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马太福音生命读经 · 第3篇

王的家世与身分（三）

THE KING’S ANTECEDENTS AND STATUS (3)
1凡旧约中所记载的，都与基督有关。全本旧约都是基督直接或间接的记载。我们若要明白基督的家谱，就必须回到旧约，仔细的读。我们若这样作，就会领悟旧约是基督的记载。这证明全本圣经乃是基督的启示。
1Whatever is recorded in the Old Testament is related to Christ. The whole Old Testament is a record of Christ, either directly or indirectly. If we want to understand the genealogy of Christ, we must go back to the Old Testament and read it carefully. If we do this, we shall realize that the Old Testament is a record of Christ. This proves that the entire Bible is a revelation of Christ
2我们已经从基督的谱系看见，祂的家谱包括各式各样的人：低微的、高尚的、善良的、恶劣的、列祖、君王、平民、被掳的、恢复的、甚至名声不好的女人。然而，我们必须领悟，这里有一些管治的原则。从这些人的生活中，我们能发现一些管治我们与基督联合的原则。基督的家谱包括各式各样的人，但不是随便的。无论我们是谁，或从那里来，我们若履行这些原则，就能包括在基督的家谱里。虽然我们已经看见这事，但我们看得还不彀，因为还有许多人我们要看。
2We have seen from the genealogy of Christ that His generation includes all kinds of people: low, high, good, bad, fathers, kings, civilians, captives, recovered ones, and even women with a poor reputation. Nevertheless, we must realize that there are some governing principles here. From the lives of all these persons, we can discover certain principles which govern our association with Christ. The generation of Christ includes all kinds of persons, but not in a loose way. No matter what we are or where we came from, we can be included in the generation of Christ if we fulfill the principles. Although we have seen this already, we have not seen it adequately, for there are many more persons to cover
九 、他玛
I. Tamar
3我们所要看的第一位是他玛。他玛与公公乱伦而怀孕。（创三八～27。）就道德说，这是可悲的；就伦理说，这是可怕的。没有人会称义这事。虽然我研读创世记多年，但每当我读到三十八章的时候，仍然觉得痛心。就一面说，他玛所行的根本不好。然而她是义的。错不在她那面，乃在她公公犹大那面。犹大承认他玛比他更有义。（创三八26。）你也许说，他玛的行为没有藉口，乱伦总是与双方有关。虽然他玛也许要负某种程度的责任，但她是义的，因她有心为著长子的名分。
3The first one we shall consider is Tamar. Tamar conceived through committing incest with her father - in - law (Gen. 38:6-27). Morally speaking, 6 this was deplorable and ethically speaking, it was awful. Nobody would justify this. Although I have been studying Genesis for many years, my heart still aches whenever I read chapter thirty-eight. In a sense, what Tamar did was not good at all. Nevertheless, she was righteous. The fault was not on her side, but on the side of her father-in-law, Judah, who admitted that she was more righteous than he (Gen. 3 8:2 6). You may say that there was no excuse for Tamar’s deed and that incest always involves both sides. Although Tamar may beheld responsible to a certain extent, she was righteous, and she had a heart for the birthright.
4因为我们来自不同的背景，不太领会长子名分，以及长子名分对当时人的意义，所以我需要对这事说一点话。在他玛的时代，长子的名分大有意义。（创三八6～8。）我在上篇信息曾指出，长子名分包含双分地土、祭司职分和君王职分。双分地土是指对基督的双分享受。地土是基督，双分地土不是对基督平常、普通的享受，乃是对基督特别、特殊的享受。祭司职分和君王职分也都与基督有关。因为在亚伯拉罕以后的世代，长子名分完全是承受基督的事。以弗所二章十二节告诉我们，我们原是不信的人，没有基督。但因著相信主耶稣，我们已经被带进长子的名分里。我们已经被放在基督里，基督已经成为我们的分，祂甚至要成为我们双重的分。我们藉著祂，在祂里面，并同著祂，就有祭司职分和君王职分。基督自己是我们的美地，我们的祭司职分，和我们的君王职分。
4Because we come from a different background and have little understanding of the birthright and of its meaning to the people in those days, I need to say a word about it. In Tamar’st i me, the birthright meant a great deal (Gen. 38:6-8). As I pointed out in the last message, the birthright included a double portion of the land, the priesthood, and the kingship. The double portion of the land refers to the double enjoyment of Christ. The land is Christ, and the double portion of the land is not the ordinary, common enjoyment of Christ, but something special, something extraordinary in the enjoyment of Christ. Both the priesthood and the kingship are also related to Christ. For the generation after Abraham, the birthright was altogether a matter of inheriting Christ. In Ephesians 2:12, we are told that when we were unbelievers, we were without Christ. But by believing in the Lord Jesus, we have been brought into the birthright. We have been put into Christ, Christ has become our portion, and He will even be our double portion. Through Him, in Him, and with Him we have the priesthood and the kingship. Christ Himself is our good land, our priesthood, and our kingship.
5现在我们就能领会，为甚么他玛急切要得著长子的名分。她知道她若被剪除，就会与神的应许无分无关。神的应许就是祂自己在基督里成为神选民的分。他玛不愿失去这福分。
5Now we can understand why Tamar was anxious to have the birthright. She knew that if she were cut off, she would be through with God’s promise. And God’s promise was simply the promise of Himself to be the portion of His chosen people in Christ. Tamar was not willing to miss this blessing
6他玛是犹大的长媳。长子该承受长子的名分。但他玛的丈夫在耶和华眼中看为恶，耶和华就叫他死了。（创三八7。）耶和华也叫犹大的次子死了。（创三八8～10。）照著古时的规定，犹大应当安排三子娶他玛，好生子承受长子的名分。然而，犹大没有尽他的责任。就一面说，犹大欺骗了他玛。（创三八11～14。）但他玛没有放弃，她甚至不择手段要得著长子的名分。无论她的手段适当与否，他玛是尽其所能要得著长子的名分。
6Tamar was the wife of the first son of Judah. This son should have inherited the birthright. But Tamar’s husband was wicked in the eyes of the Lord, and the Lord took his life (Gen. 38:7). The Lord also slew Judah’s second son (Gen. 38:8-10). According to the ancient regulations, Judah should have arranged for his next son to marry Tamarin order that a son might be brought forth to inherit the birthright. Judah, however, did not fulfill his responsibility. In a sense, Judah cheated Tamar (Gen. 38:11-14). But Tamar did not give up; rather, she even used an unseemly means to obtain the birthright. Whether the means was unseemly or not, Tamar did her best to get that birthright
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7To have the birthright is simply to gain Christ. In order to gain Christ, we must be ready to take a way that does not seem to be the best way. Let me tell you a story that illustrates this, but try to understand me; do not misunderstand me. In the past, some young people in China were inspired by my preaching, believed in the Lord Jesus, and desired to be baptized. However, their parents, who were Buddhists, were very much opposed to this. When they learned that their children were planning to be baptized, they gave them no opportunity to leave home. The young people prayed about this. Eventually, they told their parents that they had to be in school for a certain half-day period. That was surely a lie, for they did not go to school; they went to the church to be baptized. Although they told a lie, it was a pure lie. Their intention in telling that lie was very pleasing to God. If you want to gain Christ, you should not care for the way. Do not be religious; do not keep the rules and regulations. Gain Christ! You need to gain Christ. By any means, get the birthright.
8得长子的名分就是得著基督。要得著基督，我们必须豫备好采用一种似乎不是最好的作法。你若要得著基督，不该在意作法。只要得著基督！你需要得著基督。无论如何，要得著长子的名分。
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9他玛藉著不当的手段，得著了长子的名分。但在圣经的神圣记载里，他玛的名字并不是不好的名字。路得记四章十二节指明，这名字是受尊重的。在这节里长老说，『愿…你的家像他玛从犹大所生法勒斯的家一般。』他玛的名字是受尊重的，因为她不顾罪恶的事，只顾长子的名分。今天这事对我们的意义是说，我们若顾到基督，并寻求祂，任何能叫我们真正得著祂的作法，都是正确的作法。
9It was through an unseemly means that Tamar acquired the birthright. But in the divine record in the Bible, the name of Tamar is not a bad name. Ruth 4:12 indicates that this name is sacred. In this verse the elders said, “ And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah.” The name of Tamar is sacred because she did not care for anything sinful; she cared only for the birthright. The significance of this for us today is that if we care for Christ and are seeking Him, any way we can truly gain Him is the right way
十 、法勒斯和谢拉
J. Pharez and Zarah
10从他玛我们往前到她的儿子法勒斯。（太一3。）他玛怀了双生子。（创三八27～30。）生产的时候，一个男孩谢拉想要先出来，但未成功。他伸出一只手来，收生婆用红线作了记号，指明他会是长子。然而，法勒斯先他而生，成了长子。因此，在前的成了在后的，在后的成了在前的。收生婆很惊讶。这是如何得著长子名分的好例证。法勒斯承受了长子的名分。不是人拣选他，乃是神打发他。这证明不在于人的努力，乃在于神的拣选。母亲的故事告诉我们一面：我们该切慕长子的名分，尽我们所能的得著；儿子的故事告诉我们另一面：我们也许尽力要得著长子的名分，但实际上这是神的拣选，不是我们的努力。（见罗九11。）
10From Tamar we go on to her son, Pharez (v. 3). Tamar conceived twins (Gen. 38:27-30). At the time of delivery, one boy, Zarah, tried to come out first, but he did not succeed. He put out his hand, and the midwife marked it with a scarlet thread, indicating that he would be the firstborn. However, Pharez preceded him to be the firstborn. Thus, the first became the last, and the last became the first. The midwife was surprised. This is a good illustration of how to gain the birthright. Pharez inherited the birthright. Man did not choose him, but God sent him. This proves that it is not up to man’s endeavoring; it is up to God’s choice. The mother’s story tells us one side: that we should be anxious for the birthright, trying our best to obtain it; the son’s story tells us the other side: that although we may strive to obtain the birthright, it is actually a matter of God’s choice, not our efforts (see Rom. 9:11
11我记得一个关于慕迪（D．L．）的故事。有一天，慕迪圣经学院的一个学生对他说，『慕迪先生，我读了新约，知道所有得救的人都是蒙拣选的人，是神在创世以前所豫定的。现在我有个问题。我若传福音，并说服人相信，我可能会作错，劝服神所没有拣选的人。我怎么办？』慕迪回答说，『孩子，只管尽力去传。当人进门的时候，他们会看外面写著：「凡愿意的都可以来。」但他们一旦进了门，就会回头看见里面写著：「在创世以前蒙拣选的。」』他玛的故事就是说，『凡愿意的都可以来。』他玛愿意，他玛也来了。但她儿子的故事是说，『在创世以前所拣选的。』也许你是今日的他玛，挣扎努力要得著长子的名分。然而你一旦得著了，就会回头看见你是创世以前蒙拣选的。长子的名分不在于我们，乃在于祂的拣选。
11I remember a story concerning D. L. Moody. One day a student a this Bible institute said to him, Moody “Mr. Moody, by reading the New Testament I have learned that all the saved ones are the chosen ones, predestinated by God before the foundation of the world. Now I have a problem. If I preach the gospel and convince people to believe, I may do something wrong and persuade someone whom God has not chosen. What shall I do?” Moody replied, “My son, just go ahead to do your best. As people enter the door, they will see written on the outside, ‘Whosoever will may come.’ But once they have entered the door, they will look back and see written on the inside, ‘Chosen before the foundation of the world.’” Tamar’s story means, “Whosoever will may come.” Tamar willed and Tamar came. But her son’s story means, “Chosen before the foundation of the world.” Perhaps you are today’sT amar, striving and laboring to obtain the birthright. But once you gain it, you will look back and see that you were chosen before the foundation of the world. The birthright does not depend on us; it depends on His choice.
十一 、喇合
K. Rahab
12我们往前看喇合。（太一5。）喇合是耶利哥的妓女，（书二1，）耶利哥是神永远咒诅之地。（书六26。）虽然她是在这样一个地方的妓女，但她成了基督的先祖。妓女怎能成为基督的先祖？要答覆这问题，我们需要找出原则。除了喇合、她的家人、和她所有的以外，耶利哥的人都被杀尽了！。她蒙拯救是因她归向神和神的子民。（书六22～23，25，来十一31。）她归向神和神的子民以后，嫁给撒门，他是领头的犹大支派军中的首领，也是约书亚打发去窥探耶利哥的一个探子。那时，撒门认识了喇合，就一面说，也拯救了她。至终，喇合嫁给他，他们生了一个敬虔的人，名叫波阿斯。
12We proceed to Rahab (v. 5). Rahab was a harlot in Jericho (Josh. 2:1), a place cursed by God for eternity. Although she was a harlot in such a place, she became a grandmother of Christ. How could a harlot become a grandmother of Christ? In order to answer this question, we need to find the principles. The entire population of Jericho was destroyed except Rahab, her family, and her possessions. She was saved because she turned to God and God’sp eople (Josh. 6:22- 23, 25; Heb. 11:31). After she turned to God and His people, she married Salmon, a leader in the army of the leading tribe of Judah and one of the men sent by Joshua to spy out Jericho. At that time, Salmon became acquainted with Rahab and, in a sense, saved her. Eventually, Rahab married him, and they brought forth a godly man named Boaz
13现在我们必须全神贯注于管治我们与基督联合的原则。第一个原则是，无论我们的背景如何，我们都必须归向神和神的子民。第二，我们必须与适当的人结合，这不是就物质的意义说，乃是就属灵的意义说。我们归向神和神的子民以后，必须与适当的人联合、建造、并调和。第三，我们必须生出正确的果实。然后我们就会完全在基督的长子名分里。
13Now we must pay our full attention to the principles governing our association with Christ. The first principle is that, no matter what our background is, we must turn to God and to God’sp eople. Second, we must marry the proper person, not in a physical sense, but in a spiritual sense. After we have turned to God and to God’sp eople, we must be joined, built up, and involved with the proper person. Third, we must bring forth the proper fruit. Then we will be fully in the portion of the birthright of Christ.
14今天许多基督徒似乎失去了长子的名分。他们没有撒门和波阿斯。你若要有撒门和波阿斯，必须与正确的信徒，与领头支派中正确的领头人调和。然后你需要生出正确的果实，就是大卫的先祖波阿斯。我们必须归向主，我们必须归向主的子民；我们必须顾到如何与别人调和。我们若与适当的人调和，必然会生出正确的果实。这会保守我们在对基督长子名分的完满享受里。
14It seems that many Christians today have lost their birthright. They do not have Salmon and Boaz. If you would have a Salmon and a Boaz, you must become involved with the proper believers, with the proper leading ones in the leading tribes. Then you need to bring forth the proper fruit, Boaz, who will be a forefather of David. We must turn to the Lord, and we must turn to the Lord’sp eople; we must also take care of how we become involved with others. If we become involved with the proper persons, surely we shall bring forth the proper fruit. This will keep us in the full enjoyment of the birthright of Christ
十二 、波阿斯
L. Boaz
15我们若要知道波阿斯的故事，就必须读路得记。这是个很好的故事。波阿斯是基督的豫表，路得是召会的豫表。路得记告诉我们，波阿斯赎回了路得，也为她赎回了长子的名分。这就是说，作我们真波阿斯的基督，赎回了我们和长子的名分。
15If we are to know the story of Boaz, we must read the book of Ruth. It is a good story. Boaz is a type of Christ, and Ruth is a type of the church. The book of Ruth tells us that Boaz redeemed Ruth; he also redeemed the birthright for her. This means that Christ, as our real Boaz, has redeemed both us and the birthright
16波阿斯赎回他亲属的产业，并娶了那人的寡妇；（得四1～17；）因此，他成了基督显著的先祖，基督伟大的同伙。你既是弟兄，是波阿斯，就该顾到别人的基督长子名分，不该单顾自己的长子名分。换句话说，你不仅该顾到自己对基督的享受，也该顾到别人对基督的享受。
16Boaz redeemed his kinsman’s inheritance and married the man’s widow (Ruth 4:1-17); hence, he became a notable forefather of Christ, a great associate of Christ. As a brother and a Boaz, you should take care of others’ birthright of Christ, not only your own birthright. In other words, you should not only take care of your own enjoyment of Christ, but also others’ enjoyment of Christ
17路得是拿俄米的媳妇。我们读这故事，看见路得和拿俄米已经失去了享受，就是长子的名分，但照著神的规定，有一条路可恢复长子的名分，将其赎回，但必须由别人赎回。今天在召会生活中，原则是一样的，我若失去长子的名分，弟兄们有一条路为我赎回。常常有些亲爱的圣徒失去对基督的享受。就一面说，他们成了拿俄米或路得。若是这样，你需要成为波阿斯，能赎回别人失去的长子名分，并与被赎回的人结合。
17Ruth was the daughter-in-law of Naomi. As we read this story, we see that Ruth and Naomi had lost the enjoyment, the birthright, but according to God’s regulation there was away to restore the birthright, to redeem it. But it had to be redeemed by someone else. The principle is the same in the church life today. If I lose the birthright, the brothers have a way to redeem it for me. Quite often, some dear ones lose their enjoyment of Christ. In a sense, they become Naomi or Ruth. If so, you need to be a Boaz, able to redeem the lost birthright and marry the redeemed one
18假定我是真正的路得，失去了丈夫。失去丈夫的意思就是失去长子名分的享受。我有长子的名分，但我失去了对长子名分的享受。因此，我需要你作我的弟兄，赎回我的长子名分。但你需要在基督里多少丰富一点。你需要有一些丰富，用以赎回我的长子名分。然后你付代价，重新得回我的长子名分，并且你也与我结合。这就是说，你与我调和。这样的属灵调和会产生大卫的祖父俄备得。波阿斯成了基督一位伟大的先祖。就属灵的意义说，他享受了基督最大、最丰富的分。一位弟兄若成了我的波阿斯，他将成为对基督有最大享受的人。因为他赎回了我的长子名分，并且这样与我调和，我们在主里的调和，至终会生出对基督的完满享受。
18Suppose I am a real Ruth who has lost her husband. To lose the husband means to lose the enjoyment of the birthright. I have the birthright, but I have lost the enjoyment of the birthright. Thus, I need you, as my brother, to redeem my birthright. But you need to be somewhat richer in Christ. You need to have some riches with which to redeem my birthright. Then you pay the price to regain my birthright, and you also marry me. This means that you become involved with me. This kind of spiritual involvement will produce Obed, the grandfather of David. Boaz became one of the great forefathers of Christ. In a spiritual sense, he was the one who enjoyed the largest and richest portion of Christ. If a brother becomes a Boaz to me, he will be the one with the greatest enjoyment of Christ. Because he redeemed my birthright and became so involved with me, our involvement in the Lord will eventually bring forth the full enjoyment of Christ
19今天在召会生活里，我们需要有许多波阿斯。路得记告诉我们，有另一个亲属与路得的关系比波阿斯更近。但那人自私自利，只顾自己的长子名分。他害怕因顾到别人的长子名分，有损于自己的长子名分。这正是今天的光景。有些弟兄该顾到我这个可怜的路得，但他们在对基督的属灵享受上很自私。甚至在对基督的属灵享受上，我们也很可能是自私的。然而，波阿斯很慷慨，付了代价，赎回我的长子名分。这一切都指明我们不仅该顾到自己的长子名分，也该顾到别人的长子名分。一天又一天，我们该顾到别人对基督的享受。我们越这样作越好。
19In the church life today we need to have a number of Boazes. The book of Ruth tells us that there was another kinsman who was even closer to Ruth than Boaz was. But that man was selfish; he only took care of his own birthright. He was afraid that taking care of another’s might mar his own. This is exactly today’s situation. Some brothers should take care of me, the poor Ruth, but they are selfish in the spiritual enjoyment of Christ. Even in the spiritual enjoyment of Christ it is quite possible to be selfish. However, a Boaz will be generous and pay the price to redeem my birthright. All this indicates that we should take care of not only our own birthright, but also others’ birthright. Day by day we should take care of others’ enjoy ment of Christ. The more we do this, the better
十三 、路得
M. Ruth
20我们现在来看路得。（太一5。）我们可以说，路得的确是个好女人，但她有很大的缺欠。虽然她自己与乱伦无关，但她的出身是乱伦的。路得属摩押族。（得一4。）摩押是罗得的儿子，是罗得与他女儿乱伦所生的后裔。（创十九30～。）照著申命记二十三章三节，摩押人不可入耶和华的会，他们的子孙虽过十代，也不可入耶和华的会。因此，路得是被排斥的人，然而，她不仅蒙主悦纳，也成了有分于对基督之享受的美妙人物。
20We come now to Ruth (1:5). We may say that Ruth was certainly a good woman, but she had a great shortage. Although she herself was not involved in incest, her origin was a matter of incest. Ruth belonged to the tribe of Moab (Ruth 1:4). Moab was the son of Lot, the fruit of Lot’since stu o us union with his daughter (Gen. 1 9:3 0-3 8). According to Deuteronomy 23:3, the Moabites 38 were forbidden to enter the congregation of the Lord, even to the tenth generation. Thus, Ruth was an excluded one. However, not only was she accepted by the Lord, but she became a wonderful person who partook of the enjoyment of Christ.
21虽然路得是摩押人，不可入耶和华的会，但她寻求神和神的百姓。（得一15～17，二11～12。）这启示出最有力的原则：不论我们是谁，背景如何，只要我们有心寻求神和神的百姓，就得在一地位上，被接纳到基督的长子名分里。路得嫁给神百姓中敬虔的人波阿斯，生出大卫王的祖父俄备得。
21Although, as a Moabitess, Ruth was not allowed to enter the congregation of the Lord, she was seeking God and God’sp eople (Ruth 1:15-17; 2:11-12). This reveals a most prevailing principle: no matter who we are or what our background is, as long as we have a heart which seeks after God and God’sp eople, we are in a position to be accepted into the birthright of Christ. Ruth married Boaz, a godly man among God’s people, and brought forth Obed, the grandfather of David the king.
22波阿斯的母亲喇合是迦南人，他的妻子是摩押人，二人都是外邦人。然而，她们与基督联结。这有力的证明，基督不仅与犹太人联合，也与外邦人联合，甚至与低贱阶层的外邦人联合。
22Boaz’s mother was Rahab, a Canaanitess, and his wife Ruth was a Moabitess. Both were Gentiles. Nevertheless, they were associated with Christ. This is a strong proof that Christ is joined not only to the Jews, but also to the Gentiles, even the Gentiles of a low and mean class
23也许你的出身寒微，你的背景可怜，但不要被这事困扰或阻挠。把这事忘掉！没有甚么比从摩押生的更糟。但只要你有心寻求神和神的百姓，只要你与适当的人（如波阿斯）调和，你就会进入对基督双分的享受里。
23You may have been born of a poor origin and have a pitiful background, but do not be bothered or frustrated by that. Forget it! Nothing can be worse than a person born of Moab. But as long as you have a heart to seek after God and God’sp eople and as long as you become involved with the proper person, such as Boaz, you will enter into the double portion of the enjoyment of Christ
十四 、耶西
N. Jesse
24我们接著看耶西。（太一5～6。）关于耶西，圣经没有说得很多，但所说的却很重要。以赛亚十一11:1章两次说到耶西。以赛亚十一章一节说，基督将是从耶西的不发出的枝条，从他的根生出的枝子。（直译。）基督乃从耶西而出。以赛亚十一章十节说，基督是耶西的根，指明耶西是从基督而出。耶西是全然出于基督的人；他也是带进基督的人。基督出于他，他也出于基督。基督是他的枝条，基督也是他的根。我们需要从主来的光，好领会这些事。
24We continue with Jesse (v v. 5-6). Although the Bible does not have much to say about Jesse, what it does say about him is important. Isaiah chapter eleven speaks twice regarding Jesse. Isaiah says that Christ will be the shoot (“rod” should be “shoot,” Heb.) out of the stem of Jesse and a branch out of the root of Jesse. Christ came out of him. Isaiah 11:10 says that Christ is the root of Jesse, indicating that Jesse came out of Christ. Jesse is a man altogether out of Christ; he is also a person who brings forth Christ. Christ comes out of him, and he comes out of Christ. Christ was his branch, and Christ was also his root. We need light from the Lord to understand these things.
25耶西是甚么?耶西是带进基督、藉著生根于基督而长出基督枝条的人。当你长出基督枝条的时候，不要忘了基督不仅是你的枝条，也是你的根。基督从你而出，你也从基督而出。基督是我们的源头，基督也是我们的流出。这就是说，我们与基督是一，与祂非常紧密的联结在一起。我们在祂里面，祂也在我们里面。祂从我们流出，我们也生根于祂。这就是享受基督长子名分的人。
25What is a Jesse? A Jesse is a person who brings forth Christ, who branches out Christ by being rooted in Christ. When you branch out Christ, do not forget that Christ is not only your branch, but also your root. Christ branches out of you, and you come out of Christ. Christ is our source, and Christ is also our issue. This means that we are one with Christ and very closely associated with Him. We are in Him, and He is in us. He issues out of us, and we are rooted in Him. This is the kind of person who enjoys the birthright of Christ.
26我们都必须是波阿斯、路得、耶西、他玛。我们需要成为这一个人，然后成为那一个人。至终我们要说，『为著每个人赞美主！每个人的光景都和我一样。他玛的光景也是我的光景。好的光景和坏的光景都和我的一样。我是他玛，我是法勒斯，我是喇合，我是波阿斯，我是路得，我也是耶西。阿利路亚！』在耶西之后，至终我们是大卫。
26We all must be a Boaz, a Ruth, a Jesse, and a Tamar. We need to be this person and then that person. Eventually we shall say, “Praise the Lord for everybody! Everybody’s condition is the same as mine. Tamar’s condition is also my condition. The good conditions and the bad conditions are all the same as mine. I am Tamar, I am Pharez, I am Rahab, I am Boaz, I am Ruth, and I am Jesse. Hallelujah!” After Jesse, eventually we are David
十五 、大卫
O. David
27大卫是他父亲的第八子，是最小的。这很有意义。在圣经里，八这数字表征复活，是新的起头。第八天是第二周的第一天，因此表征新的、复活的事物。当撒母耳来膏神百姓的王时，耶西把七个儿子摆在他面前。撒母耳看著他们说，『这都不是耶和华所拣选的。』当撒母耳知道有一个老八，大卫，就打发人叫他来，并且膏了他。（撒上十六10～13。）这就是说，我们蒙拣选、得拯救的人，不是属于第一周的人，乃是属于第二周第一天的人。我们是第八子。
27David was the eighth son of his father, the youngest one. This is meaningful. In the Bible the number eight signifies resurrection, a new start. The eighth day is the first day of the second week; hence, it signifies something new, something of resurrection. When Samuel came to anoint the king of God’sp eople, Jesse presented his seven sons to him. Samuel looked at them and said, “The Lord hath not chosen these.” When Samuel learned that there was an eighth one, David, he sent for him and anointed him (1 Sam. 16:10-13). This means that we who are chosen and saved are not people of the first week; we are those of the first day of the second week. We are the eighth child
28大卫是列祖时代的最后一代；列祖有十四代。大卫在基督家谱中是列祖阶段的总结。大卫也是君王时代的第一代。本家谱只在题到大卫时，才用王的称谓，因为国度和君王的职分，是藉著他带进的。他结束了一个阶段，开创了另一个阶段。他是两个时代的界碑。他结束了一个时代，开创了另一个时代，因为他丰丰满满的享受了基督。我们若要对基督有丰富的享受，常常需要结束一种局面，开创另一种局面。然而，许多亲爱的圣徒既不能结束，也不能开创。至终，他们甚么也不是。在召会生活里，我们需要一些大卫，一些刚强的人，结束某些局面，开创另一种局面。我们需要有人结束列祖时代，开创君王时代。我们必须刚强；我们必须是第八子；我们必须是大卫。
28David was the last of the generations of the fathers, which were fourteen generations. David was the conclusion of the fathers’ section in the genealogy of Christ. David was also the first of the generations of the kings. In this genealogy, only of David does it say “the king,” because it was through him that the kingdom with the kingship was brought in. He was the conclusion of one section and the beginning of the next section. He was the landmark of two ages. He was the ending of one and the beginning of the other because he was very much in the enjoyment of Christ. If we would have the rich enjoyment of Christ, we shall often need to be the end of one situation and the beginning of another situation. However, many of the dear ones can neither be the ending nor the beginning. Eventually, they are just nothing. In the church life, we need some Davids, some stronger ones to conclude certain situations and open up other situations. We need someone to close the fathers’ generation and to open up the kings’ generation. We must be strong; we must be the eighth son; we must be David.
29大卫是合神心意的人。（撒上十三14。）神亲自告诉扫罗，祂要人顶替他，因祂已寻得合祂心意的人。大卫在一生中犯了一个大错：他谋杀了一个人，夺了他的妻子。除此以外，他没有作过一件错事。大卫在一次行动中犯了两个大罪：杀人和奸淫。神自己定罪这事。圣经说，大卫除了这一件事，一生都是行耶和华眼中著为正的事。（王上十五5。）
29David was a man after the heart of God (1 Sam. 13:14). God Himself told Saul that He would replace him, for He had found a man after His heart. In his whole life, David did nothing wrong, except one great thing: he murdered a man and took his wife. In one act David committed two great sins, murder and adultery. God Himself condemned this. The Bible says that David did right in the eyes of the Lord all the days of his life, except for this one thing (1 Kings 15:5
十六 、乌利亚的妻子（拔示巴）
P. The Wife of Uriah (Bathsheba
30大卫谋杀乌利亚，夺了他的妻子拔示巴。她是外邦赫人的妻子。（撒下十一3。）她的改嫁是奸淫的结果。（撒下十一26～27。）
30David murdered Uriah and took his wife, Bathsheba. She was the wife of a Hittite, a heathen (2 Sam. 11:3). She was remarried as a result of adultery (2 Sam. 11:26-27
十七 、所罗门
Q. Solomon
31大卫犯了杀人、奸淫的罪以后，受到申言者拿单的责备。神特意打发拿单去定罪他。（撒下十二1～12。）大卫被定罪以后，就悔改了。诗篇五十一篇就是个的悔罪诗。大卫悔改，神就赦免。（撒下十二13。）有悔改，也有赦免。这里共有三项：过犯、悔改和赦免。我们若将这三项放在一起，结果就是所罗门。首先有过犯和悔改加上赦免，以后有所罗门，（撒下十二24，）就是建造神殿的人。所罗门不仅是过犯与悔改的结果，也是过犯、悔改与神赦免的结果。这里我们看见两种结合；第一种是大卫与拔示巴之间的结合。第二种是属灵的结合，就是大卫的过犯和悔改与神赦免的结合。神的赦免与大卫的过犯和悔改结合。这种结合生出了一个名叫所罗门的人，他建造了神的殿。召会总是藉著所罗门这样的人建造的，他是人的过犯和悔改加上神赦免的结果。
31After David committed murder and adultery, he was rebuked by the prophet Nathan, whom God sent purposely to condemn him (2 Sam. 12:1-12). After he was condemned, David repented. Psalm 51 is David’s psalm of repentance. David repented and God forgave (2 Sam. 12:13). There was repentance and there was forgiveness. Altogether we have three items here: transgression, repentance, and forgiveness. If we put all three together, the result is Solomon. First there were transgression and repentance plus forgiveness. After that, there was Solomon (2 Sam. 12:24), the one who built God’stem ple. Solomon is the result not only of transgression and repentance, but of transgression, repentance, and God’s forgiveness. Here we see two marriages. The first was a marriage between David and Bathsheba. The second was a spiritual marriage, the marriage of David’s transgression and repentance with God’s forgiveness. God’s forgiveness married David’s transgression and repentance. This marriage brought forth the man named Solomon who built the temple of God. The church is always built up by this kind of person, Solomon, the issue of man’s transgression and repentance plus God’s forgiveness
32大卫得著神的赦免，复得救恩的喜乐以后，他就为锡安，为耶路撒冷城墙的建造，为他国的坚立祷告。（诗五一18。）至终，因著神赦免他的罪，神就赐他一个儿子建造神的殿，这是为著神的同在，作耶路撒冷的中心。
32After David received God’s forgiveness and the joy of his salvation was restored, he prayed for Zion, for the building of the walls of Jerusalem, for the strengthening of his kingdom (Psa. 51:18). Eventually, as the result of God’s forgiveness of his sin, God gave him a son to build the temple of God for God’s presence as the center of the city of Jerusalem.
33我盼望主会给你看见人的言语所无法说的。倘若你至今仍是一个典型的好人，从未谋害过人，从未犯过罪，从不需要悔改。那么神就不需要赦免你。若是这样，就绝不会有所罗门，神的殿也绝不会建造起来。我们已经看见，神殿的建造来自人的过犯和悔改加上神的赦免。
33I hope the Lord will show you what human words cannot say. If you have been and still are a typically good person who has never murdered others, who has never transgressed, and who has never needed to repent, then God does not need to forgive you. If this is the case, then there will never be a Solomon, and the temple of God will never be built up. As we have seen, the building up of God’stem ple comes from man’s transgression and repentance plus God’s forgiveness
34有一天我对主说，『主，我的过犯和悔改需要你的赦免。但是主，你比我更清楚，你的赦免也需要我的过犯。我的过犯需要你的赦免，你的赦免也需要我的过犯。我若没有过犯，那么你就无处运用你的赦免。』当我对主这样说，神似乎说，『不错，因著你的过犯和悔改，我的确有机会运用我的赦免。我对此很喜乐。』但你绝不该说，『让我们作恶以成善罢。』你必须尽力而为。但无论你多尽力要作主眼中看为正的事，迟早有事情会发生。突然之间你会谋害人、强占人，你会犯错。然而，你犯了错以后，会有一条路让你悔改。你若悔改，神会豫备好赦免你。然后你会生一个儿子，给他起名叫所罗门。所罗门这名的意思是『平安。』（撒下十二24，代上二二9。）但所罗门还有另一个名字，『耶底底亚，（撒下十二25，）意思是『主所爱的。』对你而言，所罗门的意思是『平安，』但对主而言，这名的意思是『主所爱的。这儿子将是建造神殿的人；这殿就是今天的召会。
34One day I said to the Lord , “ Lord , my transgression and repentance need Your forgiveness . But , Lord , You know better than I that Your forgiveness also needs my transgression. My transgression needs Your forgiveness, and Your forgiveness needs my transgression. If I have no transgressions, then You don’th ave a place to spend Your forgiveness.” When I said this to the Lord, it seemed that He said, “Yes. Because of your transgression and repentance, I do have an opportunity to spend My forgiveness. I am happy about this.” But you should never say, “Let us do evil that good may come.” You must do your best. But no matter how hard you may try to do everything right in the eyes of the Lord, sooner or later something will happen. Suddenly, you will murder, take over others, transgress. However, after you transgress, there will be a way for you to repent. If you repent, God will be ready to forgive you. Then you will beget a son and name him Solomon. The name Solomon means “peaceful” (2 Sam. 12:24; 1 Chron. 22:9). But Solomon also has another name, “Jedidiah” (2 Sam. 12:25), which means “beloved of the Lord.” To you, Solomon means “peaceful,” but to the Lord, he means “beloved of the Lord.” This son will be the one who will build up the house of God, today’s church
35你需要一直在神眼中是正当的，但要知道你的正当对召会的建造并无益处。然而，你不该说，『让我作恶罢！』我告诉你，即使你想要错，你也会发现你无法错。我不知道这是怎样的主宰权柄。但有一天，你会作可怕的事。所有的弟兄都会摇头，无法相信你会作出这样的事。然而，你竟然作了！然后你需要读诗篇五十一篇，使这篇诗成为你的诗，并且你要到主面前去，说，『主，我悔改。我作了这邪恶的事，惟独得罪了你。赦免我。』这样悔改以后，你会有另一种结合，就是你的过犯和悔改与神的赦免结合。这会生出所罗门，他对你是平安的，也是主所爱的。这人要建造召会，就是神的殿。那时你在召会的建造上就会非常有用。
35You need to be right in the eyes of God all the time. But be assured that your being right is not good for building up the church. However, you should not say, “Let me do wrong!” I tell you, even if you try to be wrong, you will discover that you are not able to do wrong. I do not know what kind of sovereignty this is. But one day you will do something awful. All the brothers will shake their heads, unable to believe that you could have done such a thing. Nevertheless, you have done it! Then you need to read Psalm 51, make it your psalm, and go to the Lord, saying, “Lord, I repent. Against Thee and only Thee have I done this evil thing. Forgive me.” After this repentance, you will have another marriage, the marriage of your transgression and repentance with God’s forgiveness. This will bring forth a Solomon, one who is peaceful to you and beloved of the Lord. This person will build up the church, God’stem ple. At that time you will be very useful in the building up of the church.
36你也许会说，『今天如何？我们要作甚么－等候那样的人来么？』不，不要等。你的等候没有用。我们只该在主面光中行事为人，让主来作。正如卫斯理查理在他的一首诗歌中说，『全是怜悯！』不错，这完全是神怜悯的事。忘掉你的背景，你的情况，或将来会发生的事。你只需要信靠主主宰的怜悯。你若有心为著祂和祂的子民，祂会作成一切。神会给你对基督长子名分的完满享受。
36You may say, “What about today? What shall we do—wait for that kind of person to come?” No, do not wait. Your waiting does not avail. We should just walk in the presence of the Lord and let the Lord do it. As Charles Wesley said in one of his hymns, “’Tis mercy all!” Yes, it is altogether a matter of God’s mercy. Forget about your background, your situation, or what may happen in the future. You simply need to trust in the Lord’ss ove reign mercy. If you have a heart for Him and for His people, He will work everything out. He will give you the full enjoyment of the birthright of Christ
37在基督的家谱中，这些经文是非常困难的。牠们不是奶或肉，而是骨头。我们若花一、二小时祷告这些经节，以及本篇信息所论到的点，我们会看见得更多。我们会看见，我们需要成为真心寻求神和神子民的人。然后我们要成为今日的波阿斯、路得、俄备得、耶西、大卫，至终成为今日的所罗门，建造神的家。
37These verses in the genealogy of Christ are very difficult. They are not milk or meat; they are bones. If we spend an hour or two praying over these verses and over the points covered in this message, we shall see something more. We shall see that we need to be a person with a real seeking heart, a heart seeking God and God’sp eople. Then we shall be today’s Boaz, Ruth, Obed, Jesse, David, and eventually today’s Solomon, building up the house of God