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出埃及记生命读经 · 第98篇

帐幕的竖板（二）

The Boards of the Tabernacle (2)
1读经： 出埃及记二十六章十五至三十节；三十六章二十至三十四节；四十章十八节。
1Scripture Reading: Exo. 26:15-30; 36:20-34; 40:18
2我们来看榫、座、环、闩之前，我要再说一点拐角的竖板，以及帐幕里竖板的总数。我很宝贵帐幕的拐角需要加强的观念。我们在前一篇信息中指出，拐角就是转弯的地方。每当主转弯的时候，都需要坚固和加强。
2Before we consider the tenons, sockets, rings, and bars, I would like to say a word about the corner boards and also about the total number of boards in the tabernacle. I appreciate the concept that there must be strengthening at the corners of the tabernacle. As we pointed out in the foregoing message, a corner is where a turn is made. Whenever the Lord makes a turn, there is the need for strengthening and reinforcement.
3主耶稣不但是教会的根基，也是联络墙垣的房角石，祂把外邦墙和犹太墙联结起来。在安提阿有了一次转弯，转向外邦的世界。因此，需要基督作房角石来联络教会的二道墙，就是犹太墙和外邦墙。在这拐角上还需要加强。如果我们细细地读行传十三章，就会看见，主在安提阿转弯的时候，的确是一种加强。我们晓得在安提阿的教会中，有几位先知和教师，他们祷告禁食的时候，圣灵说：“要为我分派巴拿巴和扫罗，去作我召他们所作的工。”（二节）主使这二位弟兄有负担，把见证带到外邦世界中去。当然，巴拿巴和扫罗都是拐角的竖板，他们是成双的，得着加强的，好成为坚固的竖板，为着教会的建造。
3The Lord Jesus is not only the foundation of the church; He is also the cornerstone connecting the walls. He joins the Gentile wall to the Jewish wall. At Antioch there was a turn toward the Gentile world. Thus, there was a need for Christ to be the cornerstone to embrace the two sections of the church wall, the Jewish wall and the Gentile wall. At this corner there was the need for strengthening. If we read Acts 13 carefully, we shall see that there definitely was a strengthening when the Lord made a turn at Antioch. We are told that in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers. As they were praying and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me now Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them” (v. 2). These brothers were burdened by the Lord to take the testimony to the Gentile world. To be sure, both Barnabas and Saul were corner boards. They were doubled and strengthened in order to become stronger boards for the building of the church.
4一九二二至一九四九年，主用中国作为祂恢复的苗圃。可是一九四九年，主作了一次大的转弯，从中国大陆转到台湾来。这次转弯我完全有分，我被摆在重压之下，我能彀说，我因此得着加强，成为两倍。我也能彀作见证说，在这次的转弯里有坚固。在要来的年日里，主在祂的恢复中也许还是有别的转弯。有些圣徒要成为双倍，得着 加强，得着坚固，好为着这样的转弯成为拐角的竖板。
4From 1922 until 1949, the Lord used China as a nursery for the planting of His recovery. But in 1949 the Lord took a major turn from the mainland of China to Taiwan. As one who participated in this turn in a full way, I was put under immense pressure, and I could say that I was thereby condensed and doubled. I can also testify that in this turn there was the strengthening. In the years to come, the Lord will probably make other turns in His recovery. Certain saints will be doubled, condensed, and strengthened in order to be the corner boards for such a turn.
5帐幕里共有四十八块竖板。四十八这个数字可以由四乘十二或六乘八所组成。我相信对帐幕来说，正确的方式乃是六乘八。在竖板的记载里，没有题起十二这个数字，却题起六这个数字，也指出八这个数字。六这个数字是指第六天被造的人。这人堕落了，后来蒙了救赎。因此，六是指受造、堕落、蒙救赎的人。八这个数字乃是复活的数字。所以，六乘八的意思是说，作为帐幕竖板的信徒们，是受造的、堕落的，然后蒙了救赎，并且复活了。我们的历史都是一样，我们是受造的、堕落的、蒙了救赎，现今在复活里。因此，我们是在复活里蒙救赎的人。这就是竖板有四十八块的意义。
5There was a total of forty-eight boards in the tabernacle. The number forty-eight can be formed with either four times twelve or six times eight. I believe that with the tabernacle the correct way to make this number is six times eight. In the record concerning the boards there is no mention of the number twelve, but there is mention of the number six and an indication of the number eight. The number six refers to man created on the sixth day. This man became fallen and was later redeemed. Therefore, six refers to created, fallen, and redeemed human beings. The number eight is the number of resurrection. Thus, six times eight means that, as the standing boards in the tabernacle, the believers have been created, have become fallen, and then have been redeemed and resurrected. We all have the same history. We were created, we became fallen, we were redeemed, and now we are in resurrection. Thus, we are a redeemed people in resurrection. This is the significance of the number of the boards being forty-eight.
六 榫
VI. THE TENONS
6帐幕的四十八块竖板要立起来，需要一个方法。为着神的建造，竖板必须直立起来，不能彀堆积散在那里，堆积就是失败的记号。竖板要立得正直，必须有榫、座、环、闩。榫和座是为着站立，环和闩是为着联结。帐幕单独的竖板必须成为一个团体的实体，这就需要一种联结的能力把它们联结起来，成为一个帐幕。榫和座是为着我们个人，环和闩则是为着把我们地联结在一起。
6There must be a way for the forty-eight boards of the tabernacle to stand up. For God’s building, the boards must be vertical. They cannot lie flat. Lying flat would be a sign of defeat. In order for the boards to stand upright, there is the need for the tenons, the sockets, the rings, and the bars. The tenons and the sockets are for standing, whereas the rings and the bars are for uniting. The individual boards of the tabernacle must become a corporate entity. This requires a uniting power to join them and make them one. The tenons and the sockets are for us individually, but the rings and the bars are for us to be joined together corporately.
7十七节说：“每块必有两榫相对；帐幕一切的板，都要这样作。”我们不知道榫的尺寸、形状、材料等细节。榫这个希伯来字很难繙译。这个字原意是手。因此，两榫就是两手。二这个数字在这里是表征见证，以及配搭的坚实。
7Verse 17 says, “Two tenons shall be in each board, connected one with the other; thus you shall make for all the boards of the tabernacle.” We do not know the details concerning the size, the shape, or the material of the tenons. The Hebrew word rendered tenons is difficult to translate. This word actually means a hand. Thus, the two tenons are two hands. The number two here signifies testimony and confirmation for coordination.
七 座
VII. THE SOCKETS
8十九节说：“在这二十块板底下，要作四十个带卯的银座，两卯接这块板上的两榫，两卯接那块板上的两榫。”这些银座表征稳定站立。它们是用银作的，表征基督的救赎成了信徒站住作为神居所的根基。（三十12～16。）在每块竖板底下，有两卯接这块板上的两榫，北面要作四十个，南面也要作四十个，表征为着见证受到试验和试炼。竖板共有九十六个带卯的银座。这个数字是由十二乘八组成的，表征在复活里 神圣行政的完全。
8Verse 19 says, “And you shall make forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards, two sockets under one board for its two tenons, and two sockets under another board for its two tenons.” These sockets signify stability for standing. They were made of silver, signifying the redemption of Christ as the base for the believers’ standing for God’s dwelling place (30:12-16). There were two sockets under each board for its tenons, which made forty on the north side and forty on the south side, signifying being tested and tried for a testimony. Altogether there were ninety-six silver sockets for the boards. This number, composed of twelve times eight, signifies the completion of the divine administration in resurrection.
9我们不晓得榫的尺寸和形状，也同样不晓得银座的尺寸和形状。根据三十八章二十七节，每个银座是一他连得银子，大约重一百磅。但我们不知道银座是圆形、正方形，还是长方形。我宁愿相信银座是四方的，好担负建筑物及其四层盖的重量。
9Just as we are not told the size and shape of the tenons, neither are we told the size and shape of the sockets. According to 38:27, each socket was a talent of silver, weighing approximately one hundred pounds. But we do not know if the sockets were round, square, or rectangular. I prefer to believe that they were square in order to bear the weight of the building with its four layers of covering.
10在这一点上，我们必须要问，每块竖板上的两榫表征甚么。这些榫不仅联于银座，也安在银座里面，事实上两榫与银座成为一个。这些银座坚固而有分量，有孔可容纳两榫。因为银座是用银子作的，而银子表征救赎，我就相信，两榫是指我们的信心说的。出埃及记三十章吩咐以色列人要为着救赎付半舍客勒银子，（十二16，）这个银子是用来作银座的。我们已经指出，竖板有九十六个带卯的座。以后我们会看见，有四个附加的银座，用来支持柱子，这些柱子把圣所和至圣所隔开的幔子托住。因此，有一百个银座，每一个约重一百磅。这意思是说，帐幕的根基是由一万磅银子组成的。在豫表里，银子表征救赎。银座是豫表基督牢靠的救赎，成为我们在神的建造里站立的根基。我们不是站在下沉的沙土中，而是站在基督的救赎上。基督救赎了我们，如今祂的救赎是我们稳固的根基。基督的救赎乃是安插两榫的银座。
10At this point we need to ask what the two tenons on each board signify. These tenons were not merely connected to the sockets, but they fit into the sockets and actually became one with them. The sockets were solid and weighty and had holes to contain the tenons. Because the sockets were made of silver signifying redemption, I believe that the two tenons refer to our faith. In Exodus 30 the children of Israel were commanded to pay a half shekel each for redemption (vv. 12-16). This silver was used to make the sockets. As we have pointed out, there were ninety-six sockets for the standing boards. Later we shall see that there were four additional sockets of silver used to support the pillars which held up the veil separating the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place. Thus, there were one hundred sockets of silver, each one weighing about one hundred pounds. This means that the base of the tabernacle consisted of ten thousand pounds of silver. In typology, silver signifies redemption. All the sockets of silver typify the solid redemption of Christ as the base of our standing in God’s building. We do not stand on sinking sand—we stand on Christ’s redemption. Christ has redeemed us, and now His redemption is our solid standing. Christ’s redemption is a socket in which the two tenons are placed.
11我信，每块竖板上的两榫是表征我们在基督救赎里的信心。林后一章二十四节保罗说：“你们是站立在信上。”（恢复版。）在罗马五章二节、加拉太五章一节，保罗说到站立。罗马五章二节说：“我们又藉着祂，因信得进入现在所站的这恩典中。”加拉太五章一节说：“基督释放了我们，叫我们得以自由，所以要站立得稳，不要再被奴仆的轭挟制。”两榫表征我们得以站住的信心。
11I believe that the two tenons on each board signify our faith in Christ’s redemption. Our standing is by faith. In 2 Corinthians 1:24 Paul says, “In faith you stand.” In Romans 5:2 and Galatians 5:1 Paul speaks of standing. Romans 5:2 says, “Through whom also we have the access by faith into this grace in which we stand.” Galatians 5:1 says, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore.” The tenons signify our faith by which we stand.
12现在我们还要再问，为甚么每块竖板上有两榫。如果榫代表我们的信心，为甚么不是一榫，而是两榫？答案是说，这两榫代表完全的信心。举一个简单的例子，就会帮 助我们了解。 一副眼镜有两个镜片，每只眼睛一个；但这两个镜片构成一副眼镜。我们虽然有两个眼睛，但视界只有一个。如果我们有双重视界，那的确是一个严重的难 处。眼镜配得合式，就会有清楚的视界。两个镜片怎样构成一副眼镜，两榫也照样是完全的信心。
12Now we must go on to ask why there are two tenons on each board. If the tenons signify our faith, why are there two instead of just one? The answer is that these two tenons signify a complete faith. A simple illustration will help us in our understanding. In a pair of eyeglasses there are two lenses, one for each eye. But these two lenses make up one pair of glasses. Although we have two eyes, we have one field of vision. It would certainly be a serious problem if we had double vision. When a pair of glasses is properly prescribed, we have one clear field of vision. As the two lenses make one pair of glasses, so the two tenons are one complete faith.
13我们已经看见，二这个数字代表证实、见证、配搭。真实的信心总是包含这三方面 。如果我们在主耶稣里的信心是真实的，就会有见证、证实和配搭。不然，我们的信心就有问题。正确的信心乃是经过见证和证实，而有一个合式的配搭。正如两个半步，每只脚走半步，就是完整的一步，照样我们也需要两榫，好有完全的信心。
13We have seen that the number two signifies confirmation, testimony, and coordination. Genuine faith always includes these three aspects. If our faith in the Lord Jesus is genuine, it will have a testimony, confirmation, and coordination. Otherwise, our faith is questionable. A proper faith is one that is testified and confirmed and that has a proper coordination. Just as it takes two half-steps, one with each foot, to make a complete step, so we need two tenons in order to have a complete faith.
14我知道有些基督徒的信心不完全，他们有所谓一榫的信心。一方面、他们相信了，另一方面他们又怀疑。他们忽是忽非是而又非。这就是一块竖板上只有一榫。如果竖板只有一榫，就很容易摇动，摇动就是怀疑，怀疑相信基督到底对不对。凡怀着一榫信心的人，都无法站立得稳。我们或站立或行走，都需要两只脚。我们的信心必须有两榫，稳固地安插在银座上。我们在基督的救赎里，必须有完全的信心，然后我们就有正确的立场。
14I have known some Christians whose faith was incomplete. They had what we may call a one-tenon faith. On the one hand, they believed, but on the other hand, they doubted. They seemed to say both yes and no at the same time. This is to have a board with one tenon. If the standing boards had only one tenon, the boards could easily be shaken. To be shaken is to doubt. It is to question whether it is right to believe in Christ. Those with this kind of faith, a faith of one tenon, cannot stand firmly. Both for standing and for walking we need two feet. Our faith must have two tenons placed firmly in the silver sockets. We must have a complete faith in the redemption of Christ. Then we shall have the proper standing.
15我进入主的恢复之前，看见许多所谓的信徒，没有正确的信心。有些人甚至不是以一只脚站立，而是以一个脚趾头站立，他们说是基督徒，但他们不信圣经上的许多事情。然而，圣经上所说的我们都相信，因此，我们的信心有两脚，有两榫。有完全的信心意思是说，相信圣经上所说的一切，丝毫不怀疑。
15When I was in organized Christianity, I saw many so-called believers who did not have a proper faith. Some seemed to be standing not even on one foot but on one toe. They claimed to be Christians, yet they did not believe many things that are in the Bible. We, however, believe whatever the Bible says. Thus, our faith has two feet, two tenons. To have complete faith means to believe everything in the Bible without a trace of doubt.
16也许你觉得你以前怀疑过，你就没有真实的信心。不，以往我也怀疑过。可是你想想自己的光景，就会看见，你所怀疑的是你的经历，而不是圣经。信徒怀疑基督徒的经历是司空见惯的。有些人也许会怀疑，他们有没有真得了赦免、真重生；有些人会 怀疑他们是不是真爱主。有一次连对主的爱我也怀疑起来了。有一天我跪下来告诉主，我呼天唤地作见证，我是全心全意地爱祂；我还说：“主，你已经垂听了我的话， 从现在起，我绝不怀疑我爱你。”可是，我一祷告完，又开始怀疑起来了。我不怀疑神的话，却会怀疑我爱主的经历。
16Perhaps you feel that because you sometimes have doubts, you do not have true faith. In the past I also had doubts. However, if you consider your situation, you will see that what you doubted was your experience, not the Bible. It is common for believers to have doubts about their Christian experience. Some may question if they have really been forgiven or regenerated. Others may doubt that they love the Lord. There was a time when I had doubts about my love for the Lord. One day I knelt down and told Him that I asked heaven and earth to witness that I loved Him with all my heart. I went on to say, “Lord, You have heard my word. From now on I shall never doubt that I love You.” Nevertheless, as soon as I finished my prayer, I began to doubt once again. I did not doubt the Word of God; I doubted my experience of loving the Lord.
17以往我也怀疑过主恢复里教会的道路。我定意要拣选这条路的时候，我有把握这条 路是正确的。我断定，要作一个正正派派的人，就必须作基督徒，要作基督徒，就必 须走教会的路，不然，我活着也没有甚么意义。有时候我赞美主，把教会的路指示我。我感谢主，我不但是个基督徒，也是一个走教会道路的人。可是，当我从宗派转到教会里，别的基督徒不欢迎我的时候，我就开始怀疑，是不是真的拣选对了。我问自己说：“如果教会没有错，为甚么别的基督徒不欢迎我？”我所怀疑的不是圣经，而是 我的经历。
17In the past I also had doubts about the way of the church in the Lord’s recovery. When I decided to take this way, I had the assurance that it was right. I had determined that to be a proper human being I must be a Christian, and that to be a Christian I must take the way of the church. Otherwise, it seemed to me that it was meaningless to live. Sometimes I praised the Lord for showing me the way of the church. I thanked Him not only that I was a Christian, but also that I was one taking the church way. However, when other Christians refused to greet me because I had turned from the denominations to the church, I began to doubt whether or not I was actually taking the right way. I asked myself, “If the church is right, why don’t other Christians greet me?” What I doubted was not the Bible—it was my experience.
18因着我们有真实的信心，就不会怀疑圣经。比方说，我们不会怀疑神创造了天地，创造了我们。我们的信心有两榫，我们坚固地站在基督的救赎里面。赞美主，我们站在两百磅的银子里面！我们不仅站在基督的救赎上，更是站在基督的救赎里面。我们的信心稳固地安在基督救赎的银座里面。
18Because we have genuine faith, we do not doubt the Bible. For example, we do not doubt that God created the heavens, the earth, and us. Our faith is of two tenons, and we are standing steadfast in Christ’s redemption. Praise the Lord that we are standing in two hundred pounds of silver! We do not simply stand upon the redemption of Christ; we stand in it. Our faith is firmly set in the silver sockets of Christ’s redemption.
19我们在地方教会里有稳固而坚定的立场，我们都站在基督的救赎里面。主恢复里的众教会这样刚强，原因就在于我们都有一个稳固的立场。可是，在别的团体里，许多基督徒很容易摇动，他们没有稳固的立场。
19We in the local churches have a firm and stable standing. We all are standing in Christ’s redemption. The reason the churches in the Lord’s recovery are so strong is that we all have a firm standing. Many Christians in other groups, however, can easily be shaken. They do not have a firm standing.
20我们稳固的根基表现在我们举行葬礼的时候。有时候，参加葬礼的朋友和观众很希奇，我们没有号啕大哭。别人在葬礼中，多半是哭得死去活来。可是，我们在葬礼中却不然，我们没有号啕痛哭，因为我们有稳固的立场。我们相信神，也相信祂的话，这给了我们一个稳固、不摇动的根基。
20Our firm standing is demonstrated when it is necessary for us to have a funeral. Friends and observers who have attended our funerals have sometimes been surprised that there is not much weeping. At most funerals there is weeping without restraint or control. In our funerals, on the contrary, we do not weep very much, because we have a firm standing. We believe in God and we believe in His Word. This gives us a firm, unshakable standing.
八 环
VIII. THE RINGS
21竖板的站立在于榫和座，而连接或联络却在于环和闩。出埃及记二十六章二十九节说到环：“板要用金子包裹，又要作板上的金环套闩。”在豫表里，金环表征那灵最初的恩赐。利百加和以撒订婚时，接受了一个金环。照样，浪子回家到父亲那里的时候，父亲给他一件袍子，表征基督是公义，也给他一枚戒指，表征那灵。今天戒指都是用来作订婚和结婚的表记。许多婚礼中，主要的一个过程就是交换戒指。我们得救的时候，接受了那灵最初的恩赐作金环，我们接受了那灵作神是我们永分的印记、凭质、定金、保证和豫尝。那灵已经赐给我们，作为凭质和保证。这就是金环所表征的。
21The standing of the boards depends on the tenons and the sockets, whereas the linking, or the uniting, depends on the rings and the bars. Exodus 26:29 speaks of the rings: “And you shall overlay the boards with gold, and make their rings of gold, as receptacles for the bars.” In typology golden rings signify the initial gift of the Spirit. When Rebekah became engaged to Isaac, she received a golden ring. Likewise, when the prodigal son came home to his father, the father gave him a robe signifying Christ as righteousness and also a ring signifying the Spirit. Today rings are used as a sign of engagement and marriage. The main aspect of many wedding ceremonies is the exchanging of rings. When we were saved, we received the initial gift of the Spirit as a golden ring. We received the Spirit as a seal, pledge, down payment, guarantee, and foretaste of God as our eternal portion. The Spirit has been given to us as a pledge and guarantee. This is signified by the golden rings.
22我们由二十九节晓得，竖板的环是要套闩的。但每块竖板上有多少环？虽然圣经没有清楚告诉我们，但我们能彀正确地判断出这个数目。照二十六节来看，帐幕每面的竖板有五闩。二十八节说：“板腰间的中闩，要从这一头通到那一头。”由此我们判断出，有三行闩与竖板联结。中闩从这一头通到那一头，是其它闩的两倍长。中闩上面和底下的两行闩是由两根闩作成的，每根闩从中央通到那一头。共有五闩。这些闩既 成三行，从这一头通到那一头，每块竖板上定规有三个环是用来套闩的。
22We know from verse 29 that the rings of the boards were receptacles for the bars. But how many rings were on each board? Although we are not told explicitly, we can determine the number accurately. According to verse 26 there were five bars for the boards on each side of the tabernacle. Verse 28 says, “And the middle bar in the midst of the boards shall go through from end to end.” From this we infer that there were three lines of bars connecting the boards. The middle bar stretched from end to end, and was twice as long as the other bars. The lines of bars above and below the middle bar each were made of two bars, with each bar going only half the way from end to end. This gives a total of five bars. Since these bars went from end to end in three lines, there must have been three rings on each board to serve as receptacles for the bars.
23每块竖板上的三个环是为着在复活里、在三一神里面把信徒联结起来。三这个数字表征在复活里的三一神。我们这些竖板不是二个环或四个环，而是三个环，指明在复活里三一神的灵。在基督复活、得荣以前，“那灵还没有。”（约七39，直译。） 但如今耶稣已经藉着复活得着了荣耀，包罗万有的灵就在我们里面。这灵便是在复活里三一神的灵。
23The three rings on each board are for the uniting of the believers in the Triune God in resurrection. The number three signifies the Triune God in resurrection. As boards we do not have two rings or four rings; we have three rings indicating the Spirit of the Triune God in resurrection. Before Christ’s resurrection and His glorification, “The Spirit was not yet” (John 7:39). But now that Jesus has been glorified through resurrection, the all-inclusive Spirit is within us. This Spirit is the Spirit of the Triune God in resurrection.
九 闩
IX. THE BARS
24那灵是环，也是闩。这些闩是用皂荚木作的，（26，）好作连接的力量，并要用金子包裹，（29，）联结起来。这闩与以弗所四章三节所说那灵的一有关。
24The Spirit is both the rings and the bars. These bars are made of acacia wood (v. 26) for the connecting strength and overlaid with gold (v. 29) for uniting. This is related to the oneness of the Spirit spoken of in Ephesians 4:3.
25北面、南面、西面各有五闩。五这个数字乃是负责任的数字，由四加一所组成，表征起初的灵成了联结的灵，藉着三一神在复活里负责任。就闩而论，有三乘五─三面各有五闩，表征凭着三一神在复活里负责任。此外，在每一面，中闩由这一头通到那一头。因此，有五根闩，排成三行。我们又一次有五在三里，表征在复活里、在三一神里面负责任。
25There were five bars on each of three sides, north, south, and west. Five, the number of responsibility, is composed of four plus one. This signifies the initial Spirit becoming the uniting Spirit bearing responsibility in resurrection by the Triune God. Concerning the bars, we have three times five—five bars on three sides. This signifies responsibility in resurrection by the Triune God. Furthermore, on each side, the middle bar went from end to end. Thus, there were five bars in three lines. Here again we have five in three, signifying responsibility in the Triune God in resurrection.
26竖板的站立是银子的问题，银子是为着救赎；而竖板的联结是金子的问题，金子表征神性。基督的救赎与祂的工作有关，而祂的神性与祂的身位有关。我们站在基督救赎的工作上，祂神圣的身位把我们联结起来。所以，由帐幕的竖板，我们看见基督的身位和工作。祂的身位是神圣的，祂的工作是救赎的。今天我们成为教会，乃是一个实体，一个建造，作为神的居所，因为我们站在基督救赎工作的银子上，而祂神圣的身位把我们联结起来。
26The standing of the boards is a matter of silver for redemption, and the uniting of the boards is a matter of gold signifying the divinity of Christ. Christ’s redemption is related to His work, but His divinity is related to His Person. We stand on Christ’s redemptive work, and we are united by His divine Person. Therefore, with the boards of the tabernacle we see both the Person and work of Christ. His Person is divine, and His work is redemptive. Today as the church, we are one entity, one building, for God’s habitation, because we stand on the silver of Christ’s redemptive work and are united by the gold of His divine Person.
27联结的闩是用皂荚木作的。以弗所四章题起那灵的一，上下文乃是说到谦卑和爱等属人的美德。这些美德是由皂荚木来表征。那灵的一不但包含基督的神性，也包含了祂的人性。为着神的建造，我们必须有照着基督标准的谦卑，恩慈、爱。换言之，如果我们要成为联络之闩里面的皂荚木，就必须有耶稣的人性。然后我们就有真实的一。环是纯金的，而闩有两种性质─皂荚木包上金子。这表明联结的灵与我们蒙救赎，被拔高的人性美德调和在一起。
27The uniting bars were made of acacia wood. In Ephesians 4 the oneness of the Spirit is mentioned in the context of human virtues such as humility and love. These virtues are signified by acacia wood. The oneness of the Spirit not only involves Christ’s divinity, but also includes His humanity. For God’s building we must have humility, kindness, and love which are according to Christ’s standard. In other words, if we would be the acacia wood within the uniting bars, we must be Jesusly human. Then we shall have real oneness. Whereas the rings are purely of gold, the bars are of two natures—acacia wood overlaid with gold. This indicates that the uniting Spirit is mingled with the virtues of our redeemed and uplifted humanity.
28我们已经看见，我们站在基督的救赎上，在祂的神性里联结起来。基督的神性乃是为着我们的彰显。如果我们进到神今天的帐幕─教会里，就会看见，到处都是金子。连帐幕的天花板上也有金钩。金是为着彰显，而银是为着站立。我们站在基督的救赎上，但我们彰显祂神圣的人位。访问各教会的人，就可以看见这个立场和彰显。他们可以看见一班人有这样稳固的立场，不致摇动。他们也能在教会中看见神圣金子的奇妙彰显。
28We have seen that we stand on Christ’s redemption and that we are united in His divinity. Christ’s divinity is for our expression. If we enter the church as God’s tabernacle today, we shall see gold everywhere. Even on the ceiling of the tabernacle there are the golden clasps. Gold is for expression, but silver is for standing. We stand on Christ’s redemption, but we express His divine Person. Those who visit the churches can see both this standing and this expression. They can behold a people who have such a firm standing that they are unshakable. They can also see among those in the church a marvelous expression of the divine gold.
29今天在许多基督徒的团体当中，我们看不见正确的立场和彰显。一方面，这些团体里面的人很容易摇动；另一方面，他们无法彰显金子。今天基督教的光景多半是这样。但在主的恢复里，在正当的教会生活中，我们有稳固的立场，也有基督的彰显。连那些反对我们的人也承认，我们坚定不移。我们有银座，有金的彰显。教会既是神的居所，就必须有银的根基，有金的彰显。教会不但是神的居所，也是我们的居所，我们的家。神与信徒这样相互为居所，坚固地立在基督的救赎上，就能把基督自己明亮地彰显出来。
29Among many Christian groups today, we cannot see the proper standing or expression. On the one hand, those in these groups are very easily shaken; on the other hand, they may fail to express the gold. This to a large extent is the situation of today’s Christianity. But in the proper church life in the Lord’s recovery, we have a firm standing, and we also have the expression of Christ. Even those who oppose us admit that we are unshakable. We have the silver sockets and a golden expression. As God’s habitation, the church must have a silver base and a golden expression. Not only is the church God’s dwelling place, but it is also our dwelling place, our home. This mutual dwelling place of God and the believers is solidly grounded on Christ’s redemption and brightly expresses the Person of Christ Himself.