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出埃及记生命读经 · 第75篇

耶和华的使者引领祂的百姓得著应许之地为业（三）

The Angel of Jehovah for His People to take Possession of the Promised Land (3)
1读经：出埃及记23:20-33。在前一篇信息里，我们是从神那一面来看如何得著那地为业。在本篇信息里，我们要从我们这一面来看。
1Scripture Reading: Exo. 23:20-33 In the foregoing message we considered from God’ss i de how to take possession of the land. In this message we shall consider the matter from our side
（三） 与主配合驱逐异族
C. By Cooperating with God in the Destruction of the Pagan Tribes
1 得罪耶和华的根源
1. The Source of Sin against Jehovah
2神的百姓要得著应许之地为业，就必须与祂配合，驱逐异族。（二三～33。）出埃及记二十三章三十三节说：『他们不可住在你的地上，恐怕他们使你得罪我。』这是一个历史的事实：信奉异教的各族是美地上以色列人犯罪的根源。以色列人在应许之地生活的时候，他们的罪来自一个根源，就是仍旧住在那地信奉异教的各族。这指出，天然生命是罪恶的根源。我们的罪来自我们天然的生命。我们的罪不论是粗鄙的或是比较斯文、文明的，根源都是天然的生命。有人连发脾气的态度都是温文儒雅的。有时候丈夫很文雅、很有涵养地得罪妻子。这种教养和文雅都是假面具。人们常戴著这种假面具说白谎。就连表面上看来相当斯文的罪也是来自天然的生命。在神看来，凡是按著天然生命生活的人，都是不断犯罪，就连他们施舍或乐捐时也不例外。天然生命是神百姓中间犯罪的根源，拦阻他们得著基督作为美地。因著天然生命拦阻我们得著基督并享受基督，所以我们必须恨恶它；并且我们一面长大，一面要乐意将它撵出去。我们已经指出，我们若没有在基督里长大，就不可能将天然的生命撵出去。
2In order to take possession of the promised land, God’sp eople must cooperate with Him in destroying the pagan tribes (23:31-33). Exodus 23:33 says, 31 “They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me.” It is a fact of history that the pagan tribes were the source of Israel’s sin in the good land. When Israel lived in the promised land, their sins came from the source of the pagan tribes that were still in the land. This indicates that the natural life is the source of sin. Our sins come from our natural life. Whether our sins are gross or somewhat refined and cultured, they have their source in the natural life. Some people are refined and polite even in the way they lose their temper. Sometimes a husband may be very cultured and refined in the way he offends his wife. Such culture and refinement are actually a mask. Wearing this kind of mask, people often lie by speaking the truth. Even sins that appear to be rather refined come from the natural life. In the sight of God, all those who live according to the natural life are sinning continually, even when they give alms or donate to charity. As the source of sin among God’sp eople, the natural life frustrates them from possessing Christ as the good land. Because the natural life keeps us from possessing Christ and enjoying Him, we must hate it and, as we grow, be willing to drive it out. As we have pointed out, without growth in Christ it is not possible for us to drive out the natural life.
2 不可和他们立约
2. Making No Covenant with Them
3以色列子民不可和信奉异教的各族立约。（32。）今天，我们不该和天然生命立约。与天然生命立约就是和它妥协。因著天然生命很难除掉，我们就会受一个试探想与它妥协，这种妥协就是容忍天然生命的一些方面。但是，天然生命不管甚么方面，我们都不应当容忍。不管我们能不能除掉天然生命，我们都必须恨恶它。天然生命不论那一方面，都不要赞同，都要恨恶，而且尽可能去排除。当然，你若没有长大，你再努力排除天然生命也是白费力气。你愈长大，你就愈能彀排除它。我们若率先驱除天然的生命，神要在这件事上特别恩待我们，并且加给我们力量。
3The children of Israel were forbidden to make any covenant with the pagan tribes (v. 32). Today we should not make any covenants with the natural life. To make a covenant with the natural life is to compromise with it. Because it is not easy to eliminate the natural life, we may be tempted to compromise with it. To compromise in this way is to tolerate some aspect of the natural life. But we should not tolerate the natural life in any way. Whether or not we are able to drive out the natural life, we still must hate it. Instead of agreeing with any aspect of your natural life, hate it and do what you can to drive it out. Of course, without growth, your attempts to drive out the natural life will be in vain. The more you grow, the more you will be able to drive it out. If we take the initiative to drive out the natural life, God will come in to honor us and strengthen us in this matter.
4罗马书第八章给我们看见这个原则。不错，罗马书八章十一节指出，神赐生命给我们必死的身体。但这在于我们是否先治死我们身体的恶行。（罗八13。）我们若先治死，神就必赐生命给我们必死的身体来应允我们。神迫不及待要赐我们生命，但是我们必须先愿意治死身体的恶行。我们若不愿意治死，不愿意与神合作，神也无法赐生命给我们必死的身体。
4This principle is found in Romans 8. Yes, Romans 8:11 indicates that God will give life to our mortal bodies. But this depends on whether or not we take the initiative to put to death the practices of our body (Rom. 8:13). If we take the initiative to do this, God will honor this by giving life to our mortal bodies. God is ready to give us life, but we must be willing to kill the practices of the body. If we are not willing to do this, not willing to cooperate with God, God has no way to impart life to our mortal bodies
5照罗马书第八章所说，我们也应当率先照著灵生活行动，（4，）思念灵的事，（5～6，）接受那灵的引导。十四节说：『因为凡被神的灵引导的，都是神的儿子。』这节圣经不是说那灵来引导，而是说我们被那灵引导。那灵愿意引导我们，但是我们必须愿意让祂来引导。我们若不愿意让祂来引导，那灵也无法来引导我们。因此，首先我们有责任要受引导，然后那灵有责任要来引导我们。连在这件事上，我们也必须先采取主动。
5According to Romans 8, we should also take the initiative to walk according to spirit (v. 4), to mind the things of the spirit (vv. 5-6), and to be led by the Spirit. Verse 14 says, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” This verse does not speak of the leading of the Spirit, but of our being led by the Spirit. The Spirit is willing to lead us, but we must be willing to be led by Him. If we are not willing to be led, there is no way for the Spirit to lead us. Therefore, it is first our responsibility to be led; then it is the responsibility of the Spirit to lead us. Even in this matter, we must take the initiative
6照罗马书八章十五节所说，我们也应当先呼叫，『阿爸！父！』这节圣经说，我们已经得了『儿子的灵，因此我们呼叫阿爸，父。』（直译。）加拉太书四章六节与这节圣经类似；那里说，那灵呼叫『阿爸，父』。那么，到底是谁呼叫？是我们呢，还是那灵？答案是我们与那灵一同呼叫。虽然那灵随时要呼叫，但是我们必须先呼叫。当我们呼叫时，祂就呼叫。但
6According to Romans 8:15, we should also take the initiative in crying “Abba, Father.” This verse says that we have received “a spirit of sonship in which we cry, Abba, Father.” A verse parallel to this, Galatians 4:6, says that it is the Spirit who cries “Abba, Father.” Who is it, then, who cries out, we or the Spirit? The answer is that both we and the Spirit cry together. Although the Spirit is ready to cry, we must take the initiative. He cries when we cry. But if we do not cry, He will not cry either
7我们若不呼叫，祂也不呼叫。
7
8罗马书八章十六节说：『那灵亲自与我们的灵同证我们是神的儿女。』（直译。）这节圣经指出，我们必须先作见证，然后那灵也要作见证。这节圣经不是告诉我们说，我们的灵与那灵同作见证；而是说那灵与我们的灵同作见证。当我们的灵作见证时，那灵就尊重我们所作的见
8Romans 8:16 says, “The Spirit Himself witnesses with our spirit that we are the children of God.” This verse indicates that we must be the first to witness, then the Spirit will witness. We are not told that our spirit witnesses with the Spirit, but that the Spirit witnesses with our spirit. When our spirit testifies, the Spirit honors our testifying and testifies with our spirit.
9证，并与我们的灵同作见证。
9
10罗马书八章二十三节说到叹息，二十六节说到那灵『用说不出来的叹息』替我们祷告。我们叹息的时候，那灵祷告。实际上，祂是在我们的叹息里祷告。我们若不叹息，祷告的灵就无法工作。所以，我们必须叹息，愈多愈好。我们先叹息，就给那灵有机会来替我们祷告。
10Romans 8:23 speaks of our groaning, and verse 26, of the Spirit interceding for us “with groanings which cannot be uttered.” When we groan, the Spirit intercedes. Actually, He intercedes in our groaning. If we do not groan, the interceding Spirit has no way to work. Therefore, we need to groan, the more the better. By taking the initiative to groan, we give the Spirit an opportunity to intercede on our behalf
11照罗马书第八章所说，神赐我们生命，而那灵引导我们，同我们作见证，并为我们祷告。然而，这四种行动在于我们先行动。当我们治死身体的恶行，神就赐给我们生命；当我们愿意受引导，那灵就来引导我们；当我们呼叫『阿爸，父』，那灵也呼叫；当我们作见证，那灵就同作见证。此外，当我们叹息，那灵就替我们祷告。同样的原则，当我们撵出异族，就是撵出天然的生命时，神也驱逐这些族类。因此，我们与神一同撵出天然的生命。然而，有一个事实我们必须再一次强调：我们必须先采取行动。神撵出各族很容易；祂已经准备好了要这么作，但我们常常没有豫备好。我们反而会与他们立约。这样一来，神就无法把他们撵出去了。因此，重要的是我们要率先把天然的生命撵出去。
11According to Romans 8, God gives life and the Spirit leads, witnesses, and intercedes. However, these four activities depend on our taking the initiative. When we put to death the practices of the body, God gives life. When we are willing to be led, the Spirit leads. When we cry Abba, Father, the Spirit cries. When we witness, the Spirit witnesses. Furthermore, when we groan, the Spirit intercedes. In the same principle, when we drive out the pagan tribes, the natural life, God also drives out these tribes. Hence, we and God together drive out the natural life. Nevertheless, we must again emphasize the fact that we must take the initiative. It is easy for God to drive out the tribes. He is always ready to do this, but we usually are not ready. Instead, we may make a covenant with them. In such a situation, God has no way to drive them out. Therefore, it is crucial for us to take the initiative to drive out the natural life
12天主教教导人说，我们的得救必须靠行为。在改教的时候，路德挺身而起，反对这种教导，宣告救恩是本乎恩，不是本乎行为。我们是因信称义，不是因行为称义。宗教改革之后，形成了两派神学：喀尔文派强调神主宰的怜悯和恩典；亚米尼亚派宣称人的救恩可能会失去，所以需要有好行为来保守自己免得失去救恩。虽然喀尔文派的教训远比亚米尼亚派正确，但是还不彀完全。照圣经所说，一切都是靠神的恩典，然而，人必须与神配合。
12Catholicism teaches that we must work for salvation. At the time of the Reformation, Luther fought against this teaching and declared that salvation is by grace, not by works. We are justified through faith, not through works. After the Reformation two schools of theology came into being: the Calvinist school, which emphasizes God’ss ove reign mercy and grace, and the Arminian school, which claims that a person can lose his salvation and that good works are necessary to keep one from losing his salvation. Although the Calvinist teaching is far more accurate than the Arminian, it is not complete. According to the Bible, everything is by God’s grace. Nevertheless, man must cooperate with God
13这种配合可以用母亲𫗪孩子来说明。不论作母亲的多爱孩子，多细心为他豫备滋养的食物，她总不能替孩子吃。孩子必须开口吃他的母亲所豫备的食物。同样的原则，我们必须主动与神的工作配合。
13This cooperation can be illustrated by a mother feeding her child. No matter how much the mother loves the child and how carefully she prepares nourishing food for him, she cannot eat for him. The child must take the initiative to eat the food prepared by his mother. In the same principle, we must take the initiative to cooperate with God’s working.
14所以，在五旬节那天，彼得才吩咐众人要悔改而蒙拯救。（徒二37～40。）神不能替我们悔改，也不能替我们相信。我们必须亲自悔改、亲自相信。我们的确不能救自己。神为了救我们，已经作成了一切必须作的；然而，我们还需要悔改、相信。我们不能救自己，但我们能照保罗所说的『蒙拯救』。救主是近的，祂随时准备拯救我们，但我们必须乐意蒙祂拯救。在这件事上，我们必须采取主动。这是圣经中的一个基本原则。腓立比书二章十二和十三节也说明了这个原则；『就当恐惧战兢，作出你们自己的救恩；因为是神在你们里面运行，使你们立志行事，为著成就祂的美意。』（直译。）我们作出自己的救恩与神在我们里面的运行有关。我们先主动接受神的运行，当我们接受神的运行时，我们就作出我们的救恩。我们愈作出我们的救恩，神就愈在我们里面运行，这样，我们就能得著实际的救恩，作为我们的享受。
14This was the reason on the day of Pentecost Peter commanded the people to repent and be saved (Acts 2:37-40). God cannot repent for us or believe for us. We ourselves must repent and believe. To be sure, we cannot save ourselves. God has done everything necessary to save us, but we must still repent and believe. We cannot save ourselves, but we can, in Peter’swords, “be saved.” The Savior is at hand, ready to save us. But we must be willing to be saved. In this matter we take the initiative. This is a basic principle in the Bible. This principle is also illustrated in Philippians 2:12 and 13: “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who operates in you both the willing and the working for His good pleasure.” Our working out of our own salvation is related to God’s operating in us. We take the initiative to receive God’so per at i on. When we receive it, we work out our salvation. Then the more we work out our salvation, the more God operates in us. In this way we have a practical salvation for our enjoyment
15我们能否率先撵出信奉异教的各族，撵出天然的生命，在于我们在基督里长大有多少。神应许以色列子民，要从他们面前将异族撵出去。但是，以色列子民必须先将他们赶出去。不过，这必须看他们长大、加增有多少而定。他们愈长大，就愈能先将异族撵出去。照样，我们愈在生命里长大，我们就愈能采取主动把天然的生命撵出去。我们必须长大，让基督来取代我们。我们长大的时候，我们要主动积极地对付我们天然的生命。神定规尊重我们所作的，也一同来对付天然的生命。这是撵出拦阻之人最合式的路，使我们可以在经历上得著基督、享受基督，并赚得基督。
15Taking the initiative to drive out the pagan tribes, the natural life, depends on our growth in Christ. God promised the children of Israel that He would drive out the pagan tribes from before them. But the children of Israel had to take the initiative to drive them out. However, this was dependent on their growth, their increase. The more they grew, the more they could take the initiative to drive out the tribes. Likewise, the more we grow in life, the more we shall take the initiative to drive out the natural life. We need to grow and be replaced by Christ. As we are growing, we shall take the initiative to deal with our natural life. God will honor this by coming in also to deal with the natural life. This is the proper way to drive out the frustraters that we may take possession of Christ, enjoy Him, and gain Him in an experiential way
16不要认为撵出天然的生命并得著基督是在于突发的灵感。我们在这件事上，不该等候主，因为实际上主一直在等著我们。祂特别一直等我们来与祂配合。你豫备好与祂配合来撵出天然的生命么？若是这样，你要先采取行动，神会尊重你。
16Do not think that driving out the natural life and possessing Christ depend on a sudden inspiration. In this matter, we should not wait for the Lord, because the Lord is actually waiting for us. In particular, He is waiting for our cooperation. Are you ready to cooperate with Him to drive out the natural life? If so, take the initiative and God will honor you.
17我们的基督与我们同在，祂不是道理，而是活的人位。此外，神已经应许要替我们作工。不过，我们必须长大，并让基督来取代。我们里面必须有基督的加增，我们就能彀让基督来取代。为这缘故，我们必须与神配合。我们已经指出，腓立比书二章十二和十三节怎样说明这种配合。一方面，神一直在我们里面运行；另一方面，我们必须作出我们自己的救恩。在这件事上，我们与神是合伙人。单单祷告主、等候主，事情是不能成就的。那是宗教的办法，不是圣经的原则。照著圣经的原则，基督与我们同在，神已经应许为我们作工。但是，我们必须长大，让基督加增，并让基督来替代，使我们可以主动积极地把天然的生命赶出去。我们从经历中能彀知道，当我们这样主动积极的时候，神一定尊重我们，与我们一同撵出天然的生命。因此，新约的教训以及我们的属灵经历，都符合出埃及记二十三章所描述的豫表。
17Our Christ is with us not as a doctrine, but as a living Person. Furthermore, God has promised to work on our behalf. However, we must grow and be replaced by Christ. We must have the increase of Christ within us so that we can be replaced by Him. For this, we need to cooperate with God. We have already pointed out how Philippians 2:12 and 13 illustrate this cooperation. On the one hand, God is operating in us; on the other hand, we must work out our own salvation. In this matter we and God are partners. Prayer and mere waiting on the Lord are not the way for this to be accomplished. That is the religious way, not the biblical way. According to the biblical way, Christ is with us and God has promised to work for us. But we must grow to have the increase of Christ and be replaced by Him so that we may take the initiative to drive out the natural life. We know from our experience that when we take the initiative in this way, God comes in to honor us and to join us in driving out the natural life. Thus, the teaching of the New Testament and our spiritual experience agree with the type portrayed in Exodus 23
（四） 毁坏偶像
D. By Destroying the Idols
18出埃及记二十三章二十四节说：『你不可跪拜他们的神，不可事奉他，也不可效法他们的行为，却要把神像尽行拆毁，打碎他们的柱像。』这清楚地指出，以色列子民要将应许之地的偶像尽行摔碎。我们里面若有甚么东西成为偶像取代了主，那个东西就会成为我们的网罗。因此，我们必须拆毁它并打碎它。基督徒的生活不容许任何偶像的存在。我们里面不容许有甚么东西取代了主。我们里面任何霸占主地位的东西都是偶像。我们若要得著包罗万有的基督成为我们的经历，我们就必须摔碎众偶像。
18Exodus 23:24 says, “Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and break in pieces their pillars” (lit.). This indicates clearly that the children of Israel were to destroy all the idols in the promised land. If we have anything within us which is an idol replacing the Lord, that thing will be a snare to us. Thus, we must overthrow it and break it. No idols are allowed in the Christian life. Nothing is permitted to replace the Lord within us. Anything that occupies the place of the Lord within us is an idol. If we would take possession of the all-inclusive Christ for our experience, we must destroy all idols
（五） 藉著耶和华全备的眷顾
E. By Jehovah’s Complete Care
1 赐福与祂百姓的粮与水
1. Blessing His People’s Food and Water
19在二十五、二十六节，我们看见耶和华对祂百姓全备的眷顾。二十五节说：『你们要事奉耶和华你们的神，祂必赐福与你的粮，与你的水。』神应许赐福与祂百姓的粮与水。没有粮与水，祂的百姓就不能得著那地为业，也不能在那地上生活。我们基督徒的生活也是一样。若没有适当的粮与水，我们就无法享受基督、经历基督、赚得基督，并占有基督。我们的粮是话，我们的水就是那灵。
19In verses 25 and 26 we see Jehovah’s complete care for His people. Verse 25 says, “And ye shall serve Jehovah your God, and he will bless thy bread, and thy water” (lit.). God promised to bless His people’s food and drink. Without food and drink it would have been impossible for His people to take possession of the land and live in it. The same is true in our Christian life. Without proper food and drink we cannot enjoy Christ, experience Christ, gain Christ, and possess Christ. Our food is the Word and our drink is the Spirit
20今天主的恢复非常有神的祝福；我们的确有蒙祝福的话以及蒙祝福的那灵。若是你接触一个基督徒团体，看见在那里神以话与那灵来祝福他们，你就应当说：『主，感谢你！你在这里。』惟独我们有蒙祝福的话和蒙祝福的那灵时，我们才能占有基督，享受祂、经历祂，并且完完全全地得著祂。阿利路亚！话与那灵作了我们的粮与水！这是神眷顾我们的表记。
20The Lord’s recovery today is very much under God’s blessing. We certainly have the blessed Word and the blessed Spirit. If you visit a group of Christians and see that the Word and the Spirit are blessed there, you should say, “Lord, thank You. You are here.” Only by having the blessed Word and Spirit can we take possession of Christ, enjoying Him, experiencing Him, and obtaining Him to the uttermost. Hallelujah for the Word and the Spirit as our food and drink! This is a sign of God’s care
2 从他们中间除去疾病
2. Taking Sickness Away from Them
21在二十三章二十五节主说：我『必从你们中间除去疾病。』疾病使我们软弱，拦阻我们长大，甚至叫我们死亡。在哥林多前书十一章三十节保罗题到有好些信徒软弱、患病，死的也不少。当主耶稣来的时候，神百姓中间患病的很多：瞎眼、耳聋、哑口，以及瘫痪。今天许多基督徒在属灵上也是瞎眼、耳聋、哑吧或瘫痪的。你在属灵上健康么？你属灵的视力与听觉又如何？你的言语行动健康么？今天许多基督徒都是瘫痪的，他们在属灵方面寸步难行。惟有我们属灵的视力、听觉、说话，和行动都健康时，我们才能彀得著基督为业，来经历祂并享受祂。正当的教会生活乃是健康的生活，是一种没有瞎眼、耳聋、哑口、瘫痪的生活。倘若在属灵上我们各方面都是健康的，我们就能彀得著基督作为美地，并且经历祂。
21In 23:25 the Lord said, “I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.” Sickness makes us weak, it hinders our growth, and it may even cause us to die. In 1 Corinthians 11:30 Paul refers to certain believers who became weak, sick, or died. When the Lord Jesus came, there was widespread sickness among God’sp eople: blindness, deafness, dumbness, and paralysis. Today many Christians are spiritually blind, deaf, dumb, or paralyzed. Are you healthy spiritually? How is your spiritual eyesight and your spiritual hearing? Are you healthy in your speech and activities? Many of today’s Christians are paralyzed. Spiritually, it is impossible for them to move. Only when we are healthy in our spiritual seeing, hearing, speaking, and moving are we able to take possession of Christ, experience Him, and enjoy Him. The proper church life is a healthy life, a life without blindness, deafness, dumbness, or paralysis. If we are spiritually healthy in every way, we shall be able to take possession of Christ as the good land and experience Him
3 应允他们繁增
3. Granting Them Multiplication
22在二十三章二十六节神应许：『你境内必没有坠胎的、不生产的。』这意思是神应许赐给祂的百姓繁增之福。他们不仅长大、生子，他们还繁增。这里繁增有两个意义：第一是生子，第二是人的成长得以繁衍。我们不只应当长大，我们还需要繁增。通常当一个人在属灵方面长大时，他同时也繁增。
22In 23:26 God promised, “There shall none cast her young, nor be barren, in thy land” (lit.). This means that God promised to give the people multiplication. They would not only grow and produce, but also multiply. Multiplication here has two meanings. First, it means to produce fruit; second, it means that one’s growth is multiplied. We should not simply grow—we should be multiplied. Usually when someone grows spiritually, he is also multiplied.
23根据二十三章二十六节的应许来看，繁增的意思是没有流产的。圣徒可能会有属灵的流产。有些圣徒也许有一段时间在主里长得相当好，但是突然之间，发生了属灵的流产，这使得他们生命的长大、繁增停顿下来。另一个难处是属灵的不生产。有些基督徒有属灵流产的难处，还有些人则不生产。他们不结果子。我们都需要不断长大，并且都要生产、不流产。我们若看到一位弟兄今天和几年前没有两样，这是很可悲的。他就是属灵的不生产。在他没有繁增，也没有复制。我们若看到那些有段时间还很好，突然发生了属灵流产的，这也是很可悲的。我们都必须祷告说：『主，我接受你应许的话。我反对属灵的流产和不生产。主，我要生产，我要繁增、不流产。』
23According to the promise in 23:26, to be multiplied means not to have any miscarriages. It is possible for saints to have a spiritual miscarriage. For a while, some may grow quite well in the Lord. But suddenly they have a spiritual miscarriage, and this causes their growth in life for production to cease. Another problem is spiritual barrenness. Some Christians may have a spiritual miscarriage, but others are barren. They do not bear any fruit. We all need to grow constantly and to produce without miscarriage. It is sad to see a brother who is the same today as he was many years ago. He is spiritually barren. With him there is no multiplication, no reproduction. It is also sad to see those who do well for a period of time, only to have a sudden spiritual miscarriage. We all need to pray, “Lord, I take Your word as a promise. I stand against spiritual miscarriage and barrenness. Lord I want to produce, to multiply without miscarriage
4 使他们活到岁数满了
4. Causing Them to Live to Full Age
24出埃及记二十三章二十六节还说：『我要使你满了你年日的数目。』这意思是，神要叫百姓活到岁数满了，达到成熟。今天，很少人达到属灵方面完满的成熟。你若探讨今天基督徒的著作，听听收音机里所广播的那些话语，你就会晓得大多数的基督徒还非常幼稚。你在那里能彀发现属灵成熟的信徒？谁已经达到完满属灵的年岁？这样的基督徒实在少见。这种缺欠证明基督徒中间的光景多半都没有神的祝福。神愿意祝福他们，但是祂没有路。所以主必须来恢复。我们仰望主，在祂的恢复里、使我们一直有蒙祝福的粮与水；在属灵上，我们各方面不论是视力、听觉、言语，以及活动─都是健康的；我们也不为流产或不生产所苦。我们仰望祂，使我们能活到岁数满了，在属灵上得以成熟。
24Exodus 23:26 also says, “The number of thy days I will fulfil.” This means that God would cause the people to live to full age, to maturity. Today there are very few persons who have come to full spiritual maturity. If you consider the writings of Christians today and what is spoken on the radio broadcasts, you will realize that most Christians are childish. Where can you find believers who are spiritually mature, who have come to full spiritual age? Such Christians are very rare indeed. This lack proves that the situation among most Christians is not under God’s blessing. God is willing to bless them, but He has no way to do so. This is why the Lord has need of the recovery. We look to Him that in His recovery we may always have the blessed food and drink, that we shall be spiritually healthy in every way—in our sight, hearing, speech, and activities— and that we shall not be afflicted with miscarriage or barrenness. We look to Him that we shall come to full age and become mature spiritually
25四十多年前，在教会生活里，很少长老是真正的属灵父亲。长老们多半在生命上还不彀成熟。然而，我能作见证说，许多在主恢复里三、四十年的长老们已经非常地成熟。从属灵方面来说，他们并没有岁数未满就死了。今天我们中间有一些圣徒比起五年前老练、成熟得多了，这使我深受激励。我盼望以后的几年中，更多的圣徒能彀达到成熟；并且就属灵方面来说，没有一位是未熟而死的。不要认为只有长老才必须成熟，不，众圣徒都必须成熟。我盼望今天还幼嫩的姊妹们，将来也能彀成熟。
25More than forty years ago in the church life, there were very few elders who were truly spiritual fathers. Most of those who were elders were not yet very mature in life. But I can testify that many who have been in the recovery for thirty or forty years have become very mature. They did not have a premature death, spiritually speaking. I am also encouraged by the fact that some of the saints among us today are much more experienced and mature than five years ago. I hope that during the next several years many more will come to maturity and that, spiritually speaking, none will die prematurely. Do not think that the elders are the only ones who need to be mature. No, all the saints must mature. I hope that even those who are young sisters today will become mature in the years to come.
26许多与我们在一起几十年的圣徒们还一直在长大，这表示神仍然在补满他们年日的数目。这是非常重要的，因为在主恢复中的教会生活里，我们需要许多属灵上年长的圣徒。如果主回来得迟慢，还要再延后一些年日的话，我盼望众圣徒都要继续长大。连长大的这一方面也是占有基督并赚得基督之路的细节。我很难过在大多数的基督徒团体中间，你会发现流产、不生产，和不成熟这些光景。他们中间所谈论的许多只有幼稚园程度。在主恢复里的教会生活中，光景必须不一样。倘若我们中间有许多在属灵方面年长、成熟的，这就证明我们一直在得著基督为业。我们已经指出，神对祂百姓完全的眷顾包括四个点：赐福与他们的粮与水，从他们中间除去疾病，应允他们繁增，使他们活到岁数满了。这四件事排列的顺序太好了。我们若有适当的粮与水，我们中间就没有疾病，我们就会多结果子，不会流产。最后，神要使我们岁数满了、我们都会长寿。
26Many who have been with us for decades are still growing. This means that God is still fulfilling the number of their days. This is important, for in the church life in the Lord’s recovery we need a good number of those who are spiritually aged. If the Lord delays His coming back for many years, I hope that all the saints will keep on growing. Even this aspect of growth is one of the details of the way to take possession of Christ and gain Him. I am sorry that among most Christian groups you find miscarriage, barrenness, and immaturity. Much of the talk among them is on a kindergarten level. The situation must be different in the church life in the Lord’s recovery. If we have many among us who are spiritually aged, mature, this is a proof that we are taking Christ as our possession. We have pointed out that God’s complete care of His people includes four items: blessing their food and water, taking sickness away from them, granting them multiplication, and causing them to live to full age. These matters are arranged in an excellent sequence. If we have proper food and water, there will be no disease among us. Then we shall be fruitful and not have miscarriages. Finally, our days will be fulfilled, and we shall have a long life
27主对我们完全的眷顾第二、第三、第四方面都有赖于第一方面─祂赐福与我们的粮与水。我们都需要适当的食物─话，以及适当的饮水─那灵。这样，我们就会健康。多结果子，并且成熟。我们会过一个健康而丰盛的生活。结果，我们有力量主动积极地撵出异族，就是天然的生命。这样，全地，整个基督，都要成为我们的享受。我很宝爱旧约圣经里面由不同的拼图板所组合成的图画。首先，我们有基督，祂是奉差遣的那位，是耶和华的使者。其次，我们有神，祂是为我们作工的那位。我们还有蒙祂祝福的粮与水。我们若吃喝得合式，就会长大并繁增。我们中间就不会有疾病、流产、不生产，或不成熟的属灵死亡。因著长大、繁增，和成熟，我们就能彀撵出天然的生命，让基督来取代，因而享受祂，并完全占有祂。为著旧约的这幅图画，我们要感谢主，它详尽地给我们看见如何得著基督作美地。
27The second, third, and fourth aspects of the Lord’s complete care are dependent on the first—His blessing on our food and drink. We all need the proper food of the Word and the proper drink of the Spirit. Then we shall be healthy, fruitful, and mature. We shall have a healthy and abundant life. As a result, we shall have the strength to take the initiative to drive out the pagan tribes, the natural life. Then the whole land, the entire Christ, will become our enjoyment. I appreciate the picture in the Old Testament formed by putting together the different pieces of the puzzle. First we have Christ as the sent One, the Angel of Jehovah. Then we have God, the One working for us, and also the food and water under His blessing. If we eat and drink properly, we shall grow and multiply. Among us there will be no sickness, miscarriage, barrenness, or premature spiritual death. Through our growth, multiplication, and maturity we shall be qualified to drive out the natural life, allow Christ to replace it, and then enjoy Him and take full possession of Him. We thank the Lord for this picture in the Old Testament showing us in detail how to take possession of Christ as the good land.