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民数记生命读经 · 第36篇

争战（五）

Fighting (5)
1读经：民数记25:1-18;31:2，启示录2:14下。在本篇信息中，我们要先温习民数记二十至二十四章里要紧的事，就是内在的元素，然后再来看以色列人堕入淫乱与拜偶像的事。
1Scripture Reading: Num. 25:1-18; 31:2; Rev. 2:14b In this message we will consider Israel’s fall into fornication and idolatry. However, I would first like to review the crucial matters, the intrinsic elements, in chapters twenty through twenty-four of Numbers
2在豫表中，民数记二十至二十四这五章是向我们陈明一幅基督与召会的图画。二十章给我们看见，基督这被击打的磐石，在复活里正流出活水来应付我们的需要。（民二十。）基督已经被击打，被钉十字架，就无须再被击打了。现今祂在复活里正流出活水，解人的干渴。钉十字架和复活的基督就在这里应付我们的需要。只要我们有祂，神对我们就没有问题，我们与神也没有问题。在二十一章，我们看见基督的其他方面。首先，基督是铜蛇，祂乃是我们的代替。（民二一8～9。）祂成了在性情上与我们一样，只是在里面没有罪的。祂在罪之肉体的样式里，（罗八3，）却没有罪的性情，就如铜蛇有蛇的形状而没有蛇的毒性。因为基督是在罪之肉体的样式里来，所以祂能作我们的代替，担负神的审判并完成救赎。基督作我们的代替，不仅解决我们外面罪行的难处，也解决我们里面罪性的难处。这一位既藉著钉十字架解决了这些难处，祂就成了一个泉源，一个井，（民二一17，）涌流出活水，就是经过过程之三一神那完成的灵。在我们的经历里，我们需要挖这井。（民二一18。）我们若挖这井，就成为尊贵者和首领。不仅如此，民数记三十三章指明，基督是我们的目的地，我们的安息之地。所以，基督是我们的代替，我们的井，我们的安息之地。我们享受祂作我们的安息之地，就没有缺乏或短缺。在民数记二十三、二十四章，我们看见一个外邦申言者巴兰所说的四首诗歌。这些诗歌对召会有许多启示，第四首诗歌也对基督有所启示。
2In typology, these five chapters present us a picture of Christ and the church. Chapter twenty shows us Christ as the smitten rock who, in resurrection, is flowing out living water to meet our need (v. 8). Christ has been smitten, crucified, and there is no need for Him to be smitten again. Now He is in resurrection flowing with living water to quench people’s thirst. The crucified and resurrected Christ is here to meet us in our need. As long as we have Him, God has no problem with us and we have no problem with God. In chapter twenty - one we have further aspects of Christ. First, as the bronze serpent, Christ is our replacement (vv. 8-9). He became the same as we in nature with the exception that in Him there was no sin. He was in the likeness of the flesh of sin (Rom. 8:3), but He did not have the sinful nature, just as the bronze serpent had the form of a serpent without having the poisonous nature of a serpent. Because Christ came in the likeness of the flesh of sin, He could be our replacement, bearing God’s judgment and accomplishing redemption. As our replacement, Christ has solved not only the outward problem of sins but also the inward problem of our sinful nature. Having solved these problems through His crucifixion, in resurrection this One has become a fountain, a well (Num. 21:17), springing up with living water, which is the consummated Spirit of the processed Triune God. In our experience we need to dig this well (v. 18). If we dig the well, we will become nobles and leaders. Furthermore, as Numbers 33 indicates, Christ is our destination, our land of rest. Therefore, Christ is our replacement, our well, and our land of rest. When we enjoy Him as our land of rest, we do not have any lack or shortage. In Numbers 23 and 24 we have four parables spoken by Balaam, a Gentile prophet. These parables reveal much concerning the church, with the fourth parable revealing something concerning Christ.
3我们先来看这些诗歌所给我们看见关于召会的事。『看哪，这是独居的民，不将自己列在万国之中！』（民二三9下。）这指明召会是由一班特别的子民，分别出来的子民、圣别归神的子民所组成的。召会不与列国混在一起，乃是独居的。『祂在雅各中未见罪孽；在以色列中未见祸患。』（民二三21上。）这指明在神眼中，召会是完全的，是没有罪孽的。召会是完全的，因为召会是在基督里。『雅各阿，你的帐棚何等华美，以色列阿，你的居所何等华丽！』（民二四5。）这指明就外观说召会是美丽的。简要来说，第一首歌给我们看见召会有一个特别的立埸；第二首歌给我们看见召会在神眼中是完全的，第三首歌给我们看见召会的外观是美丽、华美的。巴兰的第四首诗歌包括了一个关于基督的豫言。（民二四17。）一个圣别、完全并美丽的召会乃是一个满了基督的召会。召会能以圣别、完全并美丽，乃因召会有基督。基督是召会的内容。基督是召会的构成成分，也是召会的每一部分。在召会这新人里，基督是一切，又在一切之内。（西三10～11。）
3Let us first consider what these parables show us concerning the church. ‘‘Behold, a people that will dwell alone, / And will not reckon themselves among the nations!’’ (23:9b). This indicates that the church is composed of a separate people, a particular people, a people sanctified to God. The church is not mixed with the nations but stands alone. ‘‘He has not beheld iniquity in Jacob; / Nor has He seen trouble in Israel’’ (23:21a). This indicates that, in the sight of God, the church is perfect, having no iniquity. The church is perfect because the church is in Christ. ‘‘How fair are your tents, O Jacob, / Your dwelling places, O Israel!’’ (24:5). This indicates that in appearance the church is beautiful. In summary, we see in the first parable that the church has a particular standing; in the second parable, that the church is perfect in the sight of God; and in the third parable, that the appearance of the church is fair, beautiful. Balaam’s fourth parable contains a prophecy concerning Christ (24:17). A church that is sanctified, perfect, and beautiful is a church that is full of Christ. The church can be holy, perfect, and beautiful because the church has Christ. Christ is the content of the church. Christ is the constituent of the church and every part of the church. In the church as the new man Christ is all and in all (Col. 3:10-11).
4民数记二十四章十七节所豫言的基督不是属地的基督，乃是属天的基督。祂是出于雅各的星，也是从以色列兴起的权杖。从召会里，出来了基督这星，这星就是权杖。这就是说，属天的基督乃是宇宙中的权柄。基督在今天是我们的星，但在将来祂要成为权杖，就是带著宇宙权柄的一位。在巴兰申言的诗歌里，我们不仅看见基督和召会的某些方面，也看见与召会有关的许多丰富。召会『似乎有野牛之力。』（民二三22，二四8。）这指明召会是得胜的。召会也被比作公狮和母狮。（民二三24，二四9。）这进一步指明召会是得胜的。民数记二十四章六、七节说到『绵延的山谷，』『河旁的园子，』以及从桶里流出水来。这启示召会好比园子，召会有山谷，并且在召会里有丰盛的水。
4The Christ prophesied in Numbers 24:17 is not an earthly Christ but a heavenly Christ. He is the Star that comes forth out of Jacob and the Scepter that arises out of Israel. Out of the church comes forth the Christ who is the Star, and this Star is the Scepter. This means that the heavenly Christ is the authority in the universe. Today Christ is our Star, but in the future He will be the Scepter, the One with universal authority. In Balaam’s prophetic parables we see not only certain aspects of Christ and the church but also many of the riches related to the church. The church ‘‘has as it were the horns of the wild ox’’ (23:22; 24:8). This indicates that the church is victorious. The church is also likened to a lion and a lioness (23:24; 24:9). This is a further indication that the church is victorious. Numbers 24:6 and 7 speak of ‘‘valleys that stretch afar,’’ ‘‘gardens beside a river,’’ and water that flows from buckets. This reveals that the church is like a garden, that the church has valleys, and that in the church there is an abundance of water.
5以弗所书是一卷论到召会，属天的书，但巴兰在民数记二十三、二十四章的诗歌里所陈明召会的各面，连以弗所书里也看不到。以弗所书没有告诉我们召会是河旁的园子，也没有告诉我们在召会里有水从桶里流出。再者，以弗所书没有启示召会有山谷，或者我们在召会里的人是公狮和母狮。召会里有公狮能吞吃仇敌。甚至摩押也看见神的子民像牛餂尽田间的草。（民二二4。）我们若看见民数记所启示的召会，就不会轻看召会，藐视召会。表面看来，民数记仅仅是一卷说到以色列人在旷野之旅程的历史书。然而，这历史的内在内容、内在构成成分不是别的，乃是基督和召会。
5Ephesians is a heavenly book on the church, but we do not find in Ephesians the aspects of the church presented in Balaam’sp arable sin Numbers 23 and 24. Ephesians does not tell us that the church is a garden by a river or that in the church water flows from buckets. Moreover, Ephesians does not reveal that the church has valleys or that we in the church are lions and lionesses. In the church there are lions that can devour the enemy. Even Moab realized that God’sp eople are like an ox that licks up the grass of the field (Num. 22:4). If we see the church as it is revealed in Numbers, we will not despise the church or look down on the church. Seemingly Numbers is merely a book of history concerning Israel’s journey in the wilderness. However, the intrinsic contents, the intrinsic constituents, of this history are nothing other than Christ and the church.
6我们看过了民数记二十至二十四章所呈现基督与召会的图画，现在就往前来看二十五章一至十八节。
6Having seen the picture of Christ and the church presented in Numbers 20—24, let us now go on to consider 25:1-18
四 以色列人堕入淫乱与拜偶像
D. Israel’s Fall into Fornication and Idolatry
7民数记二十三章二十一节说，神在雅各中未见罪孽。然而，民数记二十五章却记载了以色列人的罪孽。这罪孽包括两件丑陋的事：淫乱和拜偶像；淫乱毁坏神所造的人，拜偶像侮辱了神这神圣者。按照圣经的记载，淫乱和拜偶像是并行的。那里有淫乱，那里就有拜偶像。罗马天主教就是这事的例子。在新约里，天主教被比作淫乱的妇人耶洗别。（启二20。）此外，天主教里也有拜偶像。例如，彭伯（G.H.Pember）在他所著『大豫言』（TheGreatProphecies）一书中指出，甚至佛陀也化名为圣约沙法（Saint），进到天主教里面。在天主教的历法里，有一个圣人名叫约沙法，他的故事其实就是佛陀的故事。巴勒无法用军事或政治击败以色列；也无法藉著宗教打败以色列。所以，他在巴兰的影响之下，（启二14，）就引诱以色列人堕入淫乱与拜偶像。很可能巴勒和巴兰联合设谋陷害以色列人，巴兰作巴勒的谋士和军师，教导巴勒如何绊跌神圣别、完全并美丽的子民。计谋是巴兰发起的，而由巴勒去执行。以色列积极一面的特点就为淫乱和拜偶所抹杀。他们不再圣别、完全并美丽，反成为淫乱并拜偶像的子民。
7Numbers 23:21 says that God has not beheld iniquity in Jacob. In Numbers 25, however, we have a record of Israel’s iniquity. This iniquity comprises two ugly things: fornication, which destroys the person of the God - created man, and idolatry, which insults the divine person of God. According to the record of the Bible, fornication and idolatry go together. Where there is fornication, there is idolatry. The Roman Catholic Church is an illustration of this. In the New Testament the Catholic Church is likened to Jezebel, a woman of fornication (Rev. 2:20). Furthermore, in the Catholic Church there is idolatry. For example, in his book The Great Prophecies, G. H. Pember points out that even Buddha, under the name of Saint Josaphat, has entered into Catholicism. In the Catholic calendar Josaphat there is a saint named Josaphat, whose story is actually that of Buddha. Balak was unable to defeat Israel militarily or politically. Neither could he defeat Israel through the use of religion. Therefore, under the influence of Balaam (Rev. 2:14), he induced Israel to fall into fornication and idolatry. It is likely that Balak and Balaam joined in a conspiracy and plotted against Israel, with Balaam being Balak’s counselor and advisor, teaching Balak how to stumble God’s holy, perfect, and beautiful people. The plot was initiated by Balaam, and it was put into practice by Balak. Israel’s positive characteristics were annulled by the fall into fornication and idolatry. Instead of being holy, perfect, and beautiful, they became a people of fornication and idolatry.
１ 以色列人与摩押女子行淫，与巴力毘珥连合
1. The Israelites Committing Fornication with the Daughters of Moab and Yoking Themselves to Baal of Peor
8『以色列人住在什亭的时候，百姓与摩押女子行起淫乱。这些女子叫百姓来，献祭给她们的神；百姓就吃了，并跪拜她们的神。这样，以色列人与巴力毘珥连合，。』（民二五1～3上。）这几节指明那些行淫乱的人与淫乱的神巴力连合。因此这里组合了淫乱和拜偶像。拜巴力的人是淫乱的人，他们引诱别人与他们行淫，并拜淫乱的偶像。这是出于巴兰邪恶的计谋。（民三一16。）
8While Israel dwelt in Shittim, the people began to commit fornication with the daughters of Moab. And these invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods; and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. Thus Israel yoked himself to Baal of Peor’’ (Num. 25:1-3a). These verses indicate that those who committed fornication became yoked to Baal, the god of fornication. Hence, there was a combination of fornication and idolatry. The worshippers of Baal were fornicators, and they induced others to commit fornication with them and to worship the idol of fornication. This was the evil counsel of Balaam (31:16
２ 在巴勒所放的绊脚石上绊跌，巴勒是巴兰所教导的
2. Stumbling over the Stumbling Block Set by Balak, Who Was Taught by Balaam
9启示录二章十四节说到『巴兰的教训，这巴兰曾教导巴勒，将绊脚石放在以色列子孙面前，叫他们吃祭偶像之物，并且行淫乱。』巴兰教导巴勒如何用偶像和淫乱，使以色列人绊跌。
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３ 耶和华的怒气向以色列人发作
10『耶和华的怒气就向以色列人发作。』（民二五3下。）祂命摩西将百姓中所有的首领，在日头下悬挂。（民二五4。）在日头下悬挂是极大公开的羞辱。于是摩西吩咐以色列的审判官，把凡与巴力毘珥连合的男子杀了。（民二五5。）不仅如此，疫病也杀了二万四千人。（民二五9。）
10Revelation 2:14 speaks of ‘‘the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat idol sacrifices and to commit fornication.’’ Balaam taught Balak how to use idolatry and fornication to stumble Israel
４ 心利的罪和非尼哈圣别的妒忌
3. The Anger of Jehovah Burned against Israel
11民数记二十五章六至十五节告诉我们心利的罪和非尼哈圣别的妒忌。心利与米甸女子行淫。（民二五6，14～15。）祭司非尼哈为著神起了圣别的妒忌，将二人杀了。（民二五7～8。）这不是律法所不准许的谋杀，反而是圣别的杀，是神所圣别的。在十至十三节，我们看见耶和华为著这圣别的杀奖赏非尼哈。这奖赏就是将永远祭司职分的约，赐给非尼哈和他的后裔。
11The anger of Jehovah burned against Israel’’ (Num. 25:3b). He commanded Moses to take all the leaders of the people and hang them in the sun (v. 4). To be hanged in the sun was a great public shame. Moses then commanded the judges of Israel to slay every Israelite male who had yoked himself to Baal of Peor (v. 5). Moreover, twenty-four thousand people were killed by a plague (v. 9
５ 耶和华在米甸人身上报仇
4. The Sin of Zimri and the Holy Jealousy of Phinehas
12在二十五章十六至十八节和三十一章二节，我们看见耶和华在米甸人身上报仇，因为他们用诡计骗了以色列人。
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13在巴兰的申言中，所有论到以色列的点都很积极。但这些申言之后，立刻有一章给我们看见，以色列人按照他们的天性是甚么样的人。巴兰的诗歌所启示，神对以色列的观点，完全是积极的。但以色列实际的光景和情形却极其消极。在实际上，以色列人是淫乱和拜偶像之民。圣经对神子民的各面和身分，有著完满的记载，启示出我们在亚当里面的所是以及在基督里的所是。民数记二十五章暴露出我们在亚当性情里的所是，乃是淫乱和拜偶像的人。按照我们亚当的性情，我们只配被杀并在日头下悬挂。神是嫉妒的，祂的嫉妒在我们身上焚烧。祂在焚烧的嫉妒里不容许任何属于亚当性情的事。
13Numbers 25:6-15 tells us of the sin of Zimri and the holy jealousy of Phinehas. Zimri committed fornication with a Midianite woman (vv. 6, 14-15). The priest Phinehas, who had a holy jealousy for God, killed them both (v v. 7-8). This was not murder, a killing forbidden by the law. On the contrary, it was a sanctified killing, a killing sanctified by God. In verses 10 through 13 we see that Jehovah rewarded Phinehas for this sanctified killing. The reward was the covenant of a perpetual priesthood to Phinehas and to his seed.
14二十二至二十五章使我们对以色列有清楚的看见。在神眼中，这民是属天的，但按照他们实际的天性，他们是堕落而且有罪的。今天信徒的光景也是这样。一面，我们在基督里是美妙的；另一面，我们在自己里面是淫乱和拜偶像的人，命定要受神审判。
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见证
15弟兄：在巴兰的诗歌里，我们看见以色列人一幅美丽的图画。这幅图画给我们看见神爱上了祂的子民。基督的确爱召会。在民数记
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16二十五章，神的子民偏离了祂，并行淫乱。这使我想起保罗在林后
165. The Revenge of Jehovah on the Midianites
17十一章二、三节的话。『我以神的妒忌，妒忌你们，因为我曾把你们许配一个丈夫，要将一个贞洁的童女献给基督。我只怕你们的心思或被败坏，失去那向著基督的单纯和纯洁，就像蛇用诡诈诱骗了夏娃一样。』我们需要有那向著基督的单纯和纯洁，就如三节注２所说，对基督一心忠诚，一意忠信。哦，我们需要用全人来爱主！爱祂以外的事物乃是出卖我们所亲爱的，并行淫乱。愿我们都爱祂，注视祂，向祂作贞洁的童女！
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18姊妹：我欣赏这篇信息里平衡的话。这话使我迫切要在基督里，不在自己里。我恨我花在自己身上的一切时间。这话乃是警告，在自
18In 25:16-18 and 31:2 we see the revenge of Jehovah on the Midianites because of the deceits with which they deceived the Israelites
19己 里面是危险的。我们何等需要我们灵里的基督！我们必须要在基督里，必须要在灵里，这是何等严重的事！这话是严肃的，也激励人。我们要受这话激励，留在我们的灵里，且要激励彼此留在灵里。
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20弟兄：巴勒和巴兰看见无法用军事、政治或宗教来击败以色列，但他们没有放弃攻击以色列。巴兰教巴勒如何引诱以色列人。当神的子民放松、自满的时候，米甸女子就进来引诱他们。这对我们今天是一个警告。我们在召会生活中自满自足，享受神的祝福时，仇敌就来败坏我们，想要消灭我们。这该警告我们，不要安逸并放松。愿我们永不自满自足！愿我们在灵里儆醒，看见我们是在争战，为神的权益争战。
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21弟兄：我们要恨巴兰的教训。巴兰看起来是个属灵的人。在二十二章，他为著自己所面对的情形接触神。在二十三、二十四章，他说话之前接触神，好得著从神来的话。得著了话以后，他只说神的话，不多说，也不少说。然而，当他不说神的话时，他在作甚么？他有分于邪恶的计谋，要引诱、诱惑以色列人，好毁灭他们。他祝福以色列当然得不著报酬，但巴勒也许为著他的计谋给他钱。启示录二章十四节说，巴兰曾教导巴勒将绊脚石放在以色列子孙面前，这绊脚石乃是淫乱和拜偶像的事。我们由此看见，巴兰不是圣别、公义和敬虔的人。反之，除了在说神话的时候以外，巴兰完全是被撒但占据的。对于巴兰的教训，我们需要有非尼哈的灵，拿起枪刺透这邪恶的教训。从神的角度看，以色列人是圣别的。他们是独居的民。巴兰必定想到他论到以色列独居的话。然后他给巴勒计谋，使以色列与米甸人搀杂，因而抹杀他们的圣别。巴兰也说到以色列是完全的，因为神在雅各中未见罪孽。但巴兰后来题议巴勒，引诱以色列堕入淫乱和拜偶像的罪孽。这破坏了他们的完全。并且，巴兰也说过神的子民是美丽的。然而，他们堕入淫乱和拜偶像以后，就变得丑陋，只配死。巴兰的教训是何等可怕！我们若看见这教训是何等邪恶，并且这教训如何破坏神子民的见证，我们就不会同情牠，反要杀死牠。
21In Balaam’s prophecies all the points concerning Israel are very positive. Immediately after these prophecies we have a chapter showing us what kind of people the children of Israel actually were according to their nature. God’s view of Israel, revealed in Balaam’s parables, is altogether positive. But the actual situation and condition of Israel were extremely negative. In actuality, the children of Israel were a people of fornication and idolatry. The Bible presents a full record of the aspects and statuses of God’sp eople, revealing what we are in Adam and what we are in Christ. Numbers 25 exposes what we are in our Adamic nature—people of fornication and idolatry. According to our Adamic nature, we are worthy only of being slain and hanged in the sun. God is jealous, and His jealousy burns upon us. In His burning jealousy He will not spare anything of the Adamic nature
22弟兄：巴兰是雇用的申言者，但巴兰真正的难处不是金钱的问题，乃是他的教训，这教训把绊脚石放在以色列人面前，使他们堕入淫乱和拜偶像。犹大书十一节说到『为工价向著巴兰的错谬直闯。』这指明在巴兰身上有一个错谬，也有一个工价。在神眼中，巴兰真正的难处是他的错谬，就是淫乱和拜偶像。淫乱是甚么？淫乱乃是按照自己的念头、情欲和意愿，不照著神的命定，而使自己与一些事物联合。例如，离开一的正确立场就是淫乱。巴兰的教训使人离开神命定的路；就著召会来说，神命定的路包括一的立场。我们需要暴露巴兰真正的错谬。我们都需要作非尼哈，拿起枪，刺透这错谬。愿我们都拿起枪，暴露巴兰的错谬！
22Chapters twenty-two through twenty-five give us a clear view of Israel. In the sight of God, the people were heavenly, but according to their real nature, they were fallen and sinful. The situation is the same with the believers today. On the one hand, in Christ we are wonderful; on the other hand, in ourselves we are people of fornication and idolatry whose fate is to be judged by God