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出埃及记生命读经 · 第125篇

祭司的衣服（十）

The priestly garments (10)
1读经： 出埃及记二十八章二十二至三十节；三十九章十五至二十一节。
1Scripture Reading: Exo. 28:22-30; 39:15-21
2我们已经看见，大祭司的袍子上所带的以弗得有两条肩带，肩带上有两块牌子，每块上面刻着以色列儿子的六个名字。大祭司在以弗得前面带着一个胸牌，是由十二块宝石镶在金子里所构成的。每块宝石上面刻着雅各一个儿子的名字。因此，有袍子、以弗得、肩带和胸牌。
2We have seen that on the ephod worn upon the robe of the high priest there were two shoulder-pieces. On the shoulder-pieces were two plates with six of the names of the children of Israel engraved on each plate. On the front of the ephod the high priest wore a breastplate composed of twelve precious stones set in gold. On each of the stones was engraved the name of one of the sons of Jacob. Thus, we have the robe, the ephod, the shoulder-pieces, and the breastplate.
基督同教会
Christ with the church
3以弗得表征基督的彰显，它描绘出基督带着祂的属性和美德，彰显在祂的神性和人性里面。因此，以弗得乃是由基督在祂神性、人性、属性和美德里面的彰显所构成的。然后在以弗得上，在基督的彰显上，就有了教会。肩带和胸牌都是表征教会，首先，表征教会是主耶稣的见证，这就是两条肩带的功用，因为二是表征一个见证。因此，以弗得的两条肩带表征教会是基督的见证。由十二块宝石镶在金子里所构成的胸牌，表征圣徒是被变化的宝石，在基督神圣的性情里面建造在一起，成为一个实体，这就是建造起来的教会。因此，以弗得以及它所担负的三个牌子，实际上乃是基督与教会的一幅图画，这是非常重要的事情。
3The ephod signifies the expression of Christ. It portrays Christ expressed in His divinity and humanity with His attributes and virtues. Hence, the ephod is a composition of the expression of Christ in His divinity, humanity, attributes, and virtues. Then upon the ephod, upon the expression of Christ, there is the church. Both the shoulder plates and the breastplate symbolize the church. First, the church is symbolized as a testimony of the Lord Jesus. This is the function of the two shoulder-pieces, for two signifies a testimony. Thus, the two plates on the shoulders of the ephod signify the church as the testimony of Christ. The breastplate composed of twelve stones set in gold symbolizes the saints as transformed precious stones built together in the divine nature of Christ to become one entity. This is the built up church. Therefore, the ephod with all that it bears, the three plates, is actually a picture of Christ and the church. This is a matter of great importance.
4以弗得以及它所担负的是甚么？就是基督同教会。三个牌子怎样是属于以弗得的， 教会也照样是属于基督的。没有这三个牌子，以弗得还是以弗得，然而没有这么美丽。以弗得以及它所担负的真是美丽！这三个牌子乃是以弗得所加增的美丽。如果把这三个牌子挪去，以弗得还是很美丽。然而把这些牌子加在以弗得上，以弗得就更加美丽了。整个以弗得以及肩带和胸牌乃是基督同教会的一幅图画。
4What is the ephod with all that it bears? It is Christ with the church. Just as the three plates are the belongings of the ephod, so the church is the belonging of Christ. Without the three plates, the ephod would still be the ephod, but it would not have as much beauty. What beauty there is in the ephod with all it bears! The three plates are simply the additional beauty of the ephod. If these plates were removed, the ephod would still be beautiful. But when the plates are added to the ephod, the ephod has much more beauty. The entire ephod with the shoulder plates and the breastplate is a portrait of Christ with His church.
5我们来看出埃及记二十八章的时候，必须以整体包罗的眼光来把握住这幅图画。这意思是说，在这些论到以弗得的信息里面，我们乃是说到基督和祂所担负的，就是基督同教会。
5As we consider Exodus 28, we need to lay hold of this picture in an all-inclusive way. This means that in these messages on the ephod we are speaking concerning Christ with what He is bearing, that is, Christ with the church.
6要研读旧约里的豫表不是一件容易的事，要研读帐幕、祭司的衣服和祭物的豫表，尤其艰难。弟兄会在豫表和豫言的范围里是专家。如果你读过弟兄会的著作，你就会看见，他们非常注意豫表和豫言这两个范围。为着我与他们在一起的年日，以及我从他们所学习的，我感谢主。然而，我从来没有听过，在豫表里，以弗得以及它所担负的，乃是表征基督同教会。
6It is not an easy matter to study the types in the Old Testament. It is an especially difficult task to study the typology of the tabernacle, the priestly garments, and the offerings. The Brethren are experts in the areas of typology and prophecy. If you have ever studied the writings of the Brethren, you will see that they pay much attention to the two areas of typology and prophecy. I am thankful to the Lord for the years I was with them and for what I learned from them. However, I was never told that, in typology, the ephod with all it bears signifies Christ with the church.
7以弗得不仅仅是豫表基督的荣耀或祂的一些美德。不错，以弗得本身的确是表征基 督。但以弗得上面所担负的肩带和胸牌乃是表征神所救赎的人，因为这些牌子上面刻着以色列十二支派的名字，这些名字表征神所救赎的人。因这缘故，以弗得以及它所担负的，乃是描绘基督同教会。
7The ephod is not merely a type of the glory of Christ or of certain of His virtues. Yes, the ephod itself does signify Christ. But what is borne upon the ephod, the shoulder plates and the breastplate, signifies God’s redeemed people, for on these plates were engraved the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. These names signify the redeemed people of God. For this reason, the ephod with what it bears portrays Christ with the church.
金炼
Chains of gold
8出埃及记二十八章二十二节说：“要在胸牌上，用精金拧成如绳的炼子。”这两条金炼表征基督神圣的性情成为连接的成分。在豫表里，金子表征神圣的性情。没有疑问，炼子是连接、联结用的。因此，这两条金炼豫表基督神圣的性情作为连接的成分。
8Exodus 28:22 says, “And you shall make upon the breastplate twined chains, a work of cords, of pure gold.” These two chains of gold signify Christ’s divine nature as the connecting element. In typology gold signifies the divine nature. The chains, no doubt, served the purpose of connecting, joining. Thus, these two chains of gold typify the divine nature of Christ as the connecting element.
9二十二至二十七节很不容易了解。照二十三节来看，两个金环要安在胸牌的两头。这两头是在上端，与肩带相连。然后有两条细带子是用麻作的，不是用金作的，要连在胸牌下边两头，把胸牌系在以弗得上。因此二十八节说：“要用蓝细带子，把胸牌的环子与以弗得的环子系住，使胸牌贴在以弗得巧工织的带子上，不可与以弗得离缝。”
9Verses 22 through 27 are not easy to understand. According to verse 23, two rings of gold were put upon the two ends of the breastplate. These two ends were at the top and were connected to the shoulder-pieces. Then two ribbons, made of linen, not of gold, were attached to the two bottom ends of the breastplate and bound the breastplate to the ephod. Therefore, verse 28 says, “And they shall bind the breastplate by its rings unto the rings of the ephod with a ribbon of blue, that it may be upon the skillfully woven band of the ephod, and that the breastplate may not come loose from the ephod.”
10二十二节题到两条金炼，使胸牌上端和两条肩带的下端相连。这些炼子是用金子拧成的绳子作的，“拧成”这个词表征经过了苦难，这表明基督的神性经过了苦难，成为连接的成分。如果没有拧成的金绳作成炼子，就没有连接的成分，没有甚么东西使胸牌与肩带相连。这种必需的连接成分乃是基督的神性。基督神圣的性情把我们众人都联结在一起。
10Verse 22 mentions the two chains of gold that connected the top ends of the breastplate to the bottom ends of the two shoulder plates. These chains were made with twined cords of gold. The word twined signifies having passed through sufferings. This indicates that Christ’s divinity, having passed through sufferings, has become the connecting element. If there were no twined, golden cords made into chains, there would not be any connecting element. There would be nothing to join the breastplate to the shoulder plates. This necessary connecting element is Christ’s divinity. Christ’s divine nature is what joins us all together.
11我们已经指出，“拧成”这个词表征经过了苦难。基督在祂神圣的性情里面的确是拧过的；那就是说，祂经历了苦难。祂在地上生活了三十三年半之久，祂里头神圣的性情是被拧过的，祂经过了许多的苦难，经过了许多拧成的工作。
11We have pointed out that the word “twined” signifies having passed through sufferings. Christ in His divine nature certainly has been twined; that is, He has gone through sufferings. When He lived on earth for thirty-three and a half years, the divine nature within Him was twined. It passed through a great deal of suffering, a great deal of twining work.
金环
Rings of gold
12二十三节说：“在胸牌上也要作两个金环，安在胸牌的两头。”两个金环安在胸牌的两头，表征基督的灵作为保守的成分。在豫表里，环子是表征那灵。现在有炼子表征 基督的神性，以及环子表征基督的灵。也许你不晓得基督的神性与基督的灵有甚么不同。虽然祂们非常相近，然而祂们之间却有一些分别。基督有神性，就是神圣的性情。基督也有灵，就是基督的灵，也就是基督自己。罗马八章说到基督，也说到基督的灵。说基督的灵就是基督自己虽然没有错，但基督和基督的灵仍有分别。然而，我们很难解释这个分别在那里。
12Verse 23 says, “And you shall make upon the breastplate two rings of gold, and put the two rings upon the two ends of the breastplate.” The two rings of gold on the two ends of the breastplate signify the Spirit of Christ as the holding element. In typology rings signify the Spirit. Now we have the chains signifying Christ’s divinity, and the rings signifying Christ’s Spirit. Perhaps you are wondering what is the difference between Christ’s divinity and Christ’s Spirit. Although they are very close, there is nevertheless some difference between them. Christ has divinity, the divine nature. He also has His Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, which is Christ Himself. Romans 8 speaks of Christ and also of the Spirit of Christ. Although it is correct to say that the Spirit of Christ is Christ Himself, there is still a difference between Christ and the Spirit of Christ. However, it is difficult for us to explain what this difference is.
13在以弗得的图画里面有炼子和环子。如果我们有炼子而没有环子，我们就无法有完全的连接。炼子是连接的成分，而环子是保守的成分。我们有了连接和保守的成分，我们就有适当的联结了。如果你仔细、详尽、细细地来看你的经历，你就会晓得，一方面，基督神圣的性情在你里面是连接的成分；另一方面，基督的灵在你里面是保守 的成分。因着我们有基督的神性，也有基督的灵，我们就有完全的联结。
13In the picture of the ephod we have the chains and the rings. If we had the chains without the rings, we could not have a complete connection. The chains were the connecting element, but the rings were the holding element. When we have both the connecting and holding elements, we have the proper joining. If you consider your experience carefully in a fine, detailed way, you will realize that, on the one hand, the divine nature of Christ within you is a connecting element and that, on the other hand, the Spirit of Christ within you is a holding element. Because we have both Christ’s divinity and Christ’s Spirit, we have a complete joining.
14二十四节继续说：“要把那两条拧成的金炼子，穿过胸牌两头的环子。”两条金炼子穿过胸牌两头的环子，表征基督神圣的性情与基督的灵作为连接的能力。
14Verse 24 goes on to say, “And you shall put the two cords of gold on the two rings at the ends of the breastplate.” The two chains of gold put on the two rings at the ends of the breastplate signify Christ’s divine nature with Christ’s Spirit as the connecting power.
得着保守并支持
Held and upheld
15二十五节说：“又要把炼子的那两头，接在两槽上，安在以弗得前面肩带上。”炼子的一端安在胸牌的两头，另一端接在肩带的金槽上。两条炼子接在肩带的两槽上，表 征基督神圣的性情支持神的赎民，这些赎民向着祂担负的力量，在祂的爱里得蒙保守。神的赎民在祂的爱里蒙保守在基督的心上；他们也被保守在祂的肩上，由祂担负的力量所支持。没有肩带的胸牌指明我们由基督所保守，但并不表明我们由祂所支持。我们在爱里蒙保守，但我们没有因着基督担负的力量而得着支持。我们由这幅图画可 以看见，我们这些神的赎民，在爱里得蒙保守，也因基督担负的力量而得着支持。祂的心保守我们，祂的两肩支持我们。
15Verse 25 says, “And the two ends of the two cords you shall put on the two settings, and put them on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod, at its front.” One end of the chains was put on the ends of the breastplate, and the other, on the golden settings of the shoulder-pieces. The two chains put on the two settings of the shoulder-pieces signify Christ’s divine nature upholding God’s redeemed people, held in His love to His bearing strength. God’s redeemed people are held on Christ’s heart in His love. They are also held on His shoulders, upheld by His bearing strength. The breastplate without the shoulder-pieces would indicate that we are held by Christ, but not that we are upheld by Him. We would be held in love, but we would not be upheld with Christ’s bearing strength. By this picture we can see that we, God’s redeemed people, are both held in love and are upheld by Christ’s bearing strength. His heart holds us, and His shoulders uphold us.
16保守是爱的问题，而支持是力量的问题。一位弟兄因着爱妻子，也许常常想要为她 作点特别的事情。然而，他可能没有作那件事情的力量、才能。比方说，他想要买些贵重的东西给她，但他没有足彀的钱来买这么贵重的东西，他也许心有余而力不足。照样，我们作父母的因着爱儿女，也愿意为他们作许多的事情，但我们没有办法、没有能力作到我们想要作的每一件事。我们有保守的爱，可是缺少支持的力量。然而，基督的心里有爱，祂的两肩有力量。阿利路亚，我们在祂的爱里得蒙保守，也因着祂的力量得着支持！
16Holding is a matter of love, and upholding is a matter of strength. Often out of love for his wife, a brother may want to do something special for her. However, he may not have the strength, the ability, to do it. For example, he may want to buy something valuable for her, but he may not have enough money to purchase such an expensive object. He may have the heart, but he may not have the means. Likewise, because we parents love our children, we may desire to do many things for them. But we may not have the means or the ability to do everything we want to do. We have the holding love, but we may lack the upholding strength. Christ, however, has love in His heart and strength with His shoulders. Hallelujah, we are held in His love and upheld by His strength!
细麻带子
Ribbons of linen
17二十八节说：“要用蓝细带子，把胸牌的环子与以弗得的环子系住，使胸牌贴在以弗得巧工织的带子上，不可与以弗得离缝。”两条金炼是指基督的神性，而两条细麻带子乃是指祂的人性。胸牌上端连接的力量是基督的神性，但胸牌下端连接的力量乃是基督的人性，就是两条细麻带子所表征的。因此，就一面说，教会与基督相连是因 着祂的神性；就另一面说，教会与基督相连是因着祂的人性。神的神性和人性都是连接的成分。
17Verse 28 says, “And they shall bind the breastplate by its rings unto the rings of the ephod with a ribbon of blue, that it may be upon the skillfully woven band of the ephod, and that the breastplate may not come loose from the ephod.” The two chains of gold refer to Christ’s divinity, but the two ribbons of linen refer to His humanity. On the top of the breastplate the connecting element is Christ’s divinity. But at the bottom of the breastplate the connecting element is Christ’s humanity, signified by two ribbons of linen. Therefore, in one sense the church is connected to Christ by His divinity, and in another sense the church is connected to Christ by His humanity. Both His divinity and His humanity are connecting elements.
18蓝细带子的颜色表征属天。基督在地上活出了人性；然而，祂的人性是属天的。基督是人，但祂是个属天的人，祂的人性是蓝色的。
18The blue color of the ribbons signifies heavenliness. Christ’s humanity was lived out on earth; nevertheless, His humanity is heavenly. Christ is a man, but He is a heavenly man. His humanity is with the color of blue.
19二十六节、二十七节说：“要作两个金环，安在胸牌的两头，在以弗得里面的边上。又要作两个金环，安在以弗得前面两条肩带的下边，挨近相接之处，在以弗得巧工 织的带子以上。”两个金环安在胸牌下边两头，以及两个金环安在以弗得的两条肩带上，表征基督的灵作为保守的成分。
19Verses 26 and 27 say, “And you shall make two rings of gold, and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, upon its edge, which is toward the side of the ephod inward. And you shall make two rings of gold, and put them on the two shoulder-pieces of the ephod underneath, on its front, near its joining, above the skillfully woven band of the ephod.” Two rings of gold on the two ends at the bottom of the breastplate and two rings of gold on the two shoulder-pieces of the ephod signify the Spirit of Christ as the holding element.
20照二十八节来看，要用蓝细带子把胸牌的环子与以弗得的环子系住。这表征教会联于基督的彰显，是藉着祂的灵以及祂属人的性情。蓝细带子是用来把金环系在一起的。在这里有四样东西：金环、细麻带子、胸牌和以弗得。这些是表征教会（胸牌）联于基督的彰显（以弗得），乃是藉着祂的灵（金环）以及祂属人的性情（蓝细带子）。
20According to verse 28, the breastplate was bound by its rings to the rings of the ephod with the ribbons. This signifies the joining of the church to the expression of Christ by His Spirit with His human nature. The ribbon was used to bind the golden rings together. Here we have four things: the golden rings, the linen ribbons, the breastplate, and the ephod. All this signifies joining the church (the breastplate) to the expression of Christ (the ephod) by His Spirit (the rings) with His human nature (the ribbons).
一幅宝贵的图画
A precious picture
21我很宝贝保罗的著作，但甚至在保罗的著作里面，也没有出埃及记二十八章里所见关乎教会的细节。如果我们没有这幅图画，我们就无法看见这么多的细节，论到教会与基督的关系。这幅图画何其宝贝，而看见这幅图画对我们来说又是何其要紧！
21I appreciate Paul’s writings, but not even in them do we have the details concerning the church found in Exodus 28. If we did not have this picture, we could not see so many details about the relationship of the church to Christ. How precious is this picture, and how important it is for us to see it!
22我们思想这幅图画的时候，就看见我们是在基督的心上，由祂的神性和人性所保守。我们也在祂的肩上，由祂担负的力量所支持。现在我们晓得教会在那里了─在基督 的心上，也在祂的肩上。我们从约翰十章看见，我们是由主耶稣的手和父的手所保守的。虽然这里能感受到爱和能力，但它与出埃及记二十八章所提供的图画给我们的印象不尽相同。
22As we consider this picture, we see that we are on the heart of Christ, held by His divinity and humanity. We are also upheld on His shoulders by His bearing strength. Now we know where the church is — on Christ’s heart and on His shoulders. From John 10 we see that we are held by the hand of the Lord Jesus and also by the hand of the Father. Although this gives a sense of love and strength, the impression is not the same as that afforded by the picture in Exodus 28.
在神面前的记念
A memorial before God
23三十节说：“亚伦…要…在耶和华面前常将以色列人的决断牌带在胸前。”这里我们看见，胸牌是亚伦在主面前带在胸前的。这表征全教会成为一个建造在一起的实体，在神面前带在基督爱的胸前，这对我们是何等大的安慰！我们中间许多人有艰难、困苦，我们也许有工作上或家庭里的难处。属人生活真不容易。然而，如果我们想想亚伦胸前胸牌的图画，我们就晓得，我们不是在艰难、困苦或难处的里面─我们乃是在神面前、在基督的胸前。当仇敌来搅扰我们的时候，我们应当宣告：“撒但，此刻我是在神面前带在基督的胸前。”
23Verse 30 says, “Aaron shall bear the judgment of the sons of Israel upon his heart before Jehovah continually.” Here we see that the breastplate was borne upon Aaron’s heart before the Lord. This signifies that the entire church as one entity built together is borne upon Christ’s loving heart before God. What a great comfort this is to us! Many among us have hardships and difficulties. We may have problems at work or at home. Human life is not easy. However, if we consider the picture of the breastplate on Aaron’s heart, we shall realize that we are not in our hardships, difficulties, or problems — we are on Christ’s heart before God. When the enemy comes to trouble us, we should declare, “Satan, right now I am borne on Christ’s heart before God.”
24出埃及记二十八章二十九节说：“亚伦进圣所的时候，要将决断胸牌，就是刻着以色列儿子名字的，带在胸前，在耶和华面前常作记念。”这表征基督在神面前担负教会，作为在神面前的记念。记念通常是可喜悦的，也是美好的。教会在神面前带在基督胸前的确是神所喜悦的。每一天，甚至每一刻，神都有一个记念，这个记念就是在基督胸前的教会。
24Exodus 28:29 says, “And Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goes into the holy place, for a memorial before Jehovah continually.” This signifies that Christ is bearing the church before God for a memorial, for a remembrance before God. A memorial is usually pleasant and also good. The church borne on the heart of Christ before God certainly is pleasant to God. Every day and even every moment, God has a memorial. This memorial is the church on the heart of Christ.
25我们都必须晓得，教会乃是带在基督胸前，作为在神面前的记念。当主的见证在攻击之下遭遇反对时，这会鼓励我们。一方面，别人的毁谤和散布的谣言也许会困扰我们。但另一方面我们该晓得，所有的教会都是在神面前、在基督的胸前，这对祂是非常可喜悦的。当神观看祂的恢复以及所有的教会时，祂就喜乐了。祂很满意有这么一个记念。在人眼中，教会也许是被藐视的，但教会实在是神所喜悦的。我们有把握说，我们乃是神所喜悦的记念。
25We all need to realize that the church is borne upon Christ as a memorial, a remembrance, before God. This will encourage us at a time when the Lord’s testimony is under attack and facing opposition. On the one hand, we may be troubled by the slander and rumors spread concerning us. But on the other hand, we should realize that all the churches are on the heart of Christ before God. This is very pleasing to Him. When God looks at His recovery with all the churches, He is happy. He is pleased to have such a remembrance. In the sight of man the churches may be despised, but they are truly pleasant to God. We may have the assurance that we are a pleasing memorial to God.