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出埃及记生命读经 · 第123篇

祭司的衣服（八）

The priestly garments (8)
1读经： 出埃及记二十八章十五至二十一节；三十九章八至十四节。
1Scripture Reading: Exo. 28:15-21; 39:8-14
2在本篇信息中我们要来看胸牌。出埃及记二十八章十五节、十六节说：“你要用巧匠的手工，作一个决断的胸牌；要和以弗得一样的作法，用金子，和蓝色、紫色、朱红色并捻的细麻作成。这胸牌要四方的，叠为两层；长一虎口，宽一虎口。”（另译。）你有没有想过，这里的胸牌乃是对教会非常细致，甚至是顶细致的启示？以弗得是指基督，胸牌是指教会。这意思是说，以弗得同胸牌给我们一幅基督同教会的图画，这幅图画非常细致。这里我不是说到基督和教会，而是说到基督同教会，因为我们所有的不是以弗得和胸牌，而是以弗得同胸牌。如果我们笼统地说，我们可以说以弗得和胸牌，但事实上，这里不是两个对等的物件。反之，以弗得是基本的物件，胸牌是附属的物件，胸牌这个附属的物件乃是属于以弗得的。
2In this message we come to the breastplate. Exodus 28:15 and 16 say, “And you shall make a breastplate of judgment, the work of a skillful workman, like the work of the ephod you shall make it; of gold, blue and purple, and scarlet, and fine-twined linen you shall make it. It shall be squared and doubled; a span its length, and a span its width.” Have you ever thought that the breastplate here is a very fine, even the finest, revelation concerning the church? The ephod refers to Christ, and the breastplate refers to the church. This means that the ephod with the breastplate gives us a picture of Christ with the church, a picture that is very fine. Here I do not speak of Christ and the church, but of Christ with the church, for we do not have the ephod and the breastplate, but the ephod with the breastplate. If we speak in a general way, we may speak of the ephod and the breastplate. Actually what we have here is not two equal items. Rather, one item, the ephod, is basic, and the other item, the breastplate, is subordinate. As the subordinate item, the breastplate belongs to the ephod.
3我们已经指出，以弗得是描述并描绘基督的。在以弗得所描述的基督上面，有一个胸牌，就是教会。
3We have pointed out that the ephod depicts, portrays, Christ. Upon Christ, as depicted by the ephod, there is a breastplate, the church.
祭司衣服的中心物件
The central item of the priestly garments
4照出埃及记二十八章来看，祭司衣服的中心物件乃是胸牌，不是以弗得。当然，这个中心物件是属于以弗得的。描述祭司衣服的这一段，首先题起的就是胸牌。
4According to Exodus 28, the central item of the priestly garments is the breastplate, not the ephod. Of course, this central item belongs to the ephod. In the description of the priestly garments, the first thing mentioned is the breastplate.
5我们已经看见，祭司的衣服是为着荣耀与华美，其目的不仅仅是遮盖人的赤身，或保持人的健康。现在我们必须看见，这些祭司的衣服基本上乃是为着胸牌。为甚么神 要祭司穿上某些衣服呢？尤其是大祭司为甚么必须穿上某些衣服呢？祭司各式各样的衣服，目的乃是要有胸牌。
5We have seen that the priestly garments were for glory and for beauty and not merely for the purpose of covering one’s nakedness or for preserving one’s health. Now we need to see that these priestly garments are basically for the breastplate. Why did God want the priests to wear certain garments? In particular, why was it necessary for the high priest to wear certain garments? The purpose of the various priestly garments was to have the breastplate.
主的引导
The Lord’s leading
6胸牌的功用是甚么？照十五节来看，胸牌称为决断的胸牌。我们晓得，决断这个词 与判断有关。再者，决断常常和分辨对错有关。然而，这里的决断主要还不是断定甚么是对的，甚么是错的，甚么是义的，甚么是不义的。反之，这个决断乃是叫神的子民能彀晓得祂的引导。因此，决断的胸牌实际上乃是引导的胸牌。那么，为甚么十五节用决断这个词来说到胸牌呢？答案乃是说，如果我们要晓得神的引导，我们就必须有许许多多的决断。我们必须断定甚么是出于肉体、己、旧人、世界；我们必须断定出于肉体的事情，以及思念肉体的心思。这种决断为我们开辟了一条路来认识神的引导。
6What was the function of the breastplate? According to verse 15, the breastplate was called the breastplate of judgment. We know that the word judgment is related to judging. Furthermore, judgment is often concerned with the difference between right and wrong. However, the judgment here is not mainly to determine what is right or wrong, what is just or unjust. Instead, this judgment is so that God’s people could know His leading. Hence, the breastplate of judgment is actually the breastplate of leading. Why, then, does verse 15 use the word judgment with respect to the breastplate? The answer is that if we would know God’s leading, we must have a great deal of judgment. We must judge whatever is of the flesh, the self, the old man, and the world. We must judge the things of the flesh and the mind set on the flesh. This judgment clears the way for us to know God’s leading.
7在要来的信息中我们会看见，决断的胸牌实际的功用乃是像一部属天的打字机。如果你用打字机来写信，你会按下键盘，好把一些字母打在纸上。你用打字机上不同的字母，就能彀拼出你所需要的字来。胸牌的功用就像属天、神圣、属灵的打字机一样。希伯来的二十二个字母当中，有十八个字母包含在十二支派的名字里面，这些名字刻在胸牌上面所镶的宝石内。剩下的四个字母包含在与胸牌相连的土明里面。因此，胸牌有全部的希伯来字母。这就使胸牌能彀成为一部神圣的打字机。我们会看见，藉者胸牌和乌陵、土明，就能彀得着主的引导，正如使用打字机的时候，一个字、一句话地组成了一封信。
7In a forthcoming message we shall see that the breastplate of judgment actually functioned as a heavenly typewriter. If you use a typewriter when you compose a letter, you will press the typewriter keys in order to impress certain letters on the paper. With the different letters of the typewriter you are able to compose any word you need. The breastplate functions as a heavenly, divine, and spiritual typewriter. Of the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, eighteen were contained in the names of the twelve tribes inscribed in the stones set on the breastplate. The remaining four letters were contained in the Thummim attached to the breastplate. Therefore, with the breastplate there were all the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. This made it possible for the breastplate to function as a divine typewriter. As we shall see, the Lord’s leading could be obtained through the breastplate with the Urim and the Thummim much like a word, or a sentence, is composed one letter at a time by using a typewriter.
8我们会看见，胸牌的功用在于透明的宝石因着光而照耀。然而，如果胸牌上的十二块宝石有些模模糊糊，或者刻在上面的字母有些不清楚，胸牌就无法合式地尽功用了。每当这件事发生的时候，就需要把造成模糊的东西清除掉。因此，首先需要决断和清除。然后才可能在积极方面得着神引导的断案。
8We shall see that the function of the breastplate depended on the transparency of the stones shining with light. However, if some of the twelve stones on the breastplate were opaque or the letters inscribed on them were not clear, the breastplate could not function properly. Whenever that happened, there was a need to cleanse away whatever caused the opaqueness. Thus, first there was a need for judgment and cleansing. Then it could be possible to obtain a decision concerning God’s leading in a positive way.
9严格说来，祭司的衣服不单是为着遮盖赤身、为着健康，或为着荣耀与华美。这些衣服主要的目的乃是为着主的引导。帐幕建造起来，祭司的衣服作好以后，以色列人就照着神的引导在旷野里行走。摩西死后，大祭司便藉着胸牌得着这种引导。他要穿 上祭司的衣服和胸牌，进到帐幕里面。这样，以色列人就能彀照着胸牌所显示神的引导来行动。
9Strictly speaking, the priestly garments were not merely for covering nakedness, for health, or for glory and beauty. The main purpose of these garments was for the Lord’s leading. After the tabernacle was built up and after the priestly garments were made, the children of Israel journeyed in the wilderness according to God’s leading. After the death of Moses, the high priest obtained this leading through the breastplate. He would put on the priestly garments with the breastplate and go into the tabernacle. In this way, the children of Israel could act according to God’s leading made known through the breastplate.
10今天在基督徒中间许多关乎神引导的谈论都是大错特错，甚至是无稽之谈。许多人谈论这种引导，可是对他们所谈论的一点概念也没有。罗马八章十四节保罗说，凡被神的灵引导的，都是神的儿子。我们在罗马八章看见胸牌的实际。你有没有想过，我们在罗马八章能彀看见胸牌？
10Much of the talk among Christians today concerning the Lord’s leading is very inaccurate, even nonsensical. Many speak about the leading without having any idea what they are talking about. In Romans 8:14 Paul says that as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. In Romans 8 we find the reality of the breastplate. Have you ever thought that the breastplate can be seen in Romans 8?
11在豫表里，胸牌和主的引导有关。有些人立刻会说：“你前后不一致，你刚才说胸牌是豫表教会，现在又说胸牌是神引导的问题，教会和引导有甚么关系？”我要回答说，如果我们不认识教会，我们就不认识主的引导是甚么。事实上，神的引导和教会乃是一。
11In typology the breastplate was related to the Lord’s leading. Immediately some may say: “You are not being consistent. First you said that the breastplate typifies the church. Now you are saying that the breastplate is a matter of God’s leading. What does the church have to do with the leading?” I would reply that if we do not know the church, we do not know what the Lord’s leading is. Actually God’s leading and the church are one.
12我怀疑在已过的五十年里，有那些基督徒谈论教会会像我们谈论得这么多。我甚至因着谈论教会而得了恶名。但即使我们释放了这么多篇关于教会的信息，出版了许多本论到教会的书籍，我们在本篇信息里还是有新的东西要说。我们要论到胸牌豫表教会的各方面。
12I doubt that during the past fifty years any other Christians have spoken as much concerning the church as we have. I have even received a bad name for talking about the church. But even though we have given so many messages on the church and have published a number of books regarding the church, in this message we have something new to say about the church. We shall cover an aspect of the church typified by the breastplate.
13胸牌不但是祭司衣服的头一项物件，也是所有这些衣服的中心物件。首先大祭司穿上一件长袍，遮住全身。然后在袍子外又穿上一件外衣，这件外衣也许长达膝盖。大祭司在外衣上穿着以弗得。我们已经指明，我们很容易了解袍子和外衣是甚么，但以弗得是独特的。我们的文化里没有甚么东西和以弗得一样，因此我们没有言词来描述 ，为这缘故，圣经译者发觉要译出希伯来字的以弗得很不容易，所以他们只好音译。这意思是说，以弗得乃是希伯来字的英语化形式。以弗得是在外衣上，外衣是在袍子上。在前面的信息中我们指出，以弗得有两条肩带、红宝石，宝石上面刻着以色列十 二支派的名字。最终，大祭司穿著有十二块宝石的胸牌，每块宝石刻着一个支派的名字。我们已经看见，决断的胸牌乃是一部属天、神圣、属灵的打字机，好显明神的引导。这部属天的打字机就是祭司衣服的中心。
13Not only is the breastplate the first item of the priestly garments; it is also the central item of all these garments. First the high priest wore a long robe to cover his entire body. Then over the robe he wore a tunic. This tunic was perhaps the length of a coat that reached to the knee. Upon the tunic the high priest wore the ephod. As we have indicated, we can easily understand what the robe and the tunic are, but the ephod is unique. There is nothing like it in our culture, and thus we have no word to describe it. For this reason, translators of the Bible have found it difficult to translate the Hebrew word for ephod. Therefore, they actually transliterate it. This means that ephod is an anglicized form of a Hebrew word. The ephod was over the tunic, and the tunic was over the robe. In foregoing messages we pointed out that with the ephod there were two shoulder plates, onyx stones, on which were engraved the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. Finally, the high priest wore the breastplate comprising twelve precious stones, each of which was engraved with one of the names of the twelve tribes. We have seen that the breastplate of judgment functioned as a heavenly, divine, and spiritual typewriter to make known God’s leading. This heavenly typewriter is the very center of the priestly garments.
14我们已经看见，胸牌豫表教会，而以弗得豫表基督。因此，以弗得上面的胸牌表征 基督把教会担在胸前。此外，神的引导藉着胸牌来显明，这件事实指明今天神藉着教会、凭着教会并同着教会来启示我们该作甚么。教会就是神的引导，因为教会担负着神圣的字母，藉此神来显明祂的引导。我们又一次看见，旧约里的豫表启示新约里所找不到的细节。我能作见证，我认识神、认识基督、认识教会、认识神的引导，不但 是藉着新约里所启示的，也是藉着旧约里的豫表。
14We have seen that the breastplate typifies the church, and the ephod typifies Christ. Thus, the breastplate on the ephod signifies that the church is borne by Christ upon His breast. Furthermore, the fact that God’s leading was made known by means of the breastplate indicates that today God reveals what we should do through the church, by the church, and with the church. The church is God’s leading, for the church bears the divine alphabet by which God makes known His leading. Once again we see that the types in the Old Testament reveal details that are not found in the New Testament. I can testify that I have come to know God, Christ, the church, and the leading of God not only through what is revealed in the New Testament, but also through the types in the Old Testament.
教会的形成与构成要素
The formation and constituent of the church
15胸牌的作法与材料和以弗得一样。十五节指明这一点：“你要用巧匠的手工，作一个决断的胸牌；要和以弗得一样的作法，用金子，和蓝色、紫色、朱红色并捻的细麻作成。”（另译。）胸牌的作法与材料和以弗得一样，这有甚么意义？我们准确地解释这一点、了解这一点是很要紧的。如果我们能彀正确地答覆这个问题，就表明我们领会了这里的豫表。
15The workmanship and material of the breastplate were the same as that of the ephod. Verse 15 indicates this: “And you shall make a breastplate of judgment, the work of a skillful workman, like the work of the ephod you shall make it; of gold, blue and purple, and scarlet, and fine-twined linen you shall make it.” What is the significance of the workmanship and material of the breastplate being the same as that of the ephod? It is important that we rightly interpret this and understand it. If we can answer this question correctly, it shows that we understand the type here.
16以弗得和胸牌在材料上和作法上都相同，我相信这个问题最好的解答乃是说，教会的形成与构成要素和基督都是一样的。“巧匠的手工”这个片语表征教会形成的方式，也就是教会的形成。以弗得和胸牌的材料表征教会的构成要素，就是用来构成教会的东西。教会在形成和构成的要素上，与基督完全一样。基督形成的方式、就是教会形成的方式，而构成基督的成分，也就是构成教会的成分。
16I believe that the best answer concerning the significance of the materials and workmanship of the ephod and the breastplate being the same is that the formation and constituent of the church are the same as those of Christ. The phrase “work of a skilled workman” signifies the way the church is formed, that is, the formation of the church. The materials of the ephod and the breastplate signify the constituent of the church, that with which the church is constituted. In its formation and constituent the church is exactly the same as Christ. The church is formed in the way Christ is formed, and the church is constituted of the same elements of which Christ is constituted.
17这样来领会胸牌的作法和材料，能领会得很丰富。这种领会的确帮助我们来认识教会。胸牌不是以弗得，但在材料和作法上和以弗得一样。这指明教会不是基督自己，然而，在形成和构成的要素上，教会和基督乃是完全一样的。不然，教会就无法与基 督相配了。夏娃能与亚当相配，因为在形成和构成要素上，她和亚当是一样的；照样 ，教会也能彀与基督相配，因为教会在形成和构成要素上，和基督也是一样的。
17This understanding of the workmanship and material of the breastplate includes a great deal. It certainly helps us to know the church. The breastplate is not the ephod, but it is the same as the ephod both in materials and in workmanship. This indicates that the church is not Christ Himself. Nevertheless, in its formation and constituent the church is exactly the same as Christ. Otherwise, the church could not match Christ. Just as Eve could match Adam because she was the same as Adam in formation and constituent, so the church can match Christ because she is the same as Christ in formation and constituent.
完全的见证
A perfect testimony
18照十六节来看，胸牌是四方的，叠为两层。这一节说：“这胸牌要四方的，叠为两层；长一虎口，宽一虎口。”四方的意思就是胸牌上没有缺欠。胸牌是一个完全的见证。叠为两层这个词暗指双重的东西，因此是一个见证，因为二是见证的数字。所以 ，四方和叠为两层乃是表征一个完全的见证。
18According to verse 16, the breastplate was squared and doubled. This verse says, “It shall be squared and doubled; a span its length, and a span its width.” Squared means that there was no defect in the breastplate. The breastplate was a perfect testimony. The word doubled implies something that is twofold, hence, a testimony, since two is the number of testimony. Therefore, squared and doubled signifies a perfect testimony.
基督对教会的无限关怀
Christ’s unlimited care for the church
19根据十六节来看，胸牌长一虎口，宽一虎口。这是甚么意思？为甚么这里的记载不是说到肘，而是说到虎口？一虎口表征在人手掌限度之内的东西，不超过人手掌的容量和能力。凡是小于我们手掌的东西，都很容易握在手中，表明这是在我们顾到那件 东西的能力之内。胸牌长一虎口、宽一虎口的意思是说，教会完全是在基督手掌的限度之内。基督的手全然足彀来照顾教会。胸牌所表征的教会，乃是在基督眷顾能力之内完全的见证。
19According to verse 16, the breastplate was a span long and a span wide. What is the meaning of this? Why does the record here not speak of cubits, but of a span? A span signifies something that is within the limit of a person’s hand, something that does not reach beyond the capacity, the ability, of the hand. Anything that is smaller than the span of our hand can easily be held in our hand. This indicates that it is within our ability to care for that thing. The significance of the breastplate being a span in length and width is that the church is fully within the limit of Christ’s hand, Christ’s hand is altogether sufficient to take care of the church. As signified by the breastplate, the church is a perfect testimony within the capacity of Christ’s care.
20出埃及记有一幅图画，说出教会是在基督的手中，在主眷顾她的能力之内。当然，在新约里，我们也看见主的眷顾，但不像出埃及记二十八章这样来描绘的。本章有一幅图画，表明教会完全是在基督的手中，在主眷顾的能力之内。事实上，主的关怀和能力是无限的，因为祂自己就是无限的。因着基督是无限的，祂对教会的关怀也照样 是无限的。因此，教会的需要不会超出基督的手掌，不会越过基督无限的关怀。
20In Exodus 28 we have a picture of the church being within the span of Christ’s hand, within the capacity of the Lord to care for her. In the New Testament, of course, we see the care of the Lord, but it is not portrayed in the way found in Exodus 28. In this chapter we have a picture showing that the church is fully within the span of Christ’s hand. It is within the capacity of the Lord’s care. Actually, the Lord’s care and capacity are unlimited, for He Himself is unlimited. Because Christ is unlimited, His care for the church is likewise unlimited. Therefore, the need of the church cannot exceed the span of Christ’s hand. It cannot go beyond Christ’s unlimited care.
21基督的关怀既然是无限，我们就不该原谅自己不能成为一个完全的见证。教会没有理由不成为这样的见证；然而，基督徒却常常替自己辩白。有些人会说：“主知道我们是软弱的，现今的时代是罪恶的、属世的，祂定规会宽恕我们的失败。最终我们都要上天堂，但如今我们生活在一个非常罪恶的地方，我们不可能免去试探。然而主知道我们的软弱，祂也体恤我们。”这就是为我们的软弱辩白。因着主的虎口是无法测量的，祂的关怀是无限无量的，我们就不该再找甚么借口。主的手比地上邪恶的东西大多了。无论我们住在那里，甚至我们住在一个非常不道德的城市里，主的手仍然大到一个地步能彀保守我们，把我们保守在祂的关怀中。我们不可被邪恶的事情所污染。虽然你在一个满了试探和罪恶之事的环境里工作，但你不该想原谅你的软弱或失败。请记住，你仍然是在主的眷顾中。不要以为你在一个邪恶的环境里生活、工作，你就不可能成为圣洁了。如果你以为在这样的环境里不可能圣洁，这就表明你不相信主 的手比那个环境还要大。
21Since Christ’s care is unlimited, we should not excuse ourselves for failing to be a perfect testimony. The church has no excuse for failing to be such a testimony. However, Christians often make excuses for themselves. Some may say, “The Lord knows that we are weak and that this modern age is sinful and worldly. Surely He will overlook our failures. Eventually, we all shall go to heaven. But now we are living in a very sinful place. It is impossible for us to avoid temptation. But the Lord knows our weakness and sympathizes with us.” This is to make excuses for our weaknesses. Because the Lord’s span is immeasurable and His care is unlimited, we should not make excuses. The Lord’s hand is much greater than any evil thing on earth. No matter where we may live, even in a very immoral city, the Lord’s hand is wide enough to preserve us, large enough to keep us in His care. We need not be contaminated by anything evil. Although you may work in an environment filled with temptations and sinful things, you should not try to excuse your weaknesses or failures. Remember, you are still in the Lord’s care. Do not think that because you live or work in an evil environment, it is impossible for you to be holy. If you think that holiness is impossible in such a situation, this indicates that you do not believe that the Lord’s hand is greater than that situation.
22祂的手掌是无限无量的，祂清楚地说，谁也不能从祂手里把祂的信徒夺去：“我又赐给他们永生；他们永不灭亡，谁也不能从我手里把他们夺去。”（约十28。）现今时代的邪恶不会大过主的手。事实上，环境愈邪恶，我们愈容易成为耶稣的见证。因着眷顾我们的那一位，祂的手是宽大的、刚强的、有能的，我们在任何的环境里都能彀成为主完全的见证。胸牌长一虎口、宽一虎口，表明基督对教会的关怀乃是无限无量的。
22The span of His hand is unlimited. He has clearly said that no one can snatch His believers out of His hand: “And I give to them eternal life, and they shall by no means perish forever, and no one shall snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28). The evil of this present age is not greater than the Lord’s hand. Actually, the more evil the environment is, the easier it is for us to be the testimony of Jesus. Because the hand of the One who cares for us is wide, strong, and capable, we can be a perfect testimony of the Lord in any situation. The breastplate being a span in length and width indicates that the span of Christ’s care for the church is unlimited.