaction, or proper enjoyment. Because they are still in Egypt, many Christians do not have rest, satisfaction, or fullness of joy in Christ. But when they come out of Egypt in an absolute way, they will terminate not only their time of sojourning in the world, but also their years of dissatisfaction and restlessness. Although only a minority of genuine Christians have made their exodus from Egypt, many of the saints in the Lord’s recovery have made such an exodus.
25过逾越节是一回事，但经历出埃及是另一回事。我们将要看见，过红海又是另一件重要的事。它标明神救恩第一阶段的完成。神救恩的这个阶段包括逾越节、出埃及和过红海。只有在以色列人过了红海以后，他们才完全得救脱离埃及，并被释放赞美主。然而，神的救恩所包含的比这个更多。连圣殿的建造也是神完全救恩的一部分。
25To have the Passover is one thing, but to experience the exodus is another. As we shall see, the crossing of the Red Sea is still another crucial event. It marks the completion of the first stage of God’ss alvation. This stage of God’ss alvation includes the Passover, the exodus, and the crossing of the Red Sea. Only after the children of Israel had crossed the Red Sea were they fully delivered from Egypt and released to praise the Lord. However, God’ss alvation includes more than this. Even the building of the temple is part of the full salvation of God
七 向耶和华谨守的夜
VII. A NIGHT OF OBSERVATION UNTO JEHOVAH
26出埃及记十二章四十二节说：『这夜是耶和华的夜，因耶和华领他们出了埃及地，所以当向耶和华谨守，是以色列众人世世代代该谨守的。』在逾越节的晚上，以色列人有满足、安息和喜乐，但他们没有睡觉。如本节所指出，它是谨守的夜、儆醒的夜。这暗指神在观察、注视那个情形。事实上，英文柏克莱版圣经说得很清楚，神和色列人都是儆醒的。当神谨守并儆醒时，祂的百姓也是谨守并儆醒的。因此，那夜是谨守的夜。
26Exodus 12:42 says, “It is a night of observation unto Jehovah for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night unto Jehovah, an observation for all the children of Israel in their generations” (Heb.). During the night of the Passover, the children of Israel had satisfaction, rest, and joy, but they did not sleep. As this verse indicates, it was a night of observation, a night of watching. This implies that God was observing, watching, the situation. Actually, as the Berkeley Version makes clear, both God and the children of Israel were watching. As God was observing and watching, His people were observing and watching also. Hence, that night was a night of observation.
27出埃及记十二章四十二节说，这夜是当向耶和华谨守的夜。以色列人向耶和华儆醒。这意思是说，他们与主合作。神正在作每件必要的事情，好拯救他们脱离埃及。祂儆醒，而祂的百姓也向祂儆醒。当我们将这事应用到我们的经历中，就看见我们的出埃及也是一个儆醒的夜。这就是在新约中警戒我们不可睡觉的原因。罗马十三章十一节说：『你们晓得现今就是该趁早睡醒的时候。』再者，帖前五章六节、七节保罗说：『所以我们不要睡觉，像别人一样；总要儆醒谨守。因为睡了的人是在夜间睡。』就如保罗在同章所说：我们『都是光明之子，都是白昼之子，我们不是属黑夜的，也不是属幽暗的。』（5。）倘若我们灵里不儆醒，白昼就要变成黑夜，但如果我们儆醒、谨守，连我们的黑夜也要变成白昼。
27Exodus 12:42 says that this night was a night of observation unto the Lord. The children of Israel were watching unto the Lord. This means that they were cooperating with Him. God was doing everything necessary to rescue them from Egypt. He was watching, and His people were watching unto Him. As we apply this to our experience, we see that our exodus was also a night of watching. This is the reason that in the New Testament we are warned not to sleep. Romans 13:11 says that “now is the hour for you to be raised out of sleep.” Furthermore, in 1 Thessalonians 5:6 and 7 Paul says, “So then, let us not sleep as the rest, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep in the night.” As Paul says in the same chapter, we are “sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness” (v. 5). If we are not alert spiritually, we turn the day into night, but if we are watchful and observant, even our night will be turned into day
28从世界出来不是一件容易的事。这样的出来发生在一个儆醒的夜晚。神注视我们，而我们必须与神一同儆醒，并向神儆醒。我们出来的夜晚必须守夜，而我们必须儆醒。没有这样的守夜，无人能从世界里出来。懒惰和睡觉的基督徒无法出来，只有那些儆醒、留意并谨守的人，才能从世界里出来。神儆醒地在我们的景况中施行祂主宰的权柄，并且吩咐我们要向祂儆醒。然后我们的黑夜将要变成白昼，并且我们要从埃及被拯救出来。在新约里嘱咐我们不要爱世界。（约壹二15。）然而，我们可能以很肤浅的方式接受这话。在旧约中的图画指明，出埃及不该被认为是肤浅的。在出埃及的那夜，连神也儆醒并且谨守。钦定本圣经的十二章四十二节说：那夜『当向耶和华格外谨守』。这不是指谨守仪文的夜晚。相反的，它乃是谨守、儆醒的夜晚。神儆醒并谨守，为要领祂的百姓从世界里出来。祂的百姓必须藉著向祂儆醒来与祂合作。他们必须儆醒，因为他们不知道甚么时候要从埃及出来。藉此我们看见，打盹的人或松散的人都出不来。如果你要从世界出来，你就需要儆醒、谨守并留意。然后你会知道从世界出来的正确时间。
28To make an exodus from the world is not a simple matter. Such an exodus takes place during a night of watching. God watches over us, and we must watch with God and unto God. The night of our exodus must be a vigil, and we must be on the alert. Without such a vigil, no one can get out of the world. Christians who are slothful and sleeping cannot make an exodus. Only those who are watchful, vigilant, and observant can come out of the world. God watchfully exercises His sovereignty over our situation, and He commands us to be watchful unto Him. Then our night will turn into day, and we shall be rescued from Egypt. In the New Testament we are charged not to love the world (1 John 2:15). However, it is possible for us to take this word in a very superficial way. The picture in the Old Testament indicates that the exodus from Egypt should not be regarded superficially. During the night of the exodus, even God was watching and observing. The King James Version of 12:42 says that it was “a night to be much observed unto the Lord.” This does not mean that it was a night for the observation of rituals. On the contrary, it was a night of observing, of watching. God was watching and observing in order to bring His people out of the world. His people had to cooperate with Him by watching unto Him. They had to be watchful because they did not know at what time they would march out of Egypt. By this we see that no sleepy ones or loose ones can have an adequate exodus. If you want to make an exodus from the world, you need to be watchful, observant, and vigilant. Then you will know the right time to go out of the world.
八 以色列人成为耶和华的军队
VIII. THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL BECOMING the armies of Jehovah
29十二章四十一节告诉我们：『耶和华的军队都从埃及地出来了。』在十二章五十一节说：『耶和华将以色列人按著他们的军队，从埃及地领出来。』再者，十三章十八节说：『以色列人出埃及地，都带著兵器上去。』十三章十八节的希伯来文指出，以色列人是排成五人一行出去的。他们不是松垮垮地从埃及出来，乃是像一支军队前进。
29In 12:41 we are told that “all the armies of Jehovah went out from the land of Egypt” (Heb.), and in 12:51, that “Jehovah did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies” (Heb.). Furthermore, 13:18 says, “The children of Israel went up in martial array out of the land of Egypt” (Heb.). The Hebrew in 13:18 indicates that the children of Israel went out arrayed in ranks of five. They did not go out of Egypt in a loose way; they marched out as an army
30一九四五年，日军投降以后，我目睹美国士兵排成四行经过中国青岛市的街上。我看见那些带著兵器的美国青年，真是兴奋！反观今日美国一些青年人的松散，我十分失望。倘若我们要从世界出来，就不能松散。从属灵的意义上说，我们必须带著兵器从世界里出来。关乎我们的每一件事必须是严格的、有条理、有秩序的。我们不是与肉体和血气争战，乃是与撒但和世界争战。为著这一仗，我们需要配带兵器，准备好与仇敌争战。一天过一天，基督徒在教会生活中需要配带兵器。我们所作的每一件事都该是严格、正直而配搭的。只有藉著同在军中，我们才能配带兵器。我们要像神的军队从世界出来的这个事实，表明我们从埃及出来不是一件容易的事。为著在出埃及记里这幅生动的图画赞美主！愿这幅图画给我们众人一个深刻的印象。
30After the surrender of the Japanese army in 1945, I watched American soldiers march in rows of four through the streets of the Chinese city of Tsingtao. How excited I was to see those young Americans in martial array! By contrast, I have been very disappointed to see the looseness of certain young people in the United States today. If we would make our exodus out of the world, we cannot be loose. Spiritually speaking, we must march out of the world in martial array. Everything concerning us must be strict, straight, and orderly. Our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against Satan and the world. For such a battle, we need to be in martial array, ready to fight against the enemy. Day by day the Christians in the church life need to be in martial array. In everything we do we should be strict, straight, and corporate. Only by being in the army corporately can we be in martial array. The fact that we are to march out of the world as God’s army indicates that it is not an easy matter to make our exodus out of Egypt. Praise the Lord for this vivid portrait in the book of Exodus! May this portrait make a deep impression upon us all