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民数记生命读经 · 第13篇

成军（十二）

Being Formed into an Army (12)
1读经：民数记八章。在论到民数记八章的这篇信息中，我们要简要的来看两件事—点灯（民八2～4）与呈献利未人（服事祭司职任的人—民八5～26）。我们不会详细的说到这些事，只留意一些重要的点。
1Scripture Reading: Num. 8 In this message on chapter eight of Numbers, we will briefly consider two matters—lighting the lamps (vv. 2-4) and the presenting of the Levites (the serving ones of the priesthood—vv. 5-26). Instead of covering these matters in detail, we will pay attention only to some of the crucial points
拾 点灯
X. LIGHTING THE LAMPS
2民数记七章说到有关运输的供物，八章二至四节说到点灯。惟有在呈献供物之后，亚伦才点灯。
2Numbers 7 speaks of the offerings related to transportation, and 8:2-4 speaks of the lighting of the lamps. Only after the offerings were presented did Aaron light the lamps
一 在藉著供物与神谈话之后
A. After the Conversation with God through the Offerings
3民数记七章结束于摩西藉著供物与神谈话。（民七89。）灯在这谈话之后点亮。
3Numbers 7 ends with Moses conversing with God through the offerings (v. 89). The lamps were lit after this conversation
二七 盏灯在灯台前发光
B. The Seven Lamps Giving Light in Front of the Lampstand
4民数记八章二、三节说，『点灯的时候，七盏灯都要在灯台前发光。亚伦就这样行，照耶和华所吩咐摩西的，将灯台前的灯点亮。』这里我们看见，表征七灵（启四5）的七盏灯在灯台前发光，朝著帐幕的中间或中心部分照耀。因此，灯的照耀是在正确的方向，为著事奉并行动。帐幕里面没有日、月、星的光。因此，若没有灯台的照耀，整个帐幕就都在黑暗里。
4Numbers 8:2 and 3 say, ‘‘When you light the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front of the lampstand. And Aaron did so; he lit its lamps in front of the lampstand, as Jehovah commanded Moses.’’ Here we see that the seven lamps, which signify the seven Spirits (Rev. 4:5), gave light in front of the lampstand, shining toward the middle, or the central part, of the tabernacle. Thus, the shining of the lamps was in the right direction for serving and moving. Within the tabernacle there was no light from the sun, moon, or stars. Apart from the shining of the lampstand, the entire tabernacle would have been in darkness
三 灯台的作法
C. The Workmanship of the Lampstand
5『这灯台的作法，是用金子锤成的，连座带花都是锤成的；摩西就照著耶和华指示他的样式制作灯台。』（民八4。）灯台的作法描绘出基督如何构成为光的盛托者。一块金子照著神指示摩西的样式，锤成灯台的形状。（出二五31～40，三七17～24。）金表征基督的神圣性情，金的锤打表征基督在祂人性里的受苦，藉此祂被构成为神圣之光的盛托者，在神的居所里照耀，使事奉神的人能在那里事奉。（关于灯台进一步的细节，见出埃及记生命读经第九十二至九十四篇。）
5‘‘This was the workmanship of the lampstand, hammered work of gold; from its base to its buds, it was hammered work; according to the pattern which Jehovah had shown Moses, so he made the lampstand’’ (Num. 8:4). The workmanship of the lampstand portrays the constituting of Christ as the light-holder. One piece of gold was hammered into the form of a lampstand according to the pattern that God had shown Moses (Exo. 25:31-40; 37:17-24). Gold signifies Christ’s divine nature, and the beating of the gold signifies Christ’s sufferings in His humanity, through which He was constituted as the divine light-holder to shine in God’s dwelling place so that God’s serving ones could serve there. (For further details concerning the lampstand, see Life - study of Exodus, Messages Ninety-two through Ninetyfour.)
6到这地步，百姓豫备好了，运输工具献上了，灯也点亮了。因此，神的子民能开始对祂有属灵的事奉。
6At this point the people were ready, the transportation had been offered, and the lamps had been lit. Thus, God’sp eople could begin to render their spiritual service to Him
拾 壹献上利未人（服事祭司职任的人）
XI. THE PRESENTING OF THE LEVITES the serving ones of the priesthood
7献上利未人，就是服事祭司职任的人，记载在民数记八章五至二十六节。实际上，利未人的工作该与祭司的尽职一致。因著旧约的安排，神将这些分为两部分。祭司职任是直接对神的神圣事奉，而利未人是服事祭司职任。就如照管动物和搬运帐幕的器具，这些事是利未人的工作。
7The presenting of the Levites, the serving ones of the priesthood, took place in Numbers 8:5-26. Actually, the Levitical work should be one with the priesthood. Because of the Old Testament arrangement, God divided these into two sections. The priesthood was a divine service rendered directly to God, and the Levites served the priesthood. Things such as caring for the animals and carrying the furnishings of the tabernacle were Levitical works
一 洁净利未人
A. Cleansing the Levites
8『你要从以色列人中取利未人，将他们洁净。』（民八6。）所有的利未人都必须得洁净。七、八节说到洁净利未人。１将洗涤水弹在他们身上『你要这样向他们行，好洁净他们：将洗涤水弹在他们身上。（民八7上。）将洗涤水弹在利未人身上，表征将基督救赎的功效应用在服事的信徒身上。今天我们在原则上是一样的。每天清晨，我们藉著基督救赎之血的弹洒、应用，重新得著洁净。
8Take the Levites from among the sons of Israel, and cleanse them’’ (v. 6). All the Levites had to be cleansed. Verses 7 and 8 speak of the cleansing of the Levites. 1. Sprinkling the Water of Purification upon Them ‘‘Thus you shall do to them, to cleanse them: sprinkle the water for purification upon them’’ (v. 7a). Sprinkling the water of purification upon the Levites signifies the application of the effectiveness of the redemption of Christ upon the serving believers. Today, in principle it is the same with us. Every day, early in the morning, we are cleansed anew through the sprinkling, the applying, of the redeeming blood of Christ
２ 用剃刀剃全身
2. Shaving All Their Flesh
9关于洁净利未人，摩西受吩咐『叫他们用剃刀剃全身。』（民八7中。）这表征割除一切天然的力量。身体上的毛发，表征天然的力量，必须被剃除。这指明在对神的事奉上，我们不该倚靠天然的力量。
9Concerning the cleansing of the Levites, Moses was commanded to ‘‘let them pass a razor over all their flesh’’ (v. 7b). This signifies the cutting off of all the natural strength. The hair on the body, signifying the natural strength, had to be shaved off. This indicates that in our service to God we should not depend on our natural strength
３ 把衣服洗净，洁净自己
3. Washing Their Clothes and Cleansing Themselves
10利未人也必须『把衣服洗净，洁净自己。』（民八7下。）这表征对付他们的行为与本身。事奉者的本身与行为都必须受对付。４献一只公牛犊，作赎罪祭，
10The Levites were also required to ‘‘wash their clothes and cleanse themselves’’ (v. 7c). This signifies dealing with their conduct and their person. Both the person and the conduct of the serving ones had to be dealt with. 4. Offering a Young Bull for a Sin Offering
另一只公牛犊作燔祭，与同献的素祭
and Another Young Bull for a Burnt Offering and Its Meal Offering
11『然后叫他们取一只公牛犊，与同献的素祭，就是调油的细面，还要另取一只公牛犊作赎罪祭。』（民八8。）利未人要献一只公牛犊（新鲜的基督）作赎罪祭。这指明他们是有罪的。他们也要献另一只公牛犊作燔祭。这指明他们该为神活著。调油细面的素祭，指明他们该活出像基督在祂人性里一样的生活。
11Then let them take a young bull and its meal offering of fine flour mingled with oil, and you shall take another young bull for a sin offering’’ (v. 8). The Levites offered a young bull (the fresh Christ) for a sin offering. This indicates that they were sinful. They also offered another young bull for a burnt offering. This indicates that they should live for God. The meal offering of fine flour mingled with oil indicates that they should live as Christ lived in His humanity
12他们所献的基督，指明他们该像他们所献的。然而，他们并不像那样。因此，他们需要基督作供物和顶替。他们需要基督作赎罪祭、燔祭、和素祭。
12What they offered of Christ indicates that they should be like their offering. However, they were not like that. Thus, they needed Christ to be their offerings and their replacement. They needed Christ as the sin offering, the burnt offering, and the meal offering
二 将利未人呈献给神
B. Presenting the Levites to God
13利未人得洁净之后，就要呈献给神。九至二十二节描述呈献利未人的事。
13After the Levites were cleansed, they were presented to God. Verses 9 through 22 describe this presenting of the Levites
１ 以色列人按手在利未人头上
1. The Sons of Israel Laying Their Hands upon the Levites
14『你要将利未人带到会幕前，招聚以色列全会众；将利未人带到耶和华面前，以色列人要按手在他们头上。』（民八9～10。）这里我们看见，以色列人按手在利未人头上。这就是说，以色列人使他们自己与利未人联合。
14You shall bring the Levites before the tent of meeting, and gather the whole assembly of the sons of Israel. And you shall bring the Levites before Jehovah, and the sons of Israel shall lay their hands upon the Levites’’ (vv. 9-10). Here we see that the sons of Israel laid their hands upon the Levites. This means that the sons of Israel identified themselves with the Levites
15事实上，帐幕的事奉该由以色列人照管，但神拣选了利未人顶替以色列人。现在这些利未人即将呈献给神，意思就是所有的以色列人都要呈献给神。因此，以色列人按手在利未人头上，使他们自己与利未人联合。
15Actually, the services of the tabernacle should have been taken care of by the sons of Israel, yet God chose the Levites to replace the sons of Israel. Now these Levites were about to be presented to God, meaning that all the sons of Israel would be presented to God. Hence, the sons of Israel laid their hands upon the Levites to identify themselves with the Levites
２ 亚伦将利未人献给神作摇祭
2. Aaron Offering the Levites to God as a Wave Offering
16『亚伦要将利未人献在耶和华面前，作以色列人所献的摇祭，使他们好办理耶和华的事。』（民八。）在豫表里，摇祭表征复活的基督。这里的祭不是牲畜，乃是活人，利未人。利未人被献上作摇祭，使他们好办理神的事。３利未人按手在那两只牛的头上，
16‘‘Aaron shall offer the Levites before Jehovah as a wave offering from the sons of Israel, that they may do the service of Jehovah’’ (v. 11). In typology, a wave offering signifies the resurrected Christ. Here 11 the offering was not composed of cattle but of living persons, the Levites. The Levites were offered as a wave offering that they might do the service of God. 3. The Levites Laying Their Hands upon the Heads
摩西献一只作赎罪祭，另一只作燔祭
of the Bulls, and Moses Offering One for a Sin Offering and the Other for a Burnt Offering
17『利未人要按手在那两只牛的头上；你要将一只作赎罪祭，一只作燔祭，献给耶和华，为利未人遮罪。』（民八12。）利未人按手在那两只牛的头上，意思就是他们使自己与那两只牛联合。这里有三方藉著按手彼此联合：以色列人、利未人、和那两只牛。
17Then the Levites shall lay their hands upon the heads of the bulls; and you shall offer the one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering to Jehovah, to make propitiation for the Levites’’ (v. 12). For the Levites to lay their hands on the bulls meant that they identified themselves with the bulls. Here three parties were identified with one another through the laying on of hands: the sons of Israel, the Levites, and the bulls
18摩西献一只公牛作赎罪祭，另一只作燔祭，为利未人遮罪。利未人已经得了洁净，但他们仍处定罪之下，因为他们仍然有罪。一面，亚伦能将他们献给神，但另一面，摩西必须为他们遮罪。
18Moses offered one bull for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering to make propitiation for the Levites. The Levites had been cleansed, but they were still held condemned because they still had sin. On the one hand, Aaron could offer them to God, yet, on the other hand, Moses had to make propitiation for them
４ 摩西将利未人呈在亚伦和他儿子面前，将他们当作摇祭献给耶和华
4. Moses Presenting the Levites before Aaron and before His Sons, and Offering Them as a Wave Offering to Jehovah
19『你要将利未人呈在亚伦和他儿子面前，将他们当作摇祭献给耶和华。』（民八13。）亚伦在救赎之前，先将利未人献给神作摇祭。（民八。）以后，摩西献赎罪祭与燔祭，为利未人遮罪。然后他再将他们呈在亚伦和他儿子面前，将他们当作摇祭献给耶和华。
19‘‘You shall present the Levites before Aaron and before his sons, and shall offer them as a wave offering to Jehovah’’ (v. 13). Aaron first offered the Levites to God as a wave offering before redemption (v. 11). Afterwards, Moses offered the sin offering and the 11 burnt offering to make propitiation for the Levites. Then he presented them again before Aaron and his sons and offered them as a wave offering to Jehovah.
５ 摩西从以色列人中将利未人分别出来
5. Moses Separating the Levites from among the Sons of Israel
20『这样，你就从以色列人中将利未人分别出来，利未人便要归我。』（民八14。）藉著前面的手续，摩西从以色列人中将利未人分别出来，利未人便成了神的。
20Thus you shall separate the Levites from among the sons of Israel, and the Levites shall be Mine’’ (v. 14). Through the foregoing procedure, Moses separated the Levites from among the sons of Israel, and the Levites became God’s
６ 利未人进去办会幕的事，顶替以色列人中
6. The Levites Going In to Do the Service of the Tent of Meeting instead of
一切头生的
All the Firstborn of All the Sons of Israel
21主取了利未人，顶替以色列人中一切头生的。（民八18。）因此，利未人进去办会幕的事，顶替以色列人中一切头生的。（民八15～18。）利未人若没有执行这事奉，以色列人中头生的就必须作。
21The Lord took the Levites as the replacement of all the firstborn of the sons of Israel (v. 18). Therefore, the Levites went in to do the service of the tent of meeting instead of all the firstborn of the sons of Israel (vv. 15-18). If the Levites had not carried out this service, the firstborn of the sons of Israel would have been required to do it
７ 神已经将利未人给了亚伦和他儿子
7. God Having Given the Levites to Aaron and His Sons
22『我也已经从以色列人中，将利未人给了亚伦和他儿子，在会幕里办以色列人的事，并为以色列人遮罪，免得以色列人就近圣所时，有灾疫临到他们中间。』（民八19。）这里我们看见，神将利未人给了亚伦（领头的祭司），和他儿子（众祭司），在会幕里办事，并为以色列人遮罪。
22I have given the Levites as ones given to Aaron and his sons from among the sons of Israel, to do the service of the sons of Israel in the tent of meeting, and to make propitiation for the sons of Israel, that there may be no plague among the sons of Israel when the sons of Israel approach the sanctuary’’ (v. 19). Here we see that God gave the Levites to Aaron, the head priest, and to his sons, the priests, to do the service in the tent of meeting and to make propitiation for the sons of Israel
三 利未人事奉的年龄
C. The Age for the Service of the Levites
23二十三至二十六节说到利未人事奉的年龄。
23Verses 23 through 26 speak of the age for the service of the Levites
１ 从二十五岁以上
1. From Twenty-five Years Old and Above
24『关于利未人的乃是这样：从二十五岁以上的，要进去服事，办会幕的事。』（民八24。）照著圣经的标准，利未人要事奉，至少必须二十五岁，就是人受毕完全教育，达到正常人完全成长所需要的年龄。
24This is what pertains to the Levites: from twenty- five years old and above they shall go in to serve in the service of the tent of meeting’’ (v. 24). According to the standard of the Bible, in order to serve, a Levite had to be at least twenty-five years old, the age required to obtain a full education and to attain to the full growth of a proper human being
２ 从五十岁起
2. From the Age of Fifty
25『从五十岁起，他们要从服事的工作退去，不再服事；只要在会幕里帮助他们的弟兄谨守职责，不再服事。关于利未人的职责，你要这样向他们行。』（民八～26。）从五十岁起，利未人要从服事的工作退去，但他们要在会幕里帮助他们的弟兄谨守职责。这指明即使他们从服事退去，他们的经历仍是需要的。利未人需要二十五年豫备，二十五年正常作工。以后，他们就帮助他们的弟兄。他们二十五年事奉所得著的经历，在五十岁以后仍是需要的。
25‘‘From the age of fifty years they shall withdraw from the work of the service and shall serve no more; but they shall minister to their brethren in the tent of meeting, to keep the charge, and they shall do no service. Thus shall you do to the Levites with regard to their charges’’ (vv. 25-26). From the age of fifty the Levites were to 25 withdraw from the work of the service, but they were to minister to their brethren in the tent of meeting, to keep the charge. This indicates that, even though they were to retire from the service, their experience was still needed. The Levites needed twenty-five years of preparation and twenty-five years to do the proper work. After that time, they ministered to their brethren. What they had gained in experience through the twenty - five years of their service was still needed after the age of fifty.
26会幕的职责是包罗一切的。关于帐幕连同其一切内容、祭坛、和外院子的事奉，有许多不同的职责。每一种祭也各自有其条例：赎罪祭的条例、赎愆祭的条例、燔祭的条例、平安祭的条例、和素祭的条例。除了这些基本的祭以外，还有好些别的祭，每一种都各自有其条例。因为有这么多规则，就需要『律师』指导百姓。这些『律师』就是祭司，他们指导百姓有关各种祭的条例。这里的点是说，需要一些老练的人指导神的子民，使他们不至作任何错事得罪神。因为神对于帐幕、各种祭、和利未人的工作，都有严肃的管治条例，所以需要一些人知道如何照管这些事，使对神的事奉能进行得平顺。
26The charge of the tent of meeting was all-inclusive. There were many different charges concerning the service of the tabernacle with all its contents, the altar, and the outer court. Each offering also had its own law: the law of the sin offering, the law of the trespass offering, the law of the burnt offering, the law of the peace offering, and the law of the meal offering. Besides these basic offerings, there were a number of other offerings, each with its own law. Because there were so many regulations, there was the need of attorneys’’ to instruct the people. Actually, these attorneys’’ were the priests who instructed the people concerning the laws of the offerings. The point here is that there was the need of some experienced ones to instruct God’sp eople so that they would not do anything wrong to offend Him. Because God is serious about the laws governing the tabernacle, the offerings, and the Levitical work, some needed to know how to care for these things so that the service could go on smoothly with God
27在民数记这里有召会事奉的完全豫表。我盼望主开启我们的眼睛，看见比较来说，在召会的事奉上，我们多少有点松懈。关于属灵的原则，我们不是那么严肃、严格、正确。我们不知不觉的犯错，可能是我们失去神许多祝福的原因。在事奉神的事上，我们不该松懈，乃该严谨。我们众人，尤其是青年人，需要学习关于事奉神的属灵规则和属灵条例。
27Here in Numbers we have a full type of the church service. I hope that the Lord would open our eyes to see that, comparatively speaking, in the church service we have been somewhat loose. With respect to spiritual principles, we have not been so serious, strict, and right. Our making mistakes unconsciously could be the reason that we have missed much of God’s blessing. In serving God, we should not be loose but should be serious. We all, especially the young ones, need to learn the spiritual regulations and spiritual laws regarding the service of God