Books
民数记生命读经 · 第23篇

行程（八）

Journeying (8)
1读经：民数记十六章一至十八节。在本篇信息中，我们要来看民数记十六章所描述的另一次背叛。这次背叛紧接在十五章所插进的教导和警告之后。
1Scripture Reading: Num. 16:1-18 In this message we come to another rebellion, the rebellion described in Numbers 16. This rebellion took place immediately after the insertion with the instructions and warnings in chapter fifteen
伍 背叛—更严重的失败
V. REBELLION—A MORE SERIOUS FAILURE
2第一次背叛是那些在营边界的人发怨言、说恶语。第二次背叛是那些搀杂的群众起贪欲。第三次背叛牵涉到与摩西关系极其亲密的两位长辈。如今，在第四次背叛，就是在窥探美地时不信的背叛之后，有些领头的人背叛了。这次背叛的规模更大，牵涉的人超过二百五十人。
2The first rebellion was the murmuring of evil by those at the border of the camp. The second rebellion was the lusting of the mixed multitude. The third involved two elder relatives of Moses who were very close to him. Now, after the fourth rebellion, the rebellion of unbelief in spying out the land, some of the leading ones rebelled. This time the rebellion was on a much larger scale; it involved more than two hundred fifty people
一 背叛者
A. The Rebels
3我们首先来看背叛者是那些人。
3We first need to see who the rebels were
１ 可拉
1. Korah
4可拉是利未的后代，与摩西、亚伦同支派，与他们一同事奉神。因此，他不是在营边界的人，也不是搀杂的群众，乃是利未人，事奉的人，甚至是利未人中的首领，他是在营的中心。
4Korah, a descendant of Levi, was of the same tribe as Moses and Aaron. He served God with them. Hence, he was not among those at the border nor among the mixed multitude. Rather, as a Levite, a serving one, even a leader among the Levites, he was in the center of the camp
２ 大坍、亚比兰与安
2. Dathan, Abiram, and On
5大坍、亚比兰与安是流便（雅各的长子）的后代。照著他们天然的出生，他们在以色列人中必是领头的。（民十六1。）
5Dathan, Abiram, and On were descendants of Reuben (the firstborn of Jacob). They must have taken the lead among the sons of Israel according to their natural birth (16:1
３ 二百五十个会众首领
3. Two Hundred Fifty Leaders of the Assembly
6同著可拉、大坍、亚比兰和安，还有会众的二百五十个首领。他们都是从会中被选有名望的人。（民十六2。）民数记十六章一至二节指明，背叛的灵一直在扩散，以致完全遍及百姓。这次背叛对摩西和亚伦成了很大的难处，因为这次乃是抵挡神行政的中心。
6With Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and On, there were two hundred fifty leaders of the assembly. They had been chosen from the congregation and were well-known men (v. 2). Numbers 16:1 and 2 indicate that the rebellious spirit was spreading unto a thorough saturation among the people. This rebellion was a great hardship to Moses and Aaron because it was against the center of the government
二 背叛的因由
B. The Cause of the Rebellion
１ 争地位、权力
1. The Struggle for Position and Power
7这次背叛的因由是争地位、权力。在九至十节，摩西说，『以色列的神将你们从以色列的会众分别出来，使你们亲近祂，办理耶和华帐幕的事，并站在会众面前服事他们，又使你和你所有的弟兄，利未的子孙，一同亲近祂，这在你们岂是小事？你们还要求祭司的职任么？』祭司有祭司职任，就是祭司的事奉，利未人有利未人的事奉，是次于祭司的，并且他们是事奉祭司的。但摩西的话指明，这些背叛者要争夺权力和更高的地位。
7The cause of the rebellion was the struggle for position and power. In verses 9 and 10 Moses said, ‘‘Is it too small a thing for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the assembly of Israel to bring you near to Himself, to do the service of the tabernacle of Jehovah, and to stand before the assembly to minister to them; and that He has brought you near to Him, and all your brothers the sons of Levi with you? And will you seek the priesthood also?’’ The priests had the priesthood, the priestly service, and the Levites had the Levitical service next to them and were serving the priests. But, as Moses’ word indicates, the rebels were struggling for power and for a higher position.
２ 指控的话
2. The Accusation
8在三节，背叛者指控摩西和亚伦说，『你们太过分了！全会众个个既都是圣别的，耶和华也在他们中间，你们为甚么高抬自己，超过耶和华的会众？』这显示这次背叛的根源或因素，乃是争权。历代以来，基督徒中间许多的难处都是由于争地位、争权力而引起的。在社会上，处处可见这样的争权—在学校、政府、和公司里。在工作的场所，人玩弄政治，以谋求更高的权力与地位。这样的事发生在古时神的百姓中间，也在历代基督徒中间一再重演。
8In verse 3, the rebels made an accusation against Moses and Aaron, saying, ‘‘You have gone too far! For all the assembly is holy, every one of them, and Jehovah is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the congregation of Jehovah?’’ This shows that the root, or the factor, of this rebellion was the struggle for power. Through the centuries, many problems among Christians have been caused by the struggle for position and power. In society this power struggle is everywhere—in the schools, in the government, and in corporations. In the work place, people play politics in order to gain more power and position. The same thing happened among God’sp eople in ancient times and has been repeated again and again among Christians through the centuries
三 摩西的反应
C. The Reaction of Moses
9我们在十六章四至十一节，十五至
9In 16:4-11, 15-18 we see the reaction of Moses
10十八节看到摩西的反应。
10
１ 俯伏在地
1. Falling on His Face
11『摩西听见这话，就俯伏在地。』（民十六4。）这指明摩西对这背叛的反应是谦卑的。２站在神代表权柄的地位上
11When Moses heard it, he fell on his face’’ (v. 4). This indicates that in his reaction to this rebellion, Moses was humble. 2. Standing on the Position of God’s Deputy Authority
12摩西虽然谦卑的俯伏在地上，却没有放弃神所赐他作神代表权柄的地位。（民十六5～11，16～18。）他责备可拉一伙的人，吩咐他们各拿香炉到耶和华面前，并且说，耶和华必叫人晓得谁是属祂的，谁是圣别的，就叫那人亲近祂。这指明在权力的争夺中，惟一能审判并暴露人真实光景的，乃是神自己。摩西没有反抗，反倒将背叛者和他们所背叛的人带到神面前。摩西是神权柄的代表，他将这案件交给神这最高的权柄，让神来说话、暴露、并审判。
12Although Moses was humble in falling on his face, he did not give up his God-given position as God’s deputy authority (vv. 5-11, 16-18). He rebuked Korah and all his company and charged them to be present before Jehovah with their censers, saying that Jehovah would make known who was His and who was holy and would cause him to come near Him. This indicates that in a struggle for power the only one who can judge and expose the real situation is God Himself. Moses did not fight back; rather, he brought the rebels and the ones against whom they rebelled to God. As God’s deputy, or delegated, authority, Moses referred this case to God as the highest authority for His speaking, exposure, and judgment.
３ 他非常生气
3. Being Very Angry
13摩西非常生气并祷告说，『求你不要看重他们的供物。我没有拿过他们一匹驴，也没有虐待过他们一个人。』（民十六15。）摩西祷告求神不要接受他们的供物，这是严重的。神的仆人这样祷告是很不容易的。这里摩西似乎被迫为自己表白，神并没有为此定罪他。
13Moses was very angry and prayed, ‘‘Do not respect their offering. I have not taken one ass from them, and I have not ill-treated one of them’’ (v. 15). Moses’ prayer concerning God’s not accepting their offering was serious. It is not easy for a servant of God to pray in this way. Here it seems that Moses was forced to vindicate himself, but God did not condemn him for this
４ 打发人去召大坍、亚比兰
4. Sending to Call Dathan and Abiram
14摩西打发人去召大坍、亚比兰，（民十六12上，）但他们狡辩说，他们不上去。（民十六12下～14。）
14Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram (v. 12a), but, speaking in a very eloquent manner, they answered that they would not come up (vv. 12b-14
15我不喜欢说到神子民的背叛，但圣经在民数记十六章这里有一大段论到这事。求地位和权力的野心，对神的子民总是个难处。野心是个『地鼠，』暗中破坏著神的计画，并败坏神的子民。我钦佩摩西在面对这问题时的胆量。他受攻击到极点。那些背叛的人不仅攻击他，也背叛、反对他是神所安排的权柄。他很难说甚么。我和倪柝声弟兄同在中国大陆的时候，看到他多次受攻击。他绝不作甚么或说甚么来表白自己，也绝不抱怨人。他曾告诉我，因为他是受攻击的目标，他很难说到自己而不表白，也很难说到别人而不定罪。所以他说最好的方法，就是不说甚么。
15I do not like to talk about the rebellion of God’sp eople, but the Bible gives us a long portion here in Numbers 16 to cover this matter. Ambition for position and power is always a problem to God’sp eople. Ambition is a ‘‘gopher’’ that undermines God’s plan and damages His people. I admire Moses’ boldness in confronting this problem. He was attacked to the uttermost. Those rebels not only attacked him, but they also rebelled against him as the authority arranged by God. It was difficult for him to say anything. When I was with Watchman Nee on the mainland of China, I saw him attacked a number of times. He never did anything or said anything to vindicate himself, and he never complained against others. As he told me, because he was the target, it was difficult for him to say anything concerning himself without vindicating, and it was difficult to say anything about others without condemning. So the best way, he said, was not to say anything
16虽然受攻击的是倪弟兄，但召会却受到破坏，神的计画也受到伤害。不仅如此，许多对这些事没有足彀辨别力的青年人，也受到破坏。不过另一面，召会从一切的风波中，也得到些积极的帮助。
16Even though Brother Nee was the one under attack, it was the church that was damaged, and it was God’s plan that was hurt. Furthermore, many young ones, who did not have much discernment concerning these things, were damaged. On the other hand, the church received some positive help from all the turmoil.
17对权力的野心和争权乃是在我们的血轮里。这野心和争斗不仅在男人中间，在女人中间也能看到。米利暗和亚伦对摩西的背叛就证明这点。我相信这背叛是由米利暗鼓动的。我看过一些事例，是姊妹在幕后鼓动背叛的。她用弟兄来达成她的目的。我们都要小心防备我们里面这只野心的『地鼠。』头一代跟随基督的人，就受到争权的困扰。在极重要的时刻，当主耶稣要往耶路撒冷被钉十字架的时候，祂告诉跟随祂的人将要发生在祂身上的事。（太二十17～19。）他们听了，却没听见，也不在乎祂所说的。祂对他们说到祂的死，他们却在争权。雅各和约翰的母亲（耶稣的姨母）甚至把她两个儿子带到主跟前，求祂在国度里，叫一个在祂右边，一个在祂左边。（太二十20～28。）其他的门徒就恼怒这两个弟兄。这指明门徒中间有争权。
17The ambition for power and the struggle for power are in our blood. This ambition and struggle can be found not only among males but also among females. The rebellion of Miriam and Aaron against Moses proves this. I believe that this rebellion was instigated by Miriam. I have seen cases in which a sister instigated a rebellion from behind the scenes. She used a brother to carry out her intention. We all need to be careful to guard against the ‘‘gopher’’ of ambition within us. The first generation of Christ’s followers was troubled by the struggle for power. At a very crucial time, when the Lord Jesus was going to Jerusalem to be crucified, He told His followers what would happen to Him (Matt. 20:17-19). They heard Him, but they neither listened to what He said nor cared about it. While He was telling them about His death, they were struggling for power. The mother of James and John (Jesus’ aunt) even brought her two sons to the Lord, begging Him to put one on His right and one on His left in the kingdom (Matt. 20:20-28). The other disciples were indignant toward these two brothers. This indicates that there was a power struggle among the disciples.
18你若把使徒行传和书信读一遍，就看见召会生活从开始就有这种争权。亚拿尼亚和撒非喇（徒五1～）这对夫妇欺哄神，实际上也是争权。他们想要成为更重要的，使自己能在别人眼中升高。在书信的末了，约翰还题到一个争权的人—丢特腓。（约参9～11。）基督教的历史就是一部争权的历史。这种争斗在我们每一个人里面。你可能不晓得，但牠却隐藏在你里面。至终，召会生活会把我们真实的光景试验出来。只要我们在召会生活中，迟早我们会被试验、并暴露出来。请想想民数记里，以色列人中间的背叛者。有些背叛者是在营边界的人，有些是搀杂的群众，有些是与带头的摩西非常亲近的人。现今在十六章，二百五十个首领背叛了。看到这一切，我们必须相信，每一个以色列人里面都有争权。我们面对这难处，己经六十多年了。长老们知道，他们若在一个地方召会中服事几年，必会得罪一些人。有些人谋求地位与权力，很可能因著长老，他们得不到他们所要的，于是就被触怒了。比如在一九三五年，上海的一个同工起来，要在骚乱的光景中谋求『升迁。』那时倪弟兄不在，召会的行政和工作的带领就落在我身上。那位想利用风暴得好处的弟兄来找我，但我没有给他正面的答覆。至终，这位同工成了倪弟兄的敌人。
18If you read through the Acts and the Epistles, you will see that this struggle for power was there from the beginning of the church life. Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-4) were a couple who lied to God. Actually, 4 their lying was a struggle for power. They wanted to be more important, to elevate themselves in the eyes of others. At the end of the Epistles, John mentioned one who was struggling for power, Diotrephes (3 John 9-11). The history of Christianity is a history of the struggle for power. This struggle is within each one of us. You may not realize it, but it is hidden inside you. Eventually, the church life will be a test to our real situation. As long as we are in the church life, sooner or later we will be tested and exposed. Consider the rebels among the children of Israel in Numbers. Some rebels were on the border of the camp, some were with the mixed multitude, and some were very close to Moses, the leading one. Now, in chapter sixteen, two hundred fifty leaders rebelled. In view of all this, we must believe that the struggle for power was in every one of the sons of Israel. We have been confronting this problem for over sixty years. The elders know that if they serve in a certain local church for several years, they will surely offend others. Some people are seeking for position and power, and if, because of the elders, they cannot get what they want, they will be offended. For example, in 1935 a co-worker in Shanghai rose up to take advantage of a tumultuous situation to seek for a ‘‘promotion.’’ Brother Nee was away and had left the administration of the church and the leadership of the work to me. The brother who was trying to take advantage of the turmoil came to me, but I did not give him a positive answer. Eventually, this co-worker became an enemy to Brother Nee.
19那些在召会生活或主的工作中多少带有领头地位的人，无可避免的会得罪一些贪权的人。因著他们对权力的渴望，和对地位的贪欲没有得到𣗊足，这些贪婪的人就被触怒，对那些带头的不满。在这种情形里，民数记这本书可以给我们指示，帮助我们知道该怎么作。在十六章，摩西在面对二百五十人这么大规模的背叛时，乃是勇敢且忠信的。虽然他面伏于地，却仍然作了些事。他将这事公开的带到神那里，让神进来说话、审判、表白。
19Those in the church life or in the Lord’s work who are somewhat in the position of taking the lead will unavoidably offend some who are greedy for power. Because their desire for power and their lust for position are not satisfied, these greedy ones get offended and become displeased with those taking the lead. In such a case, the book of Numbers gives us a map that helps us to know what to do. In chapter sixteen, Moses was bold and faithful in confronting a large-scale rebellion, a rebellion of two hundred fifty leaders. Although he fell on his face, he still did something. He brought this matter openly to God, to let God come in to speak, to judge, and to vindicate
20那些背叛的人不理会摩西所作的，特别是那些带头的，他们很顽强，决意不顺服。当摩西要大坍和亚比兰来会幕，就是来主这里的时候，他们控告摩西，说他把他们带出流奶与蜜之地（埃及），自立为王辖管他们，又没有将他们带进流奶与蜜之地。至终，他们说，『难道你要剜出这些人的眼睛？我们不上去。』（民十六14。）他们非常会说话，而且非常顽固。我们在这种情况下该怎么作？在这种背叛的情况下，最好甚么也不作。主仍然活著。祂仍在宝座上，仍是主宰一切的。祂是主宰的主，也是最高的权柄。祂是今天基督身体的头。因此，我们必须一直把这些事交给祂，让祂照祂的所是来行。这是我们所能作的，也是我们所该作的。关于我们自己，我们需要看见，若没有主的怜悯和恩典，我们可能像可拉、大坍、亚比兰一样。但靠著祂的怜悯，我们都在这里。现在我们必须学习儆醒并祷告，防备任何一切背叛的光景。
20In spite of what Moses did, those rebels, especially the leaders, were strong and stubborn. They had made up their minds not to be subdued. When Moses asked Dathan and Abiram to come to the tent of meeting, that is, to the Lord, they accused Moses, saying that he had brought them out of a land of milk and honey (Egypt), that he had made himself a ruler over them, and that he had not brought them into a land flowing with milk and honey. Finally, they said, ‘‘Will you put out the eyes of these men? We will not come up’’ (v. 14). They were eloquent and very stubborn. What should we do in this kind of situation? In such a rebellious situation, it is better not to do anything. The Lord is still living. He is still on the throne and is still sovereign. He is the sovereign Lord and the highest authority. He is the Head of the Body today. Thus, we must always refer these things to Him and let Him be what He is. This is all we can do, and this is what we must do. Concerning ourselves, we need to realize that without the Lord’s mercy and grace we might be the same as Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. But by His mercy we are here. Now we must learn to be alert and pray regarding any kind of rebellious situation