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出埃及记生命读经 · 第28篇

法老最后的挣扎

Pharaoh’s Last Struggle
1读经：出埃及记十四章一至三十一节。神给祂选民的完全救恩包括逾越节、出埃及和过红海。逾越节表征救赎；出埃及表征从世界出来；过红海表征受浸。带著所有这些方面的完全救恩，正是我们今天所需要、所享受的。为著完成救恩的这三方面，神需要像法老这样的人。没有他，就没有所需要的环境、光景和局面。我们若看见这事，就要为著神的主宰权柄赞美祂。法老的敌挡造成一个环境，使逾越节成为可能。我们不能说法老是逾越节的来源。但我们能说，没有他，就没有设立逾越节所需要的环境。逾越节包括救赎所需要的，就是以色列人因著罪所需要的。然而，逾越节所包含的比救赎更多。基督徒承认需要救赎，但他们可能没有看见需要逾越节。在逾越节的晚上，不仅以色列人得救了，埃及人和黑暗的邪恶权势也受了审判。在对救恩的正常经历中，我们蒙了救赎，并且我们里面和周围的黑暗权势也受了审判。然而，许多基督徒不是以正常的方式得救的。他们经历救赎，但他们没有经历神对黑暗权势的审判。
1Scripture Reading: Exo. 14:1-31 God’s complete salvation for His chosen people includes the Passover, the exodus from Egypt, and the crossing of the Red Sea. The Passover signifies redemption; the exodus signifies the going out from the world; and the crossing of the Red Sea signifies baptism. A full salvation with all these aspects is exactly what we need and what we enjoy today. It was necessary for God to have such a person as Pharaoh for the accomplishing of these three aspects of salvation. Without him there would not have been the necessary environment, circumstances, and situations. If we see this matter, we shall praise the Lord for His sovereignty. Pharaoh’s opposition created an environment that made the Passover possible. We cannot say that Pharaoh was the source of the Passover. However, we can say that without him there would not have been the necessary environment for the institution of the Passover. The Passover included provision for redemption, which the children of Israel needed because of their sins. The Passover, however, includes much more than redemption. Christians recognize the need for redemption, but they may not see the need for the Passover. During the night of the Passover, not only were the children of Israel saved, but the Egyptians and the evil power of darkness were judged. In a normal experience of salvation, we are redeemed, and the power of darkness within us and around us is judged. However, many Christians are not saved in a normal way. They experience redemption, but they do not experience God’s judgment of the power of darkness
2我们已经看见，法老一次又一次地挣扎敌挡主，抗拒祂的要求，不容以色列人去。但是法老愈挣扎，愈对带进完成神救恩所需要的环境有帮助。尽管法老一直抗拒神的要求，摩西却不断与他办交涉。我们中间没有人运用过要求于摩西的忍耐。我们可能冲突了几次之后就放弃了。这常是我们今天对待人时所作的。例如，我们也许对某人的得救有负担。我们盼望接触几次之后，神所拣选的人就归向主。但如果他继续敌挡主，我们也许就放弃了，认为再去接触他是浪费时间。摩西正好相反，他对待法老既忍耐又坚持。
2We have seen that time after time Pharaoh struggled against the Lord, resisting His demand to let the children of Israel go. But the more Pharaoh struggled, the more he helped to bring about the environment that was needed for the accomplishment of God’ss alvation. Although Pharaoh continually resisted God’s demands, Moses continued to negotiate with him. None of us would have exercised the patience required of Moses. We would probably have given up after the first few conflicts. This is often what we do as we deal with people today. For example, perhaps we are burdened for the salvation of a particular person. We may expect that anyone who has been chosen by God will turn to the Lord after we have contacted him a few times. But if he continues to resist the Lord, we may give up, thinking that it is a waste of time to pursue the matter further. Moses, on the contrary, was patient and persevering in his dealings with Pharaoh.
3摩西接触法老以及法老挣扎敌挡主的结果，埃及的情势就紧张起来。最终，逾越节成为必需的。当法老和埃及人被证实是完全敌挡主时，主在背叛的埃及人身上施行审判，并拯救祂百姓的时候就到了。当以色列人享受逾越节时，埃及人正在神的审判下受苦。然而，埃及人没有权利为此责怪神。他们使神的审判临到自己身上。他们对于造成设立逾越节所需要的环境，以及逾越节的救赎和审判，应该负责任。同样地，神的百姓从埃及出来是由于法老的帮助。否则，以色列人可能永远不能离开埃及地。如果法老和埃及人待他们很仁慈，他们就不会巴望离开埃及。但是法老压迫以色列人，造成了他们出埃及的环境，然后使他们必须离去。至终，法老催逼神的百姓离开埃及。所以，法老被神用来达成神的百姓出埃及的目的。
3As a result of Moses’ contact with Pharaoh and of Pharaoh’s struggle against the Lord, the situation in Egypt became very tense. Eventually, the Passover became a necessity. When Pharaoh and the Egyptians had proved that they were wholly against the Lord, the time had come for the Lord to exercise His judgment upon the rebellious Egyptians and to deliver His people. As the children of Israel were enjoying the Passover, the Egyptians were suffering under the judgment of God. The Egyptians, however, had no right to blame God for this. They had brought the judgment of God upon themselves. They were responsible for producing the environment that required the institution of the Passover, with its redemption and its judgment. In a similar way, it was with the help of Pharaoh that God’sp eople made their exodus from Egypt. Otherwise, the children of Israel probably would never have left the land of Egypt. If Pharaoh and the Egyptians had been kind to them, they would have had no desire to leave Egypt. But Pharaoh’s oppression of the children of Israel created the environment for their exodus from Egypt and then made it necessary for them to go. Eventually, Pharaoh drove God’sp eople out of Egypt. Hence, Pharaoh was used by God to accomplish the exodus of His people
4照著神的命定和经营，在祂的救恩里需要受浸，就是过红海所表征的。为了完成这一面的救恩，神没有领祂的百姓从非利士人的领土直接进入迦南地。反之，如我们在上一篇信息所指出的，祂领他们绕道而行。祂使他们往南走并转向红海，似乎是走到死路。然而，主知道祂所计画要作的是甚么。祂的心意是要用红海为祂的百姓施浸，并且埋葬法老和他的军兵。倘若以色列人从非利士人的领土直接进入迦南地，他们就不会过红海，并且埃及的军兵也不会被埋葬。所以，在过红海的事上，神再度使用法老，这次造成一个局面，使祂的百姓受浸。藉著云柱和火柱，神领他们走迂回的路。当他们在引导他们的柱子后面前进时，他们被带到靠近海边之地安营。（十四2。）
4According to God’so rd i nation and His economy, in His salvation there is the need for baptism, which is signified by the crossing of the Red Sea. In order to accomplish this aspect of salvation, God did not lead His people directly into the land of Canaan, through the territory of the Philistines. Rather, as we pointed out in the foregoing message, He led them to take a roundabout way. He caused them to go southward and turn toward the Red Sea, seemingly toward a dead end. The Lord, however, knew what He was planning to do. His intention was to use the Red Sea to baptize His people and to bury Pharaoh and his army. If the children of Israel had gone directly into the land of Canaan through the territory of the Philistines, they would not have crossed the Red Sea, and the Egyptian army would not have been buried. Therefore, in the crossing of the Red Sea, God used Pharaoh once again, this time to create a situation to bring about the baptism of His people. By means of the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire, God led them to take a detour. As they marched behind the pillar that guided them, they were led to camp by the sea (14:2).
5根据十四章三节，主知道法老必说：『以色列人在地中绕迷了，旷野把他们困住了。』在埃及人眼中，以色列人走这样一条迂回的路是非常愚蠢的。以色列人在旷野的情形诱使法老追袭他们。故此，以色列人靠近海边安营，以及法老和其车辆的追赶，造成为神的百姓施浸，以及埋葬法老和其军兵的最佳环境。照著世人的观念，我们很多人从悔改到受浸的期间，漫无目的的漂流著。在我们得救以前，有一个确定的目标，就是人生的目的。但在我们得救之后，表面看来，我们没有目标，并开始漫无目的的漂流。当然我们有一个属灵的目标。但在世人眼中，我们的人生没有目的，前途茫茫。这种漫无目的的流浪时常激起逼迫。别人会责怪我们，不知道我们所作的是甚么，以及我们要往何处去。有些人甚至以为我们神智不清。我们很多人遭受过这种逼迫。
5According to 14:3, the Lord knew that Pharaoh would say of the children of Israel, “They are wandering aimlessly in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in” (Heb.). In the eyes of the Egyptians, the Israelites were very foolish for taking such an indirect route. Thus, the situation of the children of Israel in the wilderness tempted Pharaoh to pursue them. Therefore, the encampment of the children of Israel by the sea and the pursuit by Pharaoh and his chariots produced an ideal environment for the baptism of God’sp eople and the burial of Pharaoh and his army. According to the concept of the worldly people, many of us were wandering aimlessly during the period of time between our conversion and our baptism. Before we were saved, we had a definite goal, an aim in life. But after we were saved, we apparently had no goal and had begun to wander aimlessly. We, of course, had a spiritual goal. But in the eyes of the worldly people we had no aim in life and were no longer clear about our future. This kind of aimless wandering often stirs up persecution. Others may accuse us of no longer knowing what we are doing or where we are going. Some may even think that we have lost our sanity. Many of us have undergone this kind of persecution.
6然而，这样的逼迫帮助我们有正确且彻底的受浸。如果我们没有因著表面上漫无目的的漂流而遭受逼迫，我们的受浸可能只是一个没有多少意义的手续。但如果我们因著失去目标而受逼迫，我们的受浸就很有意义。故此，我们必须为著这样的逼迫感谢主。我能作见证，我所看见最好的受浸，就是那些遭亲友逼迫之人的受浸。在这些事例中，初信者受浸时有许多要埋葬的。但是没有逼迫，受浸就不是这样有意义，因为当初信者埋葬时，没有别的东西与他们一同埋葬。当以色列人在红海中受浸时，他们把埃及的军兵一同带进水中。原则上，每当一个初信者受浸时，应该发生同样的事。世界的军兵应该被带到浸池里，并且埋葬在受浸的水中。我们已经看见在神救恩的三方面，法老对于以色列人是个帮助。他帮助他们过逾越节、出埃及，并有一次彻底的受浸。根据豫表，这幅图画包含很广泛。倘若我们思想这个豫表，并把它应用到我们今天的光景中，我们就能帮助初信的人以正确的方式受浸。
6However, such persecution helps us to have a proper and thorough baptism. If we are not persecuted for apparently wandering aimlessly, our baptism may be a mere procedure with little significance. But if we are persecuted for having lost our goal, our baptism will be very meaningful. Hence, we must thank the Lord for this kind of persecution. I can testify that the best baptisms I have witnessed were of those who had been persecuted by relatives and friends. In these cases, the new converts had a great deal to bury when they were immersed. However, when there is no persecution, baptism may not be as meaningful, for when the new converts are buried, nothing else is buried with them. When the children of Israel were baptized in the Red Sea, they brought the Egyptian army into the water with them. In principle, the same thing should take place whenever a new convert is baptized. The army of the world should be brought into the baptistry and buried in the waters of baptism. We have seen that Pharaoh was a help to the children of Israel in three aspects of God’ss alvation. He helped them to have the Passover, to make their exodus from Egypt, and to have a thorough baptism. According to typology, this picture is comprehensive. If we consider the type and apply it to our situation today, we shall be able to help new believers to be baptized in a proper way.
7许多年前，我对传福音很积极，很多人因著我传福音而得救。我总是盼望新得救的人一归向基督之后立刻受浸。我认为他们从悔改到受浸要走一条直路。但是根据出埃及记的豫表，这种盼望是不对的。神没有带领祂的百姓直接进入应许之地。如我们所指出的，祂领他们绕道而行。同样的原则，神不带领藉我们传福音而得救的人直接就受浸。相反的，祂会带领他们绕道而行。在世界的眼中，跟随这一条路是荒谬的，因它似乎是死路一条。然而，这是神的带领，其结果乃是正确的受浸，且消除了世界的军兵。如果我们查读出埃及记的豫表，我们就不会再盼望初信者从悔改到受浸走一条直路。我们知道神带领他们的路会有许多难处。然而，这是神的法子，把悔改者带到一种光景中，在那里被迫有一个正确且彻底的受浸。
7A number of years ago I was very active in preaching the gospel, and many were saved through my gospel preaching. I always expected the newly saved ones to be baptized shortly after their conversion to Christ. I thought they would take a straight path from conversion to baptism. But according to the type in the book of Exodus, this expectation is wrong. God did not lead His people directly into the promised land. As we have pointed out, He led them to take a roundabout way. In the same principle, God may not lead the ones saved through our gospel preaching to take a straight path to baptism. On the contrary, He may lead them to take a detour. In the eyes of the world, it is ridiculous to follow such a way, for seemingly it leads to a dead end. Nevertheless, this is God’s leading, and it results in a proper baptism with a termination of the army of the world. If we study the type in Exodus, we shall no longer expect new converts to take a straight path from conversion to baptism. We shall realize that the way God leads them may have many problems. However, this is God’sway to bring the converts into a situation where they are forced to have a proper and thorough baptism
8现在让我们来看法老最后挣扎的一些细节，就是神为著彻底拯救祂的百姓，所明确使用之挣扎的一些细节。
8Let us now look into some of the details of Pharaoh’s last struggle, a struggle that was used by God in a definite way for the full salvation of His people
9一豫表撒但和其世界对于将
9I. A TYPE OF THE STRUGGLE OF SATAN AND HIS WORLD OVER THE BELIEVERS WHO ARE TO BE BAPTIZED
要受浸之信徒的挣扎
10法老最后的挣扎，是豫表撒但和其世界对于将要受浸之信徒的挣扎。当撒但和世界对一个初悔改的人作挣扎时，我们不该失望。反之，我们该认识，这个挣扎将为悔改者有一次彻底的受浸而豫备环境。
10Pharaoh’s last struggle was a type of the struggle of Satan and his world over the believers who are to be baptized. When Satan and the world struggle over a new convert, we should not be disappointed. Rather, we should realize that this struggle will prepare the environment for the converts to have a thorough baptism
二 法老被以色列人在旷野的转向所引诱
II. PHARAOH TEMPTED BY ISRAEL’S TURN in the wilderness
11我们已经指出，法老被以色列人在旷野的漂流所引诱。（十四1～3。）法老认为以色列人漫无目的的漂流，就被诱使去追袭他们。三耶和华为著祂的荣耀使法老的心刚硬，法老和他的臣仆就向以色列人变心法老被引诱去追赶以色列人，并且神使他的心刚硬。因为神使他的心刚硬了，法老就决定去追赶神的百姓。出埃及记十四章四节说：『我要使法老的心刚硬，他要追赶他们；我便在法老和他全军身上得荣耀，埃及人就知道我是耶和华。』
11We have pointed out that Pharaoh was tempted by Israel’s wandering in the wilderness (14:1-3). Thinking that Israel was wandering aimlessly, Pharaoh was tempted to pursue them. III. PHARAOH’SHE ART HARDENED BY JEHOVAH FOR HIS GLORY, AND THE HEART OF PHARAOH AND OF HIS SERVANTS TURNING AGAINST ISRAEL Pharaoh was tempted to pursue the children of Israel, and God hardened his heart. Because his heart had been hardened by God, Pharaoh made the decision to pursue the people of God. Exodus 14:4 says, “I will harden Pharaoh’s he art, that he shall follow after them; and I will glorify myself through Pharaoh, and through all his army; that the Egyptians may know that I am Jehovah” (Heb.).
12有些人会以为神绝不会作使法老的心刚硬这样的事。这与他们的观念完全相反。当我们在永世里，我们会希奇得知神作了许多与我们观念不一致的事情。尤其在神使用撒但的方式上更是如此。尽管我们恨恶撒但，神却一直使用他。这由天的门仍然向撒但开启的事实得到证明。我们从启示录十二章和约伯记这些主的话可以看见：撒但在天上得见神的面。如果我们是神，我们会用我们的权能立刻将撒但扔在火湖里。至少，我们会逼他留在天外。然而，神的道路高过我们的道路。照著祂的方式，祂使用撒但，为著完成祂自己的旨意。同样的原则，神为著祂的荣耀使用法老，使法老和埃及人的心刚硬。（十四8，17。）论到法老，九章十六节说：『其实我叫你存立，是特要向你显我的大能，并要使我的名传遍天下。』保罗在罗马九章十七节引用本节。神使用法老不仅是在灾害的时候，也是在祂的百姓从埃及出来的时候。
12Some may think that God would never do such a thing as harden Pharaoh’she art. This is altogether contrary to their concept. But when we are in eternity, we may be surprised to learn that God has done a great many things that are not in keeping with our concept. In particular this is true of the way God uses Satan. Although we hate Satan, God continues to use him. This is proved by the fact that the doors of heaven are still open to Satan. We see from such portions of the Word as Revelation 12 and the book of Job that Satan has access to God’s presence in heaven. If we were God, we would use our power to immediately cast Satan into the lake of fire. At the very least, we would force him to stay out of heaven. God’sway, however, is higher than ours. According to His way, He uses Satan for the accomplishment of His own purpose. In the same principle, God used Pharaoh for His glory, hardening his heart and the hearts of the Egyptians (14:8, 17). Regarding Pharaoh, 9:16 says, “But for this cause have I made thee stand in order to show thee my power; and in order to declare my name throughout all the earth” (Heb.). Paul refers to this verse in Romans 9:17. God used Pharaoh not only at the time of the plagues, but also during the exodus of His people from Egypt
13如十四章五节说：『法老和他的臣仆就向百姓变心。』根据十四章一和二节，神吩咐以色列人『转回，安营在比哈希录前，密夺和海的中间，对著巴力洗分。』他们要在那里靠近海边安营，实际上等于在一个绝境安营。在法老眼中，以色列人陷在旷野里，他们无处可逃。照著法老的观念，这是使以色列人回到他掌握之下的大好机会。因此，他追赶他们。
13As 14:5 says, “The heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people.” According to 14:1 and 2, God commanded the children of Israel to “turn and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baalzephon.” They were to encamp there by the sea, at a place that was virtually a dead end. In the eyes of Pharaoh, the children of Israel were trapped in the wilderness, and they had no way of escape. According to Pharaoh’s concept, this was an excellent opportunity to get the children of Israel back under his control. Hence, he pursued them
14四法老和他的军兵追赶以色列人至红海边出埃及记十四章六至九节启示，法老和其军兵追赶以色列人至红海边。当以色列人向后看，见到法老的军兵；他们向前看，见到红海。他们就立刻向耶和华哀求，并对摩西说：『难道在埃及没有坟地，你把我们带来死在旷野么？你为甚么这样待我们，将我们从埃及领出来呢？我们在埃及岂没有对你说过，不要搅扰我们，容我们服事埃及人么？因为服事埃及人比死在旷野还好。』（11～。）没有信心的以色列人能说善道。在他们的抱怨中，他们口若悬河地发表他们的感觉。可是我们不该笑他们。如果我们在那里，我们的表现可能也是一样。
14I V. PHARAOH AND HIS ARMY PURSUING THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL TO THE SHORE OF THE RED SEA Exodus 14:6-9 reveals that Pharaoh and his army pursued the children of Israel to the shore of the Red Sea. When the children of Israel looked backward, they saw the army of Pharaoh, and when they looked forward, they saw the Red Sea. Immediately, they cried out to the Lord and said to Moses, “Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? Wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness” (vv. 11-12). In their complaint, the 12 faithless children of Israel were very eloquent. They expressed their feeling with excellent utterance. We should not laugh at them, though. If we had been there, we probably would have acted in the same way.
15摩西没有与百姓争辩甚么。反之，他对他们说：『不要惧怕，只管站住，看耶和华今天向你们所要施行的救恩，因为你们今天所看见的埃及人，必永远不再看见了。耶和华必为你们争战，你们只管静默，不要作声。』（13～14。）当摩西说这些话时，耶和华来对摩西说，不要向祂哀求，但要吩咐以色列人往前走。然后耶和华对摩西说：『你举手向海伸杖，把水分开，以色列人要下海中走干地。』（16。）在那一刻，法老和他的军兵定规非常靠近以色列人的营地。如果我们在那里，我们会像以色列人一样被吓住了。埃及人有六百辆车，而摩西所有的只是手中的一根杖。
15Moses did not argue with the people or fight against them. Instead, he told them, “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of Jehovah, which he will show to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more for ever. Jehovah shall fight for you, while ye keep silent” (vv. 13-14, Heb.). As soon as Moses spoke these words, the Lord came in and told him not to cry unto Him, but to tell the children of Israel to go forward. Then the Lord said to Moses, “But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea” (v. 16). At that juncture, Pharaoh and his army must have been very close to the camp of the children of Israel. If we had been there, we would have been terrified, just as the children of Israel were. The Egyptians had six hundred chariots; all Moses had was a staff in his hand.
五 神的使者
V. THE ANGEL OF GOD PROTECTING
藉著云柱保护以色列人
THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL FROM THE ARMY OF
脱离埃及人
THE EGYPTIANS BY THE PILLAR OF THE CLOUD
16十九节说：『在以色列营前行走神的使者，转到他们后边去。』本节中神的使者就是在第三章呼叫摩西的耶和华的使者。（二2，4。）神以耶和华使者的身位呼叫摩西。耶和华的使者就是耶和华神自己。在三章六节的话中，耶和华的使者证明祂自己，说：『我是你父亲的神，是亚伯拉罕的神，以撒的神，雅各的神。』这表明祂是三而一的神─父神、子神和灵神。耶和华的使者，就是三而一的神，乃是作为神所差遣者的基督。神所差遣者在以色列营前行走的事实，指明基督乃是带领百姓的那位。然而，根据十四章十九节，神的使者从百姓前头转到背后。本节继续说：『云柱也从他们前边转到他们后边立住。』当神的使者移动时，柱子也移动。这显明祂和柱子是一个。
16Verse 19 says, “And the Angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them.” The Angel of God in this verse is the very Angel of Jehovah who called Moses in chapter three (vv. 2, 4, Heb.). God called Moses in the person of the Angel of Jehovah. The Angel of Jehovah was simply Jehovah God Himself. In the words of 3:6, the Angel of Jehovah identified Himself, saying, “I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” This indicates that He was the Triune God, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit. The Angel of Jehovah, who is the very Triune God, is Christ as God’ss entOne. The fact that God’ss entOne went before the camp of Israel indicates that Christ was the One who was leading the people. However, according to 14:19, the Angel of God moved from the front of the people to the rear. This verse goes on to say, “And the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them.” When the Angel of God moved, the pillar moved also. This shows that He and the pillar were one.
17二十节继续说：『在埃及营和以色列营中间有云柱，一边黑暗，一边发光；终夜两下不得相近。』这柱子是一道墙，把这两个营分开。在埃及人这边的墙有黑暗，但在面向神百姓的一边有亮光。这发光的柱子保护神的子民脱离埃及人。
17Verse 20 continues, “And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.” The pillar was a wall separating these two camps. On the Egyptian side of the wall there was darkness, but on the side facing God’sp eople there was light. This pillar of light protected God’sp eople from the Egyptians
18今天我们可以把这个应用到我们在主里的经历。当我们开始跟随主时，主的引导对我们就成了发光的柱子。从我们开始相信主耶稣的时候，我们里面就有了光。这光是引导的光。但是当反对兴起来抵挡我们时，引导的光自然而然就成了保护的光。一度在我们前面的光转到我们后边，保护我们免受反对和攻击。然而，对于反对者而言，这保护的光就成了黑暗。我能从我的经历中作见证，每当我遭遇反对，引导的光就转到我后面成了保护的光。否则，由于反对，我可能受试探就后退。我会怀疑我所看见的真理。但因著引导的光成了保护的光，我就无路可退。在我后边的光是如此明亮，使我不可能退后。再者，这保护的光对反对者就成了黑暗。一方面，我被光保护；另一方面，反对者完全在黑暗中。这是在十四章十九节和二十节所看见的原则。
18We can apply this to our experience in the Lord today. When we began to follow the Lord, the Lord’s guidance became a pillar of light to us. From the time we first believed in the Lord Jesus, we have had the light within us. This light is the guiding light. But when opposition rises up against us, the guiding light spontaneously becomes the protecting light. The light that was once in front of us moves behind us to protect us from opposition and attack. However, to the opposers the protecting light becomes darkness. I can testify from my experience that whenever I have been opposed, the guiding light has moved behind me to become the protecting light. Otherwise, due to the opposition, I may have been tempted to go backward. I may have doubted the truth of what I had seen. But because the guiding light becomes the protecting light, I have no way to return. The light behind me is so bright that it is impossible to go backward. Furthermore, this protecting light becomes darkness to the opposers. On the one hand, I am protected by the light; on the other hand, the opposers are wholly in darkness. This is the principle seen in 14:19 and 20
19如果我们向主忠诚，每当我们遭到反对时，祂引导的光就要成为保护的光。这光对那些反对我们的人也自然而然地成为黑暗。因为反对者在黑暗中，而我们在光中，我们就蒙了保护。这光就是基督作为耶和华的使者，这事实表明这位对我们是光的基督，会使黑暗临到反对者。对于那些遵行神旨意的人，引导的光成为保护的光。但是对于反对神百姓的人，光就成为黑暗。每当你遭遇这样的反对者攻击时，要确信反对者将满了黑暗。主是这样来保护祂的百姓。
19If we are faithful to the Lord, His guiding light will become our protecting light whenever we face opposition. This light will also spontaneously become darkness to those who oppose us. Because the opposers are in darkness and we are in the light, we are protected. The fact that this light is Christ as the Angel of Jehovah indicates that the very Christ who is light to us may cause darkness to come upon the opposers. For those who follow the will of God, the guiding light becomes the protecting light. But to those who oppose God’sp eople, the light becomes darkness. Be assured that whenever you are attacked by such opposers, the opposing ones will be full of darkness. In such a way the Lord protects His people.
20云柱像一道分别的墙，立在以色列人和埃及人中间。在神百姓的一边有光，但在埃及人的一边有黑暗。我们在光中或是在黑暗中，乃在于我们跟随主或攻击祂的百姓。如果我们在反对者当中，云柱对我们就是黑暗。但如果我们跟随主，云柱就要向我们发光。我们已经指出，我们从主所得著的光先是引导我们。然后当反对临到时，光就保护我们。倘若我们没有引导的光，就不能有保护的光。我们很多人能作见证，我们得著光之后，不论反对有多激烈，我们都受这光的保护。当我们遭受攻击时，也许会受到仇敌的试探，怀疑我们的道路或立场。但在这样怀疑的时候，我们所得著的光就是我们的印证。这就是保护的光。
20The pillar of cloud stood between the children of Israel and the Egyptians as a separating wall. On the side of God’sp eople, there was light. But on the side of the Egyptians, there was darkness. Whether we are in light or in darkness depends on whether we follow the Lord or attack His people. If we are among the opposers, the pillar will be darkness to us. But if we follow the Lord, the pillar will give us light. We have pointed out that the light we receive from the Lord firstly guides us. Then when opposition comes, it protects us. If we do not have the guiding light, we cannot have the protecting light. Many of us can testify that after we have received light, we are protected by this light, no matter how intense the opposition may be. When we are attacked, we may be tempted by the enemy to doubt our way or our standing. But during such times of doubt, the light we have received is our confirmation. This is the protecting light
21常常愈反对、愈逼迫，这光就愈发明亮。当这光对我们越发明亮时，反对者就越过越陷在黑暗里。最后，反对者所落入的黑暗大到一个地步，他们不再知道所说的是甚么。因为他们攻击这些跟随主的人，他们就全然在黑暗中。结果，他们会在某种形式上遭受死亡之苦。我多次看见这事发生。起初反对者在黑暗中，但最终他们遭受死亡之苦。反对者愈攻击神的百姓，他们自己就愈在黑暗里。他们不仅盲目无知，更是变得不合逻辑而无理性。他们可能在如此浓密的幽暗中，以致失去了理性。假设某位朋友或亲戚因你跟随主而反对你，这人愈反对你，他就愈在黑暗中。最后，他也许失去理智，并开始胡作非为；他的一言一行不仅敌挡神的光和真理，同时也反对理智。然而，当反对者在这样浓密的幽暗中，你却享受保护之光的照耀。
21Often the light grows brighter in times of opposition and persecution. As the light becomes brighter for us, the opposers sink further and further into darkness. Eventually, the opposers may be in such great darkness that they themselves no longer understand what they are talking about. Because they attack these who are following the Lord, they are fully in darkness. As a result, they may suffer death in some form. I have seen this take place many times. Firstly the opposers were in darkness, but eventually they suffered death. The more the opposers attack God’sp eople, the more they themselves are in darkness. Not only may they be in ignorance or blindness; they may also become illogical and unreasonable. They may be in such thick darkness that they lose their reason. Suppose a friend or relative opposes you because you follow the Lord. The more this one opposes you, the more he is in darkness. Eventually, he may lose his senses and begin to act unreasonably. His words and behavior may be not only against the light and truth of God; they may also be against reason. Nevertheless, while the attackers are in such thick darkness, you enjoy the shining of the protecting light.
22请想一想当主耶稣在地上时，宗教徒中间的光景。对门徒来说，主就是光。但是对宗教徒来说，祂却是黑暗的缘由。因为宗教徒在黑暗中，他们就散布主的谣言，甚至歪曲祂的话。例如，他们歪曲祂所说拆毁这殿，三日内要再建立起来的话。（太二六61。）在宗教徒那边，是黑暗；但在主和祂的门徒这边，却是光。为这缘故，主耶稣对宗教徒说，他们是瞎眼的。（太二三16）再者，当大数的扫罗悔改时，主吩咐他要叫别人从黑暗中归向光明。（行传二六18。）主在这里所说的黑暗，特别是指犹太教的黑暗。在保罗的时代，犹太教完全在黑暗中。今日的天主教、更正教和独立的宗教团体也是如此。在这些团体里的人愈敌挡真理，他们就愈落在黑暗里。当主耶稣在地上时，祂自己就是试验人的石头。然后在使徒行传中，使徒们和以后的众教会也成了试验人的石头。今天我们在主的恢复中已成了试验人的石头。
22Consider the situation among the religionists when the Lord Jesus was on earth. To the disciples, the Lord was light. But to the religionists, He was a cause of darkness. Because the religionists were in darkness, they spread evil rumors about the Lord and even twisted His words. For example, they twisted His word about destroying the temple and raising it up in three days (Matt. 26:61). On the side of the religionists, there was darkness. But on the side of the Lord and His disciples, there was light. For this reason, the Lord Jesus told the religionists that they were blind (Matt. 23:16). Furthermore, when Saul of Tarsus was converted, the Lord charged him to turn others from darkness to light (Acts 26:18). The darkness the Lord was talking about here was particularly the darkness of Judaism. At the time of Paul, Judaism was altogether in darkness. The same is true of Catholicism, Protestantism, and the independent religious groups today. The more those in these groups oppose the truth, the more they are in darkness. When the Lord Jesus was on earth, He Himself was the testing stone. Then in the book of Acts the apostles and later the churches became the testing stone. Today we in the Lord’s recovery have become the testing stone
23我们曾指出，以色列人是受神使者的引导。祂是带领他们出埃及，并引导他们经过旷野进入美地的那位。在十四章以前，祂就在百姓中间，但是祂的名还没有被题说。我们将要看见，在二十三章二十节主说：『看哪，我差遣使者在你前面，在路上保护你，领你到我所豫备的地方去。』此外，在撒迦利亚书，我们又一次看见神的使者。（三5。）这位使者，神所差遣的人，就是带领以色列人并保护他们脱离埃及人的那位，仍然照顾神的百姓。当神的使者从百姓前面转到后边时，柱子也跟著转，因为使者和柱子是一个。今天在我们的经历中也是这样。在我们的经历中，我们无法把主和引导的灵分开。法老为神所定的旨意效力之后，他就成了牺牲品。我时常发出一个警告，不要因著反对教会而成为牺牲品。然而，有些人不理会这个警告，而成了牺牲品。他们愈反对教会，就愈变得不合逻辑并无理智。他们的胡作非为就是他们在黑暗里的记号。
23We have pointed out that the children of Israel were led by the Angel of God. He was the One who took the lead to bring them out of Egypt and to guide them through the wilderness into the good land. Before chapter fourteen, He was present among the people, but His name was not mentioned. As we shall see, in 23:20 the Lord said, “Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.” Furthermore, in the book of Zechariah we once again see the Angel of God (3:5). This Angel, the sent One of God, the very One who led the children of Israel and protected them from the Egyptians, was still taking care of God’s people. When the Angel of God moved from the front of the people to the rear, the pillar moved also, for the Angel and the pillar were one. It is the same in our experience today. In our experience we cannot separate the Lord from the guiding Spirit. After Pharaoh served the purpose God had for him, he became a sacrifice. I have often issued a warning not to become a sacrifice by opposing the church. Nevertheless, some have not taken heed to this warning and have become sacrifices. The more they opposed the church, the more illogical and unreasonable they became. Their unreasonable behavior was a sign that they were in darkness.
24当我们跟随主时，我们愈遭受攻击和反对，引导和保护的光就愈明亮。然而，反对者可能不顾笼罩他们的黑暗，还是继续地攻击。法老定规看见云柱把以色列人和埃及人分开，但他仍不召回他的车辆。反之，他失去了理智，继续追赶神的百姓，就成了牺牲品。
24The more we are attacked and opposed as we follow the Lord, the brighter the guiding and protecting light becomes. Nevertheless, the opposers may continue their attack in spite of the darkness that envelopes them. Surely Pharaoh must have seen the pillar that separated the children of Israel from the Egyptians. But still he did not call back his chariots. Instead, having lost his reason, he continued his pursuit of God’sp eople and became a sacrifice
六 法老和他的军兵
VI. PHARAOH AND HIS ARMY
追赶以色列人
PURSUING THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL
至红海中
TO THE MIDST OF THE RED SEA
25当摩西向海伸杖，水便分开。（21。）然后『以色列人下海中走干地，水在他们的左右作了墙垣。』（22。）现在不是绝境了，反而海中有一条路。于是，使者在他们后面，以色列人走干地过了海。然后，因神使埃及人刚硬，追赶祂的百姓，『埃及人追赶他们，法老一切的马匹、车辆和马兵，都跟著下到海中。』（23。）因为耶和华使埃及人的心刚硬，法老和他的军兵追赶以色列人到红海中。神如此行，是要藉著法老和他的军兵、车辆和马兵，荣耀祂自己。（17～18。）
25When Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, the waters were divided (14:21). Then “the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left” (v. 22). Instead of a dead end, there was now a way through the sea. Therefore, with the Angel behind them, the children of Israel crossed over the sea on dry ground. Then, because they had been hardened by God to pursue His people, “the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen” (v. 23). Pharaoh and his army pursued the children of Israel to the midst of the Red Sea because the Lord had hardened the hearts of the Egyptians. God did this for the purpose of glorifying Himself through Pharaoh and through his army, his chariots, and his horsemen (vv. 17-18, Heb
26七耶和华击败法老和他的军兵二十四节说，耶和华从云柱、火柱中向埃及的军兵观看，『使埃及的军兵混乱了』。根据二十五节，耶和华『使他们的车轮脱落，难以行走。』有些译本说，耶和华绑住了车轮，以致不能行动。埃及人混乱，车辆不能行走，就说：『我们从以色列人面前逃跑罢；因耶和华为他们攻击我们了。』（25。）然而，逃跑已经太迟了。摩西遵照耶和华的话向海伸杖，『海水仍旧复原。』（27。）海水回流如故，埃及人就灭亡了。
26VII. JEHOVAH DEFEATING PHARAOH AND HIS ARMY Verse 24 says that the Lord looked to the camp of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud and “confused the army of the Egyptians” (Heb.). According to verse 25, the Lord “took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily.” Some versions say that the Lord bound the wheels so that they could not move. Confused and unable to move their chariots, the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from the face of Israel; for Jehovah fighteth for them against the Egyptians” (v. 25, Heb.). However, it was too late to flee. At the word of the Lord, Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and “the sea returned to his strength” (v. 27). The water returned to its usual current, and the Egyptians perished
八 法老和他的军兵被淹没并埋葬在海中
VIII. PHARAOH AND HIS ARMY drowned and buried in the sea
27虽然埃及人企图逃跑，但耶和华把他们甩在海中。（27。）二十八节继续说：『水就回流，淹没了车辆和马兵，那些跟著以色列人下海法老的全军，连一个也没有剩下。』法老和他的军兵被淹没并埋葬在海中。这表征撒但和世界在受浸时被埋葬了。（26～28，十五4～5，10，19。）法老被埋葬在海中之后，他就了结了。他永不再挣扎，因他在神手中的用处已经尽了。以色列人因著过红海，从法老霸占的手中得了释放，进入了另一个领域。但是法老，因他对神不再有用，就被了结并埋葬了。从我们的经历来看，我们能作见证，有些事会兴起来敌挡我们。尽管我们不喜欢攻击和反对，但所有的攻击者和反对者在神手中都是有用的。神为著我们的益处而使用他们，目的在成全我们。一旦这个目标达到了，反对者再没有甚么用处时，反对的事就必终止。法老不仅催逼以色列人出埃及，他还陪著他们到红海。直到神的百姓过了红海，而法老被埋葬在海中之后，他们就与法老永远分离了。倘若某种反对或攻击得以存留，那定规是神仍然需要它。它定规是为著我们的益处所需要的。但有一天这个反对要被了结并且埋葬。
27Although the Egyptians tried to flee, the Lord shook them off in the midst of the sea (v. 27, Heb.). Verse 28 goes on to say, “And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the army of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them” (Heb.). Pharaoh and his army were drowned and buried in the sea. This signifies that Satan and the world have been buried in baptism (vv. 26-28; 15:4-5, 10, 19). After he was buried in these a, Pharaoh was terminated. Never would he struggle again, for his usefulness in the hand of God was finished. Having been released from the usurping hand of Pharaoh by crossing the Red Sea, the children of Israel entered into another realm. But Pharaoh, because he was no longer useful to God, was terminated and buried. According to our experience, we can testify that certain things may rise up against us. Although we are not happy with attack and opposition, all the attackers and opposers are useful in the hand of God. God uses them for our good, for the purpose of perfecting us. Once this goal has been achieved and the opposers are of no further use, the opposition will be terminated. Pharaoh not only drove the children of Israel out of Egypt; he also accompanied them to the Red Sea. Then after God’s people crossed the Red Sea and Pharaoh was buried in these a, they were separated from him forever. If some opposition or attack is allowed to remain, it must be that God still has a need for it. It must be necessary for our good. But one day this opposition will be terminated and buried.
28在本篇信息中，我们看见法老被神用来成就祂选民彻底、全备而完满的救恩。他被用来提供逾越节、出埃及和受浸的环境。除了赞美神以外，神的百姓不需要再作甚么。法老末次的挣扎结束了。如今他被置于安息之地，不用再挣扎了。赞美主，连法老末次的挣扎也有助于完成神选民的完备救恩！
28In this message we have seen that Pharaoh was used by God to accomplish a thorough, complete, and perfect salvation of His chosen people. He was used to provide the environment for the Passover, the exodus, and the baptism. There was nothing left for God’sp eople to do but to praise Him. Pharaoh’s last struggle was over. Now that he had been laid to rest, there was no further struggle concerning him. Praise the Lord that even Pharaoh’s last struggle helped to accomplish the full salvation of God’s chosen people