读经：创二五29~34，路四16~19，来十二16、23
Scripture Reading: Gen. 25:29-34;Luke 4:16-19; Heb. 12:16, 23
Scripture Reading: Gen. 25:29-34;Luke 4:16-19; Heb. 12:16, 23
壹
因为神造人有祂的形像以彰显祂，并借着运用祂的管治权管理万有以代表祂，所以每一个人与生俱来都有权利（长子名分），就是生来而有彰显神并代表神的权利；然而，每一个堕落的人都因着向神独立，而出卖了这权利─创一26，四16~17，十8~11。
Since God created man to express Him with His image and torepresent Him by exercising His dominion over all things, by birthevery human being has a birthright—the right by birth to expressGod and represent Him; however, every fallen person has sold thisbirthright by being independent of God—Gen. 1:26; 4:16-17; 10:8-11.
Since God created man to express Him with His image and torepresent Him by exercising His dominion over all things, by birthevery human being has a birthright—the right by birth to expressGod and represent Him; however, every fallen person has sold thisbirthright by being independent of God—Gen. 1:26; 4:16-17; 10:8-11.
贰
在圣经里，长子名分是长子特殊的份；照着全本圣经来看，长子名分包含双分地土、祭司职分和君王职分─代上五1~2，申三三8~10，创四九10。
In the Bible the birthright is the special portion of the firstborn;according to the Bible as a whole, the birthright includes a doubleportion of the land, the priesthood, and the kingship—1 Chron. 5:1-2;Deut. 33:8-10; Gen. 49:10.
In the Bible the birthright is the special portion of the firstborn;according to the Bible as a whole, the birthright includes a doubleportion of the land, the priesthood, and the kingship—1 Chron. 5:1-2;Deut. 33:8-10; Gen. 49:10.
叁
在创世以前，神就拣选并预定雅各得着长子的名分─弗一4~5，罗九10~13：
Before the foundation of the world, God chose and predestinatedJacob to have the birthright—Eph. 1:4-5; Rom. 9:10-13:
Before the foundation of the world, God chose and predestinatedJacob to have the birthright—Eph. 1:4-5; Rom. 9:10-13:
一
神要给祂选民的这长子名分，包含彰显神，代表神，以及有份于神的国─创一26，启二十4、6。
This birthright, which God intends to give to His chosen people, includesexpressing God, representing God, and participating in the kingdom ofGod—Gen. 1:26; Rev. 20:4, 6.
This birthright, which God intends to give to His chosen people, includesexpressing God, representing God, and participating in the kingdom ofGod—Gen. 1:26; Rev. 20:4, 6.
二
在以扫轻看长子名分以及雅各买得这名分的事上，神运用了祂的主宰，完成祂拣选的定旨─创二五22~26、29~34。
In Esau's despising the birthright and in Jacob's buying it, God exercisedHis sovereignty to fulfill the purpose of His selection—Gen. 25:22-26,29-34.
In Esau's despising the birthright and in Jacob's buying it, God exercisedHis sovereignty to fulfill the purpose of His selection—Gen. 25:22-26,29-34.
三
长子名分从以扫转移给雅各，这启示领受长子名分乃在于神的预定和主宰，不在于我们的出生或努力─罗九10~13。
The shifting of the birthright from Esau to Jacob reveals that receivingthe birthright is a matter of God's predestination and sovereignty, notof our natural birth or endeavoring—Rom. 9:10-13.
The shifting of the birthright from Esau to Jacob reveals that receivingthe birthright is a matter of God's predestination and sovereignty, notof our natural birth or endeavoring—Rom. 9:10-13.
四
雅各得着长子的名分，但直到他从抓夺者变化为神的王子而成熟时，才得享这长子的名分；因此，雅各是在成熟时享受长子名分的例子─创三二28，三五10。
Although Jacob had gained the birthright, he did not enjoy it until hewas transformed from a supplanter into a prince of God and becamemature; thus, Jacob is an example of enjoying the birthright in hismaturity—Gen. 32:28; 35:10.
Although Jacob had gained the birthright, he did not enjoy it until hewas transformed from a supplanter into a prince of God and becamemature; thus, Jacob is an example of enjoying the birthright in hismaturity—Gen. 32:28; 35:10.
肆
神原有意将长子名分赐给长子流便，但流便因着污秽失去了长子名分；约瑟逃避了那种污秽，长子名分就从流便转移给他，他就得着双分地土─三九7~12，四九3~4，代上五1。
God had intended to give the birthright to Reuben, the firstborn,but Reuben lost it because of his defilement; the birthright wasshifted from Reuben to Joseph, who fled from that kind of defilementand received a double portion of the land—39:7-12; 49:3-4;1 Chron. 5:1.
God had intended to give the birthright to Reuben, the firstborn,but Reuben lost it because of his defilement; the birthright wasshifted from Reuben to Joseph, who fled from that kind of defilementand received a double portion of the land—39:7-12; 49:3-4;1 Chron. 5:1.
伍
按照申命记二十章一至二十节与二十一章十五至十七节，就属灵一面说，争战与长子名分有关，因为我们只有借着争战才能保守长子名分：
According to Deuteronomy 20:1-20 and 21:15-17, spiritually speaking,fighting and the birthright are related, for only by fighting canwe preserve our birthright:
According to Deuteronomy 20:1-20 and 21:15-17, spiritually speaking,fighting and the birthright are related, for only by fighting canwe preserve our birthright:
一
我们既借着争战保守长子名分，我们若不争战，就会失去长子名分，就象以扫失去长子名分一样─来十二16~17。
Since we preserve our birthright by fighting, if we do not fight, we willlose our birthright, even as Esau lost his birthright—Heb. 12:16-17.
Since we preserve our birthright by fighting, if we do not fight, we willlose our birthright, even as Esau lost his birthright—Heb. 12:16-17.
二
我们在为长子名分争战时，必须学习信靠主，不信靠自己，并看见我们是为着祂所给我们的而战─书一2~9。
As we are fighting for our birthright, we must learn to trust in theLord, not in ourselves, and realize that we are fighting for what He hasgiven us—Josh. 1:2-9.
As we are fighting for our birthright, we must learn to trust in theLord, not in ourselves, and realize that we are fighting for what He hasgiven us—Josh. 1:2-9.
三
争战是我们的责任，但我们只有凭着相信主，才能履行这责任；我们相信主已命定我们去争战，并且祂要为我们争战─二三3、10，弗六10~11。
It is our duty to fight, but we can fulfill this duty only by faith in theLord, believing that He has ordained us to fight and that He will fightfor us—23:3, 10; Eph. 6:10-11.
It is our duty to fight, but we can fulfill this duty only by faith in theLord, believing that He has ordained us to fight and that He will fightfor us—23:3, 10; Eph. 6:10-11.
陆
路得记给我们看见，波阿斯（预表基督）如何赎回了路得（预表蒙救赎的召会）和她的长子名分─一16~18，二1，三2、9~11，四1~17：
The book of Ruth shows us how Boaz (a type of Christ) redeemedboth Ruth (a type of the church in redemption) and her birthright—1:16-18; 2:1; 3:2, 9-11; 4:1-17:
The book of Ruth shows us how Boaz (a type of Christ) redeemedboth Ruth (a type of the church in redemption) and her birthright—1:16-18; 2:1; 3:2, 9-11; 4:1-17:
一
长子名分包括有权利和地位享受基督；并且有权利作祭司，把人带到神面前，也作君王，把神带给人─弗三8，彼前二5、9，启五10。
The birthright includes the right and position to enjoy Christ with theprivileges to be a priest to bring man to God and to be a king to bringGod to man—Eph. 3:8; 1 Pet. 2:5, 9; Rev. 5:10.
The birthright includes the right and position to enjoy Christ with theprivileges to be a priest to bring man to God and to be a king to bringGod to man—Eph. 3:8; 1 Pet. 2:5, 9; Rev. 5:10.
二
波阿斯重看神所赐的长子名分，而且他不单顾到自己身上的长子名分，还顾到别人身上的长子名分；他付出代价，赎回他亲属的产业，并且娶了他亲属的寡妇─得四1~17。
Boaz treasured the God-given birthright and was concerned not only forhis own birthright but also for that of others; he paid the price toredeem his kinsman's inheritance and married his kinsman's widow—Ruth 4:1-17.
Boaz treasured the God-given birthright and was concerned not only forhis own birthright but also for that of others; he paid the price toredeem his kinsman's inheritance and married his kinsman's widow—Ruth 4:1-17.
三
因着波阿斯顾念体恤贫穷软弱的路得，并为她赎回长子名分，结果就带进建国的君王─大卫─17节。
It was due to Boaz's compassion on the poor and weak Ruth and hisredemption of her birthright that David, the king who established thekingdom, was brought in—v. 17.
It was due to Boaz's compassion on the poor and weak Ruth and hisredemption of her birthright that David, the king who established thekingdom, was brought in—v. 17.
柒
在马太二十一章二十八至三十一节，我们看见长子名分从以色列转移给召会：
In Matthew 21:28-31 we see the shifting of the birthright from Israelto the church:
In Matthew 21:28-31 we see the shifting of the birthright from Israelto the church:
一
在路加十五章一至二节和十一至三十二节，主将犹太教的首领比喻为大儿子，将税吏和罪人比喻为小儿子；但在马太二十一章二十八至三十一节，主以相反的次序比喻他们。
In Luke 15:1-2 and 11-32 the Lord likened the leaders of Judaism to thefirstborn son and likened the tax collectors and sinners to the secondson, but in Matthew 21:28-31 the Lord likened them in the oppositeorder.
In Luke 15:1-2 and 11-32 the Lord likened the leaders of Judaism to thefirstborn son and likened the tax collectors and sinners to the secondson, but in Matthew 21:28-31 the Lord likened them in the oppositeorder.
二
这指明犹太人是神的长子（出四22），有长子的名分；但因着他们不信，长子名分就转移给成了神长子的召会（来十二23）。
This indicates that the Jews were the firstborn of God (Exo. 4:22) andhad the birthright; however, because of their unbelief the birthright wasshifted to the church, which has become God's firstborn (Heb. 12:23).
This indicates that the Jews were the firstborn of God (Exo. 4:22) andhad the birthright; however, because of their unbelief the birthright wasshifted to the church, which has become God's firstborn (Heb. 12:23).
捌
对于在基督里的信徒，失去的长子名分已经在新约的禧年里得着恢复─路四16~19：
For the believers in Christ, the lost birthright has been recoveredin the New Testament jubilee—Luke 4:16-19:
For the believers in Christ, the lost birthright has been recoveredin the New Testament jubilee—Luke 4:16-19:
一
禧年乃是“主悦纳人的禧年”，是利未记二十五章禧年的应验。
The jubilee is "the acceptable year of the Lord," the fulfillment of thejubilee in Leviticus 25.
The jubilee is "the acceptable year of the Lord," the fulfillment of thejubilee in Leviticus 25.
二
我们在堕落的一生中，失去了一切，包括我们的长子名分和身分，并且成了被掳的奴仆；我们失去享受基督作美地的那一份权利─申八7~9，西一12。
In our fallen life we lost everything, including our birthright and status,and we became slaves in captivity; we lost the right to enjoy our portionof Christ as the good land—Deut. 8:7-9; Col. 1:12.
In our fallen life we lost everything, including our birthright and status,and we became slaves in captivity; we lost the right to enjoy our portionof Christ as the good land—Deut. 8:7-9; Col. 1:12.
三
禧年的宣扬是真正且完全的福音，乃是宣扬从奴役中得释放，并宣扬我们属灵的长子名分得恢复；我们失去的长子名分已经赎回、恢复并归回─路四16~19。
The proclamation of the jubilee, the real and whole gospel, is a proclamationof release from slavery and of the recovery of our spiritual birthright;our lost birthright has been redeemed, recovered, and restored—Luke 4:16-19.
The proclamation of the jubilee, the real and whole gospel, is a proclamationof release from slavery and of the recovery of our spiritual birthright;our lost birthright has been redeemed, recovered, and restored—Luke 4:16-19.
四
我们需要广传禧年─新约的福音，宣扬被掳的得释放，失去的长子名分得恢复─九1~6，二四47，徒二六18：
We need to spread the jubilee—the gospel of the New Testament, theproclamation of the release of the captives and of the recovery of thelost birthright—9:1-6; 24:47; Acts 26:18:
We need to spread the jubilee—the gospel of the New Testament, theproclamation of the release of the captives and of the recovery of thelost birthright—9:1-6; 24:47; Acts 26:18:
１
如路加福音所启示的，神圣的性情同其属性以及属人的性情同其美德的调和，所产生最高标准的道德，乃是为着新约的禧年─一35。
As revealed in the Gospel of Luke, the mingling of the divine naturewith its attributes and the human nature with its virtues to producethe highest standard of morality is for the New Testament jubilee—1:35.
As revealed in the Gospel of Luke, the mingling of the divine naturewith its attributes and the human nature with its virtues to producethe highest standard of morality is for the New Testament jubilee—1:35.
２
在这禧年里，我们得着自由，脱离一切的辖制─罪、撒但、世界和己的辖制，我们也得着自由，完满地享受我们所失去的长子名分，就是在基督里享受三一神的权利─林后十三14，弗三16~17。
In this jubilee we are freed from all bondage—the bondage of sin,Satan, the world, and the self—and we are freed into the full enjoymentof our lost birthright, the right to enjoy the Triune God inChrist—2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 3:16-17.
In this jubilee we are freed from all bondage—the bondage of sin,Satan, the world, and the self—and we are freed into the full enjoymentof our lost birthright, the right to enjoy the Triune God inChrist—2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 3:16-17.
玖
希伯来十二章十六节警告信徒不要象“以扫……因一口食物把自己长子的名分卖了”：
Hebrews 12:16 warns the believers not to be like "Esau, who forone meal gave up his own birthright":
Hebrews 12:16 warns the believers not to be like "Esau, who forone meal gave up his own birthright":
一
以扫是以撒的长子，他的长子名分是双分土地、祭司职分和君王职分。
Esau's birthright as the firstborn son of Isaac was the double portion ofthe land, the priesthood, and the kingship.
Esau's birthright as the firstborn son of Isaac was the double portion ofthe land, the priesthood, and the kingship.
二
以扫因贪恋世俗，放弃了长子名分，双分土地就归给约瑟（代上五1~2），祭司职分归给利未（申三三8~11），君王职分归给犹大（创四九10，代上五2）。
Because of Esau's profaneness in giving up his birthright, the doubleportion of the land was given to Joseph (1 Chron. 5:1-2), the priesthoodwas passed to Levi (Deut. 33:8-11), and the kingship was assigned toJudah (Gen. 49:10; 1 Chron. 5:2).
Because of Esau's profaneness in giving up his birthright, the doubleportion of the land was given to Joseph (1 Chron. 5:1-2), the priesthoodwas passed to Levi (Deut. 33:8-11), and the kingship was assigned toJudah (Gen. 49:10; 1 Chron. 5:2).
三
希伯来十二章二十三节说到“众长子的召会”：
Hebrews 12:23 speaks of "the church of the firstborn":
Hebrews 12:23 speaks of "the church of the firstborn":
１
我们基督徒由神而生，是祂所造万物中的初熟果子，是神在祂的造物中所收割的─雅一18。
We Christians, born of God, are the firstfruits of His creatures thatHe has reaped in His creation—James 1:18.
We Christians, born of God, are the firstfruits of His creatures thatHe has reaped in His creation—James 1:18.
２
就这意义说，我们乃是神的众长子；因此，由我们所组成的召会，称为众长子的召会─来十二23。
In this sense, we are the firstborn sons of God; hence, the church,composed of us, is called the church of the firstborn—Heb. 12:23.
In this sense, we are the firstborn sons of God; hence, the church,composed of us, is called the church of the firstborn—Heb. 12:23.
３
我们既是神的众长子，就有长子的名分，包括承受世界（二5~6），祭司职分（启二十6）和君王职分（4）；这些是在要来的国度里主要的福分，是那些贪恋世俗，爱世界并追求世界的基督徒，在主回来时所要失去的。
As the firstborn sons of God, we have the birthright; this includesthe inheritance of the earth (2:5-6), the priesthood (Rev. 20:6), andthe kingship (v. 4), which will be the main blessings in the comingkingdom and which the profane, world-loving-and-seeking Christianswill lose at the Lord's coming back.
As the firstborn sons of God, we have the birthright; this includesthe inheritance of the earth (2:5-6), the priesthood (Rev. 20:6), andthe kingship (v. 4), which will be the main blessings in the comingkingdom and which the profane, world-loving-and-seeking Christianswill lose at the Lord's coming back.
４
至终，在千年国里，这长子的名分要成为得胜基督徒的赏赐─二二12，十一18。
Eventually, this birthright will be a reward given to the overcomingChristians in the millennial kingdom—22:12; 11:18.
Eventually, this birthright will be a reward given to the overcomingChristians in the millennial kingdom—22:12; 11:18.
四
今天我们在基督里有特权享受的一切，就是要来国度里福分的预尝─弗三8，罗五17，彼前二5、9：
Today what we are privileged to enjoy in Christ is the foretaste of theblessings in the coming kingdom—Eph. 3:8; Rom. 5:17; 1 Pet. 2:5, 9:
Today what we are privileged to enjoy in Christ is the foretaste of theblessings in the coming kingdom—Eph. 3:8; Rom. 5:17; 1 Pet. 2:5, 9:
１
我们今天若不享受基督作美地，就不能在国度里进入祂的安息，与祂一同承受地土─来四9。
If we do not enjoy Christ today as our good land, we cannot enterinto His rest in the kingdom and inherit the earth with Him—Heb.4:9.
If we do not enjoy Christ today as our good land, we cannot enterinto His rest in the kingdom and inherit the earth with Him—Heb.4:9.
２
我们今天若不操练作祭司接触主，用祷告服事祂，就不能在国度里尽我们祭司的本分─彼前二5、9。
If we do not exercise our priesthood today to contact the Lord andprayerfully minister to Him, we cannot fulfill our priestly duty inthe kingdom—1 Pet. 2:5, 9.
If we do not exercise our priesthood today to contact the Lord andprayerfully minister to Him, we cannot fulfill our priestly duty inthe kingdom—1 Pet. 2:5, 9.
３
我们今天若不运用灵，用神所赐的权柄管治己、肉体、全人、并仇敌及其一切黑暗的权势，就不能在国度里与基督一同作王，与祂一同辖管列国─罗五17、21，启二26~27。
If we do not exercise our spirit with the God-given authority to ruleour self, our flesh, our entire being, and the enemy with all his powerof darkness today, we cannot be Christ's co-kings and rule the nationswith Him in His kingdom—Rom. 5:17, 21; Rev. 2:26-27.
If we do not exercise our spirit with the God-given authority to ruleour self, our flesh, our entire being, and the enemy with all his powerof darkness today, we cannot be Christ's co-kings and rule the nationswith Him in His kingdom—Rom. 5:17, 21; Rev. 2:26-27.
４
我们今天对基督的享受，以及对祭司职任和君王职任的实行，都是预备我们，使我们在来世够资格有份于基督的国─彼前二5、9，启五10，二十4、6。
Our enjoyment of Christ and the practice of the priesthood andkingship today are the preparation and qualification for our participatingin Christ's kingdom in the coming age—1 Pet. 2:5, 9; Rev.5:10; 20:4, 6.
Our enjoyment of Christ and the practice of the priesthood andkingship today are the preparation and qualification for our participatingin Christ's kingdom in the coming age—1 Pet. 2:5, 9; Rev.5:10; 20:4, 6.