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出埃及记生命读经 · 第36篇

属天的粮食─吗哪（二）

The Heavenly Diet—Manna (2)
1读经：出埃及记16:4-5,13下-15,31；民数记11:6下-9。
1Scripture Reading: Exo. 16:4-5, 13b-15, 31; Num. 11:6b-9
三 吗哪的特征
III. ITS CHARACTERISTICS
2现在让我们转到吗哪的各种特征上。在出埃及记十六章和民数记十一章里给我们关乎吗哪的简要记载。在这简短的描述中，至少指出了吗哪的十四方面。每一方面都是吗哪的一个特征。
2Let us now turn to the various characteristics of manna. In Exodus 16 and Numbers 11 we are given a brief description of manna. In this short description at least fourteen aspects of manna are pointed out. Every aspect is one of the characteristics of manna
（一） 从天而降
A. From Heaven
3吗哪的第一个特征就是它从天而降。（十六4上。）因此，吗哪是属天的。虽然我们不知道吗哪的要素或本质，但我们知道它是从天而降的。在出埃及十六章四节，耶和华对摩西说：『我要将粮食从天降给你们。』吗哪很难分析。无疑地，它含有供应人肉身所有需要的营养。否则，它无法在旷野的那许多年间维持神的百姓。一方面，吗哪有维持人肉身所需要的一切成分；另一方面，吗哪是一种属天的粮食。
3The first characteristic of manna is that it came from heaven (16:4a). Hence, manna is heavenly. Although we do not know the essence or substance of manna, we know that it came from heaven. In Exodus 16:4 the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you.” Manna is difficult to analyze. No doubt, it contained nourishment to meet all the requirements of man’s physical body. Otherwise, it could not have sustained God’sp eople those many years in the wilderness. On the one hand, manna has all the elements needed to sustain man’s physical body; on the other hand, manna is a heavenly food
4我们如何无法分析或解释吗哪，我们也照样无法分析或解释主耶稣基督。父从天上差遣基督来作真吗哪。作为从天上降下来的粮，祂乃是神百姓藉以活著的食物。在约翰六章五十一节主耶稣说：『我是从天上降下来生命的粮；人若吃这粮，就必永远活著。』谁能分析作我们属天食物之基督的要素？用科学方法来分析祂的本质是不可能的。但尽管我们不能分析基督的要素，或将它解释得完全，祂却是非常的真实。祂看不见也摸不著，但祂却是实际的，并且祂维持了神的百姓。从罗马帝国的时代直到今天，许多属地的政府和世界的首领想要消灭基督在地上的行动。他们也图谋要破坏并消灭祂的身体。但他们所有的努力都归徒然。基督的身体不能被破坏，因为在教会里面有属天的要素，属天的成分来维持寄居在地上的教会。因著基督将这成分分赐到教会里，断没有甚么能破坏教会或消灭教会的。
4Just as we cannot analyze or explain manna, we cannot analyze or explain the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ was sent from heaven by the Father to be the real manna. As the bread which came from heaven, He is the food by which God’sp eople live. In John 6:51 the Lord Jesus said, “I am the living bread which came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he shall live forever.” Who can analyze the essence of Christ as our heavenly food? It is impossible to analyze His substance scientifically. But although we cannot analyze Christ’s essence or fully explain it, He is nonetheless very real. He is invisible and intangible but He is substantial, and He sustains God’s people. From the time of the Roman Empire until today, many earthly governments and world leaders have tried to quench the Lord’s move on earth. They have also attempted to destroy and annihilate His Body. But all their efforts have been in vain. Christ’s Body could not be destroyed because within the church there is a heavenly essence, a heavenly element, which sustains the church in its sojourn on earth. Because Christ imparts this element into the church, nothing can destroy it or terminate it.
5吗哪如何四十年间在旷野维持约两百万人，今天基督也是真吗哪维持教会。这吗哪的根源不在地上；它乃是从天上，从神那里降下来的。因此，吗哪不仅是属天的食物，也是属神的食物。一方面，主耶稣是『从天上降下来的粮』；另一方面，祂是『神的粮』，就是从天上降下来作我们食物的那位。（约六32～33。）
5Just as manna sustained nearly two million people in the wilderness for forty years, so Christ as the real manna sustains the church today. This manna does not have its source on earth; it comes down from heaven where God is. Thus, manna is not only heavenly food, but also godly food. On the one hand, the Lord Jesus is “the bread out of heaven”; on the other hand, He is “the bread of God,” the One who came down out of heaven to be our food (John 6:32-33
（二） 随露水而降
B. With the Dew
6从出埃及十六章十三和十四节，我们看见吗哪随露水而来：『早晨在营四围的地上有露水。露水上升之后，不料，野地面上有如白霜的小圆物。』这个小圆物就是吗哪。民数记十一章九节也告诉我们吗哪随露水而来：『夜间露水降在营中，吗哪也随著降下。』神用风降下鹌鹑是很有意义的。但神却用露水降下吗哪来。当然没有露水神也能降下吗哪。吗哪随露水而降的事实定规有确定的属灵意义。因著我对这事的经历还不完全，我无法满意地解释为甚么吗哪随露水而来。但根据属灵的经历，我能指出露水表征每日的恩典，就是我们每天所接受的恩典。在诗篇一百三十三篇三节我们读到：『黑门的甘露，降在锡安山。』黑门的甘露表征从天而降的恩典。黑门是一座高山，表征降下甘露来的诸天、高处。露水表明主耶稣基督的恩典。露水和雨、雪或霜不同。它比雨柔和，也不像霜那样寒冷。根据耶利米哀歌三章二十二和二十三节，神的怜悯犹如甘露，每早晨都是新的。旧约中的怜悯最终生出新约的恩典。因这缘故，耶利米在耶利米哀歌三章用怜悯这个词。每天早晨主的恩典都像露水一样地新鲜。
6In Exodus 16:13 and 14 we see that manna came with the dew: “In the morning the dew lay round about the camp. And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing” (Heb.). This small, round thing was manna. Numbers 11:9 also tells us that manna came with the dew; “And when the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell upon it.” It is significant that in sending the quails God used the wind. But in sending the manna, God used dew. Certainly God could have sent the manna without the dew. The fact that manna came with the dew must have a definite spiritual significance. Because my experience of this is not yet complete, I cannot explain fully why manna came with the dew. But according to spiritual experience, I can point out that the dew signifies daily grace, the grace we receive each day. In Psalm 133:3 we read of “the dew of Hermon...the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion.” The dew of Hermon signifies grace which descends from the heavens. Hermon, a high mountain, signifies the heavens, the highest place, from which the dew descends. The dew signifies the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Dew is different from rain, snow, or frost. It is softer than rain and not as cold as frost. According to Lamentations 3:22 and 23, God’s mercy, like the dew, is fresh every morning. Mercy in the Old Testament eventually issues in the grace of the New Testament. For this reason, Jeremiah used the word mercy in Lamentations 3. Every morning the Lord’s grace is as fresh as the dew
7我们多次指出恩典就是神临到我们。当神以正面积极的方式临到我们，满了怜悯和同情临到我们时，祂对我们就成了恩典。吗哪总是藉著这恩典而来的。
7We have pointed out a number of times that grace is God reaching us. When God reaches us in a positive manner, full of mercy and compassion, He becomes grace to us. Manna always comes by means of this grace.
8我们鼓励众圣徒在每天的开始守晨更。然而，也许我们规律地守晨更，常常在早晨与主同在的时间里，我们没有经历甘露的新鲜。结果，我们没有收取到吗哪。反之，主的话似乎光是白纸上的黑字。但每当我们在晨更中经历甘露，我们便知道神临到我们并眷顾我们。这个神的眷顾就是主作我们的恩典。我们的经历证实，露水在那里，吗哪也在那里。当我们在早晨读主的话得著甘露时，话对我们就真是食物。倘若我们没有使人复苏的甘露，我们就没有随露水而降的吗哪。这幅吗哪和露水的图画十分宝贵。一画实在胜过千言！早晨的露水是清新的。没有这个露水、没有这个恩典，我们就非常枯干。但有了露水之后，我们就得著了浇灌和畅快。感谢主，吗哪不是单独降下，它乃是随露水而来的。
8We encourage the saints to practice morning watch at the beginning of each day. However, although we may regularly have morning watch, often during our time with the Lord in the morning we do not experience the freshness of dew. Consequently, we do not gather any manna. Instead, the Word seems merely to be letters in black and white. But whenever we experience the dew in the morning watch, we know that God reaches us and visits us. This visitation of God is the Lord as our grace. Our experience testifies that where the dew is, there manna is also. When we have dew as we read the Word in the morning, the Word truly is food to us. If we do not have the refreshing dew, we cannot have the manna that comes with the dew. This picture of the manna and the dew is very precious. Truly a picture is better than a thousand words! The dew in the morning is refreshing. Without this dew, this grace, we are very dry. But with the dew we are watered and refreshed. Thank the Lord that manna comes not by itself, but with the dew.
（三） 在早晨
C. In the Morning
9我们已经指出鹌鹑在晚上来到，而吗哪则是在早晨降下。出埃及十六章二十一节说以色列人『每日早晨…收取。』吗哪在早晨来到表明它给我们一个新的开始。因著地球天天绕著地轴自转，每天我们都有一个新的开始，新的转机。每个月、每一年我们也有新的开始。吗哪与每年或每月的开始无关，但它与每天的新开始有关。如果神每年降一次吗哪，我们就活不成了。如果吗哪每个月降下一次，我们就得不著加强、维持和满足。感谢主，祂天天降下吗哪。每天早晨我们都能有一个新的开始。在我们属灵的经历中，我们需要这些每天的转机，每天新的开始。有时候在一天结束时，我切切等候次日早晨和一个新的开始。夜晚就寝时我会说：『主，今晚安歇后，我盼望早晨和你有一个新的开始。』为著每个新的一天、新的开始赞美主！吗哪总是带给我们这样一个新的起头。
9We have pointed out that the quails came in the evening, but the manna was sent in the morning. Exodus 1 6:2 1 says that the children of Israel “gathered it every morning.” The fact that manna came in the morning indicates that it gives us a new beginning. Because the earth revolves on its axis daily, every day we have a new beginning, a new turn. We also have new beginnings monthly and yearly. Manna is not related to the yearly or monthly beginnings, but to a daily new beginning. If God sent the manna yearly, we could not survive. If manna were sent monthly, we would not be strengthened, sustained, and satisfied. Thank the Lord that He sends the manna daily. Every morning we can have a new beginning. In our spiritual experience we need these daily turns, these daily new beginnings. Sometimes at the end of the day I am eagerly awaiting the next morning and a new beginning. As I go to bed at night, I may say, “Lord, after resting tonight, I expect to have a new beginning with You in the morning.” Praise the Lord for every new day, for every new beginning! Manna always brings us such a new start.
10我们也可说每一个新开始带给我们新鲜的吗哪。你若盼望从主接受吗哪，你需要祷告说：『主，我准备好有新的转机。我不要和已往一样过生活。我要与你有个新的开始。』当你早晨来到主面前，你愿意这样祷告么？倘若你告诉祂，你准备好有一个新的起头，你将经历露水，和随露水而降的吗哪。然而，如果你盼望重过已往的生活，和你多年以前一样地过生活，吗哪就不会临到你了。要有吗哪，我们就必须豫备好有新的开始。我能从经历中向你保证，每当你愿意有一个新的开始时，吗哪就来到了。早晨让我们来到主面前说：『主，我要有一个新的开始。我不要和昨天一样。主，我感谢你，在你主宰的权柄和经营里，一年中每一天你都给我们一个新的开始。』你若这样向主祷告，切望一个新的开始，吗哪就会在早晨随露水而降。
10We may also say that every new beginning brings us fresh manna. If you expect to receive manna from the Lord, you need to pray, “Lord, I am ready for a new turn. I don’t want to live the same way as in the past. I want to have a new beginning with You.” As you come to the Lord in the morning, are you willing to pray like this? If you tell Him that you are ready for a new start, you will experience the dew, and with the dew, the manna. However, if your desire is tore live the past, to live the same kind of life you did years ago, manna will not come to you. In order to have manna, we must be prepared for a new beginning. From my experience I can assure you that manna comes whenever you are willing to have a new beginning. In the morning let us come to the Lord and say, “Lord, I want a new beginning. I do not want to be the same as yesterday. I thank You, Lord, that in Your sovereignty and in Your economy, You offer us a new beginning every day of the year.” If you pray to the Lord in this way, eager for a new beginning, the manna will come in the morning with the dew.
11关乎在早晨收取随露水而降的吗哪，我们不需要更多的教训。我们所需要的乃是在日常生活中更多的经历。许多年前我们学知吗哪是基督的豫表。何等可怜，今天在基督徒中间，这主要是一件道理的事！当我在弟兄会中间时，我清楚地受教导说，吗哪豫表基督。但我未得帮助要天天收取吗哪。没有生命，只有道理。许多与基督有关的美好事物已成了传统的道理。连不信的人也熟悉一些关乎基督的真理。有些人甚至晓得吗哪是基督的豫表。我们所需要的不是传统的道理，而是更多在生命里实际的经历。成千甚至成百万的基督徒读圣经却一点不接受吗哪。在他们的读经里，除了白纸黑字以外，就没有别的。在传统的影响之下，他们不注意接受新的亮光。他们甚至没有兴趣追求这样的光。他们满意于照著传统的知识和伦理的愿望来认识圣经。他们要学习圣经的教训，好改良他们的行为。他们以中国人研读孔夫子著作的方式来研读圣经。有一次我甚至听见一位传教士说，圣经的教训和孔子的教训一样。这对于神的话真是一个可悲的误解！
11Concerning the gathering of manna with the dew in the morning, we do not need more doctrine. What we need is more experience in our daily life. Many years ago we learned that manna is a type of Christ. How pitiful that among Christians today this is mainly a matter of doctrine! When I was with the Brethren, I was taught clearly that manna typifies Christ. But I was not helped to gather the manna day by day. Instead of life, there was mere doctrine. Many of the good things related to Christ have become traditional doctrines. Even unbelievers may be familiar with certain truths concerning Christ. Some may even realize that manna is a type of Christ. What we need is not traditional doctrine, but more practical experiences in life. Thousands, even millions, of people read the Bible without receiving the smallest amount of manna. In their reading of the Scriptures there is nothing but letters in black and white. Under the influence of tradition, they do not care to receive new light. They are not even interested in seeking for such light. They are content to understand the Bible according to traditional knowledge and according to ethical aspirations. They want to learn the teachings of the Bible in order to improve their behavior. They approach the Scriptures in the same way the Chinese approach the classical writings of Confucius. I once even heard a missionary say that the teachings of the Bible are identical with those of Confucius. What a deplorable misunderstanding of the Word of God!
12当主耶稣在地上时，犹太教的人无心为著祂。他们全然被他们祖宗的遗传所霸占。他们对旧约的认识是根据传统的教训和知识。大数的扫罗得救以后，他也许花了许多时间将他的经历与旧约核对。他这样作定规是照著那灵的引导，而不是照著犹太教中从他祖宗所承继的传统知识。所以保罗得著了亮光和启示。今天我们的经历也该和保罗一样。我能作见证，因著我不在意基督教的传统，我能从主接受主话中的亮光。我若仍旧在意宗教的遗传，我就得不著任何的光照。在一九六四年，有人劝我，即使基督就是那灵这个真理启示在新约里，我也不要这样来教导。人告诉我说这样的教训不会为今天的基督徒所接受。因为人非常在意传统的教训，他们是盲目的。一年又一年，他们没有接受新的亮光。我们赞美主，我们几乎天天接受新的亮光。我们不该受到几年前所看见的东西限制。连科学家也乐于接受新的发现。倘若我们要在属灵上长进，我们需要把传统搁在一旁。当我们来到主话面前，我们应当忘掉传统的知识。基督教已成了传统的宗教，忽略了基督作实际。主日早晨的礼拜满了传统。在主的恢复里，我们中间的光景必须截然不同。我们需要天天随主向前。我们不光该读圣经，也该对付住在我们里面基督那活的人位。当我们读圣经的话时，我们必须接触这活的人位。不要被道理或方法所占有，反之，我们该迫切寻求主自己。倘若我们这样来追求主，每天早晨我们将和祂有一个新的开始。
12When the Lord Jesus was on earth, the Judaizers had no heart for Him. They were fully occupied with the traditions of their fathers. Their understanding of the Old Testament was according to traditional teaching and knowledge. After Saul of Tarsus was saved, he probably spent a good deal of time checking his experience with the Old Testament. He surely did this according to the leading of the Spirit, not according to traditional knowledge inherited from his forefathers in Judaism. Therefore, Paul received light, revelation. Our experience today should be the same as that of Paul. I can testify that I receive light from the Lord concerning the Word because I do not care for the traditions of Christianity. If I were still caring for religious tradition, I would not receive any enlightenment. In 1964 I was advised by a certain person not to teach that Christ is the Spirit, even though this truth is revealed in the New Testament. I was told that such a teaching would not be accepted by today’s Christians. Because people care so much for traditional teaching, they are blind. Year after year, they receive no new light. We praise the Lord that we are receiving new light almost daily. We should not be limited by what we saw years ago. Even scientists are open to new discoveries. If we want to progress spiritually, we need to lay aside tradition. As we come to the Word, we should forget our traditional knowledge. Christianity has become a religion of tradition which neglects Christ as the reality. The Sunday morning services are filled with tradition. The situation among us in the Lord’s recovery must be altogether different. Daily we need to go on with the Lord. We should not only read the Bible, but also deal with the living Person of Christ who dwells in us. As we read the words of the Scripture, we must contact this living Person. Instead of being occupied with doctrines or methods, we should desperately seek the Lord Himself. If we pursue the Lord in this way, we shall have a new beginning with Him every morning
13早晨我们与主同在的时间不该照著传统或习惯。有些家庭的习惯就是早起，然后花时间读圣经。但是可能每天早晨都读主的话而没有收到吗哪，因为我们也许没有与主有活的接触。圣经中印出来的话不会赐给我们生命。在约翰五章三十九和四十节主耶稣对宗教家说：『你们查考圣经，因你们以为内中有永生，给我作见证的就是这经；然而你们不肯到我这里来得生命。』如果我们要得生命，我们必须到主这里来。要得著生命，我们必须要得著祂。
13Our time with the Lord in the morning should not be according to tradition or custom. The custom in some households is to rise early and then spend time reading the Bible. But it is possible to read the Word every morning without gathering any manna, for we may not have living contact with the Lord. The printed words in the Bible do not give us life. In John 5:39 and 40 the Lord Jesus said to the religionists, “You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life, and it is these that testify concerning Me; and you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.” If we want to receive life, we must come to the Lord. To have life we must have Him.
14某一种药的处方和药的本身大不相同。我们光研究处方是没有办法得著药的。然而，这正是今天许多基督徒所作的事。有些人甚至不以正确的方式来研究处方。一面，我的心因著主所指示我们的而欢喜。另一面，我因著基督徒中间的光景而痛心。谁真正关心主的自己？虽然祂又活、又便利，但少有人真正注意祂。在前面一篇信息里，我曾指出我每天向主认罪，主要是认不彀留在灵中与祂合一的罪。我们知道林前六章十七节告诉我们，与主联合的，便是与主成为一灵。我们也知道应当照著这调和的灵而生活。但我们活在这灵中实际上到底有多少？也许在主的恢复中，在我们中间，这也成了一个道理，而非生命中实际和真正的实行。在你的日常生活中，在一位灵里与主联合这件事是一个实际呢，或者仅仅是一个道理？如果这光是道理上的知识，它就没有甚么意义。甚么启示都很容易就变作一种传统的教训。让我们从一切传统的教训中转回，并寻求主的自己。倘若我们这样作，从主话而来的光就要照耀我们。
14There is a big difference between a prescription for some medicine and the medicine itself. We do not have the medicine simply by studying the prescription. However, this is the very thing many Christians are doing today. In some cases they do not even study the prescription in a proper way. On the one hand, my heart rejoices because of what the Lord has shown us. On the other hand, my heart aches because of the situation among Christians. Who really cares for the Lord Himself? Very few actually care for Him, even though He is so living and so available. In a previous message I pointed out that my confession to the Lord each day primarily concerns my shortcomings in remaining one in spirit with Him. We know that 1 Corinthians 6:17 tells us that he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit. We also know that we should live according to this mingled spirit. But how much do we actually live in this spirit? Perhaps among us in the Lord’s recovery this also has become a doctrine instead of a real and genuine practice in life. In your daily life, is the matter of being joined to the Lord in one spirit a practice, or is it merely a doctrine? If this is mere doctrinal knowledge, it does not mean anything. It is very easy for any revelation to become a traditional teaching. Let us turn from all the traditional teachings and seek the Lord Himself. If we do this, light from the Word will shine upon us
15尽管出埃及十六章是圣经中很大的一章，许多基督徒却不彀赏识它，因为他们仍在宗教传统的影响之下。如果我们是原始人、未受教育的人，甚么圣经知识也没有，也许对本章会有更深刻的印象。倘若我们的光景是这样，我们就更容易看见，这一章启示出神的心意是要改变我们的根本，改变我们的组成要素。光说吗哪是豫表基督的属天食物，这是对本章肤浅的领会。这种道理上的认识对我们的生活不管用。它甚至会拦阻我们接受神在这段话中所传输的启示。然而，我们若从传统的教训中转回，并用本章来祷告，我们就要蒙光照，并且看见我们作为信徒，应当只凭基督而活。惟有活的基督该是我们天天藉以活著的食物。
15Although Exodus 1 6 is a great chapter in the Bible, many Christians do not have an adequate appreciation of it because they are still under the influence of religious tradition. Perhaps we would be more impressed with this chapter if we were primitive, uneducated people with no knowledge of the Scriptures. If this were our situation, we might be able to see more easily that this chapter reveals God’sin tent i on to change the source of our being, to change our very constituent. It is a superficial understanding of this chapter simply to say that manna is heavenly food which typifies Christ. This kind of doctrinal understanding has no effect on our living. It may even hinder us from receiving God’sr evelation conveyed in this portion of the Word. However, if we turn from traditional teaching and pray over this chapter, we shall be enlightened to see that, as believers, we should live on Christ alone. Only the living Christ should be the food on which we live day by day.
16对本章的领会与传统的教训之间有何等大的不同！我们很多人从前在宗教里听过关于基督作吗哪的教训。但它对我们有甚么功效？它没有使许多人不沉醉在属世的娱乐中。有些人接受了不要爱世界的肤浅教训，人告诉他们不要贪图埃及的黄瓜和大蒜。何等的肤浅！出埃及十六章的深奥真理乃是神要更改我们的食物。这里的要点不是我们爱不爱世界；乃是我们的食物有否更改。学习不爱世界和更换食物之间是截然不同的。
16What a great difference there is between such an understanding of this chapter and traditional teaching! Many of us heard teachings about Christ as manna when we were in religion. But what effect did it have on us? It did not keep many from indulging in worldly entertainment. Some have received the superficial teachings about not loving the world. They have been told not to hunger for the cucumbers and garlic of Egypt. How superficial! The deep truth in Exodus 16 is that God wants to change our diet. The crucial point here is not whether or not we love the world; it is whether or not our diet has been changed. There is a tremendous difference between learning not to love the world and having a change of diet
17当我们为著新的开始和吗哪的供应而寻求主时，我们需要转回到我们的灵里。然而，我们很容易运用心思而不运用灵。因为这是我们的倾向。所以在我们被一天的事物霸占以前就在主的话中接触主，乃是一个好习惯。一旦我们被许多事缠累之后，要运用我们的灵接触主就更加困难了。我们每天早晨所该作的第一件事，就是在主的话中来到主面前并从祂得著𫗪养。
17As we seek the Lord for a new beginning and for the supply of manna, we need to turn to our spirit. However, it is easy for us to exercise the mind instead of the spirit. Because this is our tendency, it is a good habit to contact the Lord in the Word before we become occupied with the affairs of the day. Once we have become involved in so many things, it is much more difficult to exercise our spirit to contact the Lord. The first thing we should do each morning is to come to the Lord in the Word and feed on Him