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出埃及记生命读经 · 第97篇

帐幕的竖板（一）

The Boards of the Tabernacle (1)
1读经： 出埃及记二十六章十五至二十五节；三十六章二十至三十节；四十章十八节。
1Scripture Reading: Exo. 26:15-25; 36:20-30; 40:18
2照神圣启示的顺序来看，先题的是帐幕的盖，然后才说到竖板。这与人说到一栋建筑物的方式相反，人是由底部开始说，一直往上说到屋顶。但神启示帐幕的方式却是由顶端的四层盖开始。不仅如此，从出埃及记三十六章来看，帐幕的屋顶也比竖板先造起来。我们把这件事应用到基督徒的经历中时，就该思想思想，在基督徒的生活中，是由帐幕的底部开始呢，还是由顶端开始？
2According to the sequence of the divine revelation, the covering of the tabernacle is mentioned before the boards. This is opposite to the human way of speaking about a building, which is to begin with the bottom and proceed upwards toward the roof. The divine way of revealing the tabernacle is to begin with the top, with the four layers of covering. Furthermore, according to Exodus 36, the roof of the tabernacle was also made before the boards. As we apply this to Christian experience, we should consider whether in our Christian life we begin from the bottom of the tabernacle or from the top.
3在旷野里，神居所的屋顶，或说神居所的盖，有四层。头一层是细麻，第二层是山羊毛，第三层是染红的公羊皮，第四层是海狗皮。在豫表里，这四层不是指信徒，而是单指基督说的。头一层豫表基督是完满而完全的人；第二层豫表祂是替我们成为罪 ，并为我们的罪死在十字架上的那位；第三层豫表祂完成救赎，满足神和我们的需要；第四层豫表祂向着仇敌是刚强的，能彀抵挡仇敌所有的攻击。因此，信徒们在四层盖里都没有分。这盖完完全全是基督自己。
3The roof, or covering, of God’s habitation in the wilderness was of four layers. The first layer was fine linen, the second of goats’ hair, the third of rams’ skins dyed red, and the fourth of porpoise skins. In typology these layers do not refer to the believers, but only to Christ. The first layer typifies Christ as a perfect and complete human being; the second layer typifies Him as the One who was made sin for us and who died on the cross for our sins; the third layer typifies Him as the One who accomplished redemption to meet both God’s need and ours; and the fourth layer typifies Him as the One who is strong toward the enemy and who is able to resist all his attacks. No aspect of these four layers signifies the believers in any way. Therefore, the believers do not have any part in the layers of the covering. This covering is absolutely and thoroughly Christ Himself.
一 豫表信徒建造在一起成为神的居所
I. TYPIFYING THE BELIEVERS BUILT TOGETHER TO BE THE DWELLING PLACE OF GOD
4在帐幕的盖之下，有竖板构成的墙，是用皂荚木包上金子作成的。这些竖板豫表信徒建造在一起，成为神的居所。（弗二22。）因此，我们有把握说，帐幕不仅豫表个人的基督，更是豫表团体的基督。由包金的竖板来豫表的信徒，乃是由基督亲自来遮盖。虽然信徒不在四层盖里面，但基督却与构成帐幕墙壁的竖板有关。我们由一件事实可以晓得：竖板是用皂荚木包上金子作成的，而豫表基督的约柜也是用同样的材料作的。
4Under the covering of the tabernacle there were the walls composed of standing boards of acacia wood overlaid with gold. These boards typify the believers built together to be the dwelling place of God (Eph. 2:22). Therefore, we have the assurance to say that the tabernacle typifies not only the individual Christ, but also the corporate Christ. The believers, typified by the boards overlaid with gold, are covered with Christ Himself. Although the believers are not included in the four layers of the covering, Christ is involved with the boards which form the walls of the tabernacle. We know this by the fact that the boards were made of acacia wood overlaid with gold, the same materials used to make the ark, which is a type of Christ.
5我们得救以前，原不是神帐幕里的竖板。我们没有皂荚木，更没有包上金子。照天然的生命来说，我们不是竖板。但按着复活里神圣的生命来说，我们乃是帐幕的竖板。如今我们成了包上金子的皂荚木。
5Before we were saved, we were not the boards in God’s tabernacle. We did not have acacia wood, and we were not overlaid with gold. According to the natural life, we are not boards. But according to the divine life in resurrection, we are the standing boards of the tabernacle. Now we have become acacia wood overlaid with gold.
6约柜怎样是用皂荚木和金子这两种成分作的，竖板也照样是用这两种成分构成的。这指明竖板乃是约柜的扩大和延伸。竖板在本质上与约柜相同，都有木头和金子两种性质。这描绘出一件事实，我们这些组成帐幕墙壁的信徒，乃是基督的扩大，基督的延伸。你知道你是基督延伸的一部分么？我们既是身体上的肢体，就是祂的翻版、延续、加增、复制和扩展。我们也是祂的扩大和延伸，人的身体如何是头的延伸和扩大，我们─基督的身体─也是元首基督的扩大、延续、延伸和扩展。因此，帐幕里所有 的竖板乃是约柜的延伸和扩大。
6Just as the ark was made of two elements, acacia wood and gold, so are the boards constructed of the same two elements. This indicates that the boards are the enlargement and extension of the ark. They are the same as the ark in substance, with the two natures of wood and gold. This portrays the fact that we the believers, who are the components of the wall of the tabernacle, are the enlargement of Christ, His extension. Do you realize that you are part of the extension of Christ? As members of the Body, we are His reproduction, continuation, increase, duplication, and spread. We are also His enlargement and extension. Just as a person’s body is the extension and enlargement of his head, so we, the Body of Christ, are the enlargement, continuation, extension, and spread of Christ the Head. Therefore, all the boards in the tabernacle are the extension and enlargement of the ark.
7约柜的尺寸长二肘半，宽一肘半，高一肘半。帐幕的尺寸长三十肘，宽十肘，高十肘。我们把帐幕和约柜比较一下，就能看见帐幕实在就是约柜的扩大和延伸。同样的原则，我们这些信徒也是基督的扩大和延伸。主耶稣在地上的时候，祂生活、旅行的范围非常有限，但今天团体的基督遮满了全地。
7The dimensions of the ark were two and a half cubits in length and one and a half cubits in width and height. The dimensions of the tabernacle were thirty cubits in length and ten cubits in both width and height. As we compare the tabernacle and the ark, we see that the tabernacle is truly the enlargement and extension of the ark. In the same principle, we, the believers, are the enlargement and extension of Christ. When the Lord Jesus was on earth, He lived and traveled in a very restricted area. But today the corporate Christ covers the entire earth.
二 约柜的扩大
II. THE ENLARGEMENT OF THE ARK
8帐幕不仅包含个人的基督，更在团体的方式里包含基督和信徒们。一面说，竖板豫表信徒；另一面说，竖板也与基督有关。原因乃是基督已经使我们成为祂自己的一部分了。我们不再在亚当里，甚至成了基督的一部分。团体的基督乃是在个人基督的遮盖之下。约柜和四层盖我们都没有分。可是我们虽然不是盖的扩大，却是约柜的扩大。盖主要是为着救赎，而约柜主要是为着见证。基督救赎的工作，我们不能有分。说我们有分基督救赎的工作乃是亵渎。但我们能彀说，在基督的见证里，我们有一分，因为我们联于见证的基督，就成了祂的扩大。
8The tabernacle includes not only the individual Christ, but also Christ and the believers in a corporate way. On the one hand, the boards typify the believers; on the other hand, the boards are also related to Christ. The reason for this is that Christ has made us part of Himself. We are no longer in Adam; we are in Christ and have even become part of Christ. The corporate Christ is under the covering of the individual Christ. We do not have any part in the ark or in the four layers of the covering. However, although we are not the enlargement of the covering, we are the enlargement of the ark. The covering is mainly for redemption, but the ark is mainly for testimony. We do not have any part in Christ’s redemptive work. It would be blasphemy to say that we share in Christ’s work of redemption. But we can say that we have a part, a share, in Christ’s testimony, for we are joined to the witnessing Christ and have become His enlargement.
9在这一点上，我们要回到信息开头时所题的问题：在基督徒的经历中，我们是由帐幕的顶端开始呢？还是由帐幕的底部开始呢？帐幕豫表教会。教会是由顶端往下产生的？还是由底部向上产生的？圣经没有启示教会是由底部向上产生的。照圣经来看，教会是由顶端向下产生的，出埃及记里的记载可以表明这件事。因为出埃及记里的记载不是由竖板开始，而是由帐幕的屋顶开始。因此，帐棚的盖在竖板之先，指明必须先有基督的救赎。基督徒的经历不是由底部开始，而是由顶端开始，由屋顶开始的。倘若基督没有成为一个人，为我们的罪死在十字架上，完成救赎，达到神的要求，并抵挡仇敌的攻击，我们就无法成为神的子民。福音的确就是帐幕的四层盖所豫表的基督。我们传福音的时候，就是传这位四层的基督。我们听见福音，信了基督，基督徒的生活就从上面开始，由屋顶开始。但我们天然的生命都是由底部开始，而且事实上是由最低的光景开始的。这就是先启示四层屋顶的原因。我们重生以前，已经有了屋顶，有了四层的基督。因此，我们基督徒的经历不是由底部开始，而是由屋顶开始。我们相信主、接受主的时候，立刻就发现自己是在屋顶之下，在遮盖之下。
9At this point let us return to the question we raised at the beginning of the message: In our Christian experience do we begin with the top of the tabernacle or with the bottom? The tabernacle typifies the church. Does the church come into existence from the top down, or from the bottom up? The Bible does not reveal a church that comes into being from the bottom up. On the contrary, according to the Bible, the church comes into existence from the top downward. This is indicated by the fact that the record in Exodus begins with the roof of the tabernacle, not with the boards. Therefore, the fact that the covering comes before the boards indicates that the redemption of Christ must come first. This reveals that our Christian experience begins with the top, with the roof, not with the bottom. If Christ had not become a man to die on the cross for our sins in order to accomplish redemption, fulfill God’s requirements, and withstand the attacks of the enemy, there would be no way for us to be God’s people. The gospel is actually Christ typified by the four-layered covering of the tabernacle. When we preach the gospel, we preach this four-layered Christ. When we heard the gospel and believed into Christ, our Christian life began from above, with the roof. Our natural life, on the contrary, began from the bottom, in fact, from the very lowest level. This is the reason the layers of the roof are revealed first. Before we were regenerated, the roof, the four-layered Christ, was already in existence. Therefore, our Christian experience begins not from the bottom, but with the roof. When we believed in the Lord and received Him, we immediately found ourselves under the roof, under the covering.
三 皂荚木包上金子
III. ACACIA WOOD OVERLAID WITH GOLD
10我得救以后，知道我已经重生了，但我不知道里面发生了甚么事。我不知道我已经成了皂荚木包上金子作成的竖板。我只知道我已经得救了，从此以后该尽我所能的来荣耀神。当然，这种观念是积极的。知道自己得救，还渴慕把荣耀归给神，当然很好。可是这种天然的认识，没有神圣的光，仅仅知道我们从前是罪人，命定要下地狱，如今得救了，就命定要上天堂，所以就该循规蹈矩，好荣耀神。有一件事很要紧，我们要认识得救重生的时候，我们里面发生了一种变化。我们原是堕落的，而且每下愈况，但我们信了基督，祂进到我们里面来，我们就会往上浮。一种新的成分加到我们里面来，我们就经历了性情上的改变，这种成分一点不差地就是基督自己。因此，我们重生之后，就成了包上金子的皂荚木。我们有耶稣拔高的人性，以及祂神圣的性情。如今我们的新成分乃是约柜扩大的一部分。
10After I was saved, I knew I had been regenerated, but I had no understanding of what had taken place within me. I did not know that I had become a board of acacia wood overlaid with gold. I realized simply that I had been saved and that henceforth I should do my best to glorify God. This concept, of course, is positive. It is wonderful to know that we have been saved and to desire to bring glory to God. However, this knowledge is natural; it does not contain any divine light. It is merely to know that once we were sinners bound for hell, but now, as saved ones destined for heaven, we should behave ourselves properly for the glory of God. It is crucial to realize that when we were saved and regenerated, a change took place in our being. We were fallen and were sinking lower and lower. But when we believed in Christ, He came into us, and we became buoyant. We experienced a change in nature, for a new element was added into our being. This element is nothing less than Christ Himself. Thus, through regeneration we have become acacia wood overlaid with gold. We have the uplifted humanity of Jesus and His divine nature. Now our new being is part of the enlargement of the ark.
11我们既是基督徒，就不只得救了，更要在性情上、在全人里面都有改变。我们里面有皂荚木所表征的拔高人性，也有金子所表征的神圣性情，这神圣性情乃是包在拔高人性之上的。凡没有得着这种新成分的人，都不是在基督里的弟兄姊妹。所有神所拣选、所重生的人，都有这两种性情─皂荚木和金子。
11As Christians, we have been not only saved, but also changed in our nature and being. Within us we have the uplifted human nature signified by acacia wood and the overlaying divine nature signified by the gold. Anyone who does not possess such a new being is not our brother or sister in Christ. All those who have been chosen by God and regenerated by Him have these two natures—acacia wood and gold.
12我们重生之后，人性就得了更新和加强。例如，重生使我们更有智慧、更加聪明、更有悟性。如果我没有得救、没有重生的话，我就不会有今天的悟性。此外，许多信徒重生以前好像水母一般─没有脊椎骨，一点点事情来就很容易把他们打倒。但如今他们重生，就成了皂荚木，他们的意志非常刚强，抵挡罪恶。根据提摩太后书一章七节，神所赐给我们的不是胆怯的灵，而是刚强、爱、清明的灵。刚强与意志有关，而 爱与感情有关。神的救恩的确变化了我们，使我们成为一个新人。
12Through regeneration our humanity has been renewed and reinforced. For example, regeneration causes us to be wiser and more prudent and understanding. If I had never been saved and regenerated, I would not have the understanding I possess today. Furthermore, many believers were like jellyfish before they were regenerated—they seemed to be people without a backbone. They could easily be defeated by anyone or anything. But now, through regeneration, they have become acacia wood. Their will is very strong to resist sin. According to 2 Timothy 1:7, God has not given us a spirit of cowardice, but of power, love, and a sober mind. Power is related to the will, and love to the emotion. God’s salvation has indeed changed us; it has made us a new being.
13我们重生之后，就有耶稣拔高的人性。我们有一首诗歌说到成为“耶稣的人性”。因为我们有耶稣拔高的人性，别人就很难了解我们。一方面，我们好像很平凡；另一方面，我们的确与众不同，因为我们有神圣的生命和性情。这神圣的性情彰显在我们的人性里，这就是金子包裹皂荚木所豫表的。
13Through regeneration we have the uplifted humanity of Jesus. One of our hymns speaks of being “Jesusly human.” Because we have the uplifted humanity of Jesus, others may find it difficult to understand us. On the one hand, we seem to be ordinary human beings; on the other hand, we are different from others because we have the divine life and the divine nature. The divine nature is expressed in our humanity. This is typified by the gold overlaying the acacia wood.
14我很欣赏神（God）、良善（good）、金子（gold）这三个词。真正的金子，真正的良善，都是神自己。这意思是说，如果我们要成为善人，成为金人，首先必须成为神人。皂荚木应当把包裹它的金子彰显出来。如果我们不是金人，就无法彰显神。我们既是皂荚木的竖板，就不该彰显自己，而该彰显包裹我们的金子。这意思是说，别人在我们里面所看见的，该是神的彰显。
14I appreciate the three words God, good, and gold. True gold and true goodness are both God Himself. This means that if we would be a good man or a gold-man, we must first be a God-man. The acacia wood should express the gold which covers it. If we are not gold-men, we cannot express God. As boards of acacia wood, we should express not ourselves, but the gold which overlays us. This means that what others see in us should be the expression of God.
15你听了皂荚木包上金子之后，也许很难相信，你这位基督徒竟然是这样的一块竖板。也许你还受试探，认为自己仍旧软弱。如果你认为自己软弱，还宣告你软弱的话，那你就真软弱了。在经历中，你所是的，乃是照着你所想、所说的。因此，要紧的是你的想法要改变。你不要再认为自己是一只水母，你该在信心里宣告说，你是皂荚木包上金子作成的竖板。不要照着天然的所是来说话，乃要照着信心来说话。如果你说 你软弱，你就真软弱。如果你说有种局面你无法处理，你就真无法处理。但如果你宣告，你是刚强的，有最好的法子来处理最艰难的局面，你就真是刚强的，也真有最好的法子。
15When you hear about acacia wood overlaid with gold, you may find it difficult to believe that, as a Christian, you are such a board. You may be tempted to say that you are still weak. If you think you are weak and then proclaim that you are weak, you will in fact be weak. In experience what you are will be according to what you think and say. Thus, it is crucial for you to change your thinking. No longer should you consider yourself a jellyfish. In faith you should proclaim that you are a board of acacia wood overlaid with gold. Do not speak according to what you are by nature, but speak according to your faith. If you say that you are weak, you will be weak. If you say that you have no way to handle a particular situation, you will not have a way to handle it. But if you declare that you are strong and have the best way to handle a difficult situation, you will be strong and you will also have the way.
16我们这样说就是把由神所得的恩赐再如火挑旺起来。最近我们在哥林多前书生命读经里看见，所有在基督里的信徒，都得了最初的恩赐，就是神圣的生命和圣灵。我们既知道神所赐给我们的，不是胆怯的灵，而是刚强、爱、清明的灵，如今就必须把这些恩赐再如火挑旺起来。我们必须看见，我们重生后的所是，然后宣告这个所是。不要看你自己，要站在主的话上，照着主的话行动。主耶稣吩咐彼得下船，从水面上走到祂那里去，彼得就这么作，（太十四28～29，）他照着基督的话从水面上走过去。可是他一看环境，信心马上消失了。我们该像彼得照主的话下船从水面上走过去，但我们不该像他看环境而信心消失。根据主的话，我们该在信心里说，我们乃是皂荚木包上金子作成的竖板。
16To speak in this way is to fan into flame the gift of God we have received. Recently we have seen in the Life-study of 1 Corinthians that all believers in Christ have received the initial gifts, the gifts of the divine life and the Holy Spirit. Now we must fan these gifts into flame, realizing that God has not given us a spirit of cowardice, but a spirit of power, of love, and of a sober mind. We must see what we are through regeneration and then declare this. Do not look at yourself, but stand on the Lord’s word and act on it. When the Lord Jesus told Peter to step out of the boat and come to Him on the water, Peter did so (Matt. 14:28-29). He walked on the water according to the word of Christ. But when he looked at the environment, his faith disappeared. We should be like Peter in the first matter, but not in the second. According to the Lord’s word, we should say in faith that we are boards of acacia wood overlaid with gold.
17皂荚木表征在基督里的新造，重生而拔高的人性，成为刚强站立的基本材料。因此皂荚木乃是竖板的基本材料。站住的能力不在金子，而在皂荚木。虽然金子很宝贵，但金子太柔软了，缺少竖板站住所需要的能力。我们这些竖板站住的能力乃是皂荚木。我们所以能站住，是因为我们有重生且拔高的人性，我们不是彰显这个人性，乃是彰显金子。因此，金子乃是教会的彰显。皂荚木包上金子，这件事实表征基督神圣的 性情，与我们属人的性情合而为一，成为神的彰显。
17Acacia wood signifies the regenerated and uplifted humanity of the new creation in Christ as the basic material, strong for standing. Acacia wood is thus the basic material of the standing boards. The ability to stand does not depend on the gold; it depends on the acacia wood. Although gold is precious, it is too soft to have the necessary standing power. As boards, our standing power is the acacia wood. We stand because we have a regenerated and uplifted humanity. However, we do not express this humanity. Instead, we express divinity. Thus, gold is the church’s expression. The fact that the acacia wood was overlaid with gold signifies that the divine nature of Christ has become one with our human nature to be the expression of God.
四 尺寸
IV. THE MEASUREMENTS
18每块竖板长十肘。十是由二乘五组成的。五既然是表征负责任的数字，十就是两倍的负责任。我们这些教会里的竖板，必须负两倍的责任。再者，二这个数字，不但是表征两倍，也是表征见证。如果我们都加倍的负责任，我们就有一个见证。
18The length of each board was ten cubits. Ten is composed of two times five. Since five signifies the number of responsibility, ten is two times responsibility. As standing boards in the church, we need to bear a double responsibility. Furthermore, the number two stands not only for doubling, but also for testimony. Our double responsibility is a testimony. If we all bear responsibility in a double way, we shall have a testimony.
19每块竖板宽一肘半，与约柜的宽和高相同。约柜长二肘半。这意思是说，约柜的尺寸都是半个单位。每块竖板的宽度也是这样。三肘的一半表明每位信徒都是一半，需 要与别人配合，好形成三肘，为着神居所的建造。
19The width of each board, one and a half cubits, is the same as the width of the ark and its height. The length of the ark is two and a half cubits. This means that the dimensions of the ark are all in half units. This is also true of the width of each standing board. One half of three cubits indicates that every believer is a half needing to be matched by another to form three cubits for the building of God’s dwelling place.
20照旧约来看，三和五这两个数字，乃是神建造的基本数字。帐幕有许多器具的尺寸是三和五这两个数字，或这两个数字的倍数。我们已经看见五是负责任的数字，而三是在复活里三一神的数字。因此，在神的建造里用三和五这两个数字，指明建造极其需要凭着三一神在复活里面来负责任。
20According to the Old Testament, the numbers three and five are the basic numbers of God’s building. With the tabernacle there are many instances of the numbers three and five or of multiples of these numbers. We have seen that five is the number of responsibility and that three is the number of the Triune God in resurrection. Hence, the use of the numbers three and five in God’s building indicates that the building requires much responsibility in resurrection by the Triune God.
21我们这些竖板，没有一个是完全的。在教会生活中，就像在婚姻生活里一样，我们都是一半。我们是一肘半，需要别的竖板来构成一个完整的单位。多年来，在教会生活中我已学会，我无法独立，无法成为单独的竖板，我需要配搭；那就是说，我需要另一半，需要另一块竖板，来构成一个完整的单位。
21As boards, none of us is complete. In the church life, as in married life, we all are halves. We are one and a half cubits, and we need another board to make a complete unit. Throughout the years in the church life I have learned that I cannot be independent, that I cannot be a single board. I need to be coupled; that is, I need another half, another board, to make a complete unit.
22婚姻生活可用两人三脚竞赛来作比方。竞赛时，每人有一只脚是自由的，另一只脚和同伴的脚绑在一起。每一对要好好跑完全程，就需要二人如同一人配搭着跑、跑得好。然而，在婚姻生活中，丈夫很难与妻子合一，妻子也许会随便发表意见，而丈夫也许很难办，东要求西要求的。因此，夫妇没有真在一里生活，反而貌合神离。在教会生活里，常常发现同样的难处。最破坏教会生活的，就是发表意见。甚至吸除会所地毯的灰尘时，圣徒也会有好多的意见。在教会生活中，与别人配搭，与别人配合实在不容易。我们惟有经历皂荚木包上金子，才能彀与别的竖板配合。
22Married life can be illustrated by a three-legged race. In this race each pair of runners has one leg free and the other tied to one of his partner’s legs. Running the race successfully depends on each pair working together in good coordination. The two must run as if they were one person. However, in married life it is not easy for a husband and wife to be one. The wife may freely express her opinions, and the husband may be difficult and demanding. Thus, instead of a couple living in true oneness, there is division. The same problem is often found in the church life. What is most damaging to the service of the church is the expression of opinion. Even in the matter of vacuuming the carpets in the meeting hall, saints may have many different opinions. In the church life it is very difficult to be coupled, to be matched, with others. We can be matched with other boards only when we experience the acacia wood overlaid with gold.
23有些圣徒愿意在教会生活中有事奉，但他们甚么都要一手包办。有人甚至会说：“如果弟兄们要我作一件事情，就该让我自个儿来作，别人不要来干涉我。”这样服事教会会把服事的范围弄成私人的产业。我们都必须学习，在教会服事一定要有配搭。没有甚么事是可以放在我们的口袋中。一位弟兄负一件事情的责任时也许忠心、殷勤。但太个人主义了，结果把事奉弄成私人的事，他不愿意让别人插手。有时候我劝圣徒们不要在自己家里照顾教会的事，不论甚么事都要在会所里公开地作。私下、单独的服事，就会成为一块单独的竖板，与别的竖板不相连。可是，帐幕是用许多相连的竖板造成的。我们必须认识，我们只是许多竖板当中的一块，我们只是半个单位，需要别的竖板来使我们完全。
23Certain saints are willing to serve in the church, but they want to do things all by themselves. Some may even say, “If the brothers want me to do a certain thing, they should let me do it alone. Don’t let anyone interfere with what I am doing.” Those who serve the church in this way make their area of service their private possession. However, we all must learn to do things in the church in the way of sharing. Nothing should be kept in our hands in a private way. A brother may bear the responsibility for a certain matter faithfully and diligently. Nevertheless, he may be too individualistic and keep the matter of service too private. He may not be willing to allow others to share in this aspect of the church service. At times I have advised the saints not to take care of church matters in their homes, but to do everything in the meeting hall in a public way. To serve the church privately and individualistically is to serve as a single board which is not joined to another. The tabernacle, however, was built of many boards which were connected. We need to realize that we are just one of many boards, that we are only half a unit, and that we need another board to complete us.
24我们感谢主，在最近的十年里，我们中间竖板的光景和情形进步多了，但我们还需要更长进。我盼望教会里每一个服事的人，都要配搭服事，认识他是一肘半，需要别人来与他配合。
24We thank the Lord that during the last ten years the situation and condition among us regarding the standing boards has improved. But we still need more improvement. I hope that everyone who serves in the church will serve in a corporate way, realizing that he is a half unit and needs another to match him.
五 数字
V. THE NUMBER
25十八节说：“帐幕的南面要作板二十块。”照二十节来看，帐幕第二面，就是北面，也要作板二十块。每一面有十对，形成十倍的三肘。我再说，三表征在复活里的三一神，而十乃是属人完全的数字。所以，十乘三就给我们完全而完满的人性，与三一神一同在复活的生命里，这就是教会建造起来的见证。
25Verse 18 says, “And you shall make the boards for the tabernacle: twenty boards for the south side southward.” According to verse 20, there were to be twenty boards also on the north side, the second side of the tabernacle. On each side there were ten pairs forming ten times three cubits. To repeat, three signifies the Triune God in resurrection, and ten is the number of human completion. Therefore, ten times three gives us the complete and perfect humanity in resurrection with the Triune God. This is the testimony of the built up church.
26二十二节说：“帐幕的后面，就是西面，要作板六块。”六这个数字是指第六天被造，后来堕落了的人说的。在圣经里，六是表征天然、堕落的人。我们在自己里面，就是六这个数字。因为我们是堕落的、天然的。但我们配搭在一起，就成了三对竖板，每对宽三肘。这意思是说，堕落、天然的人配搭在一起，就成为三乘三，成为三对，每对三肘。他们成为与三一神一同在复活里的人。 二十三节说：“帐幕后面的拐角，要作板两块。”帐幕宽十肘。照二十二节来看，帐幕的后面有六块板。这些板遮盖帐幕的九肘宽，把两旁竖板的厚度算进去，就留下不到一肘的空隙。我们不晓得这个空隙是怎么来补满的。在神的建造里，有些事是我们领会不来的。
26Verse 22 says, “And for the rear of the tabernacle westward, you shall make six boards.” The number six refers to man who was created on the sixth day and then became fallen. In the Bible six signifies the natural, fallen man. In ourselves we are the number six, for we are fallen and natural. But when we are coupled together, we form three pairs of boards, each three cubits in width. This means that when fallen, natural persons are coupled together, they become three times three, three pairs of three. They become persons in resurrection with the Triune God. Verse 23 says, “And you shall make two boards for the corners of the tabernacle at the rear.” The tabernacle was ten cubits wide. According to verse 22, there were six boards for the rear of the tabernacle. These boards covered nine cubits of the width of the tabernacle, leaving a gap of less than one cubit, when the thickness of the side boards is taken into account. We simply do not know how this gap was filled. There is something here in God’s building which we cannot figure out.
27二十四节很难了解：“板的下半截要双的，上半截要整的，直顶到第一个环子，两块都要这样作两个拐角。”“两块”一词是指二十三节所题起约两块板。这两块板下半截是双的，上半截是整的，直顶到第一个环子。在下一篇信息中我们会看见，每一块板有三个环，把联结的闩穿进去，竖板就能彀连在一起了。拐角竖板上的顶环安在那里，很难断定。因为这些板的厚度是双倍的，这样，我们又有一个问题：环子怎样与 其它竖板上的环子对齐，而闩怎么又能彀穿进去？
27Verse 24 is difficult to understand: “And they shall be double from below, and in like manner they shall be complete at its top to the first ring; thus it shall be for both of them; they shall be for the two corners.” The word “they” refers to the two boards mentioned in verse 23. They were to be doubled from below, and this doubling was to be complete at the top to the first ring. As we shall see in the next message, each board had three rings into which the connecting bars were inserted so that the boards could be joined together. It is very difficult to determine where to put the top ring on the corner boards. Because these boards were doubled in thickness, we are left with the problem of how the ring would be in line with the rings on the other boards and also how the bar could fit into it.
28虽然我们无法了解拐角竖板的所有细节，但我们能彀宝贝这些竖板是成双的属灵意义。拐角乃是转弯的地方。每当主的行动有了一个转弯，就需要成双、坚固、加强。比方说，教会生活由耶路撒冷扩展到安提阿，安提阿就是一个拐角，转到外邦的世界。如果你研读行传十三章，你就会看见，在安提阿发生了一次重要的转弯。我们怎样无法彻底了解帐幕拐角的竖板，我们也怎样无法完全领会安提阿所发生的转弯。照样，我们也无法完全了解主在祂的恢复里所作的转弯。一九四九年，从中国大陆到台湾有一次转弯，虽然那次转弯我完全在其中，但所发生的事情我也无法彻底解释。我们中间没有人能彻底了解那一次的转弯。但我们的确知道，那次转弯是成双的、坚固的、加强的。我们无法了解帐幕拐角的一切细节，因此，主在祂的恢复里所作的转弯，总使我们有些困惑。一九七○年，在美国为着扩展教会生活，有一次移民。有分于这次移民的人都晓得，这是一个转弯。然而，这次转弯，很令人困惑，也很难了解。虽然这件事很难说得清楚，但我们知道这次转弯含有一种加倍、一种加强。今天在主的见证里有拐角。每一个拐角都必须加强，都必须成双。这种加强是无法测度的，也是我们无法完全领会得来的。
28Although we cannot understand all the details concerning the corner boards, we can appreciate something of the spiritual significance of these boards being doubled. The corner is a place of turning. Whenever there is a turn in the Lord’s move, there is the need for doubling, strengthening, reinforcing. For example, the church life spread from Jerusalem to Antioch. Antioch was a corner, a place of turning toward the Gentile world. If you study Acts 13, you will see that an important turn took place at Antioch. However, just as we cannot have a thorough understanding of the corner boards of the tabernacle, so we cannot have a complete understanding of the turn which took place at Antioch. Likewise, we do not have a full understanding of the turns the Lord has made in His recovery. In 1949 there was a turn from the mainland of China toward Taiwan. Even though I participated in that turn in a full way, I cannot adequately explain what took place. No one among us can fully figure out this turn. But we do know that when that turn took place, there was a doubling, a strengthening, a reinforcing. The fact that we cannot figure out all the details of the corners of the tabernacle indicates that we shall always be somewhat puzzled by the turns the Lord makes in His recovery. In 1970 there was a migration for the spreading of the church life in the United States. Those who shared in this migration know that it was a turning. Nevertheless, this turn was puzzling and difficult to understand. Although it is difficult to explain, we know this turning involved a doubling, a strengthening. Today there are corners in the Lord’s testimony. Every corner needs to be strengthened and doubled. This strengthening is immeasurable, and we have no way to understand it in full.