Manna issue 68 - The Christ in the Book of Numbers: Part 6 - A Star out of Jacob 民數記的基督 - 第六回：雅各之星
Jesus, the shining star of salvation.
救贖的閃亮之星，耶穌
A Bible Study Series
based on “The Christ in the
Book of Numbers” by Shen Chuan Chen
參考 陳勝全長老查經系列"民數記的基督"
From the ten plagues that heralded
the departure of the Israelites from
Egypt, to the signs and miracles that
took place during their forty-year
journey in the wilderness, news of
these earth-shaking events of the
Israelites reached the surrounding
nations, inciting great fear (Josh 5:1).
從發生了十災，預表了以色列人要離開埃及，
到他們曠野四十年的旅程中，發生許多的異象和神蹟，
這些發生在以色列人身上，引起舉世震驚事件的消息傳到週邊的國家時，
就引起他們大大的恐慌。
(書 5：1)
As the Israelite army approached
the land of Moab, King Balak became
“exceedingly afraid of the people
because they were many, and Moab
was sick with dread because of the
children of Israel” (Num 22:3).
For Balak, not only was the sheer
magnitude of this nation a fearful
prospect, but also the fact that they
had defeated the mighty kings of the
Amorites and Bashan (Num 21:21–
35). Therefore, having decided
that he had no hope of defeating
the Israelites, he sent messengers
to summon Balaam, the renowned
prophet from the land of Pethor
by the Euphrates. Balak wanted
him to use his powers to curse this
formidable enemy. Despite God’s
warning, Balaam set off to meet the
king.
當以色列軍隊接近摩押地的時候，
巴勒王就有這種感覺，
3摩押人因以色列民甚多，就大大懼怕，心內憂急。
(民 22：3)
對巴勒王來說，他強烈感覺到這個國家會帶來可怕後果，
而且事實上，他們已經打敗了強國亞摩利王巴珊。(民 21：21-35)
所以，他會覺得，自已沒有希望能打敗以色列人，
他派了使者傳喚巴蘭先知，他是一個有名的先知，住在幼發打底河邊的毘地上。
巴勒想要用他的力量，來詛咒這些強大的敵人。
雖然神事先有警告，但巴蘭還是出發去見王。
Although the Israelites were an
unruly group whom God had to
occasionally punish, they were
His chosen people nonetheless.
For this reason, He was willing to
protect them: He stopped Balaam
from uttering a curse and instead
made him give a blessing. With this
blessing came the prophecy “A Star
shall come out of Jacob, A Sceptre
shall rise out of Israel” (Num 24:17).
雖然以色列民是一群很難駕馭的族群，
所以神有時候要出手管教，然而他們卻是神的選民。
因為這個原因，祂很樂意保護他們：
祂阻止巴蘭開口詛咒，相反的，反而去祝福他們。
因著這個祝福，其中也帶著預言，
17有星要出於雅各，有杖要興於以色列。(民 24：17)
When Balaam realized that the
Israelites could not be cursed, he
proclaimed their special status: they
were a chosen race, a people dwelling
alone, not reckoning itself among the
nations (Num 23:8–10).
當巴蘭知道自已沒有辨法詛咒以色列人的時候，
他就宣佈以色列人有其特別的身份：
他們是被揀選的族類，一群獨居的民，
不計在世上萬國之中。
(民 23：8-10)
In the end, the covetous Balaam
was killed by the sword (Josh 13:22).
However, he left behind an amazing
story of how God prevented him from
uttering a curse and, instead, made
him give a blessing and prophesy
about the Star of Jacob, namely the
Messiah, Jesus Christ, who would
manifest in the flesh (Num 24:17).
最後，貪心的巴蘭被劍殺了。(書 13：22)
然而他卻留下了很奇妙的故事，
神如何禁止他說出詛咒，相反的，逼他說出了祝福和預言，
有關雅各之星，也就是彌賽亞，耶穌基督，
祂以後會道成肉身。
(民 24：17)
PREFIGURATION OF CHRIST 基督的預表
The Bible often uses stars as a symbol
for angels and saints (e.g. Gen 37:9;
Job 38:7; Isa 14:12; 1 Cor 15:41;
Rev 1:20). However, the Star of
Jacob in Numbers 24 is unique as a
symbol of the Messiah: “…A Star
shall come out of Jacob; a Sceptre
shall rise out of Israel” (Num 24:17).
This particular prophecy depicts how
Jesus Christ would appear to the
world: as a Star out of Jacob, coming
in the flesh to bring salvation to
mankind (Mt 2:2; Lk 1:78–79), and
as a Sceptre—denoting authority
and sovereignty—rising out of Israel
to judge humanity (Mt 24:29–31; 1
Thess 4:15–18).
聖經常常用星星，作為天使和聖徒的代表。
(例如，創 37：9；伯 38：7；賽 14：12；林前 15：41；啟 1：20)
然而，民數記的雅各之星是很特殊的，因為它帶表了彌賽亞：
17有星要出於雅各，有杖要興於以色列。(民 24：17)
這段特定的預言，描述了耶穌基督將如何到世上來：
就如同雅各後代的一顆星星，道成肉身，給人類帶來救贖之道，
(太 2：2； 路 1：78-79)
也如同一把權杖 - 代表了權柄和統治權 -
從以色列之前興起，來審判全人類。
(太 24：29-31；帖前 4：15-18)
The church is to serve as a bright light in the darkness, bringing the Lord’s
salvation to humankind and providing access to the living fountain for the
forgiveness of sin (Zech 13:1).
教會的作用，是黑暗中的一盞光，
帶來主的救贖給人們，讓人獲得永生的泉源，使自已的罪得赦。
(亞 13：1)
A STAR SHALL COME OUT OF JACOB 有星星要出於雅各
Two thousand years ago, God
heralded the birth of Jesus Christ
with a bright star (Mt 2:1–2). His
incarnation became a testimony that
enabled the world to see the great
plan and work of God.
二千年前，神就以明亮之星，預示了耶穌基督的出生。
(太 2：1-2)
祂的道成肉身，成了一種見証，
讓世界可以看見神偉大的救贖經綸和聖工。
The Prophecy 預言
Balaam, the son of Beor, was an
evil prophet who “loved the wages
of unrighteousness” (2 Pet 2:15)
and walked on the erroneous path
for profit (Jude 11). However, God
obstructed his plan to curse the
Israelites and made him speak four
beautiful oracles. In the first oracle,
he proclaimed the Israelites to be a
consecrated nation (Num 23:7–10);
in the second, that they had the
abidance of God (Num 23:20–24);
in the third, that they possessed the
fountain of life (Num 24:4–9); in
the fourth, that Christ would come
forth from the line of Jacob (Num
24:16–19).
巴蘭，他是比珥之子，是一個壞先知，
15巴蘭就是那貪愛不義之工價的先知，(彼後 2：15)
又為利往錯謬裡直奔。(猶 11)
然而神阻擋他詛咒以色列人的計劃，
讓他說了四個美好的預言。
在第一個預言中，他說到，
以色列民將會是一個聖潔的國度；(民 23：7-10)
第二個預言是，他們有神同在；(民 23：20-24)
第三個預言是，他們擁有生命的迫源；(民 24：4-9)
第四個預言是，基督會從雅各的後代中出現。
Concerning the fourth oracle, we
know that Jacob was the grandson
of Abraham, the son of Isaac and
the progenitor of the twelve tribes of
Israel (Gen 30). Indeed, up until the
time of the prophets, the name Jacob
was synonymous with the nation of
Israel (cf. Isa 27:9; 58:14; Ezek 20:5;
Obad 17).
關於第四個預言，我們知道雅各是亞伯拉罕的孫子，
以撒的兒子，以色列12支派的祖先。(創 30)
是的 直到眾先知的時候，雅各的名字和以色列國名是同義詞。
(參考，賽 27：9；59：14；結 20：5；俄 17)
When God chose Abraham, He
revealed seven great promises (Gen
12:1–3), which were at the core of
His salvation plan and signaled the
coming of the Messiah from the
house of Jacob (cf. Gen 28:3–4,
14). Hence, Luke notes, “Now Jesus
Himself began His ministry at about
thirty years of age, being (as was
supposed) the son of Joseph, the son
of Heli…the son of Jacob, the son
of Isaac, the son of Abraham…” (Lk
3:23, 34).
當神揀選了亞伯拉罕的時候，
祂啟示了七項很大的應許，(創 12：1-3)
這些應許是祂救贖計劃的核心，
指出了彌賽亞會從雅各的家中降臨。
(參考，創 28：3-4，14)
因此，路加福音就記載了，
23耶穌開頭傳道，年紀約有三十歲。依人看來，他是約瑟的兒子；約瑟是希里的兒子；
34猶大是雅各的兒子；雅各是以撒的兒子；以撒是亞伯拉罕的兒子；
(路 3：23，34)
The prophecy concerning the
Star of Jacob was proclaimed some
1000 years before the birth of Jesus
Christ. In the eyes of man, Jesus
was the son of Joseph the carpenter,
the descendant of Jacob, Judah and
Abraham; in the eyes of God, He was
the Savior promised since the time
of creation—the fulfillment of the
divine plan.
關於雅各之星的預言，在耶穌基督出生一千多年前，就已經向世上宣告。
在人類的眼中，耶穌是木匠約瑟的兒子，
亞伯拉罕，猶大和雅各的後代；
在神的眼中，在創世以先，祂是應許的救主 -
神聖經綸的完成。
In the apostolic era, many Gentiles
converted to Christianity, and so,
when Paul wrote to the church in
Galatia, he pointed out,
使徒時代，許多外邦人改信為基督徒，
也因為這樣，當保羅寫信給加拉太的教會時，
他指出，
For as many of you as were baptized
into Christ have put on Christ. There
is neither Jew nor Greek, there
is neither slave nor free, there is
neither male nor female; for you are
all one in Christ Jesus. And if you
are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s
seed, and heirs according to the
promise.
(Gal 3:27–29)
27你們受洗歸入基督的都是披戴基督了。
28並不分猶太人、希利尼人，自主的、為奴的，或男或女，因為你們在基督耶穌裡都成為一了。
29你們既屬乎基督，就是亞伯拉罕的後裔，是照著應許承受產業的了。
(加 3：27-29)
From Paul’s words, we appreciate
that, as Christians, we have received
special grace: we have been baptized
into Christ and put on Christ.
Therefore, not only do we belong
to Him, we also have a right to the
promise that God made to Abraham.
We are thus part of a great nation,
with Jesus Christ as our king. We
can look forward to our spiritual
inheritance in the heavenly kingdom.
從保羅的書信中，我們可以很感謝，
因為身為基督徒，我們已經得到這份特別的恩典：
我們已經受洗歸入基督，披戴了基督。
所以，我們不只屬於祂，
我們也得到了神向亞伯拉罕應許的權利。
因為我們是一個偉大國度的一份子，
和耶穌基督同為王。
我們可以期待自已在天國裡，屬靈的產業。
Jesus Christ does not only shine as a guiding light of salvation; He will
shine right into the hearts of men through the Holy Spirit. When the Spirit
appears, He will illumine darkened hearts, enabling them to understand
the truth.
耶穌基督不只閃耀發光，成為一盞救贖指引的燈光；
透過聖靈的幫忙，祂的光可以穿透人心。
當聖靈顯現之時，就能夠照亮黑暗的人心，讓他們了解真理。
The Wise Men Who Followed the
Star from the East
從東方跟著星星而來的博士
Now after Jesus was born in
Bethlehem of Judea in the days of
Herod the king, behold, wise men
from the East came to Jerusalem,
saying, “Where is He who has been
born King of the Jews? For we have
seen His star in the East and have
come to worship Him.”
(Mt 2:1–2)
1當希律王的時候，耶穌生在猶太的伯利恆。有幾個博士從東方來到耶路撒冷，說：
2那生下來作猶太人之王的在那裡？我們在東方看見他的星，特來拜他。
(太 2：1-2)
On discovering the star in the
east, the wise men embarked on a
journey to Palestine to find the King
of the Jews. Arriving with hearts of
reverence, they paid their respects
to the baby Jesus and offered Him
their best gifts (Mt 2:1–12). This
demonstrated their true wisdom—
one that was duly rewarded; for
having followed the star, they found
the door to salvation.
一發現了東方有星星，這些博士立刻開始出發旅行，
來到巴勒斯坦地來尋找猶太人的王。
懷著敬畏的心而來，他們向嬰孩的耶穌表達了敬意，
並且獻上他們最好的禮物給祂。
(太 2：1-12)
這顯示他們真的很有智慧 - 可以找到真正值得受稱讚之人；
因為跟著星星的帶領，他們找到了救贖之門。
Within the story of the wise men is
a lesson for Christians, which is the
importance of pursuing both wisdom
and the truth. Without truth, a “wise
man” is devoid of real wisdom.
Hence, Paul makes this observation:
在博士的故事中，就是給基督徒的一課，
也就是要告訴我們，追救智慧和真理的重要性。
若沒有真理，一位"博士"也是毫無真智慧的。
因此，保羅有了如下的觀察和結論：
Where is the wise? Where is the
scribe? Where is the disputer of this
age? Has not God made foolish the
wisdom of this world? For since,
in the wisdom of God, the world
through wisdom did not know
God, it pleased God through the
foolishness of the message preached
to save those who believe.
(1 Cor 1:20–21)
20智慧人在那裡？文士在那裡？這世上的辯士在那裡？神豈不是叫這世上的智慧變成愚拙麼？
21世人憑自己的智慧，既不認識神，神就樂意用人所當作愚拙的道理，拯救那些信的人；這就是神的智慧了。
(林前 1：20-21)
The wise king Solomon also
taught, “The fear of the LORD
is the beginning of wisdom, and
the knowledge of the Holy One is
understanding” (Prov 9:10).
而智慧之王所羅門，也這樣教導我們，
10敬畏耶和華是智慧的開端；認識至聖者便是聰明。
(箴 9：10)
The world is full of so-called wise
men: intellectuals and scholars who
pursue knowledge. But what are they
really striving for? Fame and status,
perhaps? Yet if they cannot emulate
the wise men from the east to search
for salvation in the Lord, their learning
is in vain. No amount of academic
study can bring about solutions for
man’s uncertain future. The prophet
Isaiah says, “…For the wisdom of
their wise men shall perish, and the
understanding of their prudent men
shall be hidden” (Isa 29:14). Only
wisdom that is based on God’s truth
is everlasting.
這個世界上充滿了一般所謂的聰明人：
很多知識份子和學者，他們一謂追求知識。
但是他們所努力爭取的，到底是什麼東西呢？
或許是名譽和地位？
然而若他們不能效法從東方來的智者，尋求來自上主的救贖，
他們所學的一切必然虛空。
沒有任何的學術研究，可以為人類不確定的未來，帶來一些解決方案。
以賽亞先知說：
14他們智慧人的智慧必然消滅，聰明人的聰明必然隱藏。
(賽 29：14)
只有基於神真理的智慧，方能永存。
The Bright and Morning Star 明亮的晨星
Before daybreak, there is usually a
profound darkness over the earth. It
lasts until the morning star appears in
the sky, shining brightly to herald the
arrival of dawn. The Lord Jesus is not
only the Star out of Jacob, He is also
the Bright and Morning Star (Rev
22:16), providing humankind with a
guiding light that breaks the darkness
(Isa 60: 2, 3).
在天破曉之前，通常有著很深的黑暗，攏罩著地上。
這種情況會一直持續，直到晨星出現在天空上，
閃閃發光代表了黎明的到來。
主耶穌不只是出自雅各之星，祂也是明亮的晨星，(啟 22：16)
讓人類有一盞照明燈，可以穿過黑暗。
(賽 60：2，3)
In his epistle to the Ephesians, Paul
teaches that the church is the body of
Christ, “the fullness of Him who fills
all in all” (Eph 1:23). The church is to
serve as a bright light in the darkness,
bringing the Lord’s salvation to
humankind and providing access to
the living fountain for the forgiveness
of sin (Zech 13:1).
在給以弗所教會的書信中，保羅教導，教會是基督的身體，
23是那充滿萬有者所充滿的。
(弗 1：23)
教會的作用，是黑暗中的一盞光，
帶來主的救贖給人們，讓人獲得永生的泉源，使自已的罪得赦。
(亞 13：1)
This present age is one of darkness,
where sin is prevalent. Cruelty,
violence, deceit, love of money
and sexual immorality abound.
The level of wickedness in this
generation surpasses that of previous
generations. It is a clear sign that
the end of the world is imminent.
But what is worrying is that many
Christians still do not realize the need
to consecrate themselves, and to
watch and pray (1 Pet 4:7). As such,
there is a danger that some will be
swallowed up by the darkness.
在這現今的世代中，是非常黑暗的時代，
到處可見罪惡之事。
殘忍，暴力，詐騙，貪愛金錢，姦淫到處可見。
今世罪惡的程度，更勝過以前的世代。
這就是一個非常明顯的記號，世界末了即將來到。
但是讓人擔心的是，有許多的基督徒，
仍然不了解要潔爭自已，並且警醒禱告。
(彼前 4：7)
也因為這樣，有一些人就很危險，
因為他們會被黑暗所噬吞。
However, since we know that
Christ is the Bright and Morning Star
that brings salvation, and that the
true church is the light in this world,
we should resolve to rid ourselves of
sin and fleshly desires and submit to
the will of God, so that we can lead
godly lives. The church as a whole
should endeavor to remain upon the
foundation of the apostles and the
prophets and to have Jesus Christ
as her cornerstone (Eph 2:20). She
should uphold the truth, promote
righteousness, and strive after peace.
然而，因為我們知道，基督是明亮的晨星，祂會帶來救贖，
而且真教會是世上之光，所以我們要下決心脫離罪和肉體的情慾，順服神的旨意，
這樣我們才能過著敬虔的生活。
而就教會整體而言，要努力保守在使徒和先知的基礎之上，
並且以耶穌基督為房角石。(弗 2：20)
她要好好持守真理，提倡公義的事，努力追求與眾人和平相處。
The Star in the Hearts of the Believers
信徒心中的星星
We also have the prophetic word
made more sure, which you do well
to heed as a light that shines in a
dark place, until the day dawns and
the morning star rises in your hearts.
(2 Pet 1:19)
19我們並有先知更確的預言，如同燈照在暗處。
你們在這預言上留意，直等到天發亮，晨星在你們心裡出現的時候，才是好的。
(彼後 1：19)
For it is the God who commanded
light to shine out of darkness, who
has shone in our hearts to give the
light of the knowledge of the glory
of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
(2 Cor 4:6)
6那吩咐光從黑暗裡照出來的神，已經照在我們心裡，叫我們得知神榮耀的光顯在耶穌基督的面上。
(林後 4：6)
Jesus Christ does not only shine
as a guiding light of salvation; He
will shine right into the hearts of
men through the Holy Spirit. When
the Spirit appears, He will illumine
darkened hearts, enabling them to
understand the truth.
耶穌基督不只閃耀發光，成為一盞救贖指引的燈光；
透過聖靈的幫忙，祂的光可以穿透人心。
當聖靈顯現之時，就能夠照亮黑暗的人心，讓他們了解真理。
Ezekiel already prophesied: 以西結先知已經預言：
Then I will give them one heart, and
I will put a new spirit within them,
and take the stony heart out of their
flesh, and give them a heart of flesh,
that they may walk in My statutes
and keep My judgments and do
them; and they shall be My people,
and I will be their God.
(Ezek 11:19–20)
19我要使他們有合一的心，也要將新靈放在他們裡面，又從他們肉體中除掉石心，賜給他們肉心，
20使他們順從我的律例，謹守遵行我的典章。他們要作我的子民，我要作他們的神。
(結 11：19-20)
I will give you a new heart and put a
new spirit within you; I will take the
heart of stone out of your flesh and
give you a heart of flesh. I will put
My Spirit within you and cause you
to walk in My statutes, and you will
keep My judgments and do them.
(Ezek 36:26–27)
26我也要賜給你們一個新心，將新靈放在你們裡面，又從你們的肉體中除掉石心，賜給你們肉心。
27我必將我的靈放在你們裡面，使你們順從我的律例，謹守遵行我的典章。
(結 36：26-27)
Here, the “stony heart” refers to a
heart that is hard, cold and callous,
while the “heart of flesh” is a heart
that is gentle, warm and humane.
Today, many people have stony
hearts. However, when the Holy Spirit
comes upon them, even these will be
transformed into hearts of flesh. This
means that man will submit to the
law of God and the darkness of their
hearts will be replaced by light.
這裡，"石心"指的是一個非常頑固、冷淡，無情的心，
而"肉心"指的是一個非常柔和，溫暖而充滿人情的心。
今日，許多人都已經變成石心了。
然而，當聖靈充滿他們的時候，
即使是這些石心，也會轉變成肉心。
這裡的意思就是，人會順服神的旨意，
而他們內心的黑暗，也會被光明所取代。
Paul says: 保羅說：
Now we have received, not the
spirit of the world, but the Spirit
who is from God, that we might
know the things that have been
freely given to us by God. These
things we also speak, not in words
which man’s wisdom teaches but
which the Holy Spirit teaches,
comparing spiritual things with
spiritual.
(1 Cor 2:12–13)
12我們所領受的，並不是世上的靈，乃是從神來的靈，叫我們能知道神開恩賜給我們的事。
13並且我們講說這些事，不是用人智慧所指教言語，乃是用聖靈所指教的言語，將屬靈的話解釋屬靈的事。
（或作：將屬靈的事講與屬靈的人）
(林前 2：12-13)
When the Morning Star shines into
the hearts of men, the people of the
world will be able to understand even
the spiritual matters of God.
當晨星照耀人心的時候，
甚至世界的人就能夠了解神屬靈的事情。
CONCLUSION 結論
In the Book of Numbers, we find the
earliest biblical reference to the star
from the east. It records a prophecy
spoken by the prophet Balaam
concerning the Star of Jacob, pointing
to the birth and salvation work of the
Messiah. Jesus would emerge from
the house of Jacob, coming to the
world as the Bright and Morning Star,
shining His light upon the world and
illumining darkened hearts through
the power of the Holy Spirit.
民數記中，我們找到早期聖經裡面，有關星星來自東方的根據。
聖經記載了巴蘭先知有關雅各之星的預言，
指出了彌賽亞的出生和救贖工作。
耶穌會從雅各家中出生，來到世上成為明亮的晨星，
把光照耀在世上，透過聖靈的力量點亮人心的黑暗。
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
Manna 嗎哪 56 (1)